Dear Saint Mary’s Families,
My prayers are specifically with the students and families of the three Henrico high schools which were mentioned in a disturbing threat last night. While the threat has been determined to not be credible, it does not take away the fears and the range of emotions that students and parents of these schools have and continue to feel. And while we may not have children at one of the three schools mentioned, I know it has had an impact on all of us.
Security is top of mind for all of us in the school business. I look forward to having our renovation completed knowing that security will be increased with the changes that are being made.
It is important to me that you know what we are doing here to make sure your children are safe. The safety of your children is our number one priority.
All doors into the school building remain locked throughout the day. The doors which are open for carpool are locked immediately at 8:00 a.m. We also continually work with students to not open doors for people that want to come in the building from the outside. If you come to the door and you see a student and that student doesn’t open the door for you, this is why.
Doors between the church and the school are kept locked at all times. All classroom doors are kept locked during the day. We have also started keeping the doors of the administrative areas locked as well.
We do have intruder drills with the students. All teachers in the elementary and middle school hallways have a curtain that can be closed over the window in their door. Each classroom has a defined place in which we think they will be most safe in case of an intruder.
You will also notice that I have placed signs on the front doors that we now require ID for all visitors entering the building. Please communicate this to the people on your child’s emergency contact and pick-up list.
My heart breaks that we have to even plan for such occurrences in today’s world. May peace prevail.
Please let me know what other questions you may have about safety and security. I appreciate that we are all working together on this.
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.
Sunday, March 11th – Daylight Savings – Spring Ahead an Hour!
Monday, March 12th – Middle School Brown Bag Lunch
Monday, March 12th – 4th Grade Wax Museum Presentation
Wednesday, March 14th – School Mass
Thursday, March 15th – 2nd Grade Field Trip
Thursday, March 15th – National Spanish Exam
Friday, March 16th – National Spanish Exam
Friday, March 16th – Irish Dance Performance
Friday, March 16th – Lenten Fish Fry
NEW – 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
We are still on track for re-enrollment to come out the week of March 20th.
NEW – Monarch of the Month:
This month our Monarchs are Principles – respectful of others and have a strong sense of fairness. You take responsibility for your actions and accept the consequences. Congratulations to our Principled Monarchs of the Month!
First Grade – Cooper Rice, Benjamin Campbell
Second Grade – Caleb Tan, Thomas Do
Third Grade – Brigid Graham, Liam Maher
Fourth Grade – Matthew Do, Katie Edds, Lucas Gonzalez
Fifth Grade – Nicole Tran, Aidan Mugford
Sixth Grade – Oge Ikem
Seventh Grade – Emily Pinotti
Eighth Grade – Michael Hiller
Musical Monarchs: The students are challenged to “sing like they mean it” during Mass. When a child is spotted by Mrs. Taylor, our music teacher, or another teacher that student’s name is entered into a drawing to be recognized as a Musical Monarch for the month. This month we are recognizing:
Kindergarten-2nd Grade – Faith Phelan,
3rd-5th Grade – Gabriel Reyes
6th-8th Grade – John Babik
NEW – Our Voice! SMCS student News: HERE, enjoy our student news “Winter Edition”.
NEW – Middle School Teachers Host IBMA Networking Session: On February 23rd Saint Mary’s hosted a networking session on Approaches to Learning (ATL) Skills, a key component of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme. As a member of the International Baccalaureate Mid Atlantic (IBMA) Organization, Saint Mary’s welcomed fellow IBMA teachers from Virginia and Maryland to this event. In addition to hearing an informative presentation, there was ample time for meaningful discussion and sharing of best practices among the participants.
Participation! Saint Mary’s Go Forth! Capital Campaign: Thanks to everyone, school, parish, and Staff/Faculty who has participated so far, we have raised more than $1,061,243 toward our $2 million goal 53%. This is great! Please help us make it 100%. Percent participation is important because it shows that the school families support the project, and organizations awarding grants often look for a certain level of school community support. 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.
Lenten Fish Fry Friday: PTO is hosting its annual “Lenten Fish Fry Fridays” on March 16 and 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. Print this flyer for a handy reference of dates and times. Menu for March 16th.
Lenten Fish Fry Volunteers: It’s Fish Fry time and we need your help to make it it possible! Please consider giving of your time. The signup has it all the information you need – Click Here. Thank you in advance!
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. Hurry, the price goes up on March 15 Gala Tickets
New – Box Tops: A huge thanks to all the families who turned in Box Tops last month. We appreciate the extra effort put into trimming them and weeding out the expired ones!! Together we were able to earn another $278.50 for our school!
Spirit Shop Free Emoji Key chain or Cell phone Wallet with a Cinch Sac order : Buy a Saint Mary’s Cinch Sac for your child’s sportswear, sheet music, or after school activity needs. Never forget what your child needs for their school activities again, knowing it’s in their Saint Mary’s Cinch Sac. For a limited time your student can choose an Emoji Key chain or Cell Phone Wallet with your purchase of a school Cinch Sac. Order today!” Please email info@saintmary.org for your free gift choice after ordering your Cinch Sac. Subject: Free Item, email family name and your choice of a free Emoji key chain or free Cell Phone Wallet. Buy Here
NEW – “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.)
NEW – Saint Gertrude HS Song Contest: Don’t miss the Saint Gertrude High School’s Song Contest on Friday, March 9th at 7:30 PM at the Altria Theater. The event is free and doors open at 7 PM for general admission. Song Contest is a musical competition among the four classes. Each class prepares and presents a program of familiar tunes with original lyrics and the Saint Gertrude High School Alma Mater. Judging is based on music, lyrics, spirit, leaders and class participation. This is a fun, not-to-be-missed event!
Saint Gertrude HS Presents Emily Wilson, Being a Teen in 2018: On Monday, March 12, Saint Gertrude High School will welcome Catholic speaker, author, and musician Emily Wilson. Emily was the keynote speaker at the Diocese of Richmond’s DYC 2017, and travels the world sharing her faith. Emily will present “Being a Teen in 2018,” a discussion that challenges teenagers to think differently about their identity, as well as unpack the difference between who culture is telling them they are and who God created them to be. The evening presentation begins at 7:30 p.m. and will be held in the SGHS Multipurpose Room. The presentation is open to the public (ages 10+) and free. (flyer)
NEW – Saint Gertrude HS Summer Camps: Saint Gertrude High School has just opened its registration for summer camp. (flyer)
NEW – Benedictine College Preparatory: “Middies Lacrosse” team, the first practice beginning on the evening of March 8th at Benedictine College Preparatory. The team is open to boys of all skill levels currently enrolled in the 6th, 7th, and 8th grades. Also, 8th grade boys are eligible to participate on the Junior Varsity team, and may do so in addition to playing with the Middies team. Please direct any questions to the Benedictine Lacrosse Program Head, Mac Foley, at mfoley@benedictinecollegeprep.org. Please follow this link for more information and to register for Middies Lacrosse: https://www.benedictinecollegeprep.org/athletics/middies/middies-lacrosse.
Church Events:
“Irish Night Fundraiser:” March 10, 2018 6:45p.m. A great family event with Great food and music. Proceeds support Haiti Ministry. (flyer)
“Save the Date!” An invitation for you to celebrate how Jesus saved the world…. The celebrations of Holy Week (flyer)
“Words of Love from Calvary:” A series of Special Presentations for the Season of Lent Thursday evenings at 7:00p.m. and Friday mornings at 10:00a.m. through March 22/23rd. (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