Good afternoon! We have had a great week at SMS. Most of our MAP testing is complete, we just have a few students who were absent to makeup next week. The SMS bus had her maiden voyage Wednesday, and has been a great relief to many of our families. Thanks again to the Fussnecker family for their generosity!
There is a lot coming up so please bear with me as this will be a lengthy report, but it is all important.
White Folders: Please make sure you get today's white folder which will be coming home with the youngest in each family. Please send the white folder back in next week with filled out forms. In the folder you will find the following:
- Registration form for the 2024-25 school year- This needs to be filled out (one per family)
- SMS New Student Application- This is for any future SMS students., no matter the age. We need to have this information for planning purposes, and we want to make sure no siblings get shut out for future enrollment.
- Tuition Balance Sheet- Only those with a balance will receive one.
- Lunch/Milk Balance Sheets- Only those with a balance will receive one.
- EdChoice Renewal Forms- For any student who already receives the EdChoice Scholarship.
- EdChoice Request Forms- For any child who is applying for EdChoice for the first time.
Morning Drop Off- Please make sure you are dropping your children off between 7:35 and 7:55. Some are starting to drop off as early as 7:25. All teachers are not yet in class at that time, and it is a safety issue. Please see page 10 of the Family Handbook.
School Closings/Delays: It is winter and there could be closings and delays due to road conditions. I typically check the roads (especially our hill) by 5:00 am, and consult with our bus drivers. If a closing or delay are necessary we will send it out via text, app notification, our website, and our private Facebook page as soon as we possibly can. Again, if you are having any issues with receiving information, please let me know asap.
No School Monday- We will be out of school this Monday, January 15 in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
First Reconciliation: Our Catholic 2nd graders will receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time on Saturday, January 20 following the 9:00 am mass. Please join me in praying for our second graders as they prepare for this important Sacrament!
8th Grade to Visit Southern Hills CTC- On Wednesday, January 24 our 8th grade students will visit the Southern Hills Career and Technical Center in Georgetown to check out the programs that they offer. We will leave on the SMS bus around 8:00 am and will be there from 8:30-10:00 am. Then we will return to the school.
Community Soup Supper: Every January, SMS sponsors the Community Soup Supper at the Methodist church in Ripley. This year the supper will take place on Thursday, January 25. We will need our families to donate food items, and our students will prepare the soup and sandwiches during the school day. We also, will need some volunteers to help serve and clean up in the evening. If you would like to help, please let us know in the office. Also, please feel free to come that evening for food and fellowship with our community! Sign Up Here
SMS Science Fair: The SMS Science Fair will take place on Friday, January 26. The Science Fair is for students in grades 3-8. Please make sure you touch base with your child to make sure they are working on their projects. Due to the judging that is going on in the Hall, we will have pizza available for lunch that day. It will count as a school lunch charge. Lunch will be eaten in homerooms that day.
Open House : Our annual Open House for new and prospective families is set for Sunday, January 28 following mass until 1:00 pm. Anyone who is considering SMS for next year, or for future years, are encouraged to come find out more about our school and the application process.
$10K Fundraiser: Update on our $10K fundraiser, so far, we have had about 300 tickets turned in. It is early, but the first Fish Fry is less than six weeks away! Our goal is to sell at least 2,000 tickets, so we have a long way to go. Remember, every family is responsible for at least the original ten tickets we sent you, but it is to your advantage to sell 30 to get that registration fee waived! If you need more tickets just let us know.
Spring Field Trip to Cincinnati Museum Center: Read Story We have about 5 spots left for chaperones.
I know that's a lot. I didn't even mention Catholic Schools Week! More on that next week. I hope everyone has a great weekend.