March 24, 2022

March 24, 2022


Dear STM Families,


Tomorrow morning at 11 a.m., we will stop all activities at STM to join in Pope Francis in his Consecration of Russia and Ukraine to our Lady.  I have copied the information and link to this special request from the pope below.  Please consider joining us in this prayer for peace in our world.
Our first days back after Spring Break sure haven’t felt like spring!  We look forward to more sunshine, warmer temperatures, and OUTSIDE RECESSES for tomorrow and next week.
Students and staff alike were in the groove and working hard as we began the 4th quarter of our school year.  Please take time tomorrow or this weekend to check 3rd quarter grades on Sycamore with your child(ren) to celebrate academic successes and discuss challenges to finish this school year STRONG! 
St. Thomas More, pray for us.


Peace and Blessings,
Linda Crosthwait, STM Principal


STM UPCOMING EVENTS:
Friday, March 25
Sacrament of Reconciliation for students in grades 2-8 

Friday, March 25
Check Sycamore for 3rd quarter grades!

Tuesday, March 29
Dine-Out at STM:  Big Red Food Truck and Kona Ice

Wednesday, March 30
Open Registration Event from 9-10:30 a.m. (see details below)

Thursday, March 31
FINAL Open Registration Event from 9-10:30 a.m. (see details below)

Friday, April 1
All 2nd semester BAND FEES are DUE

Friday, April 1
Stations of the Cross; 2:00 & 2:30 p.m.

Tuesday, April 5
STM Dine-Out at Papa John’s

Friday, April 8
Stations of the Cross; 2:00 & 2:30 p.m.

Thursday, April 14
Holy Thursday; Early Dismissal at 12:30 p.m.

Friday, April 15
Good Friday; NO SCHOOL

Sunday, April 17
He is Risen!  Happy Easter!

Monday, April 18
Easter Monday; NO SCHOOL

Friday, April 29
Jesus Day for our 2nd Graders

Sunday, May 1
First Holy Communion for our 2nd Graders

Thursday, May 5
8th Grade Confirmation Retreat at Prairie Star Ranch

Wednesday, May 11
8th Grade Graduation at 5 p.m.
  
FINAL OPEN REGISTRATION EVENTS:
FINAL Open Enrollment Dates: 
9-10:30 a.m. on 3/30, 3/31     
CLASSES ARE FILLING QUICKLY!  Registration events will continue through March for new families and continuing students until a grade section fills to capacity.  
All Enrollment forms will be provided at the enrollment events.  Please be prepared with the following:

• All 2021-2022 tuition & fees must be paid in full (Registration, Activity, Spanish; Preschool & Tuition must be current if on a 10 month plan)
• Pledge for 2022 must be on file
• All Enrolling Students: up-to-date immunization records 
• Family Members New to STM: birth certificate, Baptismal certificate; request for transcripts from previous schools

*If you are receiving a tuition discount this year, you must re-apply for tuition assistance again for 2022-2023.
STM Complete Enrollment Information:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rUavHU6mJXrbqMpL1q2fCcwgPxXGic4G/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=108180739068306146379&rtpof=true&sd=true


DINE OUT INFO FROM HOME & SCHOOL:
Our next dine out opportunity will be right here at STM!  TUESDAY, MARCH 29:  Take a night off cooking to focus on your Glory Days skills and head up to the school parking lot for The Big Red Food Truck!  This awesome truck will be serving up smash burgers and fries, including a kid size burger meal.  And for dessert, you can grab some KONA ICE!!


PURCHASE SCHOOL SUPPLIES FOR 2022-23 NOW!
A MESSAGE FROM TIFFANY WOODS:


 It is hard to think about school supply shopping which is why we are so excited to announce a new partnership with 1st Day School Supplies!
This year, 1st Day School Supplies is going to help parents and teachers get the exact supplies needed for next school year without the headache of shopping at Walmart, Target or Staples.  Use the link below!  A portion of each sale goes to the 2022 Teacher Bonus Fund!
http://1stdayschoolsupplies.com/kits.php?sid=60959


HOT LUNCH POLICY:


Due to ongoing issues in the lunchroom with forgotten lunches and extra hot lunches, we are making adjustments to how we handle the hot lunches of absent students and students who do not have lunch.   
We have seen that unclaimed hot lunches have created issues because students "forgot" their lunch, didn't pack enough food, steal a lunch off the table, etc.  In order to alleviate this issue, all leftover hot lunches will be put in the cafeteria fridge.  They will be sent home with a sibling at the end of the day, or they will be held until the next day when the student is back in school.  No leftover hot lunches will be given out.
If a student does not have lunch, we would give them a Lunchable.  Unfortunately, this was becoming very expensive to keep stocked.  Students also found creative ways to get a lunchable when they didn't like what they had packed from home. We have purchased a case of cheese & crackers that will be given if a student does not have lunch. 
Please make sure your child has a lunch purchased or in-hand every school day.  If snack time is made available to them, remind him/her to NOT eat their sack lunch during that time.


