I hope that your family had a healthy, happy, and relaxing Spring Break! Even though it is officially Spring, please remember to send a jacket to school with your daughter and/or son each day. Spring temperatures and winds will be on the cool side for the next several weeks and our playgrounds do not offer much protection. Daily high temperatures are usually reached after school dismisses and morning recesses can be on the chilly side all the way into May. Thanks for helping to keep your child cozy and warm during recess!

It's hard to believe, but the month of April is right around the corner! I wanted to remind parents about St. Mary's noon dismissal time on Holy Thursday and the dates of Easter Break. Here is the St. Mary's School schedule:

• Holy Thursday- Thursday, April 6: NOON Dismissal, NO AFTER SCHOOL CARE
• Good Friday- Friday, April 7: No School
• Easter Sunday- Sunday, April 9
• Easter Monday- Monday, April 10: No School

Classes resume on Tuesday, April 11 following Easter Break.

Spring Programs and Project Fairs are a wonderful tradition at St. Mary's! As we enter the last quarter of the school year, I wanted to let families know the dates of the St. Mary's Spring Musical Programs and Project Fairs. The evenings will all begin inside St. Mary's Church with the Project Fairs being displayed in the Parish Hall following the Kindergarten-2nd Grade and 3rd-5th Grade programs. Preschool will have their Spring Program beginning at 10:00 a.m. in St. Mary's Church on Tuesday, May 16. Please make plans now to join us for these special evenings!

PLEASE NOTE: THERE HAS BEEN A CHANGE OF DATE FOR THE K-2ND GRADE PROGRAM AND PROJECT FAIR DUE TO A PARISH SCHEDULING CONFLICT. The K-2 Spring Program and Project Fair has moved a day, it is now being held on Thursday, May 4 starting at 6:00 p.m.

Please check out all the upcoming important dates to remember at the end of each of my weekly newsletters to stay informed of all the fun events happening at St. Mary's this Spring! If an event is officially on our school calendar, it will be listed in this section of the newsletter each week. I have everything that is currently planned through the last day of school on May 24. Check back weekly to see if new events and/or activities have been added.

Congratulations to each 3rd and 4th grade student who submitted essay and art projects for the George Washington Carver National Monument Annual Art & Essay Contest. We received notification over Spring Break that judging was complete and the winners for the competition have been announced. Congratulations to every 3rd and 4th Grade student for a job well done!

3-D ART CATEGORY
First place goes to Vivian L. from St. Mary's Elementary School

Second place goes to Corbin W from George Washington Carver Elementary School

Third place goes to Marianne S. from St. Mary's Elementary School

Art Honorable Mention

Dover Hill Elementary School: Gabbie S, Daphne B, and Aubree W

St. Mary's Elementary: Charlie G., Ali S., and Hannah C.

Diamond Elementary: Emery I

ESSAY CATEGORY

First place winner for the essays goes to Gideon from Cope Homeschool

Second place winner for the essays goes to Grace D. from St. Mary's Elementary School

Third place winner for the essays goes to Hattie W. from St. Mary's Elementary School

Essay Honorable Mention

Harry S Truman in Webb City: Asher D, Allison W, Rylan C, Lyla H, and Jadyn W

St. Mary's Elementary: Stephen S., Wyatt R., Jett F., and Stacey M.

Neosho Christian School: Mishael T

The above students and their families are invited to the awards ceremony set for Saturday, April 1 at 2:00 p.m. The ceremony will be held outdoors under a large tent near the GW Carver Visitor Center. First-third place winners in each category will interpret their artwork or read their essay in front of the audience, which is always an exciting honor!

St. Mary's is looking for a positive addition to our school for the 2023-2024 school year! We are looking for a full-time 5th Grade elementary teacher who will be a dependable, positive Christian role model for our students. Not to worry, Mrs. Brower will remain at St. Mary's as a gifted and valued teacher. Following Mrs. Bashor's resignation in early February, Mrs. Brower will be moving to 2nd Grade, a grade that she has previously taught at St. Mary's and loves. 5th Grade candidates will be certified in elementary education, adaptive in teaching styles, willing to partner and communicate well with parents, and have a strong desire to be part of a growing, faith-filled team. Active Catholic preferred. Competitive salary, excellent benefits, and a friendly and supportive school environment make St. Mary’s a great place to teach and nurture the whole child.

