The Regina Caeli - September 9, 2021

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The Weekly Message of
St. Mary Catholic School

Celebrating 145 Years in Forming Disciples of Christ

September 9, 2021
Memorial of St. Peter Claver

Principal's Message

Good afternoon everyone!

There’s an old Latin saying: “Crux stat dum mundus turbat” “The cross stands while the world is in turmoil.”

What does that have to do with Catholic education? Everything! St. Mary Catholic School is standing tall while there is so much around us to provoke discouragement and confusion. Under the patronage of the Mother of God, our school is truly a haven of joy and an oasis of truth in a troubled time, exactly what Catholic education should be.

Thank you for making St. Mary’s your chosen place where your kids can flourish and grow to be the best version of themselves.

God bless!

Mr. Nicely

CATHOLIC CULTURE

SCHOOL MASS

Our next School Mass will be this Friday at 8:30am.
Grades K - 4 will attend Mass in the church; Grades 5 -8 will live-stream.
Next week, we will switch the groups.

St. Mary’s students will be grouped by grade level in the church, they will be spaced three
feet apart, and wear masks.
Students will be staggered so that no one is directly in front of another.
We will practice/evaluate this arrangement with students on Thursday morning and tweak as
needed, as we did with students in grades 5-8 last week.
Parishioners who attend this parish Mass will wear masks, and will be in reserved seating in the back of the church, 3-4 pews behind our students.

We are in the Year of St. Joseph in the Catholic Church.
Click HERE for a beautiful prayer to St. Joseph.

We are also in the Year of the Holy Eucharist here in the Archdiocese of Baltimore. Having weekly Mass for students and staff, weekly visits to the Blessed Sacrament, and other special devotions throughout the year will help us grow closer to Jesus Christ, Who is truly our “Bread of Life”.

At our faculty retreat last week, Father Cibelli focused on the teachings of Jesus in
the Gospel of St. John, Chapter 6. We hope this Year of the Eucharist will inspire a greater longing in all of us for the Bread of Life.

Click HERE for more information about the Holy Eucharist.

NOTEWORTHY NEWS

Reminder from the Archdiocese

Once again, we are asking for the support and partnership of our parents and caregivers. We need you to actively monitor the health of your children and all household members, as well as anyone your child has had contact with. PLEASE do not expose members of the school community to a child who has been exposed to someone who is positive or is being tested for COVID, or who is exhibiting COVID-19, RSV, or Influenza symptoms. You have a critical role to play in preventing exposure and community spread by keeping your child home when sick or if they have in been contact with a family member or someone else who is currently sick.

We must continue to remain vigilant and disciplined to maintain the progress that has been made to stop the spread of COVID-19 and other RSV infections. Our ability to continue providing in-person instruction to your children depends on your cooperation. Thank you for your support and partnership!

Covid Q&A

We will announce our next Q&A for Covid-related questions next week. Once again we will ask for Covid-related questions to be sent to Nurse Paula by noon on the day of the Q&A.

Reminder:
Volunteers in the Building
We encourage you to sign up to volunteer this year even though the hours requirement is still on hold. Simply sign-up on our website. As we did last year, we can have a consistent team of parents in the school per trimester. Virtus training is required.

Lifetouch Picture Day

Lifetouch Picture Day will be on 9/16. Individual photos will be taken. Students may come to school out of uniform that day. Please follow the out-of-uniform day dress code on page 32 of the handbook.

Dining Hall (cafeteria) volunteers are needed!
Please consider volunteering - especially with our K-2 students from 12:10-12:30pm.
Parents who are interested should contact our school office: tnixon@stmarycatholicschool.org.
The regular Virtus training/background check will be required.

Mandatory Fundraiser – Phase 1

Tickets for the Phase 1 Mandatory Fundraiser have been sent home this week with the oldest/only child in the family.
Please return payment of $70 and all 7 ticket stubs to the school no later than September 30 to avoid an additional fee of $10.

If you choose to opt out, please return payment of $210 and all 7 tickets no later than September 30 to avoid the additional fee.

Drawings will be done weekly for this phase starting in
October through December.
If you have any questions, please contact Cassy Lawson
at 301-739-0390, extension 126 or at clawson@saintmarysonline.org

HSA MESSAGES

HSA dues are an important part of our budget and fund many programs throughout the school year. Remember to pay your HSA dues ($50) by October 1^st by returning dues to the front office in an envelope labeled with your child’s name(s) and grade(s) or use the following link to pay by credit card. An additional $2 convenience fee will be applied if paying by credit card.

