Saint Mary School Weekly Newsletter

Have Faith, Work Hard, Shine Bright!

SMS School Motto

Dear Parents,

During the 2022-2023 school year, all Diocese of Bridgeport Catholic Elementary Schools introduced the Education in Virtues Program. We are excited to be in the third year of the program and to continue to teach our children about living a virtuous life in Christ. We chose the virtue of Industriousness for the first virtue of the 2024-2025. Open Light Media, the publisher of the Education in Virtues Program, defines industriousness as diligence, especially in work that leads to natural and supernatural maturity. Even though it is only the second week of school, I am already seeing industriousness in action. Each morning after prayer, I visit the classrooms to say hello to our students and teachers. In each classroom our children are hard at work, being industrious. Our teachers have beautifully set a tone for the year that recognizes hard work and diligence. Like our school motto says, Have Faith, Work Hard, Shine Bright!

God Bless,

Rachel

Ms. Kasinskas and Mrs. Amenta are offering a series of 6 1-hour classes to Grade 8 students preparing for High School entrance exams. Classes begin September 12. For more information and to register, please click here. Registration forms must be turned into the main office by September 6.

Students in K-8 will attend First Friday Mass tomorrow, September 6 at 9:00 am at St. Mary Church. All students should wear their fall/spring uniforms and UNIFORM SHOES, NO SNEAKERS. Those classes who have PE may bring sneakers in their backpacks. Families are encouraged to join us. Students will sit with their class, families may sit towards the back fo the church.

For more on why we attend First Friday Mass, click here.

Parents are invited to stay for our first Home School Association (HSA) meeting immediately following Mass in the Holy Family Hall, at the rear of the Church. Mrs. Ambrosio will give a brief school update and the HSA team will highlight some of the wonderful activities planned for the school year.

• Monday - Grade 6 Field Trip to Ridgefield LIbrary
• Tuesday - School Photos; Senior Luncheon (Gr. 8)
• Wednesday - School Photos; Middle School Field Trip to Mountain Workshop
• Friday - Grade 8 Retreat
  

Coffee Pond Photography will be visiting Saint Mary School on September 10 and 11 for school pictures. Preschool students should wear uniform pieces. K-7 Students should wear their Winter Uniforms. Student in Grade 8 may dress down according to guidelines that will be shared in homeroom. The schedule is as follows:

• Tuesday, September 10 - Grades 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and PK4-LeFebvre
• Wednesday, September 11 - PK3 Swan, PK3 Curtin, PK4 Sechi, TK, Kindergarten and Grade 1

Our Grade 8 students are going to attend Mass and have a retreat on Friday, September 13. Due to Mass attendance, all Grade 8 students should wear uniform shoes, not sneakers, on Septebmer 13.

Grade 8 students will visit Immaculate High School on Tuesday, September 17. They will attend a welcome presentation, followed by classroom rotations and lunch. Parents must complete permission slip.

Orders are being taken for Class Color T-shirts. Please click here to order. T-shirts will be delivered to school All orders placed by September 16 will be delivered by September 30, just in time for our first SMS Spirit Day on October 7. A second window is available. Orders received by October 1 will be delivered by October 28.

Each class at SMS has a class color. Students may wear their class color during themed dress down days, field trips, field day, and SMS Spirit Days. You may either purchase a class color t-shirt or wear items you have in that color. K-8 students keep the same color until they graduate. Our current colors are:

• Preschool - tie-dye
• Kindergarten (Class of 2033) - light blue
• Grade 1 (Class of 2032) - red
• Grade 2 (Class of 2031) - maroon
• Grade 3 (Class of 2030) - yellow
• Grade 4 (Class of 2029) - orange
• Grade 5 (Class of 2028) - purple
• Grade 6 (Class of 2027) - kelly green
• Grade 7 (Class of 2026) - turquoise
• Grade 8 (Class of 2025) - lime green

Save the date for Parents' Night on September 19. A detailed schedule is coming soon, but plan on spending tim e in your child's classroom along with a general session with Mrs. Ambrosio.

Just a reminder to complete the following:

• K-8 Parent Student Handbook Acknowledgement
• Tech AUP Acknowledgement
• AI AUP Acknowledgement

You can click here to access all of the documents.

Thanks to an amazing partnership with our beloved Deborah Ann’s you can now buy LIMITED EDITION PINTS for you to enjoy!

Flavor and toppings are inspired by our own chilly mascot. Vanilla ice cream with a naturally-colored blue color. Mixed with snow caps and two gummies on the top!

Cost is $10.00 per pint and a generous portion of the proceeds will go directly to the PRE-SCHOOL PLAYGROUND REFURBISHMENT PROJECT.

Hurry. This is a limited time offer while supplies last!

There will be a kick off meeting for boys interested in joining Cub Scout pack 126 on Thursday, September 5 from 6:30-7:30 pm at Branchville School. Questions? Contact cubmasterpack126@gmail.com.

The Ridgefield Boys and Girls Club has some great programs starting for the school year.

Gem Club (5th Grade): fifth-grade members cano join Gem Club, a character and leadership development program. Gem Club introduces young members to leadership roles, teaching them responsibility within their Club and community. As part of Gem Club, members will develop their ideas for projects and programs while learning what it means to be a leader and role model. Gem Club open house is on Monday, September 23rd, from 4:45pm to 5:30pm. RSVP Here!

Middle School Programs (Grades 6-8):

Middle school members will have access to our Tween Center and Tech Café every day after school, where they can do homework, hang out with friends, and participate in various activities. These spaces are dedicated exclusively to our older members, giving them a special place to call their own.

Torch Club: Torch Club is a national leadership and service club for middle school members, focusing on character development, community service, and social skills in a fun environment. Torch Club open house is on Tuesday, September 24th, from 3:30 pm-4:15 pm. RSVP Here!.

Ridgefield Lacrosse is offering a free fall program to student in K-8 this fall, including a free stick. For more information and to register, please click here.

St. Mary Parish Mothers' Club is having a meeting on Tuesday, September 10 at 8pm in the Barn beside St. Mary Church. The Mothers' Club is open to Mothers of children of all ages, and hosts social and charitable events throughout the year. Any questions please contact Betsy DeJesu at Mothers.Club@smcr.org.

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, "Buddy."

Mark your calendars! Grades 7 & 8 studetns and parent are invted to attend information sessions at SMS from local Catholic High Schools.

• Thursday, September 19 1 pm - Immaculate High School
• Friday, September 20 8 am - Fairfield Prep (boys only), Lauralton Hall (girls only)
• Friday, September 20 9 am - Kennedy Catholic
• Friday, September 27 10:30 am - Convent of the Sacred Hearth (girls only)
• Friday, September 27 12 pm - Cardinal Kung Academy
• Friday, September 27 1 pm - Canterbury School

Calling all 8th graders! Immaculate High School invites you to experience a day in the life of an IHS student. Join us for a Mustang for a Day shadow visit beginning September 30. Invite a friend or two to come the same day! Spots are filling fast, so don't delay and register today at immaculatehs.org/mfad.

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/