Friday Flash
Friday, October 23, 2026
| | |
Friday, October 23, 2026
Protecting God's Children Lessons
Monday, October 26, 2026
NO School
Wednesday, October 28, 2026
Chick-fil-A Day!
Order by 10am Tuesday, October 27th!
First Responders Day
PTG Candy Drive for Trunk or Treat Ends
Friday, October 30, 2026
PTG Trunk or Treat & Chili Cook-off 6pm
Sunday, November 1, 2026
All Saints Day
Daylight Savings Time, Fall Back
Wednesday, November 4, 2026
Make up Fall Picture Day
Wednesday, November 11, 2026
Veteran's Day
Veteran's Breakfast in the Small Cafe 8am
Prayer Service 9am
Thursday, November 12, 2026
Chick-fil-A Day!
PTG Meeting (at SMS) 6:30pm
Friday, November 13, 2026
Noon Dismissal
| |  | This week, our school community came together to pray the Living Rosary. Students, faculty, and staff joined their hearts in prayer, lifting up our school, families, and special intentions to Our Blessed Mother. It was a beautiful reminder of the strength and joy of being united in faith as a Catholic school community | | |
OCTOBER LUNCH MENU
Change in Menu - October 30th. We will be serving "Mummy Dogs" instead of Mac & Cheese.
| | |
! Friendly Reminder !
To ensure you do not miss any important updates in this week’s Friday Flash, be sure to click the
"View Entire Message" link at the bottom left of your screen.
You’ll know you’ve reached the end when you see "Connect with Us!" along with links to our Facebook, Instagram, and Email.
| | | |
! After School Care Reminder !
We'd like to kindly remind all families that after-school care ends promptly at 5:30PM, and children should be picked up no later than this time.
Many of our after-school care staff are also full-time teachers who begin their day early and have full schedules. They dedicate their time and energy throughout the day to support our students, and your punctuality helps them get home in a timely manner to rest and recharge.
We understand that delays can occasionally happen, but consistent late pick-ups are becoming a challenge. To ensure a respectful and sustainable working environment for our staff, we ask for your cooperation in adhering to the 5:30PM pick up time.
Thank you for your understanding and support!
| | |
Volunteer Opportunities
Looking to check off some of your 2026-2027 SMS Volunteer Hours?
We have some wonderful opportunities for you!
| | |
We are currently seeking volunteers to help support an upcoming event hosted by an organization that generously provides St. Matthew’s Catholic School with a $20,000 grant. This is a meaningful opportunity for our school community to show our gratitude by giving back, supporting their event, and helping make it a success.
**Please note that this volunteer opportunity requires standing for the duration of the event, as well as some lifting, so please keep these physical requirements in mind when signing up.
All time worked at this event may be counted toward your St. Matthew’s volunteer hours.
| | | |
We are also looking for volunteers to help make this year’s 'Scottish Christmas' Holiday Auction & Gala a success! From event setup and assisting with various tasks throughout the evening to helping clean up at the end of the night and assisting with package pickup the following day, there are opportunities for everyone to get involved.
We truly can’t do it without you! Your time, energy, and support make these events possible and help strengthen the St. Matthew’s community. Thank you for volunteering and for helping us support the organizations that so generously support our school.
| | |
Work Opportunities to Offset Tuition Costs!
Looking for a fun and easy way to help offset your child’s tuition costs?
St. Matthew’s families have a great opportunity to earn money toward their tuition account by volunteering at upcoming events at the Norfolk Scope. Opportunities include working concessions, food service, and beer and alcohol sales at Norfolk Admirals games, concerts, comedy shows, and more.
It is a simple and enjoyable way to serve, connect with other school families, and turn a fun night out into tuition savings at the same time.
| | | |
We Need Your Boxes!
The Development Team is looking for clean and sturdy good-sized boxes in good condition to help with upcoming projects and events.
Have a stack of Amazon boxes taking up space in your recycling bin? Don’t recycle them just yet! Send them our way! Your boxes can be put to good use by our Development Team.
Please drop off your clean, sturdy boxes at the Spirit Shop or Development Office during school hours.
Every box helps, so we’d love to have yours!
Thank you for helping us turn your recycling into something useful for our school community!
| | From the Development Team... | | | | |
Almost Completely Sold Out!!
Step into the spirit of the season at St. Matthew’s Scottish Christmas Holiday Auction & Gala on Saturday, November 14, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. Join us for an enchanting adults-only evening inspired by the elegance and charm of a grand Scottish castle, where festive décor, delicious food, fellowship, and an exciting holiday auction come together to create a truly unforgettable celebration.
