Summer Blog Post #5 - Thursday, August 11, 2016

Back to School Packets - This year, your "Back to School" packet, that annual treasure trove of forms to be filled out, has been emailed to the email address we have on file for your family.  "Back to School" emails were sent out on Thursday, August 11.  If you did not receive an email "Back to School" packet, please contact the school office ASAP since many of the forms are time sensitive in terms of their return to school.  Please also note, this year Student Emergency Cards and Field Trip Emergency Cards will be sent home with students on the first day of school.  These cards are printed on special stock and cannot be effectively sent electronically.  These cards should be completed and returned NO LATER THAN Friday, September 2.

We are getting ready for our new school year and there are already things to add to your calendar.  Here's a quick calendar review of upcoming events!  As always, we strongly encourage you to regularly check our school's Google calendar for updates and additions! Just click on the calendar tab at the top of the blog or visit our school website.

Summer Playground Dates - Meet new friends and catch up on all your summer news with old friends!

We are excited to share that there will be two SMS Summer Playground dates before the start of school.  One is just for families with students coming to our PreKindergarten and the other is for all SMS families - new and returning!  Both will be held at the St. Mary's School playground. We hope you will be able to join us! 

Please keep in mind that these are not "drop off events".  These play dates are designed so parents/caregivers and students can attend together and get better acquainted. 

To RSVP for either or both of these playground dates, please contact Toni Chagnon at tchagnon@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net.

PreKindergarten Summer Playground - Thursday, August 18th at 6:30pm

New & Returning Family Summer Playground - Sunday, August 28th at 5pm.  Families are invited to bring a picnic dinner to enjoy!  Mrs. Williamson will be on hand to welcome everyone to a new school year and will have a treat for all children attending.  There will be a "sneak peek" at our new Spirit Wear Shop and the Used Uniform exchange will also be available.

Morning in Middle School - All students entering 6th grade and any students new to our 7th and 8th grades are invited to spend a "Morning in Middle School" on Tuesday, August 30th from 9:30-11:30am.  Students will have a chance to walk through their daily schedule and meet with their faculty mentor.  School supplies may also be brought in at this time.

"Meet & Greet"  - Students entering PreKindergarten, Kindergarten, and grades 1-4 and a parent/care giver are invited to a classroom "Meet & Greet" on Tuesday, August 30th.  PreKindergarten will  "meet and greet" from 9:30-10:30am.  Kindergarten - grade 4 will "meet and greet" from 10:30-11:30am. School supplies may also be brought in at this time.

First Day of School - Wednesday, August 31st.  This is a full day of school for all grades, PreKindergarten - grade 8 with PreKindergarten Enrichment and Aftercare available.  Reservation forms for PreKindergarten Enrichment are available here.  Reservation forms for Aftercare are available here.








School is closed - Monday, September 5th for Labor Day.

Book your babysitter!  Wednesday, September 7th is "Back to School Night for Parents".  

This adult evening has 2 events this year.  The evening will begin with a meeting for parents with students beginning instrumental music and band lessons for the first time this year.  If you have a student entering grades 4-8 that is interested in beginning instrumental music and band with our Future Musician's instructor, Mrs. Debbie Morse, please plan to meet in the music/art portable at 6pm. NOTE - This meeting is NOT required for parents of students that have previously participated in band.

  "Back to School Night for Parents" will begin at 6:30pm in the Parish Center.  Mrs. Williamson will have opening remarks and news about our newly revitalized Home & School Association. This will also be your opportunity to visit your child(ren)'s homeroom classrooms, meet teachers and learn more about the school day and this year's expectations for a great school year.

September School Mass - Our first school Mass will be held on Tuesday, September 13th at 9am in the church.  All are welcome to worship with us.  Please remember that no physical education uniforms should be worn to Mass.

Wondering about bus transportation?  All students in grades Kindergarten - Grade 8 that are Simsbury residents are eligible for bus transportation.  PreKindergarten students may not ride the bus.  If you have recently moved to Simsbury or are a family just beginning school at St. Mary's School, you must contact Sue Caccamo, Town Transportation Coordinator, at 860- 651-3361 to arrange for your child(ren) to be added to the bus routes.  Please also let the school office know of your plans to use the bus.  Bus routes will be posted approximately 2 weeks before the start of school on the Town of Simsbury's website - click here.



