School News

Event Date: Monday, February 26, 4:00-8:00pm (“The Sandlot” starts at 6:00pm)
Bailey’s Range

On February 10th, the SMOS Speech Team competed in the second Bellarmine Speech League Tournament of the year. Congratulations to the team for their excellent preparation and performance! We are delighted to share their results and gratitude for the support of our SMOS community.

It is part of my job as a principal to participate in both formal and informal observations of teachers over the school year. To bring these experiences to you, I would like to introduce a new article in the newsletter.  We are calling this Curriculum Corner.

In this week in the CRE Update with Gwen Heithaus, it’s everything Ash Wednesday, as we celebrate as a school and parish community. It was so wonderful to see all of the children at Mass – even our preschoolers! See all of the pics inside!

There’s something fishy going on in Maggie’s column this week – and it’s not the question about who the Feastie Boys really are, but the details about what makes the SMOS Fish Fry so good? Hint, hint – it may not take a lot of cooks in the kitchen, but it is necessary to have 4 Hands!

As part of Friday announcements, Principal Holley likes to give shout outs to our students who get caught doing acts of kindness around school. We would like to share with you our weekly shout-outs.

We had 80+ kids participate from over 13 area schools in the MCTM MathLeague Competition hosted by St. Margaret of Scotland on February 3, 2024.  10 SMOS students have advanced to the regional level competition at Parkway West High School on April 6th.

In today’s CIDE update from Coordinator of Inclusion, Diversity, & Equity – Corey Shorter, we have a lesson from our Featured Leader for this week, Malcolm X, who teaches us the importance of standing up for something that you believe strongly about – and that not doing so will cause us to settle in life.

Event Date: Friday, February 23, 6:30-8:00pm
School (Faith Hall)

Event Date: Friday, February 23, 5:00–8:00pm
St. Margaret of Scotland School Cafeteria – 3964 Castleman Ave., Saint Louis, MO, 63110

As part of our ongoing Inclusion & Diversity efforts, St. Margaret of Scotland has initiated a collaboration with Starkloff Disability…

Our Sign-Up Genius has been updated, and there are new dates available to volunteer as a crossing guard, to help…

The SMOS Inclusion & Diversity Committee will be holding its monthly meeting tomorrow, Friday, February 9 at 8am in the…

Next week marks the beginning of the Lenten Season with our Ash Wednesday celebration.  I encourage all of you to join us for Mass next Wednesday to celebrate with us.

As part of Friday announcements, Principal Holley likes to give shout outs to our students who get caught doing acts of kindness around school. We would like to share with you our weekly shout-outs.

In this week’s column, Maggie hears from a parent who’s stuck in holiday hell – trying to juggle the indulgences of Valentine’s Day and the restrictions of Ash Wednesday. But as Maggie reminds her, not all is lost – and that there may just be a way to have her King Cake and eat it too!

On February 13 (Tuesday), the SMOS Speech Team will be hosting a Valentine’s Day Bake Sale! They will be selling cookies,…

The Lost & Found at school is once again getting pretty full.  Please stop by the Cafeteria to take a…

The Soup-er Bowl Canned Goods Drive.  The SMOS Student Council (STUCO) is sponsoring a canned goods drive for Isaiah 58…

Hoping to see all of you at the Inclusion & Diversity Committee meeting tomorrow morning at 8AM at School. We’ll be discussing all things Black History Month. In today’s CIDE update from Coordinator of Inclusion, Diversity, & Equity – Corey Shorter, we learn about Frederick Douglass and are reminded that sometimes we often think if we don’t have the right amount of people in our corner or we don’t have the tools or resources needed to be successful, but all that we really need is God.

In this week in the CRE Update with Gwen Heithaus, we wrap-up Catholic Schools Week with a look at our Spirit Day festivities and pray together for the Feast of St. Josephine Bakhita. Plus, be sure to VOTE FOR SMOS in the TinySaints CSW contest – it’s a chance to win Tiny Saints of Margaret for the entire school! The school with the most votes wins!!

