Saint Mary School Weekly Newsletter

Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.

Luke 6:38

Dear Parents,

Gratitude. Grateful. Appreciative. Thankful. All of these words express the way I feel about the generosity of the SMS Community this Giving Tuesday, and yet, none of them seems sufficient. In the midst of all that is going on in your lives, in the business that this season brings, you, the SMS Community of parents, staff, alumni, alumni families, friends and extended families, came together and supported SMS this Giving Tuesday with generosity and selflessness. Thank you. There are many worthy organizations to support, and you chose SMS. You can be assured that your donations will touch each student at Saint Mary School. Whether through academic enhancements, supporting of the arts, athletics, or extracurricular activities, your students will feel the impact of your generosity. I am grateful and I am humbled, and I will continue to work my hardest to guide this school with the Grace of God as my guide.

God Bless,

Rachel

• Monday - NO SCHOOL - Feast of the Immaculate Conception
• Tuesday - Band; Senior Luncheon
• Wednesday - Christmas Card Stuffing
• Thursday -Christmas Pageant
• Friday - Festive Sweater Dress Down Day; No Aftercare - Staff Christmas Party

There are so many upcoming events, here is a peek ahead beyond next week:

• December 16 - Grade 8 Periodic Table Fair
• December 19 - PK-8 Class Christmas Parties; Christmas Colors Dress Down
• December 20 - Benediction and Early Dismissal; No Aftercare
• December 23-January 1 - No School Christmas Break

All families are invited to join the K-8 students and staff for First Friday Mass on December 6 at 9:00 am in the Church. All students should wear their Full Dress Uniforms, no sneakers.

Due to a funeral, the HSA Meeting will be held in the School Art Room. Coffee and Conversation with Fr. Lomnitzer will be rescheduled.

The Christmas Shop will remain open from 8-8:30 am and from 11am-2pm Friday for any final shopping.

Saint Mary School will be closed on Monday, December 9 in observation of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. it is a Holy Day of Obligation. St. Mary Parish will have Mass on Thursday at 5:30 pm and on Friday at 7:00 am, 9:00 am, 12:00 pm and 7:00 pm. All Masses will be held in the Church.

What Should my Student Wear?

• Grade 1 students should be dressed in all black.
• All other Grade K-8 Boys should wear their uniform trousers and a red, green, or white shirt or sweater.
• All other Grade K-8 Girls should wear a red, green, or white blouse or sweater with uniform skort or slacks, or a Christmas-themed skirt or dress.
• Please wear dark shoes, not sneakers.

What time/where should I drop off my student?

• Grade 2 students should report to their classroom at 6 pm sharp to get into costume.
• Grades K and 1 should report to their classroom promptly at 6:15 pm for props/costumes.
• All other students in Grades 3-8 should be in their classroom promptly at 6:15 pm.
• Doors to the gym will not open until 6:15 pm. Guests will be admitted at 6:15 pm.
• The program will begin at 6:30 pm.

What else should we know?

• Please take your child's coat before they go to a classroom. Students will NOT return to the classrooms after the Pageant/Concert.
• When students are not performing, they will be seated with their class. They should be picked up by parents at the end of the concert.

Students and staff are invited to get in the holiday spirit and wear a Festive Christmas Sweater on Friday, December 13.

The SMS Staff Christmas Party will take place on Friday, December 13 and therefore there will be no After Care available that day. Please make other arrangements for after school for this day. Thank you for your understanding.

We are excited to announce that based on parent feedback, we have added a long sleeved PE T-shirt as an option for Preschoolers-Grade 8. PK-Grade 8 can order a long sleeved grey t-shirt with logo, and Middle School students also have the option for a long-sleeved navy t-shirt with logo. Please visit our Lands' End school store to order.

Hot lunch for January is now open. It will close December 17th at midnight.

mymealorder.com

Thanks to the HSA - we are excited to offer new Spiritwear options for purchase. Please click here to view the available items. We will take orders from today-December 20th. All items will be delivered to school by January 15, 2025.

