January  29, 2016



  
St. Margaret Mary
 School Newsletter
  
Current School Families
Registration
DEADLINE TODAY!
  
To hold your child's spot for the 2016-17 school year, please complete the Online Registration AND provide payment by TODAY Friday, January 29. The fee is $65 per student. You may pay online or by check. 

Technology/Cyber Bullying/Social Media - Dangers & Prevention

Sunday, January 31st
6:30-8:00 pm
Hospitality Room
Parents Only, please.

Presented by MenT.O.R.S.
No More Free Dress Mondays

Free Dress Mondays are now over. Uniforms are required on all Mondays going forward. Free Dress PASSES may be redeemed on Fridays.

Sponsored by your PTO Hospitality Committee

Tuesday, February 2
Last names A -L

Thursday, February 4
Last names M-Z

Please join us in the Hospitality Room between 7:00 - 7:50 am to enjoy warm coffee and a few muffins to start off your day!
Skating Party
Tuesday, February 2
6:00 - 8:00 pm
Champs Rollerdome
Sponsored by the Student Council

White Out theme - Wear all white!
 
Fundraising Day
Wednesday, February 3

Please visit Springhurst or St. Mathews locations anytime on Wednesday and mention that you are a part of our school. An amazing 20% of your order total will come back to SMM.  No vouchers necessary. Eat more chicken and support SMM!

No Alcohol Policy at
Child-Centered Events

Just a friendly reminder, per archdiocesan and parish policies, no alcohol is permitted at child-centered events.  Please keep this in mind when planning for events such as the Father/Daughter Dance and the Mom Prom.  Failure to adhere to policy could result in the event being cancelled in the future.  Thank you for your cooperation.
~ School and Parish Administration
SMM Spirit Wear 
SALE!
20% off while supplies last!
Congrats to the following 8th grade students for placing in Governor's Cup District:
  • Nell Rydzewski 1st place in Math and Arts and Humanities
  • Sophie Rydzewski 2nd place in Math and Arts and Humanities
  • Rachel Baird 2nd in Composition
  • Michael Chou 3rd in Composition
  • Anna Sprau 3rd in Language Arts
  • Grace Jessie 4th in Arts and Humanities
  • Ella Springer 4th in Social Studies
  • John Paul Stegman 5th in Science
As a School we received 2nd overall in the District competition. All of these students move on to compete in the Regional level.
Way to Go SMM!
Let's Celebrate High School Placement Test  Scores

Please click here  to view the comparison chart of how our current 8th grade students scored on the HSPT compared to the archdiocese. 
 
Spelling Bee Winners

Our 4th-8th grade students all particpated in classroom Spelling Bees this week. Those classroom winners went on to particitate in the  the All School Spelling Bee.

Congratulations!
Overall school winner:
Owen Estes (5F) 
   
Runner-up: 
Jameson Barber (5F)
Please join us in congratulating  Sophia Elder (7S) and her brother Christopher Elder (SMM class of '15) on receiving a Bronze Medal in the US 2016 Figure Skating Championships in St.
 Paul, MN.  
Spring Sports
Time to register for spring sports! 
The following sports are open and ready for you to sign up! 
  • Swimming
  • Track and Field
  • Lacrosse
  • Boys Volleyball
  • K-2 Soccer
Classroom Baskets
Gala Fundraiser

Due to popular demand we are bringing back the Classroom Grade Level Theme Baskets!

The Gala Theme Basket Team is asking for donations per GRADE LEVEL to be auctioned off at this year's Diamonds and Denim Event. Many wonderful auction items are already secured, but to make it even better, we are asking that you donate to your "Grade Level Theme". Each themed basket will be part of the silent auction that evening. Please click here for complete details.
Stewardship Cards

The parish office is eager to receive your 2016 Stewardship Card. If you are unsure if you have submitted your family's commitment card or need a new one, please contact the parish office at 426-1588.
Franciscan  Kitchen
Volunteers
On  Tuesday, February 2 , the following students will accompany Bridget Hart to the Franciscan Kitchen: Brian Hart, Bennett Buckley, and Jack Ayre.
* Drivers will pick up the students at SMM at 10:00 am for arrival to the Kitchen by 10:30 am. The group will return about 1:00 pm.

