SMS News for the Week of 03/30/2022

SMS News for the Week of 03/30/2022!

And scroll down for some 2022 SMS SUPERHERO CHALLENGE SCAVENGER HUNT & COOK OUT updates!!!

Yearbooks deadline extended

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Our friends at Lifetouch have extended the deadline to order Yearbooks! 

Don't miss out this opportunity and order yours today!

Order online - Click here. Our yearbook ID code is 9415322. 

Stations of the Cross

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Grade 8 will be presenting their re-enactment of the Living Stations of the Cross on Friday, April 1st at 2pm in the Church. ALL are welcome to join us!

The presentation will be also livestreamed via St Mary's Church website.

Click here to the livestream section.

School Mass

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April School Mass is scheduled for Tuesday April 5th, 2022 at 9:00am. 

Please remember that no Physical Education uniforms should be worn to Mass.

April lunch volunteers

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April Lunch Volunteers Needed!

It's already time to sign up to help out with our lunch program for the month of April.  Use the sign up here and choose days that work with your schedule.  It's a great way to support our school and get to see your kiddos, too!  Thanks in advance for your consideration!

Knights United Meeting

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Save the date of our next Knights United Meeting: Thursday April 7 at 9:00 in the Forcucci Faith Formation Center. 

Joins us as we dive deeper into our 2022 Superhero Challenge Scavenger Hunt & Cook Out.

Tuition Assistance Deadlines

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We are still accepting applications for St. Mary's School tuition assistance. Submit your application no later than April 7, 2022.

Announcements

Rice Bowls

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At St. Mary's School we continue to spend time focusing on the three pillars of Lent: almsgiving, fasting and prayer. We have chosen to encourage the students to collect their spare change, earn extra money at home or donate from an allowance to fill up the Rice Bowls. In some grades, the teacher keep one Rice Bowl in the classroom to collect the money, in some grades students were given a Rice Bowl to collect their money at home and bring it in. This is a voluntary school-wide activity to help our students with the idea of giving alms during this solemn time. Rice Bowls may be turned in up through Friday, April 8th.

To learn more about Rice Bowls, please click here.

Spring Vacation

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School will be closed for the Spring Vacation April 11-18, 2022. We will be back Tuesday April 19, 2022. 

Reminder: Relaxed Uniforms will begin when we return from Spring Vacation. Click here to review our uniform guidelines and for information about our Used Uniform Exchange. 

Enjoy the break!!

Standardized Testing

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April 24 - May 13, 2022. Students in grades 3-7 will take the IOWA tests during these series of weeks.

Please keep in mind that it is very important for students to arrive at school PROMPTLY by 8:40AM on 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.

Land's End Uniform Sale

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Looking to get school uniforms ready for the next school year?

Land's End will be having a sale on school uniforms April 14-27. Use our school code: 900132150.

And don't forget to get your CHOICE cards to pay for your purchase!

CHOICE program balances will be going home next week. Choice Obligations for the 2021-2022 school year are due on April 30, 2022.

Contact Tricia Prausa: tpausa@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net for any questions about the CHOICE program.

2022 SMS SUPERHERO CHALLENGE SCAVENGER HUNT & COOK OUT

Keep Your Eyes on the Prize!!  April 29-May 1st.

Thank you to McKenna Orthodontics for "Saving the Day" with their Superhero Scavenger Hunt Sponsorship! We love having our alum and current parents combining forces for the good of St. Mary's School!
Hooray for Dr. McKenna P'09 & P'17 & Dr. Lashgari P'26! 

Ready to register? Use this link or QR code for registration, cookout passes and sponsorship.

https://my-site-101130-103008.square.site/superhero-challenge

Fill out this form to name your team and team's Captain!!!

https://forms.gle/A43hSiVQCgXY5GMJ8

Sir Ted says: follow us on social media!

Facebook: @SMSSimsbury 

Instagram: @smssimsburyknights

Twitter: @SMS_Knights

Kind regards,
St. Mary's School

 SMS News for the Week of 03/23/22

And scroll down for some 2022 SMS SUPERHERO CHALLENGE SCAVENGER HUNT & COOK OUT updates!!!

April lunch ordering period

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It's time to order student lunches for the month of April. Take a look at the menu below and log onto Educonnect NOW until March 28th to place your orders.  Instructions can be found here. 

No late orders may be accepted.  Please email tprausa@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net.

22-23 Enrollment Packet

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The 22-23 school year is almost here. And we are so thankful for the families that have signed their Family Enrollment Agreement and paid the Enrollment Fee. As a reminder for those families that have signed and not yet paid the Enrollment Fee: your enrollment is not complete without this payment! 

