News for the Week of 11/8/17

School will be open for a regular, full day of school on Friday, November 10th.  There will be a prayer service in observance of Veteran's Day.  All are welcome to attend this prayer service in the Parish Center beginning with Morning Prayer at 8:45am.

R.E.D.  (Remember Everyone Deployed) Friday - On Friday, November 10th, all students that bring in a non-perishable food item for the Jack Bannon Turkey Trot may wear red accessories with the uniform of the day.  Examples of acceptable accessories include red socks, red neckties (for boys), red hairbands & bows (for girls).  Please remember that these items must be worn with the uniform of the day.   This is not a dress down day.

Hot Lunch Order Period for December - The open order period for December hot lunch will be open Monday, 11/13/17 - Friday, 11/17/17.  This open order period is your only opportunity to order hot lunches for December. Please keep in mind that no late orders can be accepted.

Group Class Photos for Grades PreK -7 & Individual Student Retake & Make-up Photos for students in grades PreK - 8 will be taken by Lifetouch Photography on Monday, 11/13/17.  All students in K-7 should wear their full formal uniform for the group class photo.  If your child(ren) did not have a photo taken back in September, a photo can be taken of them on 11/13/17.  Order at mylifetouch.com using Picture ID EJ417010Q1.

For students in grades PreK - 7, if a individual retake is being done, the original portrait package must be returned to the photographer.   Special Note for Grade 8 - Lifetouch will bring necessary equipment to take retakes for any grade 8 student who wishes that. Please let Mrs. Williamson know if you wish to be included in that group. A student having a retake or make up individual photo may bring "Sunday Best" to change into for their photo but must wear their formal uniform for the group class photo.


School Board Meeting -

The School Board will meet on Wednesday, November 15th at 7pm in the lower church. All are welcome.

Our Annual Senior Citizen Thanksgiving Luncheon will take place on Wednesday, 11/15.  Many volunteers and many donations are needed to make our annual Senior Citizen Thanksgiving Luncheon a success.  This is a fabulous event with an opportunity for our whole community to assist.

If you would like to volunteer to come and help with the luncheon, click here.

Please use the links below to see what food & supply donations are needed by grade level and to sign up to donate.  Please note that many donations are needed for this event and that your support is important and counted on to make this wonderful tradition possible each year.

PreKindergarten Senior Luncheon Sign-up

Kindergarten Senior Luncheon Sign-Up

Grade 1 Senior Luncheon Sign-Up

Grade 2 Senior Luncheon Sign-Up

Grade 3 Senior Luncheon Sign-Up

Grade 4 Senior Luncheon Sign-Up

Grade 5 Senior Luncheon Sign-Up

Grade 6 Senior Luncheon Sign-Up

Grade 7 Senior Luncheon Sign-Up

Grade 8 Senior Luncheon Sign-Up

**PLEASE NOTE - NO HOT LUNCH IS SERVED ON WEDNESDAY, 11/15, BECAUSE OF THE SENIOR LUNCHEON.  ALL STUDENTS MUST BRING A BROWN BAG LUNCH. **

Do you know a Senior Citizen that would like to attend our Thanksgiving Luncheon? All they need to do is RSVP to the Simsbury Senior Center by calling  860-658-3273.  Please note, reservations through the Simsbury Senior Center are required and this luncheon is limited to 200 guests and "walk-in's" cannot be accommodated.

CLICK HERE
TO DOWNLOAD POINSETTIA ORDER FORM

Spirit Wear & Gear 

Show your school spirit! Sir Ted is now featured on our new car decals. 
Available for $5.00 each. They can go anywhere on your vehicle and be taken on and off as needed, and they won't come off in the car wash!

It's finally cold out there! Fleece jackets and pullovers are available in most sizes or can be ordered, see Toni Chagnon in the office for purchasing and ordering!  Please note that the fleece jacket is outer wear and may not be worn during the school day inside the building.

Just in Time for Holiday Decorating & Giving!  Get some shopping done and support the music program here at SMS!  We are excited to announce plans to introduce a new third grade recorder program that will be facilitated by our FMI instructor, Debbie Morse.  Additionally, we are planning to replace some of the older music stands used by our band students.  Your support of our music program through your voluntary participation in this Yankee Candle Fundraiser will help us defray the costs associated with these plans.  Your order will ship direct to your address!  No school pick up or sorting! How convenient is that?  Orders may be placed until 1/11/18  BUT orders placed after November 17th cannot be guaranteed to arrive for Christmas. All orders must be placed on-line.  Click here to start shopping!  Please feel free to share this link with friends or family that might like to support our school.  Please note - when checking out, no need to fill out a Seller ID, our group number will be prefilled and that is sufficient. (If, for some reason, you land on a "general" page, please use our group number - 999977285)

Thanks to all that supported the 8th grade's fundraiser at Puerta Vallarta last week. 

