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January 20, 2022
Dear STM Families, This week has been a challenging one for so many of us in the STM community. Amid the divisiveness and strife, though, students continue to come to school, teachers are guiding their students to new learning in incredible ways, and our reliance on the Holy Spirit within the walls of our school has been evident. The STM School Advisory Board met last night on Zoom to address our current situation. While the members were passionate in their feelings about the topics discussed, we were able to have civil discourse and come together in working towards an agreeable resolution. To begin the meeting, I shared several data points:
From there, we moved to a conversation of where we go from here. I presented six suggestions that had been made:
The SAB chose unanimously to throw out options #1 and #4. The decision was made to concentrate on the data points to build protocols utilizing #2, #3, #5, and/or #6. The two data points discussed for determining our status would be the percentage of COVID-positive students and the percentage of teacher absenteeism during a given time period. Before next Tuesday, when the SAB will meet again, members will collect data from schools in our area, Catholic and public, that have either maintained mask-optional policies or who have waffled between the two options based on data. Discussion will continue on this topic along with other protocols that would be necessary–such as determining the masking policy upon return if the school would close, looking at grade levels or areas of the building that would shut down OR the whole school, determining ratio of teachers at a grade level in 4th-8th grade (where students change classes) before sending home a section of students. Please know that this work is not taken lightly by any member of the SAB, including Fr. Justin, Mrs. Blair, and me. It is only right that you have your own ideas and opinions about all of this and the bigger picture. What I am asking is that you remember to be kind in your words and actions as your children are learning from all that you do and say. St. Thomas More, pray for us. Peace and Blessings, Linda Crosthwait, STM Principal STM UPCOMING EVENTS: TOMORROW, Friday, Jan. 21 STM Red Friday Spirit Wear Day to cheer on the KC Chiefs! TOMORROW, Friday, Jan. 21 (and every Friday afternoon) Join parents to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet at 3 p.m. in the narthex Monday, Jan. 17 No School–Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Sunday, Jan. 30 Open House from after 9 a.m. Mass-1 p.m. to kick-off Catholic Schools’ Week Jan. 30-Feb. 5 Catholic Schools’ Week (see details below and on attached flier) Friday, Feb. 4 No School–Student Learning Conferences Saturday, Feb. 5 STM Auction–”Gin & Jazz” Friday, March 11 NOTE: CHANGE TO STM CALENDAR–No School; Diocesan Professional Development Day for teachers STM RED FRIDAY TOMORROW! TOMORROW is Red Friday at STM to support our Kansas City Chiefs in the playoff game against the Buffalo Bills at home on Sunday afternoon. Students may wear jeans, spirit wear bottoms, or uniform bottoms with KC Chiefs or STM Spirit Wear. Let’s show our KC Chiefs Spirit and support them on our journey back to Super Bowl LVI! CATHOLIC SCHOOLS’ WEEK JAN. 30-FEB. 4: The countdown is on for one of the most exciting and fun weeks of the school year at STM–Catholic Schools’ Week! We have a lot of amazing activities planned to celebrate our blessed opportunities as a Catholic school community. Please see all of the details in the attached flier and check out a short summary below: Sunday, Jan. 30–STM Community Mass at 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 am. Followed by Open House until 1:00 p.m. Monday, Jan. 31–Celebrate Community & Family Day Tuesday, Feb. 1–Celebrate Students Day Wednesday, Feb. 2–Celebrate Vocations Day Thursday, Feb. 3–Celebrate Teachers & Staff Day Friday, Feb. 4–NO SCHOOL; Teacher-requested Parent-Teacher Conferences RESERVE YOUR TICKETS TODAY FOR ‘GIN & JAZZ’--STM AUCTION, 2022 Mark your calendars and reserve your tickets today for the STM Auction, 2022–”Gin & Jazz” event on Saturday, February 5. Read all of the details on the attachment below. See you there! BRICKS 4 KIDZ AFTER-SCHOOL STEM ACTIVITY for GRADES K-5: Bricks 4 Kidz® enrichment classes are designed to be educational and FUN! We teach children principles of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) utilizing motorized LEGO® models. Every lesson is unique and designed to engage a child's mind. Class size is limited. Students will receive a mini-fig with enrollment. Grades K-5 NEW Models Every Session! St. Thomas More Elementary LEGO® Club Wednesdays after school from 3:25 - 4:25pm Dates: Feb.2,9,16,23 March 2,9 Enroll Now: www.bricks4kidz.com/kcnorth SEE ALL THE DETAILS IN THE ATTACHED FLYER. PAROCHIAL LEAGUE BASKETBALL GAMES ADMISSION PRICE: The "Family Rate" of $5.00 for admittance to STM basketball games applies to dad, mom, and kids. Any other relatives who attend should pay $5 for each individual ‘family.’ Grandma & Grandpa = $5. Aunt & Uncle = $5. Remember, these dollars help to finance the upkeep and improvement of our gym and school. Thanks for supporting STM! TRASH BAG SALE: STM Cub Scout pack 601 is holding their annual trash bag sale right now. Sales from this fundraiser help keep the cost of membership down as well as helping to cover cost of summer camps. Please seek out a Cub Scout member in grades 1-4 to purchase rolls. If you are not sure you can also email Mike Smith at jms6279@gmail.com to place you order. Trash bags are $12 per roll and come in the following sizes: Blue - 55 gallon, 16 bags: biggest bag, great for those big jobs Yellow - 39 gallon, 25 bags: most popular bag, great for all families White - 15 gallon, 65 bags: a smaller size, ideal for the kitchen Sale ends 1/18. Thanks for your support. COVID-RELATED INFORMATION: STM COVID DASHBOARD: Week ending 1/6/22 Week ending 1/13/22 Week ending 1/20/22 Students in quarantine 11 4 8 Staff members in quarantine 0 0 1 Students in isolation 9 7 11 Staff members in isolation 2 1 4 Percentage of attendance 90% 91% 90% Total # of Student COVID cases this school year: 33 on Dec. 16; 69 on Jan. 20 Total # of Staff cases this school year: 2 on Dec. 16: 8 on Jan. 20 Total # of Students in Quarantine this school year: 64 on Dec. 16; 88 on Jan. 20 Total # of Staff in Quarantine this school year: 1 If your child has tested positive for COVID, and STM was not notified, please email Health@stmcyclones.org with the date of the positive test. We appreciate you partnering with us on school days to verify that every child is fever-free and not experiencing:
LITURGICAL LIVING CALENDAR: Liturgical living is a beautiful way for individuals and families to learn about the traditions, saints, and rituals of our faith. This leads to a deeper comprehension and connection to our faith. Pick a few things each month to try and start to see the connection of the Catholic Faith to life outside of mass on Sunday! Give it a try! Here is the link: https://stmkc.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Liturgical-Living-January-2022-Calendar.pdf A Prayer for Healing Divisiveness in our Community: Oh Lord, as we work together to build your empire, let us be the light that leads the world to you. God, teach us to be good role models to the people around us, so that when they see you and your love within us, they would want to know you more and more. God grant us the patience to work together, bring us all together as a family. Let us work together with understanding and compassion in our hearts. Let us not be rude or arrogant towards one another, as we light the way to your heavenly kingdom. Ephesians 4:25
