News for the Week of November 20, 2013

Thanks to everyone that helped make this year's Senior Citizen Thanksgiving Luncheon a success.  Every bit of help - donations of food, help with setup, service and clean up - all contributed to the event running smoothly and giving our area senior citizen's a lovely lunch.  Many thanks to Mrs. Maribeth Mortillaro who chaired this important event and to our room parents who assisted in soliciting donations.  Our eighth grade students did an outstanding job as hosts and hostesses and our Kindergarten and First Grade students provided fabulous entertainment.

November Calendar Reminders -

School Board will meet on Wednesday, 11/20/13, in the lower church at 7pm.  All are invited to attend.  Click here for an agenda.


School will be dismissed early on Wednesday, 11/27/13, at 12:45pm for Thanksgiving.  There will be no Prekindergarten Enrichment or Aftercare.  School is closed Friday, 11/28/13.


Grade 8 students begin formal uniform on Monday, December 2, 2013.

A Warm Coat for Everyone!  Again this year we are participating in the Hispanic Health Council of Hartford's Coat Drive.  Please send in new or gently used, clean coats in all sizes.  Coats may be brought to student homerooms now through Tuesday, December 3rd.

Typhoon Haiyan Relief -
Your response to our request for non-perishable foods, toiletries, used clothing and toys last week was overwhelming and a true testimony to the generous and Spirit filled nature of our community.  Please continue to keep the people of the Philippines in your prayers as they rebuild their lives after this devastating storm.  Below is a special thank you -

Dear SMS families and friends,

Celina Esteban and the Bautista family would like to personally thank you for the quick response and generosity you have shown this past week in our efforts to contribute to the relief of the worst typhoon in history to have been recorded.  I hope you are able to see the pictures that one of our nieces received from a college friend.  The friend is from Tacloban and shows how a ship "PDDP-1" ended up in their backyard and another picture showing the roof ripped off their home.  Luckily the family was spared physical harm and they have the means to rebuild.  As the news has reported, there are numerous families that were not as fortunate.  Your donations will be well received in these cases.  

We thank you for your compassion and generosity in these direst times.   The survivors of Super-typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda will carry on with the grace of God and the humanity the world has bestowed upon them.

Get your School Spirit Wear in time for Christmas Giving!  Only 2 weeks left to order!  Your friendly eighth grade students are selling terrific "school spirit" items to help defray costs associated with their class trip and other expenses related to graduation. Items for sale include nylon-backed fleece blankets perfect for sports outings, baseball caps, tote bags for grocery shopping or packing ski clothes, and SMS "fathead" stickers! Perfect for holiday gift-giving or stocking stuffers! Click here for photos, information and order forms. Please make checks payable to SMS and write "Grade 8 Fundraiser" in the memo line. ORDER DEADLINE: MONDAY, DECEMBER, 2nd. Thanks for supporting our eighth graders!
PLEASE NOTE: FLANNEL PAJAMA PANTS AND BASEBALL CAPS ARE NOT PART OF OUR SMS UNIFORM AND ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE DAILY ATTIRE. 

 Thanks to everyone that donated to the annual "Turkey Trot" Food Drive!  Students helped load the truck this morning and thanks to your generosity many of our friends and neighbors will have a more enjoyable holiday.

Home & School Association News

HSA Pie Fundraiser:  Thank you to all of the families who ordered pies through the Lyman Orchards fundraiser.  If you have any questions about the pies you received, please call Maggie Domashinski at 860-752-9875.

Technology Specialist Needed:  Do you have computer skills, a logical mind, organizational skills, and a willingness to solve problems?  The Auction Committee is looking for a technology specialist leading up to and during the night of the auction to be sure the network is working properly and to solve any technical issues that may arise.  Duties will include ordering and testing the credit card terminals, set up the network prior to the auction and support the network during the auction, run reports and check for accuracy, and troubleshoot questions and issues that arise during the event.  If you are willing to take on this role, please contact Michelle Howard at michellechoward@yahoo.com.

Playground Committee:  The HSA and Auction Committee are pleased to announce that the proceeds from this year’s Auction will go toward the purchase and installation of a new playground for our school!

CHOICE PROGRAM - The easy answer to Christmas shopping!  Make Holiday Shopping and Gift Giving Easy this Year!

