Saint Mary School Weekly ✝️ Family Newsletter

February 22, 2023

The beginning of the Liturgical Season of Lent

Among the most beautiful, meaningful, and solemn ceremonies of the Catholic Church is the gathering of the faithful on Ash Wednesday. This special day begins our Lenten journey. It is the start of 40 days of prayer, penance, and almsgiving as we prepare ourselves to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday. Saint Mary students were able to witness the burning of the ashes last week with Saint Mary Pastor Fr. Jeffrey Kegley.

Principal's Message

"Apart from the cross, there is no other ladder by which we may go to heaven." – St. Rose of Lima

It certainly has felt like spring these last few days. The warm weather brings thoughts of Easter, but before we get there we need to experience the season of Lent. Although the date for Lent change from year to year, its purpose remains the same––a time of repentance and fasting. I hope you all take time to meditate on this season and the meaning behind it. The 40 days of Lent echoe the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the desert.

We could all probably benefit from fasting after the filling Steak Bake last Friday. Monty's BBQ was outstanding! The reviews we received have been the best in years. The music by Tim Nicholes set the perfect tone. Thank you to all who came and supported our great school.

We look to continue our community gathering at our new event––a parents beach volleyball tournament at the Highline Arena. Organize your team and send in your paperwork today. While you play, your kids get to enjoy adult-led games on the other side of the arena. Also, our parent-children dances are quickly approaching––get in your forms quickly.

God bless,

Craig Palmer

Principal

Upcoming Events

PRESCHOOL Q&A

Fri., Feb. 24, at 7 pm

ASH WEDNESDAY

Wed., Feb. 22; Mass Schedule: 6:30 am, 8:30 am, 12:00 pm & 7:30 pm; Services: 3:30 pm & 6 pm

BEACH VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMNENT @ Highline Arena, see rules and information below.

Sat., March 4

DADDY/DAUGHTER DANCE, see form below

Sun., March 5

SMS SAINT PATRICK'S DAY PARADE

Sun., March 11

MOTHER/SON DANCE,

see form below

Sun., March 19

HOLY THURSDAY/EASTER BREAK BEGINS,

Thurs., April 6; 12:05 pm dismissal. No school April 7-16

GIFT GALA, see form below

Sat., April 22

PETER PAN JR.

Wed., May 24 & Thurs., May 24.

2ND ANNUAL SAINT PATRICK'S DAY PARADE

The 2nd annual Saint Patrick's Day Parade is on Saturday, March 11, at 1 p.m. The parade route starts at Bayview School and ends at Saint Mary School. If you or anyone you know is interested in participating in the parade or if you’d like to offer goods for sale, please respond ASAP by contacting Maryanne Hemhauser at mhemhauser@stmaryes.org. The form is attached here. Our Grand Marshals are Laney and Peter Wilkens have been members of Mary Mother of God Parish for 45 years and gratefully accepted to be the Grand Marshalls of the parish and school’s 2nd Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade of Middletown.

ACADEMIC HIGHLIGHT

Download ou r ne w eBook

Learn how Classical Catholic Education at Saint Mary School builds essential skills every child needs.

Come Grow With US

Brand New Preschool Building Opening September 2023! Saint Mary Preschool Middletown area’s premier preschool for ages 2 and 3. Download our Preschool brochure here.

Parent Homework

Scrip is now RaiseRight. For those who are not aware, Scrip is now called 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

Pick 3 Lotto tickets are still available. The SMS Dads Club is running a Pick 3 Lotto fundraiser. Each ticket has five different three number groupings and the tickets are good for all 10 drawings! Tickets go on sale today and the first drawing is Sat., March 4. $20 per ticket. Must be 18 to participate.

The gift gala is coming up fast. Thank you to all who joined our committee meeting. A vast majority of the prizes for the gala are generously donated by the parents of SMS students, as well as local businesses. Please consider donating an item from our wish list link. Help make our event a success! Items can be shipped to the school or dropped off to the main office. Thank you in advance for your continued generosity!

COME OUT FOR A NIGHT OF FAMILY FUN! You can register as an individual or a whole team. Teams must have at least 6 players on the court (2 female minimum & 4 male). Family and friends welcome as well! If you don't have a full team, we will link you up with one. Rosters can be any size and teams may sub in players between rallies. Male players cannot spike, but female players can. Nets are set to women's height. Games consist of first team to reach 15 points, must win by 2. Each team is guaranteed 3 games. Playoffs determined by number of teams. Download form here.

Our DADDY DAUGHTER DANCE is here: Sun., March 5. This sellout dance is a hit among our girls and dads. Download the form here.

Our MOTHER SON DANCE is here: Sun., March 19. This, too, is a sellout event. Download the form here.

Revised February Lunch Menu

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

February menu here.

Lunch form here.

Tuition Assistance Program 2023-24

For families with children attending Catholic schools

The first round of diocesan aid for next year is now open to our families through FACTS. All families, current and new, should apply for aid if needed. (One application per family.)

Applications are available online now at https://online.factsmgt.com For Grades K-8: To be considered in round one, applications must be completed by March 1, 2023. The deadline for round two is May 12, 2023. For more information, click here.

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.

YOU HAVE TO SEE THE AMAZING BUZZER WINNING SHOT. Saint Mary was down by one point with 1.2 seconds left. Matty B. throws an almost half court Hail Mary for the win! Check out the video here.

Girl Scouts

Our next meeting is Fri., Feb. 24, right after school in the cafeteria. Be sure to join the troop's Facebook page to see our new activities. Our 6,100 boxes of Girl Scout cookies will begin to be handed out after Feb. 23. Our Troop's Facebook page link is 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.