Saint Mary School Weekly Newsletter

Each of us makes his own weather, determines the color of the skies in the emotional universe which he inhabits.

Fulton Sheen

Dear Parents,

We can all probably think of people in our lives who even through difficult circumstances will smile and find a way to stay positive. Each of has the ability to look at a situation through a lens. We decide if that lens is positive or negative. We decide the impact a given situation will have on us. As teachers and parents, we cannot forget the impact that we have on the children in our lives. They watch us, they absorb our actions and reactions. Even when we do not realize it, we are modeling for the children in our lives. On September 19, we will hold our Back to School Parent Night. Parents will come back to school to visit classrooms, meet teachers and to learn about the upcoming school year. By attending Parent Night, you are showing your children that you value their education, you are investing time and energy into something important. This year we have made a few adjustments to the format of Parent Night and will be offering two separate general sessions in the Hall. The first will begin at 6:00 and will be for Preschool-Grade 5 parents That will be followed by classroom visits. The second general session will begin at 7:15 in the Hall and will be for middle school parents and will be followed by middle school classroom visits. A detailed schedule will be emailed to parents today. We are all looking forward to spending time as a community on Parent Night, and we hope that families will do their best to attend. Please remember that Parent Night is for parents and caregivers only and is meant to be informational. If you have a specific concern about your child, please make arrangements with your child’s teacher for a call or a meeting.

God Bless,

Rachel

• Monday - Afterschool: Cross Country
• Tuesday - Grade 8 Discovery Day at Immaculate HS
• Wednesday - Optional Middle School Mass 7 am
• Thursday - HS Visits - Gr 7&8 - Immaculate HS 1 pm; Parents' Night 6-9pm
• Friday - HS Visits - Gr 7&8 - Fairfield Prep/Lauralton Hall 8am; Kennedy Catholic 9 am
  

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.

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.

We are so excited for Parents' Night on September 19. Please click here to review the schedule, which was also sent via email. The times are dependent on the ages of your children. Please plan on spending time in your child's classroom along with attending a general session with Mrs. Ambrosio.

Ever wondering who to call at SMS? Click here for a helpful list of some of the most frequent topics our admin team handles.

• Please remember to label your students' belongings. Fleeces, sweatshirts, sweatpants all look the same!
• Please send your child in with a reusable water bottle. We do no have waters to give away.
• Just a reminder to send all dismissal changes via email to attendance@smsridgefield.org by 1pm.

Saint Mary School will host a Middle School Dance for students in Grades 6-8 on Friday, September 27th from 7-9 pm. Our theme is, “Under the Sea.” This is not a formal dance, students should dress casually in appropriate ocean-themed attire. For example, Hawaiian shirts, flowered dresses, etc.

The cost of the dance is $10 per student. The dance is for Saint Mary Middle School students only, no guests are permitted. Please click here to RSVP by Tuesday, September 24.

October Hot lunch is now open at mymealorder.com. Ordering will be open until midnight September 22nd. Please order as soon as possible. There will be no additions after September 22nd. Any questions, contact harcow@smsridgefield.org.

Welcome back to school everyone! I am so happy to be a part of the SMS Community. Just a

couple of reminders for the Fall. A couple of updates and reminders.

• Preschool Friends - 2024 Flu shots should now be available by your child’s pediatrician please make sure your child receives their annual flu shot, if your child has never received a flu shot please schedule and complete the first series (2 doses) before December 31st . Please provide the nurse with documentation once it has been administered.
• Kindergarten, 1st, 3rd , 4th and 5th Grade - The health office will be conducting CT State Mandated Annual Vison and Hearing Screenings which will begin at the end of this month into October. If your child has had a recent health exam in which vision and hearing were tested please provide the nurse with that record, therefore the screening does not need to be completed twice unless requested. If there are any concerns observed during the screenings, parents/guardians will be notified by a referral letter. Please reach out if you have questions.
• Lice - It is definitely one of the most dreaded 4 letter words. There are always cases of head lice reported in the community and in the schools during the year. Unfortunately, we have had cases of lice in the school. This is an easily treated condition that is generally not associated with any serious medical complications. If you have not received notification already it was not found in your class at this time. This letter will acquaint you with the nature of this infestation and what should be done to manage.

Remember, your health is important! If you have any questions or concerns, please do not

hesitate to contact me via email at nurse@smsridgefield.org or directly at the school.

Stay healthy and happy!

Nurse Tessa

• Room Parent Meetings this Friday, September 13th — K-8 @7:30am and Preschool @8:30am.
• Thank you to those who attended our first HSA meeting of the year! Minutes from the meeting can be viewed on the HSA page of the school website: https://smsridgefield.org/sms-experience/hsa
• Reminder to please check out the Volunteer interest form (found at the link above as well). Thanks to those who already submitted this! Committee chairs will be in touch with them as we get closer to each event.
• Still looking for Trunk or Treat chair/co-chairs. If interested submit volunteer form. Any questions, email Kristy Pylypshyn at hsapresident@smsridgefield.org.
• Save the Date! Coffee & Conversation on Friday, October 4th after the HSA meeting. Our featured guest speaker is Mark Zeck, SMS parent and Attorney who will discuss financial and estate planning.
• Mark your calendars! Parent Social scheduled for Wednesday, October 9th at 6pm. More details to follow soon.

The St Mary Parish CYO Basketball program is pleased to offer open gym to all 5th grade boys that may have an interest in travel basketball for the 2024-2025 season on Saturday Sept 14th from 10-11:30am.

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.

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, "The Giver."

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/