Shop St. Mary’s School CHOICE Gift Cards and get a head start on holiday shopping! There are many retailers to choose from. In addition to completing your holiday shopping, you are helping to support our school without additional out of pocket expense.  A holiday order form is available by clickinghere. Please return your order to the school office marked “Choice Order”.  To ensure delivery in time for Christmas, ALL ORDERS MUST BE SUBMITTED TO THE OFFICE NO LATER THAN DECEMBER 11^TH.   PAYMENT MUST ACCOMPANY ALL ORDERS.  ~Thank you for your support!

CHOICE also reminds you that we still have Big Y cards with a 6% profit rate available - stock up now before the profit rate returns to 2%.

Students in Mrs. Jehning's first grade concluded their study of Veterans Day by preparing a care package for Operation Gratitude.  In addition to treats and personal care items, this very special care package included thank you cards to the men and women who are serving in the military now to safeguard our country and help make the world a safer place.

Reminders for the Week of 11/18 - Poinsettias, Senior Luncheon, School Board

POINSETTIA SALE REMINDER

ALL ORDERS & PAYMENTS ARE DUE

WEDNESDAY, 11/20/13

Our 8th grade reminds you that all orders for holiday poinsettias must be turned in no later than this Wednesday, 11/20/13.   Click here for an order form.

 

Home & School Association - Senior Luncheon

The Home & School Association will host its Annual Senior Citizen Thanksgiving Luncheon on Wednesday, 11/20/13.  Families have been emailed the links for the Sign-Up Geniuses for food donations.  Help is still needed with setup, serving and clean-up. To access the Sign Up Genius to volunteer, click here or contact Maribeth Mortillaro directly at mortillaroj@comcast.net.

 

School Board Agenda

School Board will meet on Wednesday, 11/20/13, in the lower church at 7pm.  All are invited to attend.  Click here for an agenda.

Typhoon Haiyan Relief - Donation Request

TYPHOON HAIYAN RELIEF - DONATIONS REQUESTED FOR FRIDAY, 11/15!

 

 

 

As you all know, there has been great devastation in the Philippines as a result of Typhoon Haiyan.  Mrs. Bautista, mother of Julia in Grade 4 and Mrs. Esteban, mother of alumni Michaela and Miquel, will be delivering donations over the weekend for shipment to the Philippines.

 

We know it is very short notice, but, please consider sending in a donation tomorrow, Friday, 11/15, using the list below as a guide -

 

Items needed:

 

Gently used clothes, shoes, toys, toiletries,first aid and wound dressing and cleaning kits like alcohol swabs, betadine swabs , antibacterial ointments, as well as canned goods . Over the counter medications are also needed like cold and cough medicine tablets.

Guidelines:

 

Light clothing suitable for the tropical Philippine climate

Easy to open canned goods (as there are no can openers)

no noodles (no clean water)

antibacterial soaps antidandruff shampoo

Mrs. Bautista will be picking up donated items from the School Office at the end of the school day tomorrow - FRIDAY, 11/15/13.

 

Thank you for any items you are able to send in and of course, please continue to remember the people of the Philippines in your prayers.

News for the week of 11/13/13

Veteran's Day was celebrated at St. Mary's School at community prayer on Monday.  Students decorated the Parish Center with a Wall of Honor composed of red, white and blue stars bearing the names of service men and women. Morning prayer included special intentions for all veterans and the singing of "God Bless America".  Thanks to all veterans, especially those part of our St. Mary's School family, for your service.

As part of their study of Veteran's Day, first grade students were honored with a visit from Mr. Philip Mikan, father of Andrew and Marisa.  Mr. Mikan shared his experiences serving in the Coast Guard.

Mr. Mikan also showed the students momentos of his grandfather's service.  After surviving the Battle of the Bulge in World War II, the elder Mr. Mikan was honored with a Purple Heart and aBronze Star.  Pictured below, Mr. Mikan, Marisa holding her great-grandfather's medals and Andrew with the flag that draped the elder Mikan's casket.  Above, Mr. Mikan shares his Coast Guard experiences with students.

It's getting chilly!  Please be sure your children come to school with the appropriate outdoor gear for the weather.  Please also remind them of your expectation that they will put their outdoor gear on before going out to play. Unless it is below 20 degrees or raining or snowing, students do wait outside at morning arrival until the first bell at 8:40 and do go outside for recess each day.  Girls may wear sweatpants beneath their jumpers or skirts while waiting at morning arrival or out for recess but these do have to be removed during the academic day.  Please remember that once we have snow, students need to bring and wear snow pants and boots in order to enjoy playing in it.  It is also a good idea to put a spare pair of socks into backpacks so everyone can have warm, dry feet after recess.