News from Mrs. Sims
 
            We've had a wonderful Catholic Schools Week here at SMM.  It has truly been a celebration for us all!  I want to thank you, our school parents and guardians, for your continued support of this school.  You make sacrifices each day because you believe that a Catholic education is a privilege and gift that your children deserve.  For the faculty and staff members who work here, it is a mission to bring both faith development and academic excellence to those in our care.  I hope you enjoy this beautiful prayer that was written by one of our 6th graders, Julia McNeley. 

Catholic Schools Week
Dear God,
Help us to remember who we truly are.  Help us to see the
Light in your eyes for guidance in the dark. Help us to understand
that we are the sons and daughter of God.  Help us to remember that you
are in our presence when we are alone or sad.  Bless us during this wonderful week.
Help us to live, love, and learn like you, Lord.  Help us during this week to be more like you
and think about what you would do before we do something.  Help us to think of others before
ourselves. 
Amen

Snow Makeup Days

School will now be in session on Monday, February 15 and Monday, March 28. These were initially marked as potential snow make-up days. 
Raffle Ticket Prizes

Those families that received their Fall Festival incentive prizes recently, please read carefully. Others may disregard.

We understand that expired Chick fil A coupons were recently distributed with the fall festival prizes. This was due to our delay in getting all the prizes sent home and not the fault of Chick-fil-A. If you would like to exchange your expired coupon please bring it to the school office as soon as possible.
Instant Alert System - Need Changes?
  
If you have any changes to the way you were notified through our instant alert system last week, please notify us at school@stmm.org  
Notifications are generated from the information we have in PowerSchool. If that information is incorrect, we would like to update it. As a reminder t he system is not currently set up to send texts.  
PTO Open Board Positions

The SMM PTO has two open Board Positions for the upcoming 2016-2017 School Year. If you are interested in being a part of the Board and fulfilling one of these roles please contact Mara Legere  maraslegere@gmail.com
 
Community Outreach Chair:
Three year commitment. Oversee all non-funded PTO Events i.e. Doughnuts with Dads, Grandparents Day, etc. Attend monthly meetings. 

Vice President:
Four year commitment, two as VP and two as President. Attend monthly meetings. PTO representative to monthly SAC meetings. Support Fall Fundraiser and other Community Chairs.
Volunteers Needed

The SMM Community Fish Fry will kick off on February 19th and run for five consecutive weeks. Parents of our grade school children are asked to volunteer for shifts based on their child(ren)'s grade(s). Grade assignments are as follows:

  • Feb. 19th - 1st and 8th grades
  • Feb. 26th - Kindergarten and 7th grade
  • March 4th - 2nd and 5th grades
  • March 11th - 3rd and 6th grades
  • March 18th - 4th grade
Junior High and High School students needing service hours are welcome to volunteer also. If you can not volunteer on your child's scheduled date, then please select an alternative date (March 18th, in particular, needs volunteers as only one grade is scheduled to work).  
 
To volunteer  please click here!
 
Cake Booth Donations are requested based on the grade volunteer schedule. Donations can be dropped off in the PAC (stage) during afternoon carline on Friday or brought to the Fish Fry. A Free Dress pass will be issued for each cake booth donation.   
 
Questions can be directed to Elisa Nielson at 759-7755 or elisanielson@outlook.com

Thank you for helping make our parish community
Fish Frys a success! 
Start 2016 off well by spending quiet time with God
 
"We need to find God and he cannot be found in noise and restlessness.  God is the friend of silence."  
      ~ Blessed Mother Teresa
 
Adoration Opportunities
Every Wednesday Evening
6:30 - 7:30 pm
Every Thursday Afternoon 
1:00 - 2:00 pm

What is Eucharistic Adoration?
Eucharistic adoration is the act of adoring, honoring and worshiping God as He is present in the consecrated Eucharist.
 
