Tuesday News 2/21/23

Another Have-a-Heart Volleyball Game is in the books! The Class of 2023 came the closest to breaking the faculty and staff's win streak, making each game a nailbiter. Thanks to everyone for their donations to the Maryland Coalition of Families to benefit Frederick County families. You can catch the recording of the livestream on our Youtube channel. Tip: You might want to watch it on mute! 

Announcements

A Message From the Principal

Dear Families,

I hope you enjoyed the long weekend.

Tomorrow, Father Harry will celebrate Ash Wednesday Mass at 9:15 AM. All are welcome to attend. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent. Below is a short explanation of Ash Wednesday in the Catholic Church.

Why Ashes?

Father Larry Rice
(Former Vocations Director for the Paulist Fathers)

For centuries, Catholic Christians have marked the beginning of the season of Lent by receiving ash on their foreheads on Ash Wednesday. This tradition has its roots in the Old Testament, where wearing ashes was a common sign of repentance for sins and a sign of one’s humility before God. Since Lent is a season of penitential renewal through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, it’s appropriate that this ancient sign marks the beginning of the season.

The ashes themselves are usually made by burning the palm fronds from the previous year’s Palm Sunday. This symbolically connects the beginning of Lent with its end, connecting our change of heart with Christ’s passion, death, and resurrection.

Ashes are usually distributed as part of the Mass on Ash Wednesday, often after the homily. As people approach the priest or other minister, he presses the ashes to their foreheads and speaks one of two phrases: “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return,” or “Repent and believe in the Gospel.”

In many places, Ash Wednesday services are among the most popular of the whole year—a day that’s not even a Holy Day of Obligation. Cynics have suggested this is because people “get” something, as they do on Palm Sunday. But there’s nothing particularly appealing about getting smudged with ashes. Perhaps, the appeal is the expression through a physical sign of a desire for interior conversion.

The Gospel for Ash Wednesday is a reminder that the real purpose of the season of Lent isn’t to make public demonstrations of piety—even the wearing of ashes—but to seek conversion of heart.

I pray this Lent will bring us all a deeper relationship with the Lord and a meaningful conversion of our hearts.

Have a Blessed Week!

Sincerely,

Kathleen J. Kilty, PhD
Principal

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CALENDAR REMINDERS

March 3: NO SCHOOL (AOB Teacher Workday)

March 17: NOON DISMISSAL

April 6 (Holy Thursday): NOON DISMISSAL - NO AFTER SCHOOL CARE

April 7-16: NO SCHOOL - EASTER BREAK

Kids Heart Challenge - We Need You

Our Kids Heart Challenge will end MARCH 3rd and we need you! We are $6500 short of our school goal. If you haven't registered your student, please visit http://www2.heart.org/goto/MotherSetonSchool and complete the challenges!

Any family who signs up by TUESDAY FEB 21^st (or is already signed up) will get a retired KHC keychain! If you increase your donations by $25 by FEB 21^st – you will get TWO keychains!!!

ALSO – any student who raises $150 by the donation due date of MARCH 3^rd  – will get XL FRANKIE!!!

Any student who raises $250 will get the chance to SLIME Mrs. Reaver.

HSA CASH BINGO

Join us for our next CASH BINGO - Sponsored by Vigilant Hose Co. to benefit Mother Seton School.

Saturday, March 18, 2023 at the VHC Activities Building (next to Mother Seton School). Doors open at 4pm; Games begin at 6pm. Pick up prepaid tickets at the door.

*Purchase tickets before March 3rd to be entered into our Early Bird drawing for $100* 

$40 in advance. Tickets include dinner and a 9-pack ALL INCLUSIVE - 25 games (Regular $150, Specials $250, Jackpot $1,000).

Tickets available at VHC Bingo on Wed and Fri nights!

Or buy tickets online or visit our webpage for info on how to purchase with cash or check.

If you have any questions, please email us at HSA@mothersetonschool.org.

Re-Enrollment Season Has Ended

Enrollment has opened to new families. We have waiting lists for some grades. If you have not re-registered and you intend to return next year, please enroll and pay your registration fee* IMMEDIATELY. We cannot guarantee your student's seat for next year.

