From The Principal's Desk - December 11, 2019

Hello everyone.

This week’s Newsletter comes to you a little late. I was struck with a case of bronchitis but I am recovering nicely. Thank you for your prayers and kind words.

Here are the highlights of the goings and comings here at SMCS.

A big thank you to Lt. Colonel Shea who came to St. Margaret’s and shared her words of wisdom on bereavement with our middle school students. 

Our students started Advent with a visit to the Church for Advent Confessions. Thanks to our Parish Priests for making this important Sacrament available to our students multiple times each year.

This past Saturday, Santa Claus made an early visit to the school. The young children of the community had a terrific time visiting with Santa and telling him what good boys and girls they have been. Thank you to Mrs. Bader and St. Margaret of Cortona Parish for organizing this annual event that brings much joy to our children.

We put the Spotlight on Graduate Tess Chernauskas, ‘18, who earned a spot on the Principal’s Honor Roll at Dominican Academy. In order to earn this incredible achievement, Tess received an average of 93% or higher in every subject during the First Quarter of the year. 

The Second Week of Advent began with our Annual Christmas Tree Trimming and Blessing. Each class made ornaments and hung them on the tree as the student body and teachers sang carols in the auditorium Pictures are available here.

Our Annual Toy Drive has begun. Information was emailed Monday. The Student Council, in partnership with New York Presbyterian Komansky Children’s Hospital, collect new, unwrapped toys for children. Pick up is on Thursday, December 19th and drop off baskets are in the Lobby.

The SMSPA has announced their latest event - The 2019-2020 Tuition Raffle. Tickets have been sent home and returns are coming in. If you want to get in, please contact the PA at smspa@smcsriverdale.org. We will pull the winning ticket and announce the winner at the Christmas pageant next Friday.

I am also attaching information about The Edward Cardinal Egan Scholarship. Unfortunately, the deadline is this Friday, so if you are interested, the turn around is quite quick.

We have had two snow-event days already and a brief refresh of our policy is needed. St. Margaret of Cortona will follow the NYC DOE policy for closures. If the NYC Schools are open, we are open as well. This is announced by Mayor DeBlasio. We will use IRIS to alert families should schools be closed. Please do not call the school to discover if we are open. You will receive phone calls, and emails informing the community if we are closed.

Next week, we will hold several events as we bring December and The Old Year to an end. 

Wednesday we will hold a Christmas Buddy Activity. Older students will partner with our younger students with Christmas themed activities throughout the day.

Thursday is our PK Christmas Celebration at 9AM and the Student Council will once again host our Christmas Sweater Contest. Siblings are invited to attend. Parents are asked to send a note to the teacher the day before.  All students are invited to wear their silliest, most creative or ugliest Christmas Sweater to School. The Student Council will select some of the most creative for prizes.

Friday is our Annual Christmas Nativity Pageant at 9AM in the Auditorium. Everyone is invited. This will be followed by the School Christmas Celebration and dismissal for Christmas Vacation. We will play music, provide light refreshments and share in fellowship. Parents may take their children at any time at the completion of our Pageant. School will close at 11AM that day.

And last, our new auditorium sound system has been fully installed. The new wiring, speakers and wireless microphones will be in full use next week at our Christmas Celebrations. I thank our Parent Association and all who supported our fundraising over the last two years. This is one more item in a list of projects that you have undertaken and successfully brought to completion for the improvement of our school. This list includes, new bathrooms, air conditioning, and technology enhancements. Your constant support and tireless efforts cannot be emphasized enough. We are all very grateful.

Have a wonderful day and see you all next week!

• GoFundMe Page for Mrs. Callahan - https://www.gofundme.com/f/mary-ellen-callahan

God's Blessing to each of you.

Mr. Hugh M. Keenan, Principal