St. Mary Catholic School - St. Mary`s Catholic School

Challenging the Mind—Living the Faith
St. Mary Catholic School
February Newsletter 2015
Dear Parents:
Although wintry weather impacted some of our scheduled events for the start of
Catholic Schools Week, the Talent Show, Grandparent’s Day, our School Liturgy,
the Book Fair, and Teacher Luncheon were all true celebrations. It was great to
have so many parent and grandparent volunteers in the building helping with all the
events. Many positive comments were made about how easy it was to sign up to
volunteer through SignUpGenius. Our volunteer committee is working to streamline
the ease of volunteering for all SMCS events.
During this upcoming month, we will enter the season of Lent. During this time, we
have a wonderful opportunity to grow closer in our relationship to God. This fortyday period, in which we practice prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, helps prepare our
hearts for the death and Resurrection of Jesus.
As a school community, we will be coming together for Mass on Ash Wednesday at
10:30 A.M. and for Stations of the Cross each Friday at 2:00 P.M. during Lent. Our
students in grades 3 through 8 will also have the opportunity to participate in the
sacrament of Reconciliation. Families are encouraged to participate in Operation
Rice Bowl. We, as a school community, will work together to prepare our hearts for
Easter.
Remembering Catholic Schools Week
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS: COMMUNITIES OF
FAITH, KNOWLEDGE, AND SERVICE
Thank you is again extended to Mrs. Dana Hilmoe for creating the beautiful
CSW buttons that the students, parents, faculty, and visitors wore all week
long.
BULLETIN BOARDS
Mrs. Stacey Renken continues to amaze the school community with her
creativity and love of art. Our hallways were adorned with beautiful art work
created by her students in class. We appreciate the talents of Mrs. Renken
and her students!
TOURS
St. Mary Catholic School was open for tours during the week for prospective
new students and their families. Although inclement weather shortened our
week, I am pleased to report that many prospective families visited SMCS.
Our tour guides were very busy all week long! Thank you, Mrs. Rachel
O’Connor, Mrs. Debbie Corsi, Mrs. Shannon Flint, Mrs. Stacey Stine, Mrs. M.J.
Sommerville, and Mrs. Jacque Ewing for showing our school.
FAITH
FIRST FRIDAY MASS
Please join us for our school Mass
on February 6 at 10:30 A.M.
FEAST OF ST. BLAISE
Tuesday, February 3, is the feast day of
St. Blaise. Father Larry plans to bless the
throats of our students after our First
Friday Mass on February 7. (May God at
the intercession of Saint Blaise preserve
you from throat troubles and every other
evil.)
ASH WEDNESDAY
Ash Wednesday is February 18. All SMCS
students will attend Mass on Ash
Wednesday and receive ashes at 10:30
A.M.
STATIONS OF THE CROSS
Students in grades three through eight
will attend Stations of the Cross on
Fridays during Lent at 2:00 P.M. Thank
you, Father Collin and Father Larry, for
giving our students the opportunity to
attend Stations of the Cross during
school.
LENTEN REMINDER
No meat will be served on any Friday
during Lent.
OPERATION RICE BOWL
Eighth grade students, under the
supervision of Ms. Ward, will prepare
presentations for the younger grades
about Operation Rice Bowl. Students
will be given “bowls” in which to put
donations during Lent. Donations are
due Friday, March 27. Checks are
appreciated.
Remembering Catholic Schools Week
(continued…)
PANCAKE BREAKFAST
Unfortunately, snow, sleet, and freezing rain caused the cancellation
of our annual SMCS Pancake Breakfast. We appreciate all the time
and effort Mo Tedeschi put into coordinating this special community
event. Many thanks are extended to the team of volunteers who
spent Friday night preparing for the event. The team included Kelly,
Ashley, Tyler, and Bella Kenny, Elena Echenique, Lauren and Phillip Aguila,
Barbara and Olivia Brooks, Caroline and Joseph Zabrucky, Julie Zanetti,
Michelle Watts, Jen and Chloe Harman, Jen Sword, Lauren Rappaport, MJ
Sommerville, Kelly Byrne, Cathy and Stephen Reiter, Jackie Strama, Bella
Barron, and Tammy Shultz.
