Weekly Newsletter – April 26, 2024
Dear Parents,
Thank you for helping us recognize Mrs. Campanella this week. She’s the best.
St. Mary’s is blessed to have all of our teachers returning next year. Not many schools are lucky enough to retain their staff. They are incredible individually and collectively. Next year we will be separating all combo classes. Mrs. Geile will be taking over the 4th grade. The fifth grade will be starting their day with Mrs. Russell for Religion and ending the day with Mrs. Davis. We will be leveraging the middle school teachers and Mrs. Geile to provide a top-notch experience for our fifth graders.
Sunday, April 28th is Dia de los ninos, Children’s Day. We are looking forward to seeing everybody there for this celebration. Festivities begin at 2:00 pm.
This week the Creegan Foundation generously provided the annual gift to the school. Thank you to the Creegan Foundation current board members, past board members and all who have donated to this foundation to be able to provide the school $60,925.67 in 2024. These funds are used to provide the best possible education while trying to keep our tuition affordable. Thank you for the generous gift.
Wednesday, May 1 – We will be “Crowning Mary” 8:30 am at Mass. You are invited to join us as we celebrate the month dedicated to our matron.
Please mark your calendars for important dates:
- April 26 – Idaho Reptile Zoo Visit – 2:00 pm – Kindergarten and Pre-K – Parents are welcome
- April 28 – Children’s Day (Dia de los ninos) – School and Parish Celebration
- May 1 – Crowning of Mary – 8:30 during Mass – All are welcome
- May 3 – Teacher Inservice – No School
- May 4 – First Communion
- May 7 – Spring Music Program – See Below
- May 14-16 – 8th Grade Retreat – St. Gertrude’s, Cottonwood
Important Upcoming events:
- Science Olympiad – Congratulations to our middle school students who competed during last weekend’s Science Olympiad. Thank you for the hard work and being positive role models for St. Mary’s.
- Idaho Reptile Zoo Visit – St. Mary’s is hosting the Idaho Reptile Zoo this Friday at 2:00 for the Pre-K and Kindergarten. Parents are welcome to join us.
- Summer Language Programs – Suntree Language Academy has summer immersion programs in French and Spanish. The programs are for 1st through 6th graders. These are excellent programs that fill up quickly. If you are interested, I encourage you to contact them and check them out at Suntree Language Academy
- Enrollment – Thank you to all the families who have recommended St. Mary’s to their friends. We have had a nice and steady stream of tours in all grade levels. While our enrollment numbers are strong, we will always appreciate your help in recommending St. Mary’s to those looking for a high quality Catholic school experience in a positive and supportive environment. Please have them contact the office or use our website to schedule a tour.
- Spring Music Program – We are 2 weeks from our Spring Music Program – Below is information Mr. Peters shared earlier this week.
- When: Tuesday, May 7th at 6:00pm. Students should arrive between 5:40 and 5:45. The program is expected to last about one hour.
- Where: St. Mary’s Church (Free!)
- Who: Students in Grades 4-6, as well as our Bands and Choir.
- What (to wear): Students in 4th and 5th grade, as well as Band and Choir, should wear nice clothes – think “going to church with Grandma on Easter Sunday.”
- Why: Share the gift of live performance with family and friends, gather as a community, and celebrate music being a valued part of our students’ education.
- First Communion – Saturday, May 4th at 10:00 am. During our student’s second grade year they prepare for the sacraments of Reconciliation and First Communion. Mrs. Osti does a fabulous job guiding our students through this important event in our faith. Please consider joining our students at Mass on Saturday, May 4th as they complete their first communion.
As we approach the last month of school, I want to thank all of you for your incredible support and encouragement of your students, the school, the staff, and me. It has been an incredible year full of learning, growth, and friendship. Thank you for choosing St. Mary’s.
God bless.
Kevan Grant
St. Mary’s Catholic School- Principal
Other Items of Interest
- Mother’s Day celebration – Sponsored by Salt and Light radio – Sunday, May 12th, 11:00 am -6:00 pm – Music – Food – Entertainment – Espanola
- 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. Since then, we have seen a 454% increase in awareness of St. Mary’s and a 272% increase in engagement (people that spend time reviewing our profile and our website). 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.
- BK Dance Team Tryouts – April 23-25
- Parent Article – From time to time I plan on including interesting articles about the challenges facing society, parents and students. Recently, this article was sent to me concerning the dangers of screen time and our children. I encourage you to read the linked article.
- Officer Gomez spoke last week at Bishop Kelly about Social Media, drugs and crime against youth. If you did not get a chance to attend, you can follow him on Youtube
- 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