Saint Mary Magdalene Catholic School

March 30, 2022 Newsletter
Mission Statement:
St. Mary Magdalene Catholic School is a community that proclaims the gospel by our dedication to quality instruction while fostering our commitment to the needs of others.
A Message from Mr. Mihalyo
Dear StMM Families,

This week we have been able to experience so many things that make our school and community a special place. We often hear the words "we pray, we learn, we care", but it is only by living them each day that we continue to grow as a school. 

On Tuesday our Monarchs participated in a blue and yellow spirit day for the people of Ukraine. All funds will be donated to Catholic Relief Services to help those in need. Our hallways were filled with blue and yellow in many different forms on shirts and pants! What was even more amazing was the generosity of our community in our efforts to raise money for this great cause. Funds are still coming in, but as of Wednesday morning, our total collected was over $4,000! If you still wish to make a donation, we will keep this open until Friday. Thank you so much for your support of Catholic Relief Services efforts to help those in Ukraine. 

Monday night our National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) held its annual induction ceremony in our Church. This was a wonderful celebration for our 7th and 8th graders who have excelled in the five areas of scholarship, leadership, citizenship, service, and character. Congratulations to our new inductees! A big thank you to our moderators of the NJHS, Mrs. Henning, Mrs. Moy, and Mrs. McElroy. 

This week our 7th grade students are on their field trip to Washington, DC. The trip includes visits to the U.S. Capitol, Lincoln Memorial, and Arlington National Cemetery. While visiting Arlington National Cemetery, the students will lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. This is a fantastic trip for our Monarchs and one they will remember for their entire lives. Be sure to check our official social media accounts for updates on this trip. 

Each week at Mass our students participate in our vocations program with a traveling statue of St. John Vianney. St. John Vianney is the Patron Saint of Priests. Our parish has a similar program for families to participate in with St. John Vianney. This week, students in Mrs. Davidson-Dyer and Mrs. Baric’s homerooms will house our statue. Be sure to ask your son or daughter about this program. Please keep all of our seminarians and priests in your prayers each day. 

Our spring sports teams are in full swing with their seasons. Our six teams include golf, baseball, boys lacrosse, girls lacrosse, girls softball, and girls soccer. Please visit our website to see a complete list of scheduled games and come out and support our student athletes. Go Monarchs!

Have a great week, StMM! 

John Mihalyo, Principal 
UPCOMING EVENTS
Tuesday, March 29th - Thursday, March 31st -
7th Grade Washington DC Trip
Monday, April 4th - Monarch Monday
Tuesday, April 5th - Didgeridoo Down Under Presentation
Friday, April 8th - Boys Lacrosse Pep Rally
Saturday, April 9th - Daddy Daughter Day
Monday, April 11th - Monarch Monday
Tuesday, April 12th - Boys Baseball Pep Rally
Thursday, April 14th - Early Dismissal 11:30am
Friday, April 15th - Friday, April 22nd - Easter Break

LUNCH MENU

Thursday, March 31st - Chicken Nuggets
Friday, April 1st - Fish Sticks
Monday, April 4th - Noodles & Meatballs
Tuesday, April 5th - Hot Dogs
Wednesday, April 6th - Pizza
Thursday, April 7th - Chicken Wraps or Sandwiches
Friday, April 8th -Cheese Quesadillas
PSO NEWS
Monarchs Helping Monarchs - Order by April 6th
The monarch butterfly population has drastically declined, owing in part to the loss of native milkweed plants, which monarchs need to survive. To celebrate Earth Day in April, our Monarchs can do their part by planting milkweed seeds at home. Order your seed packs (approx. 40 seeds per pack) for only $3 each by Wednesday, April 6th, and the PSO will deliver them to your child's homeroom on Friday, April 8th. Instructions will be provided, and the seeds have been cold stratified for easy planting. Click here for more information or contact Sarah Michalski.
Daddy Daughter Day - Registration Closes April 6th
We currently have 78 PK-5th grade girls and their dads or special guys joining us in the Courtyard on Saturday, April 9th from 2:00-4:00pm for an afternoon of crafts, treats, baby animals from 1870 Farm, and a pageant queen! Meet USOA Ms. North Carolina 2022 Vera Morris and be Miss Monarch for the day! Dress for goats or gowns - your choice! We'd love to have you join the fun! Advance registration required by Wednesday, April 6th; no tickets will be sold at the door.