Please click here https://square.link/u/WD7VMMbz to pay your fee and complete your enrollment or send a check to the school office ASAP. Don't miss your seat, some classes have a waiting list already!

Tuition Assistance Deadlines

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FACS scholarship applications are due to Mrs. Williamson by March 28, 2022. See your email of March 13 for required forms.

Applications for St. Mary's School tuition assistance are due by April 7, 2022.

Cinderella Enchanted Edition

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Our friends at Northwest Catholic High School are having a magical presentation.

Please look at the flyer below and get your tickets for the "Cinderella Enchanted Edition". March 24-26, 2022 at 7:00pm and March 27 at 2:00pm. Tickets are on sale now! Scan the QR in the flyer or go to: https://www.northwestcatholic.org/the-arts/theater/cinderella

SAVE THE DATE!

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Northwest Catholic High School Spring Carnival Open House.** 

For the first time, NWC is inviting younger students (Grades 5th-7th) and their families to a Spring Carnival Open House on campus. They will have a bounce slide, life-sized games, a cotton candy machine and a popcorn machine on the lawn and teachers will be available in the Dining Hall. Tours of the school will be also offered.

Visit: https://www.northwestcatholic.org/admissions/open-house to register.

Announcements

Lifetouch Yearbooks

Order your Yearbooks today!! 

Paper orders were sent home last week, you can also order your Yearbooks online - Click here.  Our yearbook ID code is 9415322. Yearbooks must be purchased by March 28, 2022.

Light of Christ Award.

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Please join us to congratulate Mrs. Gina Raymond (Gr. 6 Homeroom teacher, Mathematics 6-8, Coding 1-7). She recently received the Light of Christ Award sponsored by the Hartford Bishops Foundation.

Mrs. Gina Raymond, who has taught here at SMS for over 10 years, is a wonderful exemplar of what so many Catholic school educators are. Mrs. Raymond is a role model for students, a witness to Jesus, a dedicated educator and a responsible citizen whose life is guided by Catholic principles. We all know Mrs. Raymond as a teacher who says “yes” when asked to tackle a new project whether it is a new Middle School math class, being the grade 6 homeroom teacher, setting up a Robotics Club, teaching coding or leading our grade 8 or teacher retreats! In real life, these are the things that qualified Mrs. Raymond to receive this outstanding recognition.

2022 SMS SUPERHERO CHALLENGE SCAVENGER HUNT & COOK OUT

Keep Your Eyes on the Prize!! 

This year's scavenger hunt is back, bigger and better than ever!! April 29-May 1st. Take a look at our video!

Special thanks to our Sponsor of the Week: Mrs. Allyson, Grade 1st. parent (Tink's Magical Vacations with Allyson). Allyson is a vacation planner with Tink's Magical Vacations and is a graduate of Disney's College of Knowledge. If you are thinking about Disney vacations, please don't hesitate to contact her: Allyson@tinksmagicalvacations.com

Ready to register? Use this link or QR code for registration, cookout passes and sponsorship.

https://my-site-101130-103008.square.site/superhero-challenge

Fill out this form to name your team and team's Captain!!!

https://forms.gle/A43hSiVQCgXY5GMJ8

Sir Ted says: follow us on social media!

Facebook: @SMSSimsbury 

Instagram: @smssimsburyknights

Twitter: @SMS_Knights

Kind regards,
St. Mary's School

 

SMS News for the Week of 03/16/2022

School Board Meeting

Join us tonight, Wednesday March 16, 2022 at 7:00pm in the Reading Room - Magowan Center for our School Board Meeting.

Are you interested in helping with spreading the word about St. Mary’s School?

The St. Mary’s School Board will be having a half hour discussion of practical ways to encourage families to enroll their children at St. Mary’s School. We invite you to be part of that discussion and, hopefully, be willing to lend a hand with new initiatives. We would like to come away with a very practical plan to implement immediately so that families who become interested may become enrolled before some classes are filled.

For example, are you willing to approach your pastor (in churches where we do not have a strong enrollment), do you associate with a group of parents at your children’s activities who might be interested? etc.

Mrs. Toni Chagnon, Advancement and Admissions Director, will be at the meeting along with the School Board.

St. Patrick's Day

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Let's celebrate St. Patrick's day!!! 

Tomorrow, Thursday March 17, 2022, wear green tops and green/St. Patrick's themed accessories and P.E. bottoms.

School Closed

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School will be closed this Friday March 18, 2022. Faculty will be at a Professional Development day.

St. Joseph's Day

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Students are welcome to celebrate St. Joseph's Day and wear red tops and red accessories along with P.E. bottoms on Monday March 21, 2022.

