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March 24, 2022
Dear STM Families, Tomorrow morning at 11 a.m., we will stop all activities at STM to join in Pope Francis in his Consecration of Russia and Ukraine to our Lady. I have copied the information and link to this special request from the pope below. Please consider joining us in this prayer for peace in our world. Our first days back after Spring Break sure haven’t felt like spring! We look forward to more sunshine, warmer temperatures, and OUTSIDE RECESSES for tomorrow and next week. Students and staff alike were in the groove and working hard as we began the 4th quarter of our school year. Please take time tomorrow or this weekend to check 3rd quarter grades on Sycamore with your child(ren) to celebrate academic successes and discuss challenges to finish this school year STRONG! St. Thomas More, pray for us. Peace and Blessings, Linda Crosthwait, STM Principal STM UPCOMING EVENTS: Friday, March 25 Sacrament of Reconciliation for students in grades 2-8 Friday, March 25 Check Sycamore for 3rd quarter grades! Tuesday, March 29 Dine-Out at STM: Big Red Food Truck and Kona Ice Wednesday, March 30 Open Registration Event from 9-10:30 a.m. (see details below) Thursday, March 31 FINAL Open Registration Event from 9-10:30 a.m. (see details below) Friday, April 1 All 2nd semester BAND FEES are DUE Friday, April 1 Stations of the Cross; 2:00 & 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 5 STM Dine-Out at Papa John’s Friday, April 8 Stations of the Cross; 2:00 & 2:30 p.m. Thursday, April 14 Holy Thursday; Early Dismissal at 12:30 p.m. Friday, April 15 Good Friday; NO SCHOOL Sunday, April 17 He is Risen! Happy Easter! Monday, April 18 Easter Monday; NO SCHOOL Friday, April 29 Jesus Day for our 2nd Graders Sunday, May 1 First Holy Communion for our 2nd Graders Thursday, May 5 8th Grade Confirmation Retreat at Prairie Star Ranch Wednesday, May 11 8th Grade Graduation at 5 p.m. FINAL OPEN REGISTRATION EVENTS: FINAL Open Enrollment Dates: 9-10:30 a.m. on 3/30, 3/31 CLASSES ARE FILLING QUICKLY! Registration events will continue through March for new families and continuing students until a grade section fills to capacity. All Enrollment forms will be provided at the enrollment events. Please be prepared with the following:
STM Complete Enrollment Information: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rUavHU6mJXrbqMpL1q2fCcwgPxXGic4G/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=108180739068306146379&rtpof=true&sd=true DINE OUT INFO FROM HOME & SCHOOL: Our next dine out opportunity will be right here at STM! TUESDAY, MARCH 29: Take a night off cooking to focus on your Glory Days skills and head up to the school parking lot for The Big Red Food Truck! This awesome truck will be serving up smash burgers and fries, including a kid size burger meal. And for dessert, you can grab some KONA ICE!! PURCHASE SCHOOL SUPPLIES FOR 2022-23 NOW! A MESSAGE FROM TIFFANY WOODS: It is hard to think about school supply shopping which is why we are so excited to announce a new partnership with 1st Day School Supplies! This year, 1st Day School Supplies is going to help parents and teachers get the exact supplies needed for next school year without the headache of shopping at Walmart, Target or Staples. Use the link below! A portion of each sale goes to the 2022 Teacher Bonus Fund! http://1stdayschoolsupplies.com/kits.php?sid=60959 HOT LUNCH POLICY: Due to ongoing issues in the lunchroom with forgotten lunches and extra hot lunches, we are making adjustments to how we handle the hot lunches of absent students and students who do not have lunch. We have seen that unclaimed hot lunches have created issues because students "forgot" their lunch, didn't pack enough food, steal a lunch off the table, etc. In order to alleviate this issue, all leftover hot lunches will be put in the cafeteria fridge. They will be sent home with a sibling at the end of the day, or they will be held until the next day when the student is back in school. No leftover hot lunches will be given out. If a student does not have lunch, we would give them a Lunchable. Unfortunately, this was becoming very expensive to keep stocked. Students also found creative ways to get a lunchable when they didn't like what they had packed from home. We have purchased a case of cheese & crackers that will be given if a student does not have lunch. Please make sure your child has a lunch purchased or in-hand every school day. If snack time is made available to them, remind him/her to NOT eat their sack lunch during that time. STM TROOP 601 FISH FRY: Tomorrow from 4:45 PM - 7 PM in More Hall $10 SENIORS, $12 INDIVIDUAL, $35 FAMILY ALL YOU CAN EAT $1 DESERTS