Carpool Families - Road Construction Alert - Route 185 Construction

If you regularly travel route 185 between West Harford and Simsbury, you will note there is significant road work taking place. All the catch basins are currently being replaced and repaving will begin shortly. As you can imagine, this may lead to travel delays just as school is going to start. For those families from towns such as Simsbury, Granby, and Bloomfield that use route 185, please be prepared for these eventual delays and plan accordingly when coming to school in the morning. Paving will begin on August 28 from Abigail's Restaurant in Simsbury to the top of Simsbury Mountain. Once that is completed they will begin the downhill portion of the mountain all the way to route 218. It is estimated by Connecticut DOT that this project should be completed by October 1.

Summer Assignments, Supply Lists & More - All of this information can be found on the blog's "Back to School" page.  Use the tab at the top of the blog or click here.

Hot lunch will begin on Friday, September 16th.  Click here for Hot Lunch Order Form & click here for Hot Lunch Volunteer Sign Up Genius.   All hot lunch orders & payments are due NO LATER THAN AUGUST 22, 2016.  

Field Hockey Season Is Almost Here! 

All students in 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th grade who are interested in playing field hockey - We Want You!! You do not need prior experience and it is a co-ed sport! The practice schedule will be Wednesdays and Thursdays, 3:45-5:00pm on Meadow Fields, Iron Horse Boulevard. The season will run Sept. 7th thru Oct. 27th. Mrs. Liljedahl will be coaching with assistance from Mrs. Arcouette. If you are interested in playing, please contact Toni Chagnon at tchagnon@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net.   

Used Uniforms - Click here to view the most current inventory of used uniform items.  The Used Uniform Exchange will be available at the Summer Playground Playdate on Sunday, August 28th.

Land's End now has our new logo
available.  Logos are optional on
polo shirts, gym pants and shorts and
sweaters and sweatshirts.

Land's End is offering 30% off all school uniform purchases now through Monday, August 15th.   Our school code with Lands End is 900132150.

COMING SOON - NEW SPIRIT WEAR!

Our Principal, Mrs. Williamson,  has approved a gym t-shirt option and an additional sweatshirt that will be available for purchase at our New Spirit Wear Shop at Back To School "Knight", Wednesday, September 7th.  The new t-shirt is strictly optional - the polo shirt may still be worn on gym days.  The new sweatshirt is also an optional, additional style that may be worn as a uniform garment.

There will also be Spirit Wear Sneak Peek at our playground play date on Sunday, August 28th at 5:00 pm.

Summer Fun  - Is your family having summer fun?  Again this year, you are invited to share photos of your family's summer fun and activities with our community.  Summer fun photos can be sent to dhatch@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net.

The Sautters family has hosted soccer coaches from Ireland and the U.K.for four years in a row.
It is a great chance to learn about their lifestyle and culture. 
This is a photo of this year's crew playing "Heads Up" with us this year.

Quinn and Emmy enjoyed the sights in Ireland this summer -
so did their mom and dad!

Summer Blog Post #4 - August 4, 2016

Have you started thinking "Back to School"?  

We are getting ready for our new school year and there are already things to add to your calendar.  Here's a quick calendar review of upcoming events!  As always, we strongly encourage you to regularly check our school's Google calendar for updates and additions! Just click on the calendar tab at the top of the blog or visit our school website.

Summer Playground Dates - Meet new friends and catch up on all your summer news with old friends!

We are excited to share that there will be two SMS Summer Playground dates before the start of school.  One is just for families with students coming to our PreKindergarten and the other is for all SMS families - new and returning!  Both will be held at the St. Mary's School playground. We hope you will be able to join us! 

Please keep in mind that these are not "drop off events".  These play dates are designed so parents/caregivers and students can attend together and get better acquainted. 

To RSVP for either or both of these playground dates, please contact Toni Chagnon at tchagnon@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net.

PreKindergarten Summer Playground - Thursday, August 18th at 6:30pm

New & Returning Family Summer Playground - Sunday, August 28th at 5pm.  Families are invited to bring a picnic dinner to enjoy!  Mrs. Williamson will be on hand to welcome everyone to a new school year and will have a treat for all children attending.  There will be a "sneak peek" at our new Spirit Wear Shop and the Used Uniform exchange will also be available.

Morning in Middle School - All students entering 6th grade and any students new to our 7th and 8th grades are invited to spend a "Morning in Middle School" on Tuesday, August 30th from 9:30-11:30am.  Students will have a chance to walk through their daily schedule and meet with their faculty mentor.  School supplies may also be brought in at this time.

"Meet & Greet"  - Students entering PreKindergarten, Kindergarten, and grades 1-4 and a parent/care giver are invited to a classroom "Meet & Greet" on Tuesday, August 30th.  PreKindergarten will  "meet and greet" from 9:30-10:30am.  Kindergarten - grade 4 will "meet and greet" from 10:30-11:30am. School supplies may also be brought in at this time.

 iPad Deployment Meetings for Incoming 6th Graders and Students New to Middle School.