STM TROOP 601 FISH FRY:
Tomorrow from 4:45 PM - 7 PM in More Hall
$10 SENIORS, $12 INDIVIDUAL, $35 FAMILY
ALL YOU CAN EAT
$1 DESERTS COURTESY OF THE GIRL SCOUTS
$5 BEER/WINE COURTESY K of C
March 25  AND April 1,8


ATTENTION 8TH GRADE PARENTS–FIRE SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY:
Each year our 8th grade students are given the opportunity to write an essay about “What inclusive Education Means to Me.” All 8th graders are invited to submit an essay to the FIRE Foundation by March 30th.  Winners will be awarded a $1,000 scholarship to the CATHOLIC High School they will attend.  
On Tuesday March 22, Mrs. Burke will visit with the 8th graders during English class with more information.  We wanted to give any student who wants to start early the opportunity during Spring Break.  The attached letter has information as well. 
Please email Meg Burke with any questions at burke_meg@stmcyclones.org


LENTEN SERVICE PROJECT NEEDS YOUR HELP:
Our 8th grade class has chosen to collect supplies for Project Cure’s Kits for Kids
program this Lent. ‘Kits for Kids’ provide personal hygiene and basic & ”medicine cabinet” items that are scarce in the developing world. Working with pediatricians and nurses, Project C.U.R.E. developed ‘Kits for Kids’ to give parents in developing countries the supplies they need to provide basic care at home. Kits are not just handed out.  Volunteer health professionals who bring the kits with them on clinic trips do extensive health education with parents on the appropriate use of the supplies, and preventive care in general, so common problems do not become catastrophic.
Due to a lack of access to basic healthcare, millions of children die each year of preventable and treatable conditions. ‘Kits for Kids’ is a way to provide access to these simple and affordable supplies. If a child gets hurt, families might have to travel a long distance by bicycle, bus or even on foot to receive care at the nearest hospital or medical clinic. These basic supplies can mean the difference between life and death for kids around the world.
Here is a video that talks more about the program:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCWU2HwUVuw  
We will collect supplies each week, and during Holy Week we will pack our kits for kids’ bags in class. Sr. Colette will deliver the prepared bags to the Project Cure / Franciscan Mission Warehouse once they are ready to go.
- Week 1: March 7th - 11th: Bandaids, combs, and ace bandages.
- Week 2: March 21st - 25th: toothbrushes, toothpaste, travel size tissues
- Week 3: March 28th - April 1st: blunt ended scissors, tweezers, nail clippers
- Week 4: April 4th - 8th: bars of soap, face masks
In addition to supplies for the kits, Project Cure asks for a $5 donation to cover the cost of the kit bags as well as shipping them out. Kim Day, a volunteer at the Warehouse has generously offered to cover the costs of the bags for us, but donations would help cut the cost for him, and any funds generated beyond our needs will go directly to Project Cure/Franciscan Mission Warehouse. You can learn more about Project C.U.R.E. at www.projectcure.org .
See more information in the flier below.


GLORY DAYS ARE BACK!
March 28th - April 2nd
Glory Days is more than a fundraiser for your school's athletic programs and facilities - it’s a chance to come together as a school for good-spirited competition, class pride, a whole lot of socializing, and celebrating our STM pride.
What is Glory Days?  It’s a week-long event for STM parents to compete alongside and against fellow parents. Dads and male guardians play in a basketball tournament and Moms and female guardians play in a volleyball tournament. Parents are placed on teams according to the grade of their oldest child, 1st through 8th grade. Preschool and Kindergarten parents: are encouraged to play and tournament directors will place them on teams as “free agents”.
There is an entry fee of $30 per player, payable by cash, check, or Venmo when you check-in before the first game.
Questions or interested in being a team captain for your grade? Please contact Zach Dobbler at  zachdobbler@gmail.com
Please see the attached flier for all of the details.




COVID-RELATED INFORMATION: STM COVID DASHBOARD: Week ending 3/3/22  Week ending 3/10/22  Week ending 3/24/22
                                                                   Students in quarantine                        0                                                0                                  0
                                                          Staff members in quarantine                      0                                                0                                  0   
                                                                 Students in isolation                              3                                                3                                  0
                                                          Staff members in isolation                          0                                                0                                   0
                                                            Percentage of attendance                       93%                                         93%                             93%

Total # of Student COVID cases this school year:  63 on Dec. 16; 106 on March 24 
Total # of Staff cases this school year:  2 on Dec. 16; 14 on March 24
Total # of Students in Quarantine this school year:  64 on Dec. 16; 91 on March 24
​Total # of Staff in Quarantine this school year:  1  
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 
Per our plan shared on 1/28/22, we will share a NEW Parent Survey link every two weeks through May 2.  This information will be utilized in discussions with both the COVID Task Force and the STM School Advisory Board in upcoming meetings.  


Here is the link to the STM Family Survey that posted TODAY:  
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SPY86PN 
Teachers and staff at STM will be surveyed each month for their reactions to the current Mask-Optional protocol at our school.  A new survey will be sent to them on April 1.


