Cyclone Chatter April 15th, 2021

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: 

• STM will become a pilot school for the diocesan Speech and Language Program in 2021-22.  A current STM teacher will be hired to serve half of her day as a Speech and Language Pathologist for our students who need these services. 
• Two Cristo Rey students will join us at STM for tutoring support. 
• Professional Development for all teachers in Universal Design to address needs for all students and differentiate the learning environment and styles from those in most need to those who excel in curricular areas. 
• Assistive technology—hardware and online programs for our students with Learning Plans will be purchased. 

Also, due to your generous support and the many hours of effort by the Auction Committee, the Fund-a-Need proceeds from the STM Auction were used to purchase 150 laptop computers for our students.  They were delivered this week.  The set-up, connection to STM domain, and security specifications will be handled this summer so that each 6th, 7th, and 8th grader will have access to his/her own computer for the 2021-22 school year.   
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 

• Coin collections will be taken each day with an extra recess & treat for the class which collects the most $ 
• Order your own BMA t-shirt (see below) 
•  

SUPPORT DANCIN’ DAN ON HIS WAY TO VICTORY: 
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.  
 

1. 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.”  
  
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: 

• Adult-Activity fundraiser events were determined to be disallowed unless off-site and/or after school ends on May 20.  No information about such events will be shared on STM communications to parents. 
• Applications are being taken for the 2021-22 COVID Task Force.  See the attachment to apply by May 14. 
• Three STM students have tested positive for COVID in the last two weeks resulting in the quarantine of 34 total students and two teachers. 
• As we were asked by the Kansas City-St. Joseph Diocese to follow the regulations set by the KCMO Health Department, these 34 students will quarantine for 14 days and return on April 27. 
• All of the students will learn online from 7:50 a.m.-3:20 p.m. with their own teachers. 
• Task Force members reviewed input from a STM teacher who shared the COVID-related protocols appreciated and needing to continue, and suggestions for changes when possible. 
• A member sited the same type of survey would be a good opportunity for open feedback from STM parents and staff members as we work to make plans for the 2021-22 school year.    
• Student “Fun Days’ are being planned.  Our PE and Art teachers are working to find creative ways to social distance and follow COVID protocols while providing a fun time for students during the last days of school.  More details will follow as plans are made. 
• The Task Force will meeting again on Thursday, April 29. 

  
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 ​