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Here's What's Happening at SMMS

-- January 31, 2010

Well it was just another quiet week at SMMS. Just kidding!

On Wednesday contestants from grades 4 to 8 battled it out to see who would be this year’s Geography Bee champion. Mr. Holian battered them with some grueling questions ranging from state capitals to names of rivers, state mottos and even continental environmental issues. Congratulations to Kristy Revolus who came in 2^nd Place and to Taylor Wilson for his victorious first place finish.

On Thursday, members of CROSS joined the members of CROSS from the Latin School for a pilgrimage to St. Agnes Cathedral in Rockville Centre. The rector of the cathedral gave the children a tour lasting over an hour. The children learned the story of the young girl Agnes who was martyred in the earliest day of Christianity and after whom the cathedral is named. They then toured each nook and cranny of the cathedral, even the choir loft for an up close visit of one of the cathedral’s stained glass windows.

On Saturday over 100 people visited SMMS during the annual Open House. As many of our own children were on hand to show visitors around the school and to enthusiastically share stories of their classroom experiences.

-- January 24, 2010

This past week was a celebration of the life and work of Blessed William Joseph Chaminade. Fr. Chaminade is the Founder of the Society of Mary, the religious order of priests and Brothers who operate here on Long Island three schools. Chaminade High School located in Mineola, Kellenberg Memorial High School located in Uniondale, and our very own St. Martin de Porres Marianist School. Fr. Chaminade lived in the time of the French Revolution when it was illegal to be a Catholic and many Catholics were put to death. After the Revolution ended he devoted his life to the service of Mary, working at the mission she entrusted to him. The mission was to re-Christianize France. Very soon Fr. Chaminade gathered around him men and women who joined him in this mission and thus was born the Marianist Family of priests, Brothers and sisters working alongside our lay collaborators in building in Christian society.

This year’s celebration was very special. The children spent the week praying for the canonization of Blessed William Joseph. During this week the official investigation into a miracle attributed to Blessed William Joseph began. The miracle took place in St. Louis in the year 2004. It is our hope that all the investigations will be completed and that Pope Benedict XVI will recognize Blessed William Joseph as a saint in time for the 250^th Anniversary Celebration of his birth in 2011!

As part of this week’s celebration Pre-K to 5^th Grade celebrated Mass dedicated to our Founder in St. Martha’s Church on Thursday morning. The Junior High traveled to Chaminade to join the students there in remembering our Founder.

The 8^th Grade Brothers and Sisters journeyed to Founder’s Hollow in Ulster County, NY on Wednesday and Thursday for a retreat program. Founder’s Hollow is a Marianist Residence dedicated to the memory of Blessed William Joseph.

-- January 17, 2010

The past two weeks have seen the Second Trimester get off to a very good start. On January 4^th all the children gathered in St. Martha’s Church for an Epiphany Prayer Service. During the prayer service, Bro. Tim explained the greatest gift that we can give to God is our own hearts in love and our hands in service.

On Friday, January 8^th the eighth graders took their class trip to NYC where they went on pilgrimage to St. Patrick’s Cathedral. After a very special tour of the cathedral where they had the rare opportunity to go into the cathedral’s crypt they joined in celebrating Mass at noon. The crypt is where many of the diocese’s bishops, archbishops and cardinals are buried. Pierre Toussaint, who hopefully will be canonized soon, is also buried in the cathedral’s crypt.

After lunch the 8^th graders traveled through Central Park to the Metropolitan Museum of Art where they visited such displays as Egyptian Art and Medieval Art. Both Mrs. Bello and Bro. Tim were superb guides as they explored the museum’s many displays.

Members of CROSS spent Monday afternoon, January 11^th making nearly 100 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to be distributed through the Outreach Program to the needy in the area.

-- December 24, 2009

The Marianist Community and the Faculty of St. Martin de Porres Marianist School wish you all a Merry Christmas!

May Mary, our Mother, watch over all of us!

-- December 6, 2009

The children of SMMS ushered in the Advent Season with several special events this past week. On Friday, everyone entered into the spirit of the season as we decked the halls of our school with Christmas cheer.

