SMCS Elementary Family Newsletter
October 12, 2022
SMCS ELEMENTARY FAMILY NEWSLETTER - OCTOBER 12, 2022
In This Email
Click here for St. Gabriel Elementary News
Click here for St. Mary Elementary News
Click here for St. Margaret Mary News
You can always visit the news page on our website for past newsletters.
SMCS Mission
Preparing and inspiring students to lead meaningful lives, rooted in the teachings of Christ and our Catholic tradition.
Greetings from the Principal
Dear SMCS families,
Happy October! This month is filled with special events! It was exciting to participate in Homecoming week festivities for the first time as a preschool-12th grade school system. The dress-up days were a fun way to show that we are all “United in Faith, Hope, & Love.” It was an honor and joy to attend our first all-schools mass on October 7th at the high school. What special opportunity to come together as a school family to honor and praise our Lord! The psalm from mass that day really spoke to me in a special way: I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart in the company and assembly of the just. Great are the works of the LORD, exquisite in all their delights (Psalm 111:1-2). I was reminded of how I am continually grateful to be a part of the SMCS family. How truly great are the works of the Lord in each and every one of our schools!
Many blessings,
Mrs. Anna Cihlar
Principal ~ St. Gabriel, St. Margaret Mary, St. Mary
ALL ABOARD 10.15.22 5:00 P.M. at St. Mary Catholic Middle School
ALL ABOARD 2022 is almost here: our chance to gather together in celebration and support of our five awesome schools. There is still time to register, but registration ends at midnight tonight! Anyone who volunteers receives free admission! Admission includes Parker John's BBQ dinner, dessert from Simple Simon, as well as beer, wine, and hard seltzer. This exciting evening helps fund all of the important projects at our schools!
Some exciting silent auction items to bid on at the elementary campuses include:
- Connect with the Principal: Have lunch and play one of Mrs. Cihlar's favorite games - Connect 4!
- Associate Principal for a Day: Help the associate principal run the school for a day!
- Preferred seating at holiday concerts and other events!
If there's a gamer on your Christmas list, you don't want to miss out on a chance to win a PS5. They're not easy to find in the stores, and retail for $500, but all it takes is one 25 dollar raffle ticket to win one! Tickets are available in all of our school offices through Friday. If there are any tickets left we'll have them for sale at ALL ABOARD where the winner will be drawn.
Good luck!
Lion King, Jr.
On Wednesday, Oct. 19, students in grades K-5 will take a field trip to the SMCS Fine Arts Center to see a 45-minute cut of The Lion King, Jr. performed by middle school students!
Halloween Happenings
Halloween Carnival - Saturday, October 22nd, 10:00 am - 12:30 pm - All are welcome for the annual Halloween Carnival! We are hopeful to have the event outside if the weather allows. If it is raining or very old, it will be held in the SMM gym. All kids through 5th grade can come and enjoy games, balloon animals, face painting and more! All are welcome. The children do not have to be SMM students. Students are invited to dress in costume. Tickets for the games are 25 cents. Lunch (hot dogs, carrots, chips and juice box/water) is available from 11:30-12:30 pm for $5.
Although the carnival is put on by school parents, it is a fundraiser for our parish ministry projects.
Trunk or Treat at St. Gabriel Elementary
We will be hosting our annual Trunk n Treat event on October 25th in the school parking lot. Prizes will be awarded for the best decorations, so get those ideas flowing now! More information will be coming soon.
Quarter 1 Progress Reports
It's hard to believe that the end of the first quarter is right around the corner! October 28 is the last day of first quarter and progress reports for students in grades K-5 will be sent home with your child on Friday of the following week (November 4). The progress report will come home in a folder. Please keep the report card, but sign and return the folder to school. Please note, specials classes (art, music, PE, technology), preschool, and 4K send progress reports at semester only.
No School October 31
There is no school for student on October 31, as staff will have a professional development day. Enjoy the long weekend!
