5-4-23 Cyclone Chatter

Dear STM Families,
The clock is ticking and the days are becoming short for this school year–especially for our graduating 8th grade class.
 
Tomorrow we celebrate the wonderful tradition of May Crowning at STM.  This is an all-school prayer service during the month of May each year when we honor Mary as the Queen of Heaven and the Mother of Jesus.  Our 8th grade girls will lead the prayer service that begins at 2:30 p.m. in our church.  At the end of their prayers and our choir singing Marian songs, our May Queen will crown a statue of Mary with a wreath of flowers.
 
 This event is the beginning of the end for our 8th grade class who will celebrate their graduation Mass next Thursday, May 11 at 5:30 p.m.  They will also participate in a ‘Passing of the Light’ ceremony after their Final All-School Mass on Wednesday, May 10 at 8:15 a.m.  During the ‘Passing of the Light’ ceremony, the eighth grade graduating class symbolically passes on the light of leadership of the school to the seventh grade class.
 
On another note, the first meeting of the STM Safety Committee took place last night.  Twelve STM parishioners, parents, and staff members began the timely discussion of possible upgrades to our safety and security and how to pay for them.
 
 Please know that the mission and intention of these efforts is to provide the safest learning environment possible for your children.  I will keep you posted on updates as this committee continues their work. 
 
St. Thomas More, pray for us.
Peace & Blessings,
Linda Crosthwait, STM Principal
 
STM IMPORTANT DATES
 
Friday, May 5
- FIRST FRIDAY–STM Spirit Day:  Students may wear STM Spirit Wear tops with STM Spirit Wear bottoms, jeans, khakis, or uniform bottoms–OR the STM uniform
- 8th Grade May Crowning Service at 2:30 p.m. in Church; all-school; Parents Welcome!
- STM TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK–see details below
- Cinco de Mayo party, 7pm at Southside Bar and Grill
$20 donation at the door or Venmo Meg Burke @Meg-Burke-5
 
May 9 - Dos De Oros; 4 p.m. - close; Mention STM when you order; Dine In or Carry Out; 15% of Proceeds Donated
 
Thursday, May 11 - 8th Grade Graduation at 5:30 p.m. in the church
 
Monday, May 15 - Fun Day for grades PK-7;  Rain-out day–May 17; STM Fun Day! 5/15/23
Here is the link to the SignUp Genius for our Fun Day scheduled for Monday, May 15th.  Please take a look to see what items are needed and where parent helpers could give of their time.  This is by far one of the most exciting days for our students.  Let's do what we can to make it special for them!  If you have any questions, please reach out to Natalie Wellington at ruwartn@gmail.com
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0B45ACA722ABFB6-stmfun
 
Friday, May 19 - Last Day of School for students (dismissal following 10:30 Mass)
 
Monday, Aug. 14 - Boot Camp for incoming 5th-8th Graders from 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
 
Wednesday, Aug. 16 - First Day of School for 2023-24 School Year; Start Time–7:50 a.m.; 12:30 Dismissal; No Lunch; No Milk; bring a full refillable water bottle and a snack
 
Thursday, Aug. 16 & Friday, Aug. 17
Full Days of School; Start Time–7:40 a.m.; 3:20 p.m. Dismissal; No MyHotLunchbox or milk–bring a sack lunch and a full refillable water bottle
 
 
STM Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week:
The entire STM Staff would like to thank ALL OF YOU for spoiling us this week!  From the breakfast treats, the beautiful flowers, covering our recess duties, Sonic drinks (from our 8th grade class!), to our expectations of a Mexican fiesta lunch tomorrow on Cinco de Mayo–you went way over the top!! We are all so blessed to be part of such a caring and generous school community!  Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!!
 
2023-2024 STM Registration - REGISTER NOW
Late Registration - $100 late fee applies to anyone who completes the online process and financial obligations after March 22, 2023.
 
PREK CLASS ENROLLMENT IS CLOSED.  PLEASE LET US KNOW IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE ADDED TO THE WAIT LIST.
 
TWO OTHER GRADE LEVELS ARE ALMOST CLOSED.  PLEASE GET WITH THE CHURCH OFFICE ABOUT FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS TO ENSURE A SEAT FOR YOUR STUDENT FOR NEXT YEAR.
 
