St. Mary Catholic School - St. Mary`s Catholic School
Transcription
St. Mary Catholic School - St. Mary`s Catholic School
Challenging the Mind—Living the Faith St. Mary Catholic School February Newsletter 2015 Dear Parents: Although wintry weather impacted some of our scheduled events for the start of Catholic Schools Week, the Talent Show, Grandparent’s Day, our School Liturgy, the Book Fair, and Teacher Luncheon were all true celebrations. It was great to have so many parent and grandparent volunteers in the building helping with all the events. Many positive comments were made about how easy it was to sign up to volunteer through SignUpGenius. Our volunteer committee is working to streamline the ease of volunteering for all SMCS events. During this upcoming month, we will enter the season of Lent. During this time, we have a wonderful opportunity to grow closer in our relationship to God. This fortyday period, in which we practice prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, helps prepare our hearts for the death and Resurrection of Jesus. As a school community, we will be coming together for Mass on Ash Wednesday at 10:30 A.M. and for Stations of the Cross each Friday at 2:00 P.M. during Lent. Our students in grades 3 through 8 will also have the opportunity to participate in the sacrament of Reconciliation. Families are encouraged to participate in Operation Rice Bowl. We, as a school community, will work together to prepare our hearts for Easter. Remembering Catholic Schools Week CATHOLIC SCHOOLS: COMMUNITIES OF FAITH, KNOWLEDGE, AND SERVICE Thank you is again extended to Mrs. Dana Hilmoe for creating the beautiful CSW buttons that the students, parents, faculty, and visitors wore all week long. BULLETIN BOARDS Mrs. Stacey Renken continues to amaze the school community with her creativity and love of art. Our hallways were adorned with beautiful art work created by her students in class. We appreciate the talents of Mrs. Renken and her students! TOURS St. Mary Catholic School was open for tours during the week for prospective new students and their families. Although inclement weather shortened our week, I am pleased to report that many prospective families visited SMCS. Our tour guides were very busy all week long! Thank you, Mrs. Rachel O’Connor, Mrs. Debbie Corsi, Mrs. Shannon Flint, Mrs. Stacey Stine, Mrs. M.J. Sommerville, and Mrs. Jacque Ewing for showing our school. FAITH FIRST FRIDAY MASS Please join us for our school Mass on February 6 at 10:30 A.M. FEAST OF ST. BLAISE Tuesday, February 3, is the feast day of St. Blaise. Father Larry plans to bless the throats of our students after our First Friday Mass on February 7. (May God at the intercession of Saint Blaise preserve you from throat troubles and every other evil.) ASH WEDNESDAY Ash Wednesday is February 18. All SMCS students will attend Mass on Ash Wednesday and receive ashes at 10:30 A.M. STATIONS OF THE CROSS Students in grades three through eight will attend Stations of the Cross on Fridays during Lent at 2:00 P.M. Thank you, Father Collin and Father Larry, for giving our students the opportunity to attend Stations of the Cross during school. LENTEN REMINDER No meat will be served on any Friday during Lent. OPERATION RICE BOWL Eighth grade students, under the supervision of Ms. Ward, will prepare presentations for the younger grades about Operation Rice Bowl. Students will be given “bowls” in which to put donations during Lent. Donations are due Friday, March 27. Checks are appreciated. Remembering Catholic Schools Week (continued…) PANCAKE BREAKFAST Unfortunately, snow, sleet, and freezing rain caused the cancellation of our annual SMCS Pancake Breakfast. We appreciate all the time and effort Mo Tedeschi put into coordinating this special community event. Many thanks are extended to the team of volunteers who spent Friday night preparing for the event. The team included Kelly, Ashley, Tyler, and Bella Kenny, Elena Echenique, Lauren and Phillip Aguila, Barbara and Olivia Brooks, Caroline and Joseph Zabrucky, Julie Zanetti, Michelle Watts, Jen and Chloe Harman, Jen Sword, Lauren Rappaport, MJ Sommerville, Kelly Byrne, Cathy and Stephen Reiter, Jackie Strama, Bella Barron, and Tammy Shultz. We appreciate the very generous donations from the Romsburg family (Western Sizzlin) and from IHOP. Hopefully, next year the weather will be more cooperative! WEEKEND MASSES SMCS appreciates the support of our area Pastors in helping us spread the news about