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STM UPCOMING EVENTS:
TOMORROW, Friday, Jan. 14 STM Red Friday Spirit Wear Day to cheer on the KC Chiefs! TOMORROW, Friday, Jan. 14 (and every Friday afternoon) Join parents to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet at 3 p.m. in the narthex Monday, Jan. 17 No School–Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Sunday, Jan. 30 Open House from after 9 a.m. Mass-1 p.m. to kick-off Catholic Schools’ Week Jan. 30-Feb. 5 Catholic Schools’ Week Friday, Feb. 4 No School–Student Learning Conferences Saturday, Feb. 5 STM Auction–”Gin & Jazz” Friday, March 11 NOTE: CHANGE TO STM CALENDAR–No School; Diocesan Professional Development Day for teachers STM RED FRIDAY TOMORROW! TOMORROW is Red Friday at STM to support our Kansas City Chiefs in the playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at home at 7:15 p.m. on Sunday night. Students may wear jeans, spirit wear bottoms, or uniform bottoms with KC Chiefs or STM Spirit Wear. Let’s show our KC Chiefs Spirit and support them on our journey back to Super Bowl LVI! RESERVE YOUR TICKETS TODAY FOR ‘GIN & JAZZ’--STM AUCTION, 2022 Mark your calendars and reserve your tickets today for the STM Auction, 2022–”Gin & Jazz” event on Saturday, February 5. Read all of the details on the attachment below. See you there! ANNUAL DIOCESAN SURVEY FOR STM: Dear STM Parents, Our school is always trying to improve its ability to serve our mission. As part of the improvement process, we annually collect survey data from our stakeholder groups. Your opinion about the performance of our school is important to us and so we ask that you click on the link below and take the time to complete this important survey. Thank you for giving your time in completing this important survey. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/schoolsurvey22 BRICKS 4 KIDZ AFTER-SCHOOL STEM ACTIVITY for GRADES K-5: Bricks 4 Kidz® enrichment classes are designed to be educational and FUN! We teach children principles of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) utilizing motorized LEGO® models. Every lesson is unique and designed to engage a child's mind. Class size is limited. Students will receive a mini-fig with enrollment. Grades K-5 NEW Models Every Session! St. Thomas More Elementary LEGO® Club Wednesdays after school from 3:25 - 4:25pm Dates: Feb.2,9,16,23 March 2,9 Enroll Now: www.bricks4kidz.com/kcnorth SEE ALL THE DETAILS IN THE ATTACHED FLYER. PAROCHIAL LEAGUE BASKETBALL GAMES ADMISSION PRICE: The "Family Rate" of $5.00 for admittance to STM basketball games applies to dad, mom, and kids. Any other relatives who attend should pay $5 for each individual ‘family.’ Grandma & Grandpa = $5. Aunt & Uncle = $5. Remember, these dollars help to finance the upkeep and improvement of our gym and school. Thanks for supporting STM! TRASH BAG SALE: STM Cub Scout pack 601 is holding their annual trash bag sale right now. Sales from this fundraiser help keep the cost of membership down as well as helping to cover cost of summer camps. Please seek out a Cub Scout member in grades 1-4 to purchase rolls. If you are not sure you can also email Mike Smith at jms6279@gmail.com to place you order. Trash bags are $12 per roll and come in the following sizes: Blue - 55 gallon, 16 bags: biggest bag, great for those big jobs Yellow - 39 gallon, 25 bags: most popular bag, great for all families White - 15 gallon, 65 bags: a smaller size, ideal for the kitchen Sale ends 1/18. Thanks for your support. FINAL FOOTBALL RAFFLE DRAWING: LITURGICAL LIVING CALENDAR: Liturgical living is a beautiful way for individuals and families to learn about the traditions, saints, and rituals of our faith. This leads to a deeper comprehension and connection to our faith. Pick a few things each month to try and start to see the connection of the Catholic Faith to life outside of mass on Sunday! Give it a try! Here is the link: https://stmkc.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Liturgical-Living-January-2022-Calendar.pdf A Prayer for Healing Divisiveness in our Community: God in deepening relationships, God in continuing conversation: may we welcome each other with courage, knowing that being together changes who we are. We pray that through respectful relationships we transform the imbalances of power to allow each one of us to fully belong. And may it be that inholding silence and in listening well to each other, we hear your voice in the midst of us. Amen. January 6, 2021
Dear STM Families, Happy New Year! We were so excited to welcome back our students on Tuesday for our 2nd semester of the 21-22 school year! Our teachers returned to school on Monday morning this week and participated in Professional Development activities all morning. In the afternoon, they completed inputting students’ scores from 2nd semester work. Please check your child(ren)’s grades on Sycamore (posted today) to discuss accomplishments and challenges. It’s a great time to reinforce nightly study skills and ensure a good night’s rest before school each day. As we begin the new year and a new semester, let us do so with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, that these fruits of the Spirit may sustain and nourish us in the coming days as we work to fulfill STM’s vision of forming servant leaders in the image of Christ. On behalf of the faculty and staff at STM, we welcome our students and families back home to school and pray that you and your families have a healthy, joy-filled, and prosperous new year. Peace & Blessings, Linda Crosthwait, STM Principal STM UPCOMING EVENTS: TOMORROW, Friday, Jan. 7 STM First Friday Spirit Wear Day! Wednesday, Jan. 12 Dine-Out Night at Minsky’s; MENTION ‘STM’ WHEN YOU ORDER Monday, Jan. 17 No School–Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Sunday, Jan. 30 Open House from 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. to kick-off Catholic Schools’ Week Jan. 30-Feb. 5 Catholic Schools’ Week Friday, Feb. 4 No School–Student Learning Conferences Saturday, Feb. 5 STM Auction–”Gin & Jazz” Friday, March 11 NOTE: CHANGE TO STM CALENDAR–No School; Diocesan Professional Development Day for teachers ANNUAL DIOCESAN SURVEY FOR STM: Dear STM Parents, Our school is always trying to improve its ability to serve our mission. As part of the improvement process, we annually collect survey data from our stakeholder groups. Your opinion about the performance of our school is important to us and so we ask that you click on the link below and take the time to complete this important survey. Thank you for giving your time in completing this important survey. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/schoolsurvey22 STM SPIRIT WEAR DAY TOMORROW! TOMORROW is First Friday STM Spirit Day. Students may wear jeans, spirit wear bottoms, or uniform bottoms with STM Spirit Wear. It’s a great opportunity for all of us to bundle up in our just-delivered STM swag! STM DINE-OUT NIGHT AT MINSKY’S–128th & STATE LINE: Our next Dine-Out Night will be Wednesday, January 12th at the MInsky's at 128th and State Line Road! Mark your calendars and be sure you mention St. Thomas More when placing your in-person, carry-out or delivery order! ATTENTION: 8TH GRADE FAMILIES: Professional 8th grade graduation pictures will be taken at STM beginning at 8 a.m. next Wednesday, Jan. 12. Here are some details:
