Cyclone Chatter April 8th, 2021

​Dear STM Families,
Happy Easter to all of you and your families!
Your children brought the joy of the Risen Christ back with them as they returned from Easter Break!  I only wish you could walk the hallways of our school and peek into the learning that is taking place in each and every classroom.  Kindergarteners are READING!  Second graders are ravenously learning more and more about our Catholic faith as they prepare for their First Holy Communion next weekend!  The 8th graders (who look more like high schoolers!) are counting down the days to their Graduation and preparing for Confirmation! 
Our staff praises God for the gift of your wonderful children who bring the hope and joy of the Easter season to us each day! 
STM SCHOOL UPCOMING EVENTS: 
Week of April 12-16
Iowa Assessments for Grades 3-8

Sunday, April 18 
2nd Grade First Holy Communion 

 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

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


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. 
ST. 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.”


IOWA ASSESSMENTS NEXT WEEK IN GRADES 3-8:
St. Thomas More teachers will administer the Iowa Assessments for grades 3-8 the week of April 12-16.  This is an important academic tool which measures a student's knowledge in reading, language arts, mathematics, science and social studies.  The data collected will enable us to better differentiate your child’s learning as he/she moves forward this year and into next school year.
Your child will need two sharpened #2 pencils for each day of testing next week.
Please make sure your child is not tardy on testing days and avoid any appointments or absences.  If your child is sick, though, please keep him/her home.  We can arrange a make-up in that case.
Students who struggle the most on testing days are the ones who didn't have enough sleep or a good breakfast the day of the test.  Also, your words about testing are so important to their mindset about taking them.  You can say, “This will be a great chance for you to show how much you’ve learned this year” instead of “I know how much you hate to take tests.”  We appreciate your support to help them do their best.
Connected Learner families should have been contacted already about options for testing. Please call the school office if you have not heard, or if you have any questions.
  
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 


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


COVID-RELATED INFORMATION:   
STM COVID DASHBOARD: See image below

Total # of Student COVID cases this school year:  22 
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 
The STM COVID Task Force agreed to reconvene on Thursday, April 15.


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 Easter season:
Lord God,
You loved this world so much that you gave your one and only Son,
that we might be called your children too.
Lord, help us to live in the gladness and grace of Easter Sunday, everyday.
Let us have hearts of thankfulness for your sacrifice.
Let us have eyes that look upon your grace and rejoice in our salvation.
Help us to walk in that mighty grace and tell your good news to the world.
All for your glory do we pray, Lord, Amen.


Happy Easter to you and your family!
Peace and Blessings,
Linda Crosthwait, STM Principal
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