On Saturday, December 5^th, over 100 children and 200 adults eagerly awaited the arrival of Santa himself. Our first Breakfast With Santa was hosted at KMHS. The school’s cafeteria was transformed Friday evening into the North Pole and Santa’s Workshop. On Saturday morning when the children arrived for breakfast they couldn’t believe their eyes as they entered a winter’s wonderland. Just as they finished eating their breakfast of French toast, pancakes, bagels, munkins and coffee cake; Santa arrived ringing his sleigh bells and then praying before the Nativity Scene of Jesus’ birth. Every child had the opportunity of not only mailing his/her Christmas list to Santa, but Santa sat and chatted with each child that came up to see him in his workshop.

-- Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 2009

All of us here at SMMS wish all of you a very Happy Thanksgiving Day! We all have so much to be thankful for! During the month of November, each morning during the Daily Morning Gathering in the gym, children in Pre-K to Grade 5 have been reflecting upon the things for which they have been grateful. From faces, hands, feelings, mistakes, the past to creation, light, feelings, the Spirit of God in our lives, we have so many gifts for which to be thankful. Each morning, a leaf representing one of these blessings fell from our Tree of Thanksgiving. Pictured are First Graders, Joshua Abraham and Kendall Riley at the Tree of Thanksgiving.

One of things we are grateful for this Thanksgiving is the completion of the new school sign. On Tuesday, November 24, 2009 the two medallions depicting the school seal and the Marianist Cross were added to the new sign that was erected in early September.

-- November 15, 2009

Our annual St. Martin’s Day Celebration began on Tuesday, November 3^rd with a school Mass in St. Martha’s Church. There were many highlights to the day’s festivities. Mid-morning, the bagpipe band from Chaminade High School lead a parade down the school’s hallways, through the front doors and around the block to the field. After a picnic lunch in St. Rose of Lima Courtyard, the afternoon was filled with performances by the Chaminade Jazz Band, the Kellenberg Firebird Swing and with scenes from the upcoming KMHS Drama Club’s production of Music Man. It was surely a fitting way to celebrate the life of our patron saint.

Over 100 parents, faculty and guests gathered on Friday evening, November 6^th for the Parents Fall Cocktail Party. There were lots of nice raffle prizes, plenty of tasty food and a wide variety of good conversations.

We were privileged to have several Veterans from the Catholic Veterans of War Council in Bethpage join us Wednesday morning November 10^th. During our Veterans Day Celebration the entire school from Pre-K to 8^th grade gathered outside around the flag pole for a flag raising ceremony and the singing of patriotic songs. The children listened filled with awe as the Vets introduced themselves and explained when and where they served.

Congratulations goes to Celeena Carrington of the 8^th grade for being this year’s Spelling Bee champion. Way to go girl!

-- November 1, 2009

Nearly the entire school stayed for the Annual Halloween Party this past Friday. The children enjoyed hayrides, pumpkin picking and even the witches took time out for some candy, cupcakes and cookies too!

-- October 25, 2009

The month of October is nearly over and we are all well settled into the new school year. The early weeks of October, besides the normal classroom routine, were devoted to the 4^th and 7^th graders taking the CogAT tests and then grades 2 to 8 taking their annual IOWA exams. These standardized tests allow us to track the academic development of the children over the years.

More importantly though, the daily classroom routine has been established and the vast majority of the children did very well on their 1^st Trimester Progress Reports. For those children who were experiencing some academic difficulties, teachers during the Parent-Teacher-Student Night offered them guidance on how to get academically on the right track again.

Our 8^th graders are now doing their final preparations for the Catholic High School Entrance Exam which is on Saturday, October 31^st. Let us all pray for their success!

Everyone else in school is eagerly looking forward to two upcoming celebrations. On Friday, October 30^th we will have our Annual Pumpkin Festival and Halloween Party. For the younger children there will be hay rides, pumpkin picking and decorating, and of course lots of candy and other goodies too.