BRICKS 4 KIDZ AFTER-SCHOOL STEM ACTIVITY for GRADES K-5: Bricks 4 Kidz® enrichment classes are designed to be educational and FUN! We teach children principles of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) utilizing motorized LEGO® models. Every lesson is unique and designed to engage a child's mind. Class size is limited. Students will receive a mini-fig with enrollment. Grades K-5 NEW Models Every Session! St. Thomas More Elementary LEGO® Club Wednesdays after school from 3:25 - 4:25pm Dates: Feb.2,9,16,23 March 2,9 Enroll Now: www.bricks4kidz.com/kcnorth SEE ALL THE DETAILS IN THE ATTACHED FLYER. PAROCHIAL LEAGUE BASKETBALL GAMES ADMISSION PRICE: The "Family Rate" of $5.00 for admittance to STM basketball games applies to dad, mom, and kids. Any other relatives who attend should pay $5 for each individual ‘family.’ Grandma & Grandpa = $5. Aunt & Uncle = $5. Remember, these dollars help to finance the upkeep and improvement of our gym and school. Thanks for supporting STM! COVID-RELATED INFORMATION: STM COVID DASHBOARD: Week ending 12/10/21 Week ending 12/16/21Week ending 1/6/21 Students in quarantine 4 9 11 Staff members in quarantine 0 0 0 Students in isolation 9 5 9 Staff members in isolation 0 0 2 Percentage of attendance 92% 91% 90% Total # of Student COVID cases this school year: 33 on Dec. 16; 51 on Jan. 6 Total # of Staff cases this school year: 2 on Dec. 16; 4 on Jan. 6 Total # of Students in Quarantine this school year: 64 on Dec. 16; 76 on Jan. 6 Total # of Staff in Quarantine this school year: 0 If your child has tested positive for COVID, and STM was not notified, please email Health@stmcyclones.org with the date of the positive test. We appreciate you partnering with us on school days to verify that every child is fever-free and not experiencing:
UPDATE ON TASKS FOR MASK-OPTIONAL ON JAN. 17: The STM School Advisory Board met Monday afternoon to discuss necessary changes to our pre-Christmas break plans. First and foremost, as always, if your child is sick, he/she should stay home. Please monitor your child based on the symptoms above OR if he/she reports feeling sick. You know your child better than anyone else, so if you’re in doubt, please follow your heart and keep him/her home to feel better. The shortened periods recommended for isolation and quarantine procedures along with other changes led me to bring forth the opportunity of a test-to-stay program at our school. At this time, we are preparing for in-school testing as soon as we have adequate supplies and set-up. Here are the steps we have taken this week In order to follow the new guidelines for a five-day isolation and test-to-stay processes:
A Prayer for the New Year: Thank you, Lord, for giving us the brand new year ahead. Help us live the way we should each new day. Give us strength and courage to aid others in need more than we worry about ourselves. The year ahead is empty, help me fill it with good things. Each new day give me wisdom to recognize the joy and happiness You bring. Amen. St. Thomas More, pray for us. Peace and Blessings, Linda Crosthwait, STM Principal bricks_4_kidz_session_2__1_.pdf December 31, 2021
Dear All, I hope this message finds you healthy and joyful as we continue the celebration of our Lord’s birth. STM teachers will return to school for professional development on Monday, Jan. 3 and all staff and students return for the second semester on Tuesday, Jan. 4. I have some important news regarding our masking policies as the semester begins: Due to the revisions made by the CDC in the last week, our School Advisory Board will meet Monday afternoon to discuss necessary changes to our pre-Christmas break plans. As you probably know, there have been shortened periods recommended for isolation and quarantine procedures along with other changes. The value of a test-to-stay program at our school will be key in allowing us to follow these guidelines. At this time, our health office has limited numbers of COVID test kits, and we are unprepared for in-school testing. In order to follow the new guidelines for a five-day isolation and test-to-stay processes we need to:
Peace and Blessings for the New Year, Linda Crosthwait, STM Principal December 16, 2021
Dear STM Families, Tomorrow is our final day of school for 2021 and the end of our first semester of school! Christmas break will begin when the students are dismissed at 3:20 p.m., and we’ll reconvene to begin the second semester on Tuesday, Jan. 4. This time of year tends to be one in which we reflect on all that the past year has brought to us–the good, the not-so-good, and the unexpected occurrences that turn out to be major blessings in our lives. During these seasons of Advent and Christmas, I invite all of us to continue reflecting on these blessings and the presences of God manifested in each. Pope Francis has said, “Christmas is joy, religious joy, an inner joy of light and peace.” I pray that this season your family is filled with the truest joy that comes in the sharing of time with our loved ones and in the traditions that define the essence of our families. From all of us at St. Thomas More School, Merry Christmas, and may the New Year bring even more blessings. Peace & Blessings, Linda Crosthwait, STM Principal STM UPCOMING EVENTS: Friday, Dec. 17 4th Week of Advent Prayer Services: Grades K-4 at 8 a.m. in Flanagan Hall; Grades 5-8 at 2:45-3:15 p.m. with Eucharistic Adoration in Flanagan Hall Friday, Dec. 17 ‘BE KIND’ Day at STM (see details below) Friday, Dec. 17 Final day to collect small gifts for the nursing home residents at Timberlake Care Center (see details below) Friday, Dec. 17 Final day of 2nd Quarter; Christmas Break Dismissal at 3:20 p.m. Monday, Dec. 20 Caleb’s ‘Give Back Day’ for STM from 6:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m. (see details below) Dec. 20-Jan. 3 MERRY CHRISTMAS!! Happy New Year!! Christmas Break--NO SCHOOL Wednesday, Dec. 22 Bunco Party at 7:30 p.m. in More Hall–details in the flyer attached below Tuesday, Jan. 4 Classes resume–FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL FOR SECOND SEMESTER OF 2021-22 School Year Monday, Jan. 17 No School–Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Sunday, Jan. 30 Open House from 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. to kick-off Catholic Schools’ Week Jan. 30-Feb. 5 Catholic Schools’ Week Friday, Feb. 4 No School–Student Learning Conferences Saturday, Feb. 5 STM Auction–”Gin & Jazz” COLLECTION FOR TIMBERLAKE CARE CENTER RESIDENTS: The STM Student Council officers and representatives are collecting small gift items for the 80 residents of the Timberlake Care Center, our neighbors just to the south on Holmes Road. The residents would truly appreciate your donations of hats, gloves, scarves, lap blankets, crossword puzzle books, word search puzzle books, jigsaw puzzles, fluffy socks, toothbrushes & toothpaste, hairbrushes, and deodorant. You can send your donation with your child to his/her homeroom to help cheer these residents on Christmas Day! ‘BE KIND’ DAY TOMORROW: STM will celebrate ‘Be Kind’ Day on our final day before Christmas Break, Friday, Dec. 17. Besides a focus on kind acts and friendship that day, students may wear a ‘Be Kind’ t-shirt or a STM Spirit Wear top with jeans, khakis, STM Spirit Wear bottoms or uniform bottoms. A $5 donation will be accepted for STM For All. The class who wears the most ‘Be Kind’ t-shirts will receive a class pizza party from Southside! COVID-RELATED INFORMATION: STM COVID DASHBOARD: Week ending 12/3/21 Week ending 12/10/21 Week ending 12/16/21 Students in quarantine 16 4 9 Staff members in quarantine 0 0 0 Students in isolation 14 9 5 Staff members in isolation 0 0 0 Percentage of attendance 88% 92% 91% Total # of Student COVID cases this school year: 33 Total # of Staff cases this school year: 2 Total # of Students in Quarantine this school year: 64 Tota # of Staff in Quarantine this school year: 0 If your child has tested positive for COVID, and STM was not notified, please email Health@stmcyclones.org with the date of the positive test. We appreciate you partnering with us on school days to verify that every child is fever-free and not experiencing:
Thank you for your input and questions regarding the move to a mask-optional school environment. We appreciate your insights and questions regarding this move. The STM School Advisory Board met last night to discuss protocols regarding COVID exposures or infections. Information submitted by STM families and research information collected from Missouri mask-optional schools were discussed. STM Nurse Mandy Hodes was part of the conversation last night, as well. The administrators and Fr. Justin are articulating the details and will send out a plan to start school for the second semester on Jan. 4, 2022 as a mask-optional school. CALEB’S IN RED BRIDGE–STM ‘GIVE BACK DAY’ ON MONDAY, DEC. 20: Caleb’s Restaurant in Red Bridge has graciously agreed to do a STM ‘Give Back Day’ on Monday, Dec. 20 from 6:30 AM to 2:00 PM. Breakfast, brunch, or lunch–be sure to mention STM when ordering so we will get a percentage of your ticket! Thanks for supporting our school! STM CHOIR INFORMATION: DECEMBER 17 - -South Patrol Christmas Celebration Meet at 6:15 pm…more info. to come soon. DECEMBER 25: Christmas Morning Mass-10:00 am Mass Meet Mrs. Parisi at 9:30 am in the choir loft PLEASE email if you cannot make it. parisi_cheryl@stmcyclones.org ALL FEES ARE DUE: All Registration, Activity, Spanish, and 1st Semester Tuition/Preschool fees are due on 12/17 or you will not receive your 1st semester grade card. Please provide your payment to Colleen Sullivan at the School. If you need to know your balance please email Tim Waris at Tim@stmkc.com or Becky Johnson at Becky@stmkc.com. PAROCHIAL LEAGUE BASKETBALL MASKING INFORMATION from VINCE FITZGERALD, PLKC DIRECTOR: Listed below is the Parochial League Board Statement regarding Covid 19. Parochial League Board Statement Effective Dec 1, 2021 – Basketball 2021-2022 On games days the players sitting on the bench must wear a mask. Players on the court have an option of wearing a mask or not. Individual gyms may impose more stringent guidelines; in which case the gyms protocols will supersede. In regard to spectators, there are no longer any restrictions to the number of spectators allowed, but masks are required by spectators in all PLKC gyms. NOTE from TIM WARIS, STM ATHLETIC DIRECTOR: Masks are optional at STM during play. There is just so much to pray about at the Christmas season! I’ve copied several prayers you might pray with your family throughout the times of celebration. I’ll be praying for you. Please pray for me, too. Linda Crosthwait, STM Principal Reason for the SeasonDear Father in Heaven, Thank You for giving us the gift of Jesus, the greatest Christmas gift of all. Please help me to remember why we celebrate, even as we eat Christmas cookies and open presents. I am very thankful for the real reason for the season and, without Jesus, we wouldn’t have Christmas! I love You and thank You for giving us this day! Amen. Being ThankfulDear Jesus, Today, I want to thank You for all you’ve done for me. Thank You for my wonderful parents, brothers and sisters, grandparents, and the rest of my family. Thank You for my pets, my room, my teachers at school, and thank You for Christmas. Thank You for Santa Claus on Christmas morning, and the presents that sit under the tree. Thank You for the delicious food Mom has made, and thank You for coming here to save us! In Your name, I pray, Amen. Happy BirthdayHappy birthday to You! Happy birthday to You! Happy birthday, dear Jesus! Happy birthday to You! Today, we celebrate the birth of the most important person ever. Thank You for sharing this day with us, and for giving us the greatest birthday gift, You! Amen. Blessings for OthersDear Jesus, I know I’m very blessed today, spending time with my family, having a yummy dinner, and getting to open presents, but I know there are many people who won’t get those things today. Please send them lots of blessings, and let them know that someone is thinking about them on Christmas. Help me see how I can bless other people, too! In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen. Gifts of GodDear God, Thank You for all the gifts You have given us this year. I am very grateful for all the blessings that you gave us to celebrate Christmas happily; our home, my toys, my family, our food on the table, my clothes, everything. I know that all of these gifts came from You, and I am very grateful for these and Your love for me. Amen. Christmas DayLord God, Thank You for this wonderful Christmas morning. Thank You for the presents, breakfast, and this time with my family. Please guide me on what to do today to make it memorable and special, and according to Your will. Please also help me make today peaceful and in celebration of your birth. Amen. Praise and Thanks to JesusFather God, I praise and Thank You for Christmas. Thank You for sending Jesus on earth to save me. Thank You that we can celebrate and be happy because of this. I pray that I would be just like Jesus, and live a godly life. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen. December 9, 2021
Dear STM Families, Our community is clearly excited that Advent is here and Christmas is not far away–even though you can’t tell by the weather! For the past two Mondays, we have celebrated the lighting of each of the purple candles on the Advent wreath in prayer services in Flanagan Hall with grades K-4 in the mornings and in church with grades 5-8. We will continue with the rose candle ceremonies next Monday. Tuesday–Wow! What a day at STM! Our students celebrated St. Nicholas Day wearing red & green in preparation for their St. Nick’s parties in the afternoon. Fourteen of our 8th grade students dressed as St. Nick and were accompanied by 8th grade elves to share the story of the real St. Nicholas with the younger grades. (See the pictures above!) Then, we were finally able to gather as a school community for our amazing Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony and Music Concert on the church grounds. All students in grades 3-8 are attending Reconciliation Services and individual confessions with our priests today and tomorrow. They are preparing their hearts, souls, and minds for the coming of the Christ child at Christmas. Thank you to all of the parents who helped to make our activities this week such a huge success! Our room parents were out in force along with our Home and School Association to bring holiday cheer for the entire STM community. Have a wonderful weekend as we prepare for the final week of the first semester of the school year! Peace & Blessings, Linda Crosthwait, STM Principal STM UPCOMING EVENTS: Friday, Dec. 10 Reconciliation Services for Grades 4, 6, 7 Monday, Dec. 13 3rd Week of Advent Prayer Services: Grades K-4 at 8 a.m. in Flanagan Hall; Grades 5-8 at 2:45-3:15 p.m. with Eucharistic Adoration in Flanagan Hall Friday, Dec. 17 4th Week of Advent Prayer Services: Grades K-4 at 8 a.m. in Flanagan Hall; Grades 5-8 at 2:45-3:15 p.m. with Eucharistic Adoration in Flanagan Hall Friday, Dec. 17 ‘BE KIND’ Day at STM (see details below) Friday, Dec. 17 Final day of 2nd Quarter; Christmas Break Dismissal at 3:20 p.m. Dec. 20-Jan. 3 MERRY CHRISTMAS!! Christmas Break--NO SCHOOL Wednesday, Dec. 22 Bunco Party at 7:30 p.m. in More Hall–details in the flyer attached below Tuesday, Jan. 4 Classes resume–FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL FOR SECOND SEMESTER OF 2021-22 School Year Monday, Jan. 17 No School–Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Sunday, Jan. 30 Open House from 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. to kick-off Catholic Schools’ Week Jan. 30-Feb. 5 Catholic Schools’ Week Friday, Feb. 4 No School–Student Learning Conferences Saturday, Feb. 5 STM Auction–”Gin & Jazz” COLLECTION FOR TIMBERLAKE CARE CENTER RESIDENTS: STM Student Council officers and representatives are collecting small gift items for the 80 residents of