The fund raiser was a huge success. We also thank Mrs. Rodriguez for her support!

The weather has taken a turn toward autumnal temperatures.  Please be sure your child(ren) have the appropriate outdoor attire and please encourage them to wear it.  Unless the temperature falls below 20 degrees or the weather is wet or slippery, students do wait outside at morning arrival and do go outside for recess.  Hats and gloves and warmer jackets make recess and waiting outside for the opening bell more fun. When snow arrives, students are encouraged to enjoy the snow but must have boots and snow gear to do so.  Girls may wear uniform pants as part of their formal uniform.  Girls who choose to wear the formal jumper or skirt may wear sweatpants or windpants beneath their jumper or skirt while outdoors BUT these must be removed while they are in the school building.

Need to be somewhere bright & early?  Have just one child coming in for tutoring?  Our Early Drop Off Program is here to help you!  Click here for more information and registration forms and reservation calendars.

Thanks to all who supported the HSA Lyman Pie & Otis Spunkmeyer Cookie Dough Fundraiser.  Pick up of pies and cookie dough will be on Friday, 11/17/17.  If you can help sort and distribute pies and cookie dough, please use the Sign Up genius to volunteer - click here.

SMS Stars

Pictured from left - Sophie G., Hannah K., Francesca C.
Jenna G., Faith P. and our FMI Instructor, Mrs. Debbie Morse.

Congratulations to those students that represented SMS at the FMI Regional Band Concert on Saturday, 11/4.  Students representing SMS were - Hannah K. and Jenna G., Gr 8; Faith P., Sophie G.,  and Francesca C., Gr. 7.  Participation in the Regional Band gives these students the opportunity to audition for the All-State Bands. Our thanks to our FMI Instructor, Debbie Morse, for all her help and dedication in preparing these students for the regional concert and for helping them prepare for their upcoming auditions for All-State.  We also extend thanks and recognition to the parents of our Regional musicians for their support of the program that requires travel to Manchester on several Friday nights and Saturday mornings for rehearsals.

Community News

St. Mary's Parish Christmas Youth Choir Welcomes You to Participate!

The Christmas Youth Choir will rehearse on three Thursdays, 12/7, 12/14, and 12/21 from 4:30 - 5:15pm inside the church.  All children old enough to learn the words to traditional Christmas carols
are invited to participate.  The choir sings prior to the 6pm Mass on Christmas Eve starting at
5:30pm.  Please see Music Director, Gena Sullivan, after Mass if you have any questions.

Give Kids a Smile Day 2018 - Again this year, the Avon Wellness Center Dental Associates are participating in a children's free dental care day.   This year's Give Kids a Smile Day for children in need will be on Friday, February 2, 2018 beginning at 8am by appointment only.  Please call the Avon Wellness Center Dental Associates for more information and to schedule an appointment - 860~606~0066.

Extra News for the Week of 11/2/17

Too Much Halloween Candy? 

Dr. Cosgrove has the answer!  From now until November 7th, just bag your extra candy and label it clearly with your child(ren)'s name(s) & grade(s) and sent it in for Katie (Grade 5) or Jackson (Grade 2) to bring home for Dr. Cosgrove's Halloween Candy Buy-Back.  An envelope with their money will be given to them by November 10th!

Yesterday's information about the Yankee Candle Fundraiser included a link that opened to a general fundraising page instead of the page specifically created for our fundraiser.  The information below has the correct link.  If, for some reason, you still land on a "general" page, please use our group number - 999977285 -to reach our fundraising page.

Just in Time for Holiday Decorating & Giving!  Get some shopping done and support the music program here at SMS!  We are excited to announce plans to introduce a new third grade recorder program that will be facilitated by our FMI instructor, Debbie Morse.  Additionally, we are planning to replace some of the older music stands used by our band students.  Your support of our music program through your voluntary participation in this Yankee Candle Fundraiser will help us defray the costs associated with these plans.  Your order will ship direct to your address!  No school pick up or sorting! How convenient is that?  Orders may be placed until 1/11/18  BUT orders placed after November 17th cannot be guaranteed to arrive for Christmas. All orders must be placed on-line.  Click here to start shopping!  Please feel free to share this link with friends or family that might like to support our school.  Please note - when checking out, no need to fill out a Seller ID, our group number will be prefilled and that is sufficient.