The SMOS PTA is excited to provide a little bit of science fun for the students this year as a…

Please find attached the Wunderkind Adventure Camp flyer, registration form for caregivers, follow-up information to accompany the registration form, and…

Our Open House 2024 was a huge success!  We welcomed 65 new families this year – a 35% increase over…

Today, it’s not a parent, but none other than Ms. Jen Shearer with a request for Maggie – she is getting buried alive by your kids, or rather, by your kids’ stuff! She needs help to dig out of the Lost & Found pile before Mr. Holley files a missing person’s report, and considers her a goner. Have no fear – Ms. Shearer is still on the job, but any unclaimed items that are not “found” by February 20 will soon be “lost” to SVdP. Once again, it’s Maggie to the rescue!

As part of Friday announcements, Principal Holley likes to give shout outs to our students who get caught doing acts of kindness around school. We would like to share with you our weekly shout-outs.

Tomorrow we will celebrate the feast day of St. Blaise.  St. Blaise was a bishop and martyr and the patron saint of throat ailments.  In honor of St. Blaise, we will have throat blessings for all students and faculty tomorrow during the school day.

News about the history of Black History Month, plus our positive quote of the week is from Langston Hughes who reminds us that dreams are very important – they help provide our purpose. All this and much more in today’s CIDE update from Coordinator of Inclusion, Diversity, & Equity – Corey Shorter.

Happy Catholic Schools Week! We have had a blast celebrating our Catholic identity here at SMOS this week, and there is more fun still to come! Check out some of the highlights from this week in the CRE Update with Gwen Heithaus.

Have any great photos from school (even awkward ones!)?? The Middle School yearbook staff has been working hard on the…

If your oldest child is even less responsible than the US Postal Service is these days when it comes to delivering paperwork, you might not be alone. This week, Maggie helps out a mom who has the registration blues – with just the right note to help fix her document drama.

As part of Friday announcements, Principal Holley likes to give shout outs to our students who get caught doing acts of kindness around school. We would like to share with you our weekly shout-outs.

Thanks to everyone who signed up to volunteer for our school improvement committees. It just goes to show the great spirit of this community at St. Margaret of Scotland which will be on display this weekend at Open House. Looking forward to seeing everyone there!

Once again, please feel free to join us tomorrow for our Parent Prayer in the Hesed Outdoor Classroom at 7:50am to start the day with a little bit of Jesus. Also in this week’s CRE Update with Gwen Heithaus, we are reminded of the importance of bringing our children to Mass this weekend (especially) and every Sunday.

As his birthday month approaches, we are reminded by Abraham Lincoln that you can choose how to live your life, making it one of purpose or not – that and much more all in this week’s CIDE update from Coordinator of Inclusion, Diversity, & Equity (CIDE) Corey Shorter.

Registration is OPEN now for the GOTR Spring 2024 season!  Sign-up your 3rd-5th Grade girl this Spring for an afterschool…

Please see the letter from Mr. Holley (below) regarding changes for Preschool at St. Margaret’s School for the next school…

Event Date: Thursday, February 1, 5:30-8:30pm
Steinberg Ice Rink

To conclude our celebration of Catholic Schools Week, the SMOS 6th/7th Grade Choir singers will collaborate with renowned artist Jil Chambless to perform traditional Scot songs that celebrate our school heritage.

Each grade level is responsible for bringing a different item to add to the hygiene kids we are making to benefit the homeless through the St. Patrick Center.

St. Margaret of Scotland will be observing Catholic Schools Week (CSW), starting with Open House on Sunday, January 28th and continuing through that week until Friday, February 2nd.

Lego Robotics registration for the Spring 2024 session opens Friday, January 19 at 8am. SPOTS ARE LIMITED! Registration is FIRST-COME, FIRST-SERVE.

After a night out with her friends, Maggie is at a loss for words – not because she doesn’t have anything to say – but because she hasn’t a clue where her phone is!?! She’ll be back with answers to your pressing questions next week, but in the meantime, she reminisces this week about her favorite time of year – Catholic Schools Week (what else?)!

As part of Friday announcements, Principal Holley likes to give shout outs to our students who get caught doing acts of kindness around school. We would like to share with you our weekly shout-outs.

This week, we learn an important lesson from the King of Swat himself, Babe Ruth, who reminds us that the most courageous thing we can do is “try” – that and much more all in this week’s CIDE update from Coordinator of Inclusion, Diversity, & Equity (CIDE) Corey Shorter.

