Cyclone Chatter 3/23/23

March 23, 2023
Dear STM Families,
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 this week.  The latest Iowa Flex score sheets for your child(ren) will be sent home in backpacks TOMORROW (or today with 5th graders).  Please take time tomorrow or this weekend to review Iowa Flex scores and check 3rd quarter grades on Sycamore with your child(ren) to celebrate academic successes and discuss challenges to finish this school year STRONG!
Spring is ‘Testing Season’ in schools, and we have time set aside in the next few weeks to take care of these necessary data-gathering tools at STM.  Monday, March 27 through Thursday, April 6 is the testing window for our 3rd through 8th grade students to take Iowa Assessments in Reading, Math, Social Studies, and Science.  These timed assessments will be taken electronically.  Please be sure your child gets plenty of rest and eats a good breakfast so he/she can show their knowledge and skills on these tests.  Also, please avoid any appointments or tardy arrivals. 
St. Thomas More, pray for us.
Peace and Blessings,
Linda Crosthwait, STM Principal
 
STM IMPORTANT DATES
Thursday, March 23   FINAL Finance Night at Parish Office for school registration from 3:00-6:00 p.m.
Friday, March 24         3rd Quarter Grades available on Sycamore; latest Iowa Flex Assessment score sheets sent home in backpacks
Friday, March 24         Stations of the Cross (4-Thomas in charge) 1:30 p.m. in church
Friday, March 24         STM All-School Spring Pep Rally
2:15 p.m. in the STM Gym
Friday, March 24         STM Troop 601 Fish Fry
Friday, March 3rd: 4:45 pm - 7 pm @ More Hall
*See flyer attached below for details & pricing.
(Also on March 31)
Monday, March 27     STM StuCo DONUT DAY–$2 Donuts for sale in Flanagan Hall; one donut per student; from 7:30 a.m. until 7:50 a.m. (or when they run out!)
Monday, March 27-Thursday, April 6            Iowa Assessments for all students in grades 3-8
Monday, March 27-Saturday, April 1 STM Booster Club Glory Days
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:
You can still order a 2022-23 STM Yearbook! 
How to Order your LifeTouch Yearbook
1.         Go to www.YBPay.com and enter the Yearbook ID for STM (12113023). Click Next.
2.         Enter your child's information. (Note that you need to enter your child's name as it appears on school records.
3.         Select your yearbook style and cover type.
4.         Complete the order form with your billing and payment information
 
Can I check to see if I ordered a yearbook this year?
Go to ybpay.lifetouch.com/Order/SelectOrderHistoryEmailAddress and enter the email address that might have been used with an order. If a transaction is associated with that address, you’ll receive a copy of it via email within moments.
 
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 is a Lenten prayer you can share with your family
this week:
Heavenly Father,
Thank you that you are a generous God and
that you give us so many good things.
We are sorry that we are not always generous with others.
Please help us this week to be kind, to do our very best,
and to be generous when we are helping others.
Amen.