Saint Mary Magdalene Catholic School Newsletter, March 25, 2020

Mission Statement:

Saint Mary Magdalene Catholic School is a community that proclaims the gospel by our dedication to quality instruction while fostering our commitment to the needs of others.

An Update from Mr. Mihalyo

Dear Saint Mary Magdalene Catholic School Families,

A few minutes ago, I received the following communication from Dr. John Pendergrass, the Interim Superintendent for the Office of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Raleigh.

The Catholic Schools Office of the Diocese of Raleigh has set the goal of doing what is best for our students and families during the public health state of emergency. North Carolina’s public health leadership has asked that schools in the state not return to on-site classes until May 18th. Our schools will abide by this guidance. If the public health prognosis changes in the weeks to come, I would welcome the prudent option to return to school sooner. I will remain in conversation with you just as our teachers are staying in conversation with our students through distance education initiatives.

Please observe Easter break as planned by your local school calendar. You know the names and faces of families that are now dealing with many challenges. Thank you for knowing that some of the normal processes will not exist, and that we will be dealing with the impact of this public health emergency on many levels. Bishop Luis is assessing needs, extending help and prayerfully preparing for impacts that are yet unseen. Broader support for parishes is being offered through the various administrative offices of the Diocese.

Together, we will help our families, faculties, staffs and students emerge from this time of shadow and dance in new brightness.

At this time, we will be moving to extended distance learning instruction until May 18th. More information will be sent to you in the coming days to help with this long-term transition.

As a result of this mandate, we will be cancelling any clubs and field trips scheduled during this time. Parents, I would ask you to be patient with us as we begin the daunting task of refunding you the amounts paid for such activities over the coming weeks. Any events scheduled after May 18th will go on as planned unless this date is extended.

While we are not physically in school, Saint Mary Magdalene's amazing group of educators will continue to provide your children with an amazing educational experience through many of the outlets they have been using. As a community, we will get through this storm together and come out on the other side as a stronger school and parish for it.

God bless,

John Mihalyo, Principal

@StMMPrincipal

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STAY CONNECTED WITH SOCIAL MEDIA

Be sure to check our social media streams (FaceBook, Twitter and Instagram) daily to catch a glimpse of what our #VirtualMonarchs are up to. Please use our hashtags and tag St. Mary Magdalene Catholic School in your posts so we can all keep in touch virtually!

Don't forget to catch the #MonarchMorningMessage on all social feeds at 7am and also on the StMM website, http://school.stmm.net/ , in the pop up box and on the Coronavirus Update page.

Tip: Did you know if you click on a hashtag, you can see a stream of posts with that same hashtag. It's like a virtual photo album!

YEARBOOK ORDERS DUE APRIL 5th

The 2020 Yearbook promises to be the best one yet! Be sure to order your copy now for just $25. Order online at ybpay.lifetouch .com . Please note, due to current circumstances, a limited number of yearbooks will be available. Online orders will close on April 5th.

COUNSELING CORNER FROM MRS. CURLISS

While everyone is at home trying to manage work, school, stress, and day-to-day life, these tips may come in handy in helping your child practice self-control. Check out the full article at:

https://www.parentingscience.com/teaching-self-control.html .

2020 SUMMER CAMPS

Mini-Monarch Camps

The Preschool Program at StMM is offering 7 weeks of summer fun for children ages 3-5 years! Each week will offer a completely different theme full of fun and exciting stories, songs, games, arts, crafts, and science activities. Cost: $110.00 per week. You may sign up for as many individual weeks as you wish. Location: PreK Classrooms. Hours: 9:00am – 12:00pm.

Calendar: June 15-19: Dinosaur Week , June 22-26: Superhero Week, June 29-July 3: Funtastic Fourth!, July 6-10: Super Science, Volcanoes and Bubbles!, July 13-17: Splish! Splash!, July 20-24: Super Art, Super Fun!, July 27-31: Around the World.

The program is open to all children ages 3-5 years old. All children must be potty-trained.

Registration Link: https://payit.nelnet.net/form/S7eimjq2 .

K-8 Camps

We are pleased to announce that StMM School will be offering summer camps during the first 3 weeks of June for rising K-8 students. There is something for everyone - athletics, arts, science, cooking and more! Morning sessions will run from 8:30-11:30am. Afternoon sessions, 12:30-3:30pm. Additionally, before care and after care will be available and there will be an hour lunch period for those students attending both a morning and afternoon session. Check out all the offerings and register online at: http://school.stmm.net/about-stmm/summercamp.cfm .

Basketball Camp

Join StMM Boys Varsity Basketball Coach Don McKee to learn the fundamentals of basketball, sportsmanship and the importance of Christ through basketball. Camp will be held Monday, June 29th through Thursday, July 2nd. Rising grades 3rd-5th are from 8:00am - 11am. Rising grades 6th-8th are from 11:30am - 2:30pm. Register online at: https://payit.nelnet.net/form/InMwji8o .

SWAP BASKETBALL CAMP RETURNS TO STMM

Registration is now open exclusively for students of the StMM family until March 23rd. This year’s camp will be held July 27th-31st and will include special appearances by current and former Professional Basketball Players.

Coach Dwon Clifton will be returning this summer to serve as lead nstructor during the week of camp at StMM. Coach Clifton is a former high school All-American, collegiate basketball player at Clemson University, and Professional International Basketball player. He currently serves as the Director of Athletics at New Garden Friends School in Greensboro, as well as the program director for the SWAP Sportz youth sports program.

Space for this year’s camp will be limited to only 45 campers. Our camp is divided into 3 groups with a maximum of 15 campers per group, those groups are:

Group 1: 2nd-3rd grade boys & girls

Group 2: 4th-5th grade boys & girls

Groups 3: 6th-8th grade boys & girls

To preserve the quality of our camp, registration for each group will be closed once group capacity is reached.

In order to honor members of the StMM community, we are accepting internal registrations via email prior to accepting online registrations from the public.

For private registrations please send an email to [email protected] that includes your child’s name, DOB, and shirt size. After sending your email, you will be asked to send a check made payable to “SWAP Sportz” to the StMM front office.

Please keep in mind, after March 23rd the only way to register will be through our website at SwapSportz.Com .

The flyers for the camp can be found here.

SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION

Mr. John Mihalyo, Principal

Mrs. Christa Iozzo, Assistant Principal

Mrs. Kate Lawson, Dean of Students

Mrs. Nikki Curliss, Guidance Counselor

Mrs. Lydia Binanay, Marketing & Recruitment

Mrs. Laura Tomczak, Communications & Admissions

Mrs. Carmen Boyd, Business Services

Mrs. Barb Senn, Preschool

Mrs. Wendy Walsh, School Nurse

Mrs. Megan Mastrogiovanni, Special Programs Manager

Mrs. Mary Stein, Receptionist

Mrs. Kathy Loeschorn, Technology

Mr. Tom Milmoe, Athletics Director