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CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK 2016

St. Mary Catholic School

Challenging the Mind—Living the Faith

www.stmarycatholicschool.org

Dear Parents, Grandparents, and Friends of SMCS: As a school community, we were given so many opportunities to come together and celebrate Catholic education at St. Mary Catholic School during Catholic Schools Week. The Pancake Breakfast, Career Day, the Dignitaries Luncheon, the Volunteer Reception, Parent Visitation Day, Student Appreciation Day, the Talent Show, Grandparent Day, Teacher Appreciation Day, and First Friday Mass encouraged us to gather as a community and reaffirm why Catholic education at SMCS is so important for our children. Faith, academics, service, family, and tradition are core components to our mission as a school and could certainly be evidenced throughout the week. The strong sense of community was present as Father Collin, faculty and staff, the Home & School Association Executive Board, parent and grandparent volunteers, alumni, and students worked as a team to assure all events were well-planned, well-staffed, and well-attended! We are so blessed at SMCS! This newsletter is a special edition devoted solely to Catholic Schools Week! We appreciate all the parents and grandparents who took time out of their busy week to be part of our celebrations. It truly was a fabulous week! As always, I ask for your prayers to the Holy Spirit to give me the guidance and wisdom needed to serve as principal of Saint Mary Catholic School. May God Bless you! Patricia A. McDermott

MISSION STATEMENT

Saint Mary Catholic School empowers children in their faith journey and promotes academic excellence and life-long service inspired by the Gospel of Jesus

Christ in a nurturing community.

WEEKEND MASSES

SMCS appreciates the support of our area Pastors in helping us spread the news about Catholic education. Our students were able to talk about St. Mary Catholic School during the weekend Masses. These students did a great job representing SMCS and encouraging others to consider Catholic education. Thank you to the following students for speaking during the weekend Masses: St. Ann Parish Speakers: Noah Karn, Alice Poffenberger, and Gracen Sommerville St. James Parish Speakers: Morgan McMahon St. Joseph Parish Speakers: Tureymar Camacho, Havilah Mangalapati and Therese Martin St. Mary Parish Speakers: Brandon Kijowski, Sophia Corsi, Madelyn Ortiz, and Emma Beal St. Michael Parish Speaker: Rory O’Hanlon

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PANCAKE & OMELET BREAKFAST

Our annual SMCS Pancake Breakfast was a very welcome event after our week-

long snow holiday! Pancakes, sausage, and omelets were prepared with love

and laughter by Father Collin, students, parents, grandparents, alumni, and

faculty. Three hundred fifteen people were served at our 2016 Pancake

Breakfast. We appreciate the efforts of our coordinators, Mo Tedeschi and Kelly

& Kelly Byrne, for coordinating this cherished event. Our gratitude is also

extended to this year’s team of volunteers, which included Jackie and Samuel

Strama, Edward Sweet, Cathy and Stephen Reiter, Marisa, Vince, and Armani

Kenney, Bella Barron, Jonna Larkin, MJ and Gracen Sommerville, Marjorie Kane,

Lois and Susan Concordia, Lucas Hammer, Lori Balog, Caroline Zabrucky, Norm

and Karen Scott, Marcia Williams, Yessenia Kershner, Jason Knode, Rachael and

Jeremiah Freeman, Carrie Stumpf, Richard and Olivia Brooks, Chris Zanetti,

Bryan Tedeschi, Dalton Sponaugle, Bridget Nooney, Gabrielle McDermott, and

Father Collin.

We appreciate the generous donation of 45 dozen eggs, 2 bags of cheese, and 1

case of butter from the Romsburg family (Western Sizzlin’) and the 15 gallons of

pancake batter from IHOP. We also appreciate the monetary donations we

received from the Byrne family, the Concordia family, the Hammer family, the

Kornilow/Ridenour family, the McDermott family, the Reiter family, the

Sherman family, the Tedeschi family, and the Zanetti family.

