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Experience the Saint Mary School Difference:
A Catholic Classical Liberal Arts Education – A Better Way to Learn
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Thursday
February 12
9:30 am – 10:30 am
Saint Mary School
538 Church Street
Registration is required
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At Saint Mary School, our kindergarten program creates a warm, faith-filled, and intellectually exciting environment where your child’s natural curiosity blossoms in the light of Catholic truth. Rooted in the timeless Catholic classical liberal arts tradition, we nurture wonder, virtue, and a lifelong love of learning—where every discovery points to God’s goodness, beauty, and truth.
This approach, championed by the Church for centuries, forms the whole child—mind, body, and spirit—through integrated studies that follow the natural stages of child development and human history. Young learners engage joyfully with stories, nature, prayer, and foundational skills, building strong moral character, critical thinking, and a deep sense of purpose.
It’s the perfect place to spark a love of learning grounded in faith, where every child is seen and every moment matters in their educational journey.
Meet our dedicated teachers, explore our vibrant classrooms, and discover our curriculum at our upcoming Kindergarten Preview.
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Jennifer Morgan
Kindergarten Teacher
Georgian Court University
Dual K-6 certification in general and special education
| Jennifer Morgan is passionate about supporting the growth of her young students, academically and spiritually. As a child, she attended preschool at Saint Mary School and then the parish CCD program. Jennifer decided to become a teacher after volunteering for a Middletown special education program in high school. In her Saint Mary classroom, Jennifer and her students begin the school day with morning meetings, during which children share stories and pray. The mother of a Saint Mary student, she says, “I love the community of Saint Mary school; it’s special. In the classroom, I’m frequently inspired by my daughter’s experiences here. I always think about the type of teacher I hope for her. That helps me to be that teacher for other students.” | |  | |
Tara Anthes
Kindergarten Teacher
Montclair State University
New Jersey state teaching license
| Tara Anthes chose teaching to make a difference in the lives of her students. After enrolling her own children at Saint Mary School, Tara fell in love with the supportive, welcoming learning environment and shared commitment of teachers and administrators to helping students grow academically, spiritually, and personally. Two years later, she began teaching kindergarten at Saint Mary. Tara says, “As a parent, I saw firsthand how important it is to keep Jesus and God at the center of the classroom. The values, faith, and character traits that children develop in a Catholic School environment go far beyond academics. At Saint Mary, we help students to grow in kindness, faith, and integrity.” | | | “Saint Mary teachers are there every step of the way to guide and love our students. The low teacher turnover here makes a big difference —students feel safe, loved, and supported as they begin to develop confidence and independence. That’s a big reason why more families are choosing Saint Mary School.” — Ellen Horwath, Director of Saint Mary Preschool | For more information, please reach out to Saint Mary Preschool Director Ellen Horwath at: ehorwath@stmaryes.org or call (732) 671-0129. | | | | | |
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Dear Saint Mary School Families,
What a tremendous success our Open House was last weekend! We welcomed so many enthusiastic families eager to discover how saints meet scholars here at Saint Mary School. Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make it a memorable event.
We are thrilled about our upcoming Kindergarten Preview onFebruary 12. Preschool parents, we invite you to attend and experience the joy of our program firsthand and meet with some of our amazing teachers. Please register and bring your friends along to share in the excitement!
Finally, we're keeping a close eye on the weather for the Polar Plunge fundraiser. Stay tuned for updates as we prepare for this chilly adventure in support of our great school.
Jeff Johnson, Th.M, Ed.S
Head of School
St. Mary School
732-671-0129
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Feb. 12 & 13 No School
Sun., Feb. 15 Polar Plunge
Mon., Feb. 16 No School
Wed., Feb 18 Ash Wednesday
Mon., Feb. 23 Cup Cake Wars
Wed., Feb 25. 12:05 pm Dismissal, Staff Professional Learning
Fri., Feb. 27 Trimester #2 Ends
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Head of School Open Discussion
An open invitation to all parents to attend any or all of the dates below, in the Cafeteria.
2/11/26, 8:30AM – 9:30AM
3/11/26, 6:00PM – 7:00PM
4/15/26, 8:30AM – 9:30AM
5/13/26, 6:00PM – 7:00PM
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A MESSAGE FROM YOUR PASTOR | | |
Dear Parents of Saint Mary School,
This weekend the Church joyfully celebrates World Marriage Sunday, a beautiful reminder that the Sacrament of Marriage is the foundation of family life and the very heart of God’s plan for salvation. Saint John Paul II beautifully taught in Familiaris Consortio that “the future of humanity passes by way of the family.” In marriage, a husband and wife become a living sign of God’s faithful love, and from that love flows the gift of family life, where children first learn who God is and who they are called to be.