STM SUMMER ARTS CAMP INFO:
This summer there are some fun and exciting mini-camps being offered for anyone interested in drama activities, acting, singing, and performing.  And….Mrs. Parisi is offering something special for band members too. Stay tuned for more information on that! 
Mr. O'Connell and Friends will offer stagecraft, and drama and music activity camps in June for incoming grades 7-9, 1-3, 4-6, then…in July a two week musical theater camp with Mr.O’Connell and  Mrs.Parisi and others will be held for incoming grades 5-9 ending with a performance! 
ONE WEEK MORNING CAMPS 9:00-12:00 (Cost to be determined)     
*June 6-10:  Set Design, Set Construction, Set Painting (Incoming grades 7-9) for the July musical theater camp.
*June 13-17:  Exploring Drama, Music, and Performance (Incoming grades 1-3)  
*June 27-30 Acting, Improv, Pantomime, Theater Games (Incoming grades 4-5) 
TWO WEEK MUSICAL THEATER DAY CAMP    9:00-3:00
July 11-22  (incoming grades 5-9).  Musical to be determined; cost to be determined. 
Updates will be shared.  Any questions?  Contact Mr. O’Connell at oconnell_dan@stmcyclones.org


DRESS DOWN PASS & STM PARISH BLOOD DRIVE:
Saint Thomas More students have an opportunity for an out of uniform or favorite sport team shirt day. Students may have an adult friend or relative donate blood at the upcoming STM Blood Drive on Tuesday, April 5 from 1:30 to 6 PM. The friend or relative will receive a coupon for the student(s) to redeem for the Out of Uniform Day on Monday, April 11.
Appointments are strongly suggested. Please bring ID.
Go to https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fsavealifenow.org&c=E,1,KuhpV3n6BiRloQ5AG6LuLGgKTmpzdHKrOBcgKPKcOFqvHeU_lY8Vet-kPKxo6a5tukG3e6ksQ6g2p_dNN356Yqxb1qRniry04_Mooa4tpLmArcVziVCL&typo=1 (stthomasmore) or email Linda Heiman at hdc635@aol.com or call 816-835-5912 to sign up. To answer any questions please visit https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fwww.savealifenow.org&c=E,1,c5cmw3YUJJhxGXwxie7aw8J1CUIJbfyeGJWNpQavz2NrPHaxJteV-4UAq6b_UlHPPH-LFKypjhjJYlOEBu7ZmWmjTBqZUdSee8lCVHeA7acEk5E,&typo=1 or 1-800-688-0900. 
LITURGICAL LIVING CALENDAR:
Liturgical living is a beautiful way for individuals and families to learn about the traditions, saints, and rituals of our faith. This leads to a deeper comprehension and connection to our faith. Pick a few things each month to try and start to see the connection of the Catholic Faith to life outside of mass on Sunday! Give it a try! 
The Liturgical Living Calendar for March with some great ideas for Lenten activities is attached below.




From the Catholic News Agency:
Vatican City, Mar 23, 2022 / 04:18 am
Pope Francis has written a letter asking all Catholics to assemble in their parishes on Friday to pray the act of consecration of the world, particularly Russia and Ukraine, to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
The Vatican published the pope’s letter two days before he is scheduled to pray the Marian consecration in St. Peter’s Basilica on Friday, March 25, in union with bishops around the world.
“I ask you to join in this act by inviting the priests, religious and faithful to assemble in their churches and places of prayer on March 25, so that God’s Holy People may raise a heartfelt and choral plea to Mary our Mother,” Pope Francis said in the letter sent to all the world’s bishops.
Pope Francis also included the text of the consecration prayer with his letter so that all Catholics can pray it together in union on the Solemnity of the Annunciation.
“This act of consecration is meant to be a gesture of the universal Church, which in this dramatic moment lifts up to God, through his Mother and ours, the cry of pain of all those who suffer and implore an end to the violence, and to entrust the future of our human family to the Queen of Peace,” the pope said.
The pope will pray the consecration during a penitential service which he will preside over in St. Peter’s Basilica at 5 p.m. local time.
In the letter, signed on March 21, he said that he wanted to entrust the nations at war to the Blessed Virgin Mary in response to the “numerous requests from the People of God.”
“Nearly a month has passed since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine that is daily inflicting immense suffering upon its sorely tried people and threatening world peace,” Pope Francis said.
“At this dark hour, the Church is urgently called to intercede before the Prince of Peace and to demonstrate her closeness to those directly affected by the conflict.”


Attachments:
 messages/attachments/bf31a8cd817b768c003ebc6afac5c687/Glory_Days_Flyer_2022.docx.pdf (59.4 KB)
 messages/attachments/73b57bd0be02e051d363f9b859b4c8f3/2022_Summer_Arts_Camp.pdf (670.4 KB)
 messages/attachments/79981fdd516eb49b8aed28f442cbb306/Liturgical_Living-March_2022.pdf (88.9 KB)