August 25, 2017
The First week has been a busy one and there is A LOT of information for our families.
Dear Saint Mary’s Families,
IMPORTANT DATES:
August 25 – Saint Mary’s Annual School Kick-Off Celebration
August 30 – Our First School Mass
(Please visit the school calendar regularly for up to date information as times and dates may change.)
PARENTS:
Bishop DiLorenzo:
We are saddened by the passing of Reverend Francis Xavier DiLorenzo, the 12th Bishop of Richmond.
The priests, deacons, religious and lay people of the Diocese of Richmond mourn the loss of our shepherd, who led the Diocese with wisdom and humility for 13 years. “Bishop DiLorenzo had a profound understanding and faith in the Eucharistic sacrifice of our Lord, which sees past the Cross and into eternal life with our Savior. With that same faith and hope, we look forward to our happy reunion, said Msgr. Mark Richard Lane.”
A fund has been established in the Catholic Community Foundation and will be a permanent endowment for Seminarian Education and Retired Priests.
If you would like to make a donation in memory of Bishop DiLorenzo:
Donation: in the name of Saint Mary’s Catholic School
Make check payable to: Catholic Community Foundation of the Diocese of Richmond
Memo: Bishop Francis X. DiLorenzo Memorial Fund for Priests
Mail: 7800 Carousel Lane, Richmond, VA 23294
ATTN: Amanda Glass
Very IMPORTANT: All families are required to fill our an EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION form, if you have done so, please fill it out and have it brought to school on Monday. Emergency Notification Form
Carpool Reminders and Tips: When picking up in carpool, or if you have a family member pick up, please be sure to use the sign provided by the PTO, which has your families last name printed clearly on it. Only those listed on your emergency form or if an email is received by the school prior to 2:00PM, will be permitted to pick up students. Those not known to us will be asked to show their drivers license as proof of who they are. Please make sure persons picking up your student/s knows our carpool procedures and is aware that they will be required to show their license and have the carpool sign. It is school policy if you wish to park and walk up to pick up your child, you MUST park in the St. Joseph lot and wait until all cars have finished in carpool. These procedures are for the protection and safety of our most precious students.
Wednesday Masses: Our first school Mass is Wednesday August 30. All students in grades Kindergarten through 8th attend Mass. Please reinforce with your student the importance of celebrating Mass, the need for quiet during church, entering church and leaving church. Out 8th grade students have the option of wearing a white dress shirt with a school uniform tie on Mass days. (Our uniform tie has not been chosen or ordered yet.) Until it is available the students may wear the white dress shirt. If you are attending Mass, you are welcome to have your child sit with you. However, to help enforce the proper Mass etiquette, you must arrive PRIOR TO THE START OF MASS to meet your child in the Upper Commons. If you arrive after the students have been seated in the church they will remain with their class.
New Families Virtus: Attendance is required to volunteer at Saint Mary’s Catholic School. This is for adults only and for our new Volunteers. If you have already attended a VIRTUS class, you do not need to attend this class. Class will be held on Tuesday, August 29th at 6:30pm. Volunteer background screening is now part of our registration process.
Protecting God’s Children for Adults: (class 510 Richmond) at Saint Mary’s Catholic School/church, Bishop Sullivan Room, starting at 6:30PM lasting 3 hours (arrive 10 minutes early for registration), only 30 spaces are available. This session will be conducted in English. click on the link below to register, click Start Registration, then look for Saint Mary’s (510) Richmond and follow instructions. Register Here If the class is full online, please email Heather Heishman at hheishman@saintmary.org to register.
Lunch Volunteers Needed: If each family signed up 4 times to help with lunch, we would be covered for the entire school year? Please volunteer! Thank you in advance for your help and support!! Volunteer Here
SMCS Choir:
” Next to the word of God, the noble art of music is the greatest treasure in the world”- Martin Luther
WHAT? Our Saint Mary’s Catholic School Choir performs throughout the year at various school and community events. This year we are excited to announce that will be performing again with the Richmond Symphony Orchestra in a special Christmas concert to be held on December 6th here in the church.
WHEN? Rehearsal is held each Thursday in the church after school until 3:30pm. Those middle school students serving as cantor will rehearse each week from 3:30-4pm. Our first rehearsal will begin on Thursday Sept. 7th. Students are dismissed for pickup each week in the upper commons.
WHO? Students from 2nd-8th grade are eligible to participate. Continued participation is determined through each student’s commitment and conduct during performance and rehearsal. Middle school students are also eligible to rehearse and serve as Cantors. Those that participate in weekly cantor rehearsal are also eligible to be selected for the District Workshop Chorus which includes students throughout Virginia who are brought together for a combined concert in late Feb./early March.
HOW? Students are to return two forms to Mrs. Heidi Taylor, either prior to the first rehearsal or on the day of the first rehearsal. (1) SMCS Choir info form and payment (2) A signed Conduct and Commitment policy. Students may join through the end of Sept.
SMCS Choir Student Information
SMCS Choir Conduct and Commitment
Please email questions to htaylor@saintmary.org
SMCS New Band Program: Greater Richmond School of Music offers instructors that have received degrees from some of the finest music schools and performed with major orchestras, jazz ensembles, and chamber ensembles.
Chess: Day and Time: Friday after school 3:00PM to 4:00PM, for the Fall Session September 1, through October 27th. Click Here
Go Forth 5K: September 23, 2017 at Deep Run Park. The kids’ run will start at 8 a.m. and the 5k at 8:30. Register Here
Painless Fundraising: Click Here for information on three easy ways you can earn money for our school.
PTO News: The PTO would like to welcome all of our parents and students to the 2017-2018 school year! The PTO’s goal is to enhance the learning experience for the children and the teaching experience for the teachers by honoring requests above and beyond the school’s normal budget. In an effort to do so, we sponsor after-school fundraising events (cookout, advent brunch, fish fry, etc.) that can be viewed on the school calendar. We thank you in advance for any contribution of your time and money.
President: John Costain
Vice President: Kate Faraci
Treasurer: Patricia Blair
Fundraising: Russell Ridell
Marketing: Andrew Vehorn
ST. MARY’S CATHOLIC CHURCH EVENTS:
FUTURE EVENTS:
September 23 – Go Fourth 5K