If you or anyone you know would be an incredible asset to St. Mary's, please ask them to contact me either through the St. Mary's School Office (417-623-1465) or through email, jlown@jacss.org.

As you know, the JACS annual auction is just around the corner. The auction is our school system’s largest fundraiser. This year the Auction Committee is trying something new, which replaces the selling of raffle tickets. Instead, we are going to do a Calendar Fundraiser. Your child should have brought home details of the new fundraiser in his or her Communicator Envelope or in his or her backpack. Here is how the fundraiser works:

-An individual or family will 'sponsor' a date (or multiple dates) on the calendar by picking a number on the calendar and writing their name (first and last) and phone number on that day. All that's left is to donate that amount. For example, if you write your name on April 26th, this equals donating $26. If you choose April 2nd, you would be donating $2.

-One person can sponsor multiple days.

-The more spaces you buy the more chances to win! On the back of the calendar are rewards that the students and the whole school can win.

-Please have calendars turned in by April 22nd. All checks should be made out to JACS. Let the Auction Committee know if you have any questions by emailing us at auctionadmin@jacss.org or calling (417) 624-5003.

Instead of Class Projects this year, the JACS Auction Committee has created fun themes for gift baskets. Each of the 9 grade levels at St. Mary's has a specific theme, and the committee is even providing ideas for the baskets! Please find your child's class theme, room parent contact, and ideas that you may donate to the basket. Please let any of the auction committee members know if you have any questions.

Early Learners: Pool Party-Courtney Barnard- Ideas: pool toys, beach towels, pool bag, cocktails, cups

Advanced Learners: Date Night-Courtney Barnard- Ideas: restaurant gift cards, dessert, movies, Connect2Culture, ax throwing

Pre-K: Movie/Game Night-Amanda Mitchell- Ideas: popcorn buckets, movies, candy, games, soda

Kindergarten: Moms Snuck Out-Mary Ann & Ali Binder- Ideas: restaurant gift cards, drinks, shopping, massage, golf, wine

First Grade: Picnic Basket-Mandy Nolte- Ideas: basket, blanket, charcuterie, cups, serving utensils

Second Grade: Dudes Day-Kelly Gorman- Ideas: restaurant, ax throwing, golf, drinks, sports related items

Third Grade: Family Game Night-Jenny Williams & Megan Douglas- Ideas: games, snacks, candy, pizza, takeout, arts & crafts

Fourth Grade: Rainy Day Activities-Emily Stanley- Ideas: bowling, games, arts & crafts, Firehouse Pottery, Skating, arcade

Fifth Grade: Backyard BBQ-Jen Longnecker & Tara Horinek- Ideas: grill accessories, seasonings, meat, beer, cocktails, backyard games, cooler

Wednesday, April 5: Charity Dress Day benefitting Autism Awareness

Wednesday, April 5: Preschool's Easter Egg Hunt

Thursday, April 6: Holy Thursday, Noon Dismissal and NO AFTER SCHOOL CARE

Friday, April 7-Monday, April 10: Easter Break

Tuesday, April 11: Classes Resume

Monday, April 17 and Tuesday, April 18: Inter-State Spring Photos

Wednesday, April 26: Preschool's Mommy and Me Night, 5:30 p.m.

Thursday, April 27: Diocesan 5th Grade Retreat

Saturday, April 29: JACS Annual Auction

Monday, May 1-Friday, May 5: Staff Appreciation Week

Monday, May 1: May Crowning and Rosary in St. Mary's School Courtyard, 8:30 a.m.

Wednesday, May 3: Charity Dress Day benefitting Ronald McDonald House

Thursday, May 4: K-2nd Grade Spring Program and Project Fair, 6:00 p.m.

Wednesday, May 10: 3rd-5th Grade Spring Program and Project Fair, 6:00 p.m.

Thursday, May 11: 5th Grade Trip

Friday, May 12: Noon Dismissal, Faculty and Staff PD Day

Sunday, May 14: Mother's Day

Tuesday, May 16: Preschool Spring Program, 10:00 a.m.

Wednesday, May 17: Preschool's Big Wheel Day, 8:30 a.m.

Thursday, May 18: Free Dress Day, FIELD DAY, and Scoop Up!

Monday, May 22: Pre-K Graduation and Reception, 6:00 p.m.

Wednesday, May 24: Last Day of School!

Wednesday, May 24: School Mass and Awards Assembly, 9:00 a.m.