We appreciate the very generous donations from the Romsburg
family (Western Sizzlin) and from IHOP. Hopefully, next year the
weather will be more cooperative!
WEEKEND MASSES
SMCS appreciates the support of our
area Pastors in helping us spread the
news about Catholic education. Our
students were able to talk about St.
Mary Catholic School during the
weekend Masses. These students did
a great job representing SMCS and
encouraging others to consider
Catholic education. Thank you to the
following students for speaking during
the weekend Masses:
St. Ann Parish
Speakers: Noah Karn, Alice Poffenberger,
and Annie Balog
New Dates…Mark your calendars
Monday, March 2
Career Day
Tuesday, March 3
Volunteer Reception (8:30 A.M.)
Parent Visitation
(9:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M.)
St. Augustine Parish
Speaker: Danielle Wells
St. James Parish
Speaker: Shannon Quinones
St. Joseph Parish
Speaker: Frederick Farah
St. Mary Parish
Speakers: Jacob Kornilow, Sofia Corsi,
Olivia Brooks, and Emma Ortiz
St. Michael Parish
Speaker: Harrison Ewing
A special thank you is extended to all
the students who wore their school
uniform over the weekend!
BOOK FAIR
Who doesn’t enjoy a good book? Our students certainly enjoyed the vast selection of books available at our 2015
Scholastic Book Fair. The long lines for purchases on Grandparent Day and all the smiles on our students’ faces
made for a banner day for sales. We truly appreciate the time and efforts of Mrs. Stacey Kijowski in coordinating
this event. (Mrs. Kijowski is thankful for all the advice and input from her co-chair, Mrs. Jenny Beck.) Our set-up
committee included Jessica Espiridion, Lisa Muto, Bella Barron, Mr. Bob, and Beth Fisher (our regional Scholastic
Representative). Sales were handled by Mistie Witt, Lisa Muto, Bella Barron, Sherri Goetz, Jennifer Harman, Leslie Kocevar,
Kelly Byrne, Jackie Swarner, Teresa Maloney-Smith, and Natalie Shultz. Lisa Muto, Sherri and Alyssa Goetz, Frankie, Sofia, and
Anthony Corsi, Brandon and Jacob Kijowski, Aria Smith, and Emily Concovia offered their time and efforts to pack up the
books at the end of the fair. We appreciate all the support of our SMCS families who made purchases this week. The
profit from the Book Fair will be announced once all the sales have been calculated.
EIGHTH GRADE
RECOGNITION
Eighth grade is such a special year
for our students at SMCS. During
the talent show, the St. Mary
Catholic School Graduating Class of
2015 was recognized. Thanks to the
HSA, our eighth graders received
their CLASS T-Shirts on this day.
Eighth graders will be wearing their
special T-Shirts on Fridays as
recognition of their years of hard
work as St. Mary Catholic School
students. The Class of 2015
includes Zara Ahmed, Elias
Blumenberg, Olivia Brooks, Gabriel
Burgess, Benjamin Byers, Emily
Concovia, Norah Cvijanovich,
Harrison Ewing, Frederick Farah,
Elizabeth Fisher, Jahi Fleet, Morgan
Giannoumis, Steven Hamilla,
Nathan Haupt, Joseph Jacques,
Jacob Kornilow, Charlotte Larkin,
Noah Litzinger, Kira Lutz, James
McKane, Anna Mele, Emma Ortiz,
Quinton Reed, Sarah Sardina, Emily
Saylor, Meghan Scott, Grant
Shanholtz, Aria Smith, Amanda
Thomas, Zachary Towns, Cole
Trippett, Colette Waldron, and Ryan
Wiley.