Tickets are going quickly, so don’t miss your chance to be part of this special evening!
Coming with a group? Gather your favorite people and reserve a table for 10 to experience the magic of Scottish Christmas together. Reserve your tickets or table today and join us for an unforgettable adults-only evening!
| | |
Make your evening at the 'Scottish Christmas' Holiday Auction & Gala extra special with a VIP Table for Eight! Designed for an unforgettable adults-only evening, your VIP experience includes seated dinner service, VIP check-in and check-out, five bottles of upgraded wine served at your table, and exclusive VIP appetizers and desserts.
Only 3 VIP Tables Remaining!
Gather your favorite guests, dress for the occasion, and reserve your VIP Table for Eight before they’re gone.
Once these tables are sold, there will be no more VIP seating available.
| | | | |
Auction Class Packages: The Gala That Gives Back
Every donation creates opportunities. Every bid builds our future.
If you're new to St. Matthew's, welcome!
One of the highlights of our annual Holiday Auction & Gala is our Class Packages.
Each class, from Preschool through 8th Grade, works together to create a themed auction package using donated items, gift cards, experiences, services, and monetary contributions from our school families and community partners. These one-of-a-kind packages are auctioned during the Gala, with all proceeds directly benefiting our students, teachers, and school community.
Last year, our Class Packages raised an incredible $33,100.
Imagine what we can accomplish together this year!
Whether you donate an item, gift card, experience, service, or make a monetary contribution toward your child's class package, every gift helps create an exciting package and makes a meaningful impact.
Thank you for helping us make this year's Gala another incredible success!
| | |
We invite you to create a dish, baked good, or other favorite recipe from your family’s kitchen to contribute to our Treasures of the Kitchen auction. Along with your delicious creation, please email Ms. Lessard a short write-up sharing the family history, story, or special memories behind the recipe.
Your story will be shared with our guests on auction night, giving them a glimpse into the traditions and memories that make each family recipe unique.
Share a taste of your family tradition and help us create something truly special for Scottish Christmas!
| | | | | |
Support St. Matthew’s Catholic School by participating in our Auction Cash Raffle, generously sponsored by Boba Chef (The Macasaet Family)! Tickets are $5 each or $25 per book of five for a chance to win
First Prize: $1,000, Second Prize: $500!
Sell a full book for a chance to win two tickets to our Scottish Christmas Holiday Auction & Gala, and help your child’s class win a special treat!
Return ticket stubs and payment by November 2 to qualify for the drawing. All sold and unsold tickets and money are due by November 13.
**More tickets available in the Main Office or with Development**
| | |
Welcome, Military Families!
Thank you for your service! If your family has a military connection, please take a moment to complete the Military Family Google Form. Completing the form helps us recognize your family's military connection and allows us to better support and connect with our SMS military families.
We are excited to announce the return of Military Lunches, back by popular demand! These special small-group lunches will give students from military families an opportunity to connect with other students who share similar experiences while enjoying lunch with our School Counselor, Mrs. Johnson. We ask all SMS military families to complete the form, even if your student is not interested in participating in the Military Lunches. There is an option on the form to indicate that your student does not wish to attend. The deadline to register is November 2nd.
Military Lunches are expected to begin in mid-November.
| | |
Ignatius Book Fair
Our school will be hosting an Ignatius Book Fair!
Date(s): October 19-23
Time: Open before school from 7:30-8:00 am, during library classes, & after school from 3:30-5:00 pm
Location: St. Matthew's Library
The book fair is a special opportunity to expand your family library while also helping us earn new books for our classrooms and library. Every purchase benefits our school!
We’d love to see you at the fair, but if you can’t attend, you can still participate and shop online.
How to Shop Online for Our Book Fair
- Sign in to the Ignatius Book Fairs Online Store at
https://store.ignatiusbookfairs.com?signup=true&schoolId=id
- Enter your child’s name.
- Select your child’s classroom.
- Confirm and add additional children/classrooms as needed.
- When finished, click “Get Started” to explore the wonderful book selections!
Thank you for your support—we look forward to seeing you at the fair!
| | From the National Junior Honor Society... | | |
Mass Days (Tuesdays) are Food Pantry Donation Days!
