St. Mary's Communicator

April 17-21

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter to our St. Mary’s families! Easter is NOT over, and in fact, the Church celebrates the Easter season for 50 days, culminating with the feast of Pentecost, where Scripture (Acts 2:1–31) tells us that the Holy Spirit descended on the Apostles. There is still much to celebrate!

The Octave of Easter is one of the lesser known liturgical celebrations in the Catholic Church. It includes Easter Sunday and the seven days that follow, culminating in the celebration of Divine Mercy Sunday. There will be Divine Mercy Sunday opportunities at all three area Catholic churches. At St. Mary’s, we will have a Divine Mercy Sunday – Sundae! We will pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet at 3 pm this Sunday in the church, and then everyone is invited over to the Parish Center for an ice cream SUNDAE! St. Peter's Church will also host the Chaplet at 3 p.m. with sundaes to follow. Sacred Heart will pray the Chaplet after the morning Mass. Come and find out more about this beautiful devotion! Everyone is welcome!

Lunch Help Sign Up

Thank you to the parents who helped with lunchroom responsibilities this week. We are looking for additional help for the rest of the year. You must be Virtus Certified to help in the lunchroom. Please call Marla Testerman, Virtus coordinator, at 417-624-5003 to get information on how to be Virtus Certified.

Please plan on arriving at 10:45 am, check in with Ms. Amy at the office. Duties include marking each student at lunch, helping wipe down tables between lunch periods, opening milk cartons, and having a fun time with fantastic kids!

Your shift will finish by 12 pm, please return the clipboard to Ms. Amy before leaving.

Sign up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090444aba828a0f58-lunch/143274817#/
Big picture
Spring picture days are Monday, April 17 and Tuesday, April 18. These are free dress days for our students. You can order online at www.inter-state.com/order and use the code: 76752RA


Volunteers Needed: We need at least two volunteers to help on picture day(s). Monday, April 17 would be several hours and could be split between two parents. Tuesday, April 18 would be about an hour of time. Must be Virtus Certified. Contact the school office at stmaryschool@jacss.org to sign up.

Step Up Day

Thank you to St. Peter's Middle School and McAuley Catholic High School for hosting our Step Up Day on Wednesday, April 12 for our current 5th graders. The 5th grade class took the bus to the middle school and high school campus and spent the day shadowing the 6th grade class. In the evening many of the students were joined by their parents, St. Ann's students and several 4th grade families to tour the school, meet the teachers and meet Dr. Steve Gilbreth, the new principal at St. Peter's and McAuley Catholic.

Field Trip Fun: Wildcat Glades!

Mrs. Bashor's 2nd grade class enjoyed a beautiful day visiting Wildcat Glades on Wednesday, April 13. They learned about animals that use the five senses, went on a guided nature walk where they found items related to the five senses, and enjoyed lunch in the park. This field trip ties in nicely to what they've learned in class about animals including their habitats and senses. The 2nd grade class has studied bats, spiders and are currently awaiting their butterflies to emerge from their chrysalis.

JACS Auction

Ticket Sales

Auction Tickets sales are NOW open. You can purchase your ticket by visiting www.jacsauction.com.


The Silent Auction is OPEN TO ALL, attendance at the Masquerade Auction is not required.

All bidding is done virtually. Signing in allows you to register to bid, and receive text alerts. The auction on April 29th is 21 and over.

Check out our Featured items, which are available to purchase now including the JACS Whiskey Reserve Candle.


Ticket Information

Option 1: Meal and two drinks - beer or wine - $45/person

Option 2: VIP Meal, cocktail hour 5-6 p.m., signature cup and signature drink refills - $125/person

Option 3: Reserved Table for 8 - VIP Meal, cocktail hour 5-6 p.m., signature cup and signature drink refills - $1,000

Questions? Email auctionadmin@jacss.org or call 417-624-5003 ext. 207.

Calendar Fundraiser

The Calendars from the Calendar Fundraiser are due to the school office on April 22.
How it works: Each Individual who 'sponsors' a day will pick a number on the calendar, write their name (first and last) as well as their phone number on that day and donate that amount.

One person can sponsor multiple days.

Example: April 26th=$26 donation and picking April 2nd=$2 donation. These two dates are an overall donation of $28 to the JACS Auction


Checks need to be made out to JACS Auction. The proceeds benefit the JACS Auction.

Auction Volunteers

The Auction Committee needs your help in the days leading up to the auction, the day of the auction, and after the auction.

Sign up to volunteer and help with this fun event. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScVJnh8bFXtMoJ4OhceUAAAO-5R4A-nwA-jK1VRVgdZKebyFQ/viewform

Class Baskets

Each class was assigned a theme for a class basket. If you are able to make a donation to your child's class for their basket, we would greatly appreciate your support! For any questions, please contact your child's room parent.

Upcoming Events

Sunday, April 16: 1st Communion for 2nd graders who attend St. Mary's Parish

Monday, April 17 - Friday, April 20: 2nd-5th grade ARK (Assessment of Religious Knowledge) testing

Monday, April 17 and Tuesday, April 18: Inter-State Spring Photos - Free Dress Day

Wednesday, April 19: Dragon Drool event for American Heart Association, 2 p.m.

Wednesday, April 19: JACS School Board Meeting at St. Mary's, 6 p.m.

Thursday, April 20: Free Dress Day

Wednesday, April 26: 4th grade field trip to Prairie State Park

Wednesday, April 26: Preschool's Mommy and Me Night, 5:30 p.m.

Thursday, April 27: Diocesan 5th Grade Retreat

Thursday, April 27: Preschool field trip trip to Oceans Adventures

Saturday, April 29: JACS Annual Auction

Monday, May 1-Friday, May 5: Staff Appreciation Week

Friday, May 5: Lunch Super Hero Day - honoring our lunch ladies

Sunday, May 7: 1st Communion for 2nd graders who attend St. Peter the Apostle

Monday, May 1: May Crowning and Rosary in St. Mary's School Courtyard, 8:30 a.m.

Wednesday, May 3: Charity Dress Day benefitting Ronald McDonald House

Thursday, May 4: K-2nd grade Spring Program and Project Fair, 6 p.m.

Tuesday, May 9: 5th grade field trip Great Americans Day (parent drivers)

Wednesday, May 10: 3rd-5th grade Spring Program and Project Fair, 6 p.m.

Thursday, May 11: 5th grade class trip

Monday, May 15: 3rd grade field trip to Bluff Dwellers

Tuesday, May 16: Preschool Spring Program

Wednesday, May 17: Preschool Big Wheel Day, 8:30-10:30 a.m.

Thursday, May 18: Field Day and Scoop Up (2 p.m.) - Free dress day socks must be worn

Thursday, May 18: Kindergarten Park Day, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Monday, May 22: Pre-Kindergarten Graduation, 6 p.m.

Wednesday, May 23: 4th grade field trip to George Washington Carver

St. Mary's Elementary and Preschool

St. Mary's Elementary and Preschool

St. Mary's Elementary and Preschool

3025 South Central City Road, Joplin, MO stmaryschool@jacss.org 417-623-1465 jacss.org/schools/st-marys/