21 August 2026

Before Day One

☐ Finish any outstanding enrollment paperwork

☐ Apply for the Idaho education tax credit, if you haven't already

☐ Confirm your bus / pickup / drop-off plan — knowing the routine helps everyone stay safe during busy arrival and dismissal times

☐ Label lunchboxes, water bottles, and jackets

☐ Check that uniforms still fit

☐ Order Uniforms @ Lands End

☐ Update health forms or allergy info if anything's changed

First Week Basics

☐ Know your child's teacher and the best way to reach them

☐ Note the Friday Mass schedule and any Mass-day dress expectations

☐ Calendar early dates — Blessing of the Backpacks, first all-school Mass

☐ Bookmark The Lion's Share (the school newsletter) so you don't miss updates

Settling In

☐ Set a simple after-school routine — snack, downtime, homework

☐ Find one good way to ask about their day (not just "fine")

Nice-to-Haves

☐ Sign up to volunteer, if you'd like to get involved

☐ Add school dates to your family calendar

Idaho law requires immunization records (or an exemption) on file for every student. A few groups need attention now: 7th graders need their Tdap (whooping cough) and Meningococcal boosters, new students need complete records from their previous school or pediatrician, and Preschool/Pre-K families need age-appropriate immunizations on file. Please send updated records to the office by August 25. Questions? Contact Arika Pratt (office@stmarysmoscow.org) or 208-882-2121

Every single day, our parking lot turns into a beautiful little dance of car doors, backpacks, and "I love you, have a great day!" — and like any good dance, it only works when everyone knows their steps! That's why knowing the drop-off and pick-up routine isn't just about traffic flow, it's about keeping every one of our precious Lions safe from the first bell to the last. And in the rare moment something unexpected happens, a calm parent who knows exactly where to go and what to do is worth their weight in gold — you become part of our safety net, not just a bystander. So buckle up, follow the flow, and know your role — it's one of the simplest ways to say "I've got your back" to every child on this campus, not just your own!

Max is a curious boy who, while fishing with his grandfather, asks the ultimate question: "Why am I here?" His grandfather's answer becomes Max's touchstone all year: he's here to become the-best-version-of-himself.

Talk about it as a family:

• What does it mean to become "the-best-version-of-yourself"?
• Who in your life, like Max's grandfather, helps you become better?

Why Am I Here? kicks off our year because it asks the same question we're asking together as a school — who we are, and who we're becoming.

Look for a new Book of the Month in every newsletter!

Here's what we know so far:

• Open to all students in Grades K–7

• LEGO robotics platform — building, programming, and teamwork

• Goal of competing in a regional competition at the University of Idaho

• Expected time commitment: approximately 2 hours per week

This is very much in the early planning stages — once we know how many students are interested, we'll finalize the details: schedule, team structure, and coaching. Your response now is what helps us build the right plan for St. Mary's.

If your child (in any grade, K–7) would like to participate, please let us know by August 28 by emailing Randi Croyle (randiroo27@gmail.com) or Marie Bordeleau (mbordeleau@stmarysmoscow.org)

We're excited about what this could bring to our students — problem-solving, creativity, and teamwork, all wrapped up in something genuinely fun. Thank you for considering it!

To the Families at St. Mary’s Catholic School,

As many of you know, I am a member of the Ursuline Sisters of the Roman Union. Several things have been developing in my life that will affect my ability to be at St. Mary’s School this coming year. I wanted to tell you what has been happening.

For our entire history, the Ursuline Sisters in the United States have been divided into geographical provinces (West, East, and Central states) —each operating independently. However, we have been asked by the leaders of our Ursuline Order to move in a new direction—not provinces--- but rather we have been called to be one Region encompassing the entire United States! This venture is both an exciting and challenging one in so many ways.

Personally, I have been discerned into leadership for this new USA Region as the regional councilor for the West. I will be on a team of four Ursulines that will be encompassing the entire USA. With this new responsibility, I will no longer be able to donate my time at St. Mary’s School (though I do plan to “pop in occasionally”). To my knowledge, I will continue to reside in Moscow as my home base. If this remains so, I will still be able to be involved with St. Mary’s Foundation Board (which benefits the school) as well as the Parish’s OCIA program.

It truly has been my privilege to assist the school in its Mission, and definitely, it has been a deep joy to have worked with such gifted teachers/staffs, and to know each of you, the parents and your children through the years.

Be assured you will be kept in my prayers, and please keep me in yours too.

Blessings for a most grace-filled year in all ways!

Sister Margaret Johnson, osu

Sister Margaret, we don't quite know how to say thank you in a way that captures what you've meant to this school.

For years, you've shown up for us — in classrooms, in hallways, in quiet conversations that probably meant more than you know. You've loved our students, walked alongside our staff, and given your time and heart to a mission you clearly believe in. That kind of faithfulness leaves a mark.

We're so happy this new chapter keeps you close to home, and we're holding onto every "pop in" you promised us. Please know you leave this role not with a goodbye, but with a whole community that is deeply grateful and cheering you on.

You will be in our prayers, Sister — today and always.

With love and gratitude,
Your St. Mary's Community

We know it's hard to keep track of everything — Mass schedules, early dismissals, sports, and all-school events like the Back-to-School BBQ. To make it easier, you can now subscribe to the St. Mary's calendar directly in Google Calendar. Once it's set up, school events will show up right alongside your personal calendar and update automatically whenever something changes on our end.

Click on the button below for a short step-by-step guide to get you connected. If you run into any trouble, reach out to Dr. B (mbordeleau@stmarysmoscow.org0

Ministry Expo — August 23

We'd love to see kiddos in their Mass uniforms and parents at our table. Bonus: anyone who stops by in uniform gets a free dress coupon!

Email Cassandra if you can help man the table — Cassmarie29@gmail.com

ONGOING VOLUNTEER ROLES

Auction Decorating Lead

We're looking for a Decorating Lead for the Auction as planning begins this fall. If you have a creative eye and love bringing a room to life for a big event, this could be your role — as much or as little support as you'd like to bring together. Email fundraising@stmarysmoscow.org

Ongoing need — Email Dr. B (mbordeleau@stmarysmoscow.org)

Archivist

Help organize the treasured items that celebrate our school's rich history — a meaningful, flexible role for anyone who loves preserving a story.

Help Us Think Through Volunteering

We're still early in figuring out what a simple, sustainable volunteer approach could look like at St. Mary's. Looking for one or two parents to kick around ideas over coffee — no experience or commitment required, just an interest in helping us think it through together.

Coffee with Dr. Bordeleau — mbordeleau@stmarysmoscow.org

CAMPUS CLEAN-UP & ORGANIZATION DAY

We're pulling together a team of 5+ parent volunteers to help clean out and organize our campus. If you're handy with organizing spaces, don't mind a little elbow grease, or just want to pitch in for a good cause, we'd love to have you. Once we have our team, we'll find a Saturday that works for everyone.

Banners

☐ Clean and rehang the banners — so they are all level

Paint Touch-Ups

☐ Cover scuff marks on walls — with matching paint

Janitor's Closet (Main Floor)

☐ Clean out the closet — including the sink

☐ Wash all the mops — janitor's supplies, kitchen mops, etc.

Lost & Found

☐ Sort through items and ready the section for the new year — usable items go to the Hope Center, the rest to the trash

Interested? Reach out to Dr. Bordeleau to join the clean-up team, sign up for an event, or grab coffee to talk volunteering.

Thank you for being part of the St. Mary's family.