Hark! the Herald
Friday, July 5th, 2019
Wishing you all a happy 4th of July long weekend!
The mysterious bottle cap project has been unveiled
Saint Michael School uses the Meet the Masters art curriculum, a comprehensive 3 step program which first introduces students to some of the greatest artists throughout history, as well as their masterpieces. Step 2 educates the student on art theory and techniques as they relate to the artist studied, then each lesson culminates in a project inspired by all they have learned.
Georges-Pierre Seurat was a French post-Impressionist artist of the late 1800s. He is best known for devising the painting techniques known as chromoluminarism and pointillism. Pointillism is a technique of painting in which small, distinct dots of color are applied in patterns to form an image.
To achieve the desired effect on a collaborative project of such a large scale, Mrs Pickering decided to employ the use of bottle caps. Classes were given small grids of printed pixels to work with, gluing caps to the paper according the colors they saw below. What they did not realize was that they each were working on a small section of a much larger image... the one you see above that depicts Jesus quietly in prayer.
Mrs Pickering assembled the bottle cap grids and presented the completed image to the student body during our final All-School assembly. If you allow your eyes to relax and blend the dots of color together, you should see a close representation of the inspirational image.
Important Dates and Reminders
Thursday August 29th: First Day of School for Everyone PK-12
Monday September, 2nd: NO SCHOOL. Happy Labor Day Weekend
Summer office hours:
The front office team will work throughout the summer.
If you need to speak or meet with any of us, please try to contact us between 8am and 1pm Monday thru Thursday.
The office number is (802)254-6320 or you can email us at
Principal - Elaine Beam
Administrative Assistant- Sandi Gauthier
Admissions and Development Director- Lindsay O'Neil
We are excited to have a really productive summer and work with all of you to get things in order for August 29th... it will be here before we know it!
Please complete your financial payment plan on FACTS
Thank you to everyone who has set up their tuition plan for the 2019/2020 school year.
If you haven't done so already, it is really important that you complete setting up your payment plan through FACTS by this weekend. Please head over to this link https://online.factsmgt.com/signin/3JB80 to configure your payment plan asap. As in years past, you will have a choice of a 1 time payment, 2 payments in July and January, or a monthly payment plan.
If you have any questions, I am here in the office to get trouble shooting out of the way for everyone. You can reach me here in the office Monday through Thursday next week from 8:30-3:15, and by email anytime at lindsayoneil@smsvt.info. I am more than happy to help!
Summer Projects are Underway
We are taking advantage of the empty building to make some major changes to Saint Michael's! Classrooms and offices are being rearranged, all of the floors have been stripped, washed and waxed, carpets have been deep cleaned, the music room risers and art room floor got fresh coats of paint... the list goes on!
A huge thank you to our all-star summer cleaning crew!
In just three short weeks, an incredible amount of work has been accomplished thanks to our all-star cleaning crew! A huge thank you to Josh Dionne, Dylan Gauthier, and Cody Gauthier for the beautiful job you have done getting our rooms ready for the fall.
And now for some exciting news!!!!
Saint Michael School had a new sod lawn installed just after school got out... it's gorgeous!
We would like to extend our most sincere gratitude to the following businesses. They each contributed to the sod installation project with their expertise, their time, and their very generous rates that they charged us. We even had MJS install an underground sprinkler system to ensure that the sod takes root quickly and is watered on a consistent basis going forward. The grass is thick and deep dark green... it's a beautiful sight!
Thank you to everyone who helped to make this project come to fruition.
Jacob Rice from Retreat Farms, in Brattleboro, VT
John Cole of J & M Land Services
Mike Siano of MJS Lawn Care & Landscapes, Inc. - Grafton, VT
Savage Farms, Inc. - West Deerfield, MA
We received matching funds from the Diocese as part of a safety grant to have the new lawn installed. Adding the sprinkler system was a last minute decision, and while it will be well worth the investment in the long run, the upfront cost is a stretch for us during the quiet months of summer.
If you are inspired by the project and would like to help us cover our half of the installation, we would be so grateful. Anyone inspired to donate is encouraged to contact the school office at 802.254.6320 or emailing lindsayoneil@smsvt.info.
Community Heroes Week at SMS Preschool Summer Camp
As part of our summer camp curriculum, we always like to use the week of July 4th to celebrate our local heroes, those people who work so hard to keep us all safe in our communities. We invited special guests to meet with the children and share more about their important jobs.
Thank you to the Brattleboro Police Department!
Thank you to the Brattleboro Fire Department!
Thank you to Brattleboro Memorial Hospital!
Thanks again to all of the wonderful people who work in Brattleboro, helping to keep us safe, happy, and healthy. You are our community heroes!
And now onto other business...
Have you ever tried the Totus Tuus Summer Camp for your kids?
SPOTS STILL AVAILABLE... CAMP IS NEXT WEEK JULY 7-12!
This is a wonderful faith-filled Catholic summer camp that happens all around the country and we are fortunate enough to host a week at Saint Michael School. It's a great way for students to connect with friends over the summer. The weekly rate is very affordable for a summer camp and they have financial support to make this experience accessible to all.
If you've never been, try it this summer!
You children will grow closer to Christ and gain wonderful friends in the community!
Contact Tina Crocker at 413.896.8576 ASAP to register your child.
Bored this summer??
Make sure your kids continue with all the enrichment activities we encourage during the school year. There are lots of wonderful resources online for age appropriate activities, creative art projects, summer camps for every interest you can think of, and local organizations that would really benefit from the help and energy of a young person.