We have our next Faith in Families program – “Addressing Tough Questions” – this evening at 7:00pm in the School Cafeteria. All are welcome! And also, please feel free to join us once again tomorrow for our Parent Prayer in the Hesed Outdoor Classroom at 7:50am to start the day with a little bit of Jesus. And read on for more info in this week’s CRE Update with Gwen Heithaus.

As you may know, we are in the first year of the school improvement process.  This process calls us to create committees to answer questions about our school and create suggestions for improvement.  

It is imperative that members of our parent community join these committees so that we can have your varied perspective in setting goals for our school.

Registration for SMOS CYC Track is Now Open.  Registration is limited so please do not delay. The season will go…

Event Date: Wednesday, January 24, Noon-10:00pm
Pie Guy

The First Graders NEED YOUR HELP with their service project for this year.  They are collecting aluminum can tabs to…

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the celebration of Catholic Schools Week here in the United States.  Each year,…

As Mr. Holley mentioned in his Principal’s Message this week, we’re continuing to put our plans together for SMOS Open…

Event Date: Sunday, January 28, 11:00am-2:00pm
School

This week, Maggie grabs her shovel and digs into the details of the School’s snow day plans, to help an artic-addled mom dig out from the avalanche of weather forecasts brought forth by her doppler-addicted husband.

CLICK TO RSVP

Was one of your New Year’s Resolutions to grow in faith this year? Join us tomorrow for our first Parent Prayer of 2024! All are welcome to come to the Hesed Outdoor Classroom at 7:50am to start the day with a little bit of Jesus. And read on for more ideas of resolutions to make in this week’s CRE Update with Gwen Heithaus.

As part of Friday announcements, Principal Holley likes to give shout outs to our students who get caught doing acts of kindness around school. We would like to share with you our weekly shout-outs.

Thank you to everyone for your help with the water main situation today – and we’re gearing up for Open House and Catholic Schools Week – lots more info to come!

Join us at the next Inclusion & Diversity Committee meeting on Friday, January 12th at 8am at the school. In this week’s CIDE update from Coordinator of Inclusion, Diversity, & Equity (CIDE) Corey Shorter, we reflect on a quote from Dr. Martin Luther King about being of service to others as our true purpose in life.

We are still in the Christmas season as Ms. Heithaus explains in this week’s CRE update, and next up is Epiphany. Here at SMOS, we will celebrate with an Epiphany Prayer Service on Monday, January 8 at 2:15pm. All are invited to come and celebrate as our 3rd graders lead us in prayer and reflection!

In this week’s CIDE update from Coordinator of Inclusion, Diversity, & Equity (CIDE) Corey Shorter, we are reminded (by the late Rosalynn Carter) that we will fall short of perfection in some areas of our lives and that’s just fine – Once we accept the fact of not being perfect, then we will gain confidence with doing the best we can.

It’s January and that means it is time to begin planning for the SMOS Open House.  Open House is an…

In this week’s Principal’s Message, Mr. Holley wishes to thank everyone for the overwhelming show of support for he and his family with the death of his father. Also, you may see evidence of some of our safety projects coming to fruition around the campus.

A new pawpaw grove has been planted in Tower Grove Park, thanks to these great tree ambassadors from St. Margaret…

Registration for SMOS CYC Golf is Now Open.  Registration for the 2024 season is open to 2nd-8th graders. The golf…

Registration is now open for the MCTM MathLeague Competition hosted by St. Margaret of Scotland on February 3, 2024. There is space for 100 students on a first-come, first-serve basis. Please click on this link below to secure your student’s spot in the competition.

From the St. Margaret’s School 8th grade: To the side of the Lawrence doors in the green space (Dragon’s Grove…

Get your tickets now to hear the SMOS Middle School Choir sing at the St. Louis Ambush game on Friday, January 12, 2024 at 7:35PM.

This week, Maggie is asked to help out a Mom who is desperately seeking sitters during this holiday season! As she explains, trusting the walking dead to watch your kids isn’t the best idea – but Maggie comes to the rescue with the details about the SMOS Babysitters Directory.

This week we celebrated the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe (12/12), and Ms. Heithaus has some really fun facts about the story of Our Lady and St. Juan Diego in this week’s CRE update!

