I Can Make a Difference

Last Wednesday, the fourth grade students at St. Mary of the Hills School hosted a formal Tea for the seniors of the parish and residents of the Unquity House. The tables were beautifully set with fine china and special heirloom teapots.  The students greeted over 25 guests, served tea and treats, and had wonderful conversations with their guests.  They also entertained them with a few special songs entitled Up, Up with People, Miracles, The 50 States Song, and God Bless America. Mrs. Ginny Hannigan, a member of the parish, especially loved the states song and suggested that the students make a CD so that all who could hear would remember the 50 states!  It was the first time that Etta Tilford, a resident for the past ten years of the Unquity House, had ever been in a parochial school.  She was surprised at the wonderful turnout and warm reception and was impressed by all of the intelligent and respectful 4th graders.  She stated, “If all students were like these students at St. Mary’s, then this country would be in great shape.”  This wonderful morning was organized by the fourth grade teachers, Mrs. Mary Sue Faherty and Mrs. Susan Joyce, and the day coincided beautifully with the school-wide theme “I Can Make a Difference”. The students certainly made a difference in the lives of many Milton seniors.

One of our Alumni, Danielle Worthen, sister of Sydney Jenkins in 2B, is making a difference.  Dani is currently volunteering in the Peace Corps in the country of Costa Rica.  She will serve a two year commitment, teaching English and helping with community development.  To quote her Mom, “Danielle is a funny, warm hearted young woman with a passion for helping people.  It is said that you are a product of your environment, Dani has been blessed to receive a Christian education from Middle School through college, which no doubt influenced her decision to join the Peace Corps”. 

Mrs. Hughes made a difference!  Have you seen her new hairdo!  Mrs. Hughes donated 12″ of her beautiful hair to Locks of Love.  Thank you Mrs. Hughes for making a difference!

A special thank you to Mr. Savage, Mrs. Mulkern and Mrs.  Maniscalco for all the help they gave during the Yard Sale & Car Wash.  Also thank you to the 7th Grade students who made the effort to come and help.  It was due to all your efforts that the day was such a success ~ we made $330 ~ half of which will go to the graduating class of 2010 and the other half will go to a charity yet to be determined. 

2nd Grade Publishing Party:  Next Friday, May 15th, the 2nd grade classes will host their 2nd Annual Publishers Party.  The book this year is entitled “We Can Make a Difference”.  Thank you Mrs. Flynn & Mrs. Pungitore for making a difference in the second graders lives!  All second grade parents are welcome to join them at 2:00pm in the school hall.

YARD SALE/CAR WASH:   On Sunday, May 17th, from 11:00am to 3:00pm, the 7th grade will be having a YARD SALE and CAR WASH here at St. Mary’s.  This yard sale will be in keeping with our “I Can Make a Difference” theme.  All proceeds will be split evenly between a charity and the class of 2010.  We are hoping for donations of items to be sold.  Some great ideas are books, toys, CDs, and gently used clothing.  We will not be able to accept any electronics including computers, computer monitors, or TVs due to the difficulty in disposing of them if they are not sold.  Please send donations in with your child on Friday, May 15th.  We will also need several buckets, rags, sponges, soap, hoses, and towels and a few seventh grade parents to help out.

CONNIE HARRINGTON READ-A-THON RESULTS ARE IN!!  Thank you to the 90 students in PreK through Grade 8 who participated in our annual reading marathon.  A total of 120,953 pages were read and $3,024 was raised for donation to the Franciscan Sisters, the founders of our school and also a portion sent to San Juan SJ del Sur Biblioteca Movil Nicaragua, a library in Nicaragua, that was started by Mrs. Field’s daughter Meghan.  Our top reading classes are Grade 2B (27,675 pages), Grade 2A (17,739 pages), Grade 4A (15,094 pages) and Grade 4B (14,258 pages).  The top fundraising classes are Grades 2A ($628.14), Grade KC ($559.8i6), Grade 2B ($452.31) and Grade 4A ($225.00).

We’d also like to thank Mike for coming in to help Mrs. Hughes “clean out” some of the dust that unknowingly gathered in the server!  Computers can get extremely dusty on the inside and this can cause the processor to burn out and wreak havoc.  Visit Mike’s website to see firsthand just what can happen to the inside of your computer – you’ll be amazed! 

Mike DiNatale is not only our mailman, but also an IT tech and can repair your laptop and/or computer.  Or if you are looking to get rid of your laptop or computer because it’s old or broken, don’t throw it out – Mike can fix it!  He then donates them to a school for handicapped children in Dorchester.  Please contact Mike at 774-836-5168 or email him at mdinat@aol.com.

Thank you Mike for making a difference!

We have teamed with our parish to make a difference overseas.  We have until April 30th to fulfill this commitment.  The students are writing letters to our troops and we are also doing a toiletry drive for the soldiers as well.  The letters and a few toiletry items will do much to boost the morale of those serving our country.  If you know of someone overseas, please let us know so they can be included.  We will need their “overseas address”.  Please send in the items by April 30th as the Amvets are packing & sending items for a May delivery.  We will have hundreds of letters going overseas, but we need to start collecting the toiletry items.  Maybe over vacation you can pick up a few necessities for our wonderful men & women who have sacrificed so much.  Thank you in advance for making a difference.

The Grade 6 students recently watched the movie “Ruby Bridges” during Black History Month.  They clearly witnessed how Ruby Bridges’ teacher, Mrs. Barbara Henry, made a difference in Ruby’s life and also in all of our lives.  In keeping with our theme this year, “I Can Make a Difference”, each student wrote a letter to Mrs. Henry expressing their thoughts about the movie.  Mrs. Henry was so touched and impressed with the letters that she called the school and wanted to come and visit with the children.  On Thursday, March 26, Mrs. Henry came and told Ruby’s story, along with the history surround it.  What a truly inspirational moment for the students.