Dear STM Families,
I have a couple of great announcements to share with you today: First, it is with great pleasure to share that the FIRE Foundation has approved a grant to STM for the 2021-22 school year to support inclusion education in the amount of $31,000. Our grant award total was the largest percentage increase of any of the schools considered by the FIRE Foundation. In our grant, we pinpointed several specific components of our programming that will benefit from these funds, including:
Thank you so much for bringing these devices to our students and allowing our teachers to facilitate their advancements in learning in the digital age! You will be hearing much more about our planning and utilization of our student devices. STM SCHOOL UPCOMING EVENTS: Friday, April 16 Iowa Assessments completed for Grades 3-8 Sunday, April 18 2nd Grade First Holy Communion Masses (details below) Monday 4/19- Sunday 5/2 Save the Date for the Spring Book Fair Tuesday, April 20 Dos de Oros tonight for dinner! STM Dine-Out Night! Tuesday, April 20th 8th Grade Fundraiser—Kona Ice Truck for all students; more details will follow Week of April 26-30 Spirit Week to support STM for All and BMA Foundation April 26, 28, 29 8th Grade/Confirmation homeroom retreats Week of May 3-7 Diocesan Benchmark Assessments for Grades 3-8 in Math, English, and Written Expression Wednesday, May 5 Southside tonight for dinner! STM Dine-Out Night! Wednesday, May 12 8th Grade Graduation at 5 p.m. Thursday, May 20 Last Day of School for Students; 12:30 p.m. dismissal SUMMER CYCLONES INFORMATION: 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 they as they stay sharp on their academic skills and participate in a healthy dose of fun-filled activities on site. Please see the attached flyer for all the details or check it out at this link: https://stmkc.com/summercyclones 2ND GRADE FIRST COMMUNION: Our 2nd grade students will make their First Holy Communion on Sunday, April 18. There will be three individual Masses for each of the classrooms: 2:00 p.m.--Mrs. Anwander’s class 3:30 p.m.--Mrs. Corkins’ class 5:00 p.m.--Mrs. Spiller’s class SPRING BOOK FAIR: Our Spring Book Fair will take place online beginning on Monday, April 19th thru Tuesday, May 2nd. The Book Fair helps our students discover new books, favorite characters and more! Every purchase earns our school rewards for needed resources. Plus, shipping is free on book-only purchases over $25. Please look for the flyers highlighting popular choices and new releases in your students backpacks on Friday. Check out https://www.scholastic.com/bf/stthomasmoreschool6 starting on Monday! STM SPIRIT WEEK TO SUPPORT STM FOR ALL AND BMA FOUNDATION: Dancing with Dan Spirit Week: Monday, April 26: Decades of Dance—Dress in your favorite decade (school-appropriate attire) Tuesday, April 27: Popsicles with Pals (donate to participate in a class popsicle party) Wednesday, April 28: Dancing your Socks Off Day—Wear your craziest socks Thursday, April 29: Hat’s On for STM for All—Wear your favorite hat Friday, April 30: STM Spirit Day
Dan Tanner (our kindergarten teacher’s husband) is dancing on behalf of STM for All! He is also learning to dance to carry on Brian Anselmo’s legacy, with the BMA Foundation's ‘Dine and Dance with the Stars’ event on June 12th. Brian would have been 41 years old on February 19. In honor of Brian's birthday, the BMA Foundation created a t-shirt. For a $50 donation - the shirt is yours PLUS he will receive VOTES - it's a Win/Win **When ordering shirt please put Dan's name in the comments so he gets credit! T-Shirt ORDER: https://bmafoundation.org/product/bma-kansas-city-t-shirt/ VOTE for Dan! https://bmafoundation.org/events-tickets/dine-dance/ Thank you for your continued support of STM for All! #TogetherWeMakeADifference #itsforthekids #TransformingLives #BeKind21 #stmforall #bmafoundationkc TIME TO ORDER SCHOOL KITS FOR 2021-22! It's that time of the year to pre-order your student's school supplies. Go to www.ckasskit.com Enter the city and state and St. Thomas More should pop up. If you have any questions, please contact me at tiffanydwoods@att.net Please make sure you receive an email confirmation once you place your order. Late fee of $7.50 added to orders June 15 through June 30th. No orders accepted after June 30th.