A special thank you is also extended to the members of Cub Scout Pack 8 for

their cleaning services provided during the breakfast.

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CAREER DAY

Students were definitely intrigued by all the

possibilities that await them when they enter the

working world after listening to all the interesting

Career Day presentations. SMCS extends a big thank

you to our Career Day Speakers:

Caity Byrne: Balloon Artist, Beltway Balloons Chris Horn: Realtor Matthew Harchick: Film & Television Instructor, Gallaudet University Dr. Julie Johnson: Emergency Room, Meritus Medical Center Travis Kijowski: Sr. Research Technician, US Naval Research Center Kevin Stine: Cyber Security Specialist, National Institute of Cyber Security (NICS) Dr. Leon Weaver: Pediatrician, Antietam Pediatric & Adolescent Care Brad Webster: Network Security Salesman, Department of Defense Chris Zanetti: Infectious Disease Specialist for the U.S. Navy Jay Zuspan: Chef, 28 South I appreciate the efforts of Mrs. Stark, Mrs. Forsythe,

Mrs. Leggett, and Ms. Ward for arranging the

schedules for the speakers.

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DIGNITARY

LUNCH

SMCS invited many local dignitaries who support Catholic education to have lunch with the students. The guest list of attendees included: Fr. Collin Poston (St. Mary Church Pastor), Msgr. Bruce Jarboe (St. Ann Church Pastor), Fr. George Limmer (St. Mary Church Pastor Emeritus), Mr. Mark Widmyer (Western Maryland Outreach Coordinator for Governor Hogan), Mr. Christopher Cosentino (Archdiocese of Baltimore Associate Superintendent of Secondary Schools), Mrs. Regina McCurdy (Archdiocese of Baltimore Department of Human Resources), Mr. Frankie Corsi (St. Mary Church Lay Corporator), Mrs. Patti Jones (SMCS School Board President), Mrs. Mo Tedeschi (SMCS School Board), Mrs. Rhonda O’Malley (SMCS School Board/St. Mary Parish Council President), Mrs. M.J. Sommerville (SMCS HSA Co-President), Mrs. Jennifer Harman (St. Mary Church Parish Council), Mrs. Mary McNeil (St. Mary Church Parish Council), Mrs. Holly Katrina (St. Maria Goretti High School Director of Admissions), Mr. Adam Fisher (St. Maria Goretti High School Representative), Mr. Danny O’Berry (St. Mary Church Business Manager), Mr. Michael Morrell (St. Mary Church Business Manager—Retired), Ms. Lois MacCumbee (SMCS Teacher—Retired), Mrs. Wanda Gertsner (SMCS Teacher—Retired), Mrs. Maria Rumbarger (SMCS Teacher—Retired), Mrs. Ann Marshall (SMCS Teacher—Retired), Ms. Rebecca Beecroft (HCC Instructor Life Sciences & Biotechnology), Dr. Kristen Lennon (HCC Biology STEM Instructor), Mrs. Jackie Swarner (SMCS Raffle Ticket Coordinator), and Mr. Michael Jonnes (Maryland Symphony Orchestra Managing Director). I would like to thank the student ambassadors who accompanied

our guests to lunch and hosted tours for our special visitors. Our

student ambassadors included Jackson Pentony, Morgan

McMahon, Madelyn Ortiz, Gabriella McCafferty, Zachary Zanetti,

Logan Flanagan, Evan Weaver, Jesse Mangalapati, Erica Weaver,

Jack Flint, Grace McMahon, Colin Ambush, Lauren Stine, Sophia

Alexander, Madelynn Renken, Andrew Stine, Sophia Corsi, Rory

O’Hanlon, and Alice Poffenberger. Our dignitaries were quite

impressed with the friendliness and good manners of the students.

Our students and dignitaries enjoyed the baked ziti that our

cafeteria staff specially prepared for this day!

