Cyclone Chatter December 4th, 2020

​Dear STM Families, 

I appreciate your emails and messages regarding our shift to Distance Learning through Thursday, Dec. 17.  I have made an effort to reach out to each of you who responded, and I look forward to answering any other questions or concerns you might have.  Our teachers are working hard to build creative and rigorous lesson plans through these nine days until Christmas Break. 
Many of you have asked for details regarding Specials classes and the formats/schedules for each.  I am accumulating that information by grade level and will share it with you as soon as possible. 
Our first day back after Christmas Break will be Monday, Jan. 4 when our in-person learners will need to bring all of their supplies back to the classroom to begin 2021 (Woo-hoo!) as a Brand New Year!! 
Below are some of the highlights of our coming days:


STM SCHOOL UPCOMING EVENTS:
Dec. 7-Dec. 18                    Distance Learning for all students
Tuesday, Dec. 8.                Holy Day of Obligation for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception; Special STM School Mass will be broadcast at 11:00 a.m.
Friday, Dec. 11                   Final turn-in for Fun Raffle tickets
Monday, Dec. 14                Fun Raffle Drawing
Thursday, Dec.17               Last day of school before Christmas Break
Dec. 21-Jan. 1                   Christmas Break
Monday, Jan. 4                   First day of school in 2021
Friday, Jan. 15                    Diocesan Prof. Dev. Day for all teachers—NO SCHOOL
Monday, Jan. 18                 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day—NO SCHOOL                   


FEAST OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION:
This Tuesday, Dec. 8 is the feast of the Immaculate Conception.  Fr. Justin and our priests have agreed to celebrate a special Mass for our STM students.  The Mass will be recorded and teacher will share the celebration with all students at 11 a.m. on Tuesday.  Please plan to tune in (if possible) with your child(ren).

STM AUCTION—HERE’S A CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEA FOR YOUR FAMILY!
We have a family that is going to donate a French Bull Dog (Approximately 9 weeks old) to the auction. We are going to do a special online bidding for him on www.stmauction.org starting Friday through 12/18. He is AKC Chocolate Brindle and loves to play and cuddle. He is ready for his forever family. 
Take a look at his cute face on the attached flyer.  Here’s his little message to you:  
I am a puppy as you can see,
A pup that needs a family to love little me!!! 
I promise to play with you every day!!!
To shake and go fetch and even learn to stay!!
So, go tell your parents to bid on me cause I would love a place under your tree!
 
PASS THE ‘VIRTUAL’ TEACHER CHRISTMAS GIFT FUND BUCKET:
There’s no doubt about it, everyone at STM is working hard to keep our students on track during this crazy COVID time. It’s that time of the year where we kindly ask each family to help spread the love and joy to the teachers and staff with their Annual Gift. Every dollar raised goes directly to them! Donating is easy and takes no time by simply texting “STM” to “243725”. If each family gives $25-$30, we’ll be able to provide the same amount as last year. Text to give today and follow instructions or if you prefer to send cash or check, mark envelope ‘Teacher Gift Fund’ and submit to the office. Any questions, feel free to email Courtney Fahey at: crfahey@me.com

FUN RAFFLE TICKETS:
‘Fun Raffle’ tickets were sent home in backpacks three weeks ago and more are available in the school office.  Each ticket costs $10, and you were sent a pack of five tickets. 
For every ticket sold, you will receive dollar for dollar a credit on any remaining 2020-21 STM School Activity Fee amount.  We have extended the sale for an extra week due to the Virtual Learning Week that was announced by the diocese today.  All sold ticket stubs must be returned by Friday, Dec. 11 (NOTE:  the dates on the ticket are now incorrect).  The drawing for a grand prize of $500 or STM Family Registration for the 2021-22 school year will take place on Monday, Dec. 14.  Also drawn that day will be the 2nd Prize for $300 Cash or Gift Card and 3rd Prize for $100 Cash or Gift Card.  

WINTER SPORTS INFORMATION:
 All students involved in Parochial League Winter Sports should contact the coach of your team or Tim Waris, STM Athletic Director, with any information about try-outs, practices, etc.

SMILE! SMILE! SMILE!:
 Just in time for holiday shopping!
As you begin your holiday shopping, please consider getting yourself, family members and friends set up to use the STM AmazonSmile program so that all your purchases donate a small amount back to our school!
Since August 2020 we have just over $643.00 for STM!   

1. Visit https://smile.amazon.com/from a computer- underneath the search box where it says "Supporting" is where it allows you to search “St. Thomas More Church”. The AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price of eligible products back to us! (Initial setup needs to be done on a computer.)
2. Shop as usual from your phone and watch the donations add up! 

IMPORTANT NOTE: ABOUT SHOPPING ON THE AMAZON APP- Purchases through the regular Amazon site will NOT generate donations.  If you search through your phone browser internet and add to your home screen, it adds a quick link button to your phone that looks like an app button, this allows you to go directly to the AmazonSmile site. Please see the flyer for directions on what this looks like.
If you have any questions at all, please contact Jill Schweiss at 816-942-5581 or schweiss_jill@stmcyclones.org


Here is a simple prayer to share as we end this first week of Advent:
Jesus, you are light
even in the darkest places.
Help us to trust in you when we are lost or lonely.
Shine hope into our hearts we pray.
Amen.

St. Thomas More, pray for us.
​
Peace & Blessings,
Linda Crosthwait, STM Principal