Hello SMS Families!
We have had a great week here at SMS, despite a lot of illness going around. We have a lot of things headed our way, so as usual, please make sure you are taking the time to read the newsletter each week, and if you do not receive one in any week, please reach out, so I can investigate why you didn't receive it.
Report Cards: This Friday was the last day of the first trimester. Report cards will come home in your white folders on Wednesday, November 11.
No Shorts Until Spring: It seems the weather has finally turned for the winter, so beginning next week, we will be observing our winter dress code. So no more shorts. Also, please make sure students are wearing uniform approved hoodies, crew necks and quarter zips. Please no Bengals, Buckeyes, UK, Cammo or other sweatshirts. If anyone needs help with uniforms, please reach out. Being the uniform patrol is my least favorite part of the job, so your help is appreciated.
IMPORTANT SMS BUS NEWS: As I mentioned a few weeks ago, there will be no SMS bus service on Monday, November 9 or Tuesday, November 10, as I will be attending a Principal's Summit at Miami University. I apologize for the inconvenience.
The good news is, that we have found someone to help on days like this in the future, so there is no interruption in bus service. Marty Chadwell, a retired bus driver, who drove for Georgetown, Western Brown, and Eastern for years is working on getting all of his certifications up to date and hopes be able to begin helping us out driving by the end of the month. Welcome Marty!
This is probably as good a time as any to remind everyone of how the SMS bus works. By law, public schools are required to provide transportation of students to any private school within a 30 minute radius. Currently anyone who lives in Georgetown or RULH school districts are eligible for bus service through those schools. Eastern school district is also obligated to provide bus service, but chooses to pay families a stipend in lieu of bus service. That can be applied for at the beginning of the school year, and is paid to the family at the end of the school year. Roughly three years ago, we realized we had so many students from other school districts who needed bus service, that one of our families generously donated a bus to the school to help those families with transportation. Because we needed a driver, I took classes and obtained the necessary credentials to drive the bus, and have driven the bus as a volunteer for the past three years. This has meant the only costs that the school has had to account for is maintenance and diesel fuel (which costs a lot!). So far we have been able to operate this bus solely on the generosity of the SMS Community through donations. We are happy to have Mr. Chadwell to help with the bus, but we will be paying him for his services. I will continue to do most of the driving, but Mr. Chadwell will be taking some of the load off my shoulders. I am letting everyone know this because we do have new families, and sometimes people forget how our school runs. We currently have over 60 children who regularly ride the bus in either the mornings, afternoons, or both. The SMS bus also helps our families who do not ride every day as well, as we use it for field trips as well, avoiding the fees that RULH would charge to rent a bus (& driver) for the day. And we are not charging anything for field trips this year.
We will continue to run the SMS bus on donations only as long as we can, and I know we can do it because the generosity of our families and willingness to work together is one of the things that sets our school community apart. If you feel called to donate to help with the SMS bus this year, thanks in advance, and thanks to so many of you who have already donated this year and in the past.
Christmas Parade Float: We have been asked by both Georgetown and Ripley to have an entry in their Christmas parades on December 5 and December 12 , respectively. I was thinking we should be able to use the same float for both parades. I was wondering if anyone out there would want to take charge of this? I would be happy to pull the float in either or both parades, but I'm not the craftiest person, and I think this could be pretty cool. I think our theme should without a doubt incorporate the true meaning of Christmas, but I promise, I'm not a micromanager! If you would like to help with this, please contact me!
Veteran's Day: Our annual Veteran's Day program will be held on Wednesday, November 11. We will begin in prayer in the Church at 8:00 am. Master Sergeant William Forsee is the keynote speaker and the RULHROTC will present colors. All veterans are welcome. There will be a small reception for our guests afterward in the Parish Hall.
Harvest Dinner: The annual Harvest Dinner is next weekend, Sunday, November 15. Thank you to all who have signed up to volunteer and or donate desserts. It's looking pretty good so far. We currently have 14 auction items pledged, and could probably use a few more for the auction. We also ask that you please plan to dine in or carry out your dinner that day, and spread the word, as well! Dessert drop off is Saturday 10-12 or Sunday 8-10 in the Parish Hall. I will remind everyone again next Friday. Thank you!
Fall Picture Retakes: Set for November 17. Fall pictures are in uniform.
Tuesday, November 24: Please mark in your calendars that there will be early dismissal (12:30) on Tuesday, November 24. To my knowledge all buses will run at the early dismissal time. On that day, we will also have school Mass, and the annual SMS Family Thanksgiving Dinner!
Have a great weekend everyone!