Hello Fall!

Dear Families,

Summer is officially over in a few days. The first day of autumn is next week.   We look forward to cooler days and nights, fall leaves and all things pumpkin! We have been blessed with being able to spend lots of time outside with our students.  Please pray that we have good weather to continue this.

As a parent, I know it can be confusing  when you have a child who is not feeling well.  Everyone wants to do their best to not spread germs around. Thank you for putting others first.  If you are in need of a COVID home test for anyone in your family,  please let us know.  The state has given us 300 free tests. All you have to do is come to the office and we would be happy to give you what you need.

Just a reminder that the school parking lot/playground is closed from 8:00 a.m. to 2:35 p.m. Students use the lot for Phy. Ed. and recess.  Do not drive in or remove the ropes.  Please share this information with people who pick up your children.  If you need to pick up your child early, park on the church side.

Internet Safety is something we constantly stress to our students. Technology can be used to advance learning when used safely and responsibly. SMV provides devices for student use during the school day. There is no reason students should be using a personal digital device during the school day. If a student needs to contact a parent during the school day, this needs to be done through the school office.

It is of utmost importance that we keep our students safe online not only through content filtering, but through the monitoring of students’ online activity. Students in 5th through 8th grades are active users of Chromebooks and Google for Education tools. A monitoring product called GoGuardian Teacher allows for “real time” views of the screens of students as well as a history of their Internet usage during the school day. Students of all ages are instructed in Internet safety and digital etiquette.

Finally, I’d like to bring your attention to a couple of fun events that are happening soon. Saturday, October 1st is our Annual Trivia Night. There is still time to put a group together for this fun event.  New families, we would love to see you there. Our own Mr. Falk, 6th-8th grade Math Teacher (who also appeared on Jeopardy nine times!) will be hosting.  There is still time to register! See the link in the Home & School section of this newsletter.

We hope you stop by the parish picnic this Sunday from 11:30-1:30 and spend time with our parish family. Lunch will be served. There is no cost to you.  A big thank you to  Sue Olbrantz, Liz Hagman and Katie Fee for all the hard work in planning this event, which is  sponsored by the Home and School Association.

Blessings,

Mrs. Mary Tretow

Read Archbishop Listecki's "Love One Another" Blog regarding the Catholic Landscape and its presence in our communities. 

Some of our 6th grade students using the Clevertouch board

School Office Notes

School Personnel Guide

Here is a savable, printable guide of our SMV School Personnel. Faculty email addresses are included. Please know that teachers may not be able to respond to you during the day. Any urgent matter should be communicated through the office.

Volunteering at SMV

Parents who would like to volunteer in any capacity (classroom, recess duty, coaching, etc...) MUST take a Safe Environment Training session. More info is in the Permanent links section.

If you have any questions, please contact our Safeguarding Coordinator, Chris Kinzy - ckinzy@stmaryeg.org

Yearbooks/Photos

Make sure you don't miss out on any of the special memories created during the school year! Order your yearbook today.

Reminder: Photo retake day is Tuesday, October 4th.

Pet Blessing

SMV will have a pet blessing on Tuesday, Oct 4th @ 3pm around the statue of Mary in front of the Church Atrium. Everyone is welcome to bring their beloved creatures for a blessing on the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi.

Deacon Richard Piontek will give the blessing.

We Love Birthdays!

Birthdays are special days and we like to recognize them in special ways.

On a student's birthday or half-birthday (if the student's birthday falls during summer break), the student may:

• Wear appropriate dress down clothing. (Please see the Parent/Student Handbook for guidelines.)
• Bring in a birthday treat to share with his/her classroom.

Note: Birthday treats shall be limited to a single and simple, edible or non-edible item. Individually wrapped items are preferred. Items must be able to be easily shared in the classroom. Sharing a birthday treat is limited to the birthday student’s classroom ONLY. Leftover items shall be taken home at the end of the day. In the Jr. High, soda may only be brought in with the prior approval of the teacher. 

All snacks/treats need to conform to the classroom policy on allergies. 

New Parent Social

A Parent Social for those families who are new to SMV will be held on Wednesday, September 21st at 6:00pm. Join us on the school patio for a casual get-together to meet other new parents.  

More details to come. Save the date!

Christian Women

Please see this informational flyer about  our wonderful Christian Women's program here at SMV. 

Important dates to note:

October 20 – Winedown/Sip & Shop

November 12 – Breakfast w/Emily Burds

December 1 – Advent by Candlelight

December 4 – Donuts with St. Nick