Dear Saint Mary’s Families,
Week #2 is almost in the books and what an eventful week it has been!
Again, I want to thank your patience during the unexpected alarm on Wednesday. We had a fire drill last week, so the students were already aware of the procedures and had practiced. That being said, an unexpected alarm, in addition to high temperatures outside is never an easy situation. I am so proud of all of your children. They did an amazing job in a difficult circumstance.
Construction continues at Saint Mary’s. We got disappointing news that the resource classrooms were delayed again and will not be complete until Friday, September 14th. We will be moving the resource teachers back into their classrooms on Saturday, September 15th. We will be getting more specific information out soon, but since it is only a week away I wanted to mention it now. If you are available to help, please save the date.
To make parents new to Saint Mary’s aware and as a reminder to returning parents, lost and found is very near where the temporary front desk is located, by the back middle school doors. In just two weeks of school, we have filled the shelves! If your child is missing an item, please check the lost and found. Currently there are a plethora of lunchboxes among other various and sundry items.
Speaking of lunch, in order to give the teachers a few student-free minutes during the day, I have released the teachers of the responsibility of eating lunch in the cafeteria this year. The teachers are already enjoying the faculty workroom as a place of rest and rejuvenation. That being said we have one resource teacher (who has an opportunity for a student free lunch during another period), as well as the aides in the cafeteria with your children. I am also present for all lunches as much as possible and I am enjoying it so much! It is such a great way to get to know your children on a more personal level. Lunch and morning carpool have truly been the highlights of my days the past two weeks.
I can’t thank those parents enough who are volunteering for carpool and the lunchroom. We truly could not do it without you! Because of your help, teachers have the time available to prepare for their day and take a break during the middle of the day that they wouldn’t have otherwise. And if you haven’t signed up yet, but would like to, it is not too late! There is information below about how to sign up.
Thank you to all of you for your support in all that we do! Have a great weekend!
Joyfully,
Jenni Ellis
Principal
IMPORTANT DATES THIS WEEK: Please visit the school calendar regularly for the most up-to-date information as times and dates may change.
Tuesday, September 18th – Back to School Night parents of children in 1st through 5th grade, 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, September 19th – Back to School Night for parents of middle school students, 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, September 22nd – Go Forth 5k, at Deep Run Park — kids’ run at 8:00 a.m., 5k at 8:30 a.m.
Wednesday, September 26th – Early Release 1:30 dismissal, students will eat lunch in school
Morning Carpool Additional Help Needed: We are in need of additional morning carpool help. If you are interested in being a carpool volunteer, please look at the schedule here and email Andy Branch at abranch72@gmail.com to sign up to help. Giving a half hour of your time once a week is a great way to help!
Visiting Our Campus: Our concern is the safety of the students. Because of this, we ask that anyone visiting campus at any time during the day park in the parking lot near the statue of St. Joseph. This parking lot has a speed bump at each entrance and is located on the side of the church. You can then follow the sidewalk around ECDC and up to the middle school doors.
No cars should be driving behind the school during the school day. Please remember that we have students playing on the blacktop during the day during their recess. Cars should enter and leave the campus through the Marywood Lane entrance or through the front entrance closest to Pinchbeck. Again, this is for the safety of your children.
5th Annual Go Forth 5k: The fifth annual Saint Mary Catholic School Go Forth 5k and kids’ fun run will be on Saturday, September 22 at Deep Run Park. The kids’ run starts at 8 a.m. and the 5k walk/run at 8:30 a.m. Please come help us kick off our school year with community, family, fitness and fun! Jogging strollers are welcome. The registration link is here. We’d love our registrants to sign up by September 8th so that we can get race t-shirts to everyone before the race! Thanks to many local sponsors, including Short Pump Orthodontics, Shana Branch Realtor, Wash Your Way RVA, RedRidge Pet Market, James River Irrigation, Bushin Martial Arts Academy, Fleet Feet Sports Richmond, Endorphin Fitness. Would your business like to sponsor this event? Contact Jennifer Janus at jennifer.janus@gmail.com. All proceeds to benefit the school renovation.
Band GRSM @Saint Mary’s Catholic School: The Greater Richmond School of Music (GRSM) will provide music instruction in the form of GRSM band program at Saint Mary’s Catholic School for the 2018 – 2019 school year. Click here for details.
Instructional Chess: Boys and girls have fun playing the game of chess while learning to be better players. Click here for details.
Church Events:
The Importance of Our Urban Catholic Schools
Tue., Sept. 18, 4 – 6pm, Cabell Library Lecture Hall, Rm. 303, 901 Park Ave, Richmond
Join VCU President Emeritus, Eugene Trani, guest speakers Wanda Wallin & Joseph Whitmore to learn about Catholic education in Richmond and beyond. For more information, contact Dr. Andrew Chesnut at rachesnut@vcu.edu.
NEW – Sisters in Christ
Sarah Hart – Speaker, Retreat Leader, Musician “Sisters in Christ” A retreat for women. Click here
“Are You Interested in Becoming A Catholic?”
If you have never been baptized, if you were baptized in another Christian denomination and would like to become Catholic, or if you were baptized Catholic, but never received the Sacraments of Eucharist or Confirmation, you are welcome to join our RCIA Inquiry Process. For more information, call Sr. Pat at 740-4044, ext. 13, or go to our parish web page, and click on “Interest in Becoming Catholic
Helpful Links:
Volunteer for Carpool Duty
Volunteer in the Lunch Room
Painless Fundraising
Flynn O’Hara Uniform inform