Monday Morning Memo

Email: school@stmaryum.org
Website: stmaryum.org
Location: 4610 Largo Road, Upper Marlboro, MD, USA
Phone: 3016274170

Good morning and welcome to the first MMM of the year!

For those new families, the Monday Morning Memo is a weekly newsletter that contains all the information you need for the upcoming week and beyond. Please take a second to read each newsletter so you do not miss out on any information.

I am very excited for this upcoming school year and to finally see all of the students back in person! However, we are also keeping in mind the serious nature of protecting the children and staff from the COVID-19 pandemic and the new variants as we return to the building. If you have not already, please read through our reopening plan for more details. I am available to talk with any families that have questions about the upcoming year.

On a personal note, I am excited to share with you that I am expecting a new baby girl in early 2022. I am thankful for Mrs. Ruckstuhl, my wonderful assistant principal, and the support of the Catholic Schools office as we work through a plan to ensure continuity of excellence during my maternity leave. I will share more details later this year as they are finalized.

I look forward to seeing you next week!

Mrs. Lewis

Due to COVID precautions, parents will be unable to enter the school building on the first day of school. In lieu of the planned ice cream social, parents and students will be able to come to school on August 30th to take pictures, meet the teacher, and see the classroom. Uniforms are encouraged so families can take "First Day" pictures. We are asking families to spend no longer than 10 minutes in each classroom. Teacher conferences should not be taking place on this day. If you wish to donate (optional) disinfectant wipes, hand sanitizer, or tissues, please bring them on this day to avoid backup on the first day arrival.

To ensure social distancing can be achieved, please arrive at the following times:

1:00PM Last Name A-B

1:15PM Last Name C-D

1:30PM Last Name E-I

1:45PM Last Name J-M

2:00PM Last Name N-P

2:15PM Last Name R-S

2:30PM Last Name T-Z

I am sad to share that our music teacher, Ben Hardwick, will not be returning to SMA this year. We wish him the best in all his future plans.

Carmelita Ramirez has accepted the position of Kitchen Supervisor. Ms. Ramirez has extensive food service experience and is very excited to serve nutritious and delicious lunches to our students.

Kelly Pasciuto will be returning to SMA as the First Grade Teacher. Ms. Pasciuto has been a staff member of SMA for many years in multiple roles, most recently as Pre-Kindergarten Paraeducator. Ms. Pasciuto has a masters degree in Early Childhood Education and is excited to work with Ms. Jenkins and the first grade students to have a great year.

Sonia White has accepted the position of Middle School Math Teacher. Ms. White has spent over 16 years in education in various roles and positions. Her favorite subject to teach is math and she is very excited to share this love with our middle school students. Ms. White will be joining our staff on September 3rd to allow for a smooth transition from her previous position.

Please make sure your child has everything they need to be in full uniform on the first day of school. Uniform requirements are listed below:

Pre-K and Kindergarten

Navy blue elastic waist slacks and light blue monogrammed polo shirt (short or long sleeve)

Plain black, white, or navy blue socks (no logos or designs)

Athletic shoes of any color (no lights or wheelies)

Optional: navy blue elastic waist shorts (first and fourth quarters only), navy blue monogrammed cardigan

Optional (girls only): plaid jumper; white peter pan collar shirt; navy blue, white, or black tights or socks

Grades 1-5

Boys (and option for girls) : Navy blue slacks with all black belt and light blue monogrammed polo shirt (short or long sleeve)

Girls: plaid jumper; white peter pan collar shirt; navy blue, white, or black tights or socks

Plain black, white, or navy blue socks (no logos or designs)

Black dress shoes

Optional: navy blue shorts (first and fourth quarters only), navy blue monogrammed cardigan

Grades 6-8

Boys: Navy blue slacks with all black belt; white collared shirt; red striped tie; navy blue monogrammed sweater, vest, or pullover

Girls: plaid skirt or navy blue slacks; white collared shirt; navy blue monogrammed sweater, vest, or pullover

Plain black, white, or navy blue socks (no logos or designs) or tights (optional for girls)

Black dress shoes

Optional: navy blue shorts, blue monogrammed polo shirt (first and fourth quarters only)

PE Uniform (All Grades)

Navy blue monogrammed sweatpants

SMA t-shirt

Plain black, white, or navy blue socks

Athletic shoes of any color (no lights or wheelies)

Optional: Navy blue mesh shorts (first and fourth quarter only), crew neck sweatshirt

General Appearance

No other visible clothing may be worn under school shirt (ex. long sleeve shirt under short sleeve school shirt)

A wristwatch and/or small cross/religious medal may be worn around the neck

Girls may wear one stud earring or one small hoop (no bigger than a pencil eraser) in each lower lobe. No dangling earrings may be worn.

Nail polish, acrylic nails, make-up, and tattoos are NOT permitted

Hair Guidelines

All students’ hair should be neat and natural.

No trendy or unusual hairstyles or cuts (such as mohawks, partially shaved, shaved images or designs, or spiked hair) are permitted.

Hair must be styled away from the face and eyes.

Hair may not be dyed, highlighted or altered from its natural color in any way

Artificial hair that does not match the student's natural color (including metallic or colored thread) is not permitted

Girls may wear hair accessories that are simple and of a uniform color (blue, yellow, red, green, white, or black)

Hats are not to be worn inside the school

St. Mary of the Assumption has received the distinct honor of having Cardinal Gregory visit and celebrate our first school Mass of the year on September 3rd. Parents are welcome to attend, but space is limited and available on first come/first serve basis.

Fall Pictures will take place on September 28th. Students must wear full winter uniform for fall pictures, which will be used in the yearbook. Spring pictures, which will take place in March/April, will be out of uniform.

August 30th: Meet and Greet 1-3PM

August 31st: First Day of School

12:30 Dismissal

No Extended Care

September 3rd: Mass with Cardinal Gregory 10AM

September 6th: Labor Day-No School