Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, his mercy endures forever
- Psalm 107
Dear Parents,
This month as we prepare our homes and our hearts for the Thanksgiving holiday, we also focus on the virtue of gratitude. Education in Virtue defines gratitude as “Thankful disposition of mind and heart.” Being thankful is a choice. Perception is a key component of gratitude. We can make the choice to see the thorns in a field or roses or we can see the beauty of the roses. We can grumble when the alarm clock goes off on these dark mornings in November, or we can be thankful for the gift of a new day. Focusing on the virtue of gratitude helps us to be mindful of the gifts in our lives and to count our blessings rather than our problems. Every day can have its challenges, but every day has its blessings as well. This week as we come together for Parent/Teacher Conferences, I am grateful for your partnership and for your willingness to set time aside to work with our teachers as we try to provide the best possible educational experience for your children. I am grateful for our teachers and staff who have devoted themselves to this vocation, to your children and to our school. I am grateful to your children who bring the world so much promise and who help remind us all what really matters in life. I am grateful for our clergy who provide us with spiritual guidance. I am grateful that we are a community of faith and that we can celebrate and practice our faith at school where we can inform children’s minds and form their hearts. When I really think about it, my gratitude is endless, and I know that each gift for which I am grateful comes from God. Thank you, God!
God Bless,
Rachel
Tomorrow is Final Day!
We are raising money to replace the Preschool Playground, and have a fun competition to kick things off! From November 12- November 22 we will have a Penny War - students are grouped together in teams and can earn points by bringing in loose change. But watch out - silver coins can take away points from another team! All proceeds will go towards the Preschool Playground project, and the winning team will get a dress down day!
Praise and Thanksgiving
All families are invited to join the K-8 students and staff for our annual Praise and Thanksgiving on Wednesday, November 27 at 9:15 am in the Hall. Some reminders:
- If you would like to take your student at the end of the service, please email attendance@smsridgefield.org by 9:00 Wednesday. Students will return to their classrooms to pick up their backpacks prior to being dismissed to parents in the main office. This is a very busy day in the main office, and in order to ensure the safety of our students no exceptions will be made.
- All students should wear their Full Dress Uniforms.
A Peek Ahead
There are so many upcoming events, here is a peek ahead beyond next week:
- December 2 - SMS Spirit Dress Down Day
- December 2-5 - HSA Christmas Shop
- December 3 - Giving Tuesday
- December 5 - K-5 Parent Coffee
- December 6 - First Friday Mass, HSA Meeting & Coffee and Conversation
- December 9 - NO SCHOOL - Feast of the Immaculate Conception
- December 10 - Senior Luncheon
- December 11 - Christmas Card Stuffing
- December 12 - SMS Christmas Pageant and Concert
- December 13 - Festive Christmas Sweater Dress Down Day; Staff Christmas Party - No Aftercare
- December 16 - Grade 8 Periodic Table Fair
- December 19 - PK-8 Class Christmas Parties; Christmas Colors Dress Down
- December 20 - Benediction and Early Dismissal; No Aftercare
- December 23-January 1 - No School Christmas Break
Hot Lunch
Hot lunch orders for December close on Sunday, November 24 at midnight. We will not re-open ordering after that date. Please take a moment today to submit your orders. Click here.
December Pizza Order for Lunch December 10th
Our Grade 8 class came up with a creative way to raise money to defray the cost of their class trip. They are going to offer Planet Pizza for lunch on the second Tuesday of each month when we host the senior citizen lunch. These days hot lunch is not available from our school. One slice is $4.50 two slices is $9. Planet Pizza lunch will be served on December 10. Students from grades TK-8 may order. Deadline for December orders is Monday December 2. 2024. We can NOT accept any orders after Dec. 2. Please use the following link to order for December orders. Order Here Questions, please contact Mrs. Campo at campoj@smsridgefield.org.
Winter Weather Procedures
There is a chill in the air, and that brings with it the chance for a weather related school closing, delay or early dismissal. Saint Mary School follows the decisions of the Ridgefield Public School System. SMS Parents will be notified via text/email/ and or phone call, depending on the timing of the notification.
