August 10, 2025

August 10, 2025

Lo and behold! To say that the first day of school is just around the corner would not be an understatement. Greetings and well wishes, Falcons. I hope your summer was the best...and that you savor the remaining summer days as they quickly tick down. Usually during the school year, I try to provide updates like this every 7-10 days. Sometimes, we will use this tool spontaneously for emergencies like changes in pick-up procedure due to roadwork...which happened quite often last year. I try to keep my messages concise by using datapoints. Here are the first updates of SY 25-26:

• Welcome Fathers Jairo and Cong: Our new priests will be highly visible. In effect, Fr Jairo is the parish and campus leader. We look forward to following his direction. Fr Cong was at St Mark last year. Word is he enjoys much interaction with students during the school day. Our priests will share with us expectations for the school mass, religious instruction, and faith formation.
  
• Increased Enrollment: We are at 194. (Two years ago = 146. Last year = 176.) Class sizes will be a little larger, lunch periods will be a little busier, and drop-off / pick-up will have increased volume. Plan accordingly.
  
• Staffing Updates: Please see the newsletter for details, and be sure to give our newbies a great big SMCS welcome.
  
• Programmatic Changes: We have a part-time school counselor who will lead the K-5 Positivity Project and have four "office hours" per week. All students will take visual art two days per week. During Q4 (like last year), middle schoolers will be enrolled in Advanced PE, Tech II or Art II based upon their strengths. Middle school rotation electives include digital citizenship, ethics and personal finance. We will roll out See Something Say Something for middle school very early in the year.
  
• NEW Student Orientation: Aug 20 and 21. Please see the Newsletter for details. Note that these events are exclusive to students and families new to St Mary. Returning students mostly know the drill. The half day on Aug 26 will be a quick refresher. Parents and guardians are encouraged to reach out to teachers early and often.
  
• Uniform Closet: Thanks to generous donations and efforts, the closet is well-stocked and organized. If you are in need of uniforms, please check with Ms. Sandy in the week ahead. Items will fly off the shelves.
  
• School Website: has links to SMCS Handbook 25-26, school calendar, school social media, and other important information.

Thank you for choosing St Mary as your educational partner. We look forward to working with you in the school year ahead...

Sincerely in His Holy Name,

Joseph R Poletti, principal

Prayer for a Successful School Year

Our Father, We come before You, seeking Your guidance and blessings for a successful school year.
Grant wisdom to our teachers, strength to our students, and unity within our school community.
May each challenge be met with perseverance, and may knowledge flourish in every heart.
Surround us with Your love and light, guiding us toward growth and achievement.
Amen.