Dear Saint Mary’s Families,
My experience at the IB training last weekend and the start of this week was phenomenal. I am excited about sharing what I learned at the PTO meeting on February 12th.
I know as parents we all get lots of emails. This week there is a good deal of information to share, which is why I have chosen to bullet point the topics. You might notice the letter of the week is C!
Catholic Schools Week: National Catholic Schools Week is this coming week.
Remember to please have your child wear their school uniform to Mass or other worship service this weekend so that they can earn a TAG day this Monday.
Also please remember to write a brief note to each of your children, explaining why sending him or her to Saint Mary’s is a priority for your family. Please send this note in to your child’s homeroom teacher by Monday at the latest. The notes will be given to students on Tuesday.
I thank you for your support of Catholic schools, especially Saint Mary’s!
Calendar for 2018-2019 school year: School is set to begin on August 20, 2018. Thank you for your patience as we continue to plan the details of the calendar for next school year.
Conferences: Throughout the year, we invite parents to meet with us and discuss areas that may influence achievement, growth, and the overall well-being of our students. Although these meetings may take place at any time throughout the year, we do set aside specific days and times to hold these important conversations. We have arranged for conferences on Monday, February 5th (from 8:00 AM until 2:40 PM). Your child’s teacher will reach out to you if they feel a conference would be beneficial. However; if you would like to meet with your child’s teacher and a conference has not been initiated by a teacher, please feel free to reach directly out to your child’s teacher.
After School Care will be offered on our conference day, Monday, February 5th from 8:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. To facilitate staffing you must sign up your child by Wednesday, January 31st at 7:00 p.m. Space is limited and registration is first-come, first-served. Click Here to register.
Cyber Safety Cop: Clayton Cranford is one of the nation’s leading law enforcement educators on social media and child safety and the author of “Parenting in a Digital World.” He created Cyber Safety Cop, an Internet and social media safety program. It teaches parents and students how to avoid the inherent risks of social media and other web based platforms by using safe habits. You can register to receive his newsletter here and I highly encourage you to sign up. Each newsletter I receive I learn something new. As a parent I know that I can’t stay on top of what is going on in regard to technology and our children and I am thankful for all the education I can receive.
I am able to share this with you because a Saint Mary’s parent shared it with me. If you have resources that are helpful to you as a parent, please pass them along.
I am looking forward to seeing many of you Saturday night at the Chili Cook-off! Please introduce or re-introduce yourself and remind me who your children are when we meet. I am still trying to meet everyone and remember names.
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, January 28th – Catholic Schools Week Begins
Wednesday January 31 – School Mass
Friday February 2 – Teacher Appreciation Week Begins
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.
Chili Cook-off: It’s not to late to join us! It’s time to start perfecting your chili recipes or your taste testing skills! The 9th Annual Dad’s Chili Cook-off will be held on January 27th at 6:30 pm in Parish Hall. You provide a pot of chili and we’ll provide the fixings, (plus chicken nuggets and mac n’ cheese for the kids). (Flyer) Click Here to Register. Like any other event, Chili Cook-off volunteers are needed to make it a success. If you are able to help refresh supplies, sell 50/50 tickets, work the check-in table, or provide a dessert please follow the link below. This is a great way to get student service hours! Any help is greatly appreciated. Please volunteer by clicking here.
NEW – National Geographic School Bee: We will be hosting Saint Mary’s National Geographic School Bee on Tuesday, January 30 at 3:30 pm in the library. The competition is open to all Saint Mary’s students in grades 4- 8. If your child is interested in participating, please have them sign up in the library on Monday, January 29th or email Mrs. Henning at bhenning@saintmary.org by the end of the day, Monday, January 29th. Students interested in the National Geographic Bee can check out the online study corner at National Geographic Bee. A winner will be crowned and have the opportunity to take the state qualifying test.
Teacher Appreciation Week: This year’s Teacher Appreciation Week is quickly approaching! Teacher Appreciation Week will take place February 2nd – 9th and the theme is “St. 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 St. 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 – 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.
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