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Principal's Newsletter

Some thoughts for the starting school year

Principal's Newsletter Some thoughts for the starting school year

September 18, 2024

V + J

“It is not how much we give, but how much love we put into giving."

~ St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta


Good Afternoon IHM families,


It is hard to believe we are now halfway through our 4th week of school. Our Back to School nights last week were both very well attended and parent feedback was extremely positive. We are so grateful to you all for your trust and partnership with us in your children’s education.


This week all students in grades 2-8 are taking the fall round of MAP standardized testing. Thank you for encouraging them to always do their best and making sure they are on time and prepared both mentally and physically to perform well.


Tomorrow morning we welcome our fathers, grandfathers, or father-figures in the early morning for Donuts with Dad! This event is always very well attended. Please be patient and follow established parking guidelines when arriving. Our faculty who have planned the event have worked hard to prepare for a relaxed and fun treat for our students with their father/father-figure.


Just a reminder that Friday is a half day of school with a 12:15 dismissal (Preschool dismisses at noon). It is very important that you arrive on time to pick up your children. Our faculty work very hard and deserve to begin their long weekend at dismissal as well.


I hope you continue to have a wonderful week!


In faith and gratitude,

Ms. Surine

Looking Ahead

SEPTEMBER 19

Pizza Lunch Orders Due

Donuts with Dad, 7:30 - 8am


SEPTEMBER 20

Early Dismissal: 12 pm (Preschool), 12:15 pm (K-8)

35th Annual Golf Tournament


SEPTEMBER 26

Food Pantry Collection earns an Out of Uniform Day: Purple Thursday

Hispanic Heritage Mass

HSA Evening Event: Food Truck Festival, 4:30-7:30 pm


SEPTEMBER 27

No School


OCTOBER 23

No afternoon Beyond the Bell

IHM Open House, 3:30-5:30 pm

Service Opportunity: Help Stock the Parish Pantry and Earn a Purple Thursday

Out of Uniform Day: Purple Thursday on 9/26

Oftentimes, we offer an opportunity to give to others by helping restock the IHM Church's food pantry.


All students who bring a donation on 9/26 will be allowed to wear a school-appropriate Ravens shirt or purple shirt with IHM PE shorts/sweatpants.


We kindly suggest the following donations for the Parish Pantry:


Preschool: Boxed cereal (especially the packs with the small boxes)

Kindergarten: Toilet paper

1st: Paper Towels

2nd & 3rd: Peanut Butter/Jelly

4th: Canned tuna fish

5th: Pasta sauce

6th: All kinds of soups and chili

7th: Fruit cups

8th: Granola bars/pop tarts

Chick-Fil-A Lunch Orders are now OPEN, Due 10/1

Use the blue button below to order Chick-Fil-A hot lunches through November 2024.

Pizza Lunch Orders Due 9/19

Trimester 1's hot pizza lunches begin September 26th. Click the link below to order.

Cross Country Registration is OPEN for Grades 4-8

Practice will start on September 23rd.

Practice is at school on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 3:00-4:15 pm.

Meets will be on Wednesdays after school.

All meets are away and parents must provide transportation for their child.


Students must be registered before they can practice.

ANNOUNCEMENT: No afternoon Beyond the Bell, October 23rd

There will be no Beyond the Bell on the afternoon of October 23, 2024 due to the Fall Open House.

Hispanic Heritage Mass

Catholic school students and families are invited to attend the Hispanic Heritage Month Mass for Catholic Schools at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, celebrated by Archbishop Lori and Bishop Bruce Lewandowski! The Mass will be held at 8:00 AM on Thursday, September 26th at SHJ, 600 S Conkling St, Baltimore, MD 21224. Families are encouraged to attend with their children, who will be marked "present" upon arrival at school. Please email Ms. Surine or Ms. McMullen ahead if your family intends to attend so we know to expect the students later that day at school. Students are invited to wear formal school uniforms or dress in traditional attire of Hispanic countries, such as folklórica clothing.

TUITION AND FINANCIAL AID INFORMATION & TUITION CREDITS

Important to Note:

If you have a past due balance on your account, please be sure to reach out to the business office to let us know when you plan to clear the balance. Past due balances greater than 30 days may impact your child’s attendance in class. In addition, beginning October 1, 2024, our late fee for payments will be in effect. The late fee is $35 and will be applied to past due balances beginning October 1, 2024.

FACTS does charge a returned payment fee if your payment is returned. If you need your payment date adjusted, we need at least two business days to make the change.

Band fees have been added to FACTS accounts.