NJHS and SCA are teaming up to encourage our SMS families to bring in a food pantry donation on Tuesdays (Mass Days), as used to be our tradition. SCA reps will share with their classes the items that they are tagged with bringing (list is also attached). NJHS students will be stationed in the commons before Mass to collect the items as the students bring them over to the church on their way to Mass. They will also collect donations from the Preschool building. Your monthly donations will have a huge positive impact on filling the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry, enabling them to feed the hungry in our community.
Thank you.
| | | From the Athletics Department... | | | | |
SMS Team Stores
Would you like to purchase SMS Volleyball, Soccer, or Cross Country apparel?
Now is the perfect time to gear up and show your Eagle pride!
Whether you're cheering from the sidelines or supporting your favorite SMS athlete, we've got you covered!
| | |
Continuing our School-Wide Leadership Theme:
"Put on the Armor of God to Lead Like Christ"
Our October-November focus is the Shield of Faith, with the challenge to “Have Faith.”
A shield protects a soldier from danger. In the same way, our Shield of Faith reminds us that we can turn to God when life is difficult, uncertain, or frightening. Faith does not mean that we always know what will happen. It means that we can trust that God is with us, God loves us, and God will never abandon us.
Our October Challenge:
Trust God when something is difficult or uncertain.
Students will be encouraged to recognize moments when they feel worried, frustrated, nervous, or unsure and intentionally choose to respond with faith rather than fear.
We will continue connecting this challenge to Habit 1: Be Proactive by reminding students that they cannot always control their circumstances, but they can choose their response.
Students will practice:
- Trusting God when something feels difficult.
- Turning to prayer when they feel worried or afraid.
- Choosing courage instead of giving in to fear.
- Remembering that God is always with them.
- Taking responsibility for their response to challenges.
Try It at Home!
When your child encounters something difficult or uncertain, ask:
“What would it look like to have faith in this situation?”
You might encourage your child to say a simple prayer such as:
“Jesus, I don't know what will happen, but I trust You. Help me to have faith.”
This month, we want our students to discover that faith isn't just something we talk about—it is something we live, especially when life doesn't go according to plan.
Raise your Shield of Faith. Trust God. Lead Like Christ.
| | |
Candy Drive Dress Down & Donut Day
October 21st - October 28th
Feed the candy monster with donations of bagged candy and help put the "treat" in "Trunk or Treat"!
The classroom that donates the most candy will receive a Dress Down & Donut Day (ice cream passes for preschool)!
Write your student's name and homeroom number on your candy donation and drop it in the candy monster collection bin in front of the main office.
PTG Trunk or Treat & Chili Cook-off
Friday, October 30, 2026 6pm - 8pm
Join us for a DJ, games, prizes, chili tasting, food trucks, and of course TRICK OR TREATING around the SMS parking lot!
FREE event admission | $5 chili tasting
Food trucks are independently operated
Sign up on the PTG Hub to:
Host a trunk: ONLY 8 SPOTS LEFT! Earn 3 volunteer hours and a chance to win an extra volunteer hour, dress-down passes, and a trophy
Enter the chili cook-off: Earn 3 volunteer hours and a chance to win an extra volunteer hour, dress-down passes, and a trophy
Volunteer: Opportunities are available before, during and after the event!
| | | |
Add the PTG Calendar to your own!
Simply click the button above, scroll to the bottom of the page, locate the calendar in the right-hand corner, and click the (+) sign to add it to your personal calendar.
| |
Your one-stop shop for all things PTG!
Event & Volunteer sign-ups, PTG Square site for purchases, Link to the PTG Facebook page, and the Volunteer Hour Submission form
| Reach out to the PTG at any time! | | |
The Catholic Diocese of Richmond is currently seeking qualified candidates for several employment opportunities across the Diocese:
Pastoral Center is seeking a Building Maintenance Technician to work Monday - Friday, from 1pm - 9pm.
View the Job Posting and Apply
Pastoral Center is seeking an Administrative Assistant to support the Office of Evangelization.
View the Job Posting and Apply
For questions about any of these positions, please contact Kelly Shumate, HR Generalist/Recruiter.
Please share these opportunities with anyone who may be interested in serving the Catholic Diocese of Richmond through one of these positions.
| | From the Business Office... | | |
LOG YOUR 2026-2027 VOLUNTEER HOURS HERE
Not sure how to access your FACTS Family Portal? Please follow these STEPS.
For more information from FACTS regarding how to pay incidental charges, including how to enroll in AutoPay, please click HERE.
If you would prefer to view your FACTS Family Portal and Financial Information in Spanish, log in to your account and click on your initials in the upper right corner. Select "User Options" and choose "Español" from the Language Drop-Down box. Then click Close.
| | | | |
