News for the Week of 5/10/17

Second grade looks forward to welcoming everyone to
May Crowning this Friday, 5/12/17.

Grandparents' & Special Person's Day & May Crowning will be held on Friday, May 12th.  Again this year, we are looking forward to welcoming special guests for a visit.  We hope many grandparents and people special to our students will join us for morning prayer at 8:45am in the Parish Center.  After a continental breakfast and some student entertainment, guests will be free to visit classrooms until 10:45am when the school community will transition to the church for our traditional May Crowning.  Guests will be free to depart after May Crowning as students return to school for the remainder of the academic day. 

Walk-In Wednesdays are here!  Do you know someone wondering if SMS is the right place for their family?  Encourage them to drop in to get acquainted during one of our upcoming Walk-In Wednesdays on May 24 or May 31 from 9-11:30am.  Please note that May 17th is not a Walk-In Wednesday since several grades will be out on field trips.



P.E. Club - IMPORTANT NOTICE - Due to end of the year schedules, there will be no P.E. club in May or June. Thank you to all of the participants that joined us this year!

Spring Band & Vocal Concert - This year our spring band & vocal music concert will be held on Monday, May 22nd at 7pm in the Parish Center.  There will be a dress rehearsal of the concert at 1:30pm on May 22nd.  Our FMI instructor, Mrs. Debbie Morse, will provide band students will directions regarding arrival time and concert attire.  All students in Kindergarten - Grade 8 participate in the vocal music portion of the concert and attendance is considered mandatory since the performance is part of the student's vocal music grade.  If an excused absence needs to be requested, please contact Mrs. Williamson.  "Sunday Best" is the dress expectation for the vocal music concert unless the teacher has provided other directives for dress.  "Sunday Best" for boys means a collared shirt and dress slacks or walking shorts with shoes and socks.  "Sunday Best" for girls means a dress, skirt, or skort of modest length or dress walking shorts (i.e., knee length) or slacks.  Dresses or tops should be of modest coverage (e.g., no bare shoulders, no open backed dresses).  Girls are expected to wear sensible shoes or sandals.  If "Sunday Best" is not available, the relaxed uniform may be worn.

Mark Your Calendars!  

Next week, our School Blog will be published on Thursday, 5/17.

Please mark your calendars that in May, we will worship with our Parish family at the 12:15pm Mass for the Feast of the Ascension.  Please keep in mind that no Physical Education uniforms should be worn to Mass.

Friday, May 26th is a 12:45pm Early Dismissal.  There will be no PreK Enrichment or Aftercare.  School is closed on Monday, 5/29, for Memorial Day.

We recently made a special addition to our prayer life. Mrs. Pabich-Phillips set up a simple prayer board in the hallway. Any member of the community may stop and write a prayer intention on a sticky note and put it on the wall. Today we started a new tradition at morning prayer where we will include the messages on the board as a group in our daily prayer intention. To be fair, we have borrowed this idea from a Catholic school in MA but imitation is the most sincere form of flattery!

It's Time to Order Your 2016-17 Yearbook - The SMS Yearbook is a great momento that features a photo of every student, club photos and candids from all our school year activities.  Don't miss your opportunity to own this important keepsake!  Yearbooks are ONLY available by presale and there are only a limited number of yearbooks printed for our school. Yearbooks are $28.   ONLINE ORDERING IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE BUT YEARBOOK ORDERS MAY STILL BE SENT INTO THE SCHOOL OFFICE.  A hard copy order form was sent home with all students on Friday, 4/28.   Additional order forms are available in the school office.  If you have questions, please contact Michelle Howard at michellechoward@yahoo.com.

CHOICE News - The purchasing period for CHOICE for our current school year closed on April 30th.  If your family has a balance due for your CHOICE commitment for this year, a statement has been emailed to you.  Please send your balance due into the school office at your earliest convenience.  Your CHOICE obligation is part of your tuition commitment.  Purchases made after 4/30, are being credited to your family's CHOICE obligation for the 17-18 school year.  If you have questions regarding the CHOICE program or your family's CHOICE obligation, please contact Tammy in the school office.

