⛄ Saint Mary School 🎅 Weekly Family Newsletter 🎁

December 14, 2022

WINTER ATHLETICS

Winter sports are off to a great start. Join our cheerleaders in supporting our teams!

Principal's Message

The third Sunday of Advent represents joy–it is also referred to as the Shepherds Candle. Mr. Bender will tell students in Latin class that the word Advent comes from adventus meaning "a coming."

As we continue to approach the coming of the birth of Jesus Christ our school is filled with joy! It reminds us of the shepherds who journeyed to see Jesus...even before the wise men.

As I walk into the school at this time of year, I am greeted by our large Advent wreath. I see the younger students who are excited for what may come under the tree. I hear students singing and collecting for families in need. I see faculty bringing the Christmas spirit into their lesson plans. I hope you feel the joy we have at school in your homes this season.

I ask you to join us on Fri., Dec. 23, at 10 am in Memorial Hall for our annual Christmas Pageant to spread Christmas cheer.

God bless,

Craig Palmer

Principal

Upcoming Events

DINE TO DONATE

Thur., Dec 15, 4-10 pm

You must present flyer; click here.

MOVIE NIGHT

Fri., Dec 16, 5:30 pm

TREE LIGHTING

Sun., Dec. 18, 6 pm, Saint Mary Church

CHRISTMAS CONCERT

Tues., Dec. 20, 7:00 pm;

Memorial Hall

EARLY DISMISSAL

Thurs., Dec. 22, 12:05 pm

HIGH SCHOOL ACCEPTANCE LETTERS

Thurs., Dec. 22

EARLY DISMISSAL

Fri., Dec. 23, 12:05 pm

CHRISTMAS PAGEANT

Fri., Dec. 23, 10 am; Memorial Hall

CHRISTMAS BREAK

Dec. 24–Jan.2

NO SCHOOL

Thurs. & Fri., Jan. 12 & 13

MOVIE NIGHT

Fri., Jan. 27

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK

Mon., Jan. 30–Sun., Feb. 3

Get ready to show your Saint Mary Pride. We will hold daily in-school events and an Open House for prospective families.

POLAR PLUNGE

Sun., Feb. 5

STEAK BAKE

Fri., Feb. 17

A Creative Christmas

Congratulations to Saint Mary School 6th grader Delonica Gibson for winning the Christmas card design contest with her depiction of the Nativity. Delonica utilized both hand drawings and desktop publishing tools to design her winning entry. We thank all of the students who participated this year. We know what an important role art plays in Catholic intellectual tradition.

SAVE THE DATE for our 60th Annual Gift Gala–more information coming soon!

FACULTY HIGHLIGHT

Laureen Millevoi

Special Education Teacher

East Stroudsburg University

Bachelor of Science in Special Education

Nova Southeastern University

Master of Science in Reading

Saint Mary School is special because it’s a small school focused on the individual student. There is a loving, caring environment here between the faculty and students. During my career, I have taught in both public and private school settings. I prefer private school because we have the flexibility and creativity to adjust the curriculum to the needs of each student, instead of teaching to a standardized test, which has become the mentality of so many schools.”

Parent Homework

December Lunch Menu

Remember, the cafeteria is closed on pizza day, so you must pack a lunch if you are not participating.

December menu here.

Lunch Ticket form here.

You can now support SMS PTA by purchasing a Texas Roadhouse gift card. Simply put SMS PTA in the form and the PTA will receive a percentage from the gift card sales.

The gift cards can be purchased online here until 12/19.

Don't forget to download our new Saint Mary School brochure, which highlights all of the great work our school does. Please help us get the word out by sharing with new families. Copies of our brochure will be available in print shortly.

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.

There are so many great things happening at Saint Mary Church this time of year. "Come Home for Christmas at Saint Mary's" is a wonderful invitation to join Fr. Jeff for Christmas dinner. If you know someone who might benefit from this invitation, please share it. No one should be alone on Christmas.

We have our:

Christmas 50/50 (nearly $50,000 last year). Pick up your books after Mass.
Lessons and Carols.
Blessing of the Baby Jesus.
Advent Confessions.
Christmas Tree Lighting.

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

Girl Scouts

No meeting this week. Our next meeting is Fri., Jan. 6, right after school in the cafeteria. Be sure to join the troop's Facebook page to see all of our activities. Our 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.