All Saint Mary families are warmly invited to join us for Holy Mass this weekend, when married couples will have the opportunity to renew their wedding vows. Following Mass, our Knights of Columbus will host a wonderful breakfast, with time for family photos and even a wedding cake as we celebrate together. Our parish community looks forward to honoring and celebrating the great gift of marriage and family life. I pray you and your family can join us for this joyful celebration.
With prayers and gratitude,
Father Jeff Kegley
Pastor
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The Naughton Family
Hello, my name is Timothy Naughton, and I am currently a Junior at West Virginia University studying Health Services Administration. I graduated from Saint Mary School in 2019. During my pre-k through 8th-grade years at SMS, I learned much about the “real world” that I did not understand at the time. Saint Mary taught us the core values and morals that we all need to build the life that we want to have. It taught me that nothing is possible without a great faith-based foundation, as well as the right morals and virtues to guide you through life.
The biggest challenge I faced while attending Saint Mary came when mandatory community service began in 6th grade. I was not opposed but simply did not see the point of doing work for people for free at the time. Saint Mary taught me that service can bring you more joy than anything else in this life. Neither money nor fame can buy the amount of gratitude one feels after completing a few hours of service and helping those in need. Service has now become an even bigger part of my life, as I have joined a Fraternity that hosts multiple philanthropic events and service projects throughout the year. WVU also requires 25 hours of service every year for any Public Health major, so I continue to do other smaller service acts to fulfill that requirement. I have never seen service as a requirement. Saint Mary gave me the service pillar in my life that I needed. I have continued to use what Saint Mary taught me in becoming my Fraternity’s Philanthropy Chair, where we raised over $20,000 during our Derby Days week last year for Huntsman Cancer Institute.
With the many traditions of Saint Mary School, the little ones are many of the most important and memorable to me. The two traditions I cherish the most to this day would be playing outside of Mrs Goworeck’s classroom after school and being able to walk to the Junction after school as I got older. I will always remember playing on the lawn while the Chapel across the street let out white smoke, letting us know Pope Francis had been chosen as our new Pope. Everyone rejoicing on the lawn showed the bond we all shared through our Catholic faith. Seeing my friends day in and day out at Saint Mary is what I miss most.
What does “Passionately Catholic. Academically Excellent. Filled with Joy" mean to me? To me, it means living every day of your life based on the foundation of your Catholic faith and faith in Christ, staying academically consistent, and living life doing the things you love. You only live once; you might as well do the things you find joy in.
While at Saint Mary, I first became an altar server during my 5th grade year, with both of my siblings following me in doing so. I also played three sports for the school from 5th grade on, football, basketball, and baseball, where we won 2 championships in 4 appearances. I often reflect on my time playing sports at SMS and am forever grateful for the coaches, teammates, and things I learned during my time playing there.
Now I have less than half of my college career left, but while here I have spent it joining the Fraternity, Sigma Chi, as well as being elected for the Executive Board twice, as Magister and Risk Manager. The amount I have learned from this experience cannot be put into words. From the people I have met to the people I will continue to meet through WVU and beyond, they have all taught me something about myself. After these next 3 semesters I do not know what will happen, but I do know that God has the right plan set for me, so there is no need to be nervous for the future.
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It’s the small things that make a difference.
Each of us has probably heard this expression at some time or other through the years. It could have been in reference to an unexpected gift, a call from a long absent friend, a comment that showed that someone truly cared.
It’s the small things that make the difference.
The same is true in education. When families are considering one school over another, it is often small, sometimes difficult to describe things that make the decision very clear. The friendliness of students, the attentiveness of teachers, the cursive handwriting proudly displayed, the prayerfulness of students, and the strong community can all make a huge difference in why a school will gain a family. It can be the thought-provoking discussion that a seventh grader may describe during dinner or the second grader who stops the family in mid forkful to say grace that lets a parent know that they made the right decision. It is knowing that the children are truly being formed in the ways of truth, goodness, and beauty that makes all the difference in the world.
A Catholic school education does make all the difference.
Pat Mullen
Vice Principal
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It's not too late to dive into the excitement and make a splash for our Saints!