Parent/Teacher Conferences will continue through Thursday, 11/14. Dismissal will be at 12:45pm on Thursday, 11/14.  There will be PreK enrichment until 3:20pm but there is NO AFTERCARE on conference days.  Friday, 11/15 is a full day of school. Aftercare will resume on Friday, 11/15.  Conference appointments have been assigned for any families that did not complete their own scheduling.  To access the Sign-Up Geniuses for conferences, click here.  If you make a change to your conference day or time, please be sure to alert the teacher.

Grade 8 Fundraising - Order your Poinsettias now! It's time for the annual 8th grade Poinsettia sale.  Click here for an order form.  All orders and payments are due NLT 11/20/13.  Delivery Date - Friday, December 6th, 2:00 to 4:00pm in the Parish Center or after Masses on Saturday, December 7th and Sunday, December 8th.


Start your Christmas shopping early!  Your friendly eighth grade students are selling terrific "school spirit" items to help defray costs associated with their class trip and other expenses related to graduation. Items for sale include nylon-backed fleece blankets perfect for sports outings, baseball caps, tote bags for grocery shopping or packing ski clothes, and SMS "fathead" stickers! Perfect for holiday gift-giving or stocking stuffers! Click here for photos, information and order forms. Please make checks payable to SMS and write "Grade 8 Fundraiser" in the memo line. ORDER DEADLINE: MONDAY, DECEMBER, 2nd. Thanks for supporting our eighth graders!
PLEASE NOTE: FLANNEL PAJAMA PANTS AND BASEBALL CAPS ARE NOT PART OF OUR SMS UNIFORM AND ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE DAILY ATTIRE. 

Ski & Snowboard Club Update - The registration period for the 2014 season has closed.  However new participants can be added up to the start date of January 8, 2014 by paying a $25 late fee in addition to the participation fees.  Please complete the required forms and submit with payment.  Chaperones and snacks are also needed. Click here for all necessary forms and sign-ups.

Home & School Association News

The links for the Sign-Up Geniuses have been emailed so you can donate food for the senior luncheon. Each class has its own sign up. Please clearly mark donations "SENIOR LUNCHEON" to avoid mixing up the donations with the Turkey Trot donations.  Please keep in mind that perishable donations (e.g., pies, whipped topping, cream) should not be sent in until the day of the luncheon (Wednesday, 11/20/13).  A Sign-Up Genius is also available for volunteering your time to help with the luncheon.

Next month our second grade students will receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time.  These students have been studying about this Sacrament and reflecting on what this Sacrament will mean to them as they continue their faith journey.  One of the bulletin boards in our main hall currently displays some of their reflections about the Sacrament.  Father Santiago met with students to familiarize them with the Reconciliation Rooms in our church and to talk with them about the Sacrament.  Second grade students also met with their fourth grade friends to chat about how to "stay connected" with God.  It was so heartwarming to watch these friends share ideas about staying close to Jesus.

News for the Week of 11/6/13

November will be a busy month!  Please take a moment to review all our news.

Report Cards will be distributed to students in grades 1-8 on Friday, 11/8/13.  Kindergarten students will receive their first report cards in January.  Please keep your copy of the report card but please do sign and return the 5X7 envelope the report card comes in so it can be reused all year.

Halloween Memories -  We had a lot of fun on Halloween last week. Click here to enjoy some photos.

Parent/Teacher Conferences will be held next week on Monday, 11/11 through Thursday, 11/14.  Each of these days will be a 12:45 early dismissal day.  There will be PreK enrichment until 3:20pm but there is NO AFTERCARE on conference days.  Aftercare will resume on Friday, 11/15.  Conference appointments have been assigned for any families that did not complete their own scheduling.  To access the Sign-Up Geniuses for conferences, click here.  If you make a change to your conference day or time, please be sure to alert the teacher.

Last Call for Snowboard & Ski Club Registrations - Registration has been extended until Friday, November 8th. The late fee will be waived for this extension. The number of participants currently stands at 18 versus 32 last year.  Click here for all required forms and additional information.


Please return your Open House Yard Signs - If you were nice enough to take an Open House sign to display on your yard, please return it to the school office at your earliest convenience.  We do reuse these signs.  Thank you for helping us advertise this important event.

Help all our neighbors enjoy Thanksgiving - Again this year, we will be supporting the "Turkey Trot" food drive.  Mrs. Gannatti invites all students to bring a non-perishable food item and wear a hat in school or wear wacky socks this Friday, 11/8.  These accessories should be worn with the uniform of the day.  We will collect food for this drive beginning Monday, 11/4 through Friday 11/8.  Please mark your donations for the Turkey Trot since non-perishable food donations will also be solicited by room parents for our annual Senior Citizen Thanksgiving luncheon.

