Over the summer, don't forget to work on your summer Math packet and reading lists. If you lost your lists, then click below for your grade to see what you need to complete prior to the first day of school. Also listed below are the supply lists for your grade as well. Have a great summer!!!

Grade 1 Supply & Reading Lists
Grade 2 Supply & Reading Lists
Grade 2 Book Worm
Grade 3 Supply & Reading Lists
Grade 4 Supply & Reading Lists
Grade 5 Supply List
Grade 5 Reading List
Grade 6 Supply & Reading Lists
Grade 7 & 8 Supply Lists
Grade 7 Reading List
Grade 8 Reading List

We are excited to share our newest venture as part of our plan for strategic growth for the School. This new 5 day, full day program is the ideal for any child who misses the age cutoff for our School or the public schools, but who is ready, willing, and excited for the challenges and fun of school. Children whose 4th birthday fall between September 1st and December 31st are eligible to apply. The Early 4s program will follow the same philosophy as our regular Pre-K & Kindergarten classes--"Childhood is a journey, not a race." The dedicated staff of professionals will begin laying the foundation of spiritual, academic, and social excellence--the hallmarks of Catholic education and the reason St. Mary of the Hills School has recently celebrated 50 years of providing an outstanding education to the children who are entrusted to us. We encourage parents to visit the campus to take a tour of our updated facilities and see the wonderful things in store for your child. The Administration is excited to add another dimension to our already diverse student population! We are looking forward to all of the positive changes that will greet the students and faculty in September! Applications are also being accepted for admission into Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 7. Please call the 617-698-2464 for further information and to schedule a tour.

Read to Ride 2009 will take place from June 1 to July 13, with winners drawn every Monday (except for the week of July 6). Entries will be available and begin being accepted on Monday, May 18, at all Dependable Cleaners locations as well as participating bike shops: Anderson Bicycle in Quincy and Farina's in Watertown, or click here.

St. Mary of the Hills Grade 5-8 students' are partnering with Curry College as they compete with 9 other colleges on an Awareness Service Project! On Wednesday, March 25 our middle school students will be joined by members of the club ONE Curry as they embark on their "Rock the Change Tour" to spread the awareness of poverty and need for shoes in Africa and Jamaica. The next day, our middle school students will become "ambassadors" for PreKindergarten through Grade 4 to spread the need for shoes in these countries. Then, on Friday, March 27 our school community will be asked to donate their gently worn old shoes (sneakers, shoes, sandals, flip flops) into bins that will be set-up on the stage. ONE Curry students will return at the end of the day to pick-up the shoes and speak more with our middle schoolers. At a later date, ONE Curry will return and share the video they made from the beginning to the end of their project. Who knows, we might see some familiar faces!

On February 19th we received confirmation from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) that our special progress report was reviewed and accepted.

The St. Mary of the Hills School Board has unanimously approved a pilot program for Spanish language classes in PreKindergarten through Grade 4 this fall.

Students at St. Mary of the Hills School made Valentine's Day cards for our Veterans.

Penny Wars occurred this week at St. Mary of the Hills School. It was very exciting to witness this great event.

Jump Rope for Heart occurred in Physical Education Classes this week and will continue through Friday, February 13, 2009.

Six Flags Read to Succeed Six Hour Reading Club has already begun. If you're interested in participating, then download the Keeping Track: Student Form and as soon as you reach the six hour goal, have your parent or guardian sign the form and return it to your teacher to qualify for a free ticket to a Six Flags theme park. It must be turned in by Wednesday, February 25, 2009. Good Luck!!!

On Sunday, January 25th, 2009, catholic schools throughout the country will begin a weeklong celebration of Catholic Education. Studies have shown that a Catholic education has a life-long impact on a child’s development. This year, the nationwide theme is “Catholic Schools Celebrate Service”. With a strong sense of social justice, the school community at St. Mary of the Hills has taken the lead for this academic year by developing its yearlong theme of “I Can Make A Difference”.

Last summer, the faculty and staff gathered to discuss Marian Wright Edelman’s book “I Can Make A Difference”. The outcome of these discussions became our “mission” for the school year. As a school community, we developed ideas about how we could make a difference in our homes, school, churches, communities and even the world through service projects. From recycling within the classrooms to letters to shut-ins and veterans, to money raised (and donated to the Franciscan missions and libraries in Nicaragua) through our annual read-a-thon, St. Mary of the Hills has always been committed to service to others.