the Timberlake Care Center, our neighbors just to the south on Holmes Road. The residents would truly appreciate your donations of hats, gloves, scarves, lap blankets, crossword puzzles, jigsaw puzzles, fluffy socks, toothbrushes & toothpaste, hairbrushes, and deodorant. You can send your donation with your child to his/her homeroom to help cheer these residents on Christmas Day! ‘BE KIND’ DAY ON DECEMBER 17–PLEASE READ-THE DETAILS HAVE CHANGED: STM will celebrate ‘Be Kind’ Day on our final day before Christmas Break, Friday, Dec. 17. Besides a focus on kind acts and friendship that day, students may wear a ‘Be Kind’ t-shirt or a STM Spirit Wear top with jeans, khakis, STM Spirit Wear bottoms or uniform bottoms. Information about purchasing a ‘Be Kind’ t-shirt can be found on the attachment below. A $5 donation will be accepted for STM For All. The class who wears the most ‘Be Kind’ t-shirts will receive a class pizza party from Southside! COVID-RELATED INFORMATION: STM COVID DASHBOARD: Week ending 11/18/21 Week ending 12/3//21 Week ending 12/9/21 Students in quarantine 6 16 4 Staff members in quarantine 0 0 0 Students in isolation 2 14 9 Staff members in isolation 0 0 0 Percentage of attendance 96% 88% 92% Total # of Student COVID cases this school year: 28 Total # of Staff cases this school year: 2 Total # of Students in Quarantine this school year: 55 Tota # of Staff in Quarantine this school year: 0 If your child has tested positive for COVID, and STM was not notified, please email Health@stmcyclones.org with the date of the positive test. We appreciate you partnering with us on school days to verify that every child is fever-free and not experiencing:
Thank you for your input and questions regarding the move to a mask-optional school environment. We appreciate your insights and questions regarding this move. The STM School Advisory Board and STM administrators are canvassing other mask-optional schools and their protocols in preparation for a switch to mask-optional on Jan 4. We plan to have procedures determined and in place for your viewing as soon as possible. CALEB’S IN RED BRIDGE–STM ‘GIVE BACK DAY’ ON MONDAY, DEC. 20: Caleb’s Restaurant in Red Bridge has graciously agreed to do a STM ‘Give Back Day’ on Monday, Dec. 20 from 6:30 AM to 2:00 PM. Breakfast, brunch, or lunch–be sure to mention STM when ordering so we will get a percentage of your ticket! Thanks for supporting our school! STM CHOIR INFORMATION: DECEMBER 17 - -South Patrol Christmas Celebration Meet at 6:15 pm…more info. to come soon. DECEMBER 25: Christmas Morning Mass-10:00 am Mass Meet Mrs. Parisi at 9:30 am in the choir loft ALL FEES ARE DUE DECEMBER 17: All Registration, Activity, Spanish, and 1st Semester Tuition/Preschool fees are due on 12/17 or you will not receive your 1st semester grade card. Please provide your payment to Colleen Sullivan at the School. If you need to know your balance please email Tim Waris at Tim@stmkc.com or Becky Johnson at Becky@stmkc.com. PAROCHIAL LEAGUE BASKETBALL MASKING INFORMATION from VINCE FITZGERALD, PLKC DIRECTOR: Listed below is the Parochial League Board Statement regarding Covid 19. Parochial League Board Statement Effective Dec 1, 2021 – Basketball 2021-2022 On games days the players sitting on the bench must wear a mask. Players on the court have an option of wearing a mask or not. Individual gyms may impose more stringent guidelines; in which case the gyms protocols will supersede. In regard to spectators, there are no longer any restrictions to the number of spectators allowed, but masks are required by spectators in all PLKC gyms. NOTE from TIM WARIS, STM ATHLETIC DIRECTOR: Masks are optional at STM during play. Dear STM Families, It is with a heavy heart that I share about the passing of Mrs. Janet Powell from our parish and school community. She was known as Miss Janet to hundreds of our school children while she worked as our lunch lady for many years. Most recently, she has assisted in our After Care program. We will miss her sweet smile and friendly personality–but most especially her God-given ability to work with our children. May Janet’s soul and the souls of all of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen. December 2, 2021
Dear STM Families, My sincere apologies for such a late delivery of Cyclone Chatter this evening. We were waiting on several COVID test results to be able to share a more complete picture of our current infections at STM. Instead, I will share that data with you tomorrow after we receive the information from parents. THIS IS IMPORTANT: If you know that your child has been exposed to someone who is positive for COVID, it is imperative that you inform us at health@stmcyclones.org If your child contracts the virus from a contact and attends school, other students and staff members must be contacted and possibly quarantine to stop the spread in our school environment. I shared this email from our school nurse, Mandy Hodes, this morning, but it’s worth repeating: Dear STM Families, We are experiencing a spike in the number of students with a variety of symptoms from colds, flu, strep throat, etc. at school. Please remember that the policy at STM is that your child should not attend with the following symptoms AND not return until he/she is symptom-free for 24 hours:
If you go to the pediatrician and/or test for COVID and want to bring a negative test result/doctor's note, your child can return to school after 24 hours. St. Thomas More, pray for us. Peace & Blessings, Linda Crosthwait, STM Principal STM UPCOMING EVENTS: Friday, Dec. 3 First Friday STM Spirit Day/Red Friday--students may wear jeans, spirit wear bottoms, or uniform bottoms with STM Spirit Wear or Chiefs Spirit Wear Monday, Dec. 6 2nd Week of Advent Prayer Services: Grades K-4 at 8 a.m. in Flanagan Hall; Grades 5-8 at 2:45-3:15 p.m. with Eucharistic Adoration in Flanagan Hall Monday, Dec. 6 STM School Advisory Board meeting Tuesday, Dec. 7 St. Nicholas Day Parties from 2:30-3:15 p.m.--Red & Green Dress Down Day! Tuesday, Dec. 7 All-School Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony and Outdoor Music Concert (Rain/Snow Date Dec. 13) See details below. Wednesday, Dec. 8 Feast of the Immaculate Conception--NO SCHOOL; Holy Day of Obligation Thursday, Dec. 9 Reconciliation Services for Grades 3, 5, 8 Friday, Dec. 10 Reconciliation Services for Grades 4, 6, 7 Monday, Dec. 13 3rd Week of Advent Prayer Services: Grades K-4 at 8 a.m. in Flanagan Hall; Grades 5-8 at 2:45-3:15 p.m. with Eucharistic Adoration in Flanagan Hall Friday, Dec. 17 4th Week of Advent Prayer Services: Grades K-4 at 8 a.m. in Flanagan Hall; Grades 5-8 at 2:45-3:15 p.m. with Eucharistic Adoration in Flanagan Hall Friday, Dec. 17 ‘BE KIND’ Day at STM (see details below) Friday, Dec. 17 Final day of 2nd Quarter; Christmas Break Dismissal at 3:20 p.m. Dec. 20-Jan. 3 MERRY CHRISTMAS!! Christmas Break--NO SCHOOL TOMORROW IS FIRST FRIDAY SPIRIT WEAR/RED FRIDAY: In observance of First Friday, students and staff may wear jeans, spirit wear bottoms, or uniform bottoms with STM (ONLY STM--not other schools) or Chiefs Spirit Wear. It’s our last First Friday of 2021! HOLIDAY MUSIC CONCERT ON TUESDAY, DEC. 7: Please bundle up in your holiday hats & mittens and plan to join us for the STM Outdoor Holiday Music Concert on Tuesday, Dec.7 beginning at 6 p.m. The festivities will take place outside the front of the church where there will be band and singing performances involving all PK-8th grade STM students. A highlight of the evening will be the Tree Lighting Ceremony with Fr. Justin flipping the switch at 6:30 p.m. Plans are being finalized for an opportunity to purchase hot chocolate, as well. Here is the order of performances AND the arrival and drop-off location details for each grade level/group:
Come enjoy some Christmas Cheer during our Holiday Music Program. Home and School will be sponsoring a Cookies and Creamery Holiday Cocoa Truck and will be selling hot cocoa and cookies all evening long! CASH and CHECK preferred!! All proceeds go back to STM!! And remember we are looking for volunteers to help make this ALL school event a success! Sign up below and let us know when you can help out!! Thank you for your support!! https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c094aabac2fabff2-holiday PAROCHIAL LEAGUE BASKETBALL MASKING INFORMATION from VINCE FITZGERALD, PLKC DIRECTOR: Listed below is the Parochial League Board Statement regarding Covid 19. Parochial League Board Statement Effective Dec 1, 2021 – Basketball 2021-2022 On games days the players sitting on the bench must wear a mask. Players on the court have an option of wearing a mask or not. Individual gyms may impose more stringent guidelines; in which case the gyms protocols will supersede. In regard to spectators, there are no longer any restrictions to the number of spectators allowed, but masks are required by spectators in all PLKC gyms. NOTE from TIM WARIS, STM ATHLETIC DIRECTOR: Masks are optional at STM during play. BLACK FRIDAY AUCTION DEALS ENDING!: DON’T MISS OUT! STM Auction Black Friday Specials extended just until Saturday! Go to www.stmauction.org before bidding closes this Saturday. ‘BE KIND’ DAY ON DECEMBER 17: STM will celebrate ‘Be Kind’ Day on our final day before Christmas Break, Friday, Dec. 17. Besides a focus on kind acts and friendship that day, students may wear a ‘Be Kind’ t-shirt with uniform bottoms that day (or a regular uniform top). Information about purchasing a ‘Be Kind’ t-shirt can be found on the attachment below. A $5 donation will be accepted for STM For All. GO CYCLONE BASKETBALL TEAMS! Come cheer on your 7th grade basketball teams while supporting the 8th Grade Graduation Fund this weekend at St Thomas More! 7th-A Girls: Friday 7:30pm Saturday 5:00pm Sunday 1:00pm 7th-A Boys: Friday 5:30pm Saturday 3:00pm Sunday 3:00pm STM CHOIR INFORMATION: DECEMBER 7 - STM School Concert 6:00 pm Entire school involved. DECEMBER 12 - 11:00 am Mass Please meet Mrs. Parisi in the Choir Loft by 10:30am to get ready for Mass. Please email me if your child is unable to attend. DECEMBER 17 - -South Patrol Christmas Celebration Meet at 6:15 pm…more info. to come soon. DECEMBER 25: Christmas Morning Mass-10:00 am Mass Meet Mrs. Parisi at 9:30 am in the choir loft ATTENTION 7TH & 8TH GRADE PARENTS: 7th & 8th graders are invited to a mixer hosted by the Parent Club at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic High School! Join us for a Flannel & Friends mixer from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, December 4. A minimum of 2 parent chaperones are required from each school for schools to participate. Space is limited, so register now! All registration must be online. To register CLICK HERE. 8th graders: Sign up for the High School Placement Test (HSPT) on December 11 at St. Michael the Archangel. FREE HSPT Prep Class on November 30 for those who take the test at SMA. This is a required test to be accepted to St. Michael. Click HERE to register. PARENT ATTENDANCE AT SCHOOL MASS: Parents are welcome to attend school Mass. Seating in the sanctuary is limited, so please feel free to sit in the choir loft if there’s no empty pews. Our students attend Mass each week at 2:10 p.m. on the following days: Wednesdays: Kindergarten, grades 2, 7, 8 Thursdays: Grades 1, 3, 4, 5, 6 & rotating weeks for PK Please let me know if you have any questions. YOUR INPUT REGARDING MASKING POLICY: The STM School Advisory Board agenda for Monday’s meeting will include your questions and input about the masking policy change shared in Cyclone Chatter on Nov. 18. If you would like to ask questions or share your thoughts, please use this link to submit before the end of the weekend: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScKpT8Y1HdmgFBhvB1zlgSsw8-QDfSIHaMdzGPdLEWn_tykfw/viewform?usp=sf_link Fr. Justin, our COVID Task Force and School Advisory Board members, along with our administrative and nursing staff members will utilize your input to construct a FAQ and guidelines before our return to school on Jan. 4. Please ask your child to share about our Advent Prayer Service last Monday. We will continue to prepare for the coming of Baby Jesus, our Lord, at Christmas for the next two Mondays and again on Friday, Dec. 17. Following is a prayer you can share with your family for the 2nd Sunday in Advent: November 23, 2021
Dear STM Families, We have just a few tidbits of information to share, so I am happy to take this extra opportunity to share my heartfelt thanks to each of you who prayerfully support the STM School staff in our work with your children. May God bless you and your families richly and deeply! Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours! Linda Crosthwait, STM Principal STM WINTER SPIRIT WEAR SALE EXTENDED! You asked for it and we are making it happen--the STM Winter Spirit Wear sale is extended to Monday, Nov. 29. Order forms were sent home in backpacks today, so be sure to get those back to school on the day we return from Thanksgiving Break--Monday, Nov. 29. STM CHOIR INFO: Dec.1st-Martin City Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony Please come dressed for the weather with a little Christmas cheer! We will meet next to the Post Office parking lot in front of the KC Running building at 5:30pm. Please take note that this is a different location then years past. The kids will start singing approximately 5:45pm with a 6:00pm end time when they turn on the tree. Please email me if your child is unable to attend. BLACK FRIDAY AUCTION ITEMS: Get the first shot at some HOT STM Auction items!! Shop from the warmth and comfort of your home from the STM Black Friday Auction items. Check out all of the details in the flyer attached below. November 11, 2021
Dear STM Families, After much prayer and thoughtful consideration, the decision has been made that St. Thomas More School will be mask-optional beginning Tuesday, Jan. 4, the first day of our second semester of the school year. The mask mandate issued by the city of Kansas City, MO for all schools will expire on Dec. 2, but STM will maintain our current masking policy through Dec. 17, the last day of the first semester. For those families who choose to vaccinate children older than 5 for COVID-19, you are able to make appointments for the shots and allow for full-vaccination protocols before Jan. 4. Masks will remain an option for all. We will work through the details of this change in our protocols during the next month following the guidance of the KCMO Health Department. Information will be shared with you as it becomes available. Please know that as this fluid situation evolves, there could be a need to re-mask at a later date. I can only imagine that you will have questions and concerns regarding this change in our policy. Please share your constructive and courteous input by using the following link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScKpT8Y1HdmgFBhvB1zlgSsw8-QDfSIHaMdzGPdLEWn_tykfw/viewform?usp=sf_link Fr. Justin, our COVID Task Force and School Advisory Board members, along with our administrative and nursing staff members will utilize your input to construct a FAQ and guidelines before our return to school on Jan. 4. St. Thomas More, pray for us. Peace & Blessings, Linda Crosthwait, STM Principal STM UPCOMING EVENTS: Thursday, Nov. 18 2nd Grade--First Reconciliation: Mrs. Spiller’s class at 6:00 p.m. Ms. Sarcone’s class at 6:45 p.m. Mrs. Anwander’s class at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 20 NOTE: DATE CHANGE Booster Club Pickleball Tournament at Blue Hills Country Club--see the attached flyer