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Tuition Credit Opportunity
It bears repeating, that the most powerful marketing strategy of any Catholic school is “WORD of MOUTH” advertising by school families. And to top it off, it’s free! And even better, SMCS families can get a tuition credit for every family they refer successfully to enroll at SMCS. Yes, even THREE families! So take the “Three Family Challenge” and go spread the word about St. Mary Catholic School!
Click HERE for details about this program.
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CALLING ALL PARENTS!
SMCS is pleased to announce that the School Culture Survey 360™ is available for parents to complete. This survey is administered annually to collect data on the AOB schools' cultures. We ask all families to participate. Parent surveys are DUE March 8th.
Please click on the survey below appropriate to your family. Thank you!
Parent of In-Person Students
Parent of On-Line Learners
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Feature Teacher
Each week we spotlight one of our magnificent St. Mary Catholic School teachers, and this week’s Feature Teacher is our wonderful St. Mary Bookkeeper, Mrs. Cheryl Hammond.
Of course by now you know that EVERY staff member at SMCS is a teacher. The daily lesson Mrs. Hammond teaches is the virtue of Stewardship. Catholic schools are part of the mission of the Church to form disciples of Christ. But we are also a business, with gifts and resources for which the good Lord wants us to be accountable. Mrs. Hammond keeps us on track and ready for a “reckoning” at any moment.
But that’s not all. Her kind, cheerful attitude brings joy to our school office and gives a sense of warmth and welcome to all.
Thank you, Mrs. Hammond!
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Good S.A.M.s
But a certain Samaritan being on his journey, came near him; and seeing him, ws moved with compassion. Luke 10:33
Each month, teachers select a student who exemplifies our SMCS Keys for Success by being kind and gentle, respectful, and responsible, just as the Good Samaritan demonstrated on his journey. Let's congratulate our Good S.A.M.s from February:
PreK - Sabella Anaglate
Kindergarten - Elizabeth Gibson
First Grade - Abel Staley
Second Grade - Samuel Renken
Third Grade - Emma Easterday
Fourth Grade - Nicholas Cabezas
Fifth Grade - Conor Buckley
Sixth Grade - Madeline Stonebraker
Seventh Grade - Spencer Byers
Eighth Grade - Leah McCafferty
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Half Day March 19th-Reminder
Remember: Friday, March 19th, will be a HALF day of school at St. Mary’s in honor of the Feast Day of St. Joseph. Pope Francis began the Year of St. Joseph this past December 8th. We will have School Mass at 10:30am, and since it’s a Church Solemnity, and not a day of Lenten penance, special treats will be offered to all after Holy Mass.
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Catholic Culture Column
Lent
We are now past our first full week of Lent. We encourage families to take full advantage of this time to renew the most important things in family life: prayer, attending Mass and Lenten services together, adopting new customs during COVID, and so many other ideas.
There’s an abundance of resources for families out there. Our own archdiocese has a big selection to choose from. Click HERE https://www.archbalt.org/lent/ to see.
Saints
A great way to learn about saints and much more about the Catholic Faith and Catholic Culture is to visit the Catholic Culture website
https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/for-all-saints/
Reading stories about saints is a great way for kids and grown-ups to see what virtue looks like. Many stories of saints point to struggles they had that we can all relate.
St. Mary Catholic School Prayer to our Patroness
We fly to thy patronage, O holy Mother of God; despise not our petitions in our necessities, but deliver us from all dangers, O glorious and blessed Virgin. Amen.
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Dear Principals and Presidents,
Yesterday was our annual Catholic Advocacy Day, when we asked Catholics statewide to reach out to our state lawmakers on a few important issues up for legislative consideration during the ongoing legislative session. The BOOST Scholarship Program was one of those priority items.
We urge you to send the advocacy link below to parents, school board members, or any other supporters so that their voices may be heard directly by their state senators and delegates in just a few clicks.
Whether you have a significant number of BOOST Scholarship recipients at your school, just a small number impacted by the program, or none at all, BOOST impacts all of our Catholic schools. The assistance provided by BOOST is a sizable part of the landscape of tuition assistance that enables students to attend our Catholic schools. Very simply put, losing BOOST would have an impact on all students, especially in this particular year.
We kindly ask you all to play a part in reaching out to our state legislators in support of BOOST, as it is THE way to show them we need it and we're paying attention to what they do in Annapolis.
Lastly, download this toolkit (Word file) you can use for email and social media promotion for BOOST in the coming weeks, as our lawmakers consider the program.
Thanks for your support!
Garrett O’Day, Esq.