HSA FORM

Early Bird Special: Families that pay HSA dues on or before 9/17 may pay the reduced rate of $45.

The HSA is excited to partner with Sam's Club!

Want to save on groceries and strengthen the Hagerstown community?
You can do both in one fell swoop with a Sam's Club membership that supports St. Mary Catholic School!

Here's how it works:
1. Join Sam's Club by Saturday, October 2, 2021 using this LINK
2. 25% of your membership cost will be donated to St. Mary Catholic School
3. You gain access to exclusive savings and perks

If you've ever been curious about using Sam's Club to save on everyday expenses, now's a great time to try it out, knowing that you'll also be channeling much-needed funds to St. Mary Catholic School!

NURSE RADLEY'S HEALTH SUITE

What to do if you have a positive Covid test or a close contact? HERE

Parents- Our Covid Decision Aid mandates that we suggest testing with 1 symptom or an alternative diagnosis. It is imperative that the School Nurse and his/her teacher are made aware of any illnesses, and/or a DR. note with the alternative diagnosis. PLEASE DO NOT SEND YOUR CHILDREN TO SCHOOL SICK!!

Decision aides HERE

CDC recommendations for extracurricular indoor sports without masking is NOT recommended at this time. Extracurricular Indoor sport masking is highly recommended by our school. Please take into consideration the risks posed to SMCS when allowing your child to participate in close indoor sports. Everyone needs to partner with our guidance for the safety of all.

Rapid, PCR testing, and vaccination sites are constantly changing times/locations. Check HERE

Link to SMCS Covid Portal HERE

Health Assessment 1 and 2, vaccinations forms along with 7th grade required vaccines, and completed School Admin portal for each student is a requirement at enrollment. MD law allows 20 days to submit health information or your child cannot enter school on the 21st day.

Medication and forms for emergency rescue medications such as Epi-pens and inhalers are required on the first day of school every year.

Travel- please refer to our Covid portal page. For all Covid related questions, please refer to the Covid-19 section on the main page of our website.
You will find decision aides, travel guidelines, and MD School & Health Department's protocols.

All travel quarantines off the continental US must be reviewed on the CDC website by location for SMCS quarantine guidance time frames.

Health related paperwork can be located by clicking Quick Links on the website main page and then Downloads. Please refer to our Handbook as well.

All students are required to have 2 masks (should one break, get wet or lost).
Thank-you!!

If you need to pick up your sick child during the school day, please use the stairwell to the left of the main school entrance on W. Washington St.
Please press the intercom.

COUNSELOR NOTES

Is HOMEWORK an issue at your house?

Kids are more successful in school when parents take an active interest in their homework - it shows kids that what they do is important. Yet, helping with homework shouldn't mean spending hours hunched over a desk. Here are some helpful tips to guide the way:

Know the teacher and what they are looking for. Go to conferences and know the policies.
Set up a homework-friendly area. Make sure it is well-lit and supplies are within reach.
Schedule a regular study time. Some kids work best in the afternoon, following a snack and play period; others may prefer to wait until after dinner.
Help them make a plan. Encourage your child to break up the work into manageable chunks. Create a work schedule if necessary - and take time for a 15-minute break every hour, if possible.
Keep distractions to a minumum!
Make sure kids do their own work.
Be a motivator and monitor. Praise their work and efforts.
Be a good example. Do you balance a budget or read a book?
If there continues to be a problem, ask for help. Talk to your child's teacher.

(KidsHealth)

SISTER CORDA'S KITCHEN

UPDATE!!
Due to Early Dismissal on Friday, September 24th, there will be NO lunch service that day!

Please click HERE to see an UPDATED printable September menu.

2021 Lunch Program Information LINK

UPCOMING EVENTS

9/9
Back-to-School Night for Middle School
6:30p.m.
The LINK for the Zoom gathering is here:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83500891780?pwd=aktiN080M2RrZGtNY1pVREtQZ3VhQT09
(Passcode: V75d4N)

9/13
Chipotle Restaurant Night
Garland Groh location
5pm to 9pm

9/14
Back-to-School Night for Grades 1 - 5 (virtual)

9/16
Lifetouch Picture Day

9/23
Jimmy Johns Restaurant Night
Sparks Dr location
4pm to 8pm

9/24
Half-day Teacher Professional Day

10/8
No school - AOB Professional Day

10/12 & 13
Half Day - Parent Conferences

10/29
Half Day - Teacher Professional Day

The updated monthly calendar can be accessed HERE.

St. Mary Catholic School empowers children in their faith journey and promotes academic excellence and life-long service inspired by the Gospel of Jesus Christ in a nurturing community.