Questions? Please contact the parish office. IF YOU NEED TO DROP OFF A LUNCH: If you need to drop off a lunch for your child, please do not bring a soda drink. From our STM Students and Parent Handbook: “Gum and Soda Pop may not be served in the classrooms. Some parents have suggested that we serve 7-UP as a substitute, it is the ingredients in the soda, namely the sugar, which cause stains on the carpet. Gum causes obvious difficulties when not disposed of properly. Therefore, we DO NOT ALLOW soda pop or gum in the classrooms.” COVID-RELATED INFORMATION: STM COVID DASHBOARD: See image below... Total # of Student COVID cases this school year: 24 Total # of Staff cases this school year: 14 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 your partnering with us to verify that every child is fever-free and not experiencing: New cough Difficult breathing Loss of taste/smell Fever (equal to or greater than 100 degrees) or chills Sore throat Congestion/runny nose Headache Muscle or body aches Nausea/vomiting/diarrhea If your child has any of these symptoms, they should not attend school. Notify Amy Hokanson, RN of any symptoms or exposure to COVID-19 by calling 816-942-5581 or email health@stmcyclones.org COVID Task Force Meeting Notes: The COVID Task Force met this afternoon. The next meeting is set for Thursday, April 22. Any additional agenda items for the next meeting can be shared with Mrs. Crosthwait or any COVID Task Force member. Following are the parents who serve on this team: Ben Lizak, Stephanie Rogge, Layne Griffith, Natalie Rellihan, Matt Pomianek, McCall Creswell, and Courtney Fitzgerald. The following discussions took place during today’s meeting:
EARTH DAY PROJECT—TRASH PICK-UP ALONG BLUE RIVER ROAD Saturday, April 24, 10am-Noon The St. Thomas More Green Team is planning a service project to celebrate Earth Day (which is April 22). On the following Saturday, we will meet at 10am in the parking lot of Children International, which is located at the northwest corner of Red Bridge and Blue River Roads. We will pick up trash for two hours along Blue River Road. We have made arrangements with the city to come and pick up the trash that we have collected. We encourage young and old, singles and families to come and be a part of this project. Children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. This is a great opportunity for students to get service hours. We recommend wearing long sleeves, jeans, gloves, and protective footwear. We will provide plastic bags. Please pray for good weather! For more information or to register for this event, contact David Butel at the parish office by April 21, dbutel@stmkc.com or 816-942-2492, x. 210. ROOM/TEACHER REQUESTS: The STM office will review requests for room assignments based upon a written request submitted to Mrs. Crosthwait. All requests must be submitted before May 1. Only requests having a firm educational basis will be accepted for review. STM SCHOOL ADVISORY BOARD OPENINGS FOR 2021-2024: We want to share our deep appreciation with three STM School Advisory Board members who have completed their three-year terms on the board. Many thanks to: Amy Cooper, Kathy Schimmel, and Tiffany Woods Because of their departure from the board, we need three new board members to serve through the 2021-22, 2022-23, and 2023-24 school years. Please prayerfully consider if you might bring your gifts and talents to serve in this advisory role. Please see the attachment below or follow this link to access the application. http://www.stmkcschool.org/volunteering.html Scroll down to the School Advisory Board section of the page and click on the 'SAB Application' button. ALL APPLICATIONS ARE DUE TO THE STM SCHOOL OFFICE BY MAY 7, 2021. Please consider praying this prayer with your family through the unpredictable weather as we welcome our Kansas City Spring! Springtime Prayer For the cycle of life which brings death and rebirth… For the lengthening days and sunlight’s warmth upon the soil… For a snowdrop’s beauty reflecting its Creator’s artistry… For newborn animals - their joy and exuberance… For all creation and the majesty of its Creator… We rejoice in the promise of Spring.. Amen. Peace and Blessings, Linda Crosthwait, STM Principal Dear STM Families,
