October 24th, 2021

October 21, 2021


Dear STM Families,


First quarter grades are now ‘live’ in Sycamore for your child(ren).  Please take some time tonight or this weekend to review your child’s grades with him/her and sign it electronically.  It’s the perfect time to discuss accomplishments and challenges in each area of their learning.


I truly value the involvement of STM families in all aspects of our school, but especially in your partnership with us in academics.  It is so apparent and appreciated that you care deeply about your child’s education and support the work we do to meet each child ‘where they are’ and push them beyond their expectations.


Following are some tips for discussing grades in your own home:

1. Address the importance of grades early.  This is still relatively the beginning of the school year when you can become aware of any areas or subjects that are a struggle.  
2. Separate the child from the grade.  Even if one or two grades are not the best, be sure to acknowledge the areas that he/she is excelling and share praise.  Getting to the root of an academic problem is the most important conversation you can have with your child and his/her teacher.
3. Ask questions.  Be mindful not to talk too much in the conversation with your child.  Let him/her explain and then ask more open-ended questions.  This is a great way to see and understand their emerging skills, talents, and interests.
4. TALK TO THE TEACHER.  This is a great segway to encourage you to be sure to sign up for a Parent/Teacher Conference for next week. The teacher’s input can shed valuable light on emotional, behavioral, and academic development.
5. Continue to reinforce good study skills at home, too.  Following are some checklist items for structured study times at home:

• Set up a study area with no distractions for an appropriate amount of time for your child’s age on a consistent basis.
• Check your child’s organizational skills. Work with his/her teacher to come up with the best plan to help your child develop responsibility for assignments, projects, and preparing for tests.
• Limit time on electronics.
• Be careful not to overschedule your child with extracurricular activities.
• Celebrate accomplishments--small and large!

Peace & Blessings,
Linda Crosthwait, STM Principal


STM UPCOMING EVENTS:


TODAY
First Quarter Grades posted in Sycamore

TOMORROW!
FIRE Week:  90’s decade day! $5 donation is suggested.

Wednesday, Oct. 27
PINK DAY to support the Jessica Kelsey Scholarship Fund.  For all students and staff.  $5 donation suggested. Expect more details early next week!

Wednesday, Oct. 27
Trunk or Treat

Thursday & Friday, Oct. 28 & 29
Parent-Teacher Conferences (see info below)
½ day for students on Oct. 28
NO SCHOOL for students on Oct. 29

Monday, Nov. 1
NO SCHOOL--Teacher PD Day

Saturday, Nov. 13
BMA Mouse Races

Thursday, Nov. 18
2nd Grade--First Reconciliation

Saturday, Nov. 20
NOTE: DATE CHANGE
Booster Club Pickleball Tournament at Blue Hills Country Club--see the attached flyer for more details!


iMPORTANT INFO ABOUT PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES:


Mark your calendars now for our Fall Parent-Teacher Conferences on the afternoon & evening of Thursday, Oct. 28 and the morning of Friday, Oct. 29.  


- Please watch this short 6 min. on how to access, maintain, and view your conferences video https://vimeo.com/239022319/606fd35f23
- You'll need to login on a desktop version of Sycamore - NOT a mobile device.
- Need to change/edit your times?  To change/edit your times contact the office or the homeroom teacher.
- Want a Zoom conference? Please email the homeroom teacher with the request after you scheduled your conferences, so they can set up a zoom link for you.
- Want a conference with other teachers? Email that teacher directly with times you're available, so they can add you to their schedule.


Times:
- Thurs., Oct. 28th: 1:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
- Fri., Oct. 29th: 7:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.


Details:
- Sign up through Sycamore through Tues., Oct. 26th
- 15-minute conference time slots
- You will ONLY be given the option to sign up with the homeroom teacher
- You can request conferences with other teachers by emailing those teachers directly; the teacher can add the parent into their schedule on Sycamore; teachers can always request conferences with students outside of their homeroom
- You will be directed to email the teacher if you would like the conference to be on Zoom; the teacher will reply with the Zoom link information 


Changes to Your Conference Schedule:
- You will only have access to sign up for conferences through Sycamore once; if you need to change the time, you will need to email Colleen or the teacher to have it switched.


