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February 10
- PARENTS' NIGHT OUT-8th grade fundraiser. See below.
February 11 - SVAC Basketball Tournament begins. See below.
February 14 - 8th grade Valentine's Day BAKE SALE. See below.
February 16 - OPEN HOUSE for new students. See below.
February 17 - EARLY RELEASE DAY
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Students will be dismissed at 11:30 am. Buses will be available. There is NO Extended Day.
February 20 - President's Day.
February 20-24 - SCHOOL VACATION.
February 28 - 8th grade students visit St. Dom's.
March 2 - PARENT ASSOCIATION MEETING, 6:00-7:30 pm.
March 7 - New student registration.
March 10 - Spring picture day.
March 12 - Daylight Saving Time begins.
March 16 - EARLY RELEASE DAY. Students will be dismissed at 11:30 am. Buses will be available. There is NO Extended Day.
March 17 - St. Patrick's Day.
March 18 - St. Patrick's Day BREAKFAST-8th grade fundraiser. More info to come.
March 17 - Workshop Day. NO SCHOOL.
March 20 - First day of spring.
March 25 - 8th Annual DINNER & AUCTION. See below.
March 31 - SAINTS vs. the LAW Annual Basketball Challenge. More info to come.
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Please do not send your child to school with glass containers of any kind.
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As we steam through winter, it is important for all of us to take joy in the beauty we have in Maine. It won't be too long before we'll be mowing our lawns and looking for a cool day in the shade.
We are less than a week from our annual Open House for prospective students. This is an important event for us as it is a chance for us to show the outside world what we are doing in our school. I am very proud that our student ambassadors lead the tours. This allows people to see our students in a setting outside of a classroom.
I am also extremely proud of our student speakers during Masses the last three weeks. We had almost 50 students apply to be speakers at Mass. I would have been proud to have any of the students who submitted speeches speak at Mass but unfortunately I could only choose 10. Next year it will be a brand new 10. It is important for our students to know that they have a voice, and for members of the parish to know the amazing qualities of our wonderful students.
Our staff and students thoroughly enjoyed Catholic Schools Week. A big thank you to the Parent Association for the Friday breakfast enjoyed by the staff.
Many people have asked how we did in our goal of raising $2,000.00 for the school in
Ngamo Village, Zimbabwe. The great news is that we not only met, but surpassed this goal.
This is not a one and done thing though. We will continue to raise money for these children
in the future. Doing this, along with the many other things our students participate in, shows our students
how they are part of a local and a global community.
You will notice when you receive your re-enrollment packages around the first week in March that tuition is going up by $50. This
is less than a 1% increase and is necessary because of the new minimum wage law and our
commitment to maintaining a balanced budget, which we have done each of the last three years. When you receive your re-enrollment packet, p
lease submit your paperwork as soon as possible. Our
budget is based on enrollment, and we are
required to submit a
balanced budget to the finance committee.
The students' STREAM projects are fantastic. The 8th graders have been working on
them since the beginning of November, and the final drafts are being submitted. Much of the
work the students have done is AP level, or higher. I have been blown away. STREAM means;
Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, the Arts, and Math. This year, our 8th grade
students are doing STREAM projects about water. Next year, all of our middle school students
will be doing STREAM projects. The 6th graders will do projects involving the Air, 7th graders
the Earth, and 8th graders will again do Water. These are three of the key elements of life, and
part of our job is to use these with due respect given to God. To aid in this course work, next
year we will be adding research methods to our middle school curriculum. We are also in the
process of adding a 3D printer to our computer lab, which will further help the students in all
grades with STREAM projects. This spring we hope to purchase
additional tablets for our lower grades. It is important that our youngest learners become
familiar with technology, and learn to respect it.
