Cyclone Chatter 4-20-23

Dear STM Families,
I’d like to share an update with you on our action plan to strengthen security and safety for our students and staff at STM.
 
During this last week, Scott Dulle, our Buildings and Grounds Director, Meredith Blair, our Assistant Principal, and I met with several law enforcement officers who are also STM parents.  Though we had gone through this process with two community officers from the KCPD, we thought that incorporating the expertise of a trained law officer with the eye of a parent would be insightful.  They toured the building, inside and outside, to purvey the safety measures already in place and to evaluate any issues we might need to address.
 
After touring, I asked them to share their thoughts as individuals and then discuss as a group. We were pleased to hear that the officers think we are doing a good job in a lot of areas to keep your children safe during every school day.  At the same time, they helped us prioritize actions, procedures, and additional safeguards to strengthen our current safety standards.
 
We are so thankful for their time and efforts, and plan to continue to collaborate with these officers as integral members of a STM Safety Team.  Several parents have reached out to us to join in the work we need to do to put these prioritized items into place at our school.  While we appreciate your input, please know that we will not be able to share all of the details of our work as we move forward.  For pretty obvious reasons, we don’t want to publish exactly how we will impact safety protocols.  We will share as much information as possible, though.  Please watch for weekly updates in my Cyclone Chatter messages and pray that the Holy Spirit will inspire our work.
 
St. Thomas More, pray for us.
 
Peace & Blessings,
Linda Crosthwait, STM Principal
 
 
STM IMPORTANT DATES
Friday, April 21 - Jesus Day for 2nd Graders
 
Sunday, April 23 - 2nd Grade First Holy Communion at 2 p.m.;
STM Choir will sing at this Mass
 
Tuesday, April 25 - STM Home & School Recruitment Event
6:30 p.m. in Flanagan Hall
 
Friday, April 28
- 8th Grade Graduation Retreat in More Hall during the school day
- STM Home & School Family BINGO Night at 6:30 p.m. in Flanagan Hall. Save the date for a night of family fun. Details to follow!
 
Friday, May 5 - Cinco de Mayo party
7pm at Southside Bar and Grill - $20 donation at the door or Venmo Meg Burke @Meg-Burke-5
 
Tuesday, May 9 – Dine out night at Dos De Oros
4 p.m. - close; Mention STM when you order; Dine In or Carry Out; 15% of Proceeds Donated
 
Thursday, May 11 - 8th Grade Graduation at 5:30 p.m. in the church
 
Monday, May 15 - Fun Day for grades PK-7;  Rain-out day–May 17
 
Friday, May 19 - Last Day of School for students (dismissal following 10:30 Mass)
 
2023-2024 STM Registration - REGISTER NOW
Late Registration - $100 late fee applies to anyone who completes the online process and financial obligations after March 22, 2023.
 
PREK CLASS ENROLLMENT IS CLOSED.  PLEASE LET US KNOW IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE ADDED TO THE WAIT LIST.
 
TWO OTHER GRADE LEVELS ARE ALMOST CLOSED.  PLEASE GET WITH THE CHURCH OFFICE ABOUT FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS TO ENSURE A SEAT FOR YOUR STUDENT FOR NEXT YEAR.
 
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.
 
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.
 
CHOIR INFORMATION FROM MRS. PARISI:
The STM School Choir will be singing on Sunday for First Communion at 2:00PM. All choir members should meet Mrs. Parisi by 1:30pm in the choir loft.
 
22-23 STM YEARBOOKS
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.
 
ATTENTION MEN OF STM:
Round up your friends and dust off your stick for the Men of STM Charity Golf Tournament on Friday May 5th.  The proceeds of this year’s tournament will be used to purchase personalized bibles for all the STM 8th Grade Graduates and to help with some of the various facilities projects at STM. See the attached for details.
 
We continue to work to make this annual event better each year. This year we have added an on-line registration to make it easier to register and pay. To register, go to www.stmkc.com/golf. Or, use the attached form. Either way, it is sure to be another great day with friends on links.
 
DRAMA PROGRAM OFFERED AFTER SCHOOL:
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 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
 
A MESSAGE FOR NEXT YEAR’S 5th, 6th, & 7th GRADE FAMILIES:
Would your child like to dress out for PE next year?  Dressing out for PE is optional for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students at St. Thomas More.  However, we have heard from many students that they enjoy the option when it comes to days they are running the mile, doing the pacer tests, etc.
 
The STM Spirit Wear Committee has put together an order form for PE uniforms for the 2023-2024 school year (attached).  If you would like to order, the *extended* due date for orders to be summitted is next Wednesday, April 26th.
Please send to the school office or email the form (scanned or picture) to stmspirit@gmail.com. Check, cash or Venmo @Lisa-Hain. If you have questions, please email stmspirit@gmail.com.
 
ORDER NEXT YEAR’S SCHOOL SUPPLIES NOW:
St. Thomas More parents...I am so excited that this year we've partnered with 1st Day School Supplies, order your kit now! They are going to save us up to 30% over shopping at big box stores like Target, Walmart and Amazon. Better yet, they are the undisputed leader in custom kitting school supplies. Providing us with only brand names you trust and respect like Ticonderoga, Crayola, Elmer's and Clorox. So, what are you waiting for? Buy early and save! Shop Now.
 
SUMMER CYCLONES INFORMATION–MORE DETAILS!!!:
ANNOUNCING--Our Summer Camp Directors this summer will be:  Mrs. Alison Wynn and Ms. Jo Rogers!!! They have come up with some exciting learning opportunities and adventures for our summer campers this year, including:
Guest facilitators–The Marble Guy (learn to play, make a marble, take home a bag of marbles); The Rocket Lady (build your own rocket AND shoot it off!); The Roller Coaster lady
Nature walks to prepare individual sections of YOUR OWN “Nature Book”
Red Bridge Library experiences WATCH THIS SPACE FOR MORE HIGHLIGHTS TO COME!!!
 
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
 
PRAYER FOR OUR 2ND GRADERS ON THEIR FIRST HOLY COMMUNION:
Please join our STM community in prayer and celebration as our 2nd grade students make their First Holy Communion this Sunday at 2 p.m.  This is a prayer you can pray as our sweet First Communicants receive the Body & Blood of Christ for the first time:
 
O Jesus,
You have loved us with such exceedingly great love as to give us the ineffable gift of the Holy Eucharist, inflame us with a burning zeal to promote Your glory by praying for our children to prepare worthily to approach Your holy table for the first time. Protect, O Sacred Heart of Jesus,
this young soul from the assaults of evil, strengthen his/her faith, increase his/her love and endow him/her with all the virtues that will make him/her worthy to receive You.
Amen.