Saint Mary School ✝️ Weekly Family Newsletter

MARCH 22, 2023

Fourth Week of Lent

"Regular prayer makes the school a place to encounter God."

–Renewing Catholic Schools by the Institute for Catholic Liberal Education

Principal's Message

This March marks 10 years with Pope Francis and his leadership. It's been a decade since he was named Time's 2013 Person of the Year. We've all witnessed the Catholic Church come together for many of his initiatives. One that I reflect on is "balancing judgment with mercy." We are entering our fourth week of Lent and it is a great time to pause and remember that each one of us has their own cross to bear. Some struggles we can see, but often it's the ones we can't see that are the heaviest. So take this week to find mercy where you might have passed judgment.

God bless,

Craig Palmer

Principal

PTA EVENT

This event will sell out. If you are interested in attending, purchase your tickets soon. Cash or check are accepted. Your RSVP must include payment to register.

One Ticket Packet is included with your purchase. It contains 2 blue sheets, 1 yellow sheet, 1 grand prize ticket, and 1 specialty drink ticket.

If you would like to purchase additional packages, now is the time. The discount price of $45 will not be available once registration closes.

On the evening of the Gift Gala, you will still be able to purchase more tickets, but just not with the package discount.

COOKIE TIME!

Father Mark and Father Jeff were great supporters for Saint Mary School Troop 355. This was the troop's first ever cookie booth sale and they rocked it. Saint Mary, Mother of God Church truly is the best parish!

FAMILY INFORMATION

THANK YOU!

As you certainly have noticed, there is a lot of activity around the former Mater Dei High School and Saint Mary School campus. Your children may have mentioned that the windows of Memorial Hall are covered in film and there is a lot of equipment being moved around.

Several months ago we communicated that our parish entered into a contract with Paramount Studios in Hollywood to film on Mater Dei's campus; this contract includes Memorial Hall. Paramount is now actively filming. They will continue filming during the remainder of March and most of April in both locations. There will be equipment, workers, and movie stars on both sites. The production crew is not interacting with the school (unless a teacher or staff member volunteered as an extra), and other than the roads around the building, they are not interfering with the daily running of the school. They understand that our students come first. If all goes according to plan, filming will end on May 1. The safety of our children remains our number one concern and Paramount has added two security checkpoints to make sure they are not interacting or interfering with our student body.

Parent Homework

March Lunch Menu

The cafeteria will be closed on pizza day. You must pack a lunch if you are not participating.

March menu here.

Lunch form here.

Please consider donating an item from our wish list here. Items can be shipped to the school or dropped off to the main office. Thank you in advance for your continued generosity!

Tuition Assistance Program 2023-24

For families with children attending Catholic schools

The second round of diocesan aid for next year is now open to our families through FACTS. Applications are available online at https://online.factsmgt.com For Grades K-8: The deadline for round two is May 12, 2023. For more information, click here.

Scrip is now RaiseRight. Below are a few videos that explain how the program works and how Saint Mary School benefits. There's no selling, no extra time, and no extra money. Just purchase gift cards to pay for everyday (and not-so-everyday) expenses. The Amazon Smile program has been discontinued for all companies. Scrip is another great way to donate to the school.

Simply the Right Way to Fundraise

https://youtu.be/BZNu-ftcPKo

Getting Started with RaiseRight

https://youtu.be/c-v65F0xr2c

Saint Mary School enrollment code is F741E6AB15L6.

Call or email Loretta Rivera, bursar, anytime with questions. [email protected]

Phone: 732-671-0071 ext. 244

We have rescheduled the parade for April 1. If you or your children want to march, please fill out the permission slip that was sent home. If your organization would like to be a vendor at our St. Patrick's Day Parade, please reach out to Maryanne at 732-671-0129.

After School Activities

SAINTS AFTERCLUB

Aftercare is available. Please read our brochure for more information. For the morning, children can be dropped off as early as 7:15 am and gather in the cafeteria.

Make sure you follow Saint Mary Athletics on Facebook here.

Flag Football

Saint Mary Boys and Girls Flag football will compete next Sun., March 26, in the FFL March Madness Tournament at Iron Peak Sports & Events in Hillsborough, NJ.

Girls 14u

Saint Mary @ Dream 2:40 pm F12

Saint Mary @ Land of Opportunity 3:50 pm F9

Old Skewl @ Saint Mary 04:25 pm F12

Boys 14u TEAM A

Saint Mary @ Brick Elite 2:40 pm F5

Saint Mary @ Mass Mambas 3:50 pm F5

Saint Mary @ THT Blue 04:25 pm F5

Boys 14u TEAM B

32 Sports 13u @ Saint Mary B 1:30 pm F8

Saint Mary Saints B @ BRICK ELITE 13u 2:40 pm F6

Old Skewl @ Saint Mary B 3:15 pm F6

Practices will be communicated by your coaches. Parents: Zorts player card and waiver are due by tonight at 11:59 pm

Varsity Saints Baseball

Practice

Tues., March 21, 2:30-4:30 pm

Fri., March 24, 2:30-4:30 pm

Team fees are due. All physicals are collected for Baseball.

Varsity Saints Softball

Practice

Tues., March 21, 4:30–6 pm

Fri., March 24, 4:30–6 pm

Mon., March 27, 4:30–6 pm

Team Fees are due. Some players are new to athletics this year, and we need your physical.

E-Sports

Wed., March 22

Change to the schedule (normally every Tues.) 2:30-4 pm

Tennis

Wed., March 22, 2:35-3:15 pm

Room 117, Mrs. Marchak

Student mandatory meeting. If you can't make it, you must see Mrs. Marchak.

Soccer

We are happy to announce as of fall 2023, Saint Mary School will join the Monmouth Parochial Soccer League. We will leave the MCISSL and play Catholic and Christian schools instead of public schools, moving forward.

Practices start Mon., April 24, and culminate with the Spring Into Summer 1-mile race on Sat., May 20, at 8:10 am. The practice schedule is below and time is 2:30 pm–3 pm.

• Mon., April 24

• Fri., April 28

• Mon., May 1

• Fri., May 5th

• Mon., May 8th

• Fri., May 12th

• Mon., May 15th

• Fri., May 19th

• Race day, Sat., May 20, at 8:10 am!

Important Information, click here.

Girl Scouts

There is no meeting this week. Our next meeting is Fri., March 31, right after school in the cafeteria. If you plan on marching in the parade on Sat., April 1, you must hand in your school and Girl Scout permission slips. Visit our Troop's Facebook page here.

Saint Mary offers a wonderful assortment of music programs for grades 1 and above. Have your child try an instrument and enrich their learning of the arts.

1st grade and above can start on piano, ukulele, or drums.

3rd grade and above can start on voice, guitar, trumpet, trombone, strings, bass, flute, clarinet, and saxophone.

5th grade and above can start on all the instruments, including bagpipes, and learn music recording and production.

More information here.