Catholic education. Our students were able to talk about St. Mary Catholic School during the weekend Masses. These students did a great job representing SMCS and encouraging others to consider Catholic education. Thank you to the following students for speaking during the weekend Masses: St. Ann Parish Speakers: Noah Karn, Alice Poffenberger, and Annie Balog New Dates…Mark your calendars Monday, March 2 Career Day Tuesday, March 3 Volunteer Reception (8:30 A.M.) Parent Visitation (9:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M.) St. Augustine Parish Speaker: Danielle Wells St. James Parish Speaker: Shannon Quinones St. Joseph Parish Speaker: Frederick Farah St. Mary Parish Speakers: Jacob Kornilow, Sofia Corsi, Olivia Brooks, and Emma Ortiz St. Michael Parish Speaker: Harrison Ewing A special thank you is extended to all the students who wore their school uniform over the weekend! BOOK FAIR Who doesn’t enjoy a good book? Our students certainly enjoyed the vast selection of books available at our 2015 Scholastic Book Fair. The long lines for purchases on Grandparent Day and all the smiles on our students’ faces made for a banner day for sales. We truly appreciate the time and efforts of Mrs. Stacey Kijowski in coordinating this event. (Mrs. Kijowski is thankful for all the advice and input from her co-chair, Mrs. Jenny Beck.) Our set-up committee included Jessica Espiridion, Lisa Muto, Bella Barron, Mr. Bob, and Beth Fisher (our regional Scholastic Representative). Sales were handled by Mistie Witt, Lisa Muto, Bella Barron, Sherri Goetz, Jennifer Harman, Leslie Kocevar, Kelly Byrne, Jackie Swarner, Teresa Maloney-Smith, and Natalie Shultz. Lisa Muto, Sherri and Alyssa Goetz, Frankie, Sofia, and Anthony Corsi, Brandon and Jacob Kijowski, Aria Smith, and Emily Concovia offered their time and efforts to pack up the books at the end of the fair. We appreciate all the support of our SMCS families who made purchases this week. The profit from the Book Fair will be announced once all the sales have been calculated. EIGHTH GRADE RECOGNITION Eighth grade is such a special year for our students at SMCS. During the talent show, the St. Mary Catholic School Graduating Class of 2015 was recognized. Thanks to the HSA, our eighth graders received their CLASS T-Shirts on this day. Eighth graders will be wearing their special T-Shirts on Fridays as recognition of their years of hard work as St. Mary Catholic School students. The Class of 2015 includes Zara Ahmed, Elias Blumenberg, Olivia Brooks, Gabriel Burgess, Benjamin Byers, Emily Concovia, Norah Cvijanovich, Harrison Ewing, Frederick Farah, Elizabeth Fisher, Jahi Fleet, Morgan Giannoumis, Steven Hamilla, Nathan Haupt, Joseph Jacques, Jacob Kornilow, Charlotte Larkin, Noah Litzinger, Kira Lutz, James McKane, Anna Mele, Emma Ortiz, Quinton Reed, Sarah Sardina, Emily Saylor, Meghan Scott, Grant Shanholtz, Aria Smith, Amanda Thomas, Zachary Towns, Cole Trippett, Colette Waldron, and Ryan Wiley. HSA Luncheon for Student Appreciation & Grandparents’ Day Grandparents’ Day is truly one of the highlights of Catholic Schools Week. It is an opportunity for grandparents to visit their grandchildren’s classrooms and then be treated to a delicious lunch! Hopefully, our students and their grandparents feel how much they are appreciated! The tasty lunch was prepared and served by Mo Tedeschi, Laurie Craver, Carrie Stumpf, Cheryl Dillard, Danielle Swett, Kelly Byrne, Linda Mercurio, Jacque Ewing, Tammy Shultz, Tom Witt, Leslie Kocevar, Dana Weaver, Julie Quelet, MJ Sommerville, Jen Foster, Stacey Stine, Jennifer Harman, Kelly Kenny, Jen Smallwood, Jackie Strama, and Cathy Ellis. We appreciate our parent volunteers who gave their time, effort, and love to provide such a special luncheon to our grandparents and students! TEACHER APPRECIATION LUNCHEON The SMCS Faculty & Staff was treated to a delicious lunch by our Home & School Association. We appreciate the kindness and thoughtfulness of Tammy Shultz, Jennifer Smallwood, Cathy Ellis, Jackie Strama, Mo Tedeschi, and Nikki Rappaport. CALENDAR REMINDERS Pre-K does not have school on Tuesday, February 10. The teachers and principal will be attending the Maryland PreKindergarten Conference in Baltimore. SMCS is closed Monday, February 16, for President’s Day and Tuesday, February, 17 for a Teacher Professional Day Eighth Grade Graduation Time Change SMCS Class of 2015 SMCS Eighth Grade Graduation will be held on Sunday, June 7, at 4:00 P.M., in St. Mary