A special congratulations to our 5th grade students who have learned and practiced the love and light of Christ as students at St. Mary's, a shining example we know you will continue throughout your life. We are also proud of the example you have shown the younger students in our school, your leadership and hours of service to others, and the excitement and joyful spirit you have shown each day at school. You will truly be missed. Please don’t forget that St. Mary’s will always be your home and we will always be happy to see you!

St. Mary’s has made it through another challenging school year while keeping our students, their academic success, faith formation, and health and safety at the heart of every decision we made. I hope you and your family have a safe and relaxing summer filled with fun and treasured memories. During the summer I will be sending a newsletter around the 15th of each month to keep you up to date with summer events, back to school info, and other information. St. Mary's School Office will be open Tuesdays - Thursdays from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. this summer, so please reach out with any questions you may have. As always, we are happy to help you and your family in any way that we are able.

Please remember that the $15 registration fee and payment for class enrollment ($80 per 4-day class) is due in full when your child’s class begins. We will have a check-in table set up in the Commons for enrollment payments and to pick up your child’s Summer School 2022 t-shirt. Please remember that you need to walk your child into school in the morning and dismissal requires you to enter the school as well. We will dismiss from the Commons after each class (either at Noon or 4 p.m.). Please call the school office (623-1465) with any questions you may have and to check for class availability for your child.

I have included the registration form in this newsletter so you may fill it out and either email (jlown@jacss.org), drop it off at school, or bring with you the day classes begin. If you will be bringing your child and the registration form when summer school begins on June 6, please call the school office to let us know your child will be joining us. This will help us ensure there is space for your child and most importantly, that your child's teacher is able to have supplies and activities for each child attending. We hope your child will join us for this fun week!

Preschool information and photos can be found here, @StMarysPreschoolJoplin. Elementary School information may be found here, @StMarysCatholicElementarySchool. Like our school's pages and stay informed with all the great things happening at St. Mary's!

• Disc jockey and dancing
• Food and root beer floats
• Games and fun

Dress to impress in your 50's best! Costumes are optional, but there will be a Best Costume Contest for both children and adults. This is a family fun event that you won't want to miss! You can sign up for the event at the podium in the St. Mary's Church vestibule or call/text Mary Metsker at 417-439-4521. Thank you St. Mary's PCCW for sponsoring this great evening of fun!

A "monumental" Vacation Bible School is being held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Webb City from Monday, July 25 - Thursday, July 28 from 6:00 - 8:30 p.m. each evening. This will be a wonderful experience for any child who will be entering Pre-K thru the 5th Grade in the 2022-2023 school year. The theme this year is “Monumental: Celebrating God’s Greatness", and it will be a great week of faith and fun!

To ensure your child is registered and receives a t-shirt in their size, please complete and return your VBS Registration Form by July 5. Registration forms are available to pick up in the gathering area in of each the Joplin-area Catholic parishes. Fill out the registration form with the VBS fee and return it by putting the completed form with fee in an envelope and placing it in the offering basket during Mass or dropping it off at your parish office. Late registration and check-in is available on Monday, July 25 only, starting at 5:30 p.m.

If you would like to help make the week a success for our children by volunteering, please contact Jennifer Larson by phone at (417) 529-6717 or by email at puma2828@gmail.com

If your child orders a tray lunch on a regular basis, please check his or her lunch billing on your FACTS family portal to ensure all previous lunch charges before November 4, 2021 have been paid, in addition to daily milk charges. Parents have stopped in the office asking about receiving a low lunch balance or negative lunch balance email. Lunch balances require a $5.00 balance and ALL negative lunch balances need to be paid in order for your child to attend summer school, JACS summer sport camps, and to return to school in August. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call the school office, we are happy to answer any questions you may have.

