Saint Mary's School - News & Announcements: September 2021

Wednesday, September 22, 2021

News for the Week of 9/22/21

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Calendar Reminder - School will be closed on Tuesday, 9/28/21, for a teacher in-service day.

Lunch Program News -It's time to order student lunches for October 4th - 29th. Log onto Educonnect (link to https://stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net/login) between Monday, September 20 until Wednesday, September 29th to place your orders. Instructions can be found here (link to https://drive.google.com/file/d/1S-0OECAP4K8hY7qsfuSMNnRmwwnbIiqR/view). Late orders cannot be accepted so if you miss an order period, your child(ren) will not be able to get lunches for that month. Please email tprausa@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net with any questions or concerns. Thanks!

Exciting news about PE:

Running Club is back!

Join your friends for 30 minutes of lap-style running fun! The club will meet Thursdays afterschool from 3:45-4:15 in the North Lot. Students in Grades 2-8 are invited to participate. The cost of Running Club is $30. Checks can be made payable to "St. Mary School" with "Running Club" in the memo line. If you have questions, please email Mrs. Williams: lwilliams@stmarysimsbury.k12edu.net

Lacrosse Clinic Series Grades 3-8

Knights uKnighted News - Thank you so much to the parents/volunteers who came out to our meeting at The Coffee Spot. If you want to learn more about our community and upcoming events, please email Toni Chagnon: tchagnon@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net.

Annual Asbestos Management Notification - Click here to read our annual notification regarding the school's asbestos management plan.

Wednesday, September 15, 2021

News for the Week of 9/15/21

Calendar Reminder - School will be closed on Tuesday, 9/28/21, for a teacher in-service day.

School Board Meeting - All are invited to tonight's (9/15) School Board meeting at7pm in the Art/Music Room of the Magowan Center. It will be an in-person only meeting.

Knights uKnighted News - If you couldn't make our Knights United Family & School Association meeting on Thursday, 9/9/21, we will be hosting a virtual meeting tomorrow -Thursday, September 16th at 7pm. Please join us and learn more about our community and upcoming events! The invitation link for this Zoom meeting was sent out to all parents from Toni Chagnon via email on Friday, 9/10/21. If you need this information, please contact the school office.

Instrumental Music Lessons begin tomorrow - Thursday, 9/16 for Cadet (Beginner) musicians. Lessons for advanced students also continue. New students are still welcome to join. Click here for an FMI registration form.

Mum Pickup- Thanks to all that supported the 8th grade mum sale. Mums will be available for pickup this Friday, 9/17, from 2-4pm in the Parish Center. If picking up your mums at dismissal time, please note that you cannot park in the Parish Center lot to get your mums and then also get your students. Please plan to either pick up mums before going to the carpool lot for your children OR pickup your children in the carpool lot and then stop in the Parish Center lot to get your mums.

CHOICE Program News - ThankScriping Day is coming September 16 – 17!

Get ready to earn up to 20% with 100+ bonuses on eGift cards and reloaded gift cards. The two-day event is your opportunity to raise more money on your everyday purchases.

RaiseRight Exclusive! See all bonuses today - Wednesday, September 15—only in the RaiseRight™ mobile app.

You must have an online account to take advantage of these bonus earnings. Sign up in the mobile app, RaiseRight, or at Shop.ShopWithScrip.com. Our enrollment code is LD916C338833.

Email tprausa@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net with any questions. Happy Shopping!

Annual Asbestos Management Notification - Click here to read our annual notification regarding the school's asbestos management plan.

Wednesday, September 8, 2021

News for the Week of 9/8/21

We are so happy to have our new school year underway!

Thanks to all for sharing your fabulous back to school photos.

We had a great first few days and are excited for all the growth and learning we will be seeing in the days and weeks ahead.

Thanks to all our SMS families for our continued partnership.

#uKnighted

Back to School Forms Reminder - Thanks to all that have returned their "Back to School" forms. If you have not already done so, please make every effort to complete and return your forms as soon as possible. Of particular importance are the student and field trip emergency cards and the directory verification form. Please note that the directory verification form is personalized with your family's contact information. Please review it carefully, update as needed and sign and return. Please sign and return even if there are no changes! Thanks!