Church. Order Your St. Mary Catholic School Yearbook Online Visit www.memorybook.com/parentpay Enter your pay code 74763 and click next Buy a yearbook for $20.00 Order online through February 20, 2015 If you have any questions about ordering your yearbook, contact Ms. Mary Poffenberger at [email protected] 2015-2016 REGISTRATION Registration for new students opened on Saturday, January 24. If you know of any families who might be interested in learning more about St. Mary Catholic School, please encourage them to call and set up an appointment “to check us out.” Prospective students are encouraged to spend a day shadowing. HELP WANTED Our SMCS After School Care Program is in need of additional attendants to provide supervision for our students. It is a paid position. If interested, contact Ms. Radley, to schedule an interview. [email protected] SMCS SWEEPSTAKES WINNER General Mills and AHOLD Stores had a Box Tops for Education Sweepstakes in which Mrs. Susette Sleeper (Adam Rappaport’s grandmother) selected St. Mary Catholic School to receive the prize of $100,000 Bonus Box Tops. This prize was worth $10,000! SMCS received a check for $10, 988.30, which included the prize money as well as the proceeds from the Box Tops collected by Sister Corda from our school community. Thank you, Mrs. Sleeper, for supporting SMCS! As always we do appreciate all of Sister Corda’s efforts! Tuition Assistance FACTS Grant & Aid Assessment conducts the financial need analysis for Saint Mary Catholic School. For the upcoming 2015-2016 school year, families applying for financial aid will need to complete an application and submit the necessary supporting documentation to FACTS Grant & Aid Assessment by February 28, 2015, for Archdiocesan Assistance, or by April 1, 2015, for tuition assistance from your parish. All families (Catholic and non-Catholic) are encouraged to apply; in fact, it is required if you will be requesting assistance. Applicants should apply online at www.stmarycatholicschool.org (Select Admissions tab; click on Financing Education) or at https://online.factsmgt.com/aid. If you have questions or concerns about the application process, you may contact Alice Martin, Business Manager, at 301-739-0390, ext. 114, or [email protected]. MARCH FOR LIFE Despite the wintry weather conditions, Ms. Pamela Ward, Ms. Kiran Burgess, and Mrs. Teresa MaloneySmith accompanied our students, Benjamin Byers, Gabriel Burgess, Colette Waldron, Cole Trippett, Aria Smith, Joey Jacques, Aba Mitchual, and Tureymar Camacho on the March for Life in Washington, D.C., on January 22. Our SMCS group joined thousands who wanted to show their support to RESPECT LIFE! ALTAR SERVER TRAINING Sunday, February 8 After 9:30 Mass In Pangborn Hall SMCS students in grades 5 through 8 who are Catholic may participate. Students who are only interested in serving at school Masses should indicate that at the training. HSA EVENTS Many Hands Make Light Work Policy In order to have the policy finalized in time for the 2015-2016 school year, we are asking each family to log in to Help Counter ( www.helpcounterweb.com; Login: stmary149; Password: ase8eq ) for tracking volunteer hours during this year. This way we are able to be monitor and tweak the policy if necessary. SCRIP Dates February 9 and 23 SMCS Tervis Tumblers There are still a limited number of Tervis tumblers with our St. Mary Catholic School logo available for purchase from the HSA. 24-ounce water bottles are $21 and 16-ounce tumblers with a blue lid are $16. Show your school spirit by sporting this on-the-go drinkware. WOLFGANG CANDY FUNDRAISER HSA is testing out another optional fundraiser. The candy sale will run February 9 through 27. More information is forthcoming. MIDDLE SCHOOL SOCIAL Middle School Social will be held from 3:00 to 4:30 on February 6. A dollar donation is required to help offset the cost of drinks and snacks. FAMILY BINGO NIGHT— February 7 Mrs. Jeanie Stark and Mrs. Carrie McMahon have planned our annual Family BINGO Night event. Dinner and an evening of fun for the whole family will be enjoyed by all who have registered. Meal includes pizza and drinks. Baked goods will be for sale. Following dinner we will play 12 bingo games for great kid-friendly prizes. Doors open at 6:15 P.M. Bingo games will start promptly at 6:45 P.M. We thank you in advance for your support of this event! Congratulations GEOGRAPHY BEE All SMCS middle school students participate in the National Geographic Bee. This year the finalists