News for the Week of 9/12/18

Hot Lunch Order Period for October Open Now!  Orders for October hot lunch will be accepted through Friday, 9/14/18.  All orders must be placed via the Educonnect Parent Portal and payment should be sent into school as soon as your order is complete.  Please keep in mind that this is your only opportunity to order hot lunches for October - NO late orders can be accepted.

Hot Lunch Volunteers Are Needed!  We are always happy to welcome new volunteers to the hot lunch program & training is provided on your first day of service.  If you are Virtus trained and can help serve lunch, even just once in a while, please sign up for the days that will work for you.  Serving hot lunch is a great way to be a part of the school day and enjoy the spirit of our school and and the happy energy generated by your child(ren) and his/her/their friends!

What is Advancement? Come to our Open House and learn more about us and the kinds of events we host throughout the school year.

 We have great opportunities for sharing your time and talent to help continue making our school great!   Join us for our morning or evening Open House on Thursday, 9/13/18. Stop in for bagels and coffee in the lower church at 9am or drop by for a glass of wine in the 5th grade classroom at 6:30 pm.   All are welcome! See you there! 

For more information contact Toni Chagnon 860-658-9412 or tchagnon@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net

Spirit Wear Shop - New PE Shorts Approved for Uniform Wear on Gym Days!   Uniform approved "basketball style" unisex gym shorts are now available to order! $20 each.  Youth XS thru XL and Adult XS-XXL are available.  Click here for an order form.







SMS School Board Welcomes You to the New School Year - Please take a moment to get to know your school board and learn more about the important role the board plays in our school's operation.  Click here.  The next school board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, September 19th in the lower church at 7pm.  All are welcome to attend.






Carpool Parking Reminder - Last spring, at Advancement's Cinco de Mayo event, there was very spirited bidding during the live auction for the coveted "first & second parking spots"in the carpool lot.  These spots have now been clearly marked to help everyone remember which spots are reserved for last year's successful bidders.  The great news is, these spots will undoubtedly be up for bid again at our next big event - next year, you could be enjoying one of these spots!

Athletic News - Fall sports and clubs are getting underway!

Soccer
5-8th Co-Ed 
Started Friday, 9/7/18 3:45-5:00pm
Coach Fraser
Instructions:Students meet in PC walk to Iron Horse Fields together. (Pickup at Iron Horse)
$30 fee for participation


PE Club
Wednesdays - Grades 1-5th 3:45-5pm
Thursdays  Grades 5-8th 3:45-5pm
Coach Gangloff
Instructions: Meet in the PC after school until Mr. G picks you up. (Pick up in North Parking Lot)
$40 per month of participation

Running Club
Mondays -Rain delayed this club's start this Monday.  Will begin Monday, 9/17/18- Grades 2-8th
Coach Williams
Instructions: Meet in the PC until Mrs. Williams picks you up. Pick up at Iron Horse Fields at 4:30pm.
$30 for 6 running sessions

Basketball Club
Fridays - Begin this Friday, 9/14/18. 3:45-5pm in the Parish Center.
Grades 4-8th
3:45pm-5pm. 
Coach Gangloff
$40 for 8 sessions September-October (Pick up North Parking Lot)

Please make checks out to St Mary's School and direct them to Mr. Gangloff's attention.

Campus Connection - Be Part of Mary's Garden!

 

"Every Brick Has a Memory to Share"

Sponsor a brick for our new St. Mary Courtyard

Now through mid-September

                                                   

You can create your own personalized brick with an uplifting message, a memorial to a loved one, commemoration of a momentous occasion, or a recognition of your family name.

By sponsoring a brick for our exciting Campus Connection project, your brick will be placed in the circular pathway surrounding our beloved St. Mary statue within the new Courtyard. Please click here to learn more and place your order.

Grade 8 Fundraising - It's time for the annual mum sale & carwash! Mum orders will be accepted through this Friday, 9/14/18.  Each year, our 8th grade conducts a number of fund raisers to help defray costs associated with their graduation activities and field trip.   Thanks in advance from our 8th grade for your support!