COURTESY OF THE GIRL SCOUTS $5 BEER/WINE COURTESY K of C March 25 AND April 1,8 ATTENTION 8TH GRADE PARENTS–FIRE SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY: Each year our 8th grade students are given the opportunity to write an essay about “What inclusive Education Means to Me.” All 8th graders are invited to submit an essay to the FIRE Foundation by March 30th. Winners will be awarded a $1,000 scholarship to the CATHOLIC High School they will attend. On Tuesday March 22, Mrs. Burke will visit with the 8th graders during English class with more information. We wanted to give any student who wants to start early the opportunity during Spring Break. The attached letter has information as well. Please email Meg Burke with any questions at burke_meg@stmcyclones.org LENTEN SERVICE PROJECT NEEDS YOUR HELP: Our 8th grade class has chosen to collect supplies for Project Cure’s Kits for Kids program this Lent. ‘Kits for Kids’ provide personal hygiene and basic & ”medicine cabinet” items that are scarce in the developing world. Working with pediatricians and nurses, Project C.U.R.E. developed ‘Kits for Kids’ to give parents in developing countries the supplies they need to provide basic care at home. Kits are not just handed out. Volunteer health professionals who bring the kits with them on clinic trips do extensive health education with parents on the appropriate use of the supplies, and preventive care in general, so common problems do not become catastrophic. Due to a lack of access to basic healthcare, millions of children die each year of preventable and treatable conditions. ‘Kits for Kids’ is a way to provide access to these simple and affordable supplies. If a child gets hurt, families might have to travel a long distance by bicycle, bus or even on foot to receive care at the nearest hospital or medical clinic. These basic supplies can mean the difference between life and death for kids around the world. Here is a video that talks more about the program: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCWU2HwUVuw We will collect supplies each week, and during Holy Week we will pack our kits for kids’ bags in class. Sr. Colette will deliver the prepared bags to the Project Cure / Franciscan Mission Warehouse once they are ready to go. - Week 1: March 7th - 11th: Bandaids, combs, and ace bandages. - Week 2: March 21st - 25th: toothbrushes, toothpaste, travel size tissues - Week 3: March 28th - April 1st: blunt ended scissors, tweezers, nail clippers - Week 4: April 4th - 8th: bars of soap, face masks In addition to supplies for the kits, Project Cure asks for a $5 donation to cover the cost of the kit bags as well as shipping them out. Kim Day, a volunteer at the Warehouse has generously offered to cover the costs of the bags for us, but donations would help cut the cost for him, and any funds generated beyond our needs will go directly to Project Cure/Franciscan Mission Warehouse. You can learn more about Project C.U.R.E. at www.projectcure.org . See more information in the flier below. GLORY DAYS ARE BACK! March 28th - April 2nd Glory Days is more than a fundraiser for your school's athletic programs and facilities - it’s a chance to come together as a school for good-spirited competition, class pride, a whole lot of socializing, and celebrating our STM pride. What is Glory Days? It’s a week-long event for STM parents to compete alongside and against fellow parents. Dads and male guardians play in a basketball tournament and Moms and female guardians play in a volleyball tournament. Parents are placed on teams according to the grade of their oldest child, 1st through 8th grade. Preschool and Kindergarten parents: are encouraged to play and tournament directors will place them on teams as “free agents”. There is an entry fee of $30 per player, payable by cash, check, or Venmo when you check-in before the first game. Questions or interested in being a team captain for your grade? Please contact Zach Dobbler at zachdobbler@gmail.com Please see the attached flier for all of the details. COVID-RELATED INFORMATION: STM COVID DASHBOARD: Week ending 3/3/22 Week ending 3/10/22 Week ending 3/24/22 Students in quarantine 0 0 0 Staff members in quarantine 0 0 0 Students in isolation 3 3 0 Staff members in isolation 0 0 0 Percentage of attendance 93% 93% 93% Total # of Student COVID cases this school year: 63 on Dec. 16; 106 on March 24 Total # of Staff cases this school year: 2 on Dec. 16; 14 on March 24 Total # of Students in Quarantine this school year: 64 on Dec. 16; 91 on March 24 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:
Per our plan shared on 1/28/22, we will share a NEW Parent Survey link every two weeks through May 2. This information will be utilized in discussions with both the COVID Task Force and the STM School Advisory Board in upcoming meetings. Here is the link to the STM Family Survey that posted TODAY: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SPY86PN Teachers and staff at STM will be surveyed each month for their reactions to the current Mask-Optional protocol at our school. A new survey will be sent to them on April 1. STM SUMMER ARTS CAMP INFO: This summer there are some fun and exciting mini-camps being offered for anyone interested in drama activities, acting, singing, and performing. And….Mrs. Parisi is offering something special for band members too. Stay tuned for more information on that! Mr. O'Connell and Friends will offer stagecraft, and drama and music activity camps in June for incoming grades 7-9, 1-3, 4-6, then…in July a two week musical theater camp with Mr.O’Connell and Mrs.Parisi and others will be held for incoming grades 5-9 ending with a performance! ONE WEEK MORNING CAMPS 9:00-12:00 (Cost to be determined) *June 6-10: Set Design, Set Construction, Set Painting (Incoming grades 7-9) for the July musical theater camp. *June 13-17: Exploring Drama, Music, and Performance (Incoming grades 1-3) *June 27-30 Acting, Improv, Pantomime, Theater Games (Incoming grades 4-5) TWO WEEK MUSICAL THEATER DAY CAMP 9:00-3:00 July 11-22 (incoming grades 5-9). Musical to be determined; cost to be determined. Updates will be shared. Any questions? Contact Mr. O’Connell at oconnell_dan@stmcyclones.org DRESS DOWN PASS & STM PARISH BLOOD DRIVE: Saint Thomas More students have an opportunity for an out of uniform or favorite sport team shirt day. Students may have an adult friend or relative donate blood at the upcoming STM Blood Drive on Tuesday, April 5 from 1:30 to 6 PM. The friend or relative will receive a coupon for the student(s) to redeem for the Out of Uniform Day on Monday, April 11. Appointments are strongly suggested. Please bring ID. Go to https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fsavealifenow.org&c=E,1,KuhpV3n6BiRloQ5AG6LuLGgKTmpzdHKrOBcgKPKcOFqvHeU_lY8Vet-kPKxo6a5tukG3e6ksQ6g2p_dNN356Yqxb1qRniry04_Mooa4tpLmArcVziVCL&typo=1 (stthomasmore) or email Linda Heiman at hdc635@aol.com or call 816-835-5912 to sign up. To answer any questions please visit https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fwww.savealifenow.org&c=E,1,c5cmw3YUJJhxGXwxie7aw8J1CUIJbfyeGJWNpQavz2NrPHaxJteV-4UAq6b_UlHPPH-LFKypjhjJYlOEBu7ZmWmjTBqZUdSee8lCVHeA7acEk5E,&typo=1 or 1-800-688-0900. 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! The Liturgical Living Calendar for March with some great ideas for Lenten activities is attached below. From the Catholic News Agency: Vatican City, Mar 23, 2022 / 04:18 am Pope Francis has written a letter asking all Catholics to assemble in their parishes on Friday to pray the act of consecration of the world, particularly Russia and Ukraine, to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The Vatican published the pope’s letter two days before he is scheduled to pray the Marian consecration in St. Peter’s Basilica on Friday, March 25, in union with bishops around the world. “I ask you to join in this act by inviting the priests, religious and faithful to assemble in their churches and places of prayer on March 25, so that God’s Holy People may raise a heartfelt and choral plea to Mary our Mother,” Pope Francis said in the letter sent to all the world’s bishops. Pope Francis also included the text of the consecration prayer with his letter so that all Catholics can pray it together in union on the Solemnity of the Annunciation. “This act of consecration is meant to be a gesture of the universal Church, which in this dramatic moment lifts up to God, through his Mother and ours, the cry of pain of all those who suffer and implore an end to the violence, and to entrust the future of our human family to the Queen of Peace,” the pope said. The pope will pray the consecration during a penitential service which he will preside over in St. Peter’s Basilica at 5 p.m. local time. In the letter, signed on March 21, he said that he wanted to entrust the nations at war to the Blessed Virgin Mary in response to the “numerous requests from the People of God.” “Nearly a month has passed since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine that is daily inflicting immense suffering upon its sorely tried people and threatening world peace,” Pope Francis said. “At this dark hour, the Church is urgently called to intercede before the Prince of Peace and to demonstrate her closeness to those directly affected by the conflict.” Attachments: messages/attachments/bf31a8cd817b768c003ebc6afac5c687/Glory_Days_Flyer_2022.docx.pdf (59.4 KB) messages/attachments/73b57bd0be02e051d363f9b859b4c8f3/2022_Summer_Arts_Camp.pdf (670.4 KB) messages/attachments/79981fdd516eb49b8aed28f442cbb306/Liturgical_Living-March_2022.pdf (88.9 KB)