This past year, between the Annual Fund, the
Chrisanne Burns Scholarship, and Team ExCEL, we were able to give out more than
$100,000.00 in financial aid, and we were able to meet 100% of the recommended need for
every family who applied for aid within the required time frame. As we continue to grow as a
school, so will the financial need of our students. If you can offer any assistance to any of
these funds, we ask that you please do so. The students of St. Michael School, and those who attend Faith
Formation classes are the future of the Catholic Church. With all of the distractions these
children see, it is important that we continue to offer a rock solid foundation in religious training,
and the teachings of the Catholic Church. With that in mind, if you need financial assistance,
please do not hesitate to apply for aid through FACTS. But please do so as soon as possible.
I meet with Fr. Frank in mid April to review the applications, and to make sure that we are meeting
the needs for all of our students and their families.
I conclude with this quote from Desiderata "Therefore, be at peace with God, ... and
whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul".
This applies to the 170 students of St. Michael School, their families, and all of the members of
this parish. I continue to feel blessed that these children are here at St. Michael School, and that
they are entrusted to us. It cannot go without saying how lucky and thankful we are to have
families and parishioners who are so supportive of what we are doing.
I ask for God's blessings for all of us.
Kevin Cullen
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Congratulations to 8th graders Nathan Lefebre, our School Spelling Bee winner, and Aaliyah Cruz, our runner-up. Both students competed in the County Spelling Bee yesterday at St. Michael School and did a great job. We're proud of all of our School Spelling Bee contestants. Great job Saints!
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Congratulations to 5th grader Amita Nanda, our School Geography Bee winner, and 6th graders, Kyle Douin, our second place winner, and Kate Bourdon, our third place winner. Amita will take the on-line test to qualify to compete in the State Geography Bee. We're proud of all our School Geography Bee contestants! Go Saints!
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Catholic Schools Week Wraps Up
National Catholic Schools Week began Sunday, January 29 and ended Friday, February 4. Our staff and students were busy all week long. Thank you to all of our volunteers who helped create another successful Catholic Schools Week.
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Parent's Night Out - 8th Grade Fundraiser
Friday, February 10, 2017
6:00 to 9:00 pm
at St. Michael School
$10 per child
Students in grades Pre-K through 5 are invited to come to St. Michael School this Friday, February 10th, from 6 to 9 pm to enjoy a great time with other St. Michael School friends! Drop your child off while you celebrate an evening to yourself! Activities for students will include games in the gym, arts and crafts and a surprise in the conference room. Light refreshments and snacks are included. This event will be directed by SMS staff, 8th grade parents along with 8th grade student volunteers. To sign up, please complete the registration form and return it along with proper payment to the office as soon as possible. Enrollment is limited to the first 50 students. All proceeds to benefit the 8th grade graduation and class trip.
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Sheepscot Valley Athletic Conference Basketball Tournaments Begin
Each basketball season the eight teams that make up the Sheepscot Valley Athletic Conference (Chelsea, China, Palermo, St. Michael, Temple, Vassalboro, Whitefield and Windsor) take turns hosting the Tournament. This year St. Michael School is hosting the Tournament Games at Erskine Academy. All proceeds from the Tournament goes to St. Michael School Athletics. Games begin this Saturday, February 11th, with the Quarter Finals. Girls Semi Finals will take place on Monday, February 13th, and the Boys Semi Finals will take place on Tuesday, February 14th. Both the girls and boys Championship Games will take place on Wednesday, February 15th. Below is the game schedule for Saturday (subject to change):
BOYS
9:30 am #1 St. Michael vs. #8 Windsor
12:30 pm #4 Whitefield vs. #5 Chelsea
3:30 pm #2 China vs. #7 Vassalboro
6:30 pm #3 Palermo vs. #6 Temple
GIRLS
8:00 am #3 St. Michael vs. #6 Whitefield
11:00 am # 2 Vassalboro vs. #7 Chelsea
2:00 pm #1 China vs. #8 Temple
5:00 pm # 4 Windsor vs. #5 Palermo
We are still in need of volunteers for all games. If you are interested in helping in the kitchen, at the gate, or selling 50/50 raffle tickets, please contact our Athletic Director, Rollie Pelkey. Our girls and boys basketball teams have had a great season! Why not come and cheer on our Saints! Thank you to our coaches, Rollie Pelkey-girls coach, Gary Hawkins-boys varsity coach, and David Hopkins-boys jv coach! Your time, dedication and expertise are greatly appreciated.