Click here to download and print an order form for beautiful fall mums!  Available in several sizes and colors, these will definitely put you in a "pumpkin spice" frame of mind and help our 8th grade!  All orders & payments must be received in the school office NLT Friday, 9/14.  Checks should be made payable to St. Mary's School with "Gr. 8 mum sale" in the memo line.  Mums will be available for pick up in the Parish Center on Friday, 9/21 from 2-4 pm and after all Masses during the weekend of 9/22-23.  Thanks in advance for your support!  

Mark your calendars for Saturday, 9/22, & look forward to a clean and shiny car!  8th grade students will hold a car wash on 9/22 in the north (playground) parking lot from 8am-12noon.  Advance tickets will be available at "Back to School Knight".

Scholarship Opportunity - 
The Lands’ End Starboard Scholarship is now officially open for students in Grades 6 and higher.  Up to 7 scholarships of $10,000 each will be granted, one student for each grade 6 – 12. Click here for an electronic application.  Applications will be accepted until December 7th or until 3,000 applications are received.

Alumni News

SMS Alums Thomas(SMS Class of '16) and Ava Howard (SMS Class of '17)
participated in theNational Day of Service in remembrance of 9-11 at the USS Intrepid
in NYC.  Thomas is one of over 13,000 children born on 9/11/01, so this day of service is
  particularly meaningful to the Howard family.

News for the Week of 9/5/18

Wondering what to do for dinner tonight?  

Enjoy a delicious dine in or take out from Joe Pizza and help our 8th grade!

Click here to download & print flyer.

Back to School "Knight" is this Friday, 9/7/18

We are excited to offer a whole new format & also child care for Back to School Knight!

Parents will still visit classrooms but there will also be an information fair where you can learn more about all the different events, programming and volunteer opportunities we offer here at St. Mary's School.  Wine and cheese and coffee and dessert will be served. Please look for the flyer that went home in your child's backpack today for more information!

Our childcare Back to School Movie "Knight" will be from 6:30 to 8:30 pm and feature the Disney movie Moana. Light snacks and drinks will be served.   Our librarian, Mrs. Mortillaro, and After Care Supervisor & Substitute Teacher, Mrs. Livingston, will be supervising along with help from some of our 8th grade students.  Movie "Knight" will be held in the lower church, in the library. Drop off is between 6:00 and 6:20 pm and is on the side of the church where construction is not taking place across from the rectory.

If you would like your children to attend, please click here.

Cadet & Advanced Band and Instrumental Lessons will begin on Monday, September 11.   There will be a meeting for parents with students beginning instrumental music and band lessons for the first time this year.  This meeting will take place right before "Back to School Night" (Friday, 9/7) at 6pm in the grade 4 classroom. If you have a student entering grades 4-8 that is interested in beginning instrumental music and band, please plan to meet in the grade 4classroom at 6pm. NOTE - This meeting is NOT required for parents of students that have previously participated in band. 

Picture Day!  Individual Student Photos for all students, PreK - 8, will be taken on Monday, September 10th by Lifetouch Photography.  Order forms for portrait packages were sent home with each student on Friday, August 31.    Please note that students may wear "business casual" attire on picture day.  Eighth grade students will receive additional dress guidelines from Mrs. Work.  A photo is taken of each student even if no portrait package is ordered since a photo is needed for the school yearbook.  Group Class Photos will be taken on November 12th.  Makeup and retake individual photos will also be taken on that day.

September School Mass - Our first school Mass will be held on Tuesday, September 11th at 9am in the church.  All are welcome to worship with us.  Please remember that no physical education uniforms should be worn to Mass.

Annual Notification regarding SMS Asbestos Management Plan - Click here to read this annual notification.

Athletic News - Fall sports and clubs are getting underway!

