Friday Flash
October 25, 2024
Tuesday, November 5 – NO SCHOOL – Teacher Work Day. Friday, November 8 is a NOON DISMISSAL day. There is no Afterschool. There is also NO SCHOOL on Monday, November 11th. It is Veterans Day.
Auction Catalogs Go Home on Thursday, November 7th.
Make up Fall Picture Day – Will be Wednesday, November 13th.
Basketball and Cheer Registration! Registration Closes Today, October 25th!
Beginners welcome! Separate registration forms are needed if your child is participating in both Cheer and Basketball. Register here directly through FACTS. Registration is $125 per athlete.
Cheer open to grades 1st thru 8th.
Basketball open to grades 3rd thru 8th.
NEW THIS YEAR: In order to continue to have a successful season, all families are responsible for 2 volunteer hours per registered athlete at our home games through concessions, gatekeeping, gym cleaning, score table, or coaching. Volunteer opportunities will be announced through a SignUp Genius link that will be provided at a later date.
Questions? Please contact Patricia Olivar [email protected]
God’s Helpers –
SMS students lead the way on being the change they want to see in the world! St. Matthew’s God‘s Helpers is a service oriented club where our students can make a huge difference in the world around them. Open to 2nd through 8th grade students, projects this year will include outreach to numerous social programs (such as our Catholic Charities Diaper Drive and our Winter Coat Drive for PiN Ministries), assisting in the parish Food Pantry, Veterans Day Field of Heroes, and continuing our mission to show God’s love through acts of service in our school, families, and community.
Our first meeting is Thursday November 7th from 3:30-4:30. Pickup at 4:30 is by St. Mary’s Grotto outside the kindergarten doors. Please fill out the attached parent permission and student info form and have your student bring it to the first meeting. For more information please contact Meghan Ayers at [email protected].
Operation Field of Heroes –
In Honor of Veterans Day, God’s Helpers needs your help to create a special “Field of Heroes” right here at SMS to recognize, honor and THANK our Service Members – family members, friends, neighbors – who have dedicated their lives to serving our country. For a $3.00 donation (this year’s proceeds will be donated to the DAV Chapter 20) you can show your thanks and gratitude by sponsoring a small flag in honor of an individual who has served or is currently serving our country.
Each flag will be labeled with the name, rank and branch of service for the member being honored. We welcome you to honor as many service members as you like – one service member/veteran per flag. All proceeds will be donated to our local Disabled American Veterans chapter.
You can order your flag(s) at the link below, deadline to order is November 6th at 9am
MILITARY FAMILIES –
We will be holding a Veterans Day Breakfast and Prayer Service on Friday November 8. Please click HERE for more information on these events. As always, thank you for your service. Please reach out to me with any questions or concerns! [email protected] ~Alyce Steil, Military Liaison
VIRTUS TRAINING –
In accordance with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People all diocesan employees, clergy, religious, teachers, staff, and all volunteers who regularly or routinely work with children or youth participate in a Protecting God’s Children for Adults (VIRTUS) training session. This link connects to the VIRTUS website listing of currently scheduled training sessions within the Diocese of Richmond. To register for one of the sessions, click the Start Registration button. You will be prompted to create a user id and password. Follow the prompts to continue the registration process. After entering your personal information, a drop down function will enable you to select a Diocese of Richmond training center location/date/time. Continue to follow instructions as indicated to complete the pre-registration process. Childcare is not available unless noted on the session listing. There is no charge for this training. Sessions are available online and in person. St. Matthew’s School VIRTUS Facilitator Louise Lewis will be hosting online VIRTUS sessions on the following dates and times:
Tuesday 12/3/24 @ 6pm – Session is full
Tuesday 1/7/25 @ 6PM – 25 spots available
Tuesday 1/14/25 @ 6PM – 25 spots available
Tuesday 2/4/25 @ 6PM – 25 spots available
Tuesday 2/18/25 @ 6PM – 25 spots available
These sessions are available for registration on the VIRTUS website, although it is not required that you take VIRTUS with the SMS Facilitator. Please contact Louise Lewis at [email protected] if you have any questions.
FLU VACCINES- Earn a Dress Down Pass!
Let’s keep our kids healthy and in school!! If your children receive/received their flu vaccines this year, please send in documentation and they will earn a dress down pass. You can send it in with your child or you can email the documentation to the clinic at [email protected]. Your pediatrician and many other easy locations offer this vaccine. Below are some other local resources in our area that you might find easy to access. Also some locations may offer the Flu Vaccine Mist, this is a needle free vaccine, just call ahead and verify as it is not available everywhere.