As part of Friday announcements, Principal Holley likes to give shout outs to our students who get caught doing acts of kindness around school. We would like to share with you our weekly shout-outs.

Recap of November’s School Board Meeting The Budget and School Calendar were discussed. The Health Committee proposed five sectors to…

In this week’s Principal’s Message, Mr. Holley expresses his appreciation for the SMOS Student Council – and all they’re doing during Advent to keep the school in the holiday spirit.

Join the SMOS Inclusion & Diversity Committee on Friday, December 15 at 8AM in the Teacher’s Lounge for the next…

In this week’s CIDE update from Coordinator of Inclusion, Diversity, & Equity (CIDE) Corey Shorter, we are reminded (by the late Rosalynn Carter) that we will fall short of perfection in some areas of our lives and that’s just fine – Once we accept the fact of not being perfect, then we will gain confidence with doing the best we can.

Happy Hanukkah to all of our Jewish friends and family!!

As was mentioned in the last Dear Maggie column, school-parent Jenny Hill has been going into all of the classrooms this week to teach the kids about the Festival of Lights!

Jenny is so grateful for the opportunity to have conversations with the students about her faith and about her family’s traditions in celebrating Hanukkah.  She wanted to share her experiences with all of you.

We’ve gotten a lot of requests about this one: How do you email an entire class or grade level in FACTS?

Although there is no magic “send to all” button to use in FACTS, the process to generate a list to send to is pretty simple – and it really doesn’t take longer than a minute or two.

Not sure what to get your SMOS-loving family and friends?  Don’t forget about the St. Margaret of Scotland Spiritwear store!…

Event Date: Thursday, December 14 at 6:30pm
Church

Our annual collection for the Christmas Gift Fund for the Faculty & Staff at St. Margaret’s School is now open!…

It’s Partytime!  Room Parents have been contacting the families in their respective rooms this week to sign up volunteers to help…

Do you know someone (maybe it’s you?) who would be interested to join our incredible SMOS team?  We are looking…

STUCO is sponsoring a dress down NEXT Friday, December 15 to benefit the St. Vincent de Paul Christmas Outreach effort….

Earlier this week an Advent Calendar was sent home with one child from each family. This calendar is a tool…

Mr. Holley reports about December 8th – the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception – a holy day of obligation for all Catholics. All are welcome to join the school Mass that day at 8:15am.

This week, Maggie brings in a guest columnist to help her answer a question from a parent who has a dreidel dilemma in his household. Who better than the OG Bubbeh, St. Anne (grandma of Jesus) to help light this menorah!

As part of Friday announcements, Principal Holley likes to give shout outs to our students who get caught doing acts of kindness around school. We would like to share with you our weekly shout-outs.

Our ability to dream is beyond powerful and will one day dictate the greatness of our future. Dreams are visions given from God and with the right discipline and commitment they will become our reality- that’s what we learn in the quote from Eleanor Roosevelt in today’s CIDE update from Coordinator of Inclusion, Diversity, & Equity (CIDE) Corey Shorter.

Tomorrow (Dec. 8) is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception – it is a Holy Day of Obligation for all Catholics, and the students will celebrate Mass at 8:15am (all are welcome to join!).
Also, Mrs. Heithaus has news (and photos!) about the 1st Graders visit to Ronald McDonald House – all in this week’s Coordinator of Religious Education (CRE) update.

Registration for the 2024 Spring Baseball and Softball season for all grades Pre-K through 8th is now open through January 31st.

Event Dates: Friday, December 8 at 7:00pm; Saturday, December 9 at 7:00pm; Sunday, December 10 at 2:00pm.

Auditions for the school Spring musical 2024 will be held from December 13-15.

The volunteer schedule to help out with recess at school has been updated – dates for December and January have…

This week, Maggie helps out a parent who is trying to figure out where all of the religious hype her daughter brings home is coming from. It’s a mystery wrapped up in a retreat – a real who-done-it for Maggie to put on her best Jessica Fletcher sweater and get to the bottom of. But have no fear, she’ll get this mom CLUED in!

As part of Friday announcements, Principal Holley likes to give shout outs to our students who get caught doing acts of kindness around school. We would like to share with you our weekly shout-outs.