22-23 Enrollment Packet

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The deadline to sign your enrollment paperwork is next week. If you haven't signed your paperwork you will receive reminders from DocuSign. 

Important: If you complete your documents through DocuSign but do not submit the $250 non- refundable fee by the deadline indicated on your document, your seat(s) will not be held.

Thank you so much to the families that have signed their enrollment and paid the Family Enrollment Fee.

Tuition Assistance Deadlines

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FACS scholarship applications are due to Mrs. Williamson by March 28, 2022. See your email of March 13 for required forms.

Applications for St. Mary's School tuition assistance are due by April 7, 2022.

Cinderella Enchanted Edition

----------

Our friends at Northwest Catholic High School are having a magical presentation.

Please look at the flyer below and get your tickets for the "Cinderella Enchanted Edition". March 24-26, 2022 at 7:00pm and March 27 at 2:00pm. Tickets are on sale now! Scan the QR in the flyer or go to: https://www.northwestcatholic.org/the-arts/theater/cinderella

Announcements

Lifetouch Yearbooks

Order your Yearbooks today!! 

Paper orders were sent home last week, you can also order your Yearbooks online - Click here.  Our yearbook ID code is 9415322. Yearbooks must be purchased by March 28, 2022.

2022 SMS SUPERHERO CHALLENGE SCAVENGER HUNT & COOK OUT

Keep Your Eyes on the Prize!! 

This year's scavenger hunt is back, bigger and better than ever!! 

Solving puzzles and riddles, accomplish amazing feats of skill and silliness, locate hidden spots and landmarks in the Farmington River Valley. The top teams will earn cash prizes! This year's hunt also features a cookout worthy of superheroes on Sunday, May 1st.

Ready to register? Use this link or QR code for registration, cookout passes and sponsorship.

https://my-site-101130-103008.square.site/superhero-challenge

Fill out this form to name your team and team's Captain!!!

https://forms.gle/A43hSiVQCgXY5GMJ8

Want to help?

Help us write the clues for this year's Superhero Challenge. Click here to download the form.

"A Call to Parenthood"

Parents of all ages are invited to spend an evening with Kelly Henderschedt, Archdiocesan Director of Faith Formation. March 30, 2022 at 7:00pm in the SMS Parish Center. 

This event is sponsored by the St. Mary's Church Faith Formation team.

To RSVP send an email to Lori Ryan: reled7-8@stmarysimsbury.org

Sir Ted says: follow us on social media!

Facebook: @SMSSimsbury 

Instagram: @smssimsburyknights

Twitter: @SMS_Knights

Kind regards,
St. Mary's School

 

SMS News for the Week of 03/09/2022

Second Trimester Report Cards

Report cards will be available by the end of the day on March 11, 2022.

If after reviewing the report cards you have any questions, please contact the teacher(s) directly.

School Board Meeting

Our next School Board Meeting is Wednesday March 16, 2022 at 7:00pm St. Mary’s Reading Room - Magowan Center.

Are you interested in helping with spreading the word about St. Mary’s School?

The St. Mary’s School Board will be having a half hour discussion of practical ways to encourage families to enroll their children at St. Mary’s School. We invite you to be part of that discussion and, hopefully, be willing to lend a hand with new initiatives. We would like to come away with a very practical plan to implement immediately so that families who become interested may become enrolled before some classes are filled.

For example, are you willing to approach your pastor (in churches where we do not have a strong enrollment), do you associate with a group of parents at your children’s activities who might be interested? etc.

Mrs. Toni Chagnon, Advancement and Admissions Director, will be at the meeting along with the School Board.

School Closed

School will be closed on Friday March 18, 2022. Faculty will be at a Professional Development day.

22-23 Enrollment Packet

Re-enrollment packets were sent last week. If you haven't signed your paperwork you will receive reminders from DocuSign.

Important: If you complete your documents through DocuSign but do not submit the $250 non- refundable fee by the deadline indicated on your document, your seat(s) will not be held.

Lifetouch Yearbooks

Check those backpacks!! Paper orders for the 21-22 Yearbook were sent yesterday!

You can also order your Yearbooks online - Click here.  Our yearbook ID code is 9415322. Yearbooks must be purchased by March 28, 2022.

Announcements

2022 SMS SUPERHERO CHALLENGE SCAVENGER HUNT & COOK OUT

Keep Your Eyes on the Prize!! 

This year's scavenger hunt is back, bigger and better than ever!! 

Solving puzzles and riddles, accomplish amazing feats of skill and silliness, locate hidden spots and landmarks in the Farmington River Valley. The top teams will earn cash prizes! This year's hunt also features a cookout worthy of superheroes on Sunday, May 1st.

See the attached flyer and hunt away!

