St. Mary Newsletter
11.15.2023
St. Mary Elementary Newsletter
November 15, 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
Thanksgiving
Dear SMCS families,
It is the season of Thanksgiving and we have a lot to be grateful for, to be proud of and to look forward to!
Here are some of the things we have happening here at SM Elementary:
1. Showing our gratitude
- For Kindness Day yesterday the buddy classes worked together in the gym to write and color what they are grateful for.
- Coffee/Hot Chocolate and Donut Holes! Just a simple way for us to show our families how much we appreciate you! (11/17 at drop-off)
- Popcorn for students (11/17 in the afternoon)
- Special treats for our Teachers and Staff in the lounge (11/17)
2. Practicing for a Lockdown
- Our entire building (Parish, Headstart and SM Elementary) will be practicing for a lockdown on Wednesday, 11/15. A separate letter will be coming home to families via email later today with the details and language we will be using. (there will not be anything scary discussed or presented.)
3. Volunteers from the Parish
- Four volunteers from our parish will be working in our building to assist students who need a little extra help in math and reading.
- Please help me welcome:
- Pam Keupper - former SM Elementary teacher and parent
- Carol Christman - former teacher and SM class of 73'
- Beth DuCheatue - former teacher and SM Elementary parent, current parishioner
- Jane Voss - former teacher, SM class of 73', current parishioner, current SM Elementary grandparent and benefactor.
4. Advent - our internal committee is working on the following items in preparation for Advent:
- Jesse Tree (the lineage of Christ through the Old Testament, leading to the birth of Christ
- Service Projects
- Special Dress Down Days
- Christmas Fun
5. IMPORTANT Christmas Celebrations in December
- Christmas Concert (PK-5th) at SM Church 12/4, 6:00 pm followed by refreshments in the cafeteria
- Feast of the Immaculate Conception - 12/8 Mass with parish (10:00 am)
- NO MASS on Tuesday, Dec. 5th
- Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe Play (1st/2nd grades) - 12/12 at 9:50 am in the church, followed by 10:00 am Mass.
- Las Posadas (SM Elementary parish and school) 12/19 in school cafeteria and 5th grade hallway. 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm (rosary, food, songs, pinatas, goodie bags!) This is being organized and put on by our SM Elementary families and several SM teachers and staff.
- Nativity Play (Kindergarten) 12/19 in the gym at 8:45 am. Mass will be at 10:00 am that day. If families are interested in staying we will be having some light refreshments in the back of the cafeteria after the Nativity Play.
6. We Could Use Some Help!
We have some activities coming up and we could use the following items. If you have something we can borrow, we would be very grateful and will return them to you following the events.
- Advent Wreath with Battery Operated Candles (for school blessings)
- Fake roses (loose or bunched)
- Blue/Green cloak with gold stars for Our Lady of Guadalupe costume
- Tilma (small)
We are working on our Advent details and will have a more specific calendar of events for families before Thanksgiving!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Crystal Blahnik
Associate Principal ~ St. Mary Elementary
Christmas Concert
Advent Angels - Gifting Teachers through SCRIP
Advent Angels 2023
Dear St. Mary Families,
Wondering what to get the teachers and staff for Christmas? We have a very convenient, yet optional, teacher/staff Christmas gift program for you. SMCS initiated this a few years ago and the response was extremely positive, from both families and teachers/staff. Using the attached teacher/staff list, you choose a dollar amount for the individuals you wish to give to. They will be able to use their gift to get SCRIP gift cards.
Let’s say, for example, you plan to spend $15, you put the dollar amount next to the teacher(s)/staff in the denomination of your choice. Then the SCRIP rebate comes back to SME and benefits our school. The teachers/staff get to choose their own gift cards!
Teachers/staff will receive these gift cards; however, they will NOT know how much each family has given towards their SCRIP gift cards. Each individual will receive a card with a voucher stating how much total money they have received to purchase SCRIP gift cards along with the names of the families who chose to donate. What a great way for teachers/staff to treat themselves to a favorite store or restaurant!
Please bring the attached sheet and your money to the St. Mary school office no later than Friday, December 8th. This will allow enough time to give the teachers/staff their vouchers and allow them to purchase their SCRIP cards before the Christmas Break. If you have questions, please contact the school office.
If gift cards are too impersonal, we have attached a teacher questionnaire with their likes to help with gift giving.
Thank you,
Crystal Blahnik, Associate Principal
Elementary Breakfast & Lunch Menu for November
Teacher Wishlist
If you are looking for a way to support your child's classroom teacher, please consider giving a classroom donation to the "Teacher Wishlist". Thank you!
Upcoming Events
Calendar
Nov. 20-24 - No school, Thanksgiving break
Dec. 8th - Mass to celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception (no Mass on Dec. 5th)
Dec. 11 - Packers colors/apparel
Dec. 12th - Our Lady of Guadalupe Feast Day (play and Mass - 2nd grade - 9:50 am in the church)
Dec. 19th - SAVE THE DATE (SM Elementary Posada, 5:30 pm), Kindergarten Nativity play in the morning.
Dec. 22 - No school for students, professional development day for teachers
Dec. 25-Jan. 1 No school, Christmas break
Jan. 2 - No school for students, professional development day for teachers
Kindness Day Assembly
Kindness Day Assembly
Kindness Day Assembly
Diaper/Wipes Collection for Catholic Charities
All Saints Day
Art Class Samples
All Souls Day/Dia de Los Muertos
First Snow of the 23-24 School Year
Halloween Movie and Popcorn!
Helpful Links
Contact Information
Phone: 920-725-5351
Associate Principal: Mrs. Blahnik, cblahnik@smcatholicschools.org
Elementary Principal: Mrs. Cihlar, acihlar@smcatholicschools.org