St. Mary's Newsletter
St. Mary's Preschool and Elementary School
Slimy and Jammy Days at St. Mary's!
The focus during the Kids Heart Challenge is having fun while learning about heart health-learning to make good choices now that will help us grow into healthy adults. Students jumped rope and played several variations of jump rope games, all made even better with Mrs. Black's creativity and fun spirit. Students learned the importance of drinking more water, putting the salt shaker down, being active, not smoking or vaping, and being kind and helpful...all choices that keep us healthy. In addition to learning about heart health, students also raised awareness and donations to help support the work and research the American Heart Association does.
Thursday afternoon was St. Mary's Slime a Priest event, with Father Joe, Father Paco, and Father Brian graciously volunteering to be slimed to inspire our students. For every $100 a student raised, he or she got to 'Pick-A-Priest' to slime. Our priests were such good sports, showing humor and good sportsmanship during the event. The priests were the recipients of a combined total of about 120 cups of green slime from 54 students. It was a fun and exciting event, we are thankful to our priests for being available and to our students and families for supporting the Challenge.
Friday afternoon was St. Mary's Gym Jam, a fun event for the students who raised $150 during the Kids Heart Challenge. The students had a fun time in the cafeteria using a lot of PE equipment, playing games, and enjoying healthy snacks. Several McAuley students were helpers during the event, and our students always benefit from the presence and friendship of older JACS students. The events were both great ways to end the Kids Heart Challenge with fun events.
April and May are Busy Months!
St. Mary's Yearbooks Are In!
Last Call for Joplin Greenhouse and The Coffee Shop Gift Cards!
Special thanks to Curt at Joplin Greenhouse for sponsoring this new annual fund raiser for our school. Curt is a wonderful supporter of our school and the Joplin community, and we are grateful to him for helping raise funds for our students, faculty and staff, and school community.
Register Now for the 2022-2023 School Year
Registration for the 2022-2023 school year is open! Submitting your child's registration form by April 30 holds his or her spot before enrollment opens for new families on May 1. In addition to your child's spot being guaranteed for next year, it also prevents paying the additional $50 late fee that will be charged for returning families who register after April 30. Registering as soon as possible is especially important for all of our Preschool classes (Early Learners, Advanced Learners, Pre-K) and other elementary classes that were capped at 25 or split into two classes this year. Your prompt registration is very important in the decisions about class size, split classes, and the hiring of faculty and staff.
Registering through the FACTS system is quick and easy, much easier than in years past when a different information system was used. After you complete the enrollment packet, a Submit Enrollment Packet and Make Payment form will appear. Please follow the instructions provided online to submit the enrollment packet along with the registration fee payment as follows:
Returning Student $50 ($100 after April 30)
New Student $50
If you have any questions about the process, please contact Marla Testerman, who is coordinating our admissions and enrollment process, at 417-624-5003 ext. 203 or mtesterman@jacss.org. You are also welcome to contact St. Mary's school office for general questions about the enrollment process. As always, we are here to help your family in any way we are able.
Derby 2022 is Next Saturday!
The 2002 JACS Auction is a week from today and we are so excited about this fun and important event for our school system! The Kentucky Derby theme this year is perfect for Spring, and is sure to be a nice evening to celebrate our incredible school together. Our auction committee has done a beautiful job planning and working to make the event a success. Here is some additional information on how to help make the evening even better:
Raffle Ticket Information:
- Students received an envelope with 10 raffle tickets with a letter
- Prizes are available when tickets are sold
- More Raffle tickets are available in the St. Mary's school office
Attend the Auction in Person or Drive Thru
- Pick up a Drive Thru meal and bid online from home www.JACSauction.com
- Purchase a meal and participate in the silent and live auction in person
- Bid virtually and pick up items on Sunday, May 1, 2022
- Visit www.JACSauction.com for more information
Volunteer. Many hands make light work! Volunteer before, during, or after the auction. Some opportunities include:
- Auction Prep on April 29 and 30
- Food runners and bartenders on April 30
- Live auction spotters, item pick up and site clean up
This is a fun way to help our school thrive AND get those important Care and Share hours that are due by the end of the school year! Sign up to volunteer to lessen the load of the auction committee. Go to www.jacss.org/development/volunteers/ to sign up to volunteer, thank you!
Join Us for Synod!
Have you heard about the worldwide Synod on Synodality? Join us for a Synodal Consultation at St. Mary’s Parish on Tuesday, May 3 at 6:30 p.m. and St. Peter's Parish on Thursday, May 5 at 6:30 p.m.