News for the Week of 11/1/17

How About Dinner Out?  or Take Out?  Tomorrow - Thursday, November 2 

is the Gr. 8 Puerto Vallarta Fundraiser!

School will be closed on Tuesday, November 7th.  This is Election Day and while SMS is not a polling place, our school will be closed for professional development.  Faculty will participate in a full day's worth of Apple Professional Learning regarding iPad use in the educational setting.

The votes are in and our new Knight has his official name! 

Congratulations to 3rd Grade for submitting the clever winning name, Sir Ted (#uknighTED).

Make sure to look for Sir Ted in front of the school very soon. 

He will be announcing fun facts, important events and messages throughout the school year! 

School will be open for a regular, full day of school on Friday, November 10th.  There will be a prayer service in observance of Veteran's Day.  All are welcome to attend this prayer service in the Parish Center beginning with Morning Prayer at 8:45am.

SMS was well represented at this year's HOPES dinner.  Our recipients of
the St. John Neumann Award for Volunteer Service were Blair Wlochowski (far right)
and Frank Conde (to the left of Blair).

Need to be somewhere bright & early?  Have just one child coming in for tutoring?  Our Early Drop Off Program is here to help you! 

Click here for more information and registration forms and reservation calendars.

Thanks to all who supported the HSA Lyman Pie & Otis Spunkmeyer Cookie Dough Fundraiser.  Pick up of pies and cookie dough will be on Friday, 11/17/17.  If you can help sort and distribute pies and cookie dough, please use the Sign Up genius to volunteer - click here.

Senior Thanksgiving Luncheon -  Our annual Senior Citizen Thanksgiving Luncheon is coming

up on Wednesday, 11/15.  About 200 area senior citizens will enjoy a delicious Thanksgiving dinner served to them by our 8th grade students and parent volunteers.  This annual event requires lots of help in the form of food donations and volunteer time.  Next week, Sign Up Geniuses will be available with donations needed at every grade level.  With everyone's help, this event has become a cherished tradition here at SMS - we are counting on your support again this year! PLEASE NOTE THAT NO HOT LUNCH IS SERVED ON SENIOR LUNCHEON DAY.  ALL STUDENTS MUST BRING A BROWN BAG LUNCH ON WEDNESDAY, 11/15/17.

Our 8th grade students chose a Christmas theme for their Halloween costumes

Get a Peek at PreK Fun Times! Miss Kane has launched a new blog that features lots of fun photos from the PreK Class. Click here to visit the blog. PreK parents are strongly encouraged to subscribe to Miss Kane's blog using the "Follow by Email" gadget to receive all of Miss Kane's posts directly to an email inbox.

Minutes from the 9/20/17 School Board Meeting are available for your review.  Click here.  The next School Board Meeting will take place on November 15 at 7pm in the lower church.  All are welcome.

Just in Time for Holiday Decorating & Giving!  Get some shopping done and support the music program here at SMS!  We are excited to announce plans to introduce a new third grade recorder program that will be facilitated by our FMI instructor, Debbie Morse.  Additionally, we are planning to replace some of the older music stands used by our band students.  Your support of our music program through your voluntary participation in this Yankee Candle Fundraiser will help us defray the costs associated with these plans.  Your order will ship direct to your address!  No school pick up or sorting! How convenient is that?  Orders may be placed until 1/11/18  BUT orders placed after November 17th cannot be guaranteed to arrive for Christmas. All orders must be placed on-line.  Click here to start shopping!  Please feel free to share this link with friends or family that might like to support our school.  Please note - when checking out, no need to fill out a Seller ID, our group number will be prefilled and that is sufficient.

Faculty & staff give a big Halloween thank you to
Clarissa A., Gr. 6, for the delicious pumpkin treat!

The Holidays are Coming - Have you started sorting out your recipes?  The new SMS Family Cookbook is coming soon and we want to share your family's favorites!  We have seen first hand the many culinary talents of our families, faculty and staff here at St. Mary's School and are looking forward to creating a cookbook filled with tasty and creative recipes!  We invite you to submit at least two recipes in different categories.  The process is simple and we hope that as you head into the holiday season and are pulling out your favorite family recipes, you will take a few minutes to share some of them with us.  