Sale begins Thursday, 5/11/17.  SMS School Code is 900132150

Alumni News - 

Fifty-three Catholic high school seniors recognized for outstanding academic achievement shared honors with the teachers who inspired them most during the archdiocesan Summa Scholar Award ceremony and reception on April 24th at the Archdiocesan Center at St. Thomas Seminary.  Each year, the award is presented to high school seniors from eight Catholic high schools within the Archdiocese of Hartford. Summa Scholars placed in the top 5 percent of their graduating class, based on cumulative grade point average. Each school’s president or principal identifies the scholars.  We are proud to share that 3 of this year's Summa Scholars are alumni of SMS.  Our congratulations to Katharine Jessen, Sarah Jessen and Allyson Voelker, all SMS Class of '13.

We are also proud to share that Katharine Jessen (right)has received
recognition as a CIAC Scholar-Athlete. 

Our congratulations to Gabriela Doskos, SMS Class of '13.  Gabriela has been accepted at and will attend Johns Hopkins University in the fall.  We love to hear about our alumnis' college decisions - if you have news to share, please send an email to smsoffice@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net.

Community News -

Parish Picnic Planning - Calling all parishioners and St. Mary's school families; your talents and insights are needed to help plan the "best picnic ever", celebrating all the wonderful uniqueness of our parish community. Join us on Thursday, May 11, at 7:00 PM in the lower church for a short meeting to begin planning the picnic to CELEBRATE ST. MARY'S!

Please note that the opportunity to order tickets to the Yard Goats has been extended until May 15th!

Click here to download & print a ticket order form.
ALL TICKET ORDERS ARE DUE NLT FRIDAY, 5/5/17!

Kick off Summer with an Annual Tradition - The St. Mary's Carnival!

This year the carnival will run from June 7-10th.  Click here for more information and to learn how you can help.  Our school receives substantial financial assistance from carnival proceeds so this is a great community activity to support as a volunteer and as an attendee!

Tickets are available in the school office until Thursday, June 8th.

News for the Week of 5/3/17

Email from Mrs. Williamson - Please be sure to check your email for a letter from Mrs. Williamson.  The letter provides some information regarding the Netflix series "13 Reasons Why".  Please take a moment to read this letter.  If you did not receive Mrs. Williamson's email, please contact the school office.

IOWA Testing for students in grades 3 - 7 continues.

IOWA testing continues through Monday, 5/8/16, for students in grades 3-7. Tuesday, 5/9 & Wednesday, 5/10, are reserved for "make-ups" due to illness. While these tests are one important indicator of a student's academic progress, we do strongly encourage you to help your child(ren) approach these tests with a positive outlook of relaxed confidence. Unlike many regular assessments, these tests cannot be "studied" for and the best preparation for them is a good night's rest and a healthy breakfast. 

Students that may feel anxious should be reminded that these tests are just one measure of progress. Please also keep in mind that it is very important for students to arrive at school PROMPTLY by 8:40AM on IOWA testing days. Late arrivals will not be permitted into a classroom if the testing has begun until there is a break. Additionally, we ask that you try to avoid scheduling doctor and dentist visits during the testing period. Students cannot be called out of class during a testing period and no announcements will be made into classrooms during testing.




Walk-In Wednesdays are here!  Do you know someone wondering if SMS is the right place for their family?  Encourage them to drop in to get acquainted during one of our upcoming Walk-In Wednesdays on May 10, May 24 or May 31 from 9-11:30am.  Please note that May 17th is not a Walk-In Wednesday since several grades will be out on field trips.




P.E. Club - IMPORTANT NOTICE - Due to end of the year schedules, there will be no P.E. club in May or June. Thank you to all of the participants that joined us this year!

Moms in Prayer will be meeting on Wednesday, May 10th from 8:30 - 10am in the lower church library. Psalm 119:105 tells us “Your Word is a lamp for my feet, a light for my path.” Please join us as we continue the video presentation “Guarding Your Child’s Heart” by Dr. Gary Smalley, about the importance of grounding our children in faith, through the memorization of scripture. Please contact Christine Sinopoli at christineds1213@yahoo.com or (860)558-9868 if you have any questions. Children are welcome.

