For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Ephesians 2:10
Dear Parents,
Last weekend many parts of the southeast United States were devastated by Hurricane Helene. Even parts of our country that were seemingly insulated from the effects of hurricanes lost everything. As Catholics, it is our duty to serve others and to do good works. To that end, we will be collecting basic necessities as a school to help aid those affected by the storm. God asks us to serve others and to do good works. This is a tangible way for us to do so. Beginning on Monday and throughout the week we will be collecting the items listed below at SMS:
Basic hygiene products (toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, soap
Over the counter medicine for children and adults (Advil, Tylenol)
First Aid kits, bandages, wet wipes, alcohol wipes
We are coordinating with local churches in Eastern Tennessee to make sure that the items can be safely delivered to those in need. Our children are always observing our actions, and we know how loudly our actions speak. My hope and prayer is that our SMS students will take notice of how our school community comes together to help others so that as they grow and develop, they will know to do the same.
Thank you in advance for helping us in this important mission to help others.
God Bless,
Rachel
First Friday Mass and HSA Meeting Plus Coffee and Conversations
We hope families can join the Kindergarten-Grade 8 students at First Friday Mass on October 4 at 9:00 am in the Church. Any students who have PE should wear their Fall Uniform and shoes, and bring sneakers in their backpacks.
Immediately following Mass our HSA will meet with an update on events in the works and other school news. This will be followed by a Coffee and Conversation Meeting - this month SMS Parent Mark Zeck on Financial and Estate Planning.
Preschool Open House Thrusday
Do you have a younger child who you would like to attend Saint Mary Preschool for the 2025-2026 school year? Would you like to learn more? Please invite neighbors and friends to attend our upcoming Preshool Open House on Thursday, October 10 at 9:30 am. Learn more about our PK3, PK4 and TK programs. RSVP required, please click here.
Columbus Day Weekend Schedule
Just a reminder that Columbus Day Weekend is around the corner!
- There will be an early dismissal on Friday, October 11. Kindergarten-Grade 8 will dismiss at 10:30, and all Preschool programs will dismiss at 11:00 am. There is no aftercare.
- There is no school on Monday, October 14.
Socktober
Starting Tuesday, October 1 Student Government is collecting new socks for the Dorothy Day Center in Danbury. Socks are one of the most needed donations and one of the least received. In exchange for the new pair of socks, students are permitted to wear a pair of fun socks for each pair donated during the month of October. Socks can be brought to the science lab and put into the blue bin. We will keep track of how many socks are donated per student. We will be collecting them for the month of October. Any questions contact Mrs. Kennedy.
Vision and Hearing Screenings (K, 1, 3, 4 and 5)
The nurse will be conducting CT State Mandated Annual Vison and Hearing Screenings which will begin next week.
If your child has had a recent health exam within 2024 in which vision and hearing were tested please provide the nurse with that record and your child will not have to be rescreened for the 2024 school year 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 to nurse@smsridgefield.org
- October HSA meeting is tomorrow! Friday, 10/4 in the Holy Family Hall after First Friday Mass.
- LAST CALL to sign up for the October 9th Parent Social - please RSVP by Friday 10/4.
- Keep an eye out for a Trunk or Treat email... start brainstorming your trunk ideas!
- Virtus training is required to volunteer in the school. Please contact Monica Harron if you have any questions about the program. (harronm@smsridgefield.org) VIRTUS® Online (virtusonline.org)
St. Mary Children's Choir
Calling all St. Mary Parish Religious Education and St. Mary School children ages 7 - 13 with a desire to grow in their faith using God's gift of music & singing!
To begin, St. Mary Parish Children’s Choir will sing monthly during the 10:30am Sunday Mass. As the Choir grows, special events at Christmas or other times may be added.
Children will meet Tuesdays in St. Mary School from 5:30pm to 6:00pm to rehearse, following the Tuesday Religious Education classes. Children will also be required to arrive to St. Mary School Hall by 10:15am on Sundays, prior to the 10:30am Mass. Rehearsals begin Tuesday, October 8.
Family Movie Night Suggestions
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 Call of the Wild."
College Essay Writing
Our own art teacher, Mrs. Nisco, is an experienced history, reading and writing educator, certified in both Connecticut and New York in secondary social studies, who has supported dozens of high school students with crafting college essays that have been met with positive results as each was accepted into their top choice school. For more information about her services, click here.
Registration is OPEN for St Marys Winter 2024-2025 Travel Basketball.
St. Marys will hold tryouts as listed below. All tryouts will be at St. Marys Gym. For more info visit https://www.stmaryshoops.com
- 8th Grade Girls: Wednesday 10/2 5:30-7:30pm and Friday 10/4 4:30-6pm
- 8th Grade Boys: TBD
- 7th Grade Girls: Thursday 10/10 4:30-6pm and Friday 10/18 6-7:30pm
- 6th Grade Boys: Monday 10/7 5-6:30pm and Make Up Date: Thursday 10/17 6-7pm
- 5th Grade Boys: Wednesday 10/9 6-7:30pm and Wednesday 10/16 6-7:30pm
Celebrate and Support Meals on Wheels
Meals on Wheels is celebrating their 50th anniversary! They started in the basement at St. Mary’s School…serving 24 meals a week. Last year, they delivered over 53,000 meals to over 220 clients…more than 1,000 meals a week at no cost to those they serve.
Go to www.MO50TH@eventbrite.com to purchase tickets and support the program!
Weekly Princess Club at Ridgefield Playhouse
This is a series of 8 after-school classes hosted in the Ridgefield Playhouse Education Room. Classes will begin on Friday October 4, 2024 at 4:15 pm and run every Friday through November 22, 2024.
If you’re a young princess in waiting…this is the after school program for you. Each class is devoted to a different princess character. We begin by doing a princess craft, then we sing princess songs, play a trivia game with questions about that princess’ movie, and finally, we act out scenes from that princess’ movie! Click here to register.
Volunteer Opportunity - Ann's Place
Ann's Place is looking for volunteers for a fall garden cleanup on Saturday, October 26 from 9:30 am -12:30 pm at 80 Saw Mill Road, Danbury. Volunteers are asked to bring their own gardening tools and to RSVP by emailing tina@annsplace.org. For more information on Ann's Place, click here.
High School Open House Dates
It is Open House season! Here is a list of Open House dates at local Catholic Schools. Click school name for more information and to register:
- Immaculate HS (Danbury, CT) - Sunday, October 20 at 2 pm
- Fairfield Prep (Fairfield, CT) - Sunday, October 6 and Saturday, November 16
- Kennedy Catholic (Somers, NY) - Saturday, October 26 at 11:15 am or 1:15 pm or Tuesday, October 29 at 7:30 pm
- Convent of the Sacred Heart (Greenwich, CT)- Thursday, October 24 at 5:30 pm
- Cardinal Kung (Stamford, CT) - open house held
- Canterbury School (New Milford, CT)- Monday, October 14 from 8:30 am - 12:00 pm
- Lauralton Hall (Milford, CT) - many options, please visit website
- St. Joseph HS - (Trumbull, CT) Sunday, October 20 from 1-3 pm
- Notre Dame Prep of Sacred Heart University (Fairfield, CT) - no open house but click for admissions information
Check Out Immaculate at our Open House October 20!
Join us on Sunday, October 20 at 2pm for our annual Fall Open House! This is your exclusive opportunity to discover firsthand what makes our school community so special and the key differentiators that assists our students in empowering their future. Open House will feature full campus tours, a club and activities fair, presentation from our Admissions Office and countless opportunities to feel the authenticity of our Mustang Family! Register at immaculatehs.org/openhouse
About Us
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/