Grade 8 Fundraising - Order your Poinsettias now! It's time for the annual 8th grade Poinsettia sale.  Click here for an order form.  All orders and payments are due NLT 11/20/13.  Delivery Date - Friday, December 6th, 2:00 to 4:00pm in the Parish Center or after Masses on Saturday, December 7th and Sunday, December 8th.

Start your Christmas shopping early!

Your friendly eighth grade students are selling terrific "school spirit" items to help defray costs associated with their class trip and other expenses related to graduation. Items for sale include nylon-backed fleece blankets perfect for sports outings, baseball caps, tote bags for grocery shopping or packing ski clothes, and SMS "fathead" stickers! Perfect for holiday gift-giving or stocking stuffers! Click here for photos, information and order forms. Please make checks payable to SMS and write "Grade 8 Fundraiser" in the memo line. ORDER DEADLINE: MONDAY, DECEMBER, 2nd. Thanks for supporting our eighth graders!
PLEASE NOTE: FLANNEL PAJAMA PANTS AND BASEBALL CAPS ARE NOT PART OF OUR SMS UNIFORM AND ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE DAILY ATTIRE. 

Men of St Mary’s: We are seeking to build our men’s community and would like you to become involved.   Father Matera is encouraging this effort and has asked the existing Men’s Prayer Group to lead this initiative. Our goal is to enable men to grow stronger in their faith through fellowship.  A stronger faith will allow us to become better leaders at home, at work and within our community.   There will be an organizational meeting on Saturday, 11/9/13, beginning at 7am.  Click here for more information.

Need to purchase some school uniform items?  Lands End is currently offering a 30% discount and free shipping & handling on all items including school uniforms.  Click here.




Home & School Association News - 


 
Last Friday, the Home & School Association hosted Destiny Africa here at St. Mary's.  Their presentation was invigorating, exciting and a wonderfully energetic.  Performers also visited in our classrooms and shared lunch with our students. Thanks to our HSA for this great cultural experience for our students.  A speical thank you Maggie Domashinski for coordinating all the details associated with the visit. Some of the Destiny Africa members are pictured here with our 6th grade class.

Senior Luncheon:  We will be collecting food donations for the senior luncheon starting next week.  Please look for the Sign Up Genius no later than Monday, November 11th.  Non-perishable donations will be due by Monday, November 18^th.  We are still looking for volunteers to set up and work in the kitchen.  If you are available, please contact Maribeth Mortillaro at (860) 658-7577.

Auction:  Please consider joining our auction team. If you would like to help, please contact Michelle Howard at michellechoward@yahoo.com.

Minutes from the 10-29-13 H.S.A. meeting are available.  Click here.

Box Tops For Education:  Congratulations to the fourth grade class!  They won the fall collection with a total of 963 Box Tops.  Thank you to everyone who clipped and sent in Box Tops.  We were able to submit over 5000 box tops, for a total of $550.80!  Keep up the clipping so we can exceed that number in the spring.  Remember that you can send in your clipped box tops at any time and have your child place them in their classroom collection box.

News for the week of October 30th

Just a reminder to turn your clocks back Saturday night at bedtime!  Daylight savings time is ending.  This is also a great time to change the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.






Our November School Mass will be on All Saints' Day, Friday, November 1st.  We will worship with our parish family at the 12:15pm Mass.  Please remember that no physical education uniforms should be worn to Mass.




Formal Uniform begins for students in Grades Kindergarten - 7 on Friday, November 1. Students in Grade 8 are given the privilege of wearing their relaxed uniform until December 1.

Open House for Prospective Families - Do you know a family interested in St. Mary’s School?  If you do, please let us know and we will invite them to the upcoming Open House on November 5^th.  This is a great opportunity for parents and children to meet our faculty and see our school.  Please send in the names and addresses of interested families or e-mail them toAConnors@StMarysimsbury.eduk12.net

Lifetouch Photography will be here on Monday, November 4th to take group class photos of students in Prekindergarten, Kindergarten - Grade 7.  All students, Kindergarten - Grade 7 should be in their full formal uniform. The Grade 8 group class photo has already been taken by Paul Cryan Photography.  Lifetouch will also take individual photos of any students that may have been absent on photo day in September or who may have joined our school since Picture Day.  Order forms are available in the school office.  They will also take retakes for any family that is not happy with the portraits they have received.  You do need to return the original portrait package in order to have a retake done.