Grandparents' & Special Person's Day & May Crowning will be held on Friday, May 12th.  Again this year, we are looking forward to welcoming special guests for a visit.  We hope many grandparents and people special to our students will join us for morning prayer at 8:45am in the Parish Center.  After a continental breakfast and some student entertainment, guests will be free to visit classrooms until 10:45am when the school community will transition to the church for our traditional May Crowning.  Guests will be free to depart after May Crowning as students return to school for the remainder of the academic day. 

It's Time to Order Your 2016-17 Yearbook - The SMS Yearbook is a great momento that features a photo of every student, club photos and candids from all our school year activities.  Don't miss your opportunity to own this important keepsake!  Yearbooks are ONLY available by presale and there are only a limited number of yearbooks printed for our school. Yearbooks are $28.   ONLINE ORDERING IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE BUT YEARBOOK ORDERS MAY STILL BE SENT INTO THE SCHOOL OFFICE.  A hard copy order form was sent home with all students on Friday, 4/28.   Additional order forms are available in the school office.  If you have questions, please contact Michelle Howard at michellechoward@yahoo.com.

Signs of Spring - Students in Mrs. Keaney's second grade  have been learning about flowers, how they pollinate, and the inside parts of flowers. The children investigated flowers in the great outdoors and we even brought a few inside. They had a lot of fun finding the stamens and pollen, the pistils, the flower seeds , and the florets ( clusters of petals that make up a flower such as a dandelion).

Lands End School Uniform - 
Product Change Notice for 17-18 School Year

We have been notified by Lands End that they are discontinuing the girls' PE shorts that have been part of our uniform code.  We have selected a new solid navy mesh short for both boys and girls for PE next year.  Ordering information appears below:

Boys' Mesh Gym Shorts - Classic Navy - Little Boy  470206-JU0  $15
                                                                 - Boy  470207-JU5  $15
                                                                 - Men  470208-JUX  $20

Girls' Mesh Gym Shorts - Classic Navy - Little Girl 470330-JU7  $15
                                                                 - Girl  470331-JU1  $15
                                                                 - Women 470332-JU6  $20

Please note that when shopping for uniforms, you should always use our school code:  9000-9100-1
Please also remember that Lands End gift cards at a 16% profit rate are available from the CHOICE program.

Physical education shorts already purchased from Lands End may continue to be worn as long as they fit appropriately and are in good repair.

Congratulations to all of the students that performed in last week's Talent Show!  As has been the case in previous years, this was a truly memorable and entertaining evening.  Our special thanks to Mrs. Jehnings and Mr. Gangloff for coordinating this show and working with the performers to help make the show such a success. Click here to enjoy some Talent Show photos.

SMS CHOICE News -  Please keep in mind that all CHOICE purchases made beginning May 1 are being credited to your family's 17-18 CHOICE obligation.  The 16-17 CHOICE purchasing period has closed. If you have any questions regarding your family's CHOICE obligation for 16-17 or the balance still due for this year, please contact Tammy in the school office. 

Community News -

Click here to download & print a ticket order form.
ALL TICKET ORDERS ARE DUE NLT FRIDAY, 5/5/17!

Kick off Summer with an Annual Tradition - The St. Mary's Carnival!

This year the carnival will run from June 7-10th.  Click here for more information and to learn how you can help.  Our school receives substantial financial assistance from carnival proceeds so this is a great community activity to support as a volunteer and as an attendee!

Tickets are available in the school office until Thursday, June 8th.

News for the Week of 4/27/17

A Knight at the Gala
Celebrating 60 years of "Faith in Education".
Sister Mary Kolbe Heffern (l) is pictured
with Sister Rose Alma.  Sister Rose Alma
taught 4th grade here at SMS in the 1960's.
Sister Mary Kolbe Heffern is our 4th grade teacher now.

What a Knight to Remember!

Thank you to everyone who contributed to or attended the Gala on Friday, April 21st at Farmington Gardens.  With over 200 people in attendance, it was a truly special evening celebrating both our past and future. Click here to enjoy some pictures from the Gala.

We still have two items that can be purchased for their starting bids! All proceeds go to our technology fund for new iPads. 

- Disney Hopper Passes: 4 One Day Park Passes that are valid at the Walt Disney World Resort in Central Florida which includes Magic Kingdom Park, Epcot, Disney Hollywood Studios & Disney's Animal Kingdom. 

