Saint Mary School Weekly ❤️ Family Newsletter

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February 14, 2023

2ND ANNUAL

SAINT PATRICK'S DAY PARADE

It's almost your lucky day– the 2nd Annual Saint Patrick's Day Parade on Saturday, March 11, at 1 p.m. The parade route starts at Bayview School and ends at Saint Mary School. If you or anyone you know is interested in participating in the parade or if you’d like to offer goods for sale, please respond ASAP by contacting Maryanne Hemhauser at mhemhauser@stmaryes.org. Please see form attached here.

Principal's Message

"We love because God loved first." 1 John 4:19.

Our Valentine's Day was a tremendous success. Everyone who walks through the front door of Saint Mary School is loved by God, from preschool through 8th grade. We love teaching your children every day. Thank you to all of our parents who sent in special treats.

We would also love for you to join us next year. The time is now to get in your applications for 2023-24. If you lost your application, download pre-k-8 here and preschool here. Please send your applications in by Feb. 16 to hold your seat.

We have so many exciting events and traditions coming up. Join us on Friday for our annual Steak Bake. The menu is amazing and the company is even better. Be sure to check out our new community-wide event–a parents beach volleyball tournament at the Highline Arena. Organize your team and send in your paperwork today. While you play, your kids get to enjoy adult led games on the other side of the arena. Also, our very popular tradition, parent-children dances are quickly approaching–these always sell out, so you will need to get in your forms quickly.

God bless,

Craig Palmer

Principal

Upcoming Events

SCHOOL SPIRIT DAY

Blue and Gold, see dress code here.

Thur., Feb. 16

STEAK BAKE (BBQ Style)

Fri., Feb. 17, See flyer below for more information.

NO SCHOOL

Fri., Feb. 17

Mon., Feb. 20

ASH WEDNESDAY

Wed., Feb. 22

BEACH VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMNENT @ Highline Arena, see rules and information below.

Sat., March 4

DADDY/DAUGHTER DANCE, see form below

Sun., March 5

SMS ST. PATRICK'S DAY PARADE

Sun., March 11

MOTHER/SON DANCE,

see form below

Sun., March 19

HOLY THURSDAY/EASTER BREAK BEGINS,

Thurs., April 6; 12:05 pm dismissal. No school April 7-16

GIFT GALA, see form below

Sat., April 22

Scrip is now RaiseRight

For those who are not aware, Scrip is now called RaiseRight. Below are a few videos that explain how the program works and how Saint Mary School benefits. There's no selling, no extra time, and no extra money. Just purchase gift cards to pay for everyday (and not-so-everyday) expenses. The Amazon Smile program has been discontinued for all companies. Scrip is another great way to donate to the school.

Simply the Right Way to Fundraise

https://youtu.be/BZNu-ftcPKo

Getting Started with RaiseRight

https://youtu.be/c-v65F0xr2c

Saint Mary School Enrollment code is F741E6AB15L6.

Call or email, Loretta Rivera, Bursar, anytime with questions. lrivera@stmarychurchnj.org Phone: (732) 671-0071 ext. 244

FACULTY HIGHLIGHT

Lauren King

Pre-K Teacher

Ramapo College of New Jersey

Bachelor of Arts in Visual Arts

Saint Mary School has an amazing pre-K team. We collaborate and share ideas to give our students a positive and joyful experience at school. My favorite part of the day is when students come together at Circle Time. We share stories and experiences, say our daily prayers, and review the schedule and lessons for the day. Saint Mary students learn from one another, while also practicing listening skills, patience, and responsibility.”

STUDENT HIGHLIGHT

8th Grader Brian Kissinger will be attending Christian Brothers Academy in the fall. He is the deserving recipient of The Brother Andrew O'Hara Scholarship and The Brother Bernard McKenna Memorial Endowed Scholarship for Academic Merit. They total $10,000 a year for 4 years. The entire SMS community is very proud of him!!

Save the Date

SMS TheatreWorks presents Peter Pan, Jr. on Wed., May 24 and Thurs., May 24. More information to follow.

Parent Homework

The gift gala is coming up fast. Thank you to all who joined our committee meeting. A vast majority of the prizes for the gala are generously donated by the parents of SMS students, as well as local businesses. Please consider donating an item from from our wish list link. Help make our event a success! Items can be shipped to the school or dropped off to the main office. Thank you in advance for your continued generosity!

COME OUT FOR A NIGHT OF FAMILY FUN! You can register as an individual or a whole team. Teams must have at least 6 players on the court (2 female minimum & 4 male). Family and friends welcome as well! If you don't have a full team, we will link you up with one. Rosters can be any size and teams may sub in players between rallies. Male players cannot spike, but female players can. Nets are set to women's height. Games consist of first team to reach 15 points, must win by 2. Each team is guaranteed 3 games. Playoffs determined by number of teams. Download form here.

Our DADDY DAUGHTER DANCE is here. Sun., March 5. This sellout dance is a hit among our girls and dads. Download the form here.

Our MOTHER SON DANCE is here. Sun., March 19. This too is a sellout event. Download the form here.

February Lunch Menu

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

February 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.

FUNDRAISING

PRESCHOOL FUNDRAISING

Friday nights are perfect pizza nights. Cugini's is donating 5% to St. Mary's Preschool every Friday. Enjoy delicious pizza and support our wonderful preschool at the same time. We very much appreciate Cugini’s ongoing generosity. Download the flyer here.

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!

After School Activities

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.

Make sure you follow Saint Mary Athletics on Facebook here.

Basketball practices and games are continuing through February. Cheerleading practices are Mondays immediately after school until 3:15 pm.

NOTE: SCHEDULES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE

JV BOYS

Feb. 18 • St. Mary Academy • Home • 11:30 am (new time)

Feb. 19 • St. Leo • Away • 1:30 pm (new time)

VARSITY BOYS

Feb. 18 • St. Mary Academy • Home • 12:45 pm

Feb. 19 • St. Leo • Away • 2:45 pm

Girl Scouts

Our next meeting is Fri., Feb. 24, 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 questions. Our 6,100 boxes of Girl Scout cookies will begin to be handed out after Feb. 23. Our Troop's Facebook page link is here.

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.