Happy Easter to all of you and your families! Your children brought the joy of the Risen Christ back with them as they returned from Easter Break! I only wish you could walk the hallways of our school and peek into the learning that is taking place in each and every classroom. Kindergarteners are READING! Second graders are ravenously learning more and more about our Catholic faith as they prepare for their First Holy Communion next weekend! The 8th graders (who look more like high schoolers!) are counting down the days to their Graduation and preparing for Confirmation! Our staff praises God for the gift of your wonderful children who bring the hope and joy of the Easter season to us each day! STM SCHOOL UPCOMING EVENTS: Week of April 12-16 Iowa Assessments for Grades 3-8 Sunday, April 18 2nd Grade First Holy Communion Monday 4/19- Sunday 5/2 Save the Date for the Spring Book Fair Tuesday, April 20 Dos de Oros tonight for dinner! STM Dine-Out Night! Tuesday, April 20th 8th Grade Fundraiser—Kona Ice Truck for all students; more details will follow April 26, 28, 29 8th Grade/Confirmation homeroom retreats Week of May 3-7 Diocesan Benchmark Assessments for Grades 3-8 in Math, English, and Written Expression Wednesday, May 5 Southside tonight for dinner! STM Dine-Out Night! Wednesday, May 12 8th Grade Graduation at 5 p.m. Thursday, May 20 Last Day of School for Students; 12:30 p.m. dismissal TIME TO ORDER SCHOOL KITS FOR 2021-22! It's that time of the year to pre-order your student's school supplies. Go to www.ckasskit.com Enter the city and state and St. Thomas More should pop up. If you have any questions, please contact me at tiffanydwoods@att.net Please make sure you receive an email confirmation once you place your order. Late fee of $7.50 added to orders June 15 through June 30th. No orders accepted after June 30th. ST. THOMAS MORE IN NOW ON VENMO@SaintThomasMore-KansasCity This method can be used for both the parish and our school. When you transfer money using this option you need to make sure you specify where you want the money to go in the comments section. If you have not used Venmo before, it transfers directly from your bank account without fees. Questions? Please contact the parish office. IF YOU NEED TO DROP OFF A LUNCH: If you need to drop off a lunch for your child, please do not bring a soda drink. From our STM Students and Parent Handbook: “Gum and Soda Pop may not be served in the classrooms. Some parents have suggested that we serve 7-UP as a substitute, it is the ingredients in the soda, namely the sugar, which cause stains on the carpet. Gum causes obvious difficulties when not disposed of properly. Therefore, we DO NOT ALLOW soda pop or gum in the classrooms.” IOWA ASSESSMENTS NEXT WEEK IN GRADES 3-8: St. Thomas More teachers will administer the Iowa Assessments for grades 3-8 the week of April 12-16. This is an important academic tool which measures a student's knowledge in reading, language arts, mathematics, science and social studies. The data collected will enable us to better differentiate your child’s learning as he/she moves forward this year and into next school year. Your child will need two sharpened #2 pencils for each day of testing next week. Please make sure your child is not tardy on testing days and avoid any appointments or absences. If your child is sick, though, please keep him/her home. We can arrange a make-up in that case. Students who struggle the most on testing days are the ones who didn't have enough sleep or a good breakfast the day of the test. Also, your words about testing are so important to their mindset about taking them. You can say, “This will be a great chance for you to show how much you’ve learned this year” instead of “I know how much you hate to take tests.” We appreciate your support to help them do their best. Connected Learner families should have been contacted already about options for testing. Please call the school office if you have not heard, or if you have any questions. 2ND GRADE FIRST COMMUNION: Our 2nd grade students will make their First Holy Communion on Sunday, April 18. There will be three individual Masses for each of the classrooms: 2:00 p.m.--Mrs. Anwander’s class 3:30 p.m.--Mrs. Corkins’ class 5:00 p.m.--Mrs. Spiller’s class SUMMER CYCLONES INFORMATION: 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 they as they stay sharp on their academic skills and participate in a healthy dose of fun-filled activities on site. Please see the attached flyer for all the details or check it out at this link: https://stmkc.com/summercyclones COVID-RELATED INFORMATION: STM COVID DASHBOARD: See image below Total # of Student COVID cases this school year: 22 Total # of Staff cases this school year: 14 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 your partnering with us to verify that every child is fever-free and not experiencing: New cough Difficult breathing Loss of taste/smell Fever (equal to or greater than 100 degrees) or chills Sore throat Congestion/runny nose Headache Muscle or body aches Nausea/vomiting/diarrhea If your child has any of these symptoms, they should not attend school. Notify Amy Hokanson, RN of any symptoms or exposure to COVID-19 by calling 816-942-5581 or email health@stmcyclones.org The STM COVID Task Force agreed to reconvene on Thursday, April 15. EARTH DAY PROJECT—TRASH PICK-UP ALONG BLUE RIVER ROAD Saturday, April 24, 10am-Noon The St. Thomas More Green Team is planning a service project to celebrate Earth Day (which is April 22). On the following