Principal's Weekly Newsletter
January 16th, 2026
A Message from the School Nurse, Ms. Katie Cooke
Dear St. Mary's Families,
As we move through the school year, I want to share how much I have truly enjoyed getting to know and care for our students. Over the past few months, I have felt so welcomed by the school community and have loved watching our students grow each day. It has been a pleasure supporting them in the Health Office, and I look forward to continuing to do so throughout the year!
With another New England winter upon us, it is important that we all take steps to help keep our students comfortable and healthy. Winter weather brings not only colder temperatures, but also very dry air—both outdoors and indoors due to heating systems. These factors can contribute to children’s skin becoming more dry and irritated during the winter months as moisture is pulled from the skin. Staying hydrated and keeping skin moisturized are important ways to help protect your child’s skin and minimize discomfort.
I have already seen an increase in students visiting the Health Office for dry skin and chapped lips this year. Unscented lotion is available for students in the Health Office, as well as petroleum jelly (Vaseline/Aquaphor), which I apply to dry or cracked lips using a cotton swab.
I am always happy to help care for and support our students, and these products will continue to be available. However, it is often most helpful for children to have their own personal lip balm and lotion available to them during the school day. This allows students to reapply as needed without having to leave the classroom and miss instructional time, helping them stay comfortable and focused on learning. Below are a few tips to help support your child during the winter months:
Tips for Winter Skin Care
Hydration
Staying hydrated is one of the best ways to help prevent dry skin. Drinking water helps keep skin healthy from the inside.
Water fountains are available throughout the school; however, sending your child to school with a refillable water bottle allows them easy access to water throughout the day.
For Dry or Chapped Lips
Consider sending lip balm for your child to keep in their backpack or lunchbox.
For Dry Skin
Consider sending a travel-sized, unscented lotion for your child to keep in their backpack or lunchbox.
**Please remember to label all personal items (lip balm, lotion, and water bottles) with your child’s name.
Product Recommendations:
Resources:
Grade 4 leading (indoor) Parking Lot Prayers!
Noah and Patrick did the Friday morning announcements!
Gracie's jump shot at basketball practice!
Save the Date!
PreK-Grade 2 students are invited to the Winter Wonderland Dance on February 26th from 4-6pm! Each student and one adult guest are welcome to come to school for a wonderful winter celebration. A formal invitation, details, and RSVP to follow.
Tennis Club
The K2-2 Tennis Club is off to a great start. Students were excited to begin learning the basics of tennis with Ms. McAuliffe. During the first session, students practiced foundational skills such as holding a racket, tracking the ball, and following simple instructions. The club focuses on building coordination, teamwork, and confidence while encouraging a love for physical activity and the sport of tennis. Students are looking forward to continuing to develop their tennis skills and enjoying time with friends each week!
Infant
This week in the infant classroom, the students learned all about winter. They read The Mitten and explored the story of Nicki and his warm white mittens, one of which was lost in the snow and filled with animals trying to stay cozy. The students worked on an art project that followed the book. They practiced motor skills by pasting each animal inside their very own mitten. During this activity, the class also talked about each animal and the sounds they make, supporting early language development. The students also enjoyed a morning song called “The Mitten on the Ground.” The song followed the story and reviewed each animal from the book while incorporating different movements for the students to try. They also explored a mitten sensory bin. They practiced fitting different animals inside mittens or a hat and played with soft snowballs.
PreK
In Miss Tiffany’s PreK class, students learned all about the cycle of a snowflake! Miss Tiffany read a short story about snowflakes then had a discussion about the book. They worked together as a class to put the cycle together, and then they each got to color, cut, and glue the cycle. They learned that first water droplets freeze around pieces of dust in the cloud when it’s cold, then crystals form when the frozen water droplets stick together. Next, the ice crystals grow bigger as more clump together and freeze, and finally the crystals grow heavier, collide, and fall out of the cloud forming snowflakes.
Grade 1
This week in first grade, students continued working on their peer interviews. They are preparing to learn all about their classmates! Students brainstormed what questions they wanted to ask their partner, using their knowledge of trick works like who, what, where, and why, to help them spell. Then, they began the interview part of their project. They asked thoughtful questions to their peers so they can write short biographies later! Great job, writers!
Grade 2
Middle School
This past Sunday evening, the Dean of Students, Ms. Nicole Kfoury, and a number of parents collaborated to bring St. Mary’s Middle School cohort on a field trip to Boston’s theater district! In attendance were students, parents, administration, and faculty members. This critically acclaimed Broadway musical not only has legendary songs but deep historical context. During the pre-show dinner reception, Miss Falcone discussed what was happening in Austria and Germany in 1938. Students had a blast and staff members couldn’t help but sing along. We had a wonderful, classical evening at the theatre!
In ELA, Miss Falcone’s students have begun preparing for their next novel, The Giver, by working through engaging pre-reading stations. Each station encouraged critical thinking and collaboration as students explored key themes connected to the story. Following the station work, the class participated in a thoughtful discussion about the differences between a utopia and a dystopia, as well as the role of rules in building a community. This activity helped build excitement and anticipation as students prepare to read The Giver.