HSA Luncheon for Student Appreciation &
Grandparents’ Day
Grandparents’ Day is truly one of the highlights of Catholic
Schools Week. It is an opportunity for grandparents to visit their
grandchildren’s classrooms and then be treated to a delicious
lunch! Hopefully, our students and their grandparents feel how
much they are appreciated! The tasty lunch was prepared and
served by Mo Tedeschi, Laurie Craver, Carrie Stumpf, Cheryl
Dillard, Danielle Swett, Kelly Byrne, Linda Mercurio, Jacque
Ewing, Tammy Shultz, Tom Witt, Leslie Kocevar, Dana Weaver,
Julie Quelet, MJ Sommerville, Jen Foster, Stacey Stine, Jennifer
Harman, Kelly Kenny, Jen Smallwood, Jackie Strama, and Cathy
Ellis. We appreciate our parent volunteers who gave their time,
effort, and love to provide such a special luncheon to our
grandparents and students!
TEACHER APPRECIATION
LUNCHEON
The SMCS Faculty & Staff
was treated to a delicious
lunch by our Home & School
Association. We appreciate
the kindness and
thoughtfulness of Tammy
Shultz, Jennifer Smallwood,
Cathy Ellis, Jackie Strama,
Mo Tedeschi, and Nikki
Rappaport.
CALENDAR REMINDERS
Pre-K does not have school on
Tuesday, February 10. The
teachers and principal will be
attending the Maryland PreKindergarten Conference in
Baltimore.
SMCS is closed
Monday, February 16, for
President’s Day
and
Tuesday, February, 17
for a
Teacher Professional Day
Eighth Grade Graduation Time Change
SMCS Class of
2015
SMCS Eighth Grade Graduation will be held on
Sunday, June 7, at 4:00 P.M., in St. Mary Church.
Order Your St. Mary Catholic School Yearbook Online
Visit www.memorybook.com/parentpay
Enter your pay code 74763 and click next
Buy a yearbook for $20.00
Order online through February 20, 2015
If you have any questions about ordering your yearbook,
contact Ms. Mary Poffenberger at
mpoffenberger@stmarycatholicschool.org
2015-2016
REGISTRATION
Registration for new students
opened on Saturday, January 24.
If you know of any families who
might be interested in learning
more about St. Mary Catholic
School, please encourage them to
call and set up an appointment “to
check us out.” Prospective
students are encouraged to spend
a day shadowing.
HELP
WANTED
Our SMCS After School Care
Program is in need of
additional attendants to
provide supervision for our
students. It is a paid position.
If interested, contact Ms.
Radley, to schedule an
interview.
pradley@stmarycatholicschool.org
SMCS
SWEEPSTAKES WINNER
General Mills and AHOLD Stores had a Box Tops for
Education Sweepstakes in which Mrs. Susette Sleeper
(Adam Rappaport’s grandmother) selected St. Mary
Catholic School to receive the prize of $100,000 Bonus
Box Tops. This prize was worth $10,000! SMCS received a
check for $10, 988.30, which included the prize money as
well as the proceeds from the Box Tops collected by Sister
Corda from our school community. Thank you, Mrs.
Sleeper, for supporting SMCS! As always we do
appreciate all of Sister Corda’s efforts!
Tuition Assistance
FACTS Grant & Aid Assessment conducts the financial need
analysis for Saint Mary Catholic School. For the upcoming
2015-2016 school year, families applying for financial aid will
need to complete an application and submit the necessary
supporting documentation to FACTS Grant & Aid Assessment
by February 28, 2015, for Archdiocesan Assistance, or by April
1, 2015, for tuition assistance from your parish. All families
(Catholic and non-Catholic) are encouraged to apply; in fact, it
is required if you will be requesting assistance. Applicants
should apply online at www.stmarycatholicschool.org (Select
Admissions tab; click on Financing Education) or at
https://online.factsmgt.com/aid.
If you have questions or concerns about the application
process, you may contact Alice Martin, Business Manager, at
301-739-0390, ext. 114, or amartin@saintmarysonline.org.
