Student produced reflections centered around the themes of this Sunday’s gospel.
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We are so thankful for the new entrance and the facility improvements. The building is more secure and the playground has provided a safe place for students to play. We still have a few safety concerns regarding student drop-off and pick-up. Please continue to use Marion Drive as a one way street before school to drop students at the new entrance. We are leaving the glass gym door open until 8:00 a.m. in hopes that the car traffic will flow better if two sets of doors are open. Marion Drive is closed in the afternoon which may create a more difficult pick-up situation. Please remember to park in the lot if you are waiting for your child or you need to enter the building. Parked cars are causing congestion before and after school because it is difficult to drive around the parked vehicles. We also want to eliminate the potential for students to get hurt as they cross traffic to get to parked cars. Please do not ask your elementary students to meet you at the car parked in the lot. Drivers are not able to see these little people crossing between cars. It does take more time to park and walk to the entrance, but think of it as a good time to connect with other parents and enjoy the beauty of the fresh air. Remember, the playground is not supervised before and after school. We invite you to stay after school with your children to enjoy this space, but we also ask you to supervise your own children. Please let us know if you have other ideas to share.
8th Grade Students Reflect On Their Years At St. Mary’s School
Fun.. One of my favorite things about our school is that it is such a fun place all around. Our student council organizes a lot of really fun activities, like dodge ball and night games. Track and Field is the best, because we get to dress up and play games in teams, against the rest of our school. And with the marathon, we get a ton of cool days, like pajama and hat days. Catholic School’s Week is another example. We dress up differently each day of the week and get to participate in multiple activities with our friends. I think that St. Mary’s is a really amazing school and I’m glad that I get the experience of going here.
By: Jennifer
Family…St. Mary’s has meant a lot to me. We are like one big family. We all know each other so well. We know how to get on each others nerves just like family, but we are always there for each other, through thick and thin, just like a family. Ever since pre-school our bonds have grown stronger as we watched each other grow before our eyes. So thank you St. Mary’s for being my second family through some of the best years of my life.
By: Becca
Faith…If I hadn’t gone to St. Mary’s School I don’t know where I would be with my faith. I would have still gone to Mass every Sunday, and would have been educated in my faith, but it would have been different. I probably wouldn’t know what it would be like to be truly faithful. Learning the basic prayers in my elementary grades, going to church with my classmates, and going to religion classes every day have all helped my faith grow. Thanks to St. Mary’s School, my relationship with Jesus is stronger than it could be if I hadn’t had this SMS experience.
-Emma
Service…St. Mary’s gives you the opportunityto serve others. This school has allowed me to step out of my comfort zone and really work to serve the community. I have gone to clean Darts Park with my class, volunteer to play in the Liturgy Band, and I have also participated in Healthy Seniors Cleanup. These are only a few of the many things that I have been able to be a part of because of my school. These were all great experiences for me, and without St. Mary’s I wouldn’t have even thought about helping out in these events. The service that I have done at this school has helped me become more mindful of the need to help those, young and old, not only in school but also out of school. I am more aware of who needs my help and what services I can bring to others around me, no matter where I go. St. Mary’s School has changed my perspective about service and taught me that it is really important to not just do what’s expected, but go beyond and strive to make a difference. by Mattie
Family, Faith, Friendship…The definition of family is a group consisting of parents with children living in a household. That is also my definition for St. Mary’s School. I’m in eighth grade, have been here since preschool, and I’ve been with most of my classmates since preschool. St. Mary’s School is a huge family. We all care about each other with one father, God. I’ve noticed in my grade especially that we all have completely different shapes, sizes and personalities, but we all fit together perfectly. Just like a puzzle. Friendship is that one thing that we all share at St. Mary’s. I don’t know what I would do if my parents wouldn’t have chosen to send me to SMS. I probably never would have received as much love or friendship with amazing people from any other place other than St. Mary’s. We also have a great staff. As an eighth grade class, everyday I see us put a smile on at least one staff member’s face. Our teach ers see so much potential in each and every one of us; potential that some people might not see or understand. Our Catholic faith keeps all of us glued together. When someone starts to break away from our hold we all bring God back into their live with even more love from Him than before. A verse from a song reminded me of what St. Mary’s School is:
“Everyone can see we’re together
As we walk on by
And we fly just like birds of a feather
I won’t tell no lie
All of the people around us they say
Can they be that close
Just let me state for the record
We’re giving love in a family dose.”
-From “We Are Family” by Sister Sledge
by Kaite
The St. Mary’s School Board Finance Committee has approved the use of TADS Tuition Management for the 2012-13 school year. This service will allow parents more flexibility in payment options and easier access to information because of the web-based program. It will also provide a wonderful administrative service, freeing up time for the Principal. Time better spent building relationships and working with students and families on educational concerns. We will still be involved in the process and will continue to offer you as much flexibility as possible. Later this spring, after registrations are completed, families will receive information on how to enroll on-line for this service. TADS will charge a small convenience fee for families choosing to pay tuition over 12 months. This is one of the reasons the school board wanted to keep the tuition increase to a minimum. Those families that choose to pay in one annual payment or two semi-annual payments will not be assessed the charge. If you have concerns or questions regarding this new program, please contact Mary Hawkins at 446-2300. Thank you for supporting our efforts to make improvements.
Kindergarten is an important time in a child’s education. It is the introduction into elementary school and the success of this year is critical to developing a child’s positive attitude toward school. St. Mary’s has been fortunate to have an all day program in place for many years. Families and educators have seen the benefit of this additional time. A full day program allows students the time they need to learn, explore, socialize, and create. There is also time to take part in extra programs and projects including art, music, physical education, science, and religion. The St. Mary’s program has grown and changed over the years in response to the needs of our families. The last two years, we have been supplementing the kindergarten day with an afternoon of extended day care for the first seven weeks of school. The first year we offered this, 1/3 of our students chose this option. This school year the number needing extended day was over half and we expect that trend to continue. In response to this growing need for extended care we will be offering the full day kindergarten program starting the first week of school for the 2012-13 school year. If you have questions or concerns regarding this change, please call Principal Mary Hawkins at SMS, 446-2300.
Students at St. Mary’s are participating in Catholic Schools Week. There will be special events all week long. Monday started with “Academic Day” and students played acedemic based games in their spirit group teams during the Acedemic Decathlon. Tuesday is “Service Day” and classrooms will be living their faith through service projects. Wednseday is “Faith Day” and will be celebrated with mass at 8:10 at Sacred Heart Church. Thursday will be all about fun as students dress in crazy outfits and crazy hair. Many grade levels will be going on field trips to enjoy our winter weather in Minnesota. The final day of the week will be our “Family Day”. Students will participate in a talent show at 12:45 and families will join us for a family fun night at Sacred Heart Parish Center to see the ComedySportz Show at 7:00 a.m. It is a great week for Catholic Schools!