St. Mary Newsletter
09.20.2023
St. Mary Elementary Newsletter
September 20, 2023
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,
WELCOME
We have had a wonderful start to the school year! We currently have 98 students from PK3-5th grade. Our largest class is 1st grade with 17 students. I am very excited to also announce that we have recently hired Mrs. Erika Sainz as our 1st/2nd Grade classroom Aide and After School Care Teacher. You will see her around the building between 9:00-5:00 pm each day.
BAND TEACHER
Currently we are fully staffed except for our Band Teacher position, whom we will share with the other SMCS Elementary Schools. Please pass the word on if you happen to know anyone interested/qualified in teaching band.
AROUND THE BUILDING
Some things we are working on around the building include:
- Playground etiquette (sharing, being a good friend, personal boundaries, etc.)
- PBIS Expectations for all areas of the building (walking in the hallway, working in the classroom, eating in the cafeteria, etc.)
- Breakfast and Lunch: Mrs. Nieto here in the office has been working very hard with our cafeteria staff and teachers to come up with a system that allows for a smooth flow at all meal times. Each student now has their own lunch card. If you want to know more, you can ask your children how the system works!
STAR TESTING
Many of you already know that we are moving from the NWEA MAP standardized testing to the Renaissance Learning STAR test. We are currently working to set things up so that testing can begin in the next few weeks. The blessing about this new test is that it is shorter and more simplified for the students and test proctors. However, the reports are just as robust as they were with NWEA MAP. If you have any questions as we get into the testing, please feel free to ask us. PK will not take any tests. K&1st will take the STAR Early Learning Test (computer based, one test for reading and math). 2nd - 5th will take the Reading and Math STAR tests, these are two separate tests that are computer based with about 34 questions each.
SEESAW
Our teachers will be communicating with you through their SeeSaw App this year. If you have not downloaded the app onto your phone yet, you may want to take some time to do so this week. Messages home, samples of student work, some grades, etc. can all be found on SeeSaw grades PK-5th. https://web.seesaw.me/ Your classroom teacher will or has shared a classroom code with you so that you can access the teacher account.
SACRAMENTALS
- If your child has not received the sacraments of baptism, reconciliation or first holy communion, please fill this out https://forms.gle/w3zgjLgSVqwpBACB7and someone from the St. Mary Parish will contact you to set up a plan for the sacraments.
- There is a parent meeting for 2nd grade reconciliation and first communion this Wednesday at 6 pm in the cafeteria. Please register here if you are interested in attending: https://forms.gle/3jjZt1jBybVasZp2A
SERVER TRAINING
Students who are interested in being a server at our school Masses should tell their homeroom teacher or Ms. Allison Loderbauer. Students should have already made their First Holy Communion in order to qualify for being a server at Mass. Once your child's name is on the list of interested students, there will be a time scheduled for training with Nathan in the parish office.
PARENTS ORGANIZATION
I would like to organize some community activities for our school this year, and I would love to have some help and input as we do this! Please let me know which days/times would work best for you if you are interested in participating in the planning. https://forms.gle/SMLnsQmtPwLnxM5t7
Mrs. Crystal Blahnik
Associate Principal ~ St. Mary Elementary
Elementary Breakfast & Lunch Menu for August & September
Influenza Clinic
Local Parish Events
Kindergarten Self Portraits
Happy Birthday Mary!
We Love You Jesus!
"Figure Me Out" 5th Grade Activity
"Figure Me Out" 5th Grade Activity
Where our Saints Lived
Our New Lunch Card System!
Welcome to First Grade!
5th Grade Theme of the Month - Barbie
Upcoming Events
Wednesday, September 20th - 6 pm in the SM Cafeteria: 2nd Grade Parent Meeting for Reconciliation and First Communion.
Friday, September 22nd - No School, Staff Professional Development Day
September 25th - 29th - SMCS Homecoming Week! Each day will be a special dress day. Friday the 29th will be the Homecoming Parade.
Tuesday, October 3rd - Zephyr Spirit Day
Wednesday, October 4th - Feast of St. Francis (bring your pet, a photo or a stuffie to school at 7:30 am to be blessed by Deacon Don. Live animals need to go home after their blessing.)
Friday, October 6th - Zephyr Connect Event
Helpful Links
Contact Information
Phone: 920-725-5351
Associate Principal: Mrs. Blahnik, cblahnik@smcatholicschools.org
Elementary Principal: Mrs. Cihlar, acihlar@smcatholicschools.org