After School Band will be offered at St. Mary's Elementary during the 2022-2023 school year! Classes will be held immediately after school on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and alternate Fridays for 5th grade students. Beginning band instruments include flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet (or cornet), trombone, French horn, and percussion. Band is offered to only 5th graders, but private lessons may be scheduled for any age. We are excited about this new offering for our students.

Band classes will be taught by Mrs. Ginny Stalling, a thirty year resident of Joplin. She is a graduate of Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, Missouri in 1975, earning a degree in vocal and instrumental music at both elementary and secondary levels. She has taught piano lessons since 1972 as well as public, private, and homeschool bands, choirs, and orchestras. In addition to teaching band classes for the Joplin Area Catholic Schools, she teaches private lessons at her home studio.

Band is an elective at the middle school level at St. Peter's for the 2021-2022 school year. Students from St. Peter's and the Stalling Music Studio entered twelve solos and two instrumental ensembles at the Mid-America Music Festival at Pittsburg State University on April 23. Thirteen entries earned #1 ratings (gold medals) and one earned a #2 (silver medal.)If assistance is needed in obtaining an instrument for your child or if you have any questions pertaining to band, please contact Mrs. Stalling at 417-439-3996.

Totus Tuus is coming to St. Ann's Catholic Parish in Carthage, June 19 to 24th. For more information, or to register your children, please contact Heidi Gilligan 417-388-2365 or heidi.gilligan@sbcglobal.net or https://dioscg.org/totustuus/

What is Totus Tuus?

TOTUS TUUS (Latin for Totally Yours) was the papal motto for Pope St. John Paul II who dedicated his life totally to Jesus Christ through Mary. Totus Tuus is also the name of our fun, faith-filled summer youth program for all children in elementary, middle school, and high school. The week long program is dedicated to sharing the Gospel and promoting the Catholic faith through evangelization, catechesis, Christian witness, music, activities, Eucharistic worship, and more. Not only will the youth learn more about their Catholic faith but they will return home excited to live it and share it! Call Heidi Gilligan 417-233-2365 for more information or to register your children.

How is Totus Tuus Structured?

The TOTUS TUUS Grade School Program is designed for children entering first through sixth grades in the upcoming school year. The children will meet Monday, June 20, through Friday, June 24, from 8:30am to 2pm each day. Four college age young adults and seminarians are hired and trained by our diocese to come to our parish as a missionary team. They will lead times of instruction in the faith, music, and fun activities, as well as participate in Mass (each day at 10:45am) and Adoration (Thursday 1-2pm). Through their enthusiastic example of love for Jesus Christ and the Church, the missionaries inspire the young participants to seek a closer relationship with Christ as well.

The same four missionaries offer an evening program for junior and senior high school youth who will be entering the 7th through 12th grades in the upcoming school year. These grade levels meet each night Sunday, June 19th, through Thursday, June 23, from 7:00-9:15pm. The missionaries will be sharing their own witness of faith with the youth as well as leading a time of instruction, small group discussions, prayer, fellowship, and fun. This is a great opportunity for teens to encounter older peers who are on fire for their faith! Call Heidi Gilligan 417-388-2365 for more information or to register.

Why Should You Send Your Children To Totus Tuus?

Totus Tuus is a Catholic summer youth program dedicated to sharing the Gospel and promoting the Catholic Faith through catechesis, evangelization, Christian witness and Eucharistic worship. The goal of Totus Tuus is to help young people grow in the understanding of, strengthen their faith in, and develop a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Youth who participate in Totus Tuus not only learn more about their Catholic faith, but return home excited to live it and share it!

Saturday, May 28- Wednesday, August 17: Happy Summer Vacation!

Sunday, June 12: Father's Day

Tuesday, June 14: Flag Day

Monday, July 4: Happy Birthday, America!

Monday, July 4-Friday, July 8: St. Mary's School Offices Closed

Sunday, August 14: St. Mary's New Parent Orientation, 6:00 p.m.

Tuesday, August 16: St. Mary's School Open House, 6:00 p.m.

Thursday, August 18: First Day of School