All students entering grade 6 and any students that are either new to our Middle School or returning students that have incurred a loss of iPad privileges during the 2015-16 school year and at least one parent/guardian will be required to meet with Mrs. Hatch for a brief (15 minute) appointment prior to the start of school to turn in the required iPad "Big 3" forms (i.e., verify that iPad insurance has been paid, return signed acknowledgements for Parent/Student Handbook and iPad AUP and signed Electronic Use Agreement). 

During this appointment, Mrs. Hatch will also review key components of the Acceptable Use Policy, use of the Notability App, school GMail and automatic backup to Google Drive and answer any questions.

No incoming sixth grade student, student new to our 7th or 8th grades or student that has been notified that an appointment is required will be given an iPad for school use -even once school begins - until this meeting has taken place. Our goal is to maximize student productivity with the iPad and to better assure appropriate educational use of the device. Questions should be referred to Mrs. Hatch at dhatch@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net or 860-658-9412.  Click here to visit the Sign Up Genius to set up an iPad Deployment Appointment.

First Day of School - Wednesday, August 31st.  This is a full day of school for all grades, PreKindergarten - grade 8 with PreKindergarten Enrichment and Aftercare available.  Reservation forms for PreKindergarten Enrichment are available here.  Reservation forms for Aftercare are available here.








School is closed - Monday, September 5th for Labor Day.

Book your babysitter!  Wednesday, September 7th is "Back to School Night for Parents".  

This adult evening has 2 events this year.  The evening will begin with a meeting for parents with students beginning instrumental music and band lessons for the first time this year.  If you have a student entering grades 4-8 that is interested in beginning instrumental music and band with our Future Musician's instructor, Mrs. Debbie Morse, please plan to meet in the music/art portable at 6pm. NOTE - This meeting is NOT required for parents of students that have previously participated in band.

  "Back to School Night for Parents" will begin at 6:30pm in the Parish Center.  Mrs. Williamson will have opening remarks and news about our newly revitalized Home & School Association. This will also be your opportunity to visit your child(ren)'s homeroom classrooms, meet teachers and learn more about the school day and this year's expectations for a great school year.

September School Mass - Our first school Mass will be held on Tuesday, September 13th at 9am in the church.  All are welcome to worship with us.  Please remember that no physical education uniforms should be worn to Mass.

Wondering about bus transportation?  All students in grades Kindergarten - Grade 8 that are Simsbury residents are eligible for bus transportation.  PreKindergarten students may not ride the bus.  If you have recently moved to Simsbury or are a family just beginning school at St. Mary's School, you must contact Sue Caccamo, Town Transportation Coordinator, at 860- 651-3361 to arrange for your child(ren) to be added to the bus routes.  Please also let the school office know of your plans to use the bus.  Bus routes will be posted approximately 2 weeks before the start of school on the Town of Simsbury's website - click here.

Summer Assignments, Supply Lists & More - All of this information can be found on the blog's "Back to School" page.  Use the tab at the top of the blog or click here.

Also, please be sure to be on the look out for your "Back to School Mailing". This year, this "mailing" will be sent to you electronically at the email you have designated as your primary family email address.  If you are not sure that the email address we currently have on file for your family is the "best one to use", please send the email you want used to smsoffice@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net.  Put "Back to School Mailing email"in your subject line and we will be sure to update our school database(s).

Hot lunch will begin on Friday, September 16th.  Click here for Hot Lunch Order Form & click here for Hot Lunch Volunteer Sign Up Genius.   All hot lunch orders & payments are due NO LATER THAN AUGUST 22, 2016.  

Field Hockey Season Is Almost Here! 

All students in 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th grade who are interested in playing field hockey - We Want You!! You do not need prior experience and it is a co-ed sport! The practice schedule will be Wednesdays and Thursdays, 3:45-5:00pm on Meadow Fields, Iron Horse Boulevard. The season will run Sept. 7th thru Oct. 27th. Mrs. Liljedahl will be coaching with assistance from Mrs. Arcouette. If you are interested in playing, please contact Toni Chagnon at tchagnon@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net.   

Look for this certificate to help
our school earn even more!

Box Tops for Education - Special "Back to School" Promotion -

 General Mills and Walmart have teamed up to present a special way for our school to earn even more Box Tops.  Specially marked, Walmart exclusive products will be offering 5 Box Tops instead of 1 plus a special coupon that is worth $40 when redeemed by our school.  Please take a moment to read about this special promotion, review the Walmart exclusive product list and then be sure to clip those Box Tops & special coupons and send them into school!  All homerooms will have a collection box. We are happy to announce that Mr. Kuziak will be coordinating the Box Tops program for us this year and thank him for his help

These specially marked, Walmart exclusive
products will earn our school 5 Box Tops instead
of the usual 1!

