News for the Week of 5/26/21

 

COVID 19 Guidelines as of May 19, 2021 - The Connecticut Department of Public Health has released a set of guidelines for fully vaccinated and unvaccinated adults and children based on the newly relaxed restrictions.  Please click here to review.  

As of 5/20/21, the Connecticut Department of Education has released a universal mask policy for school buildings.  Click here.

May Crowning - Our second grade will continue our beautiful school tradition of May Crowning this Friday, 5/28/21, at 9:15.  In person attendance is limited to second grade students and their families but you are invited to join them via livestream.

School will be dismissed early at 12:45pm this Friday, 5/28/21.  There will be no aftercare.  School will be closed on Monday, 5/31/21, in observance of Memorial Day.

Looking Ahead to Summer & Our New School Year!

Our last day of school will be Friday, June 11.  School will be dismissed early 12:45pm.  There will be no aftercare.

Summer office hours will begin on Tuesday, June 15.  The school office will be staffed Tuesday - Thursday from 9am-1pm or by appointment.  CHOICE cards will be available during office hours.

Our first day of school for the 21-22 school year will be on Wednesday, 9/1/21.  It will be a regular, full day of school with both early drop off and aftercare available.

TIME TO SHOP!! Follett On-Line Spring Bookfair OPEN NOW- Shop through Sunday, 5/30!  Click here.  Our school code is Z68KY.  This is a great opportunity to stock up on some new books to encourage summer reading.  You can also visit Teacher Wish Lists if you'd like to help stock classroom libraries.  Forty percent of all sales come back to SMS as credit towards future purchases.  This credit is then used to purchase books for teachers' classrooms and our school library! 

SMS Stars

Many Fine Finishes!  Congratulations to our Regional Spelling Bee Participants on their terrific efforts!

Pictured from left, Sophie A., Gr. 5; Mary Kate G., Gr. 4 and Addy O., Gr.6

"Do Math or Go Home!"

We're so proud of Mrs. Herron's Second Grade Math Club for their determination to master math skills while having fun!

Community News

Simsbury Public Library Announces Summer Reading Program - Click here to learn more and to register.

News for the Week of 5/19/21

 

School will be dismissed early at 12:45pm on Friday, 5/28/21.  There will be no aftercare.  School will be closed on Monday, 5/31/21, in observance of Memorial Day.

Looking Ahead to Summer & Our New School Year!

Our last day of school will be Friday, June 11.  School will be dismissed early 12:45pm.  There will be no aftercare.

Summer office hours will begin on Tuesday, June 15.  The school office will be staffed Tuesday - Thursday from 9am-1pm or by appointment.  CHOICE cards will be available during office hours.

Our first day of school for the 21-22 school year will be on Wednesday, 9/1/21.  It will be a regular, full day of school with both early drop off and aftercare available.

Important Policy Change for 2021-22 Regarding Remote Learning - We have been advised by the OEEC that for schools in the Archdiocese of Hartford, optional remote learning will not be available for the next school year. This means parents/guardians may not elect to access remote learning for students on a daily basis.  There are two exceptions to this policy:  1. If an unvaccinated student tests positive for COVID and is required to quarantine, 2. a serious illness prohibits a student from attending school due to hospitalization or similar circumstance.

Additionally, please note that SMS will continue to comply with all health and safety guidelines issued by Federal and State government, the Farmington Valley Health Department, and the OEEC.  This includes any requirements regarding masking, social distancing, testing and quarantine that are in place when school opens.  Our goal will continue to be to provide all students and staff with a safe, healthy school environment.

School Board Meeting - The School Board will meet tonight, 5/19/21, via Zoom at 7pm.  Mrs. Williamson has sent out an invitation with the Zoom link via email.

Final Knights United Meeting!  Friday, May 21st at 2pm 

This meeting will be in person in the art & music room. Masks are required.  We will be wrapping up the year and start planning our calendar of events for the 2021-22 school year.  Your help is needed, please join us! 

Follett On-Line Spring Bookfair Begins Monday, 5/24/21 -  You can shop anytime from 5/24 - 5/30.  Click here.  Our school code is Z68KY.  This is a great opportunity to stock up on some new books to encourage summer reading.  You can also visit Teacher Wish Lists if you'd like to help stock classroom libraries.  Forty percent of all sales come back to SMS as credit towards future purchases.  This credit is then used to purchase books for teachers' classrooms and our school library! 

CHOICE Chat - 

Thank you to everyone who has already paid their Choice balances.  Choice Obligations for the 2020-2021 school year were due on April 30, 2021.  If you have not yet paid your remaining obligation, please submit your checks made to St. Mary’s Choice to the school office as soon as possible.   

