To start off the month of September our students were sorted into their 2026-2027 Faith Families! Faith Families are the house system at St. Mary School Swormville, comprised of groups of students represented by a Saint & led by one of our teachers. These mixed-grade-level groups sit together at Mass, take turns leading the liturgy, & work together for special projects & events like Catholic Schools Week, Spirit Week & the HSA Picnic.
The HSA Picnic is one of students' favorite annual events, and includes leaky cups, bounce houses, relays, a hot dog lunch, & an 8th grade vs. the teachers volleyball game! Faith Families compete against each other for the glory & honor of winning the day's competitions.
House systems like our Faith Families build community, encourage positive behavior, and foster healthy competition amongst students. Mixing different ages allows older students to mentor younger peers while building strong leadership and social skills. Inter-house events span sports, religious instruction, and academics so every child has a unique chance to contribute to their team's success.
Click here to see photos of each new Faith Family and learn about their unique saint.
We also had some very special visitors to the school to kick off the new year! Bishop Michael Fisher and Mrs. Joleen Dimitroff, Superintendent of Catholic Elementary Schools, visited St. Mary School this month. They had the chance to visit classes, speak with students, and even participate in our daily "Rise and Shine" activity with all of our students in the gym.
Our youngest students had some great questions for Bishop Mike. They asked about his favorite food, how he became a bishop, what a typical day looks like for him, and why he wears a Pectoral Cross!
Click here to see more photos from their visit.
Please keep our students and teachers in your prayers for a wonderful rest of the school year!