Soccer
5-8th Co-Ed
Starting Friday, 9/7/18 3:45-5:00pm
Coach Fraser
Instructions: Beginning 9/14/18, meet in PC walk to Iron Horse Fields together. (Pickup at Iron Horse)
Special NOTE - This Friday, 9/7, team will meet in PC and practice will be in the SMS North (playground) parking lot.  Please pick up at the North lot. 
$30 fee for participation

PE Club
Wednesday 9/5/18 - Grades 1-5th 3:45-5pm
Thursday 9/6/18 Grades 5-8th 3:45-5pm
Coach Gangloff
Instructions: Meet in the PC after school until Mr. G picks you up. (Pick up in North Parking Lot)
$40 per month of participation

Running Club
Mondays - begins 9/10/18- Grades 2-8th
Coach Williams
Instructions: Meet in the PC until Mrs. Williams picks you up. Pick up at Iron Horse Fields at 4:30pm.
$30 for 6 running sessions

Basketball Club
Fridays - Due to Back to School Night Basketball Club will begin 9/14/18 not 9/7/18. 3:45-5pm in the Parish Center.
Grades 4-8th
3:45pm-5pm.
Coach Gangloff
$40 for 8 sessions September-October (Pick up North Parking Lot)

Please make checks out to St Mary's School and direct them to Mr. Gangloff's attention.

Campus Connection - Be Part of Mary's Garden!

 

"Every Brick Has a Memory to Share"

Sponsor a brick for our new St. Mary Courtyard

Now through mid-September

                                                   

You can create your own personalized brick with an uplifting message, a memorial to a loved one, commemoration of a momentous occasion, or a recognition of your family name.

By sponsoring a brick for our exciting Campus Connection project, your brick will be placed in the circular pathway surrounding our beloved St. Mary statue within the new Courtyard. Please click here to learn more and place your order.

Grade 8 Fundraising - It's time for the annual mum sale & carwash! Each year, our 8th grade conducts a number of fund raisers to help defray costs associated with their graduation activities and field trip.   Thanks in advance from our 8th grade for your support!

Click here to download and print an order form for beautiful fall mums!  Available in several sizes and colors, these will definitely put you in a "pumpkin spice" frame of mind and help our 8th grade!  All orders & payments must be received in the school office NLT Friday, 9/14.  Checks should be made payable to St. Mary's School with "Gr. 8 mum sale" in the memo line.  Mums will be available for pick up in the Parish Center on Friday, 9/21 from 2-4 pm and after all Masses during the weekend of 9/22-23.  Thanks in advance for your support!  

Mark your calendars for Saturday, 9/22, & look forward to a clean and shiny car!  8th grade students will hold a car wash on 9/22 in the north (playground) parking lot from 8am-12noon.  Advance tickets will be available at "Back to School Knight".

Supporting SMS - Here are 4 super easy ways to support our school -

Again this year, our school is participating in the Big Y's Education Express program.  This program earns us points that we can redeem for school supplies. This program will be active until 12/26/18.  For more information and to register to participate, click here.  No need to re-register if you signed up last year.





We are also participating in Stop & Shop's A+ Rewards program.  New participants may register beginning 9/7/18.  No need to re-register if you've signed up previously.  Click here for more information and to register.

Participation will also continue in Shoprite's Education program  Click here to register.  Our school code is 18436.

We are still (and always!) collecting Box Tops for Education!  Please send them, neatly clipped, into school at any time!

Community News 

Hartford Gospel Fest at Bushnell Park Pavilion - 

Music, Arts, Food Trucks, Vendors, Exhibitors, Gospel Choirs and more music!Saturday, 9/8/18 -noon to 7 PM

Free of charge; Bring a lawn chair and your friends

www.LEVAS.org

Signs of the Season

Well, it still feels like summer but Sara (Gr. 6) and Kareem (PreK) enjoyed some apple picking that makes us think of Fall!  If you are out and about having Fall adventures, we'd love to share your pictures as well - just email smsoffice@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net.