Saturday, we will meet at 10am in the parking lot of Children International, which is located at the northwest corner of Red Bridge and Blue River Roads. We will pick up trash for two hours along Blue River Road. We have made arrangements with the city to come and pick up the trash that we have collected. We encourage young and old, singles and families to come and be a part of this project. Children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. This is a great opportunity for students to get service hours. We recommend wearing long sleeves, jeans, gloves, and protective footwear. We will provide plastic bags. Please pray for good weather! For more information or to register for this event, contact David Butel at the parish office by April 21, dbutel@stmkc.com or 816-942-2492, x. 210. ROOM/TEACHER REQUESTS: The STM office will review requests for room assignments based upon a written request submitted to Mrs. Crosthwait. All requests must be submitted before May 1. Only requests having a firm educational basis will be accepted for review. STM SCHOOL ADVISORY BOARD OPENINGS FOR 2021-2024: We want to share our deep appreciation with three STM School Advisory Board members who have completed their three-year terms on the board. Many thanks to: Amy Cooper, Kathy Schimmel, and Tiffany Woods Because of their departure from the board, we need three new board members to serve through the 2021-22, 2022-23, and 2023-24 school years. Please prayerfully consider if you might bring your gifts and talents to serve in this advisory role. Please see the attachment below or follow this link to access the application. http://www.stmkcschool.org/volunteering.html Scroll down to the School Advisory Board section of the page and click on the 'SAB Application' button. ALL APPLICATIONS ARE DUE TO THE STM SCHOOL OFFICE BY MAY 7, 2021. Please consider praying this prayer with your family through the Easter season: Lord God, You loved this world so much that you gave your one and only Son, that we might be called your children too. Lord, help us to live in the gladness and grace of Easter Sunday, everyday. Let us have hearts of thankfulness for your sacrifice. Let us have eyes that look upon your grace and rejoice in our salvation. Help us to walk in that mighty grace and tell your good news to the world. All for your glory do we pray, Lord, Amen. Happy Easter to you and your family! Peace and Blessings, Linda Crosthwait, STM Principal Dear STM Families,
What a wonderful day it is! Today we recognized Holy Thursday in our morning and afternoon prayers as the beginning of the Easter Triduum and the final school day before celebrating Christ’s resurrection at Easter! Our students were decked out in KC Royals and STM Spirit Wear and played some funny April Fools’ jokes on each other and their teachers (and principal!). The sun is shing, flowers are blooming, and our students are flourishing. Look at the picture above of the 6th grade student-created bulletin board in their hallway. Each flower petal represents a Lenten sacrifice made by a student. Pretty amazing! On this joyous occasion of Easter, I would like to share my deepest appreciation for our St. Thomas More School and Parish community. We are a team of like-minded lovers of God and His children who come together each day to give him glory. It’s hard to express how grateful I am to work with you in our mission to bring all of us closer to eternal life in heaven! I hope you and your family have a blessed and beautiful Easter! STM SCHOOL UPCOMING EVENTS: Thursday, April 1 3rd Quarter Grades posted to Sycamore Sunday, April 4 Alleluia! He is Risen! Happy Easter! Friday, April 2 and Monday, April 5 Good Friday and Easter Monday—NO SCHOOL Wednesday, April 7 8thGrade Fundraiser--prepackaged snacks/treats for $1 each at recess Week of April 12-16 Iowa Assessments for Grades 3-8 Sunday, April 18 2nd Grade First Holy Communion Monday 4/19- Sunday 5/2 Save the Date for the Spring Book Fair Tuesday, April 20th 8thGrade Fundraiser—Kona Ice Truck for all students; more details will follow April 26, 28, 29 8thGrade/Confirmation homeroom retreats Week of May 3-7 Diocesan Benchmark Assessments for Grades 3-8 in Math, English, and Written Expression Wednesday, May 12 8th Grade Graduation at 5 p.m. Thursday, May 20 Last Day of School for Students; 12:30 p.m. dismissal THIRD QUARTER REPORT CARDS ARE POSTED: Your child(ren)’s grades were posted to Sycamore today. Please review the grades with your child to celebrate the learning that has taken place through 3rd quarter and to discuss any challenges, as well. IMPORTANT—2020-21 STM ACTIVITY FEES PAST DUE! From Tim Waris: Just a reminder that your unpaid 2020-2021 activity fees are past due. We need all payments settled before your registration is effective for the next school year. If you have an 8th grader your grades will be held until the fee is paid. 8th