Technology News
Technology and Guidance are collaborating to provide lessons on Digital Citizenship this year. Our goal with this curriculum is to educate students about the benefits of Technology while helping them to develop tools that they can use at home and at school. The 6 main topics that we are covering with 4K-5 are: 1. Media Balance and Well Being 2. Privacy and Security 3. Digital Footprint and Identity 4. Relationships and Communication 5. Cyberbullying, Digital Drama and Hate Speech 6. News and Media Literacy.
Our goal is to empower students at a young age to make decisions that are good for their brains and their bodies. Instead of focusing on what they should not do we are focusing on positive choices that will impact them, their communities, and the world.
Remember to practice Typing Club at home: smcatholicschools.typingclub.com
Homework for vacations
We encourage families to schedule vacations during our calendar breaks. We realize this can't always be done. If students miss school for a vacation and/or other pre-planned absences, teachers are not required to provide homework before the vacation. Some teachers may be able to accommodate a request, but it is not a requirement. Teachers will provide missing work to students upon their return and allow for extra time for the student to complete the assignments.
Dress Code Reminders
Please note the following items from the elementary dress code policy:
- Hair must be clean, neatly combed, out of the eyes, and of reasonable style and natural shade.
- Sweaters, vests, sweatshirts must be navy blue, white, or light blue in solid colors only. No logo (except SMCS) is allowed.
- Pullover sweater (crew-neck or v-neck are allowed)
- Cardigan sweater (buttoned, zipper-front, hooded sweaters are allowed)
- Dress shirt, turtleneck, or blouse must be worn under sweater, vest, or sweatshirt
- Only solid navy, white, or light blue crew-neck sweatshirts, plain or school sweatshirts with SMCS logo are allowed.
- All students may wear any SMCS & Zephyrs-approved hooded sweatshirt, crew neck sweatshirt, ¼ zip or full zip over their collared shirt.
Tuition Discount Opportunity
Our After School Care Program is hiring! We have openings at our Elementary and Middle School Campuses. If you or someone you know is looking for a part-time job, join SMCS! The schedule will be Monday – Friday from 2:45 – 5/5:30 p.m.
This is a paid position that offers great benefits! If you have a child enrolled in our schools, you will receive 50% off their school tuition and while you work in the after school care program, you can bring your child with you for free!
If you are interested in learning more about the After School Care Provider position or would like to apply, please contact the Human Resources Department by calling 920-722-7796 and ask for HR or email pfoulks@smcatholicschools.org or ckind@smcatholicschools.org
Picture Retake Day Information
St. Gabriel Picture RETAKE Day: October 13
St. Mary Picture RETAKE Day: October 12
Virtus Training for Volunteers
We are so grateful to all our volunteers who contribute so much to our schools! If you are considering volunteering or chaperoning any school field trips or events, please complete Virtus training, a background check, and the code of conduct through the Diocese Green Bay. Please contact your schools' administrative assistant to get the process started. Thank you!
St. Gabriel contact Mrs. Richards, srichards@smcatholicschools.org
St. Margaret Mary contact Mrs. Schira, kschira@smcatholicschools.org
St. Mary contact Mrs. Barraza, dbarraza@smcatholicschools.org
A Look Ahead...
- Oct. 15 - All Aboard
- Oct. 21-23 - middle school play - The Lion King, Jr.
- Oct. 28 - End of quarter 1
- Oct. 31 - No school for students. Professional development day for staff.
- Nov. 1 - Zephyr Spirit Day
- Nov.11-13 - High School Play - CLUE
- Nov. 21-25 - NO SCHOOL - Thanksgiving break
Helpful Links
Contact Information
St. Gabriel: 920-725-4161
St. Margaret Mary: 920-729-4565
St. Mary: 920-725-5351
Elementary Principal: Mrs. Cihlar, acihlar@smcatholicschools.org
St. Gabriel Associate Principal: Mrs. Giombetti, jgiombetti@smcatholicschools.org
St. Margaret Mary Associate Principal: Mrs. Lutz, jlutz@smcatholicschools.org
St. Mary Associate Principal: Mrs. Cendejas, acendejas-ruiz@smcatholicschools.org