Hark! The Herald Angels Sing!
Friday, December 21st, 2018
Dear Families and Friends of Saint Michael School,
We would like to express our deepest gratitude for your involvement and support this past year. We’re proud to work alongside you in educating your children and we look forward to all that is to come in the new year. It is such a blessing to work in this school, and take part in your children's lives.
We wish you and yours a holiday season filled with warmth, laughter, and relaxing time spent with loved ones.
Merry Christmas,
Mrs. Beam, Mrs.O'Neil, Mrs. Gauthier, and all the Staff at SMS
Silent night, holy night
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon Virgin, Mother and Child
Holy infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace
Christ, the Savior is born
Christ, the Savior is born
Thank you to Mrs. Shirley Squires for an Unforgettable Visit
She is featured in the local newspapers and on the news each year. Those who know the family are invited to schedule a personal appointment to stop by her home for a visit. Nestled among all the nativities are battery operated candles, string lights, and lamps that provide a warm glow to her whole home. She also has an animated winter village display cascading down the left side of her staircase, displayed on a bed of faux snow and illuminated with lights. I asked Mrs. Squires if she had a special lighting setup configured so she could instantly illuminate all of her lights. She grinned and said, "Oh no! I ask for people to schedule appointments because I like to make my way around and turn everything on before they arrive!"
Mrs. Squires' love for our children is evident from the moment you set foot inside. She wears a camera around her neck as she shows them around, snapping photos and encouraging them to find their favorite figurine for an individual portrait. She has a table set up with snacks, and goody bags for all the children before they leave. But most importantly, she proudly displays all of the nativities she has ever been gifted and she knows them all. She proudly showed us the two nativity scenes she received from Saint Michael School .
Mrs. Squires has a heart of gold. We are so grateful for the chance to come back year after year and allow our students to experience true Christmas wonder. Thank you, Shirley!!!
With love and gratitude,
The Children of Saint Michael School
Important Dates and Reminders
Christmas Break begins on Friday December 21st and runs thru Tuesday, January 1st.
Classes resume on Wednesday, January 2nd.
If you are planning to chaperone during Winter Sports, please complete any paperwork remaining and notify us in the office if you need any help. Our Winter Sports program will begin on Monday, January 7th.
January 1st is a Holy Day of Obligation, The Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God. At St. Michael Parish there will be a Vigil Mass on Monday, December 31st at 5:15PM and a Mass on Tuesday, January 1st at 8:45AM.
Please Spread the Word: The Gift of Catholic Education is Now Available
Do you know a family who has been considering Saint Michael School?
Perhaps a family whose children are unchallenged, struggling, or frustrated in their current school environment?
Each year, we have welcomed wonderful new families here at Saint Michael School mid-year as part of our Gift of Catholic Education. We are again offering this program to allow families to experience Saint Michael School for the rest of the year and we would love for you to spread the word!
INCENTIVE: If you refer a family, and they enroll for the remainder of the 2018/2019 school year, we will waive your enrollment fee of $175 towards next year's enrollment period!
A request for Art Supplies from Mrs. Pickering
Thanks for your help everyone!
Project Feed the Thousands
Good afternoon everyone!
This is Rodney Duteau from Saint Michael’s Catholic School. I am happy to say that these past few weeks of Project Feed the Thousands has been an absolute success. We, as a community, have donated a total of 839.3 pounds of food - food that will be given to countless people in the Brattleboro area who are not as privileged as most. In addition, we also received $150.00 in monetary donations.
I want to give a genuine thanks to all the people who have donated and participated in this movement to help those in need. God bless you and have a Merry Christmas!
Thank you and God bless.
Rodney Duteau
Read On!
The newly formed SMS Great Books Group held an introductory social on 12/18 to welcome seven new participants, discuss reading interests, and establish a reading plan. The Great Books Group is an adult enrichment opportunity for the St. Michael School and Parish communities to enjoy and be enriched by the classic literature of western civilization.
The GBG will continue to welcome new members in advance of its inaugural session on January 15, 2019. Come join us!