Are there other physical gift cards you wished were available in the office?  Please click here to take a quick survey to let us know.

If you have any questions regarding your Choice balance or contributions, please email tprausa@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net.

SMS Stars

Congratulations to Noelle (Gr. 3) and Kareem (Gr. 1) on attaining their orange belts in karate.

On April 23, Mrs. Williamson was honored by the University of St. Joseph with an honorary degree, Doctor of Humane Letters.  Click here to view the ceremony and her remarks which were based on the SMS Student Pledge that is recited daily as part of our morning prayer assembly.

As a student of St. Mary’s School, I promise to live my life knowing that God surrounds me and all those I meet. I will be kind and respectful to others by treating everyone the way I want to be treated, and I will help those in need. I will study hard and continue to learn all my life.

Alumni News 

Congratulations to Mason Burhoe and Greyson Kellner, both SMS Class of '18 and currently students at Simsbury High School, on their recent success at the FBLA State Leadership Conference.  Mason placed second in the Accounting II competition and Greyson placed second in the Computer Problem Solving competition.

Community News

Monsignor Matera has received information regarding our new pastor. As of July 1, 2021 our new pastor will be Father Stephen Sledesky.  Father Sledesky is currently the pastor of St. George parish in Guilford. Father brings with him experience with Catholic elementary schools including being associated with the East Shoreline Catholic Academy in Branford. St. George parish is one of the parishes included in the school.

Click here to register for St. Mary's Vacation Bible School.

News for the Week of 5/12/21

 

The 4th grade offering of a spiritual bouquet to 2nd grade in honor of their First Communion!  Congratulations and all God's blessings to all the St. Mary's School and Parish First Communicants.

Farmington Valley Health Department Covid Vaccine Clinics for Students 12+ - The Farmington Valley Health District has announced that they will hold COVID Vaccination clinics for 12 and older.  The first clinic will be held on Tuesday, May 18^th with second dose clinic on June 8^th and Saturday, May 22^nd with second dose clinic on June 12^th.  See below for additional details.  Click here to register for the Tuesday clinics and here for the Saturday clinics.

Our May School Mass will celebrate the Feast of the Ascension tomorrow -  Thursday, 5/13/21. 

Some students will attend Mass in the church with the rest participating via livestream.  At this time, attendance is restricted to students and faculty.

Important Policy Change for 2021-22 Regarding Remote Learning - We have been advised by the OEEC that for schools in the Archdiocese of Hartford, optional remote learning will not be available for the next school year. This means parents/guardians may not elect to access remote learning for students on a daily basis.  There are two exceptions to this policy:  1. If an unvaccinated student tests positive for COVID and is required to quarantine, 2. a serious illness prohibits a student from attending school due to hospitalization or similar circumstance.

Additionally, please note that SMS will continue to comply with all health and safety guidelines issued by Federal and State government, the Farmington Valley Health Department, and the OEEC.  This includes the mask requirement and any requirements regarding social distancing, testing and quarantine.  Our goal will continue to be to provide all students and staff with a safe, healthy school environment.

A Super Thank You to our Superhero Challenge sponsors for helping "Save the Day" and making our Superhero Scavenger Hunt a huge success! 

St. Catherine's Church - Fitzgerald's Foods - Laurel Automotive - LAZ Parking - Tyler Equipment & Northwest Community Bank 

A big shout out to our Hometown Heroes - Holloways - McKenna Orthodontics -  St. Therese - Northwest Catholic - Greenpest Control & Anthology 

 

Final Knights United Meeting!  Friday, May 21st at 2pm 

This meeting will be in person in the art & music room. Masks are required.  We will be wrapping up the year and start planning our calendar of events for the 2021-22 school year.  Your help is needed, please join us! 

Choice Chat! 

Choice Obligations for the 2020-2021 school year were due on April 30, 2021.  Thank you to everyone who has already paid their balances.  If you have not yet paid your remaining obligation, please submit your checks made to St. Mary’s Choice to the school office as soon as possible.   

Choice purchases made beginning May 1, 2021 will be applied to your 2021-2022 school year obligation.  Keep shopping!  There are several retailers, now including Whole Foods, who offer eCards on the RaiseRight app, and we continue to have many physical gift cards available for purchase in the school office. Are there other physical gift cards you wished were available in the office?  Please click here to take a quick survey to let us know.

If you have any questions regarding your Choice balance or contributions, please email tprausa@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net.

Are you a Whole Foods Shopper?  You can now obtain ecards for Whole Foods via GLScrip or by using the Raise Right app.  The ecards carry a 3% profit rate!