Instrumental Music News - DATE CHANGE! Meeting for parents with students new to the instrumental music program was originally scheduled for Wednesday, 9/8. THIS MEETING WILL NOW BE HOSTED ON ZOOM ON THURSDAY, 9/9 AT 6:30pm. An email has been sent to parents of students in grades 4-8 with the time and Zoom invitation. If you need us to resend this email to you, please contact the school office.

Parents NEW to the FMI instrumental music program are invited to this meeting to meet our FMI instructor, Mr. Richard Shonty and learn more about the FMI program. You can also visit the FMI website to learn more about their program - click here.

Parents of students already enrolled in the band program do not need to attend this meeting.

Instrumental music lessons for advanced (year 2+ of studies) students will begin on Thursday, 9/9. These students should bring their instruments and accessories to school on Thursday. Lessons for beginning students will begin on Thursday, 9/16.

Back to School Night for Parents - Again this year, our "Back to School" Night for Parents will be hosted virtually. Each teacher, along with Mrs. Williamson, our Principal, and Toni Chagnon, our Admissions and Advancement Director, has prepared an informative video that can be viewed at your convenience beginning today - September 8. Links appear below:

Mrs. Williamson's Welcome

Mrs. Chagnon's Welcome

Presentations by Grade Level -

Teacher Introductions

Friday, 9/10/21 - Last day to order mums from the Gr. 8 mum sale. Click here for an order form.

Monday, 9/13/21 - Lifetouch student photos for students in PreK, Kindergarten - Gr. 7. Students in PK3's and grade 8 will have photos taken on a separate day. Picture order forms were sent home at Meet & Greet (or on the first day of school). Pictures may also be ordered online - click here. Our School ID is EVTXJ9H72. Please note that a picture is taken of each student, even if no pictures are ordered. This photo is then used in our school yearbook. Students in PreK, Kindergarten - Gr. 7 may wear "Sunday Best" or the uniform of the day on Picture Day.

Tuesday, 9/14/21 - School Mass, 9am All are welcome to join us in church but all, regardless of vaccination status, are requested to wear a mask. Please also remember that no physical education uniforms should be worn to Mass.

All families are strongly encouraged to regularly check the school's Google calendar to stay up to date in regard to all school activities.

Spirit Wear News - If you need to order gym tee shirts or quarter zips for the cooler weather that will be here soon - click here.

Guidelines regarding appropriate face masks in school - In accordance with the requirement and guidelines issued by the Connecticut State Department of Education, St. Mary’s School requires that all individuals entering the school building or on a district transportation vehicle wear an appropriate face covering. An appropriate face covering shall consist of a cloth mask (2 or more layers of washable, breathable fabric) or disposable procedure-style mask that completely covers the individual’s nose and mouth. An appropriate face covering shall not include bandanas or exhalation valve masks. Please click here to review the CDC's guide to masks.

Questions about whether your child is well enough to go to school? Concerned about Covid-19?

Click here to view, download and print the most current version of the Farmington Valley Health Department's Parents' Daily Checklist. This information can help guide you in determining if you should send your child to school if there are symptoms suggestive of Covid and/or suspected exposure to Covid. It is ALWAYS best to discuss any concerns related to Covid symptoms or possible exposure to Covid with the school nurse prior to sending your child to school.

Community News -

Wednesday, September 1, 2021

News for the Week of 9/1/21

Click here to read the SMS Opening Plan for 2021-22 - This plan outlines the daily plans and procedures for our school in regard to Covid-19 restrictions and protocols.

September is a busy month! Here are some key dates to keep in mind -

Monday, 9/6/21 - School CLOSED for Labor Day.

Tuesday, 9/7/21 - Lunch Program begins for those who preordered.

Wednesday, 9/8/21 - Meeting for Parents New to Band & Back To School Night - More information appears below.

Thursday, 9/9/21 - Instrumental lessons begin for Advanced students (second year of study & beyond)