Message from the Principal

Important messages from the school principal.

Principal’s Message 10-03-24

St. Margaret of Scotland Families: This Wednesday, we celebrated one of our great yearly traditions – Sweatshirt Mass.  After all-school Mass…

Learn More

Principal’s Message 09-26-24

St. Margaret of Scotland Families: As we get into October, this is a great time to check-in on your student’s…

Learn More

Principal’s Message 09-19-24

St. Margaret of Scotland Families: Recently, I was asked by one of our parents about the influx of Friday half-days…

Learn More

Clarifications About Standardized Testing

St. Margaret of Scotland Families: I have received several questions about some clarification on standardized testing this year.  I would…

Learn More

Principal’s Message 09-12-24

St. Margaret of Scotland Families: It was truly awesome seeing our school families so well represented this past weekend at…

Learn More

Safe Touch Letter 09-06-24

Please find attached a letter from Patrick Holley regarding Safe Touch at St. Margaret’s School.

Learn More

Principal’s Message 09-05-24

St. Margaret of Scotland Families: I hope to see everyone this Sunday at our Mass in the Grass/Back to School…

Learn More

Principal’s Message 08-29-24

St. Margaret of Scotland Families: This week I would like to highlight one of our Parish Ministries, the St. Vincent…

Learn More

Principal’s Message 08-22-24

One of the first things I did with our new assistant principal, Mrs. Villmer, was to discern a theme for the school year.  The theme is something that we continually come back to in faculty meetings, student meetings, and weekly liturgy.  Our theme for this year is from the song “A Rightful Place” by Steve Angrisano.  Specifically we chose the line – “Let us build Your Kingdom in truth and grace, so that all might know they have a rightful place.”

Learn More

Principal’s Message 08-15-24

St. Margaret of Scotland Families: We truly had a wonderful first day of school, and I pray that all of…

Learn More

New School Receptionist Letter 08-09-24

Please find attached a letter from Patrick Holley regarding the new receptionist at St. Margaret’s School.

Learn More

Parent Survey Results Letter 08-05-24

Please find attached a letter from Patrick Holley regarding the results from the Parent Survey for the 2023-2024 school year, which was conducted by the School Board.

Learn More

Back To School Letter 07-31-24

Please find attached this Back To School update from Principal Holley which is chock-full of info for families at St. Margaret of Scotland School.

Learn More

Jennifer Shearer Letter 07-26-24

Please find attached a letter from Principal Holley regarding Jennifer Shearer leaving St. Margaret of Scotland School. She will be missed!

Learn More

Back To School Dates

We hope that all of our school families are still enjoying their Summer vacation.  Though it is still early in…

Learn More

Summer Staffing Update Letter 06-12-24

Please find attached this Summer update from Principal Holley regarding staffing at St. Margaret of Scotland School.

Learn More

Principal’s Message 05-16-24

St. Margaret of Scotland Families: We are hitting the home stretch for the 2023/2024 school year.  Many people have been…

Learn More

Principal’s Message 05-09-24

St. Margaret of Scotland Families: I cannot tell you how excited and humbled I was to see the result of…

Learn More

Principal’s Message 05-02-24

I can’t believe that it is already May. Not that we are counting down, but after today we only have sixteen days of school left.  

Learn More

Principal’s Message 04-25-24

Our students had several opportunities to show off their talents and gifts this past week.

Learn More

Principal’s Message 04-18-24

The next couple of weeks are going to be very important to the Sacramental lives of our students at St. Margaret of Scotland.

Learn More

Principal’s Message 04-11-24

I hope all of you had an awesome Easter and Spring Break.  We are entering into ‘end of the year’ mode as we only have six weeks left in the school year.  We have had a great week back in school.

Learn More

Principal’s Message 03-21-24

I hope everyone has a calm relaxing and refreshing Spring Break. I can unequivocally say that it will be a welcome break.

Learn More

Principal’s Message 03-14-24

Lots of stuff going on around school this past week – we had a great week! Living History Museum, upcoming Feast of St. Joseph plans, and forthcoming news about staffing for next year all in today’s message.

Learn More

Principal’s Message 02-29-24

This past Friday our faculty spent their afternoon participating in professional learning. We continued our work in creating Units based on standards using Understanding by Design.  

Learn More

Principal’s Message 02-22-24

We have had a great first full week of Lent at St. Margaret of Scotland.  We are partnering with the Parish and focusing all of our services on the St. Joseph Housing Initiative. Plus, join us for Stations of the Cross on 3/1 – and Report Cards for 2nd Trimester will be out soon.

Learn More

Assistant Principal Letter 02-16-24

Please find attached a letter from Principal Holley regarding the new Assistant Principal for St. Margaret of Scotland School.

Learn More

Principal’s Message 02-15-24

It is part of my job as a principal to participate in both formal and informal observations of teachers over the school year. To bring these experiences to you, I would like to introduce a new article in the newsletter.  We are calling this Curriculum Corner.

Learn More

Principal’s Message 02-08-24

Next week marks the beginning of the Lenten Season with our Ash Wednesday celebration.  I encourage all of you to join us for Mass next Wednesday to celebrate with us.

Learn More

Principal’s Message 02-01-24

Tomorrow we will celebrate the feast day of St. Blaise.  St. Blaise was a bishop and martyr and the patron saint of throat ailments.  In honor of St. Blaise, we will have throat blessings for all students and faculty tomorrow during the school day.

