5/12/2023 Cyclone Chatter

​Dear STM Families,
HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY to our STM moms and teachers!  You are the gentle guides who, through your love, help us to experience God’s love in our lives.  On Mother’s Day we give thanks to God for our Blessed Mother and our biological mothers (and grandmothers, aunts, cousins, and adopted mothers).  We are so thankful for you and your positive influence we see in your children.
 
My sincere apologies for this tardy edition of Cyclone Chatter.  Last night was the Graduation Mass and ceremonies for our 8th Grade STM Class of 2023.  Our church was packed with family and friends of our 49 graduates who gathered in prayer as they moved on from STM to make a difference in the world!
 
This ceremony marks the beginning of the end of our school year by bringing our whole school community together in celebration.  The All-School Mass on
Wednesday morning followed by an 8th grade walking parade was an incredible experience for all involved.  Students in our current 7th grade class were passed the mantle of leadership by the graduates in a touching “Passing of the Light” ceremony during Mass.  Then, each classroom in grades 1-7 cheered, chanted, and waved posters to honor and celebrate each of the graduates during their walking parade around our school.
The excitement continues with “Fun Day” on Monday–our version of a Field Day that’s a lot more fun!  Students dress in sunscreen, shorts, and t-shirts of a certain color so they are easily recognizable.  Here are the colors designated for each grade level to have on their shirts that day:
 
Kindergarten–red
1st–blue
2nd–Jesus Day t- shirts
3rd–green
4th–orange
5th–pink
6th–gray
7th–black (Our helpers for the day!)
 
Students will be dismissed at 1:00 on Monday!  (Rain-out day is Wednesday.)
 
NEW ADDITION THIS YEAR:  STUDENTS MAY BRING $5 TO FUN DAY TO TAKE 3 CHANCES TO DUNK A TEACHER OR STAFF MEMBER IN THE DUNK TANK! (all proceeds go to Meg Burke’s fundraiser for STM FOR ALL.
 
Students will clean out desks and lockers next week.  Please watch for information from teachers or grade levels regarding special instructions for bags or cleaning rags to handle emptying desks and lockers.  Teachers will distribute yearbooks on Thursday.
 
Next Friday is our last day of school.  We will gather together for an All-School Mass at 10:30 a.m. and students will return to school for dismissal at 11:30 a.m.
 
Teachers and students are working hard to make these final 5 days of school as positive, productive, and faith-filled as possible! Our students’ prayers for peace in the world continue.  Please pray with us!
St. Thomas More, pray for us.
 
Peace & Blessings,
Linda Crosthwait, STM Principal
 
 
STM IMPORTANT DATES
 
Thursday, May 11 - 8th Grade Graduation at 5:30 p.m. in the church
 
Monday, May 15
- STM FUN DAY!! Fun Day for grades PK-7  (Rain-out day–May 17)
NEW ADDITION THIS YEAR:  ‘DUNK YOUR TEACHERS & STAFF MEMBERS!’ in the DUNK TANK.  Fundraiser for Meg Burke’s STM 4 All Fund.  COST:  $5 for 3 balls
- PK-7th Grade Fun Day Class T-Shirt colors:
Kindergarten–red
1st–blue
2nd–Jesus Day t- shirts
3rd–green
4th–orange
5th–pink
6th–gray
7th–black
 
Wednesday, May 17 - Fr. Kleine’s server training for interested current 3rd graders during the school day (see details below)
 
Friday, May 19 - Last Day of School for students (dismissal following 10:30 Mass; pick-up at 11:30 at school)
 
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–7:50 a.m.; 3:20 p.m. Dismissal; NO MyHotLunchbox or milk–bring a sack lunch and a full refillable water bottle
 
 
 
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.
 
 
A MESSAGE FROM MRS. PARISI:
Thank you to the STM Choir for making such beautiful music all year.
Tuesday, May 9th was our last rehearsal.
Mrs. Parisi
 
A MESSAGE FROM FR. KLEINE:
Fr. Kleine will be hosting a server training session on Saturday May 20th at 9:15am! This session is available to all those entering 4th grade next year and up, be they new prospects to serving, or be they current servers who'd like to receive a refresher course.
 
Fr. Kleine will host a special server training for current 3rd graders during the school day from 11:00 - 11:50 a.m. on Wednesday, May 17th.  If you want your child to participate, you must contact Fr. Kleine (email below).
 
If you'd like for your child to attend the session, please email Fr. Kleine at frkleine@stmkc.com
Thank you for your willingness to serve Our Lord during the Mass.
Thank you and God bless,
- Fr. Andrew Kleine
 
22-23 STM YEARBOOK WILL BE DISTRIBUTED NEXT THURSDAY:
Online ordering from the company is now closed.  We have a few extra copies available for purchase at STM–first come, first served.  Call the STM Office if you need to purchase a yearbook.
 
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:
Field Trips!
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.
 
 
To our loving Mothers and Grandmothers, I offer you the beautiful prayer of St. Teresa of Ávila. It embodies the gift that you are to your children and grandchildren each day! Many blessings!
 
Christ has no body but yours,
No hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which he looks
Compassion on this world,
Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good,
Yours are the hands, with which he blesses all the world.
Yours are the hands, yours are the feet,
Yours are the eyes, you are his body.
Christ has no body now but yours,
No hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which he looks
compassion on this world.
Christ has no body now on earth but yours.
 
Amen.
HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!