SMCS Elementary Family Newsletter
November 30, 2022
SMCS ELEMENTARY FAMILY NEWSLETTER - NOVEMBER 30, 2022
In This Email
Click here for St. Gabriel Elementary News
Click here for St. Mary Elementary News
Click here for St. Margaret Mary News
You can always visit the news page on our website for past newsletters.
SMCS Mission
Preparing and inspiring students to lead meaningful lives, rooted in the teachings of Christ and our Catholic tradition.
Greetings from the Principal
Dear SMCS families,
Advent is upon us and what a joy-filled, hope-filled time of year this is for us as a faith community - especially for our youngest ones. One of my biggest joys is seeing the excitement and anticipation in the eyes of young children as they prepare for Christmas! Our students have begun participating in various Advent traditions at school, learning about “generosity” as our virtue of the month, and preparing for the upcoming Christmas concerts. I look forward to their upcoming performances!
Wishing you all a very blessed Advent season,
Mrs. Anna Cihlar
Principal ~ St. Gabriel, St. Margaret Mary, St. Mary
Christmas Concerts
Grades 4K - 5:
St. Mary: Dec. 1 @ 6:30 p.m.
St. Margaret Mary: St. Mary: Dec. 6 @ 6:30 p.m.
St. Gabriel: Dec. 12 @ 6:30 p.m.
Grades 4 and 5 band students:
Band concert: Dec. 13 @ 6:30 p.m.
***Ticketing is not limited this year. Family and guests are welcome.***
From our Elementary Music Teacher, Mr. Dummer
From our Elementary Band Teacher, Mr. Sawall
Out of Dress Code Days
Tuesday, December 6: Zephyr Spirit Day
Monday, December 19: Packers/sports apparel
Wednesday, December 21: Red/Green/Christmas apparel (SG - uniform for mass, change after)
Winter Reminders:
We are entering the time of year where illness may keep your student from school, or weather might keep us from being able to safely open school for the day.
Here are some helpful reminders as we enter the winter season.
Weather Closures and Delays: SMCS utilizes a text message notification system for emergency notifications, weather-related closures and delays, and other information. If you are new to the SMCS system, or have not previously received our text messages, please enroll your phone number, at no cost, to the SMCS emergency alert system. To enroll your phone number, please text SMCS to (844) 947-5948. You will receive a confirmation text and a text indicating that when you want to opt out of this service you simply need to reply STOP. You may enroll multiple cell phone numbers using that same process.
With winter nearly here, a reminder that as soon as a weather-related delay or cancellation is determined for school day or activities, information is posted on the SMCS Facebook page, SMCS email, text notification mentioned above, and local TV and radio stations.
Absences from School: If your student will not be in attendance on a day school is in session, please call your school office as soon as possible to make staff aware, and please let the campus administrative assistant know the reason for the absence. It is required that students are fever free for 24 hours and symptoms are mostly resolved before returning to school.
Outerwear: Please send students with coats, snow pants, hat, waterproof mittens or gloves, and boots to play in the snow. If they do not have snow pants or boots, they must stay on the blacktop.
Snow: Students are encouraged to enjoy the snow. They can make snowmen, forts, snow angels, etc. Students will not be allowed to throw snow at each other or have snowball fights.
Winter MAP Testing
Students in grades K-5 will participate in MAP testing for math and reading during the month of January. Your child's classroom teacher will communicate specific days that testing will occur. Parents can help prepare children in the following ways:
- Help your child get a good night sleep before testing
- Provide a nutritious breakfast
- Try not to schedule appointments on testing days
- Encourage your child to do their best on this test and reassure them it is not a reason to be anxious
No School - Christmas Break
There is no school December 22 - January 3. We wish you and your family a very blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year!
SMCS Covid Protocol 2022-23
Please click here to review the SMCS 2022-23 Covid protocol.
ZBC News (Zephyrs Basketball Club)
We are excited to once again offer 1st & 2nd grade skills sessions for SMCS boys and girls this year! Last year it was a great hit! The sessions will begin in January and February 2023!
We are asking for everyone to sign up via this signup genius to plan and order shirts. Cost is $15 total for all sessions and will be due on the 1st session you attend. Also, if you have a 1st/2nd Grader and are interested in coaching, we are looking for coaches at this level! You can sign up for coaching on the signup genius as well.
Girls Softball Camp
Girls from Kindergarten-8th grade are invited to a one day Softball Camp on March 4th. This fun camp is designed to teach the proper skills and fundamentals of the game of softball. Throwing, fielding, base running and hitting will be developed at this camp. The cost is $20 and you can register here.
Tuition Discount Opportunity
Our After School Care Program is hiring! We have openings at our Elementary and Middle School Campuses. If you or someone you know is looking for a part-time job, join SMCS! The schedule will be Monday – Friday from 2:45 – 5/5:30 p.m.
This is a paid position that offers great benefits! If you have a child enrolled in our schools, you will receive 50% off their school tuition and while you work in the after school care program, you can bring your child with you for free!
If you are interested in learning more about the After School Care Provider position or would like to apply, please contact the Human Resources Department by calling 920-722-7796 and ask for HR or email pfoulks@smcatholicschools.org or ckind@smcatholicschools.org
Virtus Training for Volunteers
We are so grateful to all our volunteers who contribute so much to our schools! If you are considering volunteering or chaperoning any school field trips or events, please complete Virtus training, a background check, and the code of conduct through the Diocese Green Bay. Please contact your schools' administrative assistant to get the process started. Thank you!
St. Gabriel contact Mrs. Richards, srichards@smcatholicschools.org
St. Margaret Mary contact Mrs. Schira, kschira@smcatholicschools.org
St. Mary contact Mrs. Barraza, dbarraza@smcatholicschools.org
A Look Ahead...
- Dec. 1 - SM Christmas concert, 6:30 p.m. @ SMCS HS Fine Arts Center
- Dec. 6 - Zephyr Spirit Day
- Dec. 6- Coffee with the Principals, 8:15 a.m. @SMM
- Dec. 6 - SMM Christmas concert, 6:30 p.m. @ SMCS HS Fine Arts Center
- Dec. 12 - SG Christmas concert, 6:30 p.m. @ SMCS HS Fine Arts Center
- Dec. 13 - 4th and 5th grade band concert, 6:30 p.m. @ SMCS HS Fine Arts Center
- Dec. 19 - Packers/Sports Apparel (out of dress code day)
- Dec. 21 - Red/Green/Christmas Apparel (out of dress code day)
- Dec. 22 - Jan. 3 - Christmas break (Jan. 3: staff development day)
- Jan. 4 - classes resume
- Jan. 10 - Coffee with the Principals, 8:15 a.m. @SME
- Jan.12 - end of quarter 2
- Jan. 13 - no school, staff PD
- Jan. 16 - no school
- Jan. 29 - Feb. 4 - Catholic Schools Week
Helpful Links
Contact Information
St. Gabriel: 920-725-4161
St. Margaret Mary: 920-729-4565
St. Mary: 920-725-5351
Elementary Principal: Mrs. Cihlar, acihlar@smcatholicschools.org
St. Gabriel Associate Principal: Mrs. Giombetti, jgiombetti@smcatholicschools.org
St. Margaret Mary Associate Principal: Mrs. Lutz, jlutz@smcatholicschools.org
St. Mary Associate Principal: Mrs. Cendejas, acendejas-ruiz@smcatholicschools.org