Cyclone Chatter 3-30-31

Dear STM Families,
When tragedy struck at The Covenant School in Nashville this week, we all felt the weight of such a dreadful loss of six sweet souls.  It was also ‘too close to home’ and a gut-punch for the STM community and all others in Christ-centered schools in our country.
We have received numerous calls and requests for conversation this week from many of you who want to help or to ask for clarification of our own measures to keep our students and staff safe at STM.  Please know that if we have not yet contacted you regarding your communication with us, we apologize and truly appreciate your input, care, and concern.  Following is a synopsis of the work we have been doing in the last year in the areas of safety and security:
· At the end of last school year, we invited the KCPD to do a walk-around and walk-through safety assessment of our building.  Their findings and suggestions led us to a summer long effort to upgrade security in and around our school.  Funds were allocated and expended for these purposes.  
· As this school year began, we highlighted the security upgrades in our building during back-to-school meetings and presentations.  
· While I hesitate to share all of the safety standards and training in place, please know that we have organized, systematic, emergency operations plans in place to address crisis situations at STM.  
· Our monthly school-wide drills rotate through fire emergencies, tornado drills, and lockdown situations.  
· Teachers are given updates and continuing education in the appropriate protocols for student safety.  
· Two staff members recently attended School Safety Training with the Missouri Highway Patrol, FBI agents, and other law enforcement agencies including the Cyber-Crimes Division and became certified School Safety Specialists.
Our efforts to maintain a safe environment continue daily.  I will keep you updated as we move forward in determining additional enhancements and improvements.
Please join us in praying for the grieving community in Nashville and for the safety of our students and staff at STM. St. Thomas More, pray for us.
Peace & Blessings,
Linda Crosthwait, STM Principal
 
STM IMPORTANT DATES
Friday, March 31         Stations of the Cross (2-Spiller) in charge; 2 p.m. in church
Wednesday, April 5    Papa Johns STM Dine-Out night;
Mention STM when you order your pizza
Thursday, April 6–HOLY THURSDAY   Stations of the Cross (8th Grade in charge) 11:30 a.m.
Early Release at 12:30 p.m.
Friday, April 7–GOOD FRIDAY NO SCHOOL
Sunday, April 9–EASTER         He is Risen!  Alleluia!!
Monday, April 10–EASTER MONDAY  NO SCHOOL
Tuesday, April 11        Kindergarten Round-Up:  Fully-registered families will receive details in an email tomorrow
Friday, April 14           First Friday STM Spirit Wear Day (postponed from Holy Week)--Students may wear a STM Spirit Wear shirt (no hoodies, please) with jeans, khakis, or Spirit Wear bottoms (no Jammie pants, please). Of course the uniform is always appropriate.
 
Saturday, April 15       STM Music Trivia Night!:
7-10pm in STM Flanagan Hall
$35 / person, $60 / couple. Ten people to a table! (Adults only)
Tuesday, April 18        Grades 5-8 Band Concert at 6:30 p.m. in Flanagan Hall
Friday, April 28           Friday, April 28th Home and School will host Family Bingo Night in Flanagan Hall.  Details to follow!
 
2023-2024 STM Registration - REGISTER NOW
Late Registration Starts March 23rd (TODAY) - $100 late fee applies to anyone who completes the online process and financial obligations after March 22, 2023.
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.
Financial nights are from 3pm - 6pm at the Parish Office. If you want to stop by during the day, their hours are M-F 8:45 a.m.-3:30 p.m.; they are closed for lunch from 1:00-2:00 p.m.
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
• our 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.
AFTER SCHOOL PLAYGROUND SAFETY MESSAGE:
Your child’s appropriate playground behavior while playing after school or on the weekends is your responsibility.  I have received messages regarding unsafe play practices and children rough-housing around younger children. Please supervise your child closely to ensure that everyone can have fun and enjoy our upgraded playground area this Spring!
 
ORDER YOUR CHILD’S 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.
 
