St. Mary's School
Tuesday, May 26, 2020
In This Issue
Students' Personal Belongings
St. Mary's Parish Mass Update
May Crowning
SMS Virtual Art Fair
Tuition for 2020-2021 School Year
Resources for Supporting Your Children
Friday, May 29 - Students' Personal Belongings
On Friday, May 29 faculty and staff will be at the school to facilitate the pick-up of students' personal belongings. Please see below for the designated times and pick-up locations for each grade level. If your child has any textbooks that need to be returned, please bring them with you. Remote learning will still continue through the second week of June, but dropping off textbooks on Friday, May 29 will be the safest and most efficient way of returning them.
All students and parents must wear face coverings when collecting their items on Friday, May 29.
* Yearbooks (if ordered), any medication kept at school, and forms for next year will be included in each child's bag
* Unlabeled belongings for each grade level will be located in a bin outside each pick-up area. Please be sure to check the bin for any of your child's belongings.
Friday, May 29 (9:00 am - 12:00 pm)
Kindergarten - Grade 3
Kindergarten - side door between church and school
Grade 1 - Grove Street door
Grade 2 - PreKA door (adjacent to playground)
Grade 3 - PreKB door (off Grove Street)
Friday, May 29 (12:00 pm - 3:00 pm)
Grades 4 - 6
Grade 4 - Grove Street door
Grade 5 - side door between church and school
Grade 6 - front door
Friday, May 29 (9:00 - 10:30 am)
Grade 7
Grade 7 - junior high courtyard
Friday, May 29 (10:30 am - 12:00 pm)
Grade 8
Grade 8 - junior high courtyard
St. Mary's Parish Mass Update
As you have probably heard on the news, we are now allowed to re-open our churches for Mass on a limited basis.
We hope to have our first public Mass in our church since the suspension in March beginning the weekend of May 30/31. As seating must be less than 40% of our church capacity and social distancing is mandatory, only every other pew will be available for seating. It will be necessary for parishioners who want to come to Mass to register ahead of time. Wearing a mask is mandatory except when prohibited by medical issues.
Our plan is to have two Masses each weekend, Saturday at 4 pm and Sunday at 9:30 am beginning May 30th. After this first weekend of re-opening, we will review and make any necessary changes. It is important that you check the website frequently for any updates.
The dispensation from attending Mass is still in effect until further notice. If you are uncomfortable being with a large group or have medical issues that may compromise your immune system, we encourage you to stay at home. While we will not be live-streaming the Mass going forward, there are several options to watch the Mass on television.
Click here to reserve seats for this weekend's Masses.
Click here to view Father Shawn's complete statement regarding the reopening of Mass.
May Crowning
In case you missed it on our Facebook page, our grade 1 and grade 4 class put together a wonderful Virtual May Crowning. Many thanks to Miss Connor, Mrs. Meehan, and our students for this beautiful gift. Our beloved Mrs. Mary Louise Johnson coordinated the May Crowning for so many years with such dedication and love, and we know she would be proud of how well our students did in preparing this virtual ceremony. As we continue through this glorious month of May, the month of Mary, we pray that our Blessed Mother will watch over us all until we are together again.
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary,
that never was it known
that anyone who fled to your protection,
implored your help,
or sought your intercession,
was left unaided.
Inspired by this confidence
I fly unto you,
O Virgin of virgins, my Mother.
To you do I come,
before you I stand,
sinful and sorrowful.
O Mother of the Word Incarnate,
despise not my petitions,
but in your mercy hear and answer me.
Amen.
SMS Virtual Art Fair
Please visit Mrs. Caruso's website to view the entire gallery! (https://mrscarusoart.weebly.com/art-fair.html)
Tuition for 2020-2021 School Year
As we prepare for the 2020-2021 school year, we are mindful of the many financial sacrifices our school families make to provide their children with a quality Catholic education. As stewards of the school’s finances, we continually reflect on and implement practices that position us to run our school efficiently and effectively.
Each year, our budget is developed by Fr. Shawn Allen (pastor), Mr. Christopher Beza (principal), and Mr. Frank Garvey (Parish Finance Council). In determining a tuition increase for the upcoming school year, we take into account several factors, including projected enrollment, projected income, and projected expenses. This year we are faced with the additional factor of the economic impact of the Covid-19 situation on our school families.
After reflection and discussion, we have made the decision that there will be no tuition increase for the upcoming school year. Additionally, we have decided to waive the $400 deposit. The deadline for financial aid applications has been extended to June 30. Click here for more information regarding the financial aid application process.
As we plan for the future of our school, the continued support of our entire community – parents, teachers, alumni and parishioners – is vital to our long-term viability. The single most important factor to our continued sustainability is enrollment. A fully enrolled school allows us to keep tuition costs affordable, while having the necessary funding to provide programs that strengthen the experience of our students. I hope you will share with others the wonderful opportunities St. Mary’s School provides and encourage them to explore St. Mary’s School as an option for their child’s education.
Thank you for your continued support as we advance the mission of Catholic education at St. Mary’s School. We are deeply grateful that you entrust us with the formation and education of your children. God bless!
Resources for Supporting Your Children During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Below please find a list of resources you may find helpful as you support your children through this difficult time.
- McLean Hospital, 4 Ways to Help Children Manage Emotions During the COVID-19 Outbreak
- Dr. Ashley Miller, Helping Children and Teens Cope with Social Isolation
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Mental Health and Coping During COVID-19
- Psychology Today, How to Talk to Kids and Teens About the Coronavirus
- Dr. Nancy Rappaport: What Cancer Taught Me About Navigating a Pandemic
- Dr. Robert Brooks: Resilience in the Face of COVID-19
- National Association of School Psychologists: Helping Children Cope with Changes Resulting from COVID-19
- Joanna's Place: Tips to Help Families through the Coronavirus Crisis
Contact Us
Email: mr.beza@stmaryschoolmelrose.org
Website: stmaryschoolmelrose.org
Location: 4 Myrtle Street, Melrose, MA, USA
Phone: (781)665-5037
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stmaryschoolmelrose/