SMS Summer Reading Challenge 2019
“A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies, said Jojen.
The man who never reads lives only one.”
George R.R. Martin, A Dance with Dragons
Dear SMS Parents,
Greetings! The SMS Summer Reading Challenge is here! St Michael Catholic School students in grades 1-12 are encouraged to take up the challenge and read a good book. A truly good book is not only an opportunity to stretch the imagination and foster a sense of adventure, but a chance to learn about geography, history, mythology and science. The books on our lists will stir minds, fill hearts and capture imaginations!
The Summer Reading Challenge is voluntary but we heartily recommend that each child build his reading strength by striving to read five of the titles listed. For your convenience the list is divided by grade level to aid in reading selection. Within the graded lists are books for every reading level: beginning, intermediate and advanced readers. To view the list, please visit here.
Good Luck! Let the reading begin!
YEARBOOKS AVAILABLE FOR SALE
If you did not purchase a yearbook and would like to do so, we will have extras available for sale.
Please stop by the office with a check made out to Saint Michael School, or cash in the amount of $25.00.
Community Information
Free Family Day on July 20 at Brattleboro Museum & Art Center
Art activities for kids and adults, free tours, food trucks, and live music on the lawn
From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., attendees of all ages can view the Museum’s summer exhibits, with artists and docents on hand to answer questions; watch huge woodblock prints being created on the giant mobile printing press of BIG INK, and take part in a variety of hands-on art-making activities. When it’s time for a refreshing snack, visitors can pedal their own fresh-fruit smoothies into existence with one of two DIY smoothie bikes.
The Caterpillar Lab, a travelling collection of caterpillars in various stages of development, will be on hand from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., with friendly and knowledgeable staff ready to introduce even the most insect-phobic visitors to the wonders of these tiny creatures.
From noon to 3 p.m., the artist trio responsible for Brattleboro’s Ask the River public art project will lead a sketching and painting session alongside the Connecticut River, followed by a community cyanotype-making project.
From 3 to 4 p.m., artist Angus McCullough and a local historian will offer “Unpacking the Station,” a guided history tour of the BMAC building, which will include rarely seen nooks, crannies, and vestiges of the building’s history as Brattleboro’s Union Station.
From 5 to 8 p.m., the galleries will stay open late, with food trucks and live music in front of the Museum, including hometown indie-pop favorites Moxie.
Founded in 1972, the Brattleboro Museum & Art Center presents rotating exhibits of contemporary art, complemented by lectures, artist talks, film screenings, and other public programs. The Museum's galleries and gift shop are open every day except Tuesday, 11-5. Regular admission is $8 for adults, $6 for seniors, and $4 for students. Members and children 18 and under are admitted free of charge. Located in historic Union Station in downtown Brattleboro, at the intersection of Main Street and Routes 119 and 142, the Museum is wheelchair accessible. For more information, call 802-257-0124 or visit www.brattleboromuseum.org.
Major support for BMAC is provided by its members and Allen Bros. Oil, Brattleboro Savings & Loan, C&S Wholesale Grocers, the Four Columns Inn, Sam’s Outdoor Outfitters, and Whetstone Station Restaurant & Brewery.
Commonwealth Dairy is looking to hire: Part Time and Full Time Job Opportunity in Brattleboro
We have several opportunities at Commonwealth Dairy right in downtown Brattleboro, very convenient if you have a student enrolled at Saint Michael's this fall!
Administrative Office Work
4-6 hours of paperwork and filing work per week. The hours are totally flexible with the only requirement being that the person be available for an hour on Fridays for mailing checks.
This might be a great chance for a high schooler to get some office experience, or for a parent who needs kid-friendly hours. Again, hours are totally flexible!
Production Openings (3 Omega Dr):
2nd Shift Filler Lead
2nd Shift Filler Operator Backup x 2
Professional Openings (28 Vernon St):
Sales/Marketing/Administrative Specialist
Technical Writer
Product Development Technician
Please contact to begin the application process:
Kristina Dickinson
Accounting Manager
Office: +1 802 251 2343
Fax: +1 802 254 6077
Kristina.Dickinson@commonwealth-dairy.com
MATH TUTORING CENTER IN DOWNTOWN BRATTLEBORO!
If you are worried about your student falling behind over the summer, perhaps a summer tutor is in order?! We had Marissa Meyers volunteering her time with our students this year and the students flourished under her care.
MATH TUTORING
Brattleboro Math Center, 139 Main St. Brattleboro
Math tutoring for elementary and middle school
Multi-sensory approach to understanding the math
Call Marissa at (510) 919-0843
½ off first session for Saint Michael students
PIANO AND ORGAN LESSONS NOW AVAILABLE
Hi! I'm Breton Abbondanzio, the music teacher at Saint Michael School and Music director for the parish. I'm pleased to offer private lessons in piano and organ to interested families. I teach all ages and levels, and some of my students have won prizes in the ATAM Music Competition in Newton, MA. Lessons are a half hour in duration and my fee is reasonable and competitive.
Please give me a call at (802)251-0644 or email me at babbondanzio@gmail.com.
I look forward to teaching your child!
We'd Love to Hear from You!
If you are not already a friend of SMS on Facebook, please come join us!
We will post school cancellations, fun photos and events that happen during the week that don't make it into the Hark! Please click this link, like and follow our page so you can continue to stay involved.
Email: lindsayoneil@smsvt.info
Website: www.saintmichaelschoolvt.org
Location: 48 Walnut Street, Brattleboro, VT, USA
Phone: 802-254-6320
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SMSVT