Principal's Weekly Newsletter
April 10, 2026
A Message from the Dean of Students, Ms. Nicole Kfoury
My dear S.T.A.R.S. families,
Spring has certainly sprung at 67 Harvard - and in true New England fashion, it’s 30 degrees in the morning and 60 by the afternoon. What should one even wear?! Our uniform-wearing students are very lucky in my opinion. We’re all hoping the spring weather stays this way as we head into a season full of growth, energy, and opportunity for everyone and everything around us.
At SMAS, we are always working together to uphold both strong academic rigor and a deeply rooted faith-based foundation, while also prioritizing meaningful student experiences (which is an essential and joyful part of my role). This spring will bring a variety of field trips across grade levels, each thoughtfully designed to enrich learning beyond the classroom. This week, however, brought a particularly special experience for our Middle School students. Our entire Middle School cohort had an unforgettable Farm School Experience at The Inn at East Hill Farm! From the moment they arrived in New Hampshire for their overnight field trip, the day was filled with rigorous hands-on learning, teamwork, and plenty of fun!
Students kicked things off with orientation and jumped right into farm life, rotating through sessions where they cared for animals like sheep, goats, cows, and horses. They rolled up their sleeves for real farm chores, gaining exposure to and a deeper appreciation of the very hard work that keeps a farm running. The afternoon brought even more excitement with a guided nature walk, relaxing crafts, and time to unwind and bond with friends and SMAS faculty. After a delicious farm-to-table dinner, the evening wrapped up with lively contra dancing and some well-earned free time before lights out.
A special thank you to our chaperones, Dr. Nadjarian, Miss Falcone, Mr. O’Connor, and Mr. Pritchett for leading by example and making this experience possible. Thank you also to East Hill Farm for providing such an unforgettable opportunity for our students! It was a trip full of new experiences, laughter, and memories that I believe will last a lifetime!
My prayer for you all is that you have a safe weekend full of rest and productivity. We will see you on Monday, ready for a week of learning!
Health Update: A Message from Nurse Katie
With spring upon us, many of us are looking forward to spending more time outdoors. However, the warmer weather and blooming plants also bring pollen and other environmental irritants that can make this season challenging for those with seasonal allergies.
To help keep our students healthy and comfortable at school, I’d like to share a few reminders as we head into allergy season. If your child experiences seasonal allergies and their pediatrician has recommended a daily antihistamine, please ensure they take it before coming to school. This can help minimize symptoms during the day and support their ability to focus and participate fully.
While I am always happy to assist students in managing symptoms at school, preventing them before they begin is often the most effective approach.
Please see the resources below for more information on preparing for allergy season, recognizing symptoms, and managing them effectively:
VOICES Boston
On Monday, some of our St. Mary's students performed the National Anthem at the Red Sox game alongside the VOICES Boston Ensemble. Many of our St. Mary's community members attended the game to cheer on our students and the Red Sox! It was such a wonderful night together out in the Boston community.
K1
K1 students have begun their exciting unit on the solar system, diving into an exploration of the sun, moon, and all the planets. This week, they learned about the Earth’s rotation around the sun and began to understand how these movements shape our world. Students created models, painted planets, and engaged in creative projects that deepen their understanding. Their curiosity and enthusiasm are shining as they explore the wonders of space!
K2
Grade 2
Second grade students have been working in Number Corner this April with a focus on fractions. Through the daily Calendar Grid routine, they add a new fraction each day and observe how the fractions change and build over time. As the month progresses, students have been looking for patterns and changes and comparing fractional amounts.
Grade 3
This weekend in third grade students in Ms. Kousidis’ class brainstormed all the information that they have for their expert topic books. Students brainstorm their ideas in their writers notebooks and then sorted them into categories in order to group them for paragraphs. We’re so excited to see how their stories turn out!!
Grade 5
Grade 5 scientists are started building their eco-columns that combine a terrarium and an aquarium to create a complete, balanced ecosystem. Over time, students will observe and maintain their models, conducting tests to study how changes in the environment affect living organisms and natural processes. This long-term investigation helps students understand how human activity can impact ecosystems and the importance of environmental balance.
