ST. MARY’S NEWSLETTER FOR DECEMBER 5, 2018

WATER BOTTLES - Warm weather is over. Students have continued bringing water bottles to school. We have had many incidents where the entire bottle has spilled in the hallways and on the stairs. Our drinking fountains have coolers in them, so the water is nice and cold. Students are allowed to buy water at lunch for $.40. They are not allowed to take the bottles out of the cafeteria for the same reason. They have been used as footballs and spilled as well as thrown in the air and spilled. Thank you for your cooperation. If a student brings water for lunch, it must fit in their lunch boxes.

GYM SHOES - Make sure your child’s feet haven’t outgrown their gym shoes already as they are required to wear them for PE and also for inside recess in the gym. Every year we have our gym floor resurfaced and sealed for protection. Shoes that are worn outside and then in the gym, cause scratches and gouges in the floor from the pebbles, salt, and other items that get stuck in the shoe treads. 

REMINDER - We are still looking for TWO new fundraising co-coordinators for the 2019-2020 school year. Tammy Moran and Diana Healy would love to get these replacements in place now so we can help you understand the duties and responsibilities involved in this very rewarding volunteer position. Please call Tammy @ 815-499-5623 or Diana @ 815-626-2399 for more information.

ATHLETIC DIRECTOR - Mr. Duis is stepping down as Athletic Director next year. If anyone is interested in  this position, please call Becky at school. The number of home games has been greatly reduced since we  co-op with St. Andrew.

AMAZON SMILES - We are now registered at Amazon Smiles. Just enter St. Mary Grade School and we will pop up. Select us as your charitable organization. If you have any questions, stop in the office for help. Make sure to select us before you do your Christmas shopping at Amazon!!

ST. MARY’S PROGRESSIVE RAFFLE! - Just a friendly reminder from the auction committee- if you can please turn in all 50/50 raffle tickets as you sell them that would be wonderful. We would like to keep a running total from now on to advertise where we are at. It seems like everyone is having success selling them and we appreciate your efforts! If you have unsold tickets you’d like to turn in please don’t hesitate- we have people that want more tickets to sell! Thank you so much for supporting this fundraiser! Questions? Contact Katy Selmi @ 815-441-4575

COMMUNITY SERVICE - Monday, December 10th, the 4th and 5th graders will be going to the Citadel (formerly Sterling Pavilion) to play BINGO with the residents.

PAPA MURPHY NIGHT - IS TONIGHT!! Wednesday, December 5th, Papa Murphy’s will donate 10% of sales to St. Mary’s Home & School Association. Questions? Contact Jaclyn Sprague @  815-590-7806.

SCHOOL CHRISTMAS PROJECT - We will be doing the Shoe Boxes again this year for our Advent project. Please send your filled, wrapped shoe box in by Wednesday, December 13th. The kids have fun with this one!

4-H HOLIDAY S.T.E.A.M. WORKSHOP - will be held Saturday, December 15th from 9-11:50 at Harvest Time Bible Church. Online registration at go.illinois.edu/HolidaySteam and is due by December 10th. Ages are from 8-14. Children can choose three different activities which are listed on the website. Children ages 5-7 can also attend a morning workshop.

CHRISTMAS PROGRAM - will be Tuesday, December 18th at 6:30pm. The teachers and students have started practicing their songs!

ALL SCHOOL CHRISTMAS MOVIE - Sponsored by Home & School, on Thursday, December 20th, all students will walk downtown to the Sterling Theater to view The Grinch starring Jim Carey. Permission slips are being sent home today and need to be returned by Monday, December 17th. This is also a half day, so students will be dismissed at 11:15.

CHRISTMAS BREAK - We will be dismissing at 11:15 on Thursday, December 20th. We will be out of school Friday, December 21st through Friday, January 4th. School will resume on Monday, January 7th.

KNIGHT OF COLUMBUS - Free Throw contest will be Wednesday, January 9th in the gymnasium. Doors open at 3:00, contest begins at 3:30. Contest is open to boy and girls ages 9-14. There is no cost to participate.

LIBRARY:

AR STORE - The students will be shopping the week of Dec. 10th-14th. Thank you to all of the contributions of items and money for their Christmas shopping experience. 

FUNDRAISING :

FRUIT SALE PACKING - will be Sunday, December 9th through Wednesday, December 12th. All packing takes place at Sterling Fence, 2704 Locust Street, Sterling. Huge thank you to Dan & Shelly Crownhart for letting us all invade their building again this year! Please check your Fundraising sign-up sheet for your required shifts. If you can’t find your sheet, you can call Diana Healy 815-626-2399, Tammy Moran 815-626-5623, or call the school office. There is a fine for not completing your shifts - so make sure you check!

FRUIT SALE DISTRIBUTION - will be Friday, December 14th beginning at 7AM at Sterling Fence.