What do a disco ball, a hoodie, a bee, a snowflake, a sea turtle, and an American flag have in common? Nothing usually, but during today's SMS Catholic Schools Week Friday Mass, they were all items presented by our students before the altar to remind them of the values they learn here at St. Mary School.
Each class having an item to present at the altar was appropriate today, considering it is the feast of the Presentation of the Lord, also known as Candlemas. It is on this day that Mary and Joseph presented Jesus to the temple 40 days after his birth. Father Art Mattulke presided today, and blessed candles at the beginning of Mass to mark the feast.
The items our students presented included the following:
A Bee from Mrs. D’Angelo, to represent the hard work that SMS students do every day to be the best that they can be.
Peace Doves from our Montessori class to represent the peace they hope to have in their classroom each day, so that they can learn and grow together as a community.
An American flag from Kindergarten to remind them of their freedom, and how blessed they are to be able to attend St. Mary School and learn all about God's love.
A Snowflake from Grade One to remind them that God made us all unique and in His image. No two snowflakes are exactly alike, and we celebrate the talents that God has given to each of us.
A Sea Turtle from Grade Two to represent the class's hard work to adopt one of these endangered animals. They hope to raise awareness and help protect sea turtles, so that one day they are again a thriving species.
A Hall Pass/Popcorn Bucket in the shape of Figment - a mascot of imagination from Miss Sanderson’s Grade 3. It is a reminder that we can use our imagination to find joy and magic even in the simplest of things.
A Disco Ball from Miss Ziomek’s Grade 3 not only reminds her students that they are in their third grade "era", but that God's love is reflected in all of us.
A light-up "Bear-y" Busy Bear from Grade 4. This year the fourth graders are always busy, and growing so much in their learning and as students, that they are shining like ‘Bear-y’ the Bear with new knowledge and independence.
Miss Kerwin and Mrs. Gengo's Lanyards from Grade 5 were tied together in a knot to show strength, and the bond that they have helped this class to create. They will carry the lessons they have learned over the past three years with them into Middle School and beyond.
A Plant from Grade 6 to show how their St. Mary's roots hold them together. The sixth graders show love and growth together everyday at school, in friendship and education. They acknowledge how all of our teachers provide us with the nutrients we need to help our minds and hearts continue to grow.
A "Great Progress Monkey Award" from Grade 7 serves as a reminder that fun and learning can coexist, even if we often get up to a little too much monkeying around.
A Class of 2024 Hoodie from Grade 8 not only provides students with warmth and comfort, but encompasses them with the love of the Holy Spirit and their fellow students, as they transition from Middle School to High School in the coming months.
To see photos from our Catholic Schools Week Friday Mass click here.
To see photos of the items our students presented click here.
