What's the Buzz?

Remember to utilize our SMS Google Calendar subscription (info on how to subscribe here), or view the “Events” page on the SMS website.

Feb. 16: Dress as your favorite storybook character

Feb. 19-23: February Recess, NO SCHOOL

Feb. 29: National Junior Honor Society Induction Dinner and Ceremony

Mar. 1: 9 am Mass - led by Grade 6

Mar. 2: HSA Roller Rink Party, Rainbow Skateland, 5-7 pm

Mar. 4: HSA Meeting, 7 pm

Mar. 6: No Starpoint Bus Service

Mar. 7: 9 am Thursday Mass - led by Grade 5

Mar. 8: NO SCHOOL - Teacher Inservice Day

Mar.15: Pray and Play

Mar. 22: 9 am Mass - led by Grade 3 (Sanderson)

Mar. 25-28: NO Starpoint Bus Services

Mar. 26: Optional Spring Pictures and Kindergarten Graduation Pictures

Mar. 28: 9 am Mass - led by Grade 3 (Ziomek)

Mar. 29: Good Friday - NO SCHOOL

April 9: School back in Session

April 12&13: School Musical

If you would like to be a part of your child's school day, the buttons below link you to a sign up for assisting as a lunch monitor. All volunteers must be VIRTUS trained. It is preferred that you volunteer for all three lunch periods, but any time you are able to give is much appreciated.

As the weather starts to change, some of our students would rather stay inside. In order to accommodate students who want to stay inside and others that would like to go outside, we will need to have three adults present for safety. Please consider helping out.

Thank you so much to those who have been able to volunteer and help out in the lunchroom. It is such a blessing to have dedicated family members who are willing to help out!

Watch NEXT WEEK's Buzz for the button to order lunch the week of 3/4.

If you ordered through the previous week’s BUZZ for Pizza Lunch (or any other lunch) for your student(s) tomorrow, Mr. Quinn has asked us to let you know that Milk (regular and chocolate) will be available to all students tomorrow.

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) Rice Bowls

This week your student will be bringing home a CRS Rice Bowl kit. This kit will include a box to collect coins throughout Lent, as well as a calendar with recommended prayers, reflections, and acts of service. We encourage families to participate in these activities with your child(ren) throughout Lent, and then return the boxes to school after Easter break on Tuesday, April 9th. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to our HSA Spiritual Chair, Margaret Terrill (mterrill44@yahoo.com, 716-908-7684), or click here to learn more about the CRS Rice Bowl project.

SPIRIT WEEK has been so much fun!

Be sure to check out the Live Feed and News Sections on our website homepage or our social media accounts to see all of the fun your students got up to this week, more photos will be added over the weekend! Opportunities like this week serve not only as a break for students from the rigor of their typical academic schedules, but also help reduce stress, improve memory, develop life skills, increase productivity, form bonds and solidify friendships, and nurture creativity.

There were opportunities for learning as well, with students learning about something different each day:

MONDAY: musical instruments, music genres, jingle writing, the power of believing in yourself and deciding on a plan to achieve your goals.

TUESDAY: Grade levels completed different activities for "Junior Achievement in a Day”. Each age group had a crash course in business and economics, presented in a fun and age-appropriate way.

WEDNESDAY: Our day included a very special visit from Bishop Mike who presided at Mass and visited classrooms to answer student questions. Our Ash Wednesday Retreat included making cards for nursing home residents, Mass and distribution of ashes, a special “field trip” to our chapel with Mrs. Egleston for Lenten reflection, SoulCore with Mrs. Fleming, guest speaker Beth Ann Van Horn for our middle school students, and scripture activities.

THURSDAY: the "Minute to Win It" games, 100 PE Activities for the 100th Day of School, Milk for Health Magic Show, 8th grade Relay Races, and Scavenger Hunts were all big hits! Students also attended a very informative presentation from Mr. Reeds about the Trout Hatching Project that is underway.

TOMORROW: get ready for our last day of Spirit Week!

Mr. Albanese will no longer be working at St. Mary's. Please see the attached letter from Catholic Charities.

St. Mary's School Swormville is in the midst of a self-assessment process that includes feedback and input from the full school community including students, their families, teachers, and other members of your school team. This accreditation process is being carried out by all parish schools and two regional schools in the Diocese of Buffalo.

Your participation in this survey is anonymous and the data from these surveys will be used by a committee at your school to determine the strengths of your school, as well as the areas that may need improvement. The results of the surveys will also be provided to a group representing the Diocese of Buffalo Catholic schools and a team of visitors that will visit your school to validate the self assessment your school has completed and determine if your school should be re-accredited by the Middle States Association Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools.

The following survey should take about 10 minutes to complete, includes multiple choice questions, and the survey ends with three narrative questions where you are encouraged to share written comments about any section or any question. Please complete this survey by Friday, February 16th.

For those who were not able to attend the training this past summer, a session has been scheduled for Saturday, February 17th from 10:00 am until noon. Boys and girls in grade 4 and above who have received their First Communion are eligible to be trained as an altar server. The training will be conducted by our adult server coordinator, Mr. Dick Marchessault. It will take place in the church. Contact Donna Allan at liturgy@stmaryswormville.org if your child would like to attend.

Mon. 2/26/24, 6 pm: SMS Boys Varsity vs Queen of Heaven (QOH Gym)

Tues. 2/27/24, 7 pm: SMS Boys Varsity vs Christ the King (SMS Gym)

Fri. 3/1/24, 5 pm: SMS Boys Varsity vs DeSales (DeSales Gym)

Fri. 3/1/24, 6 pm: SMS Boys Varsity vs Notre Dame (DeSales Gym)

St. Greg's and St. Mary's have gotten together to play in the Catholic Schools Hockey League. If your son is interested in playing and is in 7th or 8th grade, please contact the school office so that we can connect you with the coach.

CLICK HERE FOR A LIST OF ALL UPCOMING EVENTS!

The next HSA Meeting will be MONDAY, MARCH 4th at 7:00pm

LAST CALL FOR FOWLER’S CHOCOLATE ORDERS! ORDERS ARE DUE BY MIDNIGHT FRIDAY (TOMORROW) NIGHT!

We know it seems early but please consider the opportunity to plan ahead and get your family’s Easter candy while also supporting the school at the same time. We still need quite a few more sales in order to reach our fundraising goal and maximize our profits. This is one of our largest fundraisers of the year so we appreciate all your support. Remember, you must first create an account for your child and from there you can share the link to family, friends, and on social media. For help or questions reach out to Leah Valentine 716-544-0609.

FIND OUT HOW TO CREATE AN ACCOUNT AND PLACE ORDERS HERE!

JOIN US FOR HSA ROLLER SKATING NIGHT - RSVPS DUE TOMORROW!

Hurry and RSVP for our school-wide gift gathering party for the Spring for Success Auction! This is going to be a super fun event for the whole family with arcade games, prizes, glow-sticks, raffles, door prizes, great music, and of course roller skating! The party will be held Saturday, March 2nd from 5-7pm at Rainbow Rink Skateland. Proceeds will be used to purchase contributions to the auction on behalf of all school families.

RSVP ONLINE HERE BY TOMORROW

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE FLYER AND LEARN MORE

We are an amazing Catholic school recently rated number one in the Diocese. Come check us out and see what it means to be a part of the St. Mary's family.

Email: office@stmaryschoolswormville.org
Website: stmaryschoolswormville.org
Location: 6919 Transit Road, East Amherst, NY, USA
Phone: 716-689-8424
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StMarySchoolSwormville/