Hey moms, since the dads will be busy are you available to help the PSO run the event?  Please see the available slots here. Contact Laura Petersen with questions.
Monarch Monday - April 4th
The PSO thanks the Centamore family for being the featured sponsor of the week for Monarch Mondays! The next opportunity to wear your Monarch Mondays shirt with the school-approved bottoms of your choice is Monday, April 4th. Have you seen the new gaga ball pit on the upper field, brought to you by the PSO and Monarch Mondays funds? Thank you to Eagle Scout candidate Brad Franklin for building it! He did a great job.

Still need a shirt? We have a few extras (C = cotton, P = performance, A = adult, Y = youth): AXLP, ALP, ASC, YLP, YMP. Contact Gina Callaway to claim yours for only $10.
Monarch Masters - May 16th
One golf spot left! We're happy to pair you with other singles and couples; come join the fun at MacGregor Downs Country Club on Monday, May 16th (10:00 am shotgun start).

The PSO thanks Marbles Kids Museum for joining the Durham Bulls, STITCH Golf, Golf Galaxy, Lochmere Golf Club, Brüeprint, and MacGregor Downs Country Club, among others, as prize donors! We would love to offer prizes in a range of categories and to foursomes as well as individuals, so we need your help! If your family or business can donate a gift card, cooler, hats, golf items or any other prize, please contact Kevin Machos. If you'd like to see your family's or business' name on a tee box sign, click here to order by Sunday, May 1st.
Save the Date - Lowes Foods Community Night April 25th
We're excited to announce that the PSO has partnered with Lowes Foods' Apex Store (5400 Apex Peakway) to have an StMM Community Night on Monday, April 25th from 3:00-7:00pm. Lowes Foods will generously donate 10% of grocery purchases back to the school. More information to follow! 
Congratulations, Golf Team!
The undefeated Monarch Golf Team was celebrated by the PSO with a "pep rally" spirit day last week. Well done, golfers and Coach Crooks. Keep up the good work!
SUMMER CAMPS: CHEER CAMP JUST ADDED!
Let's Go Monarchs! Come join Coach Christi, Coach Katie, and members of the StMM cheer team for some summer fun! This camp is being offered for rising K- 3rd graders. The girls will learn cheers, chants, dances, and so much more. Camp will end with a spectacular showcase for the parents. Cheer camp will be held Monday, June 6th - Thursday, June 9th, 9:00am-12:00pm in the StMM gym. Registration will close Monday, May 9th. Please use this link to register, 2022 Monarch Summer Cheer Camp

Don't forget about all the other fun StMM summer camps like Latin Dance, Cooking, Bach 2 Rock, Pickleball, and Mad Science. Don't miss out! Rising K-8th graders can register now by clicking here. These camps will run June 13th - July 1st.
LAST KofC FISH FRY THIS FRIDAY

The last Knights of Columbus Lenten Fish Fry is scheduled for this Friday, April 1st. Don't miss out! Pre-order your takeout dinner now by visiting www.lentfishfry.com.
IGNITED BY TRUTH CONFERENCE
The 19th annual Catholic Conference will be held this Saturday, April 9th at NC State's Reynolds Coliseum in Raleigh. The day will include morning Mass with Bishop Luis Rafael Zarama followed by a variety of guest speakers. This event is open to both students and adults. Register at: https://ignitedbytruth.org/event/ignited-by-truth-catholic-conference/.
SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION

Mr. John Mihalyo, Principal
Mrs. Kate Lawson, Assistant Principal
Mrs. Nancy McElroy, Assistant Principal
Mrs. Barbara Senn, Early Childhood Coordinator
Mrs. Nikki Curliss, Guidance Counselor
Mrs. Lydia Binanay, Marketing & Recruitment
Mrs. Laura Tomczak, Communications & Admissions
Mrs. Priscilla Shanmugham, Business Services
Mrs. Wendy Walsh, School Nurse
Mrs. Megan Mastrogiovanni, Special Programs Manager
Ms. Mary Stein, Receptionist
Mrs. Brooke Kingston, Administrative Assistant
Mrs. Kathy Loeschorn, Technology Manager
Mr. Joel Groelle, Athletics Director
St. Mary Magdalene Catholic School www.stmm.net