Cyclone Chatter 3/9/23

Dear STM Families,
At STM, our teachers and staff are committed to providing inclusive education to our students.  We strive to meet all students' learning needs in a variety of ways, from flexible seating, to different levels of lighting in the classrooms, to one-on-one versus whole group instruction, to monitoring noise in the classrooms. 
During STM’s Catholic Schools Week Inclusion Day at the end of January, we asked students in grades 4th-8th to take a personal learning survey to communicate how they prefer to learn.  As part of the survey, the students were asked to write down five ways their classrooms can be more inclusive of their preferred methods of learning.  The chart attached illustrates their written responses.  This student feedback was also shared with our staff during the February Faculty Meeting.

Additionally, on our last Staff In-Service day in February, our teachers attended the FIRE: Inclusion in Action Conference.  The invaluable information they received, in conjunction with the student surveys, has sparked a flood of creative ways to address learning needs in our classrooms.  We'd like to share with you the ways teachers and staff are using inclusive measures in their classrooms. 
​
Our first two Inclusive Educator Spotlights are highlighting Lauren Meier and Tracy Stewart.
If you would like to shine the spotlight on a staff member or teacher at STM because of the creative way they incorporate inclusivity, please send us the teacher's name and details of your observation!
Peace and Blessings,
Linda Crosthwait, STM Principal & Meredith Blair, Assistant Principal
 
STM IMPORTANT DATES
Friday, March 10 - NO SCHOOL, FIRST DAY OF SPRING BREAK
Diocesan Teacher Religious Formation; all diocesan teachers and administrators will be at STM for Mass with Bishop Johnston and learning sessions throughout the day

Friday, March 10 - STM Troop 601 Fish Fry
4:45 pm - 7 pm @ More Hall. Also on March 24, and 31

Sunday, March 12 - SPRING FORWARD!
Daylight Savings begins.  Move your clocks FORWARD one hour!

Monday, March 13-Monday, March 20 - SPRING BREAK FOR STUDENTS
Teachers return on 3/20 for a Staff Retreat

Tuesday, March 21
Students return from Spring Break for first day of 4th quarter of school

Wednesday, March 22 - Freddy’s STM Dine-Out night
5:00PM - 9:00PM - Restaurant location: 13628 Washington Ave, KC, MO
Mention STM when you order your dinner. 

Thursday, March 23 - FINAL Finance Night at Parish Office
for school registration from 3:00-6:00 p.m.

Monday, March 27 - Saturday, April 1 - STM Booster Club Glory Days

Wednesday, April 5 - Papa Johns STM Dine-Out night
Mention STM when you order your pizza

Saturday, April 15 - Music Trivia Night!
7-10pm in STM Flanagan Hall $35 a person, $60 a couple. Ten people to a table!

2023-2024 STM Registration - REGISTER NOW
Late Registration Starts March 23rd - $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.
The March 1st, 2nd, & 23rd financial nights are from 3pm - 6pm.   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
· 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.
 
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.
 
St. Thomas More Parish Mission - March 18-21, 2023
Make plans now to attend our upcoming parish mission. Fr. Tom Donaldson, CSSR,  will speak at all of the Masses the weekend of March 18/19. There will be evening presentations on March 19, 20, 21 from 6:30-7:45pm. The theme is "Return! Renew! Rejoice!" Reception following each night's presentation. He will also preach at the 8:15 Mass on Monday and Tuesday mornings.
We plan to provide childcare and as well as rides to the parish mission. If you need childcare, contact Mary Begnaud at the parish office, 816-942-2492 or mary@stmkc.com. If you need a ride to the evening sessions, contact Jean Donaldson at ljf1953@aol.com or 816-213-6015. Please RSVP for these services by Wednesday, March 15. For more information, contact David Butel at the parish office, 816-942-2492, x210 or dbutel@stmkc.com.
 
DRAMA PROGRAM TO BE OFFERED AFTER SPRING BREAK:
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. Questions? Email:  oconnell_dan@stmcyclones.org

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.

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 prayer we are praying for YOU and your family
​to have an enjoyable, relaxing, and safe Spring Break:

Faithful Father, we thank You for our students and their families.
We thank You for fulfilling Your plans and purposes through our children during their Spring Break activities. 
Thank You for blessing our children and youth with a chance to rest and relax.  Keep our students and their families safe in Your loving care as they enjoy their time together.
By faith, we declare that as our families spend time together during this week of rest and fun, that they will be encouraged and knit together by strong ties of love in Your name.
Amen.