Rite Aid
5795 Princess Anne Road
(757) 490-0307
Walk-Ins and Appts
AFC Urgent Care:
4520 Princess Anne Road
757-335-4755
Walk-Ins or save your spot ahead of time on their website
Irwins Pharmacy:
4300 Indian River Rd
757-420-8418
Very Close to school
Does not accept Tri-Care
Walgreens: Ages 3+
856 S Military Hwy
Virginia Beach, Va 23464
757-424-1752
Naval Medical Center Portsmouth:
620 John Paul Jones Cir
757-953-2207
Virginia Beach Health Department:
4452 Corporation Ln #200
Virginia Beach, VA 23462
757-518-2700
Chesapeake Health Department:
748 N Battlefield Blvd,
Chesapeake, VA 23320
757-382-8600
Spirit Shop –
The Spirit Shop will be closed the following days as we prepare for the Auction. However, online orders can still be filled.
Wednesday – 10/30 closed
Thursday – 11/7 Closed
Tuesday – 11/12 Closed
Wednesday – 11/13 Closed
Thursday – 11/14 Closed
Save the Date – iGiveCatholic on GivingTuesday is December 3rd!
#iGiveCatholic is a bishop-led initiative in partnership with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and dozens of individual dioceses to bring the Catholic community together to inspire and support generosity.
For Catholics, generosity and giving have a profound meaning. As we reflect with grateful hearts on how blessed we are, we naturally want to give back to God from our deep sense of gratitude.
The goal of #iGiveCatholic on GivingTuesday is to inspire the Catholic community to come together as faithful stewards and to “Give Back and Give Catholic” on GivingTuesday, a global day dedicated to inspiring generosity.
This year, St. Matthew’s is participating in #iGiveCatholic to seek help with upgrading our preschool playground equipment to better ensure the safety and well-being of our youngest learners. The finished play area will provide our students ages 2-4 with an updated, safe, and fenced outdoor play area to discover, learn, and grow in ways that are not conducive while inside the classroom.
Did you know many employers offer gift matching?
- American Express Geico
- DirecTV Amcor
- T-Mobile Xerox
- Sentara Wells Fargo
- Boeing Walmart
and SO many more! Speak with your HR department today to see if they are willing to match your donation on December 3rd!
Auction News –
VIP Tables are SOLD OUT! Reserved and single tickets are on sale now. We have limited tickets available, so purchase yours before we sell out. Click here to join us.
Our dedicated auction-lead parents have been working diligently to create an unforgettable class package. Last year, the combined efforts of class packages raised an incredible $26,000 during auction night! They need your support to reach these ambitious goals again. Please consider donating to help them purchase items that have not yet been donated. As a token of appreciation, any class donation made from 10/24 – 10/28 will earn a dress-down pass. Your contribution truly makes a difference—thank you for your generous support! Click here to make your donation.
Join us as a volunteer for our upcoming auction! This is a fantastic opportunity to gain valuable volunteer hours while significantly impacting our crucial fundraiser. Your support matters!
Please email Diana Powell at [email protected] with any questions.
Gym Set up
Treasures of the kitchen
Food Service
After Party Clean up
Sunday Pick up
Join the team! Please see the available Auction sponsorships.
WINE KEY SPONSOR – $1,000 includes –
- Company name & logo on wine key
- Two tickets to Auction, November 16, 2024
- 1 – 2 x 4 Banner displayed in the gym through March 2025
- Business card ad in Auction Catalog
Name and company recognition on all auction marketing material & social media
SECURITY SPONSOR – $500 includes –
- 1 – 2 x 4 Banner displayed in the gym through March 2025
- Business card ad in Auction Catalog
- Name and company recognition on all auction marketing material & social media
From your Parent Teacher Guild—
Upcoming PTG Events:
Friday 10/25: Trunk or Treat and Chili Cookoff @6-8pm
Friday 11/8: Parents’ Night Out 6-9pm
Friday 12/20: Cookies and Cocoa with Santa
TRUNK OR TREAT –
Get ready for a fang-tastic night full of fun, frights, and fiery flavors! The annual Trunk or Treat & Chili Cook-Off (hosted by the PTG) is TONIGHT, Friday, October 25th, from 6-8 PM at SMS. You won’t want to ghost this event!
We have the delicious chili cook off and lots of trunks to get your boos and ghouls candy and treats. Look for the QR codes at each trunk to vote for the Fan Favorite Trunk! All winners will be announced on the PTG Facebook page and in next week’s Friday Flash.
PTG Trunk or Treat Pizza and Chili Tasting Ticket Pre-Order Form
PARENTS’ NIGHT OUT
Attention Parents!
Need a night out? Let the PTG help! Join us for Parents’ Night Out on November 8th from 6-9pm! For just $15 per child (or $10 per child if you sign up 3 or more kiddos), your little ones will enjoy a fun evening with Mrs. Parrish— pre-school aide and Mrs. Ayers— kindergarten aide—both Virtus, Safety, and First Aid/CPR trained.
The night includes pizza, a drink, and some popcorn/ chips during a G-rated movie! It’s going to be a blast for the kids, and a break for you!
Don’t miss out—save the date and sign up now!