What do I do at Adoration?
Adoration is a time to be silent in the presence of God. There are many ways to spend your time:  pray, say a Rosary, meditate on scripture, journal, read about a saint, pray the psalms, or just sit quietly!  This is a wonderful way to draw closer to God.

DivorceCare for Kids is a special group to help children heal from the hurt caused by the separation or divorce of their parents. At our weekly DC4K group, kids make friends with other kids who understand how they feel and the things they are going through because of the divorce of their parents. Additionally, DivorceCare for Kids, provides a safe, fun place where your children will learn to understand their feelings, express their emotions appropriately, feel better about themselves and develop coping skills.
Weekly on Tuesdays
6:30 - 8:00 p.m. 
February 2 - April 26
Donation:  $25 for supplies
Questions? Please contact Denise Ruiz at 426-1588 ext. 126   druiz@stmm.org

 This Week . . .
Saturday, January 30
7:00 - 9:00 pm Father-Daughter Dance

Monday, February 1
NO FREE DRESS. School Uniforms required
7:15 am
Encore Rehearsal - Music Room
8:15 am
Daily Mass - 2nd & 6th grades attend
3:00 - 4:00 pm
Reading Reinforcement - 1D
6:30 pm
Honor Thy Children Safe Environment Workshop - Hospitality Room

Tuesday, February 2
7:00 - 7:50 am
Muffins with Mom - Hospitality Room - Last Names A -L
7:15 - 7:50 am
Beginning Band - Drama Room
7:15 - 7:50 am
SuperNova Rehearsal - Music Room
8:15 am
Daily Mass - 5th grade attends
3:00 - 4:00 pm
Arts & Crafts - New Year Crafts -  2H

Jazz It Up - 1R

KinderPhonics - KL

Math Mania - 1st, 2nd, & Jr. High

Tiny Techies - KI - Make-up class

3:00-4:30 pm
Math Mania - 4th, 5th, & 6th grade

Ready, Set, Study - 3S
6:00 - 8:00 pm
Skating Party at Champs

Wednesday, February 3
Chick-fil-A Day - Fundraising event 
7:15 -7:50 am    Advanced Band - Mardi Gras Parade! 
8:15 am
Daily Mass - 1st grade attends
3:00 - 4:00 pm    Chess Club - Library

Thursday, February 4
7:00 - 7:50 am
Muffins with Mom - Hospitality Room - Last Names M-Z
8:15 am   All School Mass - 4G planning
3:00 - 4:00 pm   Jazz It Up - 1R

Math Mania - 1st, 2nd, & Jr. High

Reading Reinforcement - 1D

Tiny Techies - KI
3:00-4:30 pm   Pottery Wheel - Art Room

Rosary Club - Meeting Room A/B 

Friday, February 5 
8:15 am
Daily Mass - 3rd grade attends
9:00 - 11:30 am
8th Grade Individual Graduation gown pictures

Sunday, February 7
12:00 pm
Resonare Hand Bell Choir Performs at Noon Mass
1:30 - 2:15 pm
A Concert for Peace - SuperNova & Resonare Concert - Church

Looking Ahead  . . . Save the Dates!
 
February 7
Concert for Peace - SuperNova & Resonare
February 8, 9, 10
Poetry Bash - Hospitality Room
2/8 - 2H, 2/9 - 2M, 2/10 - 2L
February 9
Valentine's Day Classroom Parties
February 10
Ash Wednesday - Family Night
February 11
Parent-Teacher-Student Conference Day
February 12
Winter Break - No School
February 15
School in session
February 16
Incoming Kindergarten Screening Day - No School for Current Kindergartners
February 19
Festival of Nations - 6th grade classes - PAC
First Fish Fry of Lent
February 20
Mom Prom (Mother-Son Dance) - PAC
February 22
Dine & Dash - hosted by 1st & 6th grade
February 26
Last Day of 2nd Trimester
February 28
Used Uniform Sale
March 1 & 3
Donuts with Dad
March 4
Yearbook Group Pictures - No Free Dress - Uniforms Required
March 5
SMM Gala - Denim & Diamonds at the Icehouse
   Current School Calendar
SMM Gala
Diamonds and Denim 

Saturday, March 5