SMS Ski and Snowboard Club: Parents and students are reminded of the approaching deadline for registration and payment. Both are due this Friday, November 1st. Registration forms and information are posted on the school website under Athletics, Ski Snowboard Club. In addition, many slots are still open for Chaperones and Snack Masters during the ski snowboard sessions.  Click here to access the Ski & Snowboard Club page on the website.

Parent/Teacher Conferences will be held on Monday, November 11th through Thursday, November 14th. Each of these days will be 12:45pm early dismissals.  There will be PreKindergarten Enrichment available since PreK does not have conferences in the fall but there is no Aftercare.  If you did not sign up for a conference via the Sign-Up Genius, an appointment will be assigned to you.  Please check the Sign-Up Genius beginning Monday, 11/4, to view assigned appointments and to make any adjustments necessary.

Class of 2014 American Express Gift Card Raffle Winners!
The three lucky prize winners’ names drawn by Father Matera at Pumpkin Bingo were:
1st Prize - Eva Martin - New Brunswick, Canada
2nd Prize - Jane Toner - Simsbury, CT
3rd Prize - Norma Marchesani - Vernon, CT
Many thanks to everyone who participated in the raffle and made it such a great success.

Poinsettia Sale - The Eighth Graders are once again selling beautiful Poinsettia plants.  All orders must be placed by Wednesday, November 20, 2013.  The plants will be available for pickup in the Parish Center on Friday, December 6, from 2 to 4 or after masses on Saturday, December 7th and Sunday, December 8^th.  These plants are a wonderful addition to your Christmas decorations and also make wonderful Christmas gifts. Click here for a poinsettia order form.  Orders may be returned to the school office.  Checks should be made payable to “SMS” with “8 ^th Grade Poinsettia sale” in the memo section.  Thank you for supporting the 8^th Grade Class in their efforts to raise funds for their 8^th Grade Trip.

Grade 8 Spirit wear would make a great Christmas gift - Get your holiday shopping done early!
Your friendly eighth grade students are selling terrific "school spirit" items to help defray costs associated with their class trip and other expenses related to graduation. Items for sale include nylon-backed fleece blankets perfect for sports outings, baseball caps, tote bags for grocery shopping or packing ski or snow clothes, and SMS "fathead" stickers! Perfect for holiday gift-giving or stocking stuffers! Click here for photos, information and order forms. Please make checks payable to SMS and write "Grade 8 Fundraiser" in the memo line.

PLEASE NOTE: FLANNEL PAJAMA PANTS AND BASEBALL CAPS ARE NOT PART OF OUR SMS UNIFORM AND ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE DAILY ATTIRE. ORDER DEADLINE: MONDAY, DECEMBER 2nd. Thanks for supporting our eighth graders!

Help all our neighbors enjoy Thanksgiving - Again this year, we will be supporting the "Turket Trot" food drive.  Please consider donating a non-perishable food item for this important food drive.  We will collect food for this drive beginning Monday, 11/4 through Friday 11/8.  Please mark your donations for the Turkey Trot since non-perishable food donations will also be solicited by room parents for our annual Senior Citizen Thanksgiving luncheon.


Aftercare News - The first and third grade classrooms are now being used for aftercare.  When picking up, please enter the north (playground) parking lot and park outside the first and third grade classrooms.  These are the rooms on your right when you enter the lot.  You need to go to the classroom door to pick up your child(ren).  Please share this information with anyone that may have your permission to pick up from aftercare.

Reminder regarding Changes to Dismissal -  All changes to regular dismissal arrangements must be communicated to the teacher and school office.  You may send in a written note in the morning or email the teacher(s).   If you call, please be sure to speak to the Office, do not use the teacher's voice mail to request a dismissal change.  On busy days, teachers may not be able to check voice mail during the school day.  If using email, please be sure to copy smsoffice@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net.  This helps assure the office knows how your child(ren) should go home in case there is any confusion.  Please try to request dismissal changes before noon. We understand that emergencies and last minute things will happen but early notification helps assure that teachers are notified and that students go home as they should.

H.S.A. News

Minutes from the 9-4-13 H.S.A. meeting are available.  Click here.

Piano Lessons with Mr. Cosham!  Mr. Cosham has a few spots open for students new to the study of piano.  Please contact him at bcosham@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net.  Why not fill someone's Christmas stocking with the gift of music?