Winter weather returned this week, reminding us that we are still in the middle of the season. It's nice to know Spring will be here soon, but until then please don't forget to ensure your child comes to school dressed for outdoor recess each day. St. Mary's students go outside for recess when temperatures are 25 and above, so having a warm coat and gloves is very important. Our playgrounds have very little protection from the wind, and forecasted high temperatures usually occur AFTER school dismisses each day. There is a chance for wintery weather the next several weeks, thank you for ensuring your child is bundled up to have fun in the crisp winter air.

Just a friendly reminder that we don't have school on Monday in honor of Presidents' Day. We will be excited to welcome your child back to school on Tuesday morning!

Do you know a family member or friend who is looking for positive, engaging, and Christ-centered education for their child? There has never been a better time to choose the education, faith formation, and nurturing environment that St. Mary's provides children aged 2 years to 5th grade. St. Mary's is a respected and trusted school that parents in the Joplin area have been choosing for their children for over 60 years!

St. Mary's is hosting a Preschool and Elementary Open House for interested families on Saturday, February 26 from 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. The morning will include school tours, a fun I Spy game to complete to get familiar with the school, time spent in classrooms visiting with teachers, and information about what sets St. Mary's apart from other private and public schools in the area. An informational postcard is being sent home with your child today for you to pass on to a family member or friend. Personal testimonials from friends and family are a key way families find out about our school, so please share the postcard with someone you know who may be interested in attending the open house. For more information, please call the St. Mary's office, 623-1465.

If you are available to help host and tour visiting families during the Open House, please let me know. Teachers will be in their classrooms to visit with families, and it would be nice to have smiling, friendly faces showing families around the school and to their respective classroom. A Signup Genius link will be set up and posted on both the Preschool and Elementary Facebook pages, or you could let the office know if you are available to help. We would love to have around 10 parents help out from 8:45 - 11:00 a.m. Not only would this be a great way to welcome new families to our school, the time may be used for Care and Share hours.

If you would like to share a few precious photos of school-related events to be included in this year's yearbook, Miss Amy would love to have them! Photos that you have taken at class parties, school Mass or other programs, school movie night, Trunk or Treat, etc. would be a great addition to our amazing yearbook that Miss Amy puts together each year. Photos may be emailed to her at stmaryschool@jacss.org. If you have a question or would like more information, please do not hesitate to call the school office at 623-1465.

Speaking of yearbooks, don't forget that 2021-2022 yearbooks are still for sale! Yearbook order forms can be picked up from the school office or may be ordered online from Inter-State Studio using www.inter-state.com/order and entering St. Mary's code: 64501X. Online yearbook ordering closes on Friday, March 11!

Joplin Greenhouse and St. Mary's Home and School are partnering for an exciting fundraiser for our school! Just in time for your spring and summer planting and yardwork projects, Joplin Greenhouse is offering a generous way to raise money to support our students, faculty and staff, and entire school community! With every $25 dollars spent in gift card sales, Joplin Greenhouse will donate a generous percentage back to St. Mary's. Gift cards can be purchased in any dollar increment and can be used for both greenhouse and coffeeshop purchases. More information will be included in next week's newsletter, but start thinking of spring flowers, landscaping projects, and delicious cups of coffee now!

The JACS Annual Auction is scheduled for Saturday, April 30! We are seeking items to include in baskets or live auction items. Items we are seeking include: * Kitchen & Cooking items * Children’s Toys and Books * Branson Activities or Timeshares * Movie Night at Home * Car Care * Golf-Related Items * KC Chiefs, KC Royals, St. Louis Cardinals Items * Airline Miles *

You can also check out the Auction's Amazon Wishlist: JACS Annual Auction - Amazon Custom Gift List - https://www.amazon.com/registries/custom/2OVCP9Z6A2TVP/guest-view

Donation forms are available using the following link: https://www.jacss.org/development/auction/

Monday, February 21: No School, Presidents' Day

Thursday, February 24: Rescheduled Free Dress Day

Saturday, February 26: St. Mary's Preschool and Elementary Open House, 9-11:00 a.m.

Saturday, February 26: 2nd Grade First Reconciliation at St. Mary's Church, 1:00 p.m.

Monday, February 28-March 4: Read Across America Week

Tuesday, March 1: Home and School serves Mardi Gras Cake, 2:00 p.m.

Wednesday, March 2: Ash Wednesday Mass, 8:30 a.m.

Wednesday, March 9: Charity Dress Day

Friday, March 11: End of Third Quarter

Sunday, March 13: Daylight Savings Time Begins, Spring Your Clocks Forward!

Thursday, March 17: St. Patrick's-Themed Free Dress Day

Thursday, March 17: Parent-Teacher Conferences

Friday, March 18: Noon Dismissal, No After School Care

Saturday, March 19-Sunday, March 27: Spring Break

Monday, March 28: Classes Resume