On Tuesday, November 3^rd, all classroom activities will pause as we spend the day celebrating the life and work of St. Martin de Porres. All are invited to join us as we begin this day’s celebration with Mass.

For all you moms and dads, aunts and uncles, grandmas and grandpas; we are looking forward to seeing you all at the Parents Fall Cocktail Party on Friday, November 6^th.

-- October 4, 2009

September has just zipped by and so much has happened.

On Monday, September 14^th everyone from 1^st grade to 8^th grade traveled to KMHS for the annual Triumph of the Cross prayer service. It was a splendid late summer’s day as we gathered out in the front of the school to join the 2,500 students from KMHS in offering thanks for the wonderful gift of Jesus’ death on the cross for each one of us.

Sunday, September 20^th was the Williston Park Street Fair. Once again through the generosity of the Williston Park Chamber of Commerce we had a booth where we sold cotton candy, popcorn, water, iced tea, lemonade and soda. We also did face painting. It was lots of hard work, but a great day. We raised $1,000.00 to help support the after school program.

The highlight of September though was the Family Mass and Back-to-School BBQ on Saturday, September 26^th. Over 500 people and 37% of all of our families joined us for this fun filled evening. After Mass we all gathered in the playground and on the field for pony rides, bouncy houses, popcorn, cotton candy, hamburgers and hot dogs.

October was ushered in on Friday with Mass for the Feast of the Guardian Angels. This year marked the 192^nd anniversary of the foundation of the Society of Mary. Fr. Chaminade began the Society on October 2, 1817. After Mass Fr. Tom blessed all of the animals which gathered for the St. Francis Day Blessing of the Animals.

-- September 13, 2009

Our sixth year has gotten off to a very fine start. With nearly 450 children in the building there is lots of excitement and tons of high energy!

On Thursday, the junior high students participated in the ABC Program designed to help them get accustomed to the different style of life in junior high. In the morning they had an orientation program that presented such topics as locker organization, how to use a lock and the proper way to use an academic planner for the 6^th graders and for the 8^th graders preparation for the Catholic High School Entrance Exam. After lunch they had the opportunity to go through an abbreviated day of changing classes where they got to meet each of their teachers for 10 minutes a piece.

On Friday, Fr. Tom came from KMHS to celebrate with us our back-to-school opening Mass. He encouraged us all to imitate Mary, the one full of grace and to run the race just as she did!

After Communion, the new 7th and 8th grade members of the St. Martin Honor Society were inducted. Congratulations to all of them for their academic success last year!



Tomorrow as the Pre-K and Kindergarten children return for their first day of classes, the children in grades 1 to 8 will be participating in the annual pilgrimage to KMHS for the celebration of the Feast of the Triumph of the Cross.

Good beginnings are only a sign of the many wonderful things yet to come this academic year!

-- September 5, 2009

Feast of Mary, Queen of the Apostles

We hope you are all enjoying this unofficial last weekend of the Summer! We are eagerly looking forward to the beginning of school next Wednesday!

On Thursday, September 4^th, the old sign on the front of the building finally came down and in celebration of our fifth anniversary a new sign was mounted over the entrance to the school building. The sign was crafted in the KMHS carpenter shop. Two additions yet need to be made to the sign. On one end will go the emblem of the school seal while on the other side will appear a medallion depicting the Marianist Cross. As we embark upon our sixth year, we are looking forward to providing quality Catholic education for grade school children in the Uniondale/Hempstead area for many more generations yet to come!

-- August 30, 2009

One week and counting! The school building is all spruced up, the classrooms are brightly decorated, and teachers are creating new and exciting lessons! We are ready to welcome a school filled with youngsters eager to learn! Are you ready to come back?

Our new sign for the front of the building has arrived. It has entirely handcrafted in the KMHS carpenter shop by a crew of very talented craftsmen. It will be mounted over the front door of the school during this upcoming week.

Homeroom and class lists will be posted on the Parent News Tab on Labor Day. Be sure to check to see who your new teacher is and what room you are in before coming to school on Wednesday, September 9^th.