from our classroom competitions, Zara Ahmed, Gabriel Burgess, Jacob Kornilow, Charlotte Larkin, Aria Smith, Amanda Thomas, Ryan Wiley, Owen O’Connor, Stephen Reiter, and Joseph Mele competed on stage. The 2014-15 Geography Bee winner for St. Mary Catholic School is Gabriel Burgess. Ryan Wiley was the runner-up. The school winner is given a seventy-five question test that must be completed in one hour. The test is sent to the National Geographic Society Headquarters in Washington, D.C., to be graded. Then each state sends one hundred students to its state capital to compete in order to select one winner to represent the state. The final fifty winners compete in Washington, D.C., in the final contest. GOOD S.A.M.s I want to congratulate our Good S.A.M.s for January: Kaitlyn O’Berry, Brooke Barron, Samuel Hall, Cate Waldron, Jillian Sommerville, Matthew Stine, Jackson Pentony, Alice Poffenberger, and Joseph Jacques. Thanks for your Service, Attitude, and Manners! SPELLING BEE SPELLING BEE CONTESTANTS The Washington County Spelling Bee will be held on Saturday, February 28, at Western Heights Middle School. The competition begins at 1:00 P.M. This year Jackson Pentony and Lauren Aguila from sixth grade, Bridget Nooney and Gracen Sommerville from seventh grade, and Emma Ortiz and Gabriel Burgess from eighth grade will The SMCS Keys for Success Be Kind and Gentle Be Respectful Be Responsible represent St. Mary Catholic School in the county competition. Congratulations and good luck! Phase II Raffle Ticket Fundraiser Thank you is extended to Mrs. Jackie Swarner for coordinating this fundraiser and to Sister Aloysius for faithfully picking the winning ticket each week. Congratulations to the following January winners: ($50) Week 1: The Barbitta Family ($50) Week 2: Keith Craver ($50) Week 3: The Shultz Family ($100) Week 4: Marisa Kenney STUDENT COUNCIL EVENTS TALENT SHOW Each year the Student Council hosts a talent show for students on Student Appreciation Day. Each year the talents that are shared on the stage by our students are truly amazing! Snow days eliminated the rehearsals but the show must always go on! A quick run-through was held in the morning before the performance under the supervision of Mrs. Tina Forsythe, and the student council, Quinton Reed, Emma Ortiz, Harrison Ewing, Alice Poffenberger, Charlotte Larkin, Sophia Corsi, Cole Trippett, Sarah Sardina, and Morgan Giannoumis. St. Mary Catholic School is very proud of the participants who shared their talents with the student body: Emily Grossman—Guitar Solo Kaitlyn Dellaposta – Vocal Solo Emma Ortiz – Vocal Solo Samantha Espirdion—Piano Solo Kira Lutz – Keyboard & Vocal Solo Isabella Muto –Dance Routine Erica Weaver – Cello Solo Evan Weaver and Lauren Kane—Piano Duet Amanda Thomas –Dance Routine Ty Ambush, Logan Flanagan, Matthew Stine, & Lleyton Foster—Guitars & Drums Fifth Grade—Cupid Shuffle Eighth Grade – Evolution of Dance Flash Mob Out-of-Uniform Days JANUARY TAG DAY The TAG DAY held in January raised $254.50 for the Warrior Canine Connection. The student council appreciates the generosity of our families. FEBRUARY TAG DAYS COMMUNITY CARE DRIVE Students who bring in an item for the COMMUNITY CARE DRIVE by February 6 may come out of uniform on Friday, February 13, in Valentine’s Day colors. SOLES4SOULS A shoe drive is in the planning stages for later in the month. More information is forthcoming. COMMUNITY CARE DRIVE SMCS has teamed up with St. Maria Goretti High School to collect needed items to benefit REACH and CASA, Inc., of Washington County. What We’re Collecting: Food/ Beverage (cold cereal, oatmeal packets, hot cocoa packets, sugar, powdered drink mix (large canisters), coffee (large canisters) Personal Care (shampoo—individual-sized bottles, deodorant, foot powder) Kitchen (white vinegar, Lime-a-Way, dish soap) Cleaning (bleach, Lysol spray, disinfectant wipes/refills, multi-purpose cleaner, toilet bowl cleaner) Trash Bags (39-gallon black trash bags, 13 gallon kitchen trash bags) Paper Products (toilet paper, paper towels, tissues) Laundry (HE laundry detergent pods, fabric softener sheets) Gift Cards (gas, grocery, restaurants) Clothing (slippers, robes, socks, underwear, sweatpants, & sweatshirts) Students who bring in an item on the above list by Friday, February 6, may enjoy an out-of-uniform day on Friday, February 13. The theme of the day will be Valentine’s Day colors. Other Newsworthy Items INCLEMENT WEATHER St. Mary Catholic School follows the