SERVICE HOURS OPPORTUNITY FOR 6th-8th GRADERS:
Blue River Roadside Clean Up
Saturday, April 1, 9-11am
The STM Green Team is planning another clean up effort along Blue River Road. We will be joining efforts with a Boy Scout Troop and a few other volunteers organized by Kathy LaFrensen. We will meet at 9am in the parking lot of Children International which is located at the intersection of Red Bridge and Blue River Roads. Please dress appropriately. We suggest you wear long sleeve shirts, jeans, sturdy shoes (or boots, depending on how wet it is), gloves, and hats.
For more information or to volunteer, contact David Butel at the parish office, 816-942-2492, x. 210 or dbutel@stmkc.com by March 29.
 
DRAMA PROGRAM --SIGN UP NOW!:
Mr. Dan O’Connell, 5th-6th grade Social Studies teacher, will sponsor an  after school drama program following Spring Break this year.  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 1:  7th and 8th grade only:  March 27-30.    Enrollment minimum, 4  students; Time:  3:30 to 4:30 pm. Students will work with a partner(s) on a short scene and perform on the last day. We will also have fun with improv exercises!
Weeks 2 and 3:  5th and 6th grade only:  April 11-14 and April 17-20. 
Students will all be in a short play--”Goldilocks on Trial” which will be performed on the last day.  Minimum enrollment:  11.  THIS TWO WEEK CLASS MEETS from 3:30-5:00.  The cost is $60 for the two weeks.
Week 4:  3rd grade only:  April 24-27.  Minimum enrollment: 4.  We will play theater games, use our voices creatively and create puppets to tell a story!
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
 
BRICKS 4 KIDZ FINAL SESSION OF THE SCHOOL YEAR:
St. Thomas More EARLY ENGINEERS After-School LEGO® CLUB
NEW Models Every Session!
Wednesdays 3:25 – 4:25 PM April 12,19,26 May 3,10,17
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. Each 6-week session features a new theme and models.
This club is for grades K-5. Class size is limited. Students will receive a LEGO® minifig with enrollment.
Check out the flier attached below for all of the details.
 
MUSIC TRIVIA NIGHT!  MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!
Get your team together now to join the STM Music Trivia Night on Saturday, April 15 from 7-10 p.m. in STM Flanagan Hall.  Cost:  $35/person or $60/couple.  Ten people to a table. See more details in the flier below. (Adults only)
 
MEN’S OPEN GYM INFORMATION:
Men's basketball at the gym continues every Sunday night in March at 8:00 pm. Dads of all skill levels are welcome. It's a great opportunity to play some ball, get a little exercise, and meet other dads in the parish. For more information or questions, contact Eric Gaughan at eric.gaughan@gmail.com.
 
SUMMER CYCLONES INFORMATION:
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, Tim Waris tim@stmkc.com
 
Following are Lenten prayers you can share with your family during Holy Week through next Wednesday (I’ll share the prayers for Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil next Thursday): 
Palm Sunday:
 Praise God, praise God, praise God we say, 
welcoming Jesus along the way. 
Waving our branches of palms we say, 
hosanna, hosanna along the way. 
Welcome to Jesus, our blessed king. 
Praise God, praise God, praise God we sing. 
Amen. 
 
Monday of Holy Week:
 Walk with me, Jesus, walk with me. 
The way isn’t always easy, you see. 
But your love, it reaches up to the sky, 
and carries me, so that I can try. 
The way isn’t always easy, you see. 
Walk with me, Jesus, walk with me. 
Amen. 
 
Tuesday of Holy Week:
I will follow you, Jesus, by following love, 
and earth will grow closer to heaven above. 
When we serve others and do good deeds, 
when we show people kindness and care for their needs, 
earth will grow closer to heaven above 
when we follow you, Jesus, when we follow love. 
Amen. 
 
Wednesday of Holy Week:
 The light of Christ glows in me and in others, 
and in the family of God all are sisters and brothers. 
It’s a light you must see with your heart to believe. 
It’s a light you can share, you can give and receive.
In the family of God we are sisters and brothers, 
and the light of Christ shines in me and in others. 
Amen.
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