Dear Saint Mary’s Families,

What a fun Catholic Schools Week it has been.  Today the students in first through eighth grade are participating in Bible Jeopardy, while our kindergartners celebrate the 100th day of school.

Teacher Appreciation Week begins today as well.  It isn’t just for teachers, but for all adults who guide and care for our children.  It is truly a team effort and I feel blessed to be part of such a great team.

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.

Monday, February 5th – Teacher Appreciation Week through Friday February 9th.
Monday, February 5th – School Closed for Parent Teacher Conferences.  ASC provided 8am to 6pm for families that signed up by the January 31st deadline for this specific date.
Wednesday, February 7th – School Mass
Thursday, February 8th – 7th Grade Field Trip
Friday, February 9th – Middle School Dance

 

Saint Mary’s Go Forth! Capital Campaign: The Go Forth! Capital Campaign will provide the funds to renovate our elementary school wing classrooms and offices, remodel and increase security of the school entrance, and to convert our library into a state-of-the-art library and digital media learning center. The campaign will also increase our school endowment fund to better position our school for the future.  If you would like to make an online contribution, online contributions can be made here.

Teacher Appreciation Week:  Teacher Appreciation Week starts today and will go through next Friday.  The theme is “Saint Mary’s Teachers are the Best in the World”. This is a wonderful week to show our appreciation and love for all of the faculty and staff that make Staint Mary’s such a special school community. Please be on the look out for important information from your Room Parents! Click here for the flyer.

NEW – Spirit Night at Frank’s West:  Your PTO has partnered with Frank’s West  for a spirit night next Wednesday, February 7th from 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM.  They will return a portion of their proceeds from the evening to the Saint Mary’s PTO.   Frank’s is located at 11238 Patterson Avenue, Richmond, VA 23238.  Please mention your association with Saint Mary’s.

NEW – Middle School Valentines Dance:  February 9th 2018,   Admission : $5 and a canned food item, and the attached Permission Slip.  

We need chaperones for the dance next Friday 2-9-18.  Please sign up to volunteer to decorate, send refreshments, or clean up.  Sign up Genius link Knights of Columbus Middle School Dance 2-9-18

NEW – Lenten Fish Fry Friday:  Your PTO is hosting its annual “Lenten Fish Fry Fridays” starting on February 16th, March 2, 16, and 23rd.  Please join Saint Mary’s families for food and fellowship from 5:00 PM – 6:45 PM in the Parish Hall on these dates.  Catering is provided my Morrissey’s Catering.  Stations of the Cross will follow promptly at 7:00 PM.   Print this (flyer ) for a handy reference of dates and times.

NEW – The Flu: A Guide for Parents.  What Parents should know.  We have seen an increase in flu cases.  Please take time to read the (flyer ) for more specific information.

Box Tops:  Last year we raised $1200 for our school by clipping Box Tops. We are a third of the way to matching that number this year. Please send in your current BOX TOPS  by Friday, February 9th. Thank you for supporting our school.

NEW – SMCS Summer Camps: Regrettably, all summer activities including summer camps at Saint Mary’s has been cancelled. We are very sorry for any inconvenience.  We are very excited for the wonderful changes that will be happening to our school over the summer.

 

Church Events:

“The Maternal Womb of Mercy”  The Monsignor Charles Kelly, Faith Formation Forum.  Saturday, February 3rd, 10 am.  Pope Francis has said the Church should be a Maternal Womb of Mercy, a home of joy and love, not a cold popular presentation.  There is no charge for this event. For information  or to register call 804-740-4044, or go to stmarysrichmond.org (Flyer)

“Words of Love from Calvary”  A series of special presentations for the Season of Lent.  Starting on Thursday February 8 at 7pm, with the same presentation repeated on Friday mornings at 10am. Click Here for more information, dates and to register.

“Find Your Greatness” Tickets Available Now!  Dynamic Catholic:  “Find Your Greatness”, Saturday, May 19, 2018, 9 am – 1:30 pm, St. Mary’s Catholic Church

Tickets $25 per person available at DynamicCatholic.com or call 859-980-7900 

Great habits create great lives.  What are your habits?  Are they helping you become the-best-version-of-yourself?  Our lives change when our habits change.  Dr. Allen Hunt returns to St. Mary Church (after last year’s event “Passion & Purpose for Marriage”) for this half-day event based on Matthew Kelly’s book The Four Signs of a Dynamic Catholic.   “Find Your Greatness” will introduce you to four simple habits to help you reach your full potential.  Come join us and make 2018 a great year for yourself!

 

Helpful Links:
Volunteer in the Lunch Room
Painless Fundraising
Flynn O’Hara Uniform inform