Recipes can either be typed into a submission form or handwritten on a 8 1/2 x 11 sheet of paper. Recipes can be emailed to tchagnon@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net or dropped off in the office.  Click here for a submission form.  All recipes need to be submitted no later than January 6th. Our plan and goal is to have the cookbook available for sale late February and feature it at our Annual Art Show on February 23rd.  We are hungry just thinking about it!  Thank you in advance for your participation.

Our Shakesperience Residency is Featured in the Latest Edition of Valley Life!  Click here  to read Life in the Classroom.

Grades 7 & 8's residency will culminate with a performance in the Parish Center on Friday, 11/17, at 2pm.  Guests are welcome.

Box Tops for Education may be sent in at any time.  All homeroom classrooms have a collection box.  Keep those box tops coming!

Community News

Thanks to all who contributed to our Pumpkin Bingo collection of non-perishable food items for this year's Turkey Trot.  Your generosity helps neighbors in need via FoodShare.  Below are details regarding how to help even more.

News for the Week of 10/25/17

The final day of Parent/Teacher conferences is tomorrow -Thursday, 10/26. It will be a 12:45 early dismissal.

***Friday, 10/27, is also a 12:45pm early dismissal for Faculty Faith Formation.***

There will be NO Aftercare on Thursday, 10/26 or Friday, 10/27.  PreK Enrichment will be available on  on Thursday, 10/26 but NOT on Friday, 10/27.  PE Club will be available to those that are signed up for October on Thursday, 10/26 and will run from 1-2:15pm.

Parents with students in middle school, please make note that Mrs. Gina Raymond not available for conferences on Thursday, 10/26. If your child has Gina Raymond for math,  and you have not yet had your conference, please email her to find a mutually convenient time to discuss math.  Ms. Nikki Raymond will be available on Thursday.

To sign up for your Parent/Teacher Conferences, click here.

Spirit Wear Shop Will Be Open! Stop by the School Office.

Spirit Wear will be available to purchase during Parent/Teacher conferences on Thursday (10/26). Uniform approved sweatshirts, gym t shirts and fleece jackets to name just a few! All styles in both youth and adult sizes. Cash and checks accepted.

SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR! Tomorrow -Thursday 10/26 - is the final day!
Stop by the Parish Center to shop a great selection of Scholastic's best books! The fall bookfair is an HSA fundraiser.

Thursday 9am-1pm

Thanks to all who have already supported the bookfair and to those that have been staffing the fair.  Our special thanks to the chairpersons of this event - Jodie Burhoe and Tricia Prausa!

Halloween is Coming! 

In an effort to have a little fun and build community among our students, we will allow everyone in the building to dress up for Halloween on Friday, October 27.
Here are our parameters:

- no clowns
- no weapons
- no masks or face makeup
- no high heels (especially high heels that come with princess attire)
- each grade or group of grades will determine the time that students will wear the costumes; some might change in school and some wear them to school - please follow your child's teacher's instruction.

Parties are only allowed in PreKindergarten and Kindergarten. These classroom parties may not involve food.

Halloween Pumpkin Bingo will take place on Tuesday, 10/31, during the lunch waves.

"Treat" for a neighbor in need.  Again this year, our school will participate in the Jack Bannon "Turkey Trot" non-perishable food drive.  We would like to encourage all students to bring a non-perishable food donation to school on Halloween, 10/31, as a treat for a neighbor in need.  Collection boxes will be located in the primary unit and the middle school and also outside the school office.  Turkey Trot donations will be accepted until Monday, November 6th.

Students in Mrs. Jehning's first grade class are using National Geographic for Kids on their iPads to research their favorite animals.  Once their research is complete, they will be creating a booklet about their chosen animal.

In November, we will worship with our parish family at the 12:15 Mass on November 1 in observance of All Saints Day.  All are welcome to join us.  Please remember that no Physical Education uniforms should be worn to Mass.

Formal Uniforms are Coming Soon!  Students in grades K-7 will begin to wear the formal uniform on Wednesday, November 1.  Students in grade 8 are extended the privilege of wearing the relaxed uniform until December 1.  Click here to review the uniform code for formal uniforms.  Click here for an easy refresher about ordering your uniforms from Lands End.

