A reminder that we always need help from families on Fun Run Day with set-up, marking laps on arms, serving lunch, and pickup.

If you plan to be here for the Fun Run, please reach out to Lauren Pelis at l_ellis20@yahoo.com so she can include you in her planning.

NEXT FRIDAY: Friday May 17 - SMS Fun Run

Sunday May 19 - Pentecost

Tuesday May 21 - Spring Concert in Rand Hall at 6:00 p.m. Doors open at 5:45

Wednesday May 22 - Health Fair - Faculty Meeting

Friday May 24 - EARLY RELEASE – Teacher In-Service

*Release at noon, lunch served and extended care available until 3:00 p.m.

Saturday May 25 - High School Prom Cruise for grades 9-12 (contact katiepierce@smsvt.info)

Monday May 27 – NO SCHOOL - Memorial Day

Thursday May 30 - Solemnity of Corpus Christi - Holy Hour & Benediction

A Look Ahead to June

Wednesday June 5 - NO Faculty Meeting

UPDATE: Thursday June 6 – Move-Up Morning has been moved to June 6 after All School Meeting

Friday June 7 - BENEDICTION: Solemnity of the Sacred Heart

Wednesday June 12 - EARLY RELEASE - Last Day of School ENJOY YOUR SUMMER 🌞

*Release at 12 noon, lunch served at 11:30, NO AFTERCARE

Thursday June 13 - High School Convocation Mass @ 5:15 p.m.

High School Graduation @ 6 p.m.

Thursday June 13th - Friday June 14 – Teacher In-service - Last Day of School for Faculty

SMS is still enrolling! We have open enrollment so it's never too late. Mrs. O'Neil works with new families considering enrollment throughout the year.

Parents are looking for alternatives in education right now more than ever. It is surprising how often we talk to someone that simply didn't know we were here! We encourage you to talk to your friends and family about your experience at Saint Michael School this year and help us grow.

FACEBOOK: If you haven't already done so, please like and follow our Facebook page so you can see other great photos not posted here in the Hark each week: https://www.facebook.com/SMSVT

As we begin each new school year, we hope you all will continue to stay connected with Saint Michael School but we understand if you are in a new season of life. If you are no longer interested in receiving our newsletter, please know that there is an "unsubscribe" option at the end of every newsletter. You are also welcome to request for your email to be removed from our mailing list. Contact lindsayoneil@smsvt.info to be removed.

Our teachers are beginning to schedule their end of year class field trips.

We will update this list as dates and locations are finalized.

PK/K: Tuesday, May 14 trip to the Montshire Museum in Norwich, Vermont

Grade 1 and 2: Tuesday, May 23 trip to Stonewall Farm in Keene, New Hampshire

Grade 3 and 4: Tuesday, May 14 trip to the Montshire Museum in Norwich, Vermont

Grade 5: Wednesday, June 5 trip to the Springfield Museums in Springfield, Massachusetts

Grade 6: Wednesday, June 5 trip to the Clark Art Institute in Williamstown, Massachusetts

Grade 7: Tuesday, June 4 trip to Rudyard Kipling's Home Naulakha in Dummerston, Vermont

Grade 8-11: Tuesday, June 4 Walking Field Trip to West River Park, Brattleboro, Vermont

Grade 12: Monday June 3- Thursday June 6: Senior Class trip to Quebec!!!

As you all know, our students completed their Terra Nova standardized testing this week. They worked so hard this week to complete all of their testing. Morale was high, the students were wonderful, and so were all of the families in supporting us. Thank you to everyone who made this week so special. Everyone has earned a weekend of rest.

In honor of the Ascension, and May as the month of Mary , the sixth graders provided a tea party for the other students. The tea and cookies were a nice respite in between their Terra Nova testing.

Good afternoon,

We are one week away from the Fun Run and we are so close to reaching our goal of $20,000!!!

In fact, we are $4,000 away from our goal and we still have 66 students who have not handed in their envelope yet. When you send in your envelope, please remind your child to give it to their homeroom teacher or myself.

Some envelopes show online donations that we haven't received yet. If you want to know if all your online donations have been received, please email me and I will send you a list of your child's sponsors, so you know who you need to strong arm!! Lol

We feel so confident that we will reach our goal and be able to duct tape Mrs. Beam to the wall that we are asking for donations of duct tape.

I don't know about anyone else, but I can't wait to duct tape Mrs. Beam to the wall!!! It's the little things in life that make me happy!!!

