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January 10, 2023

IT'S POLAR PLUNGE TIME

Registration is now open for one of our biggest fundraisers of the year. Sign up your family or child today at http://polarplunge23.stmaryes.org/


Register for the after party at Ocean House Tap & Grill in Sea Bright. See form here.


Polar Plunge T-Shirt Contest. All students in grades 4–8 can enter. A free dress down day will be given to the winning student. See form here.


Coin Fundraising for students: Each grade will collect a specific coin each week leading up to the plunge. Winners receive a free pizza day!

  • Week 1: PENNIES for the week ending Fri., Jan. 13
  • Week 2: NICKELS for the week ending Fri., Jan. 20
  • Week 3: DIMES for the week ending Fri., Jan. 27
  • Week 4: QUARTERS for the week ending Fri., Feb. 3

Principal's Message

We are entering an exciting month here at Saint Mary School. We have our Polar Plunge coming up, as well as Catholic Schools Week.


The Polar Plunge is an exciting and chilly experience. This is one of our biggest fundraisers of the year. The students get to compete in fundraising and earn a bear on our leader board at school. You do not have to plunge to support the school. Families and students can still make contributions to their team by grade level. I will be jumping in, as I do every year. I look forward to seeing you all there.


For those who are new to the school or have not had a traditional experience, Catholic Schools Week is a tremendous amount of fun for our students. It allows us to have a great time celebrating our faith-based community. Our families are encouraged to join us on Sun., Jan. 29, kick off for Mass at Mary Mother of God Church at noon to kick off the celebration. Immediately following Mass is our first Open House of the year at 1 pm. Make sure to see our full week of activities below.


God bless,


Craig Palmer

Principal

Upcoming Events

NO SCHOOL

Thurs. & Fri., Jan. 12 & 13

Mon., Jan. 16


MAKE-UP PICTURES

Wed., Jan. 18


DINE TO DONATE

Wed., Jan. 18

Chick-fil-A


MOVIE NIGHT

Fri., Jan. 27


CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK

Mon., Jan. 30–Sun., Feb. 5

Get ready to show your Saint Mary pride. See below for a full calendar of events.



POLAR PLUNGE DINE TO DONATE

Fri., Feb. 3

On The Deck


POLAR PLUNGE

Sun., Feb. 5


STEAK BAKE 

Fri., Feb. 17


NO SCHOOL

Mon., Feb. 20


ASH WEDNESDAY

Wed., Feb. 22

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK

Catholic Schools Week is coming up fast. It is a super fun week for all of our students. To download a full pdf, click here.

FACULTY HIGHLIGHT

Kerri Silva

Pre-K Teacher


Rider University

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology


Monmouth University

Master of Arts in Teaching

My mom was a preschool teacher—she inspired me to follow in her footsteps. I’ve spent my whole career working at Saint Mary School. The

Catholic school community is more tight knit than other schools. The teachers and students all want to be here. Saint Mary students come into

the classroom ready to learn and work every day. It’s amazing to see their energy when they get excited about something we are learning.”

Parent Homework

The Gala committee is looking for volunteers to help with the most important part of our event....soliciting! We need people willing to go out and get donations from local businesses around Monmouth County. Without your help, this event cannot be a success. PTA volunteer hours will be given. The sign-up genius for gala volunteer solicitors is now open here.These hours count toward your school volunteer hours.

January Lunch Menu

The cafeteria will be closed on pizza day. You must pack a lunch if you are not participating.

January menu here.

Lunch form here.



Tuition Assistance Program 2023-24

For families with children attending Catholic schools


The first round of diocesan aid for next year is now open to our families through FACTS. All families, current and new, should apply for aid if needed. (One application per family.)


Applications are available online now at https://online.factsmgt.com 


For Grades K-8: To be considered in round one, applications must be completed by March 1, 2023. The deadline for round two is May 12, 2023.


For more information, click here.

8TH GRADE FUNDRAISING

This is a great way to clean out your closets while helping support the Class of 2023. This fundraiser is EASY and won’t cost you any money! Pickup day is Sat., Feb. 11, at 10 am. You can bring your items directly to the pickup at the back of the school beginning at 9 am.

Enter to win a chance for one of three choices for dinner with Le Cordon Bleu Chef Joseph Schmittler. Flyers went home yesterday. Thank you and good luck!

PRESCHOOL FUNDRAISING

Friday nights are perfect pizza nights. Cugini's is donating 5% to St. Mary's Preschool so you can enjoy delicious pizza and support our wonderful preschool at the same time. This offer is ongoing, no time limit, and we very much appreciate Cugini’s generosity.

After School Activities

Aftercare 

SAINTS AFTERCLUB


Aftercare is available. Please read our brochure for more information. For the morning, children can be dropped off as early as 7:15 am and gather in the cafeteria.

SPORTS

Make sure you follow Saint Mary Athletics on Facebook here.


Basketball practices and games are underway. Our schedules are posted here. Cheerleading practices are Mondays immediately after school until 3:15 pm. Come out and show your Saint Spirit!


JV BOYS

Jan. 14 • St. Joseph • Home • 11 am

Jan. 21 • St. James • Home • 12:15 pm

Jan. 28 • St. Dominic • Home • 11 am

Feb. 4 • St. Rose of Belmar • Home • 11 am

Feb. 12 • Holy Cross • Away • 1 pm

Feb. 19 • St. Leo • Away • 1:30 am


VARSITY BOYS

Jan. 14 • St. Joseph • Home • 12:15 pm

Jan. 21 • St. James • Home • 1:30 pm

Jan. 28 • St. Dominic • Home • 12:15 pm

Feb. 4 • St. Rose of Belmar • Home • 12:15 pm

Feb. 12 • Holy Cross • Away • 2:30 pm

Feb. 19 • St. Leo • Away • 2:15 pm


VARSITY GIRLS

Jan. 15 • St. Benedict • Away • 2 pm

Jan. 18 • St. Peter • Away • 4 pm

Jan. 28 • St. James • Home • 1:30 pm

Feb. 4 • St. Dominic • Home • 1:30 pm

Feb. 11 • St. Rose of Belmar • Home • 11 am

GIRL SCOUTS

Girl Scouts

No meeting this Friday. Our next meeting is Fri., Jan. 20, right after school in the cafeteria. Be sure to join the troop's Facebook page to see all of our activities. Please reach out to any of our troop leaders if you have any cookie questions. Our Facebook page link is here.

MUSIC

Saint Mary offers a wonderful assortment of music programs for grades 1 and above. Have your child try an instrument and enrich their learning of the arts. 


1st grade and above can start on piano, ukulele, or drums.


3rd grade and above can start on voice, guitar, trumpet, trombone, strings, bass, flute, clarinet, and saxophone.


5th grade and above can start on all the instruments, including bagpipes, and learn music recording and production.


More information here.