TRUNK OR TREAT IS NEXT WEDNESDAY!
Trunk or Treat is approaching quickly!  On Wednesday, October 27, please plan to join STM Home and School for some spooky fun beginning at 5:30 p.m. in The Peak Parking lot!!  Admission to the event is one non-perishable item for Harvesters per candy grabber!  NEW THIS YEAR!  Plan on dinner and a treat with The Big Red Food Truck KC and Kona Ice!!
We still need volunteers to host a trunk and to help at our event.  Please see the sign-up genius below.
As a reminder, students in grades 6 and higher can get service hours for volunteering.  However, we do still need some adult volunteers.
Hosting a trunk is easy!!  Arrive at the parking lot no later than 5:20 p.m. and show us your stuff!  Simply hand out candy or make your trunk super spooky and win a prize!! Donated candy will be provided to trunks throughout the event to keep the fun going.  See the attached flyer for all of the details.
Sign up now:  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c094aabac2fabff2-stmtrunk
**THANK YOU to everyone who has donated candy as we’ve had a great response!  The basket for donation will be by Amy’s desk until Tuesday, Oct 26th.  Please consider donating!!


FIRE WEEK INFO--OCT. 18-22:
Friday 10/22 -90’s decade day! This year we celebrate 25 years of FIRE - wear your 90’s outfit to celebrate the decade FIRE began. Make it fun! But please be sure it's school-appropriate. $5 donation is suggested.
PARTY BUS TO THE FIRE BALL ON SATURDAY:
It’s your last chance to sign up for the party bus we are taking to FIRE Ball this year.


The party bus is totally free, all you have to do is buy a ticket for FIRE Ball and let us know that you’d like to ride with us.  Drinks and a good time are included during the ride


       When:      Saturday, October 23
                          6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.


       Where:    The party bus will pick us up at STM and return us to STM


       Why:       To support an amazing cause and have a fun evening as well!


You can buy your tickets to FIRE Ball here:


http://firefoundation.org/fireball-2021/


We hope you can join us in supporting inclusive education in our school and in other schools throughout our diocese.


For any questions, or to sign up for the party bus, contact Chris Gaughan at Chris@MidwestEstatePlan.com or 816.786.4439.


PARENT ATTENDANCE AT SCHOOL MASS:
Our students are back to serving at Mass and serving as lectors at our school liturgical celebrations.  Seats are limited in the pews, but if your child is serving or lectoring, please feel free to come to Mass and sit in the choir loft or the cry room.
Our students attend Mass each week at 2:10 p.m. on the following days:
Wednesdays:  Kindergarten, grades 2, 7, 8
Thursdays:  Grades 1, 3, 4, 5, 6
Please let me know if you have any questions.


A MESSAGE FROM OUR STM BOOSTER CLUB:


Cyclones Partners and Parents- 


First of all, we wanted to personally thank everyone for their efforts in selling NFL tickets this year. We have sold over 3,800 tickets, which represents a $12,000 increase in fundraising efforts for the school. In January we will draw one ticket and pay the seller of the ticket $250. Remember tickets can continue to be sold throughout the NFL season and if we get to 4,200 we will draw another $250 winner. 
Second, we wanted to provide an update on uniforms for Volleyball and Basketball. Last year the school purchased new uniforms for Basketball for 7-8th grades and this year we purchased new Volleyball uniforms for 6-8 grade. This represents a $17,000 investment and we want to be able to replace uniforms on a more regular schedule moving forward but to do this we need your help. Additionally, we had a $10,000 investment for football uniforms and gear this year as well. Here is the official ask of all parents:

• Have a uniform that is not from this season that was not returned? That’s ok and we want them back so we can inventory what is currently in stock and determine what needs to be updated/purchased.
• For the new uniforms that were just purchased. This was a major investment for the school so please take care of them and only wear them for games or to school on game day when allowed by the school administration. Last year we had several new basketball uniforms have to be replaced because of stains or tears. If something happens to a uniform during a game please let your coach know.
• All uniforms should be cleaned before turning them into coaches at the end of the season

In the future coaches will be provided a sheet with jersey numbers provided to them at uniform checkout. Exchanges for sizes will be handled through the coach and the Booster Club before the season. Uniforms must be turned in to the coach at the end of the season and checked in using the checkout sheet. All uniforms must be returned within 2 weeks from the end of the season. If a uniform is not returned to the coach or is lost a $100 fee will be charged for the uniform replacement to the player assigned the uniform. We do not want to charge anyone for the uniform so please make sure to arrange a time to return the uniform to avoid this fee. Our goal is to continue to replace uniforms for all grade levels and activities and reducing the replacement cost will help with this goal.
Thank you and let’s go Cyclones!
Booster Club President – Ray Clarke


    
DON’T MISS OUT!  GATHERING PARTY INFO: 
Gathering parties are a way for our school to raise money or receive auction items for the annual STM Auction on Feb. 5.  This year's parties that are already booked are listed below.  Invites will be sent home in backpacks closer to your child’s grade level event. 