Even if you have sent in your envelope it isn't too late to get more donations. Every little bit helps!!!

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!!!

Sandi

Let your donors know that their donation is tax-deductible and we offer convenient online giving for instant donations and donor receipts. Here is the link https://saintmichaelschoolvt.org/sms-fun-run

As Mrs. Gauthier shared above, we feel so confident that we will reach our goal and be able to duct tape Mrs. Beam to the wall that we are asking for donations of duct tape. If you have some tape you'd like to contribute for next Friday, send it in with your students or stop by the office. We are hoping for lots more donations to our Fun Run itself, and some colorful tape to celebrate achieving our goal.

Saint Michael School is hiring for the 2024/2025 school year.

If you know someone that would be a great fit for our teaching team, please send them this video and encourage them to call us.

Please help us spread the word by sharing this video far and wide... we can't wait to see who God is calling to SMS next.

All of our mug orders have been fulfilled so we now have 7 mugs left for sale. They came out really nice!

If you would like to purchase one for yourself or as a gift, feel free to stop by the school office or submit your order online here:

https://saintmichaelschoolvt.org/sms-hs-drama-production

We will be offering 5 weeks of preschool summer camp this year for children ages 3-5.

Each week will be limited to 8 spots. Please let us know if you have any questions or trouble while registering your family.

My name is Dr. Bert Green and am a school psychologist specializing in school neuropsychology. After a 25-year career consulting for schools in MA and VT I have retired and continue my work with children on a voluntary basis at St. Mike’s. I’m a member of the parish and my husband and I live in Dover, VT.

I have been working with students, faculty and staff since last summer and I'd love to now partner with you as parents and guardians to our students. I look forward to periodically writing helpful articles for the Hark! The articles are meant to be general guidelines to help support your child’s education. Please feel free to email bertgreen76@gmail.com if you have suggestions for topics or questions.

©2024 Roberta “Bert” Green, Ed.D.

It is impossible to live, work and go to school with other people and not have disagreements that sometimes escalate into conflicts. No matter how much people love each other, conflict is going to occur. However, conflict doesn’t have to be aggressive, mean spirited, or leave people with hurt feelings. I humbly suggest the I LOVE method for conflict resolution. This is a method that I have developed after many years of working with students from preschool through college.

I stands for Inventory. Take an inventory of your emotional space. If you think you are too upset, you may need to get into a better emotional state. This can be done several ways: taking deep breaths, counting backwards, taking a short walk, or even waiting a bit until you cool down. Remember: it is impossible to rationalize with someone who is being irrational. If either you or the other person are agitated, waiting to have the conflict resolved may be a good option.

(Pause if necessary)

L stands for Listen Actively. This means pay attention to what the other person is saying. Make eye contact, nod your head to convey understanding, and rephrase what you are hearing.

O stands for be Open and Observant. Be Open to what the other person is saying. What are his/her needs and opinions? Observe how they are speaking. What is their body language, as well as the tone and volume of their voice?

V stands for Value the other person and their opinion (even if you disagree with it). All humans want to be heard and valued. When you convey that you hear what the other person is saying in an honest way, that opens the other party up for better dialogue.

E stands for Express your ideas and opinions.

This strategy is intended to help both parties better understand the other and work out a compromise. When compromise between the parties can not be made, a mediator may need to be called in. The mediator should be an impartial individual who can help resolve the conflict.

Finally, compromise in everything but morals! Remember St. John reminds us to Love one another as Jesus loved us (John 13:34). Even if we disagree with what someone else is doing, we still need to love them and not judge them as a person.

Remember: Treat others as you want to be treated.

Teachers are now taking lunch orders IN THE CLASSROOM at role call. Make sure each of your children knows if they have a packed home lunch, or should order a hot school lunch.

We will be sending out a printed menu each month for your daily reference. You may also consult the Hark for a digital copy.

IF YOU ARE TARDY:

Our meal order must be submitted by 8:30 am. If you anticipate arriving after 8:25 am, please email the office and your homeroom teacher in the morning with any HOT lunch orders.

Lunch costs $4.15. Families will receive an invoice on the 5th of each month with the lunch bill for the month prior. Your FACTS account will autopay the bill on the 20th of that month. You will receive emails from FACTS so please be diligent in checking your emails monthly. Applications for eligibility to participate in the National School Lunch Program for Free of Reduced Lunch were sent out earlier this year and are still available in the office.