Happiness is a commodity to produce and consume – that’s the lesson from Helen Keller in today’s CIDE update from Coordinator of Inclusion, Diversity, & Equity (CIDE) Corey Shorter. Also, details about International Day of Persons with Disabilities, as well as Hannukkah.

Parent Prayer is BACK tomorrow after the holiday hiatus (and every Friday) at 7:50am – all are welcome to join in a few moments of prayer. Also, Mrs. Heithaus has news (and photos!) about the 3rd Graders visits to Isaiah 58 this month – all in this week’s Coordinator of Religious Education (CRE) update.

Mr. Holley reports about the start of Advent around School, and the Sacrament of Reconciliation which the students are receiving this week.

Registration for the Spring 2024 session for the after-school SMOS Chess Club is now open!  Sessions will meet once a…

Event Date: Monday, November 27, 4:00-9:00pm
Steve’s Hot Dogs

Event Date: Thursday, November 23, 10:15am
Tower Grove Park Soccer Field

Maggie helps out a parent who has committed the ultimate sin – they threw away their child’s artwork! Nothing like back in her day though, when it was off with your head! As she ponders her own visage in the art world, she has some advice on how to redirect that artistic passion into more constructive means to help the school.

Last Friday, 14 students had the opportunity to attend The Summit, an Archdiocesan event for Middle Schoolers; plus Mrs. Heithaus explains about her day with a caterpillar named Frank Diggy – all in this week’s Coordinator of Religious Education (CRE) update.

Mr. Holley reports about the 4th Grade field trip to Tower Grove Park, as well as the celebration of the Feast of St. Margaret.

As part of Friday announcements, Principal Holley likes to give shout outs to our students who get caught doing acts of kindness around school. We would like to share with you our weekly shout-outs.

Event Date: Friday, November 17, 7:30-8:30am
School Parking Lot

Recap of October’s School Board Meeting: The Data & Evaluation Committee previewed the Parent Check-In survey to go out after…

Congratulations to the SMOS Speech Team for their work in preparing and performing in the first Bellarmine Speech League Tournament of the academic year! The team performed with excellence this weekend and we are pleased to share their results and gratitude for the support of our SMOS community.

These fifth-grade girls would like to thank everyone in the SMOS community who generously donated items to the Humane Society…

Thank you so much to everyone who came out to support our very local entrepreneurs at the first ever Maggie’s Makers Market last Friday! We had quite a successful turnout – and the students learned a lot and had a blast (we even think most of the Middle School parents survived with some of there last minute procrastinators!). Click the link below to see the tally and the list of charitable donations made.

DEADLINE TO ORDER SQUARE 1 ART IS MONDAY, 11/27!! Don’t miss out on immortalizing your child’s art on a pot…

Believing that you can, removes the chains of doubt, fear, and unbelief. Scripture tells us that God didn’t give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and self- discipline. BELIEVE! More on this from the positive quote of the week as well as other November details in today’s CIDE update from Coordinator of Inclusion, Diversity, & Equity (CIDE) Corey Shorter.

Athletic Association News This past weekend, the SMOS 8th grade boys participated in the CYC City/County soccer playoffs.  After two decisive victories…

Our community Día de los Muertos ofrenda is up in the cafeteria!  ALL are welcome to participate. Families and student(s)…

As part of Friday announcements, Principal Holley likes to give shout outs to our students who get caught doing acts of kindness around school. We would like to share with you our weekly shout-outs.

Maggie is on the march – literally! No, she was not kidnapped… just relocated from the Rectory to the new Dragon’s Grove 2.0, where she now sits under the newly situated garden dome. Stop by for a visit anytime – she’d love to catch up!

This week the students celebrated National Vocations Awareness Week by welcoming several visitors to our school to talk about how God calls each of us to our own vocation, plus parent prayer tomorrow, collecting spices for Thanksgiving, and the prayer chalice program begins – all in this week’s update from Coordinator of Religious Education (CRE) Gwen (Cataldo) Heithaus.

Details about the SMOS PTA Inclusion & Diversity Committee Meeting on Friday morning, 11/10 at 8am – join us for “Coffee With Corey” after dropping your children off tomorrow! Plus, the positive quote for this week from Martin Luther King and more details in today’s CIDE update from Coordinator of Inclusion, Diversity, & Equity (CIDE) Corey Shorter.

