Dear Saint Mary’s Families,
Safety first – Earlier this week a car in the front carpool passed the front car that was stopped which was letting a child out. This car cut pass the traffic cone very quickly and at a high rate of speed. This has also happened in the back carpool line as well.
DO NOT pass during morning drop off under any circumstances. Our student’s safety is everyone’s number one priority.
At my parish in Atlanta a child who attended the parish K-8 school was killed because carpool procedures were not followed. I know first hand what a terrible tragedy it was for the community.
Although we are still a week away from Easter break, we are already planning for next year. Thank you to all who have started the re-enrollment process.
We are still working through some technical issues between RenWeb and FACTS. Please go through the re-enrollment setup until you get to FACTS Tuition. Please save your information at this point. We will continue to work on the tuition portion and let you know when you are able to go back in to complete the re-enrollment and pay the re-enrollment fee. I apologize for the difficulty with the FACTS Tuition piece of things. This is all part of our learning curve here at the school.
The re-enrollment portion deadline is Friday, April 13th.
We are looking for those of you who would like to serve on the PTO Executive Board or be a committee chair for the 2018-2019 school year, please email me by April 10, 2018 at jellis@saintmary.org or just reply to this email. I am excited to hear from energetic parents who are ready to make a positive difference through their work with PTO.
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.
Friday, March 23rd – End of Quarter
Friday, March 23rd- Our Last Lenten Fish Fry
Friday, March 23rd – Stations of the Cross – Performed by Fourth Grade 7:00p.m. to 7:30p.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church
Wednesday, March 28th – School Mass
Thursday, March 29th – Early Dismissal 12:20 NO ASC, Report Cards Distributed
Friday, March 30th – Spring Break Begins through Friday April, 6
Monday, April 9th – School reopens
Tuition for 2018-2019: Tuition has been set for the 2018-2019 School Year and is as follows:
One child – $7,895
Two children – $12,910
Three children – $16, 460
Four children – $19,440
Five children – $22,210
Saint Mary’s Go Forth! Capital CampaignUpdate : Thank you so very much to many who have contributed! You can help your child’s classroom get to 100% by contributing to the campaign if you haven’t yet – any amount (even $1).
We are blessed by the generosity of so many, and appreciate your continued prayers for this campaign, which will make such a huge positive impact on all of our children, and children who attend Saint Mary’s for years to come!
You can give online here or contact Jennifer Janus at jjanus@saintmary.org for more options, or for info on making a pledge to the campaign.
The Last Lenten Fish Fry Friday: PTO is hosting its annual “Lenten Fish Fry Fridays” on March 23. 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 by Morrissey’s Catering. Stations of the Cross will follow promptly at 7:00 PM. Menu for March 23rd.
NEW – Field Day T-Shirts: It’s time to place your Students Field Day T-Shirt order now so that they arrive on time and they can be distributed to our students. It is a very exciting time for the students of SMCS. In the past years parents, teachers and volunteers have had the option to order a Field day T-shirt. This year we are continuing with that tradition. T-shirt orders can be placed from Monday March 19 through Friday March 23, 2018. Here
If you would like to volunteer and would like a T-shirt please order now and keep your eyes open for the “Volunteers for Field Day Sign Up Genius”.
Saint Mary’s ASC Enrichment “Bricks 4 Kidz”: April 9th – May 14th, Mondays 3:00pm to 4:00pm, Grades 1st-5th. Making learning FUN with LEGO Bricks. (flyer)
2018 Monarch Gala: Get your TICKETS to the 2018 Monarch Gala! The Gala will be Saturday, April 21 at the Hilton Richmond Short Pump Hotel and Spa with proceeds going toward the School Renovation. Tickets, tables, sponsorship, and other goodies (including a tag week for your students!) are now available for purchase online. Gala Tickets
NEW – SMCS Partnering with Cornerstone Christian Church: (right down the road from us!) Cornerstone Christian Church began a partnership with the villagers of Pomona, Belize in 2012. They are in a relationship with the people in this village and have watched the children grow up over the past seven years. Each year their main objective is to reinforce the love of Christ with each child on a personal, one-on-one basis.
They know each other by name and share time together in a Bible school style camp with the children and that has grown over the years. Last year they taught 150 children that God is More Than Enough. They also do construction projects and home repairs in the village. They have built a playground and have done repairs around the local elementary school. This past year they finished construction on a preschool that opened its doors this past August!
They do various other projects during their time there, such as distributing food for Rise Against Hunger (formerly Stop Hunger Now), helping with KidzKonnect Medical Clinics, teaching teen girls about purity, and much, much more!
Here is how we can help –
Every year the team takes FLIP FLOPS in various sizes for people in the village. They take as many as they can. The terrain is rough and they don’t last long with constant wear. We will begin, after Spring Break, collecting Flip Flops to send to Belize. They can be any size, color or style. Sliders are also welcome. We will collect the flip flops starting on April 9th and continue until May 9th. Students can turn them in to their homeroom teacher.
“TRY IT OUT” GRSM Pre-Band Summer Camp: For beginner students who have an interest in joining the GRSM Beginning Band. Pre-Band Camp (flyer) All Band Camps Click Here For Additional Information (Please Note: The information for the camps at St Bridget’s is at the bottom of the page.)
Saint Gertrude HS Summer Camps: Saint Gertrude High School has just opened its registration for summer camp. (flyer)
Church Events:
“Holy Week & Easter Schedule” Easter Video Message from Fr. Renninger: 
“Easter Video Message from Fr. Renninger” Please visit our church website for Fr. Renninger’s Easter video message as we begin Holy Week. www.stmarysrichmond.org
“Save the Date!” An invitation for you to celebrate how Jesus saved the world…. The celebrations of Holy Week (flyer)
“Dead Man Walking:” The Monsignor Charles Kelly Faith Formation Forum. The Journey Continues Saturday, April 28 at 10a.m. (flyer)
“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. Great habits create great lives. What are your habits? Are they helping you become the-best-version-of-yourself? Tickets $25 per person available at DynamicCatholic.com or call 859-980-7900
Helpful Links:
Volunteer in the Lunch Room
Painless Fundraising
Flynn O’Hara Uniform inform