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VOLUNTEER RECEPTION

An appreciation reception for volunteers was hosted by the teachers on

Tuesday, February 2. The faculty and staff value the important role our

parent and grandparent volunteers play in the success of SMCS. Thank

you, Mrs. Bockrath, Patti Jones, and Paula Radley for coordinating this

event. Also, many thanks are extended to the kindergarten and seventh

grade students, Emma Beal, Caroline Dillard, Havilah Mangalapati, for

providing the entertainment during the reception.

Ode to Volunteers by Emma Beal

Of all those who serve our school—Volunteers are the best! Coming over to help out when the teachers need a rest. From breakfasts, to rummage sales, to lunches galore, Pixie shops, bake sales, oh, there is more and more! Thank you, volunteers, for helping our school. And making sure we follow the rules. First grade, second, third, and fourth, too, Fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth give their thanks to you! Even the little kindergarten and tiny Pre-K would like to say, "Thank you," to you today! So rest, take our thanks, and continue to volunteer in our ranks!

So rest, take our thanks and continue to volunteer in our ranks!

Service by Havilah Mangalapati

Show us how we help others

Everyone comes together

Reaching out to help us

Volunteering for fun events

Introduce us to new things

Caring for every student

Ensure we are safe and having fun

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PARENT VISITATION DAY

The St. Mary faculty and staff would like to thank the parents who took time out of their busy schedules to visit the classrooms and share lunch in the cafeteria.

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G R A N D P A R E N T D A Y

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G R A N D P A R E N T D A Y

Grandparent Day is truly one of the

highlights of Catholic Schools Week. It

is an opportunity for grandparents to

visit their grandchildren’s classrooms

and then be treated to a delicious

lunch! It is also the day our students

enjoy their student appreciation

luncheon. Hopefully, our students

and their grandparents feel how

much they are loved! The tasty lunch

was prepared and served by Leslie

Kocevar (Coordinator), Mo Tedeschi,

Lauri Craver, Carrie Stumpf, Kelly

Byrne, Thelma Nshom, Candice

Romsburg, Mary Fink, Danielle Swett,

Susanne Harbert, Tammy Shultz, and

Stacey Stine. Our students enjoyed

pizza and ice cream served by

Marjorie Kane, Jackie Strama, Cathy

Ellis, Jennifer Smallwood, DJ

Smallwood, Bella Barron, Jen

Flanagan, Tina Webster, and Kimberly

O’Hanlon. We appreciate our parent

volunteers who gave their time,

effort, and love to provide such a

special luncheon to our grandparents

and students!

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GRANDPARENT

DAY

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The annual SMCS Talent Show, hosted by the Student Council on Student Appreciation

Day, featured amazing acts by many talented students. Much appreciation is

extended to Mrs. Tina Forsythe, and the student council, Sofia Corsi, Rory O’Hanlon,

Alice Poffenberger, Kaitlin Dellaposta, Jackson Pentony, and Aba Mitchual, for

organizing the event.

St. Mary Catholic School is very proud of the participants who shared their talents

with the student body:

Emily Grossman—Guitar Solo Brynn Lietuvnikis, Annabella Kenny, and Mackenzie O’Berry – Vocal Trio Ethan Knipple – Vocal Solo Henry Ortiz—Piano Solo Emma Ortiz – Piano Solo Fifth Grade—Making Memories Eighth Grade – Evolution of Dance Flash Mob

Talent Show

Eighth grade is such a special year for our students at SMCS. During the talent show, the St. Mary Catholic School

Graduating Class of 2016 was recognized. Thanks to the HSA, our eighth graders received their CLASS T-Shirts on this day.

Eighth graders will be wearing their special T-Shirts on Fridays as recognition of their years of hard work as St. Mary

Catholic School students. The Class of 2016 includes Tureymar Camacho, Sofia Corsi, Kaitlin Dellaposta, Katharine

DeVine, McKenzie Foster, Evan Frantz, Alexander Gary, Avangeliya Giannaris, Charles Kane, Therese Martin, Aba

Mitchual, Bridget Nooney, Rory O’Hanlon, Alice Poffenberger, Madison Ryan, Gracen Sommerville, Andrew

Stine, Samuel Strama, and James Sword. Please keep them in your prayers as they begin their final trimester of

eighth grade and decide where to attend high school.