Learn More

Principal’s Message 01-25-24

Thanks to everyone who signed up to volunteer for our school improvement committees. It just goes to show the great spirit of this community at St. Margaret of Scotland which will be on display this weekend at Open House. Looking forward to seeing everyone there!

Learn More

2024-25 SMOS Preschool Letter

Please see the letter from Mr. Holley (below) regarding changes for Preschool at St. Margaret’s School for the next school…

Learn More

Principal’s Message 01-18-24

As you may know, we are in the first year of the school improvement process.  This process calls us to create committees to answer questions about our school and create suggestions for improvement.  

It is imperative that members of our parent community join these committees so that we can have your varied perspective in setting goals for our school.

Learn More

Principal’s Message 01-11-24

Thank you to everyone for your help with the water main situation today – and we’re gearing up for Open House and Catholic Schools Week – lots more info to come!

Learn More

Principal’s Message 01-04-24

In this week’s Principal’s Message, Mr. Holley wishes to thank everyone for the overwhelming show of support for he and his family with the death of his father. Also, you may see evidence of some of our safety projects coming to fruition around the campus.

Learn More

Principal’s Message 12-14-23

In this week’s Principal’s Message, Mr. Holley expresses his appreciation for the SMOS Student Council – and all they’re doing during Advent to keep the school in the holiday spirit.

Learn More

Principal’s Message 12-07-23

Mr. Holley reports about December 8th – the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception – a holy day of obligation for all Catholics. All are welcome to join the school Mass that day at 8:15am.

Learn More

Principal’s Message 11-30-23

Mr. Holley reports about the start of Advent around School, and the Sacrament of Reconciliation which the students are receiving this week.

Learn More

Principal’s Message 11-16-23

Mr. Holley reports about the 4th Grade field trip to Tower Grove Park, as well as the celebration of the Feast of St. Margaret.

Learn More

Principal’s Message 11-09-23

Mr. Holley has some updates on facility changes and repairs happening, as well as details about report cards, Feast Day 5K, and the Principal For A Day.

Learn More

Principal’s Message 10-26-23

Mr. Holley is happy to report that he was very impressed with St. Margaret of Scotland’s above-average standardized test scores, while noting areas for improvement. And he anticipates a fun week with upcoming activities for Halloween.

Learn More

Principal’s Message 10-19-23

Thanks to all who helped make Trivia Night such a huge success – we raised over $16k for safety & security. Also, please try to attend the CVPA/Collegiate Shooting Anniversary Prayer Vigil next week.

Learn More

Principal’s Message 10-12-23

Fox 2 News was on the SMOS campus yesterday afternoon to do a story about our new green playground. They interviewed Mr. Holley and caught some of our kindergartners at play on the new surface.

Learn More

Standardized Test Results 10-12-23

Please find attached a letter from Principal Holley regarding Standardized Test results.

Learn More

Principal’s Message 10-05-23

This week I would like to encourage you to attend our parent presentation by BeSMART STL tonight, October 5, at 7pm at school.  It’s a relatively quick event and an important topic that affects the safety of all of our children – Firearm Safety.

Learn More

Principal’s Message 09-28-23

This week, I would like to highlight an organization that we partner with during the school year.  Green House Venture works with our fourth, fifth, and sixth grades by pushing to the classroom to teach lessons.   

Learn More

School Soft Lockdown 09-21-23

Please find attached a letter from Principal Holley regarding the soft lockdown of the school that was put in place this afternoon.

Learn More

Principal’s Message 09-21-23

I would like to spotlight our Saint of the Month, St. Vincent de Paul. Because the mission of St. Vincent de Paul is so near to our own school mission.  I strongly encourage all of our school families to consider participating in part or all of our St. Vincent de Paul Society day of events this Saturday – the Charity Walk, Mass, and the Pasta Dinner.

Learn More

Principal’s Message 09-14-23

We have some staff details and a reminder about standardized testing week starting next Monday.

Learn More

2023 SMOS Parent Survey Results

There are three main themes which come through the data as key takeaways from last year’s survey.

Learn More

Principal’s Message 09-07-23

I cannot help but think of all of the opportunities we have to let our light shine during the course of the week.  We have so many kids with different strengths and talents.  It is within this diversity that we find our strength at St. Margaret of Scotland.

Learn More

Principal’s Message 08-31-23

What a difference a change of the temperature can bring.  Our teachers and students are using our campus to its full potential to maximize the beautiful weather.

Learn More

Gym Uniforms

Please see the letter from Mr. Holley (below) regarding gym uniforms.

Learn More

Safety Update

Update on some of the safety initiatives that are taking place at SMOS this year.

Learn More

Principal’s Message 08-24-23

Despite the heat we have been having an awesome second week of school.

Learn More

Head Lice Cases 08-23-23

Head Lice Screening – Saint Margaret of Scotland School is contracting with Lice Busters to check all of our students…

Learn More

Family Handbook Updates

There are some changes to the SMOS Family Handbook to note this year.

Learn More

Principal’s Message 08-17-23

The beginning of the school year is always a special time.

Learn More

Learning Lab Update

Please see the letter from Mr. Holley (below) regarding an update about the Learning Lab.

Learn More

Back To School Parent Letter

Please see the letter from Mr. Holley (below) regarding an info about Back To School.

Learn More

Dragon’s Grove News

Please see the letter from Mr. Holley (below) regarding news about Dragon’s Grove.

Learn More

We’re Spiffing Up The School!

Mr. Holley is hard at work this Summer getting ready for the next school year to start in August. Feel free to reach out to him anytime!

Learn More