Deputy Director
Maryland Catholic Conference
Ph: 410-269-1155 / 301-261-1979
Garrett@mdcathcon.org
www.mdcatholic.org
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REMINDER!
SMCS HSA FUNDRAISING
The SMCS HSA is pleased to offer Gertrude Hawk Chocolates as part of our fundraising program this year.
Each family should receive a fundraiser packet which includes a brochure and order form. More are available in the front office.
Important Dates:
- Order forms and money are due TOMORROW! (Feb. 26th)
- Students can turn in sales and money via kidmail
- Orders will be delivered week of March 22nd
- Online sales orders being shipped to a home are due March 28th
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It is YEARBOOK time!
1. Visit http://www.memorybook.com/online-pay/parent-pay/
2. Enter school code 911057, then "go to the account log in"
3. Click on the link below SMCS
4. Register as a "new user"
5. Buy a yearbook for $22.00
Order online through March 31, 2021
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PARENTS -
ALWAYS HAVE AN EXTRA CLEAN MASK WITH EACH CHILD AT SCHOOL!!!
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Cloth masks should be laundered every couple of days for continued efficacy and sanitation!
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Nurse Radley's Health Suite
As Covid-19 Vaccinations are now readily available, Nurse Radley has been working closely with the WCHD to get our staff and teachers (who are interested) on the vaccine waiting list as quickly as possible. We are rescheduled for the first vaccine on February 25th.
SMCS building was once again treated over the Holiday break, utilizing the same treatment prior to school opening. Information regarding this treatment is on SMCS website- Covid-19 Updates, then Sanitation or via this link HERE.
All out of state or international travel moving forward are as follows until suspended by the Governor of MD. If families or staff traveled out of State, to other than the exempt States (PA, DE, VA, WV, or DC), those individuals need to ensure that they either complete a full 10 day quarantine prior to returning to in-person school or make arrangements ahead of time for the required tests 3-5 days upon return to Maryland or to their home state, if they reside outside of Maryland but attend or work in a school in Maryland. Please continue to inform the school with regard to Spring break family travel, transparency, any exposures, for the health and safety of our valued families and staff.
SPRING BREAK - Keep in mind...
Requirement for Proof of Negative COVID-19 Test or Recovery from COVID-19 for All Air Passengers Arriving in the United States After International/Caribbean travel - See guidelines HERE.
There is no longer a threshold to consider such as a positivity rate of 10%. This travel order applies to all travel with the exempted states noted above.
The period of quarantine is now reduced from 14 to 10 days, with continuous symptom monitoring, although 14 days is the gold standard. Covid cases throughout a household extends quarantine time as each person tests positive and/or has symptoms. You are required to call the Washington County Health Dept for any positive case to initiate contact tracing requirements along with notifying the school ASAP.
·With respect to the AOB policy, it is noted in the policy that the testing requirements are as follows:
-Students must complete a thorough minimum 10 day quarantine with continued symptom monitoring prior to return. Preferably, a negative PCR test result prior to return, but it is not required if thorough isolation and symptom monitoring continues.
-At home Covid-19 tests are not accepted for any purposes.
Here are a few other valuable websites for you to keep on hand:
Testing sites
Symptom check list
Student wellness survey
Guidance for Vaccinated Individuals
Maryland Vaccination & Location Information
Pfizer Covid Vaccine Recipient Information sheet
Moderna Covid Vaccine Recipient Information sheet
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Sister Corda's Kitchen
Please click HERE to see a printable February menu.
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LATE FEES ON FACTS
This is a reminder that anything invoiced on FACTS is subject to a $25 late fee if not paid by the due date of the invoice on FACTS. If you're not signed up for automatic payments (which is optional for incidentals/fees), please be sure to log into your account and make payments online by the due date to avoid further late fees.
Thank you!
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Each Trimester, all SMCS families participate in a mandatory raffle fundraiser. Once a week from October through June, a winning ticket is drawn. Check here each week as we announce the WINNER!
Congratulations to the following winner!
2/22/2021
Keri Dill
$100
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Get your DISCOUNTED Spirit Wear!
STILL A FEW ITEMS LEFT...
Here is a last chance to get Spirit Wear. Extra stock was printed in error and is being sold at discount prices. Only select designs/sizes/colors available. Email Lauri Craver at Enhanced Promotions to place your order. Orders for items will be fulfilled first come first serve based on the order the email is received. All communication and payments are made directly to Enhanced Printing and Promotions.
See what is available HERE.
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 I nterested in ordering SCRIP? Participate in the SCRIP program and directly offset your tuition costs by simply purchasing “gift cards” for all your shopping needs. Read more about this HERE. SCRIP orders collected EVERY Monday. |
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