First Day of School! 8/29/18

Thanks to all for your cooperation on our first day of school!  Morning arrival was busy but manageable.  Afternoon pickup was a little more hectic than expected due to the early closing and we are grateful for everyone's patience.  As we all settle into our new routine, things will only improve.  Your continued cooperation and attention to our adult carpool monitors is really appreciated as this helps keep everyone safe.  Please be sure to check your email for an update from Mrs. Williamson regarding construction and traffic patterns.

Please make every effort to return all "Back to School" forms in a timely way.  Student iPad use will begin once a majority of students in a class have returned the necessary forms.  These are:  Signature Acknowledgement for Parent/Student Handbook, Signature Acknowledgement for iPad Acceptable Use Agreement, Electronic Use Agreement and, if not already completed, iPad Coverage Agreement.  All of these forms can be accessed in a shared Google folder - Click here

Hot Lunch Order Period for September is Open.  All orders must be placed NLT Friday, 8/31/18 - no late orders can be accepted.

All orders must be placed via the Educonnect Parent Portal -https://stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net/  User names and passwords were included in the "Back to School" email packet sent to all families on Monday, 8/20/18. 

Prior to placing your hot lunch order, please carefully review the ordering procedures that are on our school's website - http://www.stmarysschoolsimsbury.org/smsparents/lunch/ .  Lunches may ONLY be ordered during the "open order" period.  If you miss an "open order" period, you will have to wait until the next order period to participate in hot lunch.  "Open order" periods will be announced via an email and via the school blog.

Last day to place orders and submit payment to office is Friday, 8/31/18.  No late orders can be accepted.  Your hot lunch order is not considered complete until your payment is received. 

Hot Lunch will begin on Friday, September 7.  Until hot lunch begins, all students should bring a brown bag lunch each day.  

Hot Lunch Volunteers are needed! If you are Virtus trained and can help us serve hot lunch, we look forward to you volunteering. Click here to sign up. We are able to offer hot lunch only because volunteers step up to serve, so we hope you'll consider helping out, even just occasionally. It's a great way to share in your child(ren)'s day! Training is provided on your first day of volunteering.

The first two weeks of school will be very busy.  We encourage you to check the school’s Google calendar frequently to stay up to date.  We also strongly recommend that you join our Remind text community and subscribe to this blog and to the blogs authored by any teachers your child(ren) have for homeroom or subject areas.  Click here for helpful information about school communications. 

* Middle School - There's a new blog in town!  Click here to visit and subscribe to Mrs. Friend's new blog.  Mrs. Friend will be teaching Grade 6 and 7 Language Arts and Middle School Academic Literature.

* Voice Mail - Adminstration, faculty & staff all have voice mail available.  Click here for extensions.

Virtus Training - Anyone who wishes to volunteer at school (including chaperoning field trips) or at after school events attended by students must complete Virtus® training and have a background check completed. There will be a Virtus® Training session on Tuesday, September 4th at 6:30pm in the 5th grade classroom. If you are planning to attend, please RSVP to smsoffice@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net. If you need to attend Virtus® Training and cannot come to the session on September 4th, go to www.virtusonline.org/virtus/ and then click on First Time Registrant to find other training sessions in our area.

Friday, September 7th is "Back to School Night for Parents".  Babysitting WILL be available!

All parents and guardians are strongly encouraged to attend "Back to School" night beginning at 6:30pm in the Parish Center. This is your opportunity to meet your child(ren)'s new teacher(s) and learn about the daily classroom routine. This year, we are excited to share that "Back to School" night will be a fun SMS immersion experience designed to share all facets of our community's culture, events and opportunities. Learn about all we have planned while enjoying a light adult beverage of your choice.  A Sign-Up Genius will be coming soon so that you can sign up for babysitting.

Cadet & Advanced Band and Instrumental Lessons will begin on Monday, September 11.   There will be a meeting for parents with students beginning instrumental music and band lessons for the first time this year.  This meeting will take place right before "Back to School Night" (Friday, 9/7) at 6pm in the grade 5 classroom. If you have a student entering grades 4-8 that is interested in beginning instrumental music and band, please plan to meet in the grade 5 classroom at 6pm. NOTE - This meeting is NOT required for parents of students that have previously participated in band. 