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March 3, 2022
Dear STM Families, Thank you to so many of you who have already completed registration for the 2022-23 school year. This early registration process helps us plan how to best support our students for a new school year through budgeting, allocating resources and staffing. If you have not registered yet, there is still time. Please see the Open Registration Event information in the calendar and blurb below. We will take registrations up until March 31 or when a class section is filled. We know that your decision to bring your child(ren) to St. Thomas More School is one that involves your deep faith in God and a willingness to allow us to partner with you in that mission. You make the choice of a Catholic School; no one chooses it for you. And for most of you, this choice involves a significant sacrifice. Catholic schools have always operated on sacrifice, which we see as not something to put up with, but a sign of real strength. Followers of Jesus made sacrifices for the benefit of others, but we don’t take that for granted. Parents make the same kinds of sacrifices to provide a Catholic education for their children. Please know that we respect you as the decision-makers for your children in choosing this environment for their spiritual, emotional, social, and academic growth. May God bless you deeply and richly for all you do to assist us in our joint mission. St. Thomas More, pray for us. Peace and Blessings, Linda Crosthwait, STM Principal STM UPCOMING EVENTS: Tuesday, March 8 Signs of Suicide (SOS) presentations in grades 6, 7, 8 Wednesday, March 9 Open Registration Events from 9-10:30 a.m. and 4-5:30 p.m. (see details below) Wednesday, March 9 STM Papa John’s Dine-Out Night Thursday, March 10 Open Registration Event from 9-10:30 a.m. (see details below) Thursday, March 10 Last day of 3rd Quarter Thursday, March 10 LAST DAY TO ORDER A 2021-22 YEARBOOK; SEE DETAILS BELOW TO ORDER ONLINE!! Friday, March 11 NO SCHOOL; Diocesan Professional Development Day for teachers Friday, March 11-- Monday, March 21 SPRING BREAK for Students Monday, March 21 Staff Religious Formation Retreat & 3rd Quarter Grade Prep–NO SCHOOL Tuesday, March 22 First day of 4th Quarter Wednesday, March 23 Open Registration Events from 9-10:30 a.m. & 4-5:30 p.m. (see details below) Thursday, March 24 Open Registration Event from 9-10:30 a.m. (see details below) Friday, March 25 Sacrament of Reconciliation for students in grades 2-8 Wednesday, March 30 Open Registration Event from 9-10:30 a.m. (see details below) Thursday, March 31 FINAL Open Registration Event from 9-10:30 a.m. (see details below) Friday, April 1 Stations of the Cross; 2:00 & 2:30 p.m. Friday, April 8 Stations of the Cross; 2:00 & 2:30 p.m. Thursday, April 14 Holy Thursday; Early Dismissal at 12:30 p.m. Friday, April 15 Good Friday; NO SCHOOL Sunday, April 17 He is Risen! Happy Easter! Monday, April 18 Easter Monday; NO SCHOOL DEADLINE TO ORDER 2021-22 STM YEARBOOK: You don't want to miss out on ordering a yearbook for your family! Our deadline for the printer is March 10--and we will NOT order extras this year. We can't absorb the cost of ordering books that are not sold to families. and return by the deadline, March 10. Please go to this website to order yours TODAY: ybpay.com OPEN REGISTRATION EVENTS: Registration events will continue through March for new families and continuing students until a grade section fills to capacity. All Enrollment forms will be provided at the enrollment events. Please be prepared with the following:
STM Complete Enrollment Information: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rUavHU6mJXrbqMpL1q2fCcwgPxXGic4G/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=108180739068306146379&rtpof=true&sd=true REMAINING Open Enrollment Dates: 9-10:30 a.m. on 3/9, 3/10, 3/23, 3/24, 3/30, 3/31 4-5:30 p.m. on 3/23 PURCHASE SCHOOL SUPPLIES FOR 2022-23 NOW! A MESSAGE FROM TIFFANY WOODS: I know it's hard to think about school supply shopping. That is why I am so excited to announce a new partnership with 1st Day School Supplies! This year, 1st Day School Supplies is going to help parents and teachers get the exact supplies needed for next school year without the headache of shopping at Walmart, Target or Staples. I have personally found 1st Day School Supplies to be convenient, easy and hassle free! Plus, they have guaranteed competitive prices on the highest quality brands, including the germ fighting brands like Purell and Lysol. Why not check