What is a Synod on Synodality? The global Catholic Church is holding a synod (assembly, discussion) which takes place at the level of parishes, dioceses, nations, and the entire Church. "Synodality" means our ability as a Church to communicate, learn, and adapt at a communal level, from bottom to top, a listening process where all Catholics can listen and learn from each other.
Please join us and let your voice be heard! We are a pilgrim people walking together on the Way! For more information, please visit: https://www.jacss.org/news/synod/.
Spring Programs
St. Mary's annual Spring Programs and Project Fairs are just around the corner and we know you won't want to miss the cuteness and fun!
Wednesday, May 11: Kindergarten - 2nd Grade Spring Program and Project Fair beginning at 6:00 p.m. in St. Mary's Church
Wednesday, May 18: 3rd - 5th Grade Spring Program and Project Fair beginning at 6:00 p.m. in St. Mary's Church
Tuesday, May 24: Preschool Spring Program beginning at 10:00 a.m. in St. Mary's Church
In addition to the dates of the events, you will want to know what your child should wear to their program:
- Preschool students may wear any Spring or nice outfit of your choice.
- Kindergarten - 2nd Grade: Spring or Sunday best, NO JEANS
- 3rd Grade: Western Wear-jeans, overall, flannel/plaid shirts, bandanas. No cowboy hats or holes in jeans/overalls.
- 4th Grade: Patriotic red, white, and blue. Jeans may be worn, but no holes in jeans.
- 5th Grade: 5th Grade Shirt with pants or jeans, no holes in jeans.
We will begin the Spring Programs for Kindergarten - 5th Grades in St. Mary's Church, transitioning afterwards to the St. Mary's Parish Hall to see the amazing research projects on display during our annual Project Fair.
Summer School Classes are Filling Up!
You may notice as you look through the booklet that only one week of classes is being offered this year, June 6 -9. Due to faculty family and health obligations this summer, our class offerings are not as plentiful as in years past, but each will be a wonderful experience for your child. Class size is limited to 16 students for most classes, and classes are filled on a first come, first served basis. Your enrollment form and $15 registration fee will hold your child's spot.
Please note that there are both morning and afternoon classes offered during the week with the option for your child to stay for a full day of fun. More information about the classes, how to enroll, and other details are included in the summer school booklet. Please reach out to the school office or to me (jlown@jacss.org) if you have any questions or need more information.
Important Dates to Remember
Sunday, April 24: First Communion at St. Mary's Parish, 10:00 a.m.
Thursday, April 28: 5th Grade Diocesan Retreat at St. Agnes in Springfield
Saturday, April, 30: JACS Auction: Derby 2022
Monday, May 2: May Crowning and Rosary in St. Mary's School Courtyard, 8:30 a.m.
Wednesday, May 4: Charity Dress Day
Wednesday, May 4: 4th Grade Field Trip to Prairie State Park
Wednesday, May 4: Title 1 Spring Meeting, 6:00 p.m. in cafeteria
Monday May 9 - Friday, May 13: Scholastic Book Fair
Monday, May 9: 5th Grade Spanish Trip to Festival
Tuesday, May 10: 5th Grade Great Americans Day in Carthage
Wednesday, May 11: Kindergarten - 2nd Grade Spring Program and Project Fair, 6:00 p.m.
Thursday, May 12: Preschool's Big Wheel Day
Friday, May 13: Noon Dismissal, Faculty PD Day
Sunday, May 15: First Communion at St. Peter the Apostle
Tuesday, May 17: Advanced Learners and Pre-K Field Trip to Oceans Adventures
Tuesday, May 17: Early Learners Fun in the Sun Day
Wednesday, May 18: 3rd - 5th Grade Spring Program and Project Fair, 6:00 p.m.
Thursday, May 19: Free Dress Day, FIELD DAY, and Scoop Up!
Thursday, Mary 19: Kindergarten's Park Day Field Trip
Tuesday, May 24: Preschool Spring Program, 10:00 a.m.
Tuesday, May 24: 3rd Grade Field Trip to Bluff Dwellers Cave
Wednesday, May 25: Pre-K Graduation, 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday, May 25: 5th Grade Trip to Tulsa
Friday, May 27: School Mass and Student Awards, 9:00 a.m.
Friday, May 27: Noon Dismissal, LAST DAY OF SCHOOL!
St. Mary's Preschool and Elementary School
Email: jlown@jacss.org
Website: jacss.org
Location: 3025 S. Central City Road Joplin, MO
Phone: 417-623-1465