DID YOU KNOW?
If every student in the school raised just $100 for this cause, we would surpass our $25,000 goal!
Not everyone has to plunge into the cold water—we need EVERY family to participate by doing their part! Your donations, sponsorships, and efforts directly support our education—keeping our school strong for all our students.
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Start or join your class fundraising page at saintmary.school/polarplunge
- Ask family, friends, neighbors, or even your employer about matching gifts!
Every dollar makes waves toward academic excellence and more.
Let's make this our biggest year yet—together we can do it!
Thank you for your support. Go Saints!
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Polar Plunge Sponsorship
We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Catholic Daughters of America for their generous support of our Polar Plunge fundraiser. Their commitment not only enriches our school community but also strengthens the values we hold dear at Saint Mary School. This partnership exemplifies the spirit of collaboration and service that we strive to embody, and we are truly grateful for their dedication to helping us create a nurturing environment for our students.
We warmly invite all Catholic women 18 and over to join us for our next meeting on March 11th, held in the Blessed Sacrament Shrine Lower Room from 6:30 to 9:00 PM. This gathering is a wonderful opportunity to connect with fellow women of faith, fostering both community and spiritual growth within our nurturing environment. We encourage you to pick up a lavender flyer in the Narthex for more information about CDA membership, and feel free to reach out to Maria at 908-461-7614 or via email at mariaskribner@aol.com with any questions. Together, we can embark on a journey of faith, support, and enrichment, as we strive to embody the values of our beloved Saint Mary Catholic School. Let us come together in fellowship and inspire one another through our shared commitment to faith and service.
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We are ready for a bake-off with our Annual Cup Cake Wars. This year we included a special contest for Tiny Tots through Kindergarten. | | | | FOR TINY TOTS – KINDERGARTEN | | | | |
ONE BIRTHDAY GRAM = ONE GIANT SMILE
We are thrilled to share some delightful news from the Saint Mary PTA: our beloved Birthday Grams are now available! This is a wonderful opportunity to send a fun and thoughtful surprise that will surely brighten your child’s special day and make them feel cherished within our nurturing school community. Participating is a breeze—simply click on the linked Google Form to schedule your Birthday Gram today! We are committed to fostering joy and connection among our families, and your involvement makes all the difference. Thank you for your unwavering support as we celebrate each child's unique journey with love and encouragement!
| | • Wed. February 25 • Wed., March 25 • Wed., April 22 • Wed., May 27 | | | | |
SPIRIT WEAR IS NOW AVAILABLE!
Show off your school pride with our latest Spirit Wear collection! Hoodies, crewnecks, and accessories are now on sale. Don’t miss your chance to gear up and represent SMS in style.
Order yours today! Use the link below.
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Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of a transformative journey, inviting us all to pause and reflect on our spiritual paths as we embrace the season of Lent. At Saint Mary School, this day holds special significance as we come together as a vibrant community, united in faith and purpose. It is a time for families to gather, share in meaningful traditions, and cultivate a deeper connection with one another and God. We encourage all families to embrace this opportunity for growth and engagement, celebrating the richness of our faith and its profound impact on our children's educational journey. Together, let us embark on this season with hope and joy, knowing that our collective efforts will enrich our lives and those of our children
at Saint Mary School.
| | | This Lent, we warmly invite all families to come together in the spirit of community at the Bulman Center every Friday. Join us for an enriching evening filled with heartfelt prayer, delicious soup, and the cherished fellowship that embodies the essence of Saint Mary School. As we gather during this sacred season, let us embrace the values of togetherness and spiritual growth, nurturing our connections not only with one another but also with our faith. There is a unique joy that arises from sharing a meal and lifting our voices in prayer, reminding us of the beauty of communal worship. So, let’s come together to deepen our faith and strengthen our bonds your presence will surely add to the warmth of this gathering. We can't wait to see you there! | | | | | |
SAINT MARY, MOTHER OF GOD CHURCH | | |
Become a Member of Saint Mary Parish!
We warmly invite you to register as a member of Saint Mary, Mother of God Church. There are so many blessings and benefits to becoming an official part of our church community, including:
- A deeper sense of belonging and spiritual support
- Access to parish events, ministries and sacraments
- Opportunities to serve and grow in faith
- Staying informed through parish communications
Join us as we grow together in faith, fellowship, and service. We look forward to welcoming you! If you have any questions please call 732-671-0071
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