SMCS Elementary Family Newsletter

Content in this newsletter is relevant for all three of our elementary campuses. Information that is specific to one building can be found at the links below. We hope this makes important information easier to find for our families.

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.

Preparing and inspiring students to lead meaningful lives, rooted in the teachings of Christ and our Catholic tradition.

Dear SMCS families,

It certainly is “the most wonderful time of the year!” It fills me with so much joy to be a part of the many Advent traditions and Christmas celebrations in all of our schools. Thank you for so generously contributing to our collection drives as we focus on the virtue of generosity this month. Our students are truly learning that “it is in giving that we receive.” As we await the Christmas season and the coming of our Lord, Jesus, I pray that your Advent be filled with much hope, peace, joy, and love.

An Advent Prayer

God of Love,

Your son, Jesus, is your greatest gift to us.

He is a sign of your love.

Help us walk in that love during the weeks of Advent,

As we wait and prepare for his coming.

We pray in the name of Jesus, our Savior.

Amen.

Wishing you and your family a very blessed Christmas and Happy New Year!

Mrs. Anna Cihlar

Principal ~ St. Gabriel, St. Margaret Mary, St. Mary

Monday, December 19: Packers/sports apparel

Wednesday, December 21: Red/Green/Christmas apparel (SG - uniform for mass, change after)

There is no school December 22 - January 3. We wish you and your family a very blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year!

We are entering the time of year where illness may keep your student from school, or weather might keep us from being able to safely open school for the day.

Here are some helpful reminders as we enter the winter season.

Weather Closures and Delays: SMCS utilizes a text message notification system for emergency notifications, weather-related closures and delays, and other information. If you are new to the SMCS system, or have not previously received our text messages, please enroll your phone number, at no cost, to the SMCS emergency alert system. To enroll your phone number, please text SMCS to (844) 947-5948. You will receive a confirmation text and a text indicating that when you want to opt out of this service you simply need to reply STOP. You may enroll multiple cell phone numbers using that same process.

With winter nearly here, a reminder that as soon as a weather-related delay or cancellation is determined for school day or activities, information is posted on the SMCS Facebook page, SMCS email, text notification mentioned above, and local TV and radio stations.

Absences from School: If your student will not be in attendance on a day school is in session, please call your school office as soon as possible to make staff aware, and please let the campus administrative assistant know the reason for the absence. It is required that students are fever free for 24 hours and symptoms are mostly resolved before returning to school.

Outerwear: Please send students with coats, snow pants, hat, waterproof mittens or gloves, and boots to play in the snow. If they do not have snow pants or boots, they must stay on the blacktop.

Snow: Students are encouraged to enjoy the snow. They can make snowmen, forts, snow angels, etc. Students will not be allowed to throw snow at each other or have snowball fights.

Indoor recess: If the "feels like" temperature is 0 degrees or colder, students will stay inside for recess.

Students in grades K-5 will participate in MAP testing for math and reading during the month of January. Your child's classroom teacher will communicate specific days that testing will occur. Parents can help prepare children in the following ways:

• Help your child get a good night sleep before testing
• Provide a nutritious breakfast
• Try not to schedule appointments on testing days
• Encourage your child to do their best on this test and reassure them it is not a reason to be anxious

Planning for Catholic Schools Week 2023 has begun! Here's a heads up on some of the exciting events...more to come, stay tuned!

Sunday, January 29, 2023

• Please join our students for mass, pastries sponsored by our PTO groups, and tour our classrooms during our open house!

• St. Mary details:

• 10:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

• Breakfast in cafeteria

• Classrooms open for tour

• St. Margaret Mary details:

• 8:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

• Breakfast in gym

• Classrooms open for tour

• St. Gabriel details:

• 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

• Breakfast in Stingle Hall

• Classrooms open for tour

Out-of-dress code days

• Monday, January 30, 2023: Mismatch day (wear clothing that does not match)

• Tuesday, January 31, 2023:Dress like a teacher (teachers dress like a student or another teacher)

• Wednesday, February 1, 2023: Pajama day (no slippers, blankets, or stuffed animals)

• Thursday, February 2, 2023: Dress like your favorite saint or Catholic college/institution apparel

• Friday, February 3, 2023: Zephyr Spirit Wear

The end of quarter 2 is Jan. 12. Progress reports will be sent home on Jan. 20.

Please click here to review the SMCS 2022-23 Covid protocol.

Please read the letter in the link below from the Winnebago County Health Department with important health reminders. Thank you!

Hi ZBC Families -

We are excited to announce we are doing a "Zephyrs Night" with the Wisconsin Herd on Wednesday February 1st! With the purchase of tickets, our ZBC families will be able to:

• Pre-game watch (kids can sit courtside and watch player warm-ups + receive an autograph from some Herd players)
• High Five Tunnel (kids can join in the high five tunnel and get a free Herd T-shirt to high five the team on court during starting lineups)
• Post-game (Zephyrs families can come onto the court post game for a group photo, and shoot free throws)

Please click here for more info. Look forward to seeing everyone there! Special thanks to Kristin Billings for organizing for us!

Skills Sessions

We are excited to once again offer 1st & 2nd grade skills sessions for SMCS boys and girls this year! Last year it was a great hit! The sessions will begin in January and February 2023!

We are asking for everyone to sign up via this signup genius to plan and order shirts. Cost is $15 total for all sessions and will be due on the 1st session you attend. Also, if you have a 1st/2nd Grader and are interested in coaching, we are looking for coaches at this level! You can sign up for coaching on the signup genius as well.

Girls from Kindergarten-8th grade are invited to a one day Softball Camp on March 4th. This fun camp is designed to teach the proper skills and fundamentals of the game of softball. Throwing, fielding, base running and hitting will be developed at this camp. The cost is $20 and you can register here.

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

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

• Dec. 19 - Packers/Sports Apparel (out of dress code day)
  
• Dec. 21 - Red/Green/Christmas Apparel (out of dress code day)
• Dec. 22 - Jan. 3 - Christmas break (Jan. 3: staff development day)
• Jan. 4 - classes resume
• Jan. 10 - Coffee with the Principals, 8:15 a.m. @SME
• Jan.12 - end of quarter 2
• Jan. 13 - no school, staff PD
• Jan. 16 - no school
• Jan. 29 - Feb. 4 - Catholic Schools Week

• Jan. 30: Mismatch day (wear clothing that does not match)

• Jan. 31: Dress like a teacher (teachers dress like a student or another teacher)

• Feb. 1: Pajama day (no slippers, blankets, or stuffed animals)

• Feb. 2: Dress like your favorite saint or Catholic college/institution apparel

• Feb. 3: Zephyr Spirit Wear

• Lunch calendar
• SMCS systemwide calendar
• SMCS Elementary calendar
• SMCS Elementary Family Handbook
• SMCS Staff & Teacher Directory

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