school supply shopping off your list now! You can make your purchase right now, get started by clicking the link below: http://1stdayschoolsupplies.com/kits.php?sid=60959 STM TROOP 601 FISH FRY: This Friday from 4:45 PM - 7 PM in More Hall $10 SENIORS, $12 INDIVIDUAL, $35 FAMILY ALL YOU CAN EAT $1 DESERTS COURTESY OF THE GIRL SCOUTS $5 BEER/WINE COURTESY K of C March 4, 11, 25 AND April 1,8 See attached flier for all of the details GLORY DAYS ARE BACK! March 28th - April 2nd Glory Days is more than a fundraiser for your school's athletic programs and facilities - it’s a chance to come together as a school for good-spirited competition, class pride, a whole lot of socializing, and celebrating our STM pride. What is Glory Days? It’s a week-long event for STM parents to compete alongside and against fellow parents. Dads and male guardians play in a basketball tournament and Moms and female guardians play in a volleyball tournament. Parents are placed on teams according to the grade of their oldest child, 1st through 8th grade. Preschool and Kindergarten parents: are encouraged to play and tournament directors will place them on teams as “free agents”. There is an entry fee of $30 per player, payable by cash, check, or Venmo when you check-in before the first game. Questions or interested in being a team captain for your grade? Please contact Zach Dobbler at zachdobbler@gmail.com Please see the attached flier for all of the details. BOYS’ VOLLEYBALL INFORMATION: 4th-8th grade Boys volleyball Registration is open now at the PLKC website. Please sign up as soon as you can so we can get an accurate count of boys and know if we will need to hold evaluations to make even teams, and also so we can secure enough coaches. If you have any questions please feel free to send a message to the volleyball coordinator, Jenny Smith at jkalbsmith@gmail.com. The season starts March 7th and runs through the first week of May. Games are on Friday nights starting March 25th. More info is on the website under register now tab. Www.plkc.org. We will be holding evaluations for 5th, 6th and 8th grade boys signed up to play volleyball this spring. Please have your son come to be evaluated and show up about 5 minutes or so before his grades time period to get assigned a number. Send knee pads and water bottles as well. We will be at the STM gym on Monday March 7th. Times are listed below. Eval times on Monday 3/7 5th - 5pm to 5:45 6th - 5:45 to 6:30 8th - 6:30 to 7:30 COVID-RELATED INFORMATION: STM COVID DASHBOARD: Week ending 2/17/22 Week ending 2/24/22 Week ending 3/3/22 Students in quarantine 2 1 0 Staff members in quarantine 0 0 0 Students in isolation 1 4 3 Staff members in isolation 0 1 0 Percentage of attendance 96% 94% 93% Total # of Student COVID cases this school year: 33 on Dec. 16; 89 on March 3 Total # of Staff cases this school year: 2 on Dec. 16; 14 on March 3 Total # of Students in Quarantine this school year: 64 on Dec. 16; 91 on March 3 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:
Per our plan shared on 1/28/22, we will share a NEW Parent Survey link every two weeks through May 2. This information will be utilized in discussions with both the COVID Task Force and the STM School Advisory Board in upcoming meetings. Here is the data collected from the survey issued on 2/24/22: Here is the link to the STM Family Survey that will be open from today until March 10: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/7PJRY5N Teachers and staff at STM will be surveyed each month for their reactions to the current Mask-Optional protocol at our school. Here are the results received from the survey sent to staff members last week: 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! The Liturgical Living Calendar for March with some great ideas for Lenten activities is attached below. Below is a Lenten prayer you might consider sharing with your family this week: Lord Jesus, In Your death, you embraced love To extinguish the flame of darkness. Death in ashes, yet love set alight Now alive and dancing As a beacon of hope in our hearts. Dear Lord, with the mark of your cross upon me I choose to walk its way. To let go of self, and entrust all things to you So that I may catch a glimpse of your eternal love for me. Amen. Attachments: messages/attachments/bf31a8cd817b768c003ebc6afac5c687/Glory_Days_Flyer_2022.docx.pdf (59.4 KB) messages/attachments/f0a8f5aa126dec38ad719bd77af57a3d/Fish_Fry_2022.pdf (329.6 KB) messages/attachments/79981fdd516eb49b8aed28f442cbb306/Liturgical_Living-March_2022.pdf (88.9 KB) |
Cyclone ChatterThis is a weekly letter that Linda Crosthwait, Principal of STM puts out for school families. Archives
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