January 6, 2022

January 6, 2021


Dear STM Families,
Happy New Year!  We were so excited to welcome back our students on Tuesday for our 2nd semester of the 21-22 school year! 
Our teachers returned to school on Monday morning this week and participated in Professional Development activities all morning.  In the afternoon, they completed inputting students’ scores from 2nd semester work.  Please check your child(ren)’s grades on Sycamore (posted today) to discuss accomplishments and challenges.  It’s a great time to reinforce nightly study skills and ensure a good night’s rest before school each day. 
As we begin the new year and a new semester, let us do so with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, that these fruits of the Spirit may sustain and nourish us in the coming days as we work to fulfill STM’s vision of forming servant leaders in the image of Christ.
On behalf of the faculty and staff at STM, we welcome our students and families back home to school and pray that you and your families have a healthy, joy-filled, and prosperous new year.  
Peace & Blessings,
Linda Crosthwait, STM Principal


STM UPCOMING EVENTS:
TOMORROW, Friday, Jan. 7
STM First Friday Spirit Wear Day!

Wednesday, Jan. 12
Dine-Out Night at Minsky’s; MENTION ‘STM’ WHEN YOU ORDER

Monday, Jan. 17
No School–Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Sunday, Jan. 30
Open House from 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. to kick-off Catholic Schools’ Week

Jan. 30-Feb. 5
Catholic Schools’ Week

Friday, Feb. 4
No School–Student Learning Conferences

Saturday, Feb. 5
STM Auction–”Gin & Jazz”

Friday, March 11
NOTE:  CHANGE TO STM CALENDAR–No School; Diocesan Professional Development Day for teachers


ANNUAL DIOCESAN SURVEY FOR STM: 
Dear STM Parents, 
Our school is always trying to improve its ability to serve our mission.  As part of the improvement process, we annually collect survey data from our stakeholder groups.  Your opinion about the performance of our school is important to us and so we ask that you click on the link below and take the time to complete this important survey.  Thank you for giving your time in completing this important survey.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/schoolsurvey22


STM SPIRIT WEAR DAY TOMORROW! 
TOMORROW is First Friday STM Spirit Day.  Students may wear jeans, spirit wear bottoms, or uniform bottoms with STM Spirit Wear.  It’s a great opportunity for all of us to bundle up in our just-delivered STM swag! 


STM DINE-OUT NIGHT AT MINSKY’S–128th & STATE LINE:
Our next Dine-Out Night will be Wednesday, January 12th at the MInsky's at 128th and State Line Road! Mark your calendars and be sure you mention St. Thomas More when placing your in-person, carry-out or delivery order!


ATTENTION:  8TH GRADE FAMILIES:
Professional 8th grade graduation pictures will be taken at STM beginning at 8 a.m. next Wednesday, Jan. 12.
Here are some details:

• All boys should wear a white dress shirt with a tie for the photos.
• Girls will have a white collar provided for their photos. 
• Gowns and caps will be provided.
• Students will not be allowed to have hair in or over their eyes.  Boys' hair should not touch the collar (so if a haircut is necessary, please make plans for this to happen before Wednesday).
• Two photographers will be set up in Flanagan Hall to take the photos.
• Pre-payment is not necessary.  The photographer will send proofs to your personal email for purchase.
• Re-takes are scheduled in February.

BRICKS 4 KIDZ AFTER-SCHOOL STEM ACTIVITY for GRADES K-5:
Bricks 4 Kidz® enrichment classes are designed to be educational and FUN! We teach children principles of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) utilizing motorized LEGO® models. 
Every lesson is unique and designed to engage a child's mind. Class size is limited. Students will receive a mini-fig with enrollment. Grades K-5 
NEW Models Every Session! 
St. Thomas More Elementary LEGO® Club 
Wednesdays after school from 3:25 - 4:25pm 
Dates: Feb.2,9,16,23 March 2,9 
Enroll Now:  www.bricks4kidz.com/kcnorth
SEE ALL THE DETAILS IN THE ATTACHED FLYER.


PAROCHIAL LEAGUE BASKETBALL GAMES ADMISSION PRICE:
The "Family Rate" of $5.00 for admittance to STM basketball games applies to dad, mom, and kids.  Any other relatives who attend should pay $5 for each individual ‘family.’  Grandma & Grandpa = $5.  Aunt & Uncle = $5.
Remember, these dollars help to finance the upkeep and improvement of our gym and school.  Thanks for supporting STM!


COVID-RELATED INFORMATION: STM COVID DASHBOARD: Week ending 12/10/21  Week ending 12/16/21Week ending 1/6/21
                                                                Students in quarantine                       4                                                    9                                 11
                                                            Staff members in quarantine                 0                                                    0                                  0
                                                                 Students in isolation                           9                                                    5                                  9
                                                              Staff members in isolation                   0                                                     0                                  2
                                                                Percentage of attendance                92%                                                91%                            90%
Total # of Student COVID cases this school year:  33 on Dec. 16; 51 on Jan. 6 
Total # of Staff cases this school year:  2 on Dec. 16; 4 on Jan. 6
Total # of Students in Quarantine this school year:  64 on Dec. 16; 76 on Jan. 6
Total # of Staff in Quarantine this school year:  0  
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 you partnering with us on school days 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 the STM Health Room of any symptoms or exposure to COVID-19 by calling 816-942-5581 or email health@stmcyclones.org  
UPDATE ON TASKS FOR MASK-OPTIONAL ON JAN. 17:
The STM School Advisory Board met Monday afternoon to discuss necessary changes to our pre-Christmas break plans.  First and foremost, as always, if your child is sick, he/she should stay home.  Please monitor your child based on the symptoms above OR if he/she reports feeling sick.  You know your child better than anyone else, so if you’re in doubt, please follow your heart and keep him/her home to feel better.  
The shortened periods recommended for isolation and quarantine procedures along with other changes led me to bring forth the opportunity of a test-to-stay program at our school.  At this time, we are preparing for in-school testing as soon as we have adequate supplies and set-up.  Here are the steps we have taken this week In order to follow the new guidelines for a five-day isolation and test-to-stay processes:

• Additional test kits have been ordered
• Hazardous waste (red) disposal bags have been ordered
• A secure waste-disposal pick-up system is being selected
• An appropriate testing area and protocols have been established

Given these factors, STM will extend mask-wearing for at least one more week of 2nd semester.  This will allow for the processing of, and planning for a successful in-school second semester.  Please know that if we are not able to accomplish these tasks in this time frame, masking may be extended beyond that time.


A Prayer for the New Year:
Thank you, Lord, for giving us the brand new year ahead. 
Help us live the way we should each new day. 
Give us strength and courage to aid others in need more than we worry about ourselves. 
The year ahead is empty, help me fill it with good things. 
Each new day give me wisdom to recognize the  joy and happiness You bring.
Amen.
St. Thomas More, pray for us.
Peace and Blessings,
Linda Crosthwait, STM Principal
bricks_4_kidz_session_2__1_.pdf

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