May News
Inspiring strong Christian values and academic excellence
Mary, Queen of Heaven
May also reminds us of the Catholic Church's devotion to our Blessed Mother. For centuries, with the coming of spring and fresh flowers, it has been a tradition to crown Mary as a symbol of new life. God chose Mary to be the mother of His son. Her yes has changed the world. The Easter joy we continue to celebrate is a gift for us. We each have a choice in our times to say yes and follow Christ. By living our lives following Him, eternal life is ours.
Though there is limited reference to Mary in the bible, it is evident the impact and presence she had in the life of Jesus. Her strong faith is obvious, and her love, devotion, and care for Jesus. She remains an excellent constant for Jesus through His ministry and all those around her.
As patroness of our school, it is a blessing to look to Mary as our guide. By highlighting a Marian virtue each month, we reflect on how we live our lives. We can look to scripture and examples of how to live as a true disciple of Christ, like Mary.
We thank our 3rd-grade class, who will lead us in a prayer service for the Crowning of Mary this coming week. The service will provide a time to pray and dedicate to our Blessed Mother this month.
It has become a tradition at St. Mary's for our students to learn and sing the Salve Regina
(Hail Holy Queen) in Latin. It is a song sung with great devotion asking for our Mother's prayers and love. Through time she remains dedicated to God's people interceeding for us with Her son, Jesus, and encouraging us to seek Him.
Let us take the time to pray and ask the Blessed Mother for prayers for her children. I provide you with a link for reflection and traditional prayer.
Hail Holy Queen ( Salve Regina)
Hail Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy,
our life our sweetness and our hope.
To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve;
To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears.
Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us and after this our exile show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary!
V- Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God
R- That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
In Christ,
Mrs. Ana E. Gomez, M.Ed.
Principal
Mother's Day at St. Mary's School
We will enjoy a short music presentation in the gym with sweets and coffee. We hope that those who can join will do so.
We wish everyone a blessed Mother's Day in the days to come!
Team St. Mary's
Join me in thanking the faculty and staff for their dedication and passion for providing a Catholic education to all of our students like no other. In addition, I encourage parents and students to write a simple note of appreciation to their teacher(s). Your words will mean so much to them.
Join us in praying for our team and all teachers across the United States for their work!
Also, a very important part of our team is our cafeteria staff. Together with the School Nutrition Association, we would like to take the time this week to celebrate School Lunch Hero Day! This will be observed on Friday, May 6th. We will be surprising our team with some heartfelt cards and treats at the beginning of the day. We appreciate the dedication and love that they put into all the meals they prepare. We are blessed beyond measure.
Beyond the Classroom
We congratulate our 2nd graders who recently presented their Wax Museum 2022, our 6th graders traveling to SpaceX, our Readers to Leaders Club hosting weekly discussions after school, and meeting the author (via Zoom) of a novel they read and having the opportunity to ask questions. Classes venturing outdoors to plant and discover the world around them on Earth Day and throughout the year with the changing seasons.
I am very proud of students this year for approaching the administration with proposals to begin and bring back clubs such as St. Mary's Cheerleaders and One World Environmental Club. These students take initiative and inspire school spirit and service.
In the coming weeks, we will host our spring STEM days for Kinder - 6th grade, host our school Science Fair, travel to Camp Eagle in Rocksprings, TX, Natural Science Museum in Houston for an overnight trip, the zoo, and South Padre Island for an opportunity to visit the UTRGV Coastal Studies Laboratory. We will also have the 511 Farm come to our school for a visit with the Montessori - 1st-grade students.
Connections. Connections. These are vital to our students in their academic journey.
I share the following reflections from our 5th and 6th-grade students on their participation in the Readers to Leaders Club and the visit to Space X.
Readers to Leaders
" Meeting Alexandra Diaz, the author of "The Only Road", was a new experience. We were able to ask questions and she gave us advice. Readers to Leaders Club has helped me become more aware of the problems in our world and how I can help fix them."
Camila Garcia -6th Grade
" Readers to Leaders taught me that life isn't puppies and rainbows, but that doesn't mean you can't have happy endings. For instance, in " The Only Road", Jaime and Angela lost many people along the way to find a new home, but they did it, as can we, we can find a "home" aka happy endings.
