Weekly Newsletter – May 17, 2024
Dear Parents,
This is the last full week of school. It has been such an incredible year. Thank you for choosing St. Mary’s for your students and your family. Back on December 15, 2023, I listed some of the many accomplishments of the school community for the first semester. The second semester has been just as exciting:
- Welcomed 10 new students during the school year
- Experienced a wonderful Catholic Schools week
- Added Ms. Ashley Jones as our 3rd grade teacher
- Third grade students became aware of economics and started their own class economy
- Ten 3rd graders and a few middle school students participated in the Children’s Entrepreneurial Fair at Hyde Park
- Gratefully received many contributions to our Spartan Fund to help with tuition assistance
- Received a record $60,925.67 from the Creegan Foundation
- 8th grade students finished 1st and 3rd in the a writing competition about the Bill of Rights
- Mrs. Geile led Mindset training for parents in January
- All second graders received their First Holy Communion in May, Thank you Mrs. Osti!
- Mrs. Russell was featured as an Innovative Educator on KTVB
- PTO hosted a wildly successful Mardi Gras Gala, grossing over $125,000
- Had successful Spring MAP testing highlighting our school’s growth
- Played in the annual Hallissey Basketball Tournament, 8th grade finished 2nd
- Had three teams play in the ICSI tournament in March
- Successfully competed in the Science Olympiad
- Mexican dancers performed at Fr. Camacho’s birthday party and at Dia de los ninos
- PTO partnered with the Hispanic Knights of Columbus to throw a wonderful Dia de los ninos celebration
- Witnessed incredible speeches from our students headed by Mrs. Bernal
- Sang along at the Spring Music Concert including a memorable performance from the 6th graders
- Buried the Alleluia on Shrove Tuesday
- 90% re-enrollment of current students
- 100% of teacher retention
- Pi Day brought in $3,000 for us to invest in STEM programs
- Enjoyed the eclipse together
- Held weekly Stations of the Cross during Lent and Living Stations of the Cross in Holy Wednesday
- Celebrated an entire Mass in Spanish – Thank you, Mrs. Huerta
- Welcomed grandparents to Mass on the Wednesday before Easter
- Enjoyed field trips all over the city including the Art Museum, Historical Museum, Snow School, Discovery Center, Ceramica, Glass Blowing, and Wagons, Ho!
- Financially, the school did a little better than break even through the ongoing support of the families, parishioners and alumni
- First grade established pen pals at St. Mark’s and was able to meet them in person
- Pre-K and Kindergarten was visited by the Idaho Reptile Zoo
- Pre-K devised a scheme to catch a class dodo bird with the help of parent trappers
- Already enrolled 25 new students for the 2024-25 school year
- 8th grade ventured to St. Gertrude’s for a retreat (currently in process)
- Ending the year with graduations, bowling, and field day at the park
We have had a wonderful year, full of many accomplishments. These things do not happen by accident. They are the results of a strong community, working together towards a common goal.
At the beginning of the year, I frequently stated that St. Mary’s was the best kept secret in town. It is exciting to see the secret is getting out. We are in an excellent position moving forward to grow the school, the community, and enhance the culture.
Thank you again for choosing St. Mary’s, being an active part of the school, and supporting the teachers and staff as we work together to provide our students a high quality Catholic education.
Please mark your calendars for important dates:
- May 14-16 – 8th Grade Retreat – St. Gertrude’s, Cottonwood
- May 20 – Kindergarten and Pre-Kindergarten Graduation
- May 21 – 8th Grade Graduation – 6:30 pm
- May 22 – Bowling and Field Day
- May 23 – Last Day of School – 10:30 dismissal
Important Announcements and Events:
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Partnership Page – St. Mary’s School is starting a new page on our website to highlight businesses in our community. If you are looking for local businesses for reasons ranging from carpet cleaning, mortgage lending or even auto purchases, please check out our partnership page first. I would encourage you to mark the page as a favorite to review the business listing as needed. If you are interested in having your business highlighted, please submit your information through the webpage.
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Summer Music Lessons – Mark Peters, Director of Band at BK and Director of Music at St. Mary’s School, will be offering private one-on-one lessons this summer for interested students/adults. This is a great way to continue strengthening skills during the summer months or to get a head start on a new instrument. Students can work with Mr. Peters on any of the following instruments:
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Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone, Baritone, Voice (Singing), Ukulele, Guitar
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Please contact Mr. Peters for more information: mpeters@bk.org
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Summer Speech Camp – St. Mary’s alumni, BK State Champion, and next year senior, Margaret Phillips is hosting a middle school speech camp this summer at St. Mary’s. June 10-14, interested students are encouraged to sign up to join in on the fun and learning. The linked information includes a form to register.
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Summer Junior High Camp– – The diocese is sponsoring a summer junior high camp for 6th through 8th graders June 17-21 in Stanley, ID – Please see linked flier for more information.
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Calendar- 2024-25 – We have been working at completing the calendar for the upcoming year. In addition to our special events, you can view other activities including first day of school, breaks, etc on the school website
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Summer Language Programs – Attention 1st through 6th grade families…. If you are looking for a fun and educational experience for your student, I encourage you to consider Suntree Language Academy. Suntree offers numerous week-long summer language immersion programs in French and Spanish. If you are interested, I encourage you to contact them and check them out at Suntree Language Academy .
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Children’s Entrepreneur Market – Well done to our 10 third graders and 3 middle schools who participated in the Children’s Entrepreneurial Fair this past weekend. St. Mary’s was well represented.
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Innovative Educator – Congratulations to Mrs. Russell. She was recognized by KTVB as an Innovative Educator. CLick on the link to view the segment.
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Medication Pick Up – If you have medications for your child at school, whether that be daily or as needed, please pick them up by May 23rd. Any medications left at the school after May 23rd will, unfortunately, have to be disposed of.
God bless.
Kevan Grant
St. Mary’s Catholic School- Principal
Other Items of Interest
- St. Mary’s & Niche – Niche is the top online school search platform in the country. St. Mary’s subscribed to the platform in October of 2023. Each month Niche has a $1000 sweepstakes to families, alumni, or students willing to complete a review of the school. Click here to leave a review and enter the sweepstakes.
- 13 Reasons to Send Your Kids to Catholic Schools – If you are out and about and want to share with friends and family reasons to send your child to a Catholic school, here you go…
- Chromebooks Available – St. Mary’s has a number of Chromebooks no longer in use, but in good condition. If you would like a Chromebooks for your student to use at home, please stop by the office. Donations are appreciated.
- Instrument Donation – Do you have slightly used music equipment? Check out this link…
- Important information from the School Nurse – Return to School Policy
- Get your Spirit Wear from Educational Outfitters – New Spartan Design
- Mexican Dance Group – Wednesdays at 3:30. No need to sign up, you are welcomed to stop by and try – More details HERE