GO SAINTS!!!
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Valentine's Day Bake Sale
The 8th grade class will be hosting a Valentine's Day Bake Sale on Tuesday, February 14th, during all school lunches. All proceeds from this bake sale will go toward the 8th grade graduation and class trip. So don't forget to send your child to school with a bit of money to buy some Valentine goodies for themselves or for a loved one!
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8th Annual Dinner & Auction
Mark your calendars and tell your family and friends! The 8
th
Annual St. Michael School Dinner and Auction will take place on Saturday, March 25, 2017. Join us and set sail for a night of fun as we ask our community to "Be Our Anchor" and support the dreams of our children! Here's how you can help:
- Promote the Dinner & Auction when speaking to friends, family and community members starting now!
- Share the Save the Date from our Facebook page.
- Join the Dinner & Auction committee. Opportunities to help include:
- Help seek out businesses to sponsor or donate to the event (improved sponsorship opportunities available this year!)
- Help turn the gym into a night on the sea the day before the big event.
- Volunteer the night of the event.
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A Message from the School Nurse 
We are deep into winter now, and you know what that means...colds, coughs, and runny noses! There have been confirmed cases of Pertussis (whooping cough) in surrounding community schools. There have also been confirmed cases of lice. With that in mind, this is a great time to remind our children, parents and teachers about good respiratory hygiene. This means covering coughs and sneezes with elbows, using tissues and frequent hand washing! As far as prevention for lice, please remind your children not to share hats, brushes/combs, elastics or headbands. Girls should keep hair in ponytails, buns or braids. Thank you for your support in keeping our students and community healthy!
Mrs. Ryan, school nurse
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Coach Hawkins Inducted Into Maine Basketball Hall of Fame
If you've ever seen a St. Michael School boys varsity basketball game or caught them practicing in our school gym, then you've seen Coach Gary Hawkins. Rather quiet and unassuming, Coach Hawkins has been a fixture at St. Mary/St. Michael School for the past 43 years! It isn't very often that a middle school coach gets inducted into the Maine Basketball Hall of Fame. We are very fortunate to have such a loyal member of our school community! Thank you Coach Hawkins and CONGRATULATIONS on your-well deserved honor! To read more, visit http://www.centralmaine.com/2017/01/25/maine-basketball-hall-of-fame-announces-2017-inductees/.
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Summer Enrichment Program Registration Begins
This years Summer Enrichment Program will be an eight-week program beginning on July 5th and ending on August 25th. This summer program has a great concept with a consistent goal that will offer a memorable, fun, active and enriching program to those who attend. This summer program will provide your child an opportunity to improve academic, social, and physical skills. Along with five counselors, there is an administrator on site every day. It is currently offered only to enrolled students of St. Michael School who are entering grades Kinder through 8 in the 2017-2018 school year. The hours are from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm and there is no extended hours either before or after. Lunch is not included except on Fridays when students will be assisting in making their own lunch in a cooking class. The cost is $140.00 per week (which includes all bussing), with the exception of the first week which is only three days, July 5-7, at $85 for that week. There is no limitation on the number of weeks a child can attend. They can attend one week, or all summer. This program is limited to 40 students per week. Summer Enrichment Program brochures and registration forms went home in backpacks already. Please complete the registration form to reserve your child's place today. For more information, please call Mr. Cullen at the school at 623-3491, or email at [email protected].
 
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Christmas Card Stocking Stuffer Winners
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Chrystal Toner - sold by Mackenzie Toner
Jen Allen - sold by Joseph Lemelin
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FEBRUARY- $75 each
Chrystal Toner - sold by Mackenzie Toner
Dana Hinckley - sold by Barrett Perkins
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CONGRATULATIONS!
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