announcement for Washington County Public Schools. Please listen to your local radio stations or NBC25 for possible school cancellations, late openings, or early dismissals. In the case of a two-hour delay, Pre-K will not have school. STORY & CRAFT TIME Mrs. Jeanie Stark and Sister Aloysius are offering a story and craft time for 3 to 5 year olds on February 26 at 12:00 P.M. Please contact Mrs. O’Connor if interested. [email protected] CONFIRMATION CLASSES FOR ST. MARY PARISHIONERS Immediate Preparation Classes for Confirmation students will be held in the Parish Center on February 3, 10, 17, and 24. The snow date is March 3. Sign in time is 6:45 P.M. All Confirmandi must attend these classes. HEALTH QUESTIONS? If you have any health-related questions, please contact Ms. Paula Radley at (301)733-1184, ext 104, or by email, [email protected]. Catholic Lobby Night ATTEND LOBBY NIGHT in Annapolis on February 16th. Join Maryland's Bishop and hundreds of fellow Catholics on President's Day—Monday, February 16th from 2:30-8:00 PM and make your voices heard. Lobby Night is an advocacy event that gives Catholic voters the opportunity to speak in person with their elected officials about issues, including the Maryland Education Tax Credit and other legislation supporting our Catholic schools, end-of-life issues, the dignity of work, the dignity of life, and more. Registration is required. Visit www.mdcathcon.org/lobbynight or call Maryland Catholic Conference at (410) 269-1155 to register. Transportation from Hagerstown will be provided for anyone interested in attending. Call Patti Jones at (301) 992-2123. Show your School Spirit St. Mary Catholic School apparel will be on sale February 23 through March 15. Choose from fun colors and cool items. A flier is forthcoming. The Crusader Café It’s cold outside! In honor of the cold weather, the café is selling cups of warm hot cocoa with mini marshmallows during BREAK for only 50 cents! Please make sure student lunch accounts are current so students don’t miss out on this tasty treat. Thank you for supporting our lunch program; the students really seem to enjoy it! Menu Updates With Lent starting during this month, all Friday meals will be meatless options, cheese pizza, fish patty sandwich, or other meatless items. On Ash Wednesday we will be serving cheese tortellini! The Crusader Café Staff [email protected] Shield the Vulnerable St. Mary Catholic School and the Archdiocese of Baltimore have a commitment to maintaining the trust of the faithful by providing our children and youth with safe environments characterized by healthy relationships. With our longstanding commitment in mind, all parishes and archdiocesan Catholic schools use Shield the Vulnerable, a compliance management system that allows all parishes and schools to facilitate compliance with archdiocesan child protection requirements for all volunteers who work with minors, employees, and clergy. Please register as a St. Mary Catholic School volunteer at www.shieldthevulnerable.org. All new volunteers should complete the process as soon as possible. Volunteers who are currently compliant with STAND requirements may continue to volunteer. However, you should have received a letter from Mrs. Jan McCarter outlining the steps you need to complete in order to transition into the Shield the Vulnerable system. Please contact Mrs. McCarter, our screening coordinator, at [email protected] or (301)739-0390, ext. 129, with any questions or concerns. In Your Prayers Please remember Jan Lucy (aunt of Mrs. Jonna Larkin) who passed away this past month. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. As always, I ask for your prayers to the Holy Spirit to give me the guidance and wisdom needed to serve as principal of Saint Mary Catholic School. May God Bless You! Patricia A. McDermott For those students who would like a healthy option during snack time, we will offer low-fat mozzarella cheese sticks, pretzels, and fresh fruit. Also, we will be offering sherbet as an ice cream option. (Grape, orange, rainbow, raspberry, lime, mango lemon, and chocolate—all gluten free and only 75 cents!) During the morning break, we are selling cereal in small boxes for 50 cents. Cereal with milk is an additional 50 cents. When we have a delayed opening our menu may change due to the short time frame we have to prepare lunch. We will try to give advance notice when possible. Thank you, families, for supporting your school lunch program! The Crusader Café Staff