Mr. Holley has some updates on facility changes and repairs happening, as well as details about report cards, Feast Day 5K, and the Principal For A Day.

Dear Parents – 

Just an FYI – I will be out of school for medical leave (everything is FINE!) for somewhere between 4-6 weeks.   I will be checking email, but I just ask for patience if it may take a little longer to get a reply from me. Please know I already CANNOT wait to be back around you and your children once more.  Thanks so much!

Christine Stephens

Facebook Event: https://fb.me/e/5M9LwPDth Makers Market is an elective course taken by 50 middle school students during the first trimester of…

St. Margaret’s is once again in need of volunteers to help monitor the playground during recess.  If you haven’t done…

At St. Margaret of Scotland School, we believe in the power of giving and helping those in need. That’s why…

Calling all artists in grades 3-8, please take some time to create this year’s cover for the school yearbook. All entries should be submitted to the school office by Tuesday, Nov. 21. The entire school will vote on the finalists the following week. 

Event Date: Thursday, November 9, 6:30pm
Church

Event Date: Friday, November 17, 6:00-9:00pm
School Gym

That’s another SMOS Walk-A-Thon in the books.  Thank you to the families who attended the event!  Walk-A-Thon Donations are due by November 15th.

The children will celebrate Halloween at School on Tuesday, October 31.

Event Date: Saturday, November 11, 4:30pm
Church & Church Hall

We invite the St. Margaret’s community to gather with us in prayer for all of those suffering from the effects of this war.  We will hold brief prayer services on Friday, October 27 at 7:50am in the Hesed Outdoor Classroom at St. Margaret’s School and on Sunday, October 29 at 9:00am in the Church

Time to break out the perm-mullet and the puka shells – Friday, October 27 is Lifetouch Picture Day for all…

What does Maggie do to honor the Day of the Dead? Well, Alexa may not know, but Maggie does! This week, she shares her personal celebration of Día de los Muertos, and of course, it involves alcohol and hanging out with her two besties. If only we could now answer the question of whether Alexa is a ghost or just an annoying know-it-all.

As part of Friday announcements, Principal Holley likes to give shout outs to our students who get caught doing acts of kindness around school. We would like to share with you our weekly shout-outs.

Mr. Holley is happy to report that he was very impressed with St. Margaret of Scotland’s above-average standardized test scores, while noting areas for improvement. And he anticipates a fun week with upcoming activities for Halloween.

Contributions were made to Isaiah 58, 8th graders created prayer cards for a shooting vigil, first graders made Halloween decorations for the Ronald McDonald House, and a prayer chalice program has begun – all in this week’s update from Coordinator of Religious Education (CRE) Gwen (Cataldo) Heithaus.

In this week’s CIDE update, Coordinator of Inclusion, Diversity, & Equity (CIDE) Corey Shorter highlights key October and November events, shares a quote on imagination by Albert Einstein, and reminds us that we’ve all been given a very special gift from God.

St. Margaret of Scotland hosted a prayer vigil, organized by its Youth Ministry and Gun Sense team, to commemorate the 1-year anniversary of the CVPA/Collegiate school shooting.

Event Date: Wednesday, October 25, 5:00-7:00pm
School Parking Lot

St. Margaret of Scotland School’s contract with St. Louis Counseling ensures daily counselling. With Kara Nacke’s departure, they’re seeking a new 3-day counselor. Kaycee Maurer continues part-time.

St. Margaret’s School is celebrating Día de los Muertos from November 6, encouraging communal participation. Offerings including personal items and volunteering time for altar setup are welcomed. The celebratory event honors deceased loved ones.

SMOS yearbook team is requesting photo submissions from school events, sports, and more, which can be sent to smosyearbook@gmail.com or via their Facebook group.

This week, Maggie is helping to cure everyone’s sweet-tooth on the details for Halloween plans at School this year – no tricks, just treats!

Thanks to all who helped make Trivia Night such a huge success – we raised over $16k for safety & security. Also, please try to attend the CVPA/Collegiate Shooting Anniversary Prayer Vigil next week.

As part of Friday announcements, Principal Holley likes to give shout outs to our students who get caught doing acts of kindness around school. We would like to share with you our weekly shout-outs.

