January 3, 2024

Issue 14

You can access current and past edition of Falcon News at thestmaryschool.org

Mr. Joseph Poletti, Principal

Click HERE to read from the Desk of Mr. Poletti

Coming Up

After-School Chorus begins today (January 3) from 3-4 pm. Our featured piece for the Spring Concert is a medley from “High School Musical.”

Our first rehearsal for the new year is Wednesday, 1/3.

Barb White

Join us for an exciting Athletic Booster Club event at The Scapegoat in Leland this Friday, January 5th, from 5 PM to 9 PM!

We're hosting a meeting to discuss enhancing our athletic experience and would love your valuable input. Let's brainstorm together on how to make our sports programs even better for our talented athletes.

As part of the event, we're thrilled to present a delicious fundraiser featuring the mouthwatering delights of the Holy Smokes Food Truck! Indulge in some fantastic eats while supporting our sports teams.

There is no cost to attend. Mark your calendars and bring your enthusiasm! It's going to be an evening filled with great discussions, tasty treats, and community spirit.

See you there!

St. Mary Booster Club

The Scapegoat Address is 2789 Compass Pointe South Wynd NE, Leland

Important news for 8th grade parents:

NHC High School Specialty Program applications open Jan 2 - Feb 2, 2024
If applying to Hoggard's Pre-IB Program, video submission portal is Jan 22-26.
Specialty Program Acceptance: March 8, 2024
All students, regardless of high school or specialty program, will need to complete enrollment via the district's enrollment portal.

Click on this NHC LINK or Brunswick LINK for more information

New Hanover County Link

Brunswick County Link

This is your chance to win tickets to the hottest, sold-out show in the world – Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour in New Orleans, LA on October 27, 2024. There will only be one winner. The winner will have the choice of either 2 tickets to the concert plus $2,000 or 4 tickets to the concert. All seats are together (Sec 521, Row 2) and will be delivered via your Ticketmaster account.

See Website for Official Rules

Contact:

smcshsa@thestmaryparish.org

Buy Raffle Ticket Here

January 5	NC Opportunity Scholarship Webinar
January 5	Falcon Booster Club Fundraiser
January 15	Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - No School
January 19	Noon Dismissal (End of 2nd Quarter)
January 26	Report Cards Emailed
January 28 - February 3	Catholic Schools Week

School Calendar

News and Announcements

Advent Program 2023 - Middle School Band

Advent Program 2023 - Chorus and 4 - 5 Band

Have you completed your St. Mary School re-enrollment?

Current student enrollment is almost complete!
Opportunity Scholarships will be available to all K - 8 St. Mary students for 2024-2025. Parents planning to submit a new student application in February are invited to an Opportunity Scholarship webinar Friday, January 5. Program staff will explain the application process and offer important tips for families of prospective new students. More details on the Opportunity Scholarship website.
Applications for the 2024-25 African American and Native American Tuition Assistance program are available from 2/1 - 3/14/2024. Preschool students are eligible to apply. Decision letters will be mailed no later than 5/24/2024. https://form.jotform.com/schoolsoffice/2024-25BIMOGrant

If you have any questions, please contact Susan Linn at linns@thestmaryparish.org or 910-762-5491, ext. 140.

Re-enrollment for Current Families

2024 - 2025 African American and Native American Ancestry Scholarship

North Carolina Opportunity Scholarship Preliminary Information 2024 - 2025 School Year

The best guidance is for all St. Mary families to complete the NCOS application between February 1 and February 29, 2024. We will make that our mission.

Reminders:

The streets directly surrounding our school are all signed at 25 mph zones.

Here are some helpful reminders about the area around St. Mary School:

Passing is not permitted.
Traffic moving down 4^th toward Ann Street has a STOP sign.
There is no parking/stopping in the drop-and-drive lane directly in front of the lower school from 7:00 am – 4:00 pm. Please be mindful of families that need that lane free for quick drop off. You are welcome to park and get out of your vehicle on the other side of 4^th Street.
Please do not park in the crosswalks in front of either school as we need those clear for the safety of our students and families.

It takes everyone to keep our St. Mary community safe.

COMMUNICATE WITH THE ST. MARY SCHOOL COMMUNITY

Follow this process to submit your news:

Provide a 1 - 2 sentence description.
Include details such as name of event, date, time, location and contact person information.
Submit via email to smsnews@thestmaryparish.org.

Falcon Athletics

Practice Times on Monday and Wednesday

3:00 - 4:30 Girls

4:30 - 6:00 Boys

Club Information

Athletic Booster Club

St. Mary is starting up our Athletic Booster Club! Please join and submit brilliant ideas for sprucing up our facilities, fundraising, or otherwise enhancing the athletic experience for our students and spectators! Sign up here https://form.jotform.com/233376221929157

Go Falcons!

Science Olympiad Update:

Practice days will be Mon/Wed/Fri after Christmas Break
Students cannot be released to spectate basketball games without adult supervision
BIRDSO Satellite Invitational: 2/10/2024 @ St. Mary 8a - 1p
Wilmington Regional SO Tournament (mandatory): 3/9/24 @ UNCW 7a-3p
NC State SO Tournament (Varsity Only, if invited): 4/12-13/24 @ NCSU

Invitational Medalists:

Georgia Scrimmage:

Mila Yarnoz, Ruby Hill, Zoe Tenbrink (Codebusters - 5th place);
Riley Jousma & Lawsyn Palacio (Science in the News - 5th)
Brynn Myers & Grayson Jansen (JV Crime - 7th)
Court Yarnoz (Road Scholar; 8th)
Vale Butler & Nate Roemer (Fossils - 8th)

Boyceville Invitational:

Berk Reed & Ryin Bozeman (Roller Coaster - 2nd place)
Lawsyn Palacio & Nate Roemer (Air Trajectory - 3rd place)
Mackenzie Underkofler & Sam Hartman (JV Tower - 5th place)
Vale Butler & Adaila Graham (Wheeled Vehicle - 5th place)

We are proud of the hard work all of our teams are doing and appreciate our coaches and sponsors!

Looking Ahead

January 21, 2024 - Parents of children celebrating First Reconciliation and First Communion this year - Mandatory parent-only meeting at 9:20 am in the Basilica.