Dear St. Mary’s Parents/Guardians,

“TEACH ME, LORD, YOUR WAY!”  Welcome to the 2018-19 school year and to all the exciting truths that God has in store for our students!

We are so pleased you have chosen St. Mary’s Catholic School, and look forward to being your partners in educating your student in wisdom and virtue with a deep centering on Christ. We pray your family’s time at SMCS will be rewarding and fruitful as we dedicate ourselves to the faith, academic, and service formation of your child.

We are so excited about all the amazing RESTORATIONS going on this year at St. Mary’s:  original hardwood floors refinished in our cafeteria and classrooms, gleaming fresh-painted walls, classroom and library shelves re-filled with great literature and new textbooks for students to read, yet another year of increased student enrollment, and new faces joining our staff!  Our return to classical methods is well underway, after a summer filled with teacher training and a re-alignment of our curriculum toward the TRUE, the BEAUTIFUL, and the GOOD. Christ, our greatest teacher, is truly teaching us His ways!

The information in this email and links below will provide you with some of the details you need for a successful start to the school year. We hope to visit with you this Friday, August 10 at Back to School Night and offer more information to you at that time.

Please take special note of the following dates:

Friday, August 10 - Back to School Night in the Gymnasium, 6-8 pm

• Sign Up!  Register for Athletics or Program of After-School Enrichment classes, and join our Parent Association and Room Sponsor groups.  

• Show Your Spirit!  Buy a St. Mary’s spirit sticker for your windshield and a Spirit Shirt for spirit dress days and athletic events.  Go Rams!

• Share and Wear!  Donate the out-grown and purchase new-to-you uniforms for $5 per item at our Uniform Closet.

• Ask Questions!  Our administrative staff will answer any questions you may have about the upcoming school year.

• Meet and Greet!  Meet your teachers, drop off supplies, and greet your classmates in your classrooms.

• See and Smile! Check out our newly restored floors, new carpets in the Main Building, and fresh paint!

• Donate and READ!  Buy gently used books in our Library with your donations.

Wednesday, August 15 - First Day of School, 7:55 am - 3:30 pm

• The Feast of the Assumption of Mary: Join us for opening All-School Mass with Fr. Keith Koehl, 8:00 am.  (NOTE: You are all invited to continue the celebration of our parish Feast Day with a Parish Potluck on Sunday, August 19 after 11 am Mass)

• REMINDER!  5-8TH Grade Middle School students will wear their NEW blazers, ties, oxford shirts, vests, and skirts to this first All-School Mass.  Please review these uplifting (and very sharp-looking!) additions to our Dress Code on our website.

Thursday, August 16 - Second Day of School, 7:55 am - 3:30 pm

• “Boo-Hoo” Breakfast for our brand-new PK3/PK4/Kindergarten moms and dads in the Cafeteria, 7:30 am - 8:15 am.  Meet your fellow boo-hoo-ers over breakfast and make friends with our wonderful early childhood family!

Friday, August 17 - Third Day of School, 7:55 am - 3:30 pm

• All Parents Pray at the Pole for our students, 7:45 am at the flagpole

• All-School Mass, 8:00 am (Middle School students wear NEW Mass uniform today, as well!)

Other important dates for the school year are noted in the 2018-2019 calendar on our website, and we will continue to send you email updates with more school news.  Once again, the faculty and staff of St. Mary’s welcome you to our family. We are looking forward to seeing you on campus this Friday. Until then, feel free to call us at 512-352-2313 if you have any questions.

Yours in Christ,

Heidi Altman

Principal