Annette Cristiano - 5th Grade
" The Readers to Leaders Club has really inspired me to read more and has taught me more about the topic of immigration."
Fernanda Loya - 5th Grade
Space X
" I had fun asking questions about the engineering process, how tall the resulting rocket would be, etc. Overall, I would like to go again and learn more and see more because it was a great learning experience."
Roberta Rodriguez - 6th grade
" We put on safety helmets just like the actual employees. Next, we were told and shown about the materials it takes to build a rocket. Several people asked very interesting questions. I myself would certainly enjoy going back again."
Fabiola Arellano - 6th Grade
" We went into a tent and we saw what the spaceships were made of. Then, we got into the second tent where we saw the nose and heat protectors of the spaceships. The heat protectors felt like styrofoam. I would say the trip to Space X was pretty fun."
Elisa Magallanes - 6th Grade
Retreats and Sacramental Preparation
What is a retreat? It is a time when students are given the opportunity to learn, grow, pray and reflect. This is done through music, activities, presentations, and discussions.
We begin our cycle with our 4th graders who spent time thinking about their gifts and talents, our 5th and 6th graders followed with their Coming of Age Retreat discussing changes and the beauty in their lives, 2nd and 3rd grades spent time preparing for the gifts of the sacraments of Reconciliation and First Holy Communion.
We congratulate our 2nd and 3rd Graders on the milestone in their faith journey. We keep them in prayer as they receive the gift of reconciliation and approach the altar for the first time receiving the sacred body of Christ.
End of the Year
Please continue to practice routines at home get a good night's rest in preparation for a school day, arrive on time ready to learn and work, have all materials needed, and have a positive attitude.
Please review the May calendar for events and activities.
The yearbook for 2021-2022 is now on sale. Please see attached PDF Order form.
Summer Office will be shared in June.
Attached you will find the Academic Calendar for the 2022-2023 school year.
Please do not hesitate to call the office if you have any questions.
Mark your Calendars
Yearbook Order Opens
May 3rd - May Crowning Prayer Service at 8:30 a.m. in the gym
Mother's Day Blessing and Refreshments following
May 4th - Ms. Pier's 6th Grade Class Liturgy at 8:30 a.m.
BANSA Track Meet at SJA
4th Quarter Progress Reports available at 4 p.m.
May 5th - 2nd Grade Field Trip to SPI
May 6th - Field Day/Walkathon at SMS ( students only) Noon Dismissal
Little Saints and SMS students
School Lunch Hero Day
May 9th - Camp Eagle Trip 6th Grade
May 11th - Mrs. Ruiz 2nd Grade Class Liturgy at 8:30 a.m.
May 12th - Camp Eagle 6th Grade Return
May 13th - 3rd Grade Field Trip to the Zoo
May 16th -18th - STEM Days Kinder - 6th Grade
May 18th - Mrs. Siller's 3rd Grade Class Liturgy at 8:30 a.m.
May 19th - 5th Grade Trip to the Natural Science Museum in Houston " A Night at the Museum"
May 20th - 5th Grade Returns
511 Farm Visit - Montessori -1st
May 25th - Ms. Garcia 6th Grade Class Liturgy at 8:30 a.m.
4th-6th Science Fair Awards ( Presentation Assembly will be held - details forthcoming)
May 26th - End of the Year Pep Rally - Leadership Day - Details Forthcoming
May 27th - Donuts for Dad at 7:30 a.m. - 8:15 a.m. - Details Forthcoming
1st Grade Retreat
May 30th - Memorial Day - Family Picnic 11a.m. - 1 p.m.
May 31st - K5 Graduation at 6 p.m. in the church
June 1st - 6th Grade Graduation Mass @ 8:30 a.m.
Mrs. Gutierrez 5th Grade Class
Reception following
6th Grade Graduation at 6 p.m. in the church
June 3rd - Last Day of School
Report Card Day
Noon Dismissal - Little Saints and St. Mary's School
* Honors and Achievement Ceremony will be held. Information will be shared very soon.