MARCH FOR LIFE
Despite the wintry weather conditions, Ms. Pamela
Ward, Ms. Kiran Burgess, and Mrs. Teresa MaloneySmith accompanied our students, Benjamin Byers,
Gabriel Burgess, Colette Waldron, Cole Trippett, Aria
Smith, Joey Jacques, Aba Mitchual, and Tureymar
Camacho on the March for Life in Washington, D.C.,
on January 22. Our SMCS group joined thousands
who wanted to show their support to RESPECT LIFE!
ALTAR SERVER TRAINING
Sunday, February 8
After 9:30 Mass
In Pangborn Hall
SMCS students in grades 5 through 8 who are
Catholic may participate. Students who are
only interested in serving at school Masses
should indicate that at the training.
HSA EVENTS
Many Hands
Make Light Work Policy
In order to have the policy finalized in time for the 2015-2016 school year, we
are asking each family to log in to Help Counter
( www.helpcounterweb.com; Login: stmary149; Password: ase8eq ) for
tracking volunteer hours during this year. This way we are able to be monitor
and tweak the policy if necessary.
SCRIP Dates
February 9 and 23
SMCS Tervis Tumblers
There are still a limited number of Tervis tumblers with our St. Mary Catholic
School logo available for purchase from the HSA. 24-ounce water bottles are
$21 and 16-ounce tumblers with a blue lid are $16. Show your school spirit by
sporting this on-the-go drinkware.
WOLFGANG CANDY FUNDRAISER
HSA is testing out another optional fundraiser. The candy sale will run
February 9 through 27. More information is forthcoming.
MIDDLE SCHOOL SOCIAL
Middle School Social will be held from 3:00 to 4:30 on February 6. A
dollar donation is required to help offset the cost of drinks and snacks.
FAMILY BINGO NIGHT—
February 7
Mrs. Jeanie Stark and Mrs.
Carrie McMahon have planned
our annual Family BINGO Night
event. Dinner and an evening
of fun for the whole family will
be enjoyed by all who have
registered. Meal includes pizza
and drinks. Baked goods will
be for sale. Following dinner
we will play 12 bingo games for
great kid-friendly prizes. Doors
open at 6:15 P.M. Bingo games
will start promptly at 6:45 P.M.
We thank you in advance for
your support of this event!
Congratulations
GEOGRAPHY BEE
All SMCS middle school students participate in the
National Geographic Bee. This year the finalists from our
classroom competitions, Zara Ahmed, Gabriel Burgess,
Jacob Kornilow, Charlotte Larkin, Aria Smith, Amanda
Thomas, Ryan Wiley, Owen O’Connor, Stephen Reiter,
and Joseph Mele competed on stage. The 2014-15
Geography Bee winner for St. Mary Catholic School is
Gabriel Burgess. Ryan Wiley was the runner-up.
The school winner is given a seventy-five question test
that must be completed in one hour. The test is sent to
the National Geographic Society Headquarters in
Washington, D.C., to be graded. Then each state sends
one hundred students to its state capital to compete in
order to select one winner to represent the state. The
final fifty winners compete in Washington, D.C., in the
final contest.
GOOD S.A.M.s
I want to congratulate our Good
S.A.M.s for January: Kaitlyn
O’Berry, Brooke Barron, Samuel
Hall, Cate Waldron, Jillian
Sommerville, Matthew Stine,
Jackson Pentony, Alice
Poffenberger, and Joseph Jacques.
Thanks for your Service, Attitude,
and Manners!
SPELLING BEE
SPELLING BEE CONTESTANTS
The Washington County Spelling
Bee will be held on Saturday,
February 28, at Western Heights
Middle School. The competition
begins at 1:00 P.M. This year
Jackson Pentony and Lauren Aguila
from sixth grade, Bridget Nooney
and Gracen Sommerville from seventh grade, and
Emma Ortiz and Gabriel Burgess from eighth grade will
The SMCS Keys for Success
Be Kind and Gentle
Be Respectful
Be Responsible
represent St. Mary Catholic School in the county
competition. Congratulations and good luck!
