The Weekly Update #4

Dear Parents,

As we wrap up a vibrant and memorable week, I want to express my deepest gratitude for your incredible support in making our recent events such a success. From our joyful Book or Treat/Storybook Day to the reverent All Saints Day Mass and Parade, and the lively Parish Fall Festival, each gathering brought our community closer and reminded us of the blessings we share.

Your participation and enthusiasm—whether preparing costumes, attending events, or simply cheering along—helped create unforgettable experiences for our children. These moments are made all the more special by the warmth, generosity, and community spirit you bring, fostering an environment where our children not only learn but also grow in faith and fellowship.

Thank you once again for all that you do to support our school. May the spirit of these celebrations carry on, blessing us throughout the school year. May they also support a strong academic foundation and the opportunities for our students to make real-life connections from what they are learning with their family and friends.

Blessings to all!

In Christ,

Mrs. Ana E. Gomez, M.Ed.

Principal

We would like to take a moment to highlight the importance of our school day schedule in ensuring a productive and enriching learning environment for all. Consistency and timeliness are essential not only for each student’s success but also for the smooth functioning of our classrooms and school as a whole.

When students are habitually tardy, they miss valuable routines and instruction and can inadvertently disrupt a class that has already begun. Similarly, frequent early departures interrupt the learning environment and diminish the consistency that all students rely on. We understand that unexpected circumstances may arise, but when tardiness or early departures become habitual, it affects everyone.

As we begin the second quarter, let’s take time to review our arrival and attendance habits to support your child’s education and the positive experience of all students. Every school day counts toward your child’s development, with only 180 instructional days to foster their academic, social, emotional, and physical growth.

Morning Arrival/ Dismissal and Attendance

• Gates open at 7:30 a.m. and close at 8:10 a.m.
• Students will be marked tardy at 8:16 a.m.
• Half-day or full-day absences will be marked based on the time missed. For excused absences, please ensure you submit proper documentation to the teacher or office.
• For full details on attendance policies, please refer to the school handbook.
• Dismissal Dismissal is also a key time of the day, and we are implementing a new process to improve safety and efficiency. Starting this week, please be prepared to show your student’s identification number through IDismiss. This ID number, provided at the beginning of the school year, will help streamline the process. We appreciate your cooperation as students, teachers, and parents familiarize themselves with this system.

Thank you for your continued support in making our school a nurturing and productive place for every child to learn and grow.

Mrs. Rocio Lopez , from the Incarnate Word Academy family will be joining our school community this Monday, November 4th. She is not stranger to the diocese and school setting and will be serving as adminstrative assistant to our office. She will be the first contact anyone will make with our school during the instructional day. Her experience and expertise is extenstive but the most important is her love for children and the mission of Catholic education.

Please join me in welcoming her to our office team and share the St. Mary's spirit!

All students will receive a star and are invited to decorate and include the name of a veteran(s), their military affiliation and time of service. Families are welcome to make copies of the star if needed. Students may return them no later than Friday, November 8th so we can create a school mural.

A very special invitation to all veterans who are able to attend our morning prayer on Monday.

We thank all veterans for their service. God bless them and the U.S.A.!

A Brownsville and Matamoros Express Bridge card will be raffled at our Style Show. For those who opt out of the bridge card a $1500 dollar gift card will be given.

Participation is optional. Each family will be given four tickets to purchase if there is interest or may be sold. Cash and raffle stub will may be returned to the business office by Thursday, November 21st or at the venue. Tickets will be distrbuted soon.

We thank everyone for their support.

Our advancement team has partnered with SchoolStore this year to help raise additional funds to support essential needs for students and teachers. This is a very easy way to share and raise support.

Each student took home a folder with information and families are welcome to sign up and share. As the holidays approach there is an opportunity to connect our online purchases with support for our school. Participation is optional and will run the entire year where our school is eligible for support from over 300 merchants.

Students who sign up and send six emails or text will receive a Book Buddy prize.

If you need any assistance or have any questions please feel free to access their email or reach out to our team in the main office. Thank you!

Creativity at it's best! Students were creative in coming together with costumes for Storybook Day and All Saint's Day.

Our 2nd graders were very excited to play and learn about the "Old I Phone Cup" from 1876!

Students share their saint's projects with presentations to their peers.

Learning by using all of the five senses! The fall season provides many opportunities to use real-life elements to teach science, math, language and culture.

Teachers join in the fun to make connections and inspire students! We appreciate them.

Striving to be saints! We learn from these models and each other to live a life of holiness to love and share Christ's love with all. Saints forever!