Is your family having summer fun?  Again this year, you are invited to share photos of your family's summer fun and activities with our community.  Summer fun photos can be sent to dhatch@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net.

The Mikan family enjoyed a seal watching adventure in Chatham, MA.

.

Summer Blog Post #3 - Wednesday, July 27, 2016

Another Summer Letter from Mrs. Williamson - Please check your email for a letter from Mrs. Williamson.  The email was sent on Wednesday, July 27th and includes an invitation to become an active part of our school's newly invigorated Home & School Association.  Every family enrolled at SMS is automatically a member and now is a great time for you to share your gifts and talents in an active way!   If you have not received this email, please notify the school office.

Summer Office Hours Continue.  The office is routinely staffed on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9am-1pm and by appointment as needed.  Both email and phone messages will be checked regularly.

Summer CHOICE Sales - CHOICE cards will be available for sale on Wednesday, August 10. If you have questions about summer CHOICE sales, please contact Tammy Budnick at the school office.

Getting Ready for a New School Year - Again this summer, the school blog has a "Back to School" Page.  Click here to visit the "Back to School" Page or use the navigation tabs at the top of the blog. Be sure to visit this page frequently for easy access to things like Supply Lists and Summer Assignments. 

Incoming 6th grade students and students new to our middle school will also find a link to a Sign Up Genius for their iPad Deployment meeting with Mrs. Hatch.  Click here to visit the Sign Up Genius. At this meeting,  the required iPad "Big 3" forms (i.e., verify that iPad insurance has been paid, return signed acknowledgements for Parent/Student Handbook and iPad AUP and signed Electronic Use Agreement) should be turned in.  During this appointment, Mrs. Hatch will also review key components of the Acceptable Use Policy, use of the Notability App, school GMail and automatic backup to Google Drive and answer any questions. No incoming sixth grade student, student new to our 7th or 8th grades or student that has been notified that an appointment is required will be given an iPad for school use -even once school begins - until this meeting has taken place. Our goal is to maximize student productivity with the iPad and to better assure appropriate educational use of the device. Questions should be referred to Mrs. Hatch at dhatch@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net or 860-658-9412.

Summer blog posts will continue as news warrants.

Finally, be sure to be on the look out for your "Back to School Mailing" in August.  This year, this "mailing" will be sent to you electronically at the email you have designated as your primary family email address.  If you are not sure that the email address we currently have on file for your family is the "best one to use", please send the email you want used to smsoffice@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net.  Put "Back to School Mailing email"in your subject line and we will be sure to update our school database(s).

Hot lunch will begin on Friday, September 16th.  Click here for Hot Lunch Order Form & click here for Hot Lunch Volunteer Sign Up Genius.   All hot lunch orders & payments are due NO LATER THAN AUGUST 22, 2016.  

Summer Playground Dates - Meet new friends and catch up on all your summer news with old friends!

We are excited to share that there will be two SMS Summer Playground dates before the start of school.  One is just for families with students coming to our PreKindergarten and the other is for all SMS families - new and returning!  Both will be held at the St. Mary's School playground. We hope you will be able to join us! 

Please keep in mind that these are not "drop off events".  These play dates are designed so parents/caregivers and students can attend together and get better acquainted. 

To RSVP for either or both of these playground dates, please contact Toni Chagnon at tchagnon@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net.

PreKindergarten Summer Playground - Thursday, August 18th at 6:30pm

New & Returning Family Summer Playground - Sunday, August 28th at 5pm.  Mrs. Williamson will be on hand to welcome everyone to a new school year and will have a treat for all children attending.  There will be a "sneak peek" at our new Spirit Wear Shop and the Used Uniform exchange will also be available.

School Uniform Update -

1.  Changes to PE Uniform - We have been advised by Lands End that the windpants and athletic shorts that have been part of our uniform code have been discontinued.  These items have been replaced with the following -
Girls Active Zip Bottom Pants - Navy - Style #470328
Boys Active Zip Bottom Pants - Navy - Style #470204
Girls Peformance Gym Shorts - Navy - Style #470343
Boys Performance Gym Shorts - Navy - Style #470216

And Coming soon!!!!!   More great news for gym uniforms! Mrs. Williamson has approved a gym 
t-shirt option and an additional sweatshirt that will be available for purchase at our New Spirit Wear Shop at Back To School "Knight", Wednesday, September7th.  The new t-shirt is strictly optional - the polo shirt may still be worn on gym days.  The new sweatshirt is also an optional, additional style that may be worn as a uniform garment.