This week we highlight featured leader Manny Pacquiao and are reminded about the importance of keeping positive people around us for support and to keep on the right path. Click the link for this week’s update from the Coordinator of Inclusion, Diversity, & Equity (CIDE) Corey Shorter.

The first Faith In Families is tonight in the School Cafeteria at 7:00 PM. Also, news about Parent Prayer on Friday mornings, including next week’s service for the conflict in Israel, and well as details about “prayer chalices” in this week’s update from Coordinator of Religious Education (CRE) Gwen (Cataldo) Heithaus.

Parent-Teacher Conferences for ALL FAMILIES are on on Thursday, November 2 from 1-7 p.m. and Friday, November 3 from 3-7 p.m.

You could say a good slime was had by all on Saturday night in the school gym – thanks to everyone who joined in the fun!

These faculty members joined us at or just after the start of the school year. Please join us in welcoming them to the SMOS community!

Currently the SMOS Chess Club runs after-school sessions as an extra-curricular program for 1st-8th Graders. They are working with the…

Event Date: Sunday, October 29, 6:00pm
Church Hall

Event Date: Saturday, October 21, 8:00am-1:00pm
Old Playground Pavilion, Tower Grove Park

This week, Maggie is getting lyrical about her very NOT secret closet, as she threads the needle about how to find Maggie’s Closet and what all of the hub-bub is about… bub!

Fox 2 News was on the SMOS campus yesterday afternoon to do a story about our new green playground. They interviewed Mr. Holley and caught some of our kindergartners at play on the new surface.

As part of Friday announcements, Principal Holley likes to give shout outs to our students who get caught doing acts of kindness around school. We would like to share with you our weekly shout-outs.

Please find attached a letter from Principal Holley regarding Standardized Test results.

News about the first Families in Faith program starting up, as well as details and pics from the 3rd Grade retreat – all in this week’s update from Coordinator of Religious Education (CRE) Gwen (Cataldo) Heithaus.

More events for the month of October, plus featured leader Wilma Mankiller and a poem. Also, we are reminded that true success is accompanied by some failures – in this week’s update from the Coordinator of Inclusion, Diversity, & Equity (CIDE) Corey Shorter.

Event Dates: Auditions – Saturday, October 14, 1:00pm; Callbacks – Sunday, October 15, 1:00pm
Church Hall

Support the SMOS Boy Scouts’ annual fundraiser with your purchase of fresh live Christmas wreaths and greenery.  Varieties include fabric bow, natural pine cones, golden ornaments, and decorative red berries.  

Event Date: Saturday, November 11, 9:00am
Old Playground Pavilion, Tower Grove Park

These one-hour-long social events will include a short talk, followed by discussion opportunities, practical tips and activities to take home… and a lot of socializing.

Event Date: Saturday, October 21, 8:00am-1:00pm
Old Playground Pavilion, Tower Grove Park

Check out the artwork some of our students produced to be shown at the Shaw Art Fair this year.
Congratulations!!

This week, Maggie’s puts on her Buzzfeed pants and dishes out some sound advice for a parent who is feeling stressed from all of the Fall activities – too many events, too little time, and not enough Pumpkin Spiced Lattes to go around!

Lots of dates to remember this week in October. We are reminded that sometimes we can become so blinded by revenge that we don’t take into consideration the adverse effects of our poor decision making – in this week’s update from the Coordinator of Inclusion, Diversity, & Equity (CIDE) Corey Shorter.

News about Respect Life Month activities, including the annual baby bottle collection for Our Lady’s Inn – all in this week’s update from Coordinator of Religious Education (CRE) Gwen (Cataldo) Heithaus.

As part of Friday announcements, Principal Holley likes to give shout outs to our students who get caught doing acts of kindness around school. We would like to share with you our weekly shout-outs.

This week I would like to encourage you to attend our parent presentation by BeSMART STL tonight, October 5, at 7pm at school.  It’s a relatively quick event and an important topic that affects the safety of all of our children – Firearm Safety.

This week, I would like to highlight an organization that we partner with during the school year.  Green House Venture works with our fourth, fifth, and sixth grades by pushing to the classroom to teach lessons.   

