SMCS NEWS: Our own Rocket Man
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It all started with Saturn V...
Peter Tlusty, affectionately known as Mr. T by students, developed a love for space in elementary school watching NASA's Saturn V send American astronauts to the moon. Today he inspires a new generation of star gazers, moon watchers and rocket launchers through his Technology classes at Saint Mary's Catholic School.
Q: What are some of your favorite STEM activities and projects?
A: Rocket Club and Cubes in Space are really popular with the kids. The Cubes in Space launch was cancelled this summer because of COVID-19 but we will go to NASA's Wallup's Island site next summer to see two of our cube projects be launched into space by NASA rockets. I'm also looking forward to working with students on the American Rocketry Challenge. My goal is to have SMCS finish in the top 100 and be invited to participate in the finals in May of 2021!
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COMMUNITY: PTO News + Book Spotlight
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REMINDER & NEW EMAIL BULLETIN:
Our next PTO Spirit Night will be this Thursday, October 1st at Kindred Spirit Brewing! We hope you will join us!  Kindred Spirit has plenty of outdoor seating and delivery and pick up are also available.
Bonus: You can order all week long (starting Monday!) and Saint Mary’s will get the credit when you use the online code: SaintMary’s
Our first Saint Mary's "PTO Bulletin" will be arriving in inboxes this Wednesday, September 30th! The PTO Bulletin is our new monthly newsletter filled with the latest news & events from your PTO. You won't want to miss these updates, so be on the lookout next week!
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THIS WEEK'S BOOK SPOTLIGHT FROM MRS. LAVALLEE
written by Debbie Levy ; illustrated by Elizabeth Baddeley
Celebrate the life of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg with this inspirational biography chronicling her childhood and important achievements as the second woman to ever serve on the Supreme Court of the United States.
>> Check out more stories of inspiring figures at the SMCS Library!
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BY THE NUMBERS: Space Dreams & High School Landings
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After seeing some gorgeous Solar System artwork displayed along the elementary hallway, we were inspired to interview 3rd graders this week during recess. We asked them what planet they would like to live on if they could safely live on any of them! Their top 3 responses in no particular order are:
- Earth
- Saturn
- Mars
Honorable mention is given to their favorite star, the Sun (possibly because morning recess was chilly!) and Pluto, their favorite dwarf planet.
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We talked to SMCS Admissions Director, Anne Leigh Bisese, to learn where our 2020 graduates landed for High School. The results are impressive! As reflected on the chart above, approximately 37% of last year's 8th graders chose to attend St. Gertrude or Benedictine College Prep with an additional 12% choosing other local private high schools including The Steward School, Trinity Episcopal, Blessed Sacrament Huguenot and St. Catherine's. The remaining 51% were spread across several different public high school options including local specialty centers in Henrico and Chesterfield Counties.
Related: We're looking forward to next Thursday evening's High School Information Fair hosted by the Saint Mary's PTO. There's an impressive line-up of confirmed schools that will be presenting and answering questions for all in virtual attendance. Be sure to pre-register online so that you receive the private Zoom link. This year's virtual event will start at 7pm and is open to all Middle School students and their parents.
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JUST IN TIME FOR CHRISTMAS CARD SEASON!
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In an on-going effort to highlight our awesome SMCS families despite our inability to organize in-person gatherings, we have partnered with former RTD photographer, Mark Gormus, to offer mini-outdoor portrait sessions.
For $125, your mini-session will last 5 to 10 minutes and include kid-only photos as well as family shots. Photographer's choice of edited shots will be provided digitally with full usage rights.
Spots will be limited to first come, first serve, so be on the lookout for a Sign-Up Genius to grab your spot or to volunteer your time to assist on available photo shoot days (Sunday, October 18 plus Saturday/Sunday October 24/25).
Note to New Families & Buddy Families: We plan to introduce you in the Flash and on social media in the coming months, so don't miss out on this opportunity to be ready with a family photo for us to share!
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IMPORTANT UPDATE REGARDING IMAGE USAGE:
The Catholic Diocese has issued a new Media/Publicity Release Form that must be completed
BY ALL SMCS FAMILIES by October 7.
Completed forms should be returned to school via email to your child's homeroom teacher or in your child's Friday Folder.
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MARK YOUR CALENDARS
Tues. Sept. 15 - Thurs. Oct. 15: Virtual! Qué Pasa Festival
Fri. Sept. 18 - Sun. Sept. 27: Virtual! Go Forth 5K & Kids' Mile
Tuesday, Sept. 29: School Picture Day
Wednesday, Sept. 30: School Mass, 9am (G5-G8)
Thursday, Oct. 1: School Mass, 9am (G1-G4)
Thursday, Oct. 1: Virtual! High School Information Fair
Thursday, Oct. 1: PTO Spirit Night @ Kindred Spirit Brewing, 3-8pm
Saturday Oct. 3 - Sunday, Oct.4: Knights of Columbus Italian Night To-Go Orders after Mass
Sunday, Oct. 4 at 1:30pm: Blessing of the Pets at St. Mary Catholic Church front parking lot
Friday, Oct. 9: School Holiday (Note this is a change)
Friday, Oct. 9 - Sunday, Oct. 11: Virtual! Richmond Folk Festival
Monday, Oct. 12: Student Holiday (Staff Development Day)
Saturday, Oct. 17: Knights of Columbus Italian Night To-Go Pick Up (curbside St. Mary's Parish Hall side door)
Wednesday, Oct. 21: Virtual! Open House, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Thursday, Oct. 22: Virtual! Open House, 9:30am - 10:30am
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The Friday Flash is a weekly newsletter intended to connect, inform and support the Saint Mary's School community. Your feedback/suggestions regarding content are always welcome and appreciated: kbotha@saintmary.org
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