Want to help?

Help us write the clues for this year's Superhero Challenge. Click here to download the form.

Spring Ahead Daylight Savings Time

Sunday March 13, 2022 the Spring Ahead Daylight Savings time begins. 

Remember to set your clock forward one hour the night before!

"A Call to Parenthood"

Parents of all ages are invited to spend an evening with Kelly Henderschedt, Archdiocesan Director of Faith Formation. March 30, 2022 at 7:00pm in the SMS Parish Center. 

This event is sponsored by the St. Mary's Church Faith Formation team.

To RSVP send an email to Lori Ryan: reled7-8@stmarysimsbury.org

Sir Ted says: follow us on social media!

Facebook: @SMSSimsbury 

Instagram: @smssimsburyknights

Twitter: @SMS_Knights

Kind regards,
St. Mary's School

SMS News for the Week of 03/02/22

 

SMS News for the Week of 03/02/2022

22-23 Enrollment Packet

Re-enrollment packets were sent yesterday and they look a little different this year as we roll out DocuSign and an electronic payment option for the first time. 

DocuSign eliminates the need of printing paper documents and a link to pay for the $250 family enrollment agreement is being offered to make this process quick and easy. Checks will also still be accepted.

You should have received two separate emails. One from the SMS Office with instructions and helpful links and separate email from DocuSign containing two documents: the Family Enrollment Agreement stating your tuition for the 2022-23 school year and CHOICE obligation and the Withdrawal Policy and Affiliated/ Non-Affiliated Tuition Understanding

The non-refundable $250 Family Enrollment Agreement Fee can be paid through this link: https://square.link/u/WD7VMMbz or you can still send a check in to the office.

If you did not use an installment plan last year and are choosing to do so for the 22-23 school year, you must enroll in Blackbaud Tuition Management (formerly SMART tuition). Please click here: https://enroll.blackbaud.school to enroll or click here to print the form to fill it out and send it to the school office.

Please note: Families who are currently enrolled in SMART will roll over to Blackbaud and do not need to re-enroll.

* If you indicate you plan to "pay in full" in your Family Enrollment Agreement, payment must be done by check no later than June 1, 2022.

Important: If you complete your documents through DocuSign but do not submit the $250 non- refundable fee by the deadline indicated on your document, your seat(s) will not be held.

Knights United Meeting

Spring is just around the corner and so is our Superhero Scavenger Hunt! Join us tomorrow, Thursday, March 3rd at 9:00 am in the Forcucci Faith Formation Center (lower church) for our Knights United Meeting.

We need your help as we prepare for our annual Superhero Scavenger Hunt! Help us make our largest event of the year super successful!  

Moving Up Knight!

Mark Your Calendar! Monday, March 7th at 6:30 pm.

It's Moving Up Knight!

Parents & Guardians are invited to join us at SMS for a "Knight" of Knowledge 

Visit your child(ren)'s classrooms, meet teachers and learn more about what to expect in the 2022-2023 school year. 

The 4 most important things you need to know about Moving Up Knight!

• There will be three timed sessions available to visit classrooms. This allows parents with children in multiple grades to cover all their bases! 

• Please park in the North lot. You will enter by using the exterior doors to the classrooms. They will have numbers on the doors for guidance. After the first session you may proceed to your next classroom indoors. You do not need to go back outside! If you only have one classroom to visit you are free to leave and enjoy the rest of your evening. 

• Middle School: You have been assigned specific sessions depending on grade. 
• Please read the following schedule: 

6:30 pm to 6:50 pm - 7th & 8th Grade

6:50 pm to 7:10 pm - 6th Grade only 

7:10 pm to 7:30 pm - 7th & 8th Grade

• This evening is designed for parents only.

School Closed

School will be closed on Friday March 18, 2022. Faculty will be at a Professional Development day.

Second Trimester Report Cards

Second trimester ends on March 04, 2022. Report cards will be available by the end of the day on March 11, 2022.

If after reviewing the report cards you have any questions, please contact the teachers directly.

Lifetouch Yearbooks

Don't miss a minute of memories!  The SMS yearbook contains a photo of every student along with candid photos from all major school events.  Yearbooks are $35 each and may be ordered online - Click here.  Our yearbook ID code is 9415322. Yearbooks must be purchased by March 28, 2022.

Updated COVID-19 Decision Tree from the Farmington Valley Health District.

Please click here to review the most recent update to the Decision Tree from the FVHD regarding to COVID-19 protocols for the transitional period (optional face mask).

 It is ALWAYS best to discuss any concerns related to COVID-19 symptoms or possible exposure to COVID-19 with the school nurse prior to sending your child to school.

Kind regards,
St. Mary's School