Please join us on Sunday January 25th at the 12:00 Mass when we will officially begin our celebration of Catholic Schools Week. Our students will be liturgically dancing, so if you have not witnessed this, please come. You will not be disappointed. Our Open House will follow at St. Mary of the Hills School from 1-3. This would be a wonderful opportunity to see first hand what a great school St. Mary of the Hills is, and share our pride as we continue to celebrate our 50th year of strong Catholic education.

Student Council is again sponsoring Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF. This fundraising campaign is the most successful and most trusted "kids-helping-kids" campaign. Since its inception some 58 years ago, generations have saved millions of children around the world. This year, the 2008 campaign will raise urgently-needed funds for the Swazi Children Care Project - a lifesaving program that funds hundreds of neighborhood care points where orphaned and vulnerable children can receive a warm meal, shelter, medical care, education, and protection. Every cent raised will help Swaziland's children. Students in Grades 3-8 have received the collection boxes. Those that choose to help may send donations in by November 7th. Thank you very much for your support of such a great cause.

Big plans are underway: Will you pitch in, too? No good act is too large or small. Check our "I Can Make A Difference" webpage for ideas.

Reflect on the past and help us prepare for the future. Submit your order now to be a part of the Reflection Courtyard at the School and to have your brick in place for the dedication in October. Purchase a brick to memorialize a loved one, show your continued support, or leave your legacy. The Courtyard will be located in front of the School building on either side of the flagpole and current walkway. The cost for the bricks is $125 (4x8 with 2 lines of text), $250 (8x8 with 4 lines of text), and $300 (8x8 with 2 lines of text and ). Granite benches are also available for $800 (plus the cost of engraving). Please visit www.smhschool.org to update your Alumni information, learn more about the Brick Program and other 50th Anniversary events. Please refer any alumni you may know to www.smhschool.org so that we reach as many alumni as possible. If you are interested in purchasing a brick, please print out an order form and send it in today or you can contact Brett Marcotte at 617-698-2464 or email at smhmarcotte@yahoo.com. Thank you in advance for your continued support of the faculty, staff, and students of St. Mary of the Hills School. Happy 50th Birthday St. Mary's!

See Pat Desmond's comments to parents in the Milton Times titled "Roses"

All school-related announcements will be sent via the Connect-Ed Phone Messaging System or the Constant Contact Email System. Any Emergency Announcements (school closing, last-minute change, etc.) will be delivered to both your home phone number and the two numbers listed in our database (ideally Mom & Dad's cell phones). These numbers must reach either a live person or voicemail box (i.e., cells phones are fine; office phone numbers that require dial an extension are NOT acceptable).

As part of the Emergency Crisis Plan, we have adopted Connect-Ed at our School. It has become an invaluable resource, especially because of recent snow storms. Ninety-nine percent of our families were reached through Connect-Ed. From what we know everyone got home safely and did not have to sit in traffic. To clear everything up, we need your help. If you DID NOT receive a phone call on your home phone and both cell phones, you need to let the office know. In case of an emergency, or a decision that I feel needs to be made, the only way we can get in touch with you is through Connect-Ed. Please watch your local channels for school cancellations. We follow Milton Public Schools. Please DO NOT call the school or the rectory.

Please remember to fill out your CORI Forms. Any parent who plans on helping in any way or chaperoning any trips, must fill out a CORI Form. CORI Forms are available in the office or you can print it out from here. We need a month's turn around time for the process to take affect. So please be sure to get them in ASAP. Even if you're not sure if you will be chaperoning anytime soon, it is good to have one on file just in case.

Please click on the link for a letter regarding our Emergency Management Plan.

For school closings and delays, please listen to WBZ News Radio 1030, CBS 4 or ABC 5 or sign up with TheBostonChannel.com to receive e-mail and/or cell phone notification when Milton has closings or delays.

Any absence over 3 days requires a doctor's note upon return to school. Please make sure your child is without a fever or vomiting for greater than 24 hours and is able to eat, prior to his/her return.

We have a program called Peaceful Playground. The children will learn how to play the games and problem-solving activities.