See you real soon. We are looking forward to the new school year.

-- August 23, 2009

Well just two weeks left! Are you ready to come back? We’re ready for you!

Over the past several weeks the remaining classrooms have all been cleaned, wooden floors refurbished, and hallways made to sparkle.

On the outside of the building, the new playground area has been finished and the area around the dumpsters was beautified.

Teachers will be in school for the next two weeks busily decorating their classrooms for the new year. We are all eagerly awaiting the children’s return so that once again our hallways will echo with their laughter as learning takes place in their classrooms.

-- August 8, 2009

We may have passed the half way mark of the summer, but we still have 4 ½ weeks to go! Lots of time yet!

During the past two weeks the textbook staff has completed labeling the over 5,000 books with every child’s name and grade. The books have been distributed to the classrooms awaiting the children. The maintenance staff continues to clean and to spruce up the building. The top floor is all ready to go. In the upcoming weeks, the teachers will be coming in to decorate their classrooms for the new academic year. Ninety percent of the main floor is also completed and just needs a few finishing touches.

The concrete work on the new playground area between the gym and the field has been completed. In the remaining weeks a storage shed will be constructed in part of this area. The shed will hold extra chairs, tables and maintenance equipment. The rest of this area will be part of the playground.

They say good things are worth the wait. As we near the 5^th anniversary celebration of our founding on August 18^th, the new sign also nears completion. The plan is have the new sign hung by the end of August. The Marianist Community is grateful for all of the blessings we have received at SMMS over the past five years. When we arrived in August of 2004 there were hardly 100 students in the building. As we near the beginning of our 6^th year, the building is now filled with over 450 students. We are looking forward to many, many more of providing quality Catholic education to the children of the Uniondale, Hempstead, Roosevelt area and beyond! Thank you to all of our collaborators who continue to be supportive of this very important evangelical mission.

-- July 27, 2009

Five weeks down, six more to go!
We hope you are all enjoying your summer vacation. We are having lots of fun too preparing for the new academic year.

Back on July 8^th we held our 2^nd Annual Alumni BBQ with over 40 alumni from the classes of 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 in attendance. That’s over 20% of all of our alumni. One alumnus even travelled all the way from Florida to join us.

This year also marks the first year that our alumni are moving off now to college. We are so excited and wish them well in the next step of their academic journey.

Lots of summer projects have been going on over these past five weeks. All the wooden floors in the classrooms have been refurbished and polished. A new wooden work table was crafted for the Faculty Room, a beautiful block glass privacy wall was constructed in the Main Office, the dumpsters were spruced up with a painting, outdoor gardening gives the grounds a delightful summer look, and risers were made for the band room so that the students can see the band conductor more easily.

The secretarial staff and the textbook staff have been busy too. Lots of paperwork needs to be processed in preparation for the new academic year and the secretarial staff has been working their way through these
mountains of paper. Literally 2 tons of textbooks and workbooks have been delivered to the school over these past few weeks. The textbook staff has unpacked and sorted these new arrivals as well as repairing the old textbooks. Over the next few weeks they will continue by labeling every book with each child’s name and grade.

This week concrete will be poured in the area between the gymnasium and the field. In the coming weeks, a storage shed will be built on this spot with space left over for an additional playground area. We are also planning in the weeks ahead to build a decorative wall around the dumpster area.

So we hope you are enjoying your summer vacation. The staff at SMMS and the Marianist Community are enjoying it too as we prepare for all of you to be back in September. Enjoy!

-- June 21, 2009

The month of June flew by but was packed with many end-of-year activities! There was the Spring Art Exhibit and Concert on Friday, May 29^th; the 8^th Grade Honor Ceremony on Wednesday, June 3^rd; Field Day on Wednesday, June 10^th; countless class trips; Kindergarten Graduation on Thursday, June 11^th; the 8^th Grade BBQ at Meribah on Friday, June 12^th; final exams; and finally 8^th Grade Graduation this past Friday.