In the event of a 2 hour delayed opening:
- K-8 students and PK before care participants may be dropped off beginning at 9:10 am.
- K-8 begins at 9:30 am.
- Preschool begins at 10:30 am. Morning preschool students are invited to stay the full day.
In the event of a 3 hour delayed opening:
- K-8 students and PK before care participants may be dropped off beginning at 10:10 am.
- K-8 begins at 10:30 am.
- Preschool begins at 11:30 am. Morning preschool students are invited to stay the full day.
In the event of a weather related early dismissal:
- K-8 students may be dismissed at 10:30 or 11:30 am.
- Preschool students are dismissed at 11:00 am.
- There will be no aftercare.
Preschool Flu Shots Required by December 31, 2024
Preschool parents this is just another reminder if you have not already done so, please make sure your child receives their annual Flu shot by December 31st, if your child has never received a Flu shot please schedule and complete the first series (2 doses) before December 31st. The Flu shot is mandated by CT State to be enrolled in preschool. Please provide the nurse with documentation once it has been administered. Please reach out to me directly if you have any questions or concerns at nurse@smsridgefield.org.
Christmas Shop 12/3-12/5
Information about this event went home in backpacks! Please send any questions to HSAchristmasshop@smsridgefield.org
Father Daughter Dance - January 31, 2025
Collection for Malta House
My name is Zoe Fehring and I am in eighth grade at St Mary School. I am doing a service project for school to collect items for Malta House, We will be collecting things like socks, toothpaste, and hand sanitizer. These items will be used to make Christmas gift bags for mothers at Malta House. Below is a link to an Amazon Wishlist where you can donate items. All items will be about $15. If you are interested in donating, please buy the high priority items first. Please order these NO LATER THAN DECEMBER 1st. If you would like to ask me any questions you can email me at fehringz25@smsridgefield.org. Thank you so much for your time and support!
- For wishlist, click here.
- For more about Malta House, click here.
Pokemon Players Club Sunday December 8 - Blake P's Capstone
Join Pokemon Players Club on Sunday, December 8th to play in the Season's Greetings Tournament! This event will feature two tournaments: one tournament for beginner players and a tournament for advanced players. The beginner tournament will provide 30 card starter decks to battle with while the advanced tournament will not provide decks. If you want to sign up for the Pokemon Players Club Season's Greetings Tournament click here: https://ridgefieldlibrary.librarymarket.com/event/hold-pokemon-tournament-109163 We can't wait to see you!
Knights of Columbus Food Drive
The Knights of Columbus are having drive thru collection drop on Saturday, November 23 from 10am-12pm in front of the School. Click here for needed items.
Family Movie Night Suggestions
To help families spend time together and share common experiences, the Leadership Institute of the Diocese of Bridgeport provides recommendations for Family Movie Night. Each week, a new recommendation and explanation are available. Click here for recent suggestions, including this week's suggestions, "Ice Age."
Ridgefield Holiday Stroll December 6-7
The Holiday Stroll is happening December 6-7! On Friday night from 6-9 PM, enjoy horse-drawn carriages, live music, carolers, and even toy soldiers spreading holiday cheer. Over at the Lounsbury House, meet Santa & Mrs. Claus, see live reindeer, and send postcards to the troops! Shops will be open late, so don’t forget to support local and get your holiday shopping done. And don’t wait—make your restaurant reservations soon before they fill up!
High School LInks
While most Open Houses are complete. below find links to High School Admissions Pages of schools
- Immaculate High School, Danbury
- Fairfield Prep (boys only), Fairfield
- Notre Dame Prep, Fairfield
- Convent of the Sacred Heart (girls only), Greenwich
- Canterbury School, New Milford
- Kennedy Catholic, Somers NY
- St. Joseph High School, Trumbull
- Cardinal Kung Academy, Stamford
- Lauralton Hall (girls only), Milford
- Iona Prep (boys only), New Rochelle
- Fordham Prep (boys only), Bronx
About Us
Email: dowdinga@smsridgefield.org
Website: www.smsridgefield.org
Location: 183 High Ridge Avenue, Ridgefield, CT, USA
Phone: 203 438 7288
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StMaryRidgefield/