If you do not intend to re-enroll for next year, please contact Laurie at admissions@mothersetonschool.org.

For complete details, including the schedule of tuition and fees and important deadlines can be found on our Admissions page. An email will be going out to current families, as well. Questions about the process should be directed to Laurie Szukalski at admissions@mothersetonschool.org. Questions regarding financial aid or tuition should be directed to our finance department at finance@mothersetonschool.org.

*The early bird discount is over. Registration fee is now $300/student (max $900/family)

Mount Usher Program

2 GAMES LEFT - FEBRUARY 24 & 25

Mount St. Mary's University Mens and Womens basketball program is teaming up with Mother Seton School's Home & School Association to help support Mother Seton School. Come enjoy Mount basketball while helping Mother Seton School raise funds!

CHECK OUT ALL THE DETAILS AND CLAIM YOUR GAMES TODAY!

Lost and Found

There is a lost and found cart located in the cafeteria. If your student is missing anything, especially articles of clothing, please have them check the cart. The cart is getting full! Items not claimed by Easter Break may be donated or thrown away.

Remember to label your child's belongings.

Pancake Supper - OLMC

Tuesday, February 21 • 5:00-8:00 p.m. at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish Hall in Thurmont

Adults: $12; Children 4-10: $5; Children 3 and younger FREE

Sponsored by Father Shaum Knights of Columbus Council 11975

VIEW FLIER

Knight of Columbus Friday Fish Bakes 

Every Friday in March, 5:00-8:00 p.m. at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish Hall in Thurmont

Adults: $15; Children 4-10: $5; Children 3 and younger FREE

VIEW FLIER

Cougar Youth Lacrosse Season Starts Soon - REGISTER NOW!

Pick up a stick and play one of the fastest growing sports in the U.S. It's also Maryland's other state sport! VIEW FLIER

Register Now through February 21st!  

Fees: Scoopers (6 years and younger): $30 (includes T-shirt)

Grades 1st through 4th: $100

Grades 5th through 8th: $140 Registration fees include uniforms only.

All additional equipment required is not included.

Sponsorship Ads for Folders and Handbooks

Did you know that the folders the students use and the handbooks you receive at the beginning of each year are free to us thanks to ad sponsorships? If you would like to be a sponsor or know someone who would like the opportunity, please complete this form and return to the front office, or call Mary Lou (her phone number is on the form). 

SICK POLICY REMINDER - IMPORTANT - PLEASE READ

*Additional reminder: if your child has vomiting or nausea and is sent home from school, they should NOT RETURN THE NEXT DAY. Please follow the 24-hour rule as you would for fever or diarrhea.

There are many viruses going around, not the least of which are COVID, flu and RSV. Many of our students have already suffered illnesses. PLEASE, in order to keep our school healthy and to show consideration to other students, faculty, staff, and families, DO NOT SEND YOUR CHILD TO SCHOOL IF THEY ARE TOO SICK TO TAKE PART IN NORMAL ACTIVITIES OR IF THEY HAVE ANY OF THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS:

• Fever at or above 100˚F
• Vomiting or Nausea
• Uncontrollable cold symptoms
  • persistent/disruptive cough
  • excessively runny nose
  • headaches/body aches
  • sore throat
• Shortness of breath
• Decrease or loss of taste or smell
• Diarrhea
• Undiagnosed rash
• Green nasal discharge lasting longer than ten days or accompanied by fever/chills
• Pinkeye

Since cold and flu symptoms can mimic COVID, please ensure your child has tested negative for COVID before sending them to school. We have at-home test kits for your convenience. Your pediatrician can also recommend a combination COVID-Flu-RSV home test kit if they believe it's necessary.

As a reminder, children must be fever- and diarrhea-free for at least 24 hours without the aid of medicine (Tylenol, Motrin, Immodium, etc.) before they can return to school.

If your child exhibits any of these symptoms at school, we will send them home. If your child must miss more than 3 days of school, we ask you to please bring a doctor's note upon their return to school.

Thank you for your consideration of the health of others and your assistance in keeping our school healthy!

CAFETERIA MENU

Afternoon Pick Up Procedures

We are doing our best to keep the car lines organized so we do not block Creamery Road. Please see the map below for how the flow is conducted for pick up.