FAQs

Is there a before school program at St. Mary's?

Yes!

Before School Program

Before School Program  Is there a before school program at St. Mary's? YES!! We've had a before-school program at St. Mary's for many years. Staff supervision is provided for children whose parents must be at work early. What are the hours of the program? The program runs every school day from 7:00 a.m. until 8:00 a.m. At 8:00 a.m., the normal time for student arrival, the children in the before-school program move to the school gymnasium, where the morning prayers and announcements begin at 8:10 a.m.  What is the cost of the program? Check this link for a list.  Parents are encouraged to contact the school office at (607) 756-5614 or by e-mail at smarycor@syrdiocese.org for more information.  What activities are offered? Games, reading, and other before school appropriate activities are offered in the before-school room Is there a school breakfast program? No, there is no breakfast program at the school. Operation of such a program was considered by St. Mary's, but a survey of parents indicated that there was not adequate interest to justify maintaining a breakfast program.

 

Is there an after school program at St.Mary's?

Yes!

 Our Afterschool Program operates from dismissal at 3pm until 5:30 to support working parents.  There is a fee, and it is pro-rated according to how long your child is present at the program each day. Check HERE for fee schedules.  Students have a snack, play, and often work with SUNY Cortland Physical Education students.  We also offer a homework room M-Th,  3-4pm, (covered by regular afterschool costs) staffed by teachers for those students who want to work before they go home.

 

Additionally, we offer other programs during our after school hours:

Art Service Club*

Boy Scouts/ Girl Scouts*

Voice Lessons*

*These programs are independently operated outside of the Afterschool Program.  Please contact the school office if any of these programs interest your family.*

 

 

What special classes or instruction are available at St. Mary's?

•Art

•Gym

•Library

•Music - Vocal

•Music - Instrumental

 *** New- Technology

 

 

Is there a Pre-K Program at St. Mary's?

Yes!  Our Pre-K program is fabulous!  Pre-K students work on an amazing assortment of developmental activities and pre-reading skills throughout the day.  They are also included in our Special classes: Art, Music, PE and visits to the Library.   We have several Pre-K classrooms in our school.  All Pre-K teachers are NYS certified teachers, and hold Master's Degrees in Education.  Each Pre-K classroom is also staffed with a teaching assistant.  We have several options for attending Pre-K.  We offer 3 or 5 days of attendance, with either full or half days available.  Children should be 3 years old and fully toilet trained before enrolling in the class.   Current tuition rates vary by number of days, length of days, and the number of family members that are enrolled at SMS.  Please contact the office for current tuition information.

 

 

Tidbits, Trivia & History

• Does St. Mary's have a school song or alma mater? 

OUR ALMA MATER

God bless St. Mary's School,
School that we love.

Stand beside her, and guide her,
through the night, with the light from above.

In the classrooms, on the fields,
teach us to be loyal and true.

God bless St. Mary's School, 
her gold and blue.

God bless St. Mary's School, 
her gold and blue

• What are the School colors for St. Mary's? As you've undoubtedly been able to deduce since your arrival at this page, our school colors are BLUE and GOLD. Graduates of St. Mary's are likely to remember the colors, since reference is made to them in our Alma Mater. 

 

• Does St. Mary's have any athletic teams that compete inter-scholastically? St. Mary's School has sports teams formed in cooperation with the Cortland Youth Bureau.

GO ST.  MARY'S STARS!!!

 

• What priests have been affiliated with St. Mary's School through the years? In our seventy year history St. Mary's School has benefited from the guidance of eight pastors who have been affiliated with our school. These pastors, who have also served as the pastors of St. Mary's Church, were recognized on the weekend of April 19 - 20, 1997 for the important part they play in the life of students, teachers, parents and staff. That weekend was designated as a National "Day" of Appreciation for Catholic School Pastors by the National Catholic Educational Association.
  
  We would like to specially thank Father Mark Kaminski, our current school pastor.  We would also like to thank each of the prior pastors for all they have done and continue to do for the school. Those pastors and their years of service as pastor to the school are set forth  below.

1928-34 - Rt. Rev. Msgr. Patrick J. Donohoe
1934-1940 - Rev. William J. Christian
1940-1954 - Rev. Laurence I. Horan
1954-1968 - Rev. George May
1968-1978 - Rt. Rev. Msgr. George E. Arseneau
1978-1981 - Rt. Rev. Msgr. John M. Zeder
1981-1993 - Rev. Thomas Keating
1993-2005 - Father John Fenlon
2005-2009 - Mnsgr. Michael Minehan
2009-2009 - Father Tormey
2009- 2011- Rev. Mark Kaminski
2009 -2011  - Father Lucasz Koslowski

2011-present Father Lucian Urbaniak