Please know that you need to complete the online portion of registration BEFORE you visit the parish office to complete the financial portion and finalize registration.
Sycamore Online Registration Link: https://sycamore.school/family/admissions/register?school_id=2161
You will also need the following information to get started with online registration:
 
Video tutorial for Online Registration with Sycamore: https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/c0nbYqVyDih
Your Parent Sycamore Login & Password (if you do not remember your password, you can go to https://app.sycamoreschool.com/index.php and click "Reset Password."  If you do not have your login information, please contact the school office at 816.942.5581)
STM School ID: 2161
Most recent address, telephone, etc. for your family, emergency contacts, etc.
Access to your child's birth certificate, baptismal certificate, and most current immunization record, if they have not already been submitted to the school.
 
22-23 STM YEARBOOK NOW:
Online ordering from the company is now closed.  We will have a few extra copies available for purchase at STM–first come, first served.  Call the STM Office if you need to order a yearbook.
 
DRAMA PROGRAM OFFERED AFTER SCHOOL:
Mr. Dan O’Connell, 5th-6th grade Social Studies teacher, is sponsoring an after school drama program.  The weekly classes will run for FOUR days--Monday-Thursday. The cost for the four days is $25.00.  If your child comes for one to three days, the cost is $10.00 per day.
 
Week 5:  4th grade only  May 1-4. Minimum enrollment: 4.  We will read the play Charlotte’s Web, do pantomime activities as well as other creative drama experiences!
 
Week 6:  1st and 2nd grade only:  May 8-11 Music, movement, listening to stories, telling stories, exploring all aspects of drama, what fun!
Questions?  Thank you!  Email:  oconnell_dan@stmcyclones.org
 
RESOURCES FROM ‘SCREEN SANITY’:
Please take a look at (or a listen to) the resources shared with us from Screen Sanity.  Several months ago, we had an evening presentation for parents about ways to keep your child physically and emotionally safe while using devices on the internet.  Here are some recommendations they have made for you in continuing to safeguard your children:
 
Tech Tips: This blog post YouTube Kids: What You Need to Know and this podcast episode about body image and social media.
 
SUMMER CYCLONES INFORMATION–MORE DETAILS!!!:
Our Summer Camp Directors this summer will be:  Mrs. Alison Wynn and Ms. Jo Rogers!!!
They have come up with some exciting learning opportunities and adventures for our summer campers this year, including:
Inflatables Day!
Guest facilitators–The Marble Guy (learn to play, make a marble, take home a bag of marbles); The Rocket Lady (build your own rocket AND shoot it off!); The Roller Coaster lady
Nature walks to prepare individual sections of YOUR OWN Pick-and-Press “Nature Book”
Red Bridge Library experiences
WATCH THIS SPACE FOR MORE HIGHLIGHTS TO COME!!!
 
For students entering grades Pre-K to 7 Weekdays, Tuesday, May 30—Tuesday, August 8, 2023 8:00am—5:30pm
 
The Summer Cyclones Camp is an amazing experience that will offer kids preschool aged to 7th grade the opportunity to forge a community unlike any other centered around an engaging experience of fun and enrichment. The enthusiastic staff at Summer Cyclones cannot wait to make this the best summer ever for the kids as they stay sharp on their academic skills and participate in a healthy dose of fun-filled activities on site.
More info & registration:  stmkc.com/summercyclones
 
STM School Supply Kits
St. Thomas More parents...I am so excited that this year we've partnered with 1st Day School Supplies, order your kit now! They are going to save us up to 30% over shopping at big box stores like Target, Walmart and Amazon. Better yet, they are the undisputed leader in custom kitting school supplies. Providing us with only brand names you trust and respect like Ticonderoga, Crayola, Elmer's and Clorox. So, what are you waiting for? Buy early and save! Shop Now.
 
Friday, May 5th:  Cinco de Mayo @ Southside to Support STM for All @ 7 p.m.
Support Meg Burke and her efforts to raise money for STM for All.  #itsforthekids
Live entertainment with The Jackwagons.  $20 donation at the door buys 2 drinks and great music!
 
ATTENTION:  PARENTS OF 5TH, 6TH & 7TH GRADE STUDENTS:
FINAL REMINDER to order uniforms for P.E. class next school year.. Incoming grade 6,7,and 8th graders ONLY.  Please turn in order form and payment by Tues., May 9th.
Check, cash or venmo @Lisa-Hain accepted. Thank you.
 
PLEASE JOIN US IN A PRAYER FOR OUR 8TH GRADE GRADUATES:
Dear God,
We pray for our graduates today and lift them before you.
We thank you so much for these we love and for the work you are continuing to do in their lives.
They are a gift to us and to many others.
And during this season of new beginnings, we ask that you would make their way clear.
We ask that you would keep their footsteps firm and remind them that you are with them, always.
May they sense the freshness of your Spirit over their lives in amazing ways, may they be strengthened, instilled with hope, for the new roads you have in store.
In Your name we pray, Amen.