Picture Day!  Individual Student Photos for all students, PreK - 8, will be taken on Monday, September 10th by Lifetouch Photography.  Order forms for portrait packages will be sent home with each student on Friday, August 31.  Please check backpacks.  Please note that students may wear "business casual" attire on picture day.  Eighth grade students will receive additional dress guidelines from Mrs. Work.  A photo is taken of each student even if no portrait package is ordered since a photo is needed for the school yearbook.  Group Class Photos will be taken on November 12th.  Makeup and retake individual photos will also be taken on that day.

September School Mass - Our first school Mass will be held on Tuesday, September 11th at 9am in the church.  All are welcome to worship with us.  Please remember that no physical education uniforms should be worn to Mass.

Athletic News - Get Ready for Fall Sports & PE Club!

Soccer
Grades 5-8 Co-Ed -

Begins Friday, 9/7/18 3:45-5:30
Coach Fraser
Instructions: Meet in PC walk to Iron Horse Fields together.

PE Club
Begins Wednesday, 9/5/18 - Grades 1-5 3:45-5pm
& Thursday, 9/6/18 Grades 5-8 3:45-5pm
Coach Gangloff
Instructions: Meet in the PC after school until Mr. G picks you up.

Running Club
Begins Monday, 9/10/18- Grades 2-8
Coach Williams
Instructions: Meet in the PC until Mrs. Williams picks you up. Pick up at Iron Horse Fields at 4:30pm.
* Virtus trained volunteers needed!

Basketball Club
Fridays - TBD
3:45pm-5pm.
Coach Gangloff

For more information regarding any of these activities, please contact Mr. Gangloff at adirector@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net.

Campus Connection - Be Part of Mary's Garden!

 

"Every Brick Has a Memory to Share"

Sponsor a brick for our new St. Mary Courtyard

Now through mid-September

                                                   

You can create your own personalized brick with an uplifting message, a memorial to a loved one, commemoration of a momentous occasion, or a recognition of your family name.

By sponsoring a brick for our exciting Campus Connection project, your brick will be placed in the circular pathway surrounding our beloved St. Mary statue within the new Courtyard. Please click here to learn more and place your order.

Grade 8 Fundraising - Each year, our 8th grade conducts a number of fund raisers to help defray costs associated with their graduation activities and field trip.  Two of these fund raisers will help us get our school year underway.  Thanks in advance from our 8th grade for your support!

Mark your calendar for Wednesday, September 5th

St. Mary’s School Grade 8 Fundraiser

Click here to download and print an order form for beautiful fall mums!  Available in several sizes and colors, these will definitely put you in a "pumpkin spice" frame of mind and help our 8th grade!  All orders & payments must be received in the school office NLT Friday, 9/14.  Checks should be made payable to St. Mary's School with "Gr. 8 mum sale" in the memo line.  Mums will be available for pick up in the Parish Center on Friday, 9/21 from 2-4 pm and after all Masses during the weekend of 9/22-23.  Thanks in advance for your support!  

Simsbury Public Library - There's lots of great programming available for teens, tweens, and adults at the Simsbury Public Library.  Click here for all the details.





Squeezing out the Last Bit of Summer Fun!

Sara & Megan(6th), Cullen (1st) & Kareem (PreK) enjoyed
Lake Compounce before coming to our annual
"Back to School" picnic - talk about a day full of fun!

12:45pm Early Dismissal Tomorrow - Weds., 8/29

Tomorrow (August 29, 2018) is our first day of school!  

Due to the expected high heat, there will be a

 12:45pm early dismissal.  

There will be NO PreK Enrichment or Aftercare.

At this time, we fully expect Thursday, 8/30, will be a regular full day of school with both PreK Enrichment and Aftercare available.  Please do keep in mind that SMS follows the Simsbury Public Schools in regard to delayed openings, early closings and closures due to emergency and weather.  If you hear that the Simsbury Public Schools are closed, opening late or closing early then SMS will be following the same directions.  Our early dismissal time is 12:45pm.