Phase II Raffle Ticket Fundraiser
Thank you is extended to Mrs. Jackie Swarner for
coordinating this fundraiser and to Sister Aloysius for
faithfully picking the winning ticket each week.
Congratulations to the following January winners:
($50) Week 1: The Barbitta Family
($50) Week 2: Keith Craver
($50) Week 3: The Shultz Family
($100) Week 4: Marisa Kenney
STUDENT COUNCIL EVENTS
TALENT SHOW
Each year the Student Council hosts a talent show
for students on Student Appreciation Day. Each
year the talents that are shared on the stage by
our students are truly amazing! Snow days
eliminated the rehearsals but the show must
always go on! A quick run-through was held in
the morning before the performance under the
supervision of Mrs. Tina Forsythe, and the
student council, Quinton Reed, Emma Ortiz,
Harrison Ewing, Alice Poffenberger, Charlotte
Larkin, Sophia Corsi, Cole Trippett, Sarah Sardina,
and Morgan Giannoumis.
St. Mary Catholic School is very proud of the
participants who shared their talents with the
student body:
Emily Grossman—Guitar Solo
Kaitlyn Dellaposta – Vocal Solo
Emma Ortiz – Vocal Solo
Samantha Espirdion—Piano Solo
Kira Lutz – Keyboard & Vocal Solo
Isabella Muto –Dance Routine
Erica Weaver – Cello Solo
Evan Weaver and Lauren Kane—Piano Duet
Amanda Thomas –Dance Routine
Ty Ambush, Logan Flanagan, Matthew Stine, &
Lleyton Foster—Guitars & Drums
Fifth Grade—Cupid Shuffle
Eighth Grade – Evolution of Dance Flash Mob
Out-of-Uniform
Days
JANUARY TAG DAY
The TAG DAY held in January raised $254.50 for the
Warrior Canine Connection. The student council
appreciates the generosity of our families.
FEBRUARY TAG DAYS
COMMUNITY CARE DRIVE
Students who bring in an item for the COMMUNITY
CARE DRIVE by February 6 may come out of uniform on
Friday, February 13, in Valentine’s Day colors.
SOLES4SOULS
A shoe drive is in the planning stages for later in the
month. More information is forthcoming.
COMMUNITY CARE DRIVE
SMCS has teamed up with St. Maria Goretti High School
to collect needed items to benefit REACH and CASA,
Inc., of Washington County.
What We’re Collecting:
Food/ Beverage (cold cereal, oatmeal packets, hot
cocoa packets, sugar, powdered drink mix (large
canisters), coffee (large canisters)
Personal Care (shampoo—individual-sized bottles,
deodorant, foot powder)
Kitchen (white vinegar, Lime-a-Way, dish soap)
Cleaning (bleach, Lysol spray, disinfectant wipes/refills,
multi-purpose cleaner, toilet bowl cleaner)
Trash Bags (39-gallon black trash bags, 13 gallon kitchen
trash bags)
Paper Products (toilet paper, paper towels, tissues)
Laundry (HE laundry detergent pods, fabric softener
sheets)
Gift Cards (gas, grocery, restaurants)
Clothing (slippers, robes, socks, underwear, sweatpants,
& sweatshirts)
Students who bring in an item on the above list by
Friday, February 6, may enjoy an out-of-uniform day
on Friday, February 13. The theme of the day will be
Valentine’s Day colors.
Other Newsworthy Items
INCLEMENT WEATHER
St. Mary Catholic School follows the announcement for Washington
County Public Schools. Please listen to your local radio stations or NBC25
for possible school cancellations, late openings, or early dismissals. In the
case of a two-hour delay, Pre-K will not have school.
