January 8, 2023

POLAR PLUNGE IS HERE

POLAR PLUNGE 2024 REGISTRATION is now open

Below is the polar plunge registration form. If you’re ready to make the plunge into the Atlantic Ocean on Sunday, February 4 at 1 pm, get your forms and payment in. Registration fee is $30. You’ll receive 1 complimentary shirt per registration. See below image for shirt designed by our very own 8th grader, Farrah O’Brien. You can add on additional participants and can also purchase additional shirts. 1 registration form per family.

FUNDRAISING COMPETITION

Help support our plungers and our school by creating a fundraising page. Our goal is $50,000 dollars. Get family, friends, and colleagues involved in this amazing event. Find out if your employer will match your donation. All funds raised go directly to help fund our school so please help us reach our goal! Top earners will receive prizes at the end of the competition. Top class wins a free Saint May School gear, dress down day, and a movie!

https://secure.givelively.org/donate/saint-mary-school-education-fund/2024-polar-plunge-for-catholic-education/

AFTER PARTY

Join us for the after party at Ocean House Tap & Grill at 1:30 pm, located directly across the street from Seabright Beach.

MERCHANDISE

All pre-ordered merchandise will be distributed the week of the plunge. Merchandise will also be available for purchase day of the event.

All forms are listed below.

Welcome back! I hope all of our Saint Mary School families enjoyed their Christmas break and are now in a nice flow to the new year. We know this is a short week and we have a lot going on – Polar Plunge is in full swing. Make sure you register today. It always makes me so proud to see Saint Mary School well represented at the Polar Plunge. We have the biggest crowd participating and supporters to cheer us on.

Please let's all continue to keep Bishop David M. O'Connell, C.M., in our prayers as he recovers from a heart attack, while in Rome just ahead of the start of the priest pilgrimage.

As a reminder Saint Mary School is closed Thursday through Monday. We will reopen Tuesday, January 16

God bless,

Craig E. Palmer, Principal

JANUARY

Mon., Jan. 8

Star Window #2 Opens

Thurs., Jan. 11

No School, Staff PD

Fri., Jan. 12

No School, Staff PD

Mon., Jan. 15

School Closed, MLK Day

Fri., Jan. 19

Progress Reports K-2

Fri., Jan. 26

Star Window #2 Closes

Movie Night, 6 pm

Sun., Jan. 28

Catholic Schools Week Kickoff Mass, 10 am in Saint Mary Church

Sun., Jan. 28-Feb 2 Catholic Schools Week

PRESCHOOL CALENDAR

2023-2024 SCHOOL CALENDAR

POLAR PLUNGE FORMS & INFORMATION

Registration Form

T-Shirt Design

After Party Registration

In-School Grade Fundraising

OPEN HOUSE

Tell your friends and family members that have kids to explore excellence in Catholic education at Saint Mary School. Our Open House is Jan 28.

Pre-K 4 to 8th Grade: 1-3 pm

Tiny Tots (2-year-olds by 10/1/24): 1-2 pm

Super Tots (3-year-olds by 10/1/24): 2-3 pm

Save Your Spot – Register Now: stmaryes.org/open-house

ANNUAL GIVING

A gift to the Annual Fund for Saint Mary School helps supports our scholarships, academics, the arts, athletics, and more. Contribution today. Every gift counts—no matter how big or small. If you have already made your gift to the Annual Fund, thank you for your support. God Bless.

For more information, please contact Brian Hanlon, director of institutional advancement at bhanlon@stmarychurchnj.org

GIVE NOW

A MESSAGE FROM POPE FRANCIS

If you don’t know the date of your baptism, look it up. A great article on why the date of your baptism is so important. Click here.

REMINDER TO ALL FAMILIES

All Saint Mary School families have a Raise Right contractual agreement for the 2023-2024 school year. If you did not opt out and pay $300 when you registered your child(ren) for the current school year, you are obligated to enroll in the program and raise $300 in rebates via your gift card purchases by April 30, 2024. To enroll, go to https://www.raiseright.com/enroll and enter Saint Mary School Enrollment Code F741E6AB15L6. This is separate from the PTA dues for every family.

Simply the Right Way to Fundraise

6 Everyday Ways to Earn with RaiseRight

LUNCH MENU

Lunch tickets are $6.50 each. This includes lunch, drink, and one side dish. As always, snacks and drinks are available to purchase.

DOWNLOAD LUNCH FORM

DOWNLOAD LUNCH MENU

Wednesday 1/9. $2.00 Limit 2 per person.

STUDENT ACTIVITIES & INFORMATION

Athletics

Saint Mary School has two varsity basketball teams competing this fall and one JV basketball team. Come and show your school spirit!

🏀 Basketball schedule.

GIRL SCOUTS

Please email Amanda or Kristen if you have any questions regarding Girl Scouts. Our next troop meeting is Mon., Jan. 8, at 2:30 pm. We will continue our World Thinking Badge. Homework for your country is due. Updated meeting schedule.

BASKETBALL CHEERLEADING

Practices are held every Monday after school. The fee for participation is $25, with all students needing to have an up-to-date physical. Any inquiries can be directed to Kara Allen or Jen Fialo. Girls who are participating in Girl Scouts can still cheer.

SECOND GRADE

IMPORTANT DATES:

First Penance–April 30, 2024, 5-6 pm, in Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament Shrine.

First Holy Communion–May 4, 2024, 9:30 am, in Mary, Mother of God Church

Saints AfterClub has been established to serve working families of Saint Mary School who desire a Catholic education with after care for their children in a safe and structured environment.

The Saints AfterClub is open from:

• 2:25-6 pm, full school day

• 12-6 pm, early dismissal day

For more information, please download our brochure here.