Just a reminder, Spirtwear items may be worn on our monthly School Spirit Days, but are not daily uniform items.

Just a reminder that all students need appropriate outerwear now that cold weather is upon us! At a minimum, a coat is required, and we encourage hats and gloves for cold days. We go out to recess in weather as cold at 20 degrees.

Preschool parents this is just another reminder if you have not already done so, please make sure your child receives their annual Flu shot by December 31st, if your child has never received a Flu shot please schedule and complete the first series (2 doses) before December 31st. The Flu shot is mandated by CT State to be enrolled in preschool. Please provide the nurse with documentation once it has been administered. Please reach out to me directly if you have any questions or concerns at nurse@smsridgefield.org.

Our next meeting is tomorrow (12/6) following mass. Due to a funeral in the church, this meeting will take place in the art room at school. We hope to see you there!

Unfortunately, Coffee & Conversation is canceled for December, but will resume in the new year.

Mark your calendars to help stuff and stamp the Saint Mary School Christmas cards: Wednesday 12/11 at 7:45am in the barn behind the church

Remember to RSVP by next Friday (12/13) at tinyurl.com/smsfdd2025

Join Pokemon Players Club on Sunday, December 8th to play in the Season's Greetings Tournament! This event will feature two tournaments: one tournament for beginner players and a tournament for advanced players. The beginner tournament will provide 30 card starter decks to battle with while the advanced tournament will not provide decks. If you want to sign up for the Pokemon Players Club Season's Greetings Tournament click here: https://ridgefieldlibrary.librarymarket.com/event/hold-pokemon-tournament-109163 We can't wait to see you!

Please click here to view the Diocese of Bridgeport Catholic Schools Annual Report.

Immaculate High School is currently accepting applications to join the Class of 2029! Our Regular Decision Application Deadline is December 20, with admission decisions being made on January 15. Apply to join our Mustang Family at immaculatehs.org/apply. As always, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Admissions Office at 203-744-1510 x148 or admissions@myimmaculatehs.org.

The Immaculate National Honor Society is thrilled to announce its annual Breakfast with Santa on Saturday, December 14 from 9-11am in the school Dining Hall (entrance at the back of building)! Join us for a morning of festive fun, complete with delightful crafts, heartwarming pictures with Santa Claus and a spread of delectable treats. Tickets are $12 for adults, $8 for children ages 3-13 and kids 2 and under are free. Proceeds from the event will go to the Connecticut Children's Hospital Toy Drive. Register through the QR code or on this link: Breakfast with Santa 2024

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, "A Boy Called Christmas."

The Holiday Stroll is happening December 6-7! On Friday night from 6-9 PM, enjoy horse-drawn carriages, live music, carolers, and even toy soldiers spreading holiday cheer. Over at the Lounsbury House, meet Santa & Mrs. Claus, see live reindeer, and send postcards to the troops! Shops will be open late, so don’t forget to support local and get your holiday shopping done. And don’t wait—make your restaurant reservations soon before they fill up!

Ridgefield Boy Scout Troop 116 is recycling Christmas Trees on Saturday, January 11. Suggested donation is $20 per tree. Please register online at https://www.troopwebhost.org/troop116ridgefield/.

While most Open Houses are complete. below find links to High School Admissions Pages of schools

• Immaculate High School, Danbury
  
• Fairfield Prep (boys only), Fairfield
• Notre Dame Prep, Fairfield
  
• Convent of the Sacred Heart (girls only), Greenwich
  
• Canterbury School, New Milford
  
• Kennedy Catholic, Somers NY
  
• St. Joseph High School, Trumbull
  
• Cardinal Kung Academy, Stamford
  
• Lauralton Hall (girls only), Milford
• Iona Prep (boys only), New Rochelle
• Fordham Prep (boys only), Bronx

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/