GBG readers will be reading and discussing Walter van Tilburg Clark’s thought provoking short story The Portable Phonograph. The reading is not difficult and will serve to help participants practice their reading skills and to ease into more challenging texts. Copies of Clark’s short masterpiece, The Portable Phonograph are available online here: http://www.mscruz.yolasite.com/resources/The%20Portable%20Phonograph.pdf or hard copies are available - at no cost - from the St. Michael School business office. Come join us!
Questions? Thoughts? Comments? Email Steven Duchaney here: stevenduchaney@smsvt.info
Mark your calendars.... GO SAINTS!
Please come out and support our team if you are free!
Here is the schedule for the rest of the season:
1/3 4:00 White Oak Charter School @ White Oak
533 N Road Westfield, MA
1/8 3:30 Putney School @ Winston Prouty
209 Austine Drive Brattleboro, VT
1/9 3:30 Compass School@ Winston Prouty
209 Austine Drive Brattleboro, VT
1/10 4:00 Eagle Hill School @ Eagle Hill
Sessions Road Hardwick, MA
1/16 4:00 Dublin School @ Winston Prouty
209 Austine Drive Brattleboro, VT
1/22 4:00 Berkshire Art & Tech @ Berkshire Art & Tech
375 Church Street North Adams, MA
1/24 4:00 Four Rivers Charter School @ Indoor Action Sports
1385 Bernardston Road (Rt 5)Greenfield, MA
1/29 4:00 White Oak Charter School @ Winston Prouty
209 Austine Drive Brattleboro, VT
1/31 4:00 Greenwood School @ Greenwood School
14 Greenwood Lane Putney, VT
2/5 3:30 Compass School @ Winston Prouty
209 Austine Drive Brattleboro, VT
Breakfast Lunch and AMP Menus
Breakfast is $2.25 and Lunch is $3.50
Check out all of these delicious breakfast options for month of January!
If you would like your child to have breakfast, please make sure they order it the day beforehand.
After School Meal Program
This is a free meal program, sponsored by the state, and available to all students who stay after school for any reason.
Ways You Can Help!
- tissues... We always need tissues ;)
- glue sticks
- new or gently used winter gear such as hats, gloves, mittens etc.
Volunteer Opportunities:
- Winter sports drivers and chaperones
- Help with various mailings or office tasks over the next few months. Any day helps!
- Help us reorganize our "Scary Closet" with all of the decor and supplies used for the fall and Advent decorating.
Community Events
Vacation Workshop: Magic School Bus Live at Fletcher Free Library
Actor, storyteller, and Flynn Center teaching artist Joan Robinson becomes Ms. Frizzle for the Magic School Bus Live on Friday, December 28, 2018, at 11 a.m. at the Fletcher Free Library in Burlington. Children ages 3 to 6 use their bodies, voices, and imaginations to become passengers on an exciting journey aboard the Magic School Bus traveling through outer space. This free, active workshop integrates drama and science. The event culminates with a ticket drawing for a 4-pack to the Flynn MainStage show on January 10, 2019, at 6 p.m.
Contact: Tracey Gilbert Dengler at tdengler@flynncenter.org or (802) 355-8349
PIANO AND ORGAN LESSONS NOW AVAILABLE
Hi! I'm Breton Abbondanzio, the new Music Director at St. Michael Parish and I'm pleased to offer private lessons in piano and organ. I teach all ages and levels and some of my students have won prizes in the ATAM Music Competition in Newton, MA. Lessons are a half hour in duration and my fee is reasonable and competitive. Please give me a call at (413) 824-9881 or email me at babbondanzio@gmail.com. I look forward to teaching your child!
We'd Love to Hear from You!
If you are not already a friend of SMS on Facebook, come join us!
We will post school cancellations, fun photos and events that happen during the week that don't make it into the Hark! Please click this link, like and follow our page so you can continue to stay involved.
Email: lindsayoneil@smsvt.info
Website: www.saintmichaelschoolvt.org
Location: 48 Walnut Street, Brattleboro, VT, USA
Phone: 802-254-6320
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SMSVT