for more details! Wednesday, Nov. 24- Friday, Nov. 26 HAPPY THANKSGIVING!! NO SCHOOL! Tuesday, Dec. 7 St. Nicholas Day Parties from 2:30-3:15 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 7 All-School Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony and Outdoor Music Concert (Rain/Snow Date Dec. 13) Wednesday, Dec. 8 Feast of the Immaculate Conception--NO SCHOOL; Holy Day of Obligation Thursday, Dec. 9 Reconciliation Services for Grades 3, 5, 8 Friday, Dec. 10 Reconciliation Services for Grades 4, 6, 7 Friday, Dec. 17 Christmas Break Dismissal at 3:20 p.m. Dec. 20-Jan. 3 MERRY CHRISTMAS!! Christmas Break--NO SCHOOL FIRST RECONCILIATION FOR 2ND GRADERS TONIGHT: Congratulations to our 2nd Graders who will receive the sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time this evening! Please pray for these students and the teachers who prepare them in this important step towards their First Holy Communion in the spring. HOLIDAY MUSIC CONCERT ON TUESDAY, DEC. 7: Please bundle up in your holiday hats & mittens and plan to join us for the STM Outdoor Holiday Music Concert on Tuesday, Dec.7 beginning at 6 p.m. The festivities will take place outside the front of the church where there will be band and singing performances involving all PK-8th grade STM students. A highlight of the evening will be the Tree Lighting Ceremony with Fr. Justin flipping the switch at 6:30 p.m. Plans are being finalized for an opportunity to purchase hot chocolate, as well. Here is the order of performances AND the arrival and drop-off location details for each grade level/group:
TAKE A LOOK and place your order by this TUESDAY, Nov. 23. Please note that delivery of some items may be in 2022. We are not able to guarantee delivery prior to Dec. 25. See the flyer below for details. BLACK FRIDAY AUCTION ITEMS: Get the first shot at some HOT STM Auction items!! Shop from the warmth and comfort of your home from the STM Black Friday Auction items. Check out all of the details in the flyer attached below. TOMORROW-FRIDAY, 11/19--FINAL DAY FOR BASKETBALL SPIRITWEAR: Don’t miss this chance to purchase your own STM Spirit Wear for the basketball season. TOMORROW IS THE LAST DAY TO ORDER! See the attached flyer below. STM UNIFORM CHANGE: Beginning Jan. 4, all students are able to wear white, light blue, red, or HUNTER GREEN polo shirts with no insignias as part of our STM uniform. There is no change in the style of shirts that can be worn or any other part of the uniform. Please let me know if you have questions. HAT? COAT? MITTENS? Does your child arrive at school adequately dressed for the wintery weather? Please keep in mind that the weather can quickly change and our students go outside every day. We have seen students on these recent chilly days without a coat or other warm attire for recess, travelling to church, or other outdoor activities. Thanks for your help! STM CHOIR TO PERFORM AT MARTIN CITY TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY ON WEDNESDAY, DEC. 1: Please come dressed for the weather with a little Christmas cheer! We will meet next to the Post Office parking lot in front of the KC Running building at 5:30pm. Please take note that this is a different location than years past. The kids will start singing approximately 5:45pm with a 6:00pm end time when they turn on the tree. Please email me if your child is unable to attend. Also, choir families should mark the calendar for December 17th @6:30-6:45pm when our choir will be caroling the South Patrol KCPD Family Event. ATTENTION 7TH & 8TH GRADE PARENTS: 7th & 8th graders are invited to a mixer hosted by the Parent Club at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic High School! Join us for a Flannel & Friends mixer from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, December 4. A minimum of 2 parent chaperones are required from each school for schools to participate. Space is limited, so register now! All registration must be online. To register CLICK HERE. 8th graders: Sign up for the High School Placement Test (HSPT) on December 11 at St. Michael the Archangel. FREE HSPT Prep Class on November 30 for those who take the test at SMA. This is a required test to be accepted to St. Michael. Click HERE to register. PARENT ATTENDANCE AT SCHOOL MASS: Parents are welcome to attend school Mass. Seating in the sanctuary is limited, so please feel free to sit in the choir loft if there’s no empty pews. Our students attend Mass each week at 2:10 p.m. on the following days: Wednesdays: Kindergarten, grades 2, 7, 8 Thursdays: Grades 1, 3, 4, 5, 6 & rotating weeks for PK Please let me know if you have any questions. COVID-RELATED INFORMATION: STM COVID DASHBOARD: Week ending 11/4/21 Week ending 11/11/21 Week ending 11/18/21 Students in quarantine 3 2 6 Staff members in quarantine 0 0 0 Students in isolation 0 0 2 Staff members in isolation 0 1 0 Percentage of attendance 96% 97% 96% Total # of Student COVID cases this school year: 16 Total # of Staff cases this school year: 2 If your child has tested positive for COVID, and STM was not notified, please email Health@stmcyclones.org with the date of the positive test. We appreciate you partnering with us on school days to verify that every child is fever-free and not experiencing:
STM NIGHT--AVILA UNIVERSITY MEN’S BASKETBALL: Avila Men’s Basketball program is hosting a Saint Thomas More Day on Saturday, 11/27 vs Oklahoma Wesleyan University. Game time is 5 p.m. at the Mabee Fieldhouse on the Avila campus. All parents and STM kids that wear an STM item (sweatshirt, T-shirt or basketball uniform, spirit wear) will be allowed into the game for free. The first 25 STM kids in the door get a free bag of popcorn. HAPPY THANKSGIVING! WE ARE THANKFUL FOR YOU!!! Our entire St. Thomas More School staff would like to take this time to share our gratitude with each of you for sharing your most precious gifts--your children--with us. We know that we are certainly blessed to work in partnership with you to build the path to eternal paradise for His children. We wish you and your family a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday! Following is a prayer you might share as a family: Father in Heaven, Creator of all and source of all goodness and love, please look kindly upon us and receive our heartfelt gratitude in this time of giving thanks. Thank you for all the graces and blessings. You have bestowed upon us, spiritual and temporal: our faith and religious heritage. Our food and shelter, our health, the love we have for one another, our family and friends. Dear Father, in Your infinite generosity, please grant us continued graces and blessing throughout the coming year. This we ask in the Name of Jesus, Your Son and our Brother. Amen. black_friday_flyer_2021.pdf stm_order_form_holiday_2021_final__281_29.pdf basketball_spirit_wear.pdf November 11, 2021