Financial Aid Update for 2025-2026 School Year:

The 2025-2026 FACTS tuition assistance application will open on October 15, 2024. Please apply early and have a complete and verified application by February 28, 2025.

You must apply for financial aid each year, even if you have received an award in the past. The following supporting documents will be required for Archdiocesan Assistance for the 2025-2026 application:

• 2023 Tax Return

• 2024 W-2’s


RaiseRight Fundraising:

Please only choose ecards at this time. We will place an order for plastic cards later in the year. If you need plastic gift cards, please have them sent directly to your home address. There should be an option for this in the app.

Save on tuition for the 2025-2026 school year! Use ecards purchased through RaiseRight for all your shopping needs. Half of all your rebates will be posted to the following year’s tuition account. To order an ecard through the RaiseRight app, be sure to choose gift cards that come in ecard format and be sure to link your checking account to your account. Our school’s enrollment code is 7E739ECB19547, if you need it.

Rebates began to accumulate for the FY2026 school year on June 1, 2024. Please note that rebate shares that do not amount to at least $10 will be donated to the school.


If you have any questions, please email dschiavone@ihmschoolmd.org.

Donuts with Dad

We invite our Dads/Grandfathers/Father Figures to join us at Donuts with Dad on Thursday, Sept 19, 7:30 - 8:00 am in the gym. Come share a breakfast treat with your children to begin your day. All cars dropping off students must use the Putty Hill gate near the 8th grade. The Loch Raven side will be for parking only. We will not be able to park all our Dads in attendance so we encourage you to park along the side streets. Kindly do not park in the Joan Ave./Rectory lot. We are very happy to have you join us.

Notes from the Nurse

Furthermore, the following statement has been included in the parent handbook for the 2024-2025 school year:


As of 9/13/2024, Immaculate Heart of Mary has adopted a policy allowing the availability of stock epinephrine in the health suite for use in the event of an anaphylactic emergency. This epinephrine is for emergency use during normal school days and is not dependent on allergy history. It is not available outside of normal school hours or on field trips. Students with a known history of severe allergies are still expected to maintain emergency action plans, medical orders, and their own supply of emergency medication.

REMINDERS

Sick student? Absent? In need of an early dismissal (before 2:30 pm)?

Please email your student's homeroom teacher before 8:15 am.


Early Dismissal after 2:30 pm? Email Mrs. Surine or Ms. McMullen by 8:15 am.


Gentle Reminder... The Joan Avenue Rectory Parking Area is not to be used as a morning drop-off or an afternoon pick-up option. Thank you for understanding!

Notes from IHM Church

The Immaculate Heart of Mary Concert Series presents: “The Hotel Paradise Orchestra” on Sunday October 6, 2024 at 4:00pm. Back for the 5th year! This 1920s-style 12-piece big band plays hot jazz, early swing, and gently sweet melodies by Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, Jerome Kern, Duke Ellington, Jelly Roll Morton, the Gershwins, Baltimore’s Eubie Blake, Cab Calloway, and more. Janet Paulsen, vocalist. Jari Villanueva, musical director. The concert is free and open to the public. Doors open at 3:30pm and the church is accessible.

2025-2026 Applications are OPEN

Applications for the 2025-2026 school year are open!

We are currently accepting applications in PreK3 - grade 7.

Preschool enrollment will begin in November. We encourage all IHM siblings to apply early! Thank you for choosing IHM!

IHM Referral Program


We love referrals and we are asking all of you to help us spread the word about IHM to friends and family who are considering a change for their children's education experience.


Did you know that we offer an incentive to our families for referring friends and family to our school? If your family refers a new family to our school and they apply, register and complete the 2025-26 school year, you will be credited $500 on your tuition when they re-register for the 26-27 school year. It's very easy, the new family MUST mention your name when filling out their application online. You are welcome to refer up to 5 families.


We thank you for sharing your positive experiences about IHM to our greater Towson community. If you have any questions, please email our admissions director at vgallagher@ihmschoolmd.org.

24-25 School Hours and School Calendar

SCHOOL HOURS

Doors Open 7:50 am

School Begins 8:10 am


Regular Dismissal

Preschool 2:40 pm

Grades K - 8 3:00 pm


Early Dismissal

Preschool 12:00pm

Grades K - 8 12:15pm


Beyond the Bell Extended Care (additional fee & registration required)

Opens 7:00 am

Closes 6:00 pm

Know someone not receiving the Eagle Echo? Please email dsperato@ihmschoolmd.org to be added to the mailing list.


Have a blessed week full of Holy Moments!

Immaculate Heart of Mary School
ihmschoolmd.org
8501 Loch Raven Boulevard

Towson, MD 21286

(410) 668-8466

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @ihmschoolmd