St. Mary School Swormville -

Trout Update: Our alevin are growing bigger & stronger every day! Many of them have already lost their attached yolk sac for nourishment, & soon we will begin feeding them & they will be known as "fry". The transition from living off the yolk to independent feeding is a critical life stage for the young trout.

Our grades 3, 4, & 5 students are truly embracing observing the trout each week. During prayerful observation time, students listen to/sing the Prayer of St. Francis (the patron saint of animals) while observing them in their tank. It is truly amazing that our students are able to witness the changes between stages in the trout life cycle right in front of them in their classroom!

#browntrout #troutunlimited #alevin #fry #lifestages #stfrancis #troutintheclassroom #grade3 #grade4 #grade5

🇺🇸 In honor of Veterans Day tomorrow, SMS students in grades K-8 made thank you cards that were distributed to veterans at all St. Mary's weekend Masses.

In addition, students donated $2 to dress down today in patriotic colors in support of the Senior Wishes program. Senior Wishes recognizes the service of WNY Senior Veterans with HERO Boxes. During the month of November, HERO Boxes filled with patriotic items are delivered to local veterans, & they are invited to share their stories. Each individual story reminds us what true service & sacrifice look like, & why we are thankful for these heroic men & women!

#VeteransDay #thankyouforyourservice #SeniorWishes #GodBlessAmerica #Heroes #FAITH #SERVICE

Students decorated a "coat of many colors" during their Rise & Shine time this past Friday morning. We reflected on the virtue of humility, & how we can be grateful for the gifts God has given us, while also recognizing the gifts of others!

#coatofmanycolors #riseandshine #humility #Godsgifts #FAITH

Last week we honored students as well as a staff member who have displayed the virtue of #studiousness during the month of October. These individuals were recognized not for their willingness to engage in academic study, but rather the fact that they seek knowledge to grow closer to God's truth. Congratulations students & Mrs. Wojtaszek!

#virtueofthemonth #october #CatholicValues #TomorrowsLeaders #FAITH

There are now just 2 DAYS until our Meat Raffle! Speaking of 2- you might be sitting at a TABLE FOR 2 at Gertie's in Clarence Center if you win the $50 Gertie's gift card available in our Special Raffles! But you have to be in attendance this Saturday night to take a chance...

Tickets are still available online until midnight tonight, & then for $20 at the door this Saturday. See you there!
www.stmaryschoolswormville.org/meat

#twomoredays #tablefortwo #meatraffle

🎅🏼🎄The St. Mary School HSA Meat Raffle is in just 4 DAYS and, not to alarm you, but there are only about 50 shopping days left until Christmas! 😯 Why not prep for Christmas gifting, decorating or baking with these great baskets, only available to win if you’re in attendance this Sat. night.

Click here for tickets, online sales end Thurs., 11/6 at midnight, after that tickets will be available at the door on Sat. night: https://www.stmaryschoolswormville.org/meat

#meatraffle #ChristmasisComing #christmasbaking #giftideas

🍂🍁 Kindergarten investigated pumpkins last week & had some Fall fun! They used their 5 senses to dive deep into what a pumpkin sounds, looks, smells, & feels like. (They left the tasting for another day!) Students also measured pumpkin height using math manipulatives & graphed their favorite pumpkin face. After they got their hands all gooey, they got outside to enjoy the Fall weather with an oozing pumpkin experiment & a bit of playing in the Fall leaves.

#SMStheplacetoBEE #Kindergarten #Fall2025 #PumpkinFun #fivesenses #measurement #KNOWLEDGE

👻🎃🍭 Our Montessori class had so much fun at their Halloween party last week! They painted Halloween ornaments, made ghosts using cotton balls, created cauldrons using toilet paper rolls, decorated Halloween cookies, & checked out some spooky sensory bins. Thanks so much to all of our parents & guardians who helped prepare for the party, volunteered & provided supplies!

#montessorilearning #partytime #Halloween2025 #painting #frosting #sensoryexploration

Grade 4 recently learned about the Iroquois of NYS & enjoyed creating longhouses to demonstrate part of their culture. The name Haudenosaunee means "People of the Longhouse." To the Haudenosaunee people, the longhouse meant much more than the building where they lived. The Longhouse was also a symbol for many of the traditions of their society. Five nations formed the original Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy. These nations shared a territory they thought of as a large longhouse. The Senecas, who lived in the western end of this territory, were the "Keepers of the Western Door" of the Longhouse. The Mohawks, who lived in the eastern end of the territory, were the "Keepers of the Eastern Door." The Onondagas held the important role of "Keepers of the Central Council Fire and Wampum." These nations are known for their historic territory in upstate New York and their democratic government, which is considered one of the oldest participatory democracies in the world. 

#nyshistory #socialstudies #nativeamericans #longhouse #culture #architecture #democracy #grade4

Our first graders recently created Autumn leaf sun catchers, which corresponded with their lesson on 'Care for Creation.' In searching for leaves they also found some ladybugs, which was an unexpected bonus!

#careforcreation #FAITH #religion #grade1 #ladybugs #GodsCreation