Cyclone Chatter November 5th, 2020

Dear STM Families,

Thank you for your support today as we shared information of STM students’ exposure to a positive case of COVID-19.  Please know that we will continue to follow CDC, Kansas City Health Department, and Kansas City-St. Joseph Diocesan guidelines.  Input we received from Fr. Justin, Tim Waris, Superintendent Dr. Dan Peters, and other diocesan officials were considered as our decisions were determined today.  The safety and health of our school community is of the utmost importance.
Please take note of the attached guidelines from Children’s Mercy Hospital regarding what to do in case of COVID exposure or symptoms.

The most important things you can continue to do to keep your child safe from COVID:

• Make sure your child is wearing a mask.
• Make sure your child is maintaining social distancing.
• Make sure your child is staying out of large crowds—especially indoors.
• Make sure your child is washing their hands.
• Keep your child home if they are sick.
• Call your primary care provider and notify STM if you or your child has symptoms of COVID-19 or if your family has been exposed to a positive case 

IF YOU HAVE INFORMATION REGARDING A COVID HEALTH SITUATION: 
We have an email address for communication regarding COVID and health concerns.  Please send or forward emails to:  health@stmcyclones.org
This will reach administrators of our school & parish COVID task force only.

NOTE TO PARENTS OF STUDENTS IN QUARANTINE:
If you order Hot Lunch Box lunches for your child, please be sure to cancel those lunches during your child’s quarantine period. 

STM SCHOOL UPCOMING EVENTS:
Friday, Nov. 6                  NO SCHOOL: Teacher Professional Development
                                          DINE OUT at Caleb’s 6:30 a.m.-2 p.m.  (Mention STM & we get 25%)
Tuesday, Nov. 10           DINE OUT at Papa John’s (see attached flyer)    
Thursday, Nov. 12.        Yearbook Picture re-take day  POSTPONED until the first week of December
Friday, Nov. 13          STM Spirit Day—students may wear STM Spirit Shirt with jeans, khakis, STM Spirit shorts and STM Spirit sports pants
Saturday, Nov. 14         Service to More Day (see information below)
Nov. 25-27                    Thanksgiving Break
  
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR AUCTION COMMITTEE:
 The Auction Committee needs YOUR Help! The Annual School Auction takes places in February of every year and is a fun event to attend. This years’ event might be virtual, but it is more important than ever to raise funds for the school. Proceeds from the Annual School Auction help subsidize needs for the school-such as field trips, classroom supplies, Catholic Schools Week and the list goes on! Several positions will be open next year and volunteers are needed to shadow various committees so that the auction can continue for years to come. You do NOT need to be a school parent to join. Please consider contributing your talent to the school. If interested-email Stephanie Rogge at stm-auction@stmcyclones.org

PAROCHIAL LEAGUE BASKETBALL INFORMATION:
Please note:  4th Grade try-outs will go on as planned for tonight and Sunday.  All other grade levels are postponed due to COVID quarantines.
Parochial league basketball registration for boys and girls is now open.   The cost to play is $110.00 for grades 5th-8th grade and 4th grade is $65.00.   
Guidelines for this year’s basketball league are attached below.  Please read through the COVID regulations and stipulations before you sign up. 
Please register at www.plkc.org .      If you have any questions please call Tim Waris at 816-942-2492 or email at Tim@stmkc.com.

Boys’ Basketball Tryouts:  Please bring your own water bottle and basketball to the tryout. 
Thursday, Nov. 5
6th Grade - 6-7pm POSTPONED
7th Grade - 7-8pm POSTPONED
8th Grade - 8-9pm POSTPONED

Sunday, Nov. 8
4th Grade - 11:00-12:00
5th Grade - 12:15-1:15. POSTPONED
6th Grade - 1:30-2:30. POSTPONED
7th Grade - 2:45-3:45. POSTPONED
8th Grade - 4:00-5:00  POSTPONED
  
SERVICE TO MORE DAY 2020 ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14:
​Join us for the 12th annual Service to More Day.  You can either help with outside yard work or make a craft for Villa Ventura Senior Living. Yardwork will begin at 9am and we will end with a noon cookout lunch in the parking lot at Waterford South.  We will social distance during this project. To volunteer, contact Marla Byrne at 816-309-4251 or mjbyrne0926@swbell.net or Phil Paschang at 816-809-6053 or ppaschang1@gmail.com by Wednesday, November  11.
CHRISTMAS SHARING DRIVE FOR ST. LOUIS PARISH SOCIAL SERVICES:
This year, we are trying to collect gifts for 84 children whose families are served by St. Louis Parish Social Services. Please help make Christmas brighter for a child/children from our urban core. To participate, go to stmkc.com/cs (be sure to use lower case letters in this email) and click on the children you want to purchase gifts for. Bring the unwrapped gifts to the narthex between now and Sunday, December 6. Be sure to put the information about the child on the gift you purchase so we know what child the gift is for – for example Family #1, Female age 6. For more information or if you have difficulty signing up online, contact David Butel at the parish office, 816-942-2492, x. 210 or dbutel@stmkc.com.
  
WEBSITE TESTIMONIALS:
We are currently building our new STM school webpage and would love to include your family's testimonials. We are looking for families at all grade levels to share a couple sentences about why you love STM or what the school means to your family.  If you would be interested in participating, please email Jill Schweiss at schweiss_jill@stmcyclones.org for more information. We look forward to rolling out the new and improved website very soon! 
NO SCHOOL TOMORROW:
Our students do not have school tomorrow.
Teachers will be engaged in Professional Learning activities tomorrow as we delve into the data from our Fall Diocesan Benchmark Assessments.  This information will be used to determine our strengths and challenges at each grade level in Math, Reading, and Written Expression.  Time will be spent to determine improved practices to support student learning in each of these areas at all grade levels.
November is definitely a wonderful time to continue an attitude of gratitude for all of the joys and challenges in our lives.  Here is a prayer that might be helpful to share with your family as we work through the tough times and approach the Thanksgiving holiday:
Dear God, 
Thank you for your amazing power and work in our lives, thank you for your goodness and for your blessings over us.
Thank you that you are able to bring hope through even the toughest of times, strengthening us for your purposes.
Thank you for your great love and care. Thank you for your mercy and grace.
Thank you that you are always with us and will never leave us.
Thank you for your incredible sacrifice so that we might have freedom and life.
Forgive us for when we don't thank you enough, for who you are, for all that you do, for all that you've given.
Help us to set our eyes and our hearts on you afresh. Renew our spirits, fill us with your peace and joy.
We love you and we need you, this day and every day. We give you praise and thanks, for You alone are worthy! 
In Jesus' Name,
Amen.
​
St. Thomas More, Pray for us.
Peace and Blessings,
Linda Crosthwait, STM Principal