STORY & CRAFT
TIME
Mrs. Jeanie Stark and Sister Aloysius
are offering a story and craft time for 3
to 5 year olds on February 26 at 12:00
P.M. Please contact Mrs. O’Connor if
interested.
roconnor@stmarycatholicschool.org
CONFIRMATION CLASSES FOR ST. MARY PARISHIONERS
Immediate Preparation Classes for Confirmation
students will be held in the Parish Center on February
3, 10, 17, and 24. The snow date is March 3. Sign in
time is 6:45 P.M. All Confirmandi must attend these
classes.
HEALTH QUESTIONS?
If you have any health-related
questions, please contact Ms. Paula
Radley at (301)733-1184, ext 104, or
by email,
pradley@stmarycatholicschool.org.
Catholic Lobby Night
ATTEND LOBBY NIGHT in Annapolis on February
16th. Join Maryland's Bishop and hundreds of
fellow Catholics on President's Day—Monday,
February 16th from 2:30-8:00 PM and make your
voices heard. Lobby Night is an advocacy event
that gives Catholic voters the opportunity to speak
in person with their elected officials about issues,
including the Maryland Education Tax Credit and
other legislation supporting our Catholic schools,
end-of-life issues, the dignity of work, the dignity
of life, and more. Registration is required. Visit
www.mdcathcon.org/lobbynight or call Maryland
Catholic Conference at (410) 269-1155 to
register. Transportation from Hagerstown will be
provided for anyone interested in attending. Call
Patti Jones at (301) 992-2123.
Show your
School Spirit
St. Mary Catholic School
apparel will be on sale
February 23 through
March 15.
Choose from fun colors
and cool items.
A flier is forthcoming.
The Crusader Café
It’s cold outside! In honor of the cold weather, the café is selling
cups of warm hot cocoa with mini marshmallows during BREAK
for only 50 cents! Please make sure student lunch accounts are
current so students don’t miss out on this tasty treat.
Thank you for supporting our lunch program; the students really
seem to enjoy it!
Menu Updates
With Lent starting during this
month, all Friday meals will be
meatless options, cheese pizza,
fish patty sandwich, or other
meatless items.
On Ash Wednesday we will be
serving cheese tortellini!
The Crusader Café Staff cafeteria@stmarycatholicschool.org
Shield the Vulnerable
St. Mary Catholic School and the Archdiocese of Baltimore have a commitment
to maintaining the trust of the faithful by providing our children and youth with
safe environments characterized by healthy relationships. With our
longstanding commitment in mind, all parishes and archdiocesan Catholic
schools use Shield the Vulnerable, a compliance management system that
allows all parishes and schools to facilitate compliance with archdiocesan child
protection requirements for all volunteers who work with minors, employees,
and clergy.
Please register as a St. Mary Catholic School volunteer at
www.shieldthevulnerable.org. All new volunteers should complete the process
as soon as possible.
Volunteers who are currently compliant with STAND
requirements may continue to volunteer. However, you
should have received a letter from Mrs. Jan McCarter
outlining the steps you need to complete in order to
transition into the Shield the Vulnerable system.
Please contact Mrs. McCarter, our screening coordinator, at
jmccarter@saintmarysonline.org or (301)739-0390, ext. 129,
with any questions or concerns.
In Your Prayers
Please remember Jan Lucy (aunt of Mrs. Jonna Larkin) who passed away this
past month. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of
God, rest in peace.
As always, I ask for your prayers to the Holy Spirit to give me the
guidance and wisdom needed to serve as principal of Saint Mary
Catholic School.
May God Bless You!
Patricia A. McDermott
For those students who would like
a healthy option during snack
time, we will offer low-fat
mozzarella cheese sticks, pretzels,
and fresh fruit.
Also, we will be offering sherbet as
an ice cream option. (Grape,
orange, rainbow, raspberry, lime,
mango lemon, and chocolate—all
gluten free and only 75 cents!)
During the morning break, we are
selling cereal in small boxes for 50
cents. Cereal with milk is an
additional 50 cents.
When we have a delayed opening
our menu may change due to the
short time frame we have to
prepare lunch. We will try to give
advance notice when possible.
Thank you, families, for supporting
your school lunch program!
The Crusader Café Staff