Dear Families of St. Mary’s School:

As we head into this holiday season, may we always strive to keep our love for God front and foremost in our hearts.  Our children bring so much joy to our lives.  There are many events throughout this season that have been lovingly planned for your child.    Please read about them below and we hope that you will be able to join us on these special days and events!  Peace to you.

Notes of Interest:

Religion Lesson of the Week: All Saints Day.  All Souls Day.  We are learning about the life of Moses and the Book of Exodus. Our visit with Bishop Brennan was exciting!

Science Fair:  Students in grades 3, 4, 5 and 6 were required to do either a Science Fair project or a Social Studies Fair project.  The Social Studies is over so if your child did not do Social Studies then he/she will need to do a Science Fair project.  Forms are on Mrs. Morris’s Google Classroom page.  Set up is Sunday, Nov 7 from 6:00-7:00 pm.  The judging will take place on Monday, Nov 8.

Parent Volunteers Needed:  Our service project for the month of November is each class will hand crochet a Prayer Blanket and we will donate these to United Hospital for Cancer patients or Hospice patients.  We need parents/grandparents willing to come and assist the students in a class with the hand crocheting.  If interested, please contact Ashley in the office.

Winter Uniform Reminders:  K-6 – No tennis shoes except for Thursdays (PE Day).  Girls are to wear knee socks or tights and dress shirts with their plaid jumper or skirt, not polo shirts. Pants with belt loops need to have belts. Formal Uniform days boys are to wear light blue or white dress shirts with a tie.

Veteran’s Day:  We are preparing a video to highlight members of our families who have served and are currently serving in our armed forces.  If you have a family member you would like to thank and recognize, please email a picture to Ashley at avernon@stmaryswv.org or send in a hard copy picture of your family member.   Include name and branch of service.   We will share the video on Veteran’s Day on St. Mary’s Facebook Page.

ND and SMS Holiday Open House:  ND and SMS will be having a Holiday Open House on Dec 5 from 12:00pm – 4:00pm.  There will be a Christmas Market for craft/business sales.  The cost per table is $25.  There will be performances throughout the day by students.  Santa will be available for listening and picture taking. The cafeteria will be open for lunch.  The high school students will have a Christmas tree silent auction.   Please bring your families and join us for a day of fun and fellowship.

Christmas Around the World Class Programs:  All families are invited to attend a Christmas Program presented by each grade level.  *See the calendar below for the schedule.  Each class chose a country to explore and research for Christmas/Holiday traditions.  The students then prepared a program to present their knowledge.  Following the class presentation, you are invited to join the class in sharing a traditional cookie and drink from their country. Performances will be held in the auditorium.

All Aboard for a fun Movie Day!:  The school will be traveling to Robinson Grand Theater on Wednesday, Dec 1 for a private showing of The Polar Express.  We will depart the school about 7:45 and return around 10:30.   Children will receive popcorn and a drink to enjoy while watching the movie.  There is no charge for this event.  The Notre Dame bus will transport us back and forth.  Everyone wear your PJ’s!!

Santa’s Secret Shopping Event for all Students:  The HandS organization will be offering shopping to our students on Dec 13 and 14.  Students may bring money to school to shop for special people in their lives.   More information will be coming soon.   Dec 13 will be a Dress Down Day for your child if you donate gift bags for this event.  Look for volunteer sign ups to help with this event.

******NOTE CALENDAR CHANGE******

The original calendar has No School for February 14 for President’s Day but President’s Day is actually Feb 21.  So we are changing the day off to February 21.

In addition, the Valentine’s Party was scheduled for February 11 since Monday was a holiday.   Therefore, we are moving the Valentine’s Party to Monday, February 14 at 1:15 pm.

 

Upcoming Dates and Events:

Nov 7:  Sunday evening set up for Science Fair from 6-7 pm

Nov 7-14:  Vocations Awareness Week

Nov 8:  Science Fair for grades 3, 4, 5, and 6

Nov 11:  No School – Veteran’s Day

Nov 19:  *Thanksgiving Mass at 1:00 dismissal is at regular time

*Please note change in dismissal time.  It was originally an early dismissal but since Mass is at    1:00 dismissal has been moved to regular time.

Nov 22 and 23:  Tech Days for students

Nov 24 – 28:   Thanksgiving Break

Nov 29:  Return to school

Dec 1:  All school Movie Day at Robinson Grand Theater-

Dec 2- Midterm of 2nd Nine Weeks, Progress Reports will come home.

Dec 6-9:  Christmas Around the World Class Programs*

Dec 6: Preschool 3 year olds – 10:00

Dec 7: Preschool 4 year olds – 10:00

Dec 8: Kindergarten – 11:30

Dec 9: 1st Grade – 11:30

Dec 10:  Mass – Formal Uniform

Dec 13:  Dress Down Day for those who donate Gift Bags for Santa’s Shop

Dec 13 and 14:  Santa’s Secret Shopping for students

Dec 13-17:  Christmas Around the World Class Programs*

Dec 13: 2nd Grade – 12:00

Dec 14: 3rd Grade – 12:00

Dec 15: 4th Grade – 12:00

Dec 16: 5th Grade – 12:00

Dec 17: 6th Grade – 12:00

Dec 17:  NO KEEPERS after school, Mr. Sammy is not able to be here.

Dec 20:  Preschool 3 and 4 Christmas Party at 9:30

Dec 21:  Kindergarten – 6th grade Christmas Party @ 1:15

Dec 22:  Mass @ 1:00 Lessons and Carols, dismissal at regular time. Last day before break.

Jan 4:  Students return to school.

Jan 7:  End of 1st Semester.

 

Special Recognitions:

 Mrs. Rosie Morris would like to thank the following people for their contribution to the 2021 Pumpkin Drop:

1.         Dump Truck- Mr. Bonamico

2.         Natalie Gigliotti- Water

3.         Krista Powers- Snacks

4.         Jennifer Kriner- Snacks

5.         Alvarez’s- Judge, Target, water

6.         Angela Fittro- Emcee

7.         Kevin Leonard and FIL (Garry Norton)– clean up- will bring box cutters

8.         Belinda Pishner and Natalie Carpenter- snack table

9.         Szarko’s- Snacks, project launchers

10.       D’Annunzio’s- Sign

11.       Rochelle Lucero Plywaczynski- Water and Snacks

Helpers with set up and tear down

  1. Stella Bealko
  2. Anthony and Gracie Morris
  3. Evan Fraley
  4. Ashley, Mila, Emma Vernon
  5. Vanessa Jaime and Alex Williams
  6. Maria Ammons
  7. Lorie Cavallo

A message from HandS President, Natalie Gigliotti: Thank you to all of the families and friends of SMS that participated in the Trunk or Treat! It was an evening of great fun! A special thank you to the HandS volunteers that helped to make the event so special, including:
Kayla Lantz
Carisa Morrison
Rhea Dyer
John Paul Nardelli
Ashley Vernon
The ND Baseball Team

If your child has a great accomplishment that you are proud of and would like me to announce, please send me the information via email to lcavallo@stmaryswv.org

We are proud of our students (and staff and families) and want to shout out the great things they are doing!!!!