Family Commitment at St. Mary Catholic School
An effective school is a partnership among parents, students and the school. Service is an essential and fun opportunity to work closely with the staff members and to get to know other parents within the St. Mary Catholic School (SMCS) community. Donating your time can be incredibly rewarding and it is a wonderful way to have a positive influence in your child’s life and to build our school community. This is our Many Hands Make Light Work policy.
We are grateful to, and dependent upon families who, through their gifts of time, treasure, and talent, enhance the quality of education we are able to provide our students. At SMCS, we believe that giving of ourselves to others is one of the most fundamental concepts a student can learn and that it is one of the best lessons a Catholic School education can teach. We firmly believe that we as a community must lead by example.
St. Mary Catholic School, with the full support of its Home & School Association, School Board, Principal, and Pastor, requires 30 hours of service per family per school year. Family Commitment volunteers hours not completed will be charged at a rate of $30/hr. These hours can be achieved through the efforts of multiple family members, including parents, grandparents, siblings not currently attending SMCS, etc. (Donated party items, such as baked goods and party supplies will accrue at 30 minutes per item/ category. Larger donated items, such as auction items will count on a $30 donation = 1 hour served basis. Donations to the SMCS Annual Fund will also count on a $30 donation equals one hour served basis.)
The service opportunities at SMCS are boundless. Opportunities are available during the days, evenings, and weekends throughout the year. Specific events will be advertised via SignUpGenius email for specific shifts, donations, etc.
However, hours will be tracked using this Google Form (Family Commitment Program – Track Hours (google.com)).
In accordance with the Archdiocese of Baltimore, SMCS requires that anyone who will have substantial contact with children meet the Archdiocesan VIRTUS requirements. The knowledge one gains from this program allows us to better provide a safe environment for children. (https://stmarycatholicschool.org/virtus/)
Interested in Learning More about our Catholic School?
In choosing St. Mary Catholic School, you are investing in your child’s tomorrow. For over 145 years students and families have been entrusting SMCS for educational excellence – spiritually, academically, and socially. We invite you to visit our campus in historic Hagerstown, Maryland to learn more about our school as well as our school community.