St. Mary's Visitation Parish School's Mission Statement
St. Mary's Visitation Catholic Parish School exists to direct children toward God and toward Christian Service to society through Catholic religious formation, academic challenge, and continuous improvement.
December 17, 2020 School's Virtual Backpack
December 22 School Dismissed at 11:00a.m.
Principal Notes
Dear SMV Families,
During this week before the fourth Sunday of Advent, we reflect on the surprising ways in which God has worked in our own lives: maybe relationships have been repaired, behaviors transformed, illnesses healed, energies rekindled, or hope restored. Let's continue to watch and be grateful for unanticipated gifts, no matter how simple or disguised. Come Emmanuel.
Last week our sixth grade kept up the tradition of presenting the story of Our Lady of Guadalupe through music and dance. This year we created two videos for all to enjoy. Please click here and here.
It is so hard in the world we live in today to keep up with all the technology that is offered to our children. I'd like to share with you a faith based curriculum that we have purchased to help you and your children create a safe digital space. "Protecting Young Eyes'' click here to learn more. About Protect Young Eyes: We Help Create Safer Digital Environments is a curriculum that is for grades K5-8th that we will be introducing in January. I'm sharing this website with you now so you can take time to look it over. There are many things on their page that will help you as parents navigate social media. See under BLOG and you will find the latest digital trends explained. Look under REVIEWS and you will find App Reviews for the most popular social media, video, photo, lifestyle, and family apps used by kids. You will also see parental controls for every digital device that you have. Click under RESOURCES and you will find videos that you can watch with your family on Internet safety for all ages. These are just a few of the things that you will find on this website. We are looking forward to partnering with you as we journey together to protect all our children.
Tomorrow and the following Monday and Tuesday, (December 18, 21, 22), will be Christmas dress down days. Wear your ugly or beautiful Christmas sweaters, anything white, red or green, holiday wear or spirit wear to celebrate the season. 
This is the last regular Virtual Backpack for 2020. On Christmas Day, we will have a special edition to share with you. Our regular Virtual Backpack will return on Thursday, January 7th, 2021.
My Christmas wish for you is that you have a peaceful and holy Christmas season. Enjoy the time together with family and treasure every moment. Please enjoy this short music video with your family of “The Shepherds' Story.” The Shepherd’s Story Song by Jimmy Dunne 
May God bless you all! Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
The school office will close on Tuesday, December 22 at 11:00 and reopen on Monday, January 4th, 2021.
*The spirit of Christmas is kindness.
Faithfully,
Mrs. Mary Tretow
Principal
mtretow@stmaryeg.org
Fourth graders, adding ornaments to their tree
The 7th graders in the Church's Atrium during their Advent Prayer time.
The 6th graders performing the story of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Save the Date

December 17
SMV's Family Caroling Event

December 18
Boxed Lunch

December 22
School dismissed at 11:00 a.m.

January 4
Classes Resumes
School Office Notes

Since 2011, the school office has been collecting ornaments for the office Christmas tree. We would love to have more ornaments. All we ask is that you put your family name on it with the year. i.e. The Smith Family 2020. If you would like to have your family's ornament on our tree, please send it with your child.

If you come to school and need to contact the school office, ring the bell that is on the wall of the building. Someone will come to the door to assist you.

If you are looking to make a few extra dollars, you might want to consider playground duty. There are some days in January and February were we don't have anyone signed up. After you have done your 6 duties, you can make $25 for every extra duty that you do.
K4 students making ice cream for the letter I.
‌
My SMV Family

Home & School Update

Holiday Greetings from the Griffin Family! May the blessings of the season be with you and yours throughout this holiday season! One of our many blessings includes being part of the SMV community for over 16 years. Our daughter, Madeline, is 20 years old and a nursing student at Cardinal Stritch University; Jacob is 17 and a senior at Pius XI Catholic High School; and Eleanor is 14 and a freshman at Pius XI Catholic High School. Jacob and Eleanor are SMV Grads and soon, our son, Ryan, a 7th grader, will be added to the SMV alumni list. Our youngest, Harley, is a 9 year old Shitzhu-Maltese, who loves going for walks and taking naps on our laps. 
Despite our crazy family schedules, we enjoy spending time at our grandparent's cottage on Okauchee Lake - fishing, swimming, jet-skiing, and having s'mores around the fire. We also enjoy quiet time at home - listening to records or hosting family movie nights in our backyard on our outdoor movie screen. Elm Grove has been our family's hometown for over 20 years and we absolutely love it! The strong sense of community isn't just reflected in the village, but specifically at St. Mary's Visitation. We love being part of SMV because of its faith-filled community, the incredible teachers and staff who nurture our children's intellectual, spiritual, and emotional growth, and lastly, because of the wonderful families who make up the St. Mary's community. We are truly grateful to be part of the SMV Family! 
 Mission & Catholic Identity
                      Effective 2016-2021
Home & School Update
SMV's CHRISTMAS EVENTS

"KEEPING CHRIST IN CHRISTMAS" ALL-SCHOOL CAROLING EVENT
Thursday, December 17th, arrive by 5:45 pm! You are not going to want to miss this!!!
Take in the sights and sounds of Christmas outdoors on SMV's parking lot during this one-of-a-kind caroling event! Bring your own candle & matches or battery-operated candle. Your family may choose to stay in your car or hop out and stand next to your car. Families will be led in song via FM radio, but not just any radio station. For one night only, WSMV will broadcast Christmas carols performed by SMV students and families via an FM radio transmitter! The event will be emceed by Katie Carnell and there will be some surprises along the way! So, please bring your family and their singing voices! We will light up the night and light the way for Christ! 
***Please register here  

VOLUNTEER TO HELP WITH THE CAROLING EVENT! TAKE A FEW PICTURES? DIRECT TRAFFIC?

** Please sign-up here

CHRISTMAS FAMILY PHOTO FUN
Submit up to 2 family photos by Friday, December 18th to Jill Nordstorm at buckyandgoldy@gmail.com
Send a favorite Christmas photo of your family to be included in a video celebrating SMV families!
Photos may be from the present or the past; they may be "Hallmark" card-worthy or the "real deal"--
the one with someone crying with Santa, funny looks, the dog peeing on the Christmas tree, etc.
For more details please click here.

SUBWAY BOXED LUNCH & WEAR RED & GREEN 
Friday, December 18th
No need to pack a lunch on Friday if you previously ordered a boxed lunch! Children can also wear their most festive red & green attire or their new "Keeping Christ in Christmas" shirt!
The students in Miss Koepke's class sharing with us their Advent calender.


‌