Value: $648.00 

Yours for $300.00

- Simsmore Tennis: 1 Adult Membership &  $20 Valley Racquet Gift card

 Value: $275.00

 Yours for $135.00

Please contact Toni Chagnon if you would like to purchase one of these fabulous items. 

tchagnon@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net/860-658-9412

IOWA Testing for students in grades 3 - 7 will begin on Monday, May 1.

From Monday, 5/1/16, through Monday, 5/8/16, students in grades 3-7 will be taking the IOWA Tests of Basic Skills. Tuesday, 5/9 & Wednesday, 5/10, are reserved for "make-ups" due to illness. While these tests are one important indicator of a student's academic progress, we do strongly encourage you to help your child(ren) approach these tests with a positive outlook of relaxed confidence. Unlike many regular assessments, these tests cannot be "studied" for and the best preparation for them is a good night's rest and a healthy breakfast.

Students that may feel anxious should be reminded that these tests are just one measure of progress. Please also keep in mind that it is very important for students to arrive at school PROMPTLY by 8:40AM on IOWA testing days. Late arrivals will not be permitted into a classroom if the testing has begun until there is a break. Additionally, we ask that you try to avoid scheduling doctor and dentist visits during the testing period. Students cannot be called out of class during a testing period and no announcements will be made into classrooms during testing.

Grandparents' & Special Person's Day & May Crowning will be held on Friday, May 12th.  Again this year, we are looking forward to welcoming special guests for a visit.  We hope many grandparents and people special to our students will join us for morning prayer at 8:45am in the Parish Center.  After a continental breakfast and some student entertainment, guests will be free to visit classrooms until 10:45am when the school community will transition to the church for our traditional May Crowning.  Guests will be free to depart after May Crowning as students return to school for the remainder of the academic day. 

It's Time to Order Your 2016-17 Yearbook - The SMS Yearbook is a great momento that features a photo of every student, club photos and candids from all our school year activities.  Don't miss your opportunity to own this important keepsake!  Yearbooks are ONLY available by presale and there are only a limited number of yearbooks printed for our school. Yearbooks are $28.   Click here to place your order online.  Our school code is 9415317.  A hard copy order form will also be sent home with students on Friday, 4/28.  If you have questions, please contact Michelle Howard at michellechoward@yahoo.com.

FRIDAY, April 28, 2017, is the deadline for submission of SMARTAID applications for consideration for tuition assistance.  All requests for tuition assistance must be made via SMARTAID.   Click here for more information regarding the types of tuition assistance available and the SMARTAID application process. Click here for helpful information from SMARTAID regarding completion of the application.  Click here to access the SMARTAID application. 

Lands End School Uniform - 
Product Change Notice for 17-18 School Year

We have been notified by Lands End that they are discontinuing the girls' PE shorts that have been part of our uniform code.  We have selected a new solid navy mesh short for both boys and girls for PE next year.  Ordering information appears below:

Boys' Mesh Gym Shorts - Classic Navy - Little Boy  470206-JU0  $15
                                                                 - Boy  470207-JU5  $15
                                                                 - Men  470208-JUX  $20

Girls' Mesh Gym Shorts - Classic Navy - Little Girl 470330-JU7  $15
                                                                 - Girl  470331-JU1  $15
                                                                 - Women 470332-JU6  $20

Please note that when shopping for uniforms, you should always use our school code:  9000-9100-1
Please also remember that Lands End gift cards at a 16% profit rate are available from the CHOICE program.

Physical education shorts already purchased from Lands End may continue to be worn as long as they fit appropriately and are in good repair.

SMS CHOICE News -  Please keep in mind that your family's CHOICE commitment for 2016-17 must be completed no later than April 30th.  If you have any questions regarding your family's CHOICE obligation or the balance still due for this year, please contact Tammy in the school office. CHOICE purchases made after April 30th will be credited to your family's 2017-18 obligation.

Community News -

Simsbury Public Library has announced programs for teens & 'tweens during the month of May- 

Kick off Summer with an Annual Tradition - The St. Mary's Carnival!

This year the carnival will run from June 7-10th.  Click here for more information and to learn how you can help.  Our school receives substantial financial assistance from carnival proceeds so this is a great community activity to support as a volunteer and as an attendee!

Tickets are available in the school office until Thursday, June 8th.