There will also be Spirit Wear Sneak Peek at our playground play date on Sunday, August 28th at 5:00 pm.

2. Knight Logo - Logos are always OPTIONAL at SMS.  A logo is optional on sweaters, polo shirts, gym pants, and sweatshirts. We are working with Lands End to have our school logo updated to our new "knight".  Until the update is complete, if you order a logo, the garment will have our old "window" logo.  These will be acceptable for the life of the garment. We will let you know when the new logo is available.  The new logo will be available on all of our new spirit wear items for 2016-17!

Click here to access the Lands' End School Uniform site.  Our school code is 900132150.  Please do order only items that are on our approved school code list.

Is your family planning summer fun?  Again this year, you are invited to share photos of your family's summer fun and activities with our community.  Summer fun photos can be sent to dhatch@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net.

 Megan S. at Hatteras National Seashore with 7' sand tiger shark.

SMS Summer News #2

Summer Letter from Mrs. Williamson - Please check your email for a letter from Mrs. Williamson.  The email was sent on Friday, 7/22.   If you have not received this email, please notify the school office.

Summer Office Hours Continue.  The office is routinely staffed on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9am-1pm and by appointment as needed.  Both email and phone messages will be checked regularly.

Summer CHOICE Sales - CHOICE cards will be available for sale on Wednesday, August 10. If you have questions about summer CHOICE sales, please contact Tammy Budnick at the school office.

Getting Ready for a New School Year - Again this summer, the school blog has a "Back to School" Page.  Click here to visit the "Back to School" Page or use the navigation tabs at the top of the blog. Be sure to visit this page frequently for easy access to things like Supply Lists and Summer Assignments. 

Incoming 6th grade students and students new to our middle school will also find a link to a Sign Up Genius for their iPad Deployment meeting with Mrs. Hatch.  Click here to visit the Sign Up Genius. At this meeting,  the required iPad "Big 3" forms (i.e., verify that iPad insurance has been paid, return signed acknowledgements for Parent/Student Handbook and iPad AUP and signed Electronic Use Agreement) should be turned in.  During this appointment, Mrs. Hatch will also review key components of the Acceptable Use Policy, use of the Notability App, school GMail and automatic backup to Google Drive and answer any questions. No incoming sixth grade student, student new to our 7th or 8th grades or student that has been notified that an appointment is required will be given an iPad for school use -even once school begins - until this meeting has taken place. Our goal is to maximize student productivity with the iPad and to better assure appropriate educational use of the device. Questions should be referred to Mrs. Hatch at dhatch@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net or 860-658-9412.

Summer blog posts will continue as news warrants.

Finally, be sure to be on the look out for your "Back to School Mailing" in August.  This year, this "mailing" will be sent to you electronically at the email you have designated as your primary family email address.  If you are not sure that the email address we currently have on file for your family is the "best one to use", please send the email you want used to smsoffice@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net.  Put "Back to School Mailing email"in your subject line and we will be sure to update our school database(s).

Hot lunch will begin on Friday, September 16th.  Click here for Hot Lunch Order Form & click here for Hot Lunch Volunteer Sign Up Genius.   All hot lunch orders & payments are due NO LATER THAN AUGUST 22, 2016.  

Is your family planning summer fun?  Again this year, you are invited to share photos of your family's summer fun and activities with our community.  Summer fun photos can be sent to dhatch@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net.









Alumni News

Our congratulations to Marty Wall, SMS Class of '15. Marty has achieved the distinction of being named to the Principal’s List for his outstanding academic achievement throughout the 2016-17 school year. Marty also earned Honors for the 4^th quarter at Xavier High School.

Congratulations to Katheryn Pettibone, SMS Class of '14.  Katheryn has achieved First Honors for the fourth quarter at East Catholic High School.

We also extend our congratulations to the alumni who have achieved honor roll status for the 4th quarter at Simsbury High School.  These students include:

SMS Class of '12 - High Honors:  Maryanne Gunn      Honors: Jennifer Kornacki
SMS Class of '13 - High Honors:  Griffin Myslow       Honors:  Nicole Gomez-Nieto & Joseph Leon
SMS Class of '14 - High Honors:  Domenico Cirielli   Honors:  Spencer Bernard, Parker Myslow & Robert Tomasello
SMS Class of '15 - High Honors:  Mark Bedson

The Pericat family has completed a 2 week trip by RV to Niagara Falls, Football Hall of Fame, Gettysburg, Hershey Park and many places in between. Is your family having summer fun?  If so and you'd like to share with the community, please send email to dhatch@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net.