12 June 2026

Treasured St. Mary Families -

As we close out the 2025–26 school year, I hope you join in gratitude for this community, for the trust we have extended to one another, and for the work with which everyone engaged.

St. Mary's is a school in motion. The transitions and structures that have been navigated and built, and the vision cast, are the result of purposeful work. They are the fruit of our focus on academic excellence and operational vitality.

A note on our Humanities search: we are in the final stages of hiring for our 6th and 7th grade Humanities position and are close to having wonderful news to share. We will introduce our new team member as soon as everything is finalized — we can't wait.

A Quick Reminder: Middle School in 2026–27: Beginning this fall, students in 5th through 8th grade will experience a fully departmentalized model — rotating between teachers who bring deep expertise to their subject areas. This structure honors where our upper elementary students are developmentally and gives them a meaningful bridge to the high school experience ahead.

At the heart of this model is something I am especially excited about: a new Christian Leadership Elective for grades 5–8, co-facilitated by Mr. Brad Herrenbruck. This is not a typical elective. It is a formation experience — weaving together executive functioning skills, public speaking, servant leadership, and Student Council into one cohesive program. Our goal is simple: to form students who don't just know their faith, they live it. Who don't just learn about leadership, they practice it.

Rigorous. Relational. Rooted in the Gospel. That is the middle school we are building.

What's Inside This Newsletter

This is your one-stop shop for everything you need as you head into summer and the new school year. Please read it carefully — beginning in August, our goal is to keep all essential communication here rather than in your inbox. Below this letter is information on the following:

• 📅 Academic Calendar
• 📘 Recommendation for Summer Work
• 📋 Dress Code for 2026–27
• 🔄 Re-Enrollment Reminder

This is the final Lion's Share of the 2025–26 year. Our first newsletter of 2026–27 will arrive on the first Friday of August — watch for it. But know we are here if you have any questions this summer.

Thank you for being the kind of families who show up, ask good questions, and believe in what Catholic education can do for a child. It is an honor to lead this school alongside you.

And, until we meet again, may God keep you safe in the palm of his hand.

Dr. Marie Bordeleau

We are here for you.

The school and business office are open daily 8–3 — call, email, or stop by. No question is too small.

And if you know a friend, neighbor, or family member who might be a great fit for St. Mary's, send them our way. We are just as happy to welcome them — and we offer free registration for any family you refer.

Report Cards

Final report cards were mailed home on Tuesday. If you did not receive it please contact the front office.

If you have questions about your child's grade or a comment on the report card, please reach out to the teacher directly.

Free Orton Gillingham Summer 2026 Reading Program — for your K–5 families, no cost

If your child could benefit from extra reading support this summer — or if you simply want to keep their skills sharp before the new school year — we have an opportunity to share with you.

The Orton-Gillingham Institute, Inc. is offering a completely free 4-week virtual reading program to families across the United States this summer. The program is fully grant-funded, which means families pay nothing — no fees, no materials cost, no hidden charges.

What Your Child Will Get — At No Cost

• 4 weeks of live, virtual reading instruction
• NEW: 2 sessions per week (expanded from 1), 45 minutes each
• Small group instruction taught by qualified U.S.-based teachers
• Orton-Gillingham-based curriculum — evidence-based and multisensory
• A practice packet your child can use during the program
• End-of-program progress update
• Certificate of completion

Open to students entering or completing Kindergarten through 5th grade (ages 6–12). Families anywhere in the U.S. can apply — the program is 100% virtual.

Two Cohorts: July 2026 and August 2026

Choose your preferred cohort on the application. Both run for 4 weeks. Pick whichever fits your family's summer schedule.

How the Application Works

We use a two-step process to keep things fair:

Step 1 — Right now, complete the interest form to be added to our official applicant pool. The form is open today.

Step 2 — On Sunday, June 15, 2026, the actual application link goes live — at the same time for every family in the pool. Spots are limited and filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Historically, they fill within minutes of the application opening.

A Few Quick FAQs

Is this really free? Yes, completely. The program is fully grant-funded.

What if I have multiple children? Include all eligible children on a single family application. Please submit only one application per family.

Can my child apply if they're not behind in reading? Yes — all skill levels are welcome.

What technology do we need? A computer or tablet, reliable internet, and a quiet space for your child.

Can I contact my child's school with questions? No — please contact The Orton-Gillingham Institute directly. The program is offered independently by us.

We hope your family takes advantage of this opportunity. Your child's strongest reading year may start this summer.

Just 15–20 minutes of reading, writing, or math each day — even four or five days a week — is enough to keep skills sharp and minds ready for fall. Think of it less like school and more like staying in shape: a little, consistently, goes a long way.

Parents if you were planning on applying for some financial aid for next school year, please know all requests need to be in by the July 15 deadline.

Application Link to apply for financial aid: https://online.factsmgt.com/grant-aid/inst/468PV/landing-page

If you haven't yet completed your re-enrollment for 2026–27, now is the time. Securing your child's spot helps us plan well — class sizes, staffing, and resources are all shaped by the numbers we have in hand before summer.

CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE RE-ENROLLMENT

If something is giving you pause — a financial question, a concern you haven't had the chance to voice, or a circumstance that needs a conversation — please reach out to me directly. We would far rather talk with you than lose you quietly. No question is too small, and no situation is too complicated to explore together. My door, and my inbox, are always open.

Now Open for Tours — and a Thank-You for Referrals

We are now offering tours for the 2026–27 school year, and there's no better way to experience St. Mary's than to walk our halls and see our classrooms in action. If you know a family who might be a good fit, send them our way.

And as a thank-you: when a family you refer enrolls, you receive one free registration for the coming year. Our best ambassadors have always been our own families, and we're grateful for every introduction you make.

To schedule a tour or pass along a referral, just reply to this email or contact the school office.

Marie
mbordeleau@stmarysmoscow.org