EIGHTH GRADE RECOGNITION

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BOOK FAIR Who doesn’t enjoy a good book? Our students certainly enjoyed the vast selection of books available at our 2016 Scholastic Book Fair. The long lines for purchases on Grandparent Day and all the smiles on our students’ faces made for a banner day for sales. We truly appreciate the time and efforts of Mrs. Jenny Beck and Mrs. Stacey Kijowski in coordinating this event. Our set-up committee included Karen Knode, Stacey Stine, Andrew Stine, Matthew Stine, Brandon Kijowski, and Lauren Beck. Sales were handled by Steve Lietuvnikas, Jennifer O'Berry, Yessenia Kershner, Morgan Fahey, Bella Barron, and Emily Britton. Joseph Shultz, Max Larkin, and Rayan Shahid offered their time and efforts to pack up the books at the end of the fair. We appreciate all the support of our SMCS families who made purchases this week. The profit from the Book Fair will be announced once all the sales have been calculated.

TEACHER APPRECIATION LUNCHEON

The SMCS Faculty & Staff was treated to a delicious lunch by our Home & School Association. We appreciate the kindness

and thoughtfulness of MJ Sommerville, Jennifer Smallwood, Cathy Ellis, Jackie Strama, Lisa Muto, and Nicole Rappaport.

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CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK MASS As a school community we gathered to celebrate Mass in

honor of the Holy Spirit. We asked God to help us in our

school community to be grateful for all the ways in which

we are blessed in our teaching and learning. We prayed

that we may become more and more like Jesus who, by His

words and His actions, reached out to those around us. We

prayed for the faith to believe that God is always with us,

that we have been gifted with His power through the Holy

Spirit, and that together in our school community, we are

called to be a bright light that will help others see the

goodness of God.

SMCS DISTINGUISHED GRADUATE

Each year during Catholic Schools Week we recognize a Saint Mary Catholic School graduate whose commitment to the values of the Catholic faith has inspired an appreciation for the Catholic education received at SMCS. Because of this appreciation, the graduate makes contributions of time and talent to Saint Mary Catholic School as well as the larger community. Mrs. Suzy Cochran was selected as the 2016 Saint Mary Catholic School Distinguished Graduate. Mrs. Cochran is a member of the eighth grade graduating class of 1966. This SMCS alum also graduated from St. Maria Goretti High School.

This special graduate is a familiar face in the communities of Meritus Medical Center, St. Ann Church, and St. Mary Catholic School. Our graduate has served as a volunteer at Meritus Medical Center. Mrs. Cochran has been active in her church community of St. Ann over the years by helping with Micah’s backpack, the hospitality committee, the bereavement committee, the Parish Council, and with Little Lambs. To show her gratitude and appreciation for her Catholic education, our distinguished graduate returned to SMCS as a parent when the first of her four children started kindergarten. Her time as a parent of an SMCS student lasted for 24 consecutive years—which remains the record for longest consecutive years as a parent at SMCS. As a parent volunteer, Mrs. Cochran was a homeroom mother for over twenty years, she assisted with Prayer Group, Pixie Shop, Rummage Sale, Library, lunch and playground, and was a scout leader. This special graduate became a substitute teacher at SMCS before serving as a teacher assistant in third grade. She assumed the role of the kindergarten teacher assistant before retiring in 2014. Now while retired Mrs. Cochran returns to help with our rummage sales and substitute teacher whenever and wherever needed. Her willingness to give of her time and talent to SMCS connects back to the lessons she lived and learned about love and service to the Lord and one another while sitting in her classrooms at Saint Mary Catholic School.