HSA – Home & School Association

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What is HSA?
St. Mary Home and School Association

The Home School Association, or HSA, is St. Mary Catholic School’s version of a PTA.You are automatically enrolled as a member of the HSA as a small portion of your Registration fee ($15) serves as dues.

The HSA coordinates events and activities throughout the school year that are fun for parents and kids alike and are designed to boost our school spirit and enhance our school relationships.

Events include lectures by guest speakers, our annual Fall Festival, Bingo Night, the Scholastic Book Fair, BoxTop contests, and our annual Spring Gala. Proceeds from events have benefitted our science, sports, music, art and dance programs, as well as providing for tuition assistance to St. Mary Catholic School families.

The Home and School Association Board consists of parent volunteers who work with the principal to meet the cultural, social and peripheral financial needs of our school as prioritized by school administration. Parental input is valued and welcomed.

As parents, your participation is vital to St. Mary Catholic School’s success. Whether serving as a committee chair or volunteering at an event,  there are so many fun ways to help the school and meet new families along the way.

We look forward to working with you!

From the HSA President – End of Year – 2016/2017

As the 2016-2017 school year draws to a close, the HSA Board would like to thank everyone who volunteered and participated in our sponsored events this year. We hope that we have advanced our goal of bringing our families, teachers and faculty closer together in a positive and fun environment.

This year we focused on finding new ways to connect with each other such as our first cooking demonstration with Chef Kevin DeMarco.  The event was packed and parents and children enjoyed creating and sharing a new kind of meal together.  This year’s Falcon Fright Night, chaired by Prioleau Gilbert, was a wonderfully spooky, fun-filled night of games and music, topped off by a dramatic thunderstorm.  Bingo Night, chaired by Brad and Andrea Walker, was a ton of fun for all ages, too.  We were pleased to have Gail Richardson speak on the topic of parenting and leadership at an HSA coffee meeting this winter. Ms. Frey’s ‘A Night In Paris’ also gave us all a chance to enjoy our children’s achievements in a fun environment.  Our HSA volunteers helped prepare the cheese platters for the children to serve.

Ashley Putney scheduled four teacher appreciation lunches throughout the year as well as a dinner before the Advent Concert.  This year the HSA voted to increase the traditional Christmas gift to our teachers in recognition of their superior work and dedication.

And, of course, this year’s Dancing With the Wilmington Stars Gala, chaired by Katie Datillo, Lauren Stovall and Scarlet Campbell, and creatively directed by Serena Lau, was an enormous success.  The exhilarating evening incorporated members of our St. Mary families and staff, as well as local celebrities.  The event was a great example of our school spirit and also earned our school over $30,000.  The HSA Board has approved spending some of the proceeds on new Lego Robotics kits and will continue to work in tandem with Mrs. Price and teachers to respond to their requests in support of St. Mary’s academics, arts and school culture.

This summer we will be contacting you to solicit suggestions and request your commitment to participating in, even chairing,  some of our events next year.  Please take some time to consider what you can add to our Home and School Association.  It’s a perfect way to fulfill your service hours commitment to the school, meet other parents and show your gratitude for all St. Mary’s Catholic School offers our children. We look forward to working with all of you next year.

Best,

Sydney Penny, HSA President