Call 802.254.6320 for questions

or email sandigauthier@smsvt.info

As our school grows, prospective families are eager to hear from current families. We have a web presence on many sites but the reviews are outdated. A lot has changed and we are hoping that each of you will pick a site or two to leave some comments and reviews to help us spread the word.

Here is our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/SMSVT

niche.com

privateschoolreview.com

winnie.com (for our preschool)

greatschools.org

And of course a good ole fashioned Google search and review of SMS by typing Saint Michael Catholic School Brattleboro VT

If you know of an event that might be interesting or beneficial to our school community, please feel free to send us details and a flyer to include there.

✝Memento mori

"The one thing that unites us all, no matter our background, is the fact that we will all die. It’s a truth that we all know, yet many of us are scared to face it head-on. This fear of mortality is what inspired the ancient practice of Memento Mori, which encourages us to reflect on our mortality and use it as a tool to make the most of each moment and enjoy the journey."(Andrea Shelley)*

Vermont Catholic Community Foundation (VCCF) recently engaged with FreeWill, to provide free, confidential, online assistance with creating a will, advance directive, and power of attorney in addition to outlining your wishes for a Catholic funeral and burial. You can also make a simple bequest in your will specifying an amount or percentage of your estate that would benefit a specific Catholic ministry, such as Saint Michael Catholic School! This tool is free for our community. It only takes 20 minutes to complete your will now: https://www.freewill.com/vccf

🙏We hope you will please remember Saint Michael Catholic School in your estate planning and leave a legacy of faith.

Pass it along. This is not only for Catholics or those wanting a Catholic Funeral.

No one should be without their wishes in writing.

For further information, contact Ellen Kane (Executive Director of Vermont Catholic Community Foundation) at 802-846-5837.

https://www.freewill.com/vccf

*To read more from Andrea on the meaning and history of the practice of Memento Mori, visit https://andreashelley.com/blog/memento-mori-meaning-and-history/

If anyone is looking for a way to make a donation to help out the school, we could use:

• barrettes and hair elastics
• boxes of tissues
• healthy snacks for the school day and aftercare
• copy paper
• band aids
• disposable cups
• reusable water bottles
• Children's pain/fever reliever (liquid please)
• multi-symptom children's cold medicine (liquid please)
• unused, new pairs of white, black or navy socks, navy leggings, and underwear for our uniform closet.
• We would also appreciate black or brown belts, new or gently used, all sizes.

This parent facebook group is intended for current SMS parents, grandparents and caregivers only as a private way to connect with one another, share cute photos or events and collaborate on school tasks, such as Teacher Appreciation Week.

We are so grateful for the donations of beautiful books and learning toys for the students. If you have toys still in great shape that you'd like to rehome, check with your teacher to see if they could use them in the classroom. Great items include Legos, Tinker Toys, wooden blocks, magnetic tiles, puzzles etc.

To purchase new items for a classroom, visit our Amazon wish list here:

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1MR1QH7HRGU1?ref_=wl_share

Not inspired by anything you see? Check back as our teachers will be adding items. Thank you in advance for your generosity! Our students are so grateful for your support!

To see our uniform Dress Code for the 2023/2024 school year, please go here

We will be working with students in these early weeks to make sure they are dressed according to the guidelines.

Uniform compliance starts in the home each morning. We thank you in advance for your help before they leave the house for the day.

Questions? Thoughts? Suggestions?

Please reach out. We LOVE to hear from our families!

UNSUBSCRIBE? As we begin each new school year, we hope you all will continue to stay connected with Saint Michael School but we understand if you are in a new season of life. If you are no longer interested in receiving our newsletter, please know that there is an "unsubscribe" option at the end of every newsletter.

Emails:

Elaine Beam, Principal elainebeam@smsvt.info

Sandi Gauthier, Administration, Accounting, Record Requests sandigauthier@smsvt.info

Lindsay O'Neil, Admissions and Development lindsayoneil@smsvt.info

Janna Andrus, Religious Education jannaandrus@smsvt.info

Joshua Dionne, Dean of Curriculum, joshuadionne@smsvt.info

Michelle Kuusela, Athletics michellekuusela@smsvt.info

Peter Orlowski, Dean of Students, peterorlowski@smsvt.info

As a reminder, all of our teachers and staff have personal emails which can be found on our website at: https://saintmichaelschoolvt.org/faculty