Athletic News - A new Remind Text group has been created for Athletics.  This Remind group is only for SMS athletic announcements, especially PE Club, soccer and Basketball.  This is a separate group from our general Reminder texts and you will only receive the Athletic announcements if you sign up for this new group.  Just follow these steps -

On your iPhone or Android phone,open your web browser and go to the following link:
rmd.at/smssport

Follow the instructions to sign up for Remind. You’ll be prompted to download the mobile app. -
rmd.at/smssport .  Follow the directions to join SMSATHLETICS with your:
Full Name
First and Last Name
Phone Number or Email Address
(555) 555-5555
OR
Text the message @smssport to the number 81010.  If you’re having trouble with 81010, try
texting @smssport to (301) 200-4763.

Basketball Season is Almost Here!  
All Registrations must be finalized NLT this Friday, 10/27/17

Here is some information you will need to know for the upcoming season.

Participation permission was granted by the athletics permission form sent in the summer packet. A new permission form will not be sent out. If you need to submit an updated form to give basketball permission, click here.

Please note -To complete basketball registration for your child(ren), please send in your participation fee. Your child will not be added to the roster or receive a Jersey until the fee is received. (Fees Below)

-Coaches will be in touch regarding start dates for practices.

-Practices for grades 2-6 will be held during the week. Each team will have 1-2 practices, M-F. 

-Grades 7-8 (Varsity) practice once during the week from 6-8pm on Mondays and on Saturday mornings at Westminster. Games will be on Thursday or Friday and Sunday. 

Fees for participation are the following:

JVC 2-3rd grades  -  $50

JVB, JVA, Varsity   -  Grades 3-8 $150

There is a maximum $250 cap per family. Checks payable to St Mary School.  Please put "Basketball" in the memo section.  Please contact Scott Gangloff with any questions - adirector@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net .

Coaches are Needed!

We are looking to fill some coaching positions for the upcoming year. All coaches and assistant coaches must be Virtus trained.  Please contact Mr. Gangloff at adirector@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net if interested in coaching any of the following available teams.  Additionally, please contact Mr. Gagloff if you would like to help as an Assistant coach please let me know. The head coaches can always use the extra help.

Varsity Boys grades 7/8 - Vacant

Varsity Girls grades 7/8- Coach Rushin

JVA Boys Grades 5/6 - Coach O'Conor

JVA Girls Grades 5/6 - Vacant

JVB Boys Grades 4/5 - Coach Rushin

JVB Girls Grades 4/5 - Vacant

JVC Boys Grades 2/3 - Coach Davis

JVC Girls  Grades 2/3- Coach Rushin

The Holidays are Coming - Have you started sorting out your recipes?  The new SMS Family Cookbook is coming soon and we want to share your family's favorites!  We have seen first hand the many culinary talents of our families, faculty and staff here at St. Mary's School and are looking forward to creating a cookbook filled with tasty and creative recipes!  We invite you to submit at least two recipes in different categories.  The process is simple and we hope that as you head into the holiday season and are pulling out your favorite family recipes, you will take a few minutes to share some of them with us.  

Recipes can either be typed into a submission form or handwritten on a 8 1/2 x 11 sheet of paper. Recipes can be emailed to tchagnon@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net or dropped off in the office.  Click here for a submission form.  All recipes need to be submitted no later than January 6th. Our plan and goal is to have the cookbook available for sale late February and feature it at our Annual Art Show on February 23rd.

We are hungry just thinking about it!  Thank you in advance for your participation,

Thanks to all who supported the HSA Lyman Pie & Otis Spunkmeyer Cookie Dough Fundraiser.  Pick up of pies and cookie dough will be on Friday, 11/17/17.  If you can help sort and distribute pies and cookie dough, please use the Sign Up genius to volunteer - click here.

Thanks to everyone who displayed a lawn sign for our Open House last week.
Please return the sign at your earliest convenience.  We do reuse these signs whenever possible.

Early Drop Off is available!  Our Early Drop Off program began on  10/16!  Click here for more information and registration forms and reservation calendars.

Box Tops for Education may be sent in at any time.  All homeroom classrooms have a collection box.  Keep those box tops coming!

CHOICE News - Effective as soon as our supply of 6% Big Y cards is exhausted, the percentage rate for all Big Y cards will be 5% at all times.

Community News

Thanks to all who donated clothing to the St. Ann's Clothing Sale.  Our clothing collection is now closed but everyone is welcome to attend the sale on November 3rd & 4th.

Have you always wanted to drive a Corvette? 

 There's still time to purchase tickets in the school office!