Bookfair is Online Again this Spring! We're excited to be able to offer another Follett Bookfair this spring! Did you know that  40% of all sales come back to SMS as credit towards future purchases.  This credit is then used to purchase books for teachers' classrooms and our school library!  Our online bookfair will be open the week of 5/24/21.  Look for a link in next week's blog and when you are shopping you are invited to view Teacher Wishlists if you'd like to purchase a book or two for your children's classroom libraries!

Community News

Vacation Bible School will return to St. Mary's Parish this summer!  Program is open to students entering Kindergarten through grade 7.  Click here for more information and to register.  Volunteers are also needed!

Simsbury Public Library Wants Your Input!  

2022-2026 Strategic Plan Survey

Every five years the Library Board of Trustees works to develop a vision for the future of the Library. The resulting five-year Strategic Plan is used to prioritize ongoing decisions about library services, resources, and programs to better serve our constituents. As we prepare for a post-pandemic future, the Strategic Planning Committee is conducting a survey to gather feedback about people's aspirations for the future of our community and the Simsbury Public Library. Click here to participate. Thank you for sharing your thoughts! All responses are anonymous.

Summer Fun & Skills - 

Avon Old Farms School is offering a summer basketball camp for boys and girls ages 7 -  17. Click here for more information and to register.

Westminster School is hosting 2 summer baseball camps.  One for boys and girls from 8-12 and one for boys and girls 13 &14.  Please see below for more information.

News for the Week of 5/5/21

 

IOWA Testing continues for students in grades 3 -7 through Friday, 5/7/21. 

While these tests are one important indicator of a student's academic progress, we do strongly encourage you to help your child(ren) approach these tests with a positive outlook of relaxed confidence. Unlike many regular assessments, these tests cannot be "studied" for and the best preparation for them is a good night's rest and a healthy breakfast.  Students that may feel anxious should be reminded that these tests are just one measure of progress. Please also keep in mind that it is very important for students to arrive at school PROMPTLY by 8:40AM on IOWA testing days. Late arrivals will not be permitted into a classroom if the testing has begun until there is a break. Additionally, we ask that you try to avoid scheduling doctor and dentist visits during the testing period. Students cannot be called out of class during a testing period and no announcements will be made into classrooms during testing.

Thanks to everyone who supported our Superhero Scavenger Hunt!

Congratulations to all SMS Superheros, especially to our top 3 finishers! 

1st Place: The Fantastic 4 - $250 & CHOICE obligation for the 21-22 school year

2nd Place: Not Your Average Heroes - $100 and $250 Family Enrollment fee for the 21-22 school year 

3rd Place: The Devoe Team - $50 and $50 iPad insurance fee for 21-22 school year 

Raffle Mission Winners: 

1. (2)Tickets to Mohawk Mtn. - Not Your Average Heroes 

2. Candy Bouquet- The Diamonds 

3. Candy Cake- Tigers 

4. Cupcake Gypsy Cupcake a Month- Earthworm Sally 

5. Nerf Ball Fetch Shooter - Tigers 

6. $50 Warner’s Nursery Gift Card- Awesome Alum 

7. $50 Warner’s Nursery Gift Card- UnderAchievers 

8. Wine & Candles Tote - Underdogs 

9. (2) Tickets to Mt. Southington - The Justice League 

10. Valley Nursery Garden Center Hose & Nozzle: Grandparents Rule 

11. Water Balloons- Flaming Potatoes 

12. Villari’s Karate Lessons & Uniform- The Mad Sanitizers 

13. A Day at the Beach Tote- Rainbow Unicorns 

14. (2) Lake Compounce Tickets - Lego Masters Next Generation 

Our May School Mass will celebrate the Feast of the Ascension on Thursday, 5/13/21.  Some students will attend Mass in the church with the rest participating via livestream.  At this time, attendance is restricted to students and faculty.

CHOICE News - The 20-21 CHOICE year ended on 4/30/21.  If your family has a balance, your payment is due now.  If you have questions regarding your family's CHOICE balance, please contact Tricia in the school office.  All CHOICE purchases made after 4/30/21, will be credited to the 21-22 school year.

Bookfair is Online Again this Spring! We're excited to be able to offer another Follett Bookfair this spring!  We had good success with the Follett Bookfair online option in the fall.   We were able to purchase all the books in this picture for each teacher’s classroom library with the credit dollars we earned from your family orders!   Our Spring Bookfair will be available online only from Monday, May 24 - Sunday, May 30.  Look for a link for online shopping and teacher wishlists in the blog and via Remind text the week of May 19.

Community News

Summer Sports Opportunity - Click here to register for the Basketball Clinic.  Northwest Catholic will also be offering other clinics for both boys and girls entering grades 4-9.  These will include:  baseball, lacrosse, soccer, volleyball, football and cheerleading.  Click here to learn more and register!