The Graduation Ceremony began at 7:30 P.M. with the 48 eighth graders standing in front of St. Martha’s Church as the bagpipers greeted them. They all processed into the church as the band played Pomp and Circumstance. Fr. Thomas was the main celebrant for Mass. During his homily Fr. Thomas encouraged the 8^th graders to look to the example of Jesus’ Sacred Heart as they moved on now to their high schools careers. After Mass, Mr. Holian presented the Class of 2009 to Bro. Kenneth so that he could recognize them as graduates of St. Martin de Porres Marianist School. Each girl and boy then proceeded to come up to receive their diploma and other awards from Bro. Kenneth. Just before the blessing of the statues of St. Martin which each graduate received, the St. Martin de Porres, Apostle of Charity Scholarship was presented.

This past Fall, one of the school’s very generous donors approached the Administration expressing the desire to establish a scholarship to be presented to that 8th grader who embraced the spirit of St. Martin de Porres. This scholarship is presented to the student who exemplifies and imitates St. Martin de Porres’ life of charity and service. This scholarship is a one time grant of $1,000.00 to be applied to the tuition bill at the Catholic high school the recipient will be attending in the Fall.

In the likeness of St. Martin’s life of charity toward all, the St. Martin de Porres, Apostle of Charity Scholarship was presented to Edward Jordan.

After the Ceremony a reception was held in the gymnasium.

Enjoy the summer months and continue to check the website for information about summer renovations and preparations for the new school year in September.

The past two weeks have been busy as Spring is turning into Summer!

Last Friday, May 15^th, was a festive day all around. The renowned children’s author Eve Feldman spent the day with us, sharing with the children from Kindergarten to 5^th grade her experiences as a writer. The gym was festively decorated with large posters of many of her book covers. Ms. Feldman spent the day in four different sessions with Grades 1 & 2, Grade 3, Grade 4, and lastly Grade 5. During each of these over 1 hour sessions she explained how she became an author, the process of researching a book, and the writing and the editing work that she does. The children had many wonderful and insightful questions for her during the question and answer periods. Due to the generous support of the Williston Park Rotary Club, each child in grades 1 to 5 received a personally autographed book by Ms. Feldman.

Just before their lunch period, Ms. Feldman visited the Kindergarten class and read to them from her soon to be released book. They were the first audience to hear a reading of this new book.

That evening over 100 guys (boys in grades 4 to 8, their dads, uncles, or older brothers) all gathered at Chaminade High School for the Annual Guys Night Out! After a nice pasta dinner they headed for the pool, the lacrosse field or the basketball court for some athletic action.

Congratulations to all the 2^nd graders who received their First Communion this month. On Saturday afternoon, May 16^th, many of the second graders celebrated their First Communion at St. Martha’s.

On Sunday, May 17^th, SMMS sponsored a Lacrosse Jamboree at Chaminade High School. Several teams from local grade schools came to join in a day of lacrosse play.

On Wednesday evening, May 20^th, the junior high began their evening by celebrating the Mass for the Solemnity of the Ascension then headed over to the gym for dinner and dancing. The theme of the spring social was the ‘80’s. Many came dressed to fit the era.

-- May 10, 2009

Immaculate Mary, your praises we sing.
You reign now in splendor with Jesus,
our King!

On this past Friday morning after celebrating a Mass in honor of Mary, the Mother of Jesus, the entire school assembled in the parking lot for our annual May Crowning. Banners were waving, the Tin Whistle Club was playing and children were cheering as we all watched Chiynah Antoine (5^th Grade) crown our new statue of Mary. A special thanks to the firefighters from North Bellmore who assisted us!

Saturday evening saw many months of hard work and practice come to fruition. The Junior High production of Into the Woods was an overwhelming success. From Little Red Ridinghood to the baker and his wife, all of Grimm’s fairy tale characters came to life on the Firebird Stage at KMHS and of course everyone lived happily ever after.

To read about events from the rest of the 2008 -- 2009 school year and for the events of the 2007 -- 2008 school year and the summer of 2008 go to the Photo Archive tab and scroll to the bottom of the page. Enjoy!