Lots of events heading into October. We are reminded that our differences shouldn’t be considered a disadvantage, but that bringing different perspectives “to the table” is what makes our communities unique – in this week’s update from the Coordinator of Inclusion, Diversity, & Equity (CIDE) Corey Shorter.

This week, Maggie’s all about the links – but it’s not the school website that has her excited, it’s the annual golf tournament! Check out the advice she has for one SMOS Dad who is worried his game may not be up to par enough to participate.

As part of Friday announcements, Principal Holley likes to give shout outs to our students who get caught doing acts of kindness around school. We would like to share with you our weekly shout-outs.

News about the new Faith In Families program which starts up this month, as well as fun pics of students creating angels to celebrate the feast of Guardian Angels – all in this week’s update from Coordinator of Religious Education (CRE) Gwen (Cataldo) Heithaus.

Event Date: Friday, October 20, 11:00am-7:00pm
Forest Park Golf Course

In this week’s column, Maggie helps out a Mom who’s gone missing in action with school events – and gets her back on track with the Sunday Class Mass schedule – yes, it is a thing, and yes, there is a signup!

Please find attached a letter from Principal Holley regarding the soft lockdown of the school that was put in place this afternoon.

The 5th Grade Class wanted to do a service project this Fall – so they came up with a nice…

I would like to spotlight our Saint of the Month, St. Vincent de Paul. Because the mission of St. Vincent de Paul is so near to our own school mission.  I strongly encourage all of our school families to consider participating in part or all of our St. Vincent de Paul Society day of events this Saturday – the Charity Walk, Mass, and the Pasta Dinner.

We are reminded to give ourselves the credit we deserve and also, see the flyer for the new Student Diversity Committee – in this week’s update from the Coordinator of Inclusion, Diversity, & Equity (CIDE) Corey Shorter.

As part of Friday announcements, Principal Holley likes to give shout outs to our students who get caught doing acts of kindness around school. We would like to share with you our weekly shout-outs.

7th & 8th Grade students participated in National Migrant Week activities in this week’s update from Coordinator of Religious Education (CRE) Gwen (Cataldo) Heithaus.

Event Date: Saturday, October 14, 6:00-10:00pm
School Gym

Details about the upcoming Health Screening and October’s Lunch Menu from Kelly’s Catering.

In this week’s column, Maggie gives the FACTS on the fast, direct way to email your questions to her at maggie@stmargaretstl.org. You’ve got mail!

Event Date: Thursday, October 5, 7:00pm
School

As part of Friday announcements, Principal Holley likes to give shout outs to our students who get caught doing acts of kindness around school. We would like to share with you our weekly shout-outs.

We have some staff details and a reminder about standardized testing week starting next Monday.

Fun details and pics from scavenger hunts in Church in this week’s update from Coordinator of Religious Education (CRE) Gwen (Cataldo) Heithaus.

We are reminded that personal achievements are good but if we’re not giving back to our community, then our efforts and achievements would be in vain – in this week’s update from the Coordinator of Inclusion, Diversity, & Equity (CIDE) Corey Shorter.

There are three main themes which come through the data as key takeaways from last year’s survey.

As was mentioned on the flyer distributed at Packet Day – every third Sunday of the month from August-May at 10:00 AM…

Event Date: Tuesday, September 12, 7:00pm
School – Hesed Outdoor Classroom (weather permitting)

I cannot help but think of all of the opportunities we have to let our light shine during the course of the week.  We have so many kids with different strengths and talents.  It is within this diversity that we find our strength at St. Margaret of Scotland.

Now that we have settled into our routines a bit, we have noticed that traffic in and around the Shaw…

As part of Friday announcements, Principal Holley likes to give shout outs to our students who get caught doing acts of kindness around school. We would like to share with you our weekly shout-outs.

In this week’s column, Maggie takes a question from a reader who’s looking to get into the “Act” when it comes to checking out some new choir music!

Details about how your family can join in with the school children’s celebration of all things Mary in this week’s update from Coordinator of Religious Education (CRE) Gwen (Cataldo) Heithaus.

A number of dates and celebrations are highlighted in this week’s update from the Coordinator of Inclusion, Diversity, & Equity (CIDE) Corey Shorter.

Event Date: Saturday, September 15, 9:00am-1:00pm
School Parking Lot