10/30 - 5th, 6th & 7th


STM GREEN TEAM TRASH PICK-UP:Saturday, October 23, 9am-Noon
The STM Green Team is planning another service project to pick up trash along Blue River Road. We will meet in the parking lot of Children International, located at the northwest corner of Red Bridge and Blue River Roads. The team has made arrangements with the city to pick up the trash collected. Young and old, singles and families are all encouraged to participate in 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! It is recommended that all participants wear long sleeves, jeans, gloves, and protective footwear. Plastic bags will be provided. Please pray for good weather! For more information or to register for this event, contact David Butel at dbutel@stmkc.com or 816-942- 2492 x210 by Wednesday, October 20.




COVID-RELATED INFORMATION:
                   STM COVID DASHBOARD:        Week ending 10/7/21          Week ending 10/14/21           Week ending 10/21/21
                      Students in quarantine                             0                                                 0                                                    2
            Staff members in quarantine                            0                                                  0                                                   0
                         Students in isolation                              0                                                  0                                                   0
                Staff members in isolation                             0                                                  0                                                   0
              Percentage of attendance                             96%                                            97%                                              97
Total # of Student COVID cases this school year:  15  
Total # of Staff cases 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 
COVID Task Force Meeting Notes:
The COVID Task Force met on Tuesday this week.  Our discussions included:

• Test-to-Stay option for STM students.  Nurse Mandy Hodes has investigated the possibility of bringing this to STM.  The KCMO Health Department, though, does not have such a program in practice currently.
• Our abundant stock of disposable masks to share with students who forget one have been depleted to only a few boxes due to the number of students who are showing up at school without one or who do not bring an extra.  Please remember to send your child to school with a mask to start the day and an extra for just-in-case.  We don’t want to have to spend tuition dollars to purchase more.
• The Task Force discussed bringing back ‘changing out’ for PE class in the upper grades.  There were a lot of thoughts on both sides of the topic.  The School Advisory Board also met this week and talked about it.  Linda is going to get with Mrs. Miller, our PE coach, to bring back more information at the meetings next month.

BRICKS 4 KIDS--SESSION 2 SIGN-UPS:
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. For Grades 1-5. NEW Models Every Session! 
St. Thomas More LEGO® Club Wednesdays after school from 3:25 - 4:25pm 
Dates: Nov.10,17 Dec.1,8,15 
Enroll Now www.bricks4kidz.com/kcnorth  Tuition: $68.00 5 week Session
See flyer attached.


PAROCHIAL LEAGUE BASKETBALL REGISTRATION:
Parochial League Basketball registration is now open  through 10/29 for boys and girls.  Please register at www.PLKC.org.  
The cost is $120.00 for grades 5th-8th grade. 
The cost is $70.00 for 4th grade. 
Here is the schedule for the 4th grade-8th grade girls and boys basketball tryouts for the upcoming 2022 Parochial league season.  Basketball practices can start on 11/8 once all of the teams are decided.     If you have any questions please call Tim Waris at 816-942-2492 or email at Tim@stmkc.com.          


10/31   
4th grade boys   11:00am-12:00pm
5th grade boys   12:00pm-1:00pm
4th grade girls 1:00pm-2:00pm
5th grade girls   2:00pm-3:00pm
  
11/7 
6th grade boys  11:00am-12:30pm
7th grade boys  12:30pm-2:00pm
8th grade boys  2:00pm-3:30pm
6th grade girls  3:30pm-5:00pm
7th grade girls  5:00pm-6:30pm
8th grade girls   6:30pm-8:00pm


STM NIGHT--AVILA UNIVERSITY MEN’S BASKETBALL:
Avila Men’s Basketball program is hosting a Saint Thomas More Day on Saturday