APRIL 25, 2023

A SMASH HIT!

Thanks to Saint Mary's wonderful PTA, our annual gala was a great event–from the invitations and signage made by Debbie Byrne to the Vansant's for the set design and table pieces to the entire gala committee for your tremendous dedication. Year after year you continue to make this night a HUGE success. And a big thank you to all the SMS families who generously donated or solicited local businesses to help make our event memorable!

Principal's Message

It is so important to have a good sense of community at Saint Mary School. We rely on many of our parents and grandparents to be involved in school events and fundraising. Saturday's gala was no exception; it's the school's biggest fundraiser. Our community came together for a Broadway smash hit!

Unfortunately, I was under the weather and could not attend. I was happy to see so many wonderful pictures and hear raving reviews of our PTA. I want to personally thank the PTA for their year-round hard work and dedication to our school. It is a proven fact that when families participate and get involved in the school community, they have a better learning experience. That means our Saint Mary teachers get to know our families: Where students come from, their needs, how they are helped and loved at home. We are always building our community at Saint Mary. There will be more events for families, including our Friday Masses at 8:30 a.m. I invite and encourage our families to join us at Mass to pray as a community.

God bless,

Craig Palmer

Principal

Upcoming Events

TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK

May 7-13

PTA MEETING

Wed., May, 10 6 pm

Cafeteria

MAY CROWNING

Wed., May 17

12:05 pm dismissal

CLASSICAL LEARNING

PILOT–TEST

May 22-25

Grades 3-6

PETER PAN JR.

Wed., May 24 &

Thurs., May 25

ACTIVITY DAY

Fri., May 26

12:05 pm dismissal

SCHOOL CLOSED

Mon., May 29

PREK CEREMONY

Stepping Stones

Tues., June 6

8TH GRADE GRADUATION

Fri., June 9

12:05 pm dismissal

END OF THE YEAR BBQ

Sun., June 11

KINDERGARTEN CEREMONY

Kinderbration

Mon., June 12

12:05 pm dismissal

LAST DAY OF SCHOOL

Tues., June 13

11:00 am dismissal

SAINT MARY GREAT FAIR

June 26-July 1

PTA volunteer hours for the money wheel will be available, as well as parish volunteer hours for games and rides. Watch for our SignUpGenius link soon.

STUDENT HIGHLIGHT

A joyous celebration.

Second grader Del Javins was baptized at Friday's school Mass. The entire Saint Mary School community witnessed Del receiving the sacrament officiated by Fr. Jeff Kegley. Baptism is the sacrament through which we are reborn as children of God, united with Jesus into His death and Resurrection, cleansed of Original Sin and personal sins, and welcomed into the Church, the Mystical Body of Christ. We are incredibly blessed through Del and his parents for sharing this special day with us.

Parent Homework

The Diocese of Trenton is hosting two job fairs for their member schools on May 9 and 11. If you, or someone you know, is interested in teaching or working in Catholic schools, please send them this link. Saint Mary School will be represented.

Calling all SMS families with children from preschool through rising 2nd graders. If you are interested in our Summer Camp, please fill out this form and return it to the office.

April Lunch Menu

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

Lunch form here.

April menu here.

May menu here.

The 2023-24 school calendar is here.

The Saint Mary school year ends on June 13 and most summer camps don't start until late June or early July. Highline Arena will be running a SPECIAL camp week for Saint Mary School students the week of June 19. Camp runs daily from 8:30 am-3:30 pm, with before and aftercare offered. Pick and choose your days at a cost of $55 per day. Kids enjoy a fun-filled day of sports and activities. Click here for information regarding the camp. If you have any questions, please contact SMS dad, Chris Gosha, at cgosha21@gmail.com. Click here for registration form.

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.

lrivera@stmarychurchnj.org

Phone: 732-671-0071 ext. 244

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.

All 8th graders and high school teens are invited to join Saint Mary, Mother of God Life Teen for Slip & Slide Hockey and BBQ on Sunday, May 7. All will gather for the 5 pm Life Teen Mass followed by a time of food, fun, and fellowship. At 7 pm all parents are invited to attend an information session for the Franciscan University of Steubenville Youth Conference, will be held July 7-9, 2023. 45 spots are available–email Kenny Falls: saintmary's.lifeteen@gmail.com

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.

Varsity baseball, varsity softball, and tennis schedules will be updated on Facebook once they become available.

We had a great first practice! Next one is Friday, 2:30 pm–3 pm.

• Fri., April 28

• Mon., May 1

• Fri., May 5

• Mon., May 8

• Fri., May 12

• Mon., May 15

• Fri., May 19

• Race day, Sat., May 20, at 8:10 am!

Important Information, click here.

Girl Scouts

Our next meeting is Fri., April 28, right after school in the cafeteria. We know many of our girls are participating in Marathon Kids. This will not be a badge meeting. 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.