Celebrating 145 Years in Forming Disciples of Christ
September 23, 2021 Memorial of Saint Pius of Pietrelcina (Padre Pio)
Principal's Message
Good afternoon everyone!
Thank you for faithfully reading our weekly newsletter. This will always be our main source for quick news and reminders, but I want to let you know we are working to provide additional opportunities to let you know more about big picture topics, how things are going at St. Mary’s, and to have you be part of these conversations.
I look forward to sharing our renewed vision ideas in our upcoming information/Q&A sessions listed below.
In our first sessions we will share the big picture from the Archdiocesan Strategic Plan and how our own Improvement Plan goals fit into it. One big topic we will address is community life during Covid. Please think about ideas you’d like to share. See you soon!
Thursday 9/30 at 6:30pm
Wednesday 10/6 at 8:15am
Wednesday 10/6 at 1:30pm
(Optional Zoom for this session with chat box questions link HERE)
Refreshments will be served at each session, and I very much look forward to seeing as many of you as possible.
God bless! Mr. Nicely
CATHOLIC CULTURE
Our parish, St. Mary Catholic Church, is having a Parish Mission next week and we encourage our school families to attend even in part. This Year of the Eucharist is an excellent opportunity to grow closer to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. He is the center of all we do and the center of our Community Life at St. Mary’s.
Click HERE for information and the Mission schedule in our parish Bulletin.
NOTEWORTHY NEWS
AFTER-SCHOOL CARE After-Care is opening 9/27/21 for K-8. 3:00 - 5:30
All staff/students are required to wear a mask. Students requiring rescue meds MUST have one supplied for After-Care to participate. Families must have an aftercare form on school admin portal completed to attend. Snack money may be put on an account or pay as you go. Do not park on primary school lot after 3pm. After-care will be outside in good weather. Please park on Walnut Lot and walk over. You may have to buzz the man gate or an attendant will let you in while outside.Please remember: K-8 students that require rescue meds MUST have those meds available in after care to participate.
SAVE THE DATE:
Parent Wine & Cheese Night Friday, Oct. 22
6:30pm
Stay tuned for more information
*Stay tuned for a family event announcement for November.
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.
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
Archdiocese of Baltimore Student Accident Insurance
As we strive to provide a safe environment for all students, we recognize that accidents are not 100% preventable. In order to lessen the financial impact from a sudden and unexpected accident, we offer Student Accident Insurance through the Office of Risk Management. Our insurance program offers a voluntary paid basic plan providing up to $25,000 coverage purchased by students’ families. The plan applies to accidents which occur on the school’s premises during school activities. For families who have high deductibles on their health policies, or who may have no health coverage, this is a great opportunity to purchase protection for your children. There are various coverage options, and all are offered at minimal costs. Most beneficial about this coverage is that it has no deductible.
For more information and to purchase coverage, please visitHERE.
HSA MESSAGES
HSA DUES
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 1stby 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.
Please note: These dues are NOT paid through FACTS.
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
***Hearing and Vision testing will resume this year after January 2022.
More information to follow***
What to do if you have a positive Covid test or a close contact? HEREParents- Our Covid Decision Aid mandates that we suggest testing with 1symptom 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 HERECDC 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 HEREHealth 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. SMCS Covid Portal - website. All travel quarantines off the continental US must be reviewed on the CDC website by location for SMCS quarantine guidance time frames. A student may not return after "international travel" without notifying the nurse and post travel Covid test. TWO masks are required EVERY day in case of bloody nose, broken strap, runny nose, or lost. Ill student pick-up, please use the stairwell to the left of the main school entrance on W. Washington St. Press the intercom.
Close Contact Individual- Vaccinated- Unmasked if a Student:
-Consider rapid if there are a large number of contacts of the close contact. If positive no PCR needed.
-Must test between day 3-5 using a PCR test to affirm no breakthrough virus on the vaccinated individuals.
Close Contact Individual- Unvaccinated and Unmasked:
-Consider rapid if there are a large number of contacts of the close contact. If positive no PCR needed.
-If an individual wishes to discontinue quarantine on day 8, the person must have a PCR test administered on or after day 5. A
negative result enables the individual to return to school on day 8 or after. If a positive test the individual will need to begin an
isolate from the date of test.
Surveillance Testing: Various Scenarios
Presumable all asymptomatic: Rapid/Positive/ Confirmatory PCR
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.
9/23
Jimmy Johns Restaurant Night
Sparks Dr location
4pm to 8pm
9/24
Half-day (11:45 pickup begins) Teacher Professional Day
9/28
First Day of After-School Care
K-8
10/4 Panera Bread
5pm-9pm
10/8
No school - AOB Professional Day
10/12 & 13
Half Day (11:45 pickup begins)
Parent Conferences
10/13 Western Sizzlin
11am-8pm
10/20 Dog House Cafe
11am-7pm
10/22
Adult Wine & Cheese Night
6:30pm
On Campus
10/29
Half Day (11:45 pickup begins)
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.