GRADE FUNDRAISER ON WEDNESDAY: The 8th Grade will be hosting another Treat Sale during recess on Wednesday, April 7th as a fundraiser for graduation. All treats will be $1. IOWA ASSESSMENTS SCHEDULED FOR APRIL 12-16: St. Thomas More teachers will administer the Iowa Assessments for grades 3-8 the week of April 12-16. This is an important academic tool which measures a student's knowledge in reading, language arts, mathematics, science and social studies. The data collected will enable us to better differentiate your child’s learning as he/she moves forward this year and into next school year. Please make sure your child is not tardy on testing days and avoid any appointments or absences. If your child is sick, though, please keep him/her home. We can arrange a make-up in that case. Students who struggle the most on testing days are the ones who didn't have enough sleep or a good breakfast the day of the test. Also, your words about testing are so important to their mindset about taking them. You can say, “This will be a great chance for you to show how much you’ve learned this year” instead of “I know how much you hate to take tests.” We appreciate your support to help them do their best. Connected Learner families should have been contacted already about options for testing. Please call the school office if you have not heard, or if you have any questions. 2ND GRADE FIRST COMMUNION: Our 2nd grade students will make their First Holy Communion on Sunday, April 18. There will be three individual Masses for each of the classrooms: 2:00 p.m.--Mrs. Anwander’s class 3:30 p.m.--Mrs. Corkins’ class 5:00 p.m.--Mrs. Spiller’s class SUMMER CYCLONES INFORMATION: 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 they as they stay sharp on their academic skills and participate in a healthy dose of fun-filled activities on site. Please see the attached flyer for all the details or check it out at this link: https://stmkc.com/summercyclones COVID-RELATED INFORMATION: STM COVID DASHBOARD: See below... 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 your partnering with us to verify that every child is fever-free and not experiencing:
Because today is Holy Thursday, the STM COVID Task Force agreed to reconvene on Thursday, April 8. EARTH DAY PROJECT—TRASH PICK-UP ALONG BLUE RIVER ROAD Saturday, April 24, 10am-Noon The St. Thomas More Green Team is planning a service project to celebrate Earth Day (which is April 22). On the following Saturday, we will meet at 10am in the parking lot of Children International, which is located at the northwest corner of Red Bridge and Blue River Roads. We will pick up trash for two hours along Blue River Road. We have made arrangements with the city to come and pick up the trash that we have collected. We encourage young and old, singles and families to come and be a part of this project. Children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. This is a great opportunity for students to get service hours. We recommend wearing long sleeves, jeans, gloves, and protective footwear. We will provide plastic bags. Please pray for good weather! For more information or to register for this event, contact David Butel at the parish office by April 21, dbutel@stmkc.com or 816-942-2492, x. 210. ROOM/TEACHER REQUESTS: The STM office will review requests for room assignments based upon a written request submitted to Mrs. Crosthwait. All requests must be submitted before May 1. Only requests having a firm educational basis will be accepted for review. STM SCHOOL ADVISORY BOARD OPENINGS FOR 2021-2024: We want to share our deep appreciation with three STM School Advisory Board members who have completed their three-year terms on the board. Many thanks to: Amy Cooper, Kathy Schimmel, and Tiffany Woods Because of their departure from the board, we need three new board members to serve through the 2021-22, 2022-23, and 2023-24 school years. Please prayerfully consider if you might bring your gifts and talents to serve in this advisory role. Please see the attachment below or follow this link to access the application. http://www.stmkcschool.org/volunteering.html Scroll down to the School Advisory Board section of the page and click on the 'SAB Application' button. ALL APPLICATIONS ARE DUE TO THE STM SCHOOL OFFICE BY MAY 7, 2021. Here is a prayer for you as we enter the Easter season: May the glory and the promise of this joyous time of year bring peace and happiness to you and those you hold most dear. And may Christ, Our Risen Savior, always be there by your side to bless you most abundantly and be your loving guide. St. Thomas More. Pray for us. Happy Easter to you and your family! Peace and Blessings, Linda Crosthwait, STM Principal |
Cyclone ChatterThis is a weekly letter that Linda Crosthwait, Principal of STM puts out for school families. Archives
March 2023
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