Dear STM Families, Happy Veterans Day to all of you who currently serve or who have served our country in the U.S. Armed Forces. While we did not plan a formal ceremony at STM, we have honored our veterans through prayer on this day. My father was a WWII veteran who along with our mom taught my six siblings and me that our citizenship in the United States of America was a true gift that should be respected and celebrated. His service in the Army took him from his family’s farm home in southern Missouri to the battlegrounds of the Philippines and Japan. He carried shrapnel for the rest of his life from battle experiences. He loved serving his country! I know that he has interceded for all veterans today. As we celebrate Veterans Day, let us pray for all of our loved ones, living and deceased, who have served our country. Let us always honor them with the respect and dignity they deserve. May their examples inspire us and help us to serve not only our country but one another! Peace & Blessings, Linda Crosthwait, STM Principal STM UPCOMING EVENTS: Friday, Nov. 12 STM Dine-Out Afternoon at Cookies & Creamery Saturday, Nov. 13 BMA Mouse Races in More Hall! Join the Fun! See the attached flyer below for details. Tuesday, Nov. 16 COVID Task Force Meeting from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 17 Home & School Meeting 6:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 17 School Advisory Board Meeting from 6:30-7:30 pm. Thursday, Nov. 18 2nd Grade--First Reconciliation: Mrs. Spiller’s class at 6:00 p.m. Ms. Sarcone’s class at 6:45 p.m. Mrs. Anwander’s class at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 20 NOTE: DATE CHANGE Booster Club Pickleball Tournament at Blue Hills Country Club--see the attached flyer for more details! Wednesday, Nov. 24- Friday, Nov. 26 HAPPY THANKSGIVING!! NO SCHOOL! Tuesday, Dec. 7 St. Nicholas Day Parties from 2:30-3:15 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 7 All-School Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony and Outdoor Music Concert (Rain/Snow Date Dec. 13) Wednesday, Dec. 8 Feast of the Immaculate Conception--NO SCHOOL; Holy Day of Obligation Thursday, Dec. 9 Reconciliation Services for Grades 3, 5, 8 Friday, Dec. 10 Reconciliation Services for Grades 4, 6, 7 Friday, Dec. 17 Christmas Break Dismissal at 3:20 p.m. Dec. 20-Jan. 3 MERRY CHRISTMAS!! Christmas Break--NO SCHOOL ATTENTION 6TH, 7TH & 8TH GRADE PARENTS: Honor Roll Certificates were distributed to 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students today. Please find below how we determine the recipients of these awards for exemplary grades. How Honor Roll is Determined: - Students must have an A average (93% or higher). - The Honor Roll parameters have been programmed into Sycamore to reflect the weight of the grades in Core and Specials classes. - Core classes are weighted two and a half times greater than Specials classes reflecting the average time spent in the classes. If your child received a certificate, please know that they worked hard to achieve this distinction. Congratulations are definitely in order for him/her. Give yourself a pat on the back, too! ANOTHER NOTE: All 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students have been asked to carry their backpacks as they travel from class to class WITH THEIR NEW LAPTOPS. We have already had one cracked screen from a student dropping it on the stairs. Please remind your child to take extra care with their device and to always carry it in a backpack--and not in their arms while changing classes. HAT? COAT? MITTENS? Does your child arrive at school adequately dressed for the wintery weather? Please keep in mind that the weather can quickly change and our students go outside every day. We have seen students on these recent chilly days without a coat or other warm attire for recess, travelling to church, or other outdoor activities. Thanks for your help! STM CHOIR NEWS: SAVE THE DATE FOR OUR CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING MUSIC PROGRAM: Please save the date! St. Thomas More will be hosting our first ALL-SCHOOL STM Tree Lighting Ceremony on Tuesday, December 7, 2021! (Rain/Snow date: Dec. 13) Start time to be announced. This is going to be an outdoor school-wide function. All students PreK-8th grade will be performing. Details regarding that evening's event will be coming in the near future. We are searching for all of our Hallmark lovers to help make this a special time for all. Please contact Cheryl Parisi (parisi_cheryl@stmcyclones.org) or Laura Mullin (mullin_laura@stmcyclones.org) as soon as possible if you are willing and able to help in any capacity - planning, set-up, decorating, etc. It will be a wonderful evening sharing in the joy and splendor of Jesus' birth! November 10th-Martin City Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony- POST-PONED due to Inclement weather…the new date is Dec. 1st Please come dressed for the weather with a little Christmas cheer! We will meet next to the Post Office parking lot in front of the KC Running building at 5:30pm. Please take note that this is a different location then years past. The kids will start singing approximately 5:45pm with a 6:00pm end time when they turn on the tree. Please email me if your child is unable to attend. November 14th-11:00am Mass Please meet Mrs. Parisi in the Choir Loft by 10:30am to get ready for Mass. Please email me if your child is unable to attend. November 16th-NO CHOIR PRACTICE December 17th @6:30-6:45pm Caroling South Patrol KCPD Family Event ATTENTION 7TH & 8TH GRADE PARENTS: 7th & 8th graders are invited to a mixer hosted by the Parent Club at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic High School! Join us for a Flannel & Friends mixer from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, December 4. A minimum of 2 parent chaperones are required from each school for schools to participate. Space is limited, so register now! All registration must be online. To register CLICK HERE. 8th graders: Sign up for the High School Placement Test (HSPT) on December 11 at St. Michael the Archangel. FREE HSPT Prep Class on November 30 for those who take the test at SMA. This is a required test to be accepted to St. Michael. Click HERE to register. PARENT ATTENDANCE AT SCHOOL MASS: Our students are back to serving at Mass and serving as lectors at our school liturgical celebrations. Seats are limited in the pews, but if your child is serving or lectoring, please feel free to come to Mass and sit in the choir loft or the cry room. Our students attend Mass each week at 2:10 p.m. on the following days: Wednesdays: Kindergarten, grades 2, 7, 8 Thursdays: Grades 1, 3, 4, 5, 6 Please let me know if you have any questions. COVID-RELATED INFORMATION: STM COVID DASHBOARD: Week ending 10/21/21 Week ending 11/4/21 Week ending 11/11/21 Students in quarantine 1 3 2 Staff members in quarantine 0 0 0 Students in isolation 1 0 0 Staff members in isolation 0 0 1 Percentage of attendance 96% 96% 97% Total # of Student COVID cases this school year: 16 Total # of Staff cases this school year: 1 If your child has tested positive for COVID, and STM was not notified, please email Health@stmcyclones.org with the date of the positive test. We appreciate you partnering with us on school days to verify that every child is fever-free and not experiencing:
STM NIGHT--AVILA UNIVERSITY MEN’S BASKETBALL: Avila Men’s Basketball program is hosting a Saint Thomas More Day on Saturday, 11/27 vs Oklahoma Wesleyan University. Game time is 5 p.m. at the Mabee Fieldhouse on the Avila campus. All parents and STM kids that wear an STM item (sweatshirt, T-shirt or basketball uniform, spirit wear) will be allowed into the game for free. The first 25 STM kids in the door get a free bag of popcorn. Following is a prayer you might share with your family to honor our veterans: VETERANS DAY PRAYER Dear Lord, Today we honor our veterans, worthy men and women who gave their best when they were called upon to serve and protect their country. We pray that you will bless them, Lord, for their unselfish service in the continual struggle to preserve our freedom, our safety, and our country’s heritage, for all of us. Bless them abundantly. for the hardships they faced, for the sacrifices they made, for their many different contributions to America’s victories over tyranny and oppression. We respect them, we thank them, we honor them, we are proud of them and we pray that you will watch over these special people and bless them with peace and happiness. In Jesus’ name we pray – Amen. |
Cyclone ChatterThis is a weekly letter that Linda Crosthwait, Principal of STM puts out for school families. Archives
January 2022
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