Dear Saint Mary’s Families,
What a wonderful week it has been! It was fantastic to have families come together for the PTO Advent Brunch on Sunday morning. It was great to see the students’ excitement at the Christmas Shop as they thoughtfully and carefully picked out that something special for their loved ones to unwrap on Christmas morning. The Richmond Symphony Concert with our St. Mary’s choir was a magnificent event that will etched in my memory for many years to come. None of these events could have occurred without your commitment and support of our school and I thank you.
While there is much excitement as we continue to prepare for Christmas, the holidays are difficult time for so many. Today, on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, Luke 1:37 continues to speak to me, “Nothing is impossible for God.” For those of you who are struggling this holiday season, I invite you to hold on to this verse and know that you are being kept in my prayers.
The Christmas holidays may bring travel, more family time together at home, or some of both. Both at home and on the road, I have found that podcasts are a great form of entertainment, education and can be the jumping off point for many great family conversations. There are some wonderful podcasts geared to kids, while still being entertaining and educational for adults as well. Some of the Ellis family favorites are: Wow in the World, Brains, On, and Story Pirates. I’m always on the lookout for new or new-to-me podcasts. What podcasts do you and your family listen to? Let me know!
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.
Saturday, December 9 – Band Christmas Concert
Saturday, December 9 – Saint Mary’s Boy Scout Troop Brunswick Stew Sale
Monday, December 11 – Spelling Bee
Tuesday, December 12 – School Mass, Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Thursday, December 14 – Monday, December 18 – Middle School Exams
Friday, December 15 – Second Grade Christmas Play, Kindergarten Polar Express Day
Monday, December 18 – Junior Kindergarten Christmas Program
Monday, December 18 – Voices of Christmas Program 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 7th, Grades
Tuesday, December 19 – Middle School Exam Make Up
Tuesday, December 19 – Christmas Luncheon
Tuesday, December 19 – Advent Prayer Service
Wednesday, December 20 – Christmas Holidays, School Closed
Wednesday, January 3 – School Opens
Saint Mary’s Christmas Band Concert: Saturday, December 9th, 3:00 p.m. at Benedictine College Preparatory, 12829 River Road, Richmond VA 23238. Come enjoy Christmas music played by our beginner and concert/symphonic bands and led by Mr. C, our new band instructor.
NEW – Saint Mary’s Boy Scout Troop 737: Need to plan for dinner? Saint Mary’s Boy Scout Troop 737 will be holding its First Annual Brunswick Stew Sale this Saturday, December 9th. Stew will be sold from 3:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. at Wembly Pool. Wembly is located at 1311 Gaskins Road (across the street from Kroger). Stew will be sold for $9.00 per quart.
Wise Men’s Purse: The Wise Men’s Purse is a community collection that will be distributed among Saint Mary’s Catholic School faculty and staff in celebration of Christmas. This collection is a fair and equitable way to share the generosity of many, and to do so in a manner in accordance with the giving policies set forth by the Diocese of Richmond. While individual classroom teachers are readily identified by students as “their” teacher, each teacher is supported by colleagues who create a loving and caring team. It is the PTO Board’s desire to acknowledge the contributions each faculty and staff member makes to the success of every child at Saint Mary’s.
Participation in Wise Men’s Purse is voluntary. Donations may be made online or by check sent in to the office labeled Wise Men’s Purse between December 4th and December 17th.
Feast of Our Lady Of Guadalupe: School Mass will be celebrated at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 12th, to honor Our Lady of Guadalupe on her feast day. All families are invited to join us for this special celebration. Flowers will be placed at the altar for Our Lady. Click here for a short story of “Our Lady Of Guadalupe”. PLEASE NOTE: students do not need to bring flowers for this celebration, this is a change.
NEW – Christmas Luncheon: Join your child and the St. Mary’s school community on Tuesday, December 19th for a fabulous feast. Be sure to order by December 15, 2017. Please note our special Christmas Luncheon schedule:
10:50 – 11:15am – Second & Third Grade
11:15 – 11:40am – First & Fifth Grade
11:40 – 12:05pm – Kindergarten & Fourth Grade
12:05 – 12:30pm – Middle School
When you arrive, pick up your tickets in the main office, go into the cafeteria and find your child’s table. Tables will be marked. Your child will come to the cafeteria to meet you.
NEW – St. Mary’s Catholic Church Service Information: All are welcome to join the St. Mary’s community for Mass this Christmas. Please see the Christmas Mass Schedule. There will be NO Sunday MORNING Mass on Christmas Eve, December 24.
NEW – Save the Dates for Upcoming PTO Events:
Tuesday, January 9th – Family Night at the Ice Skating Rink at West Broad Village
Tuesday, January 16th – Chipotle Spirit Night from 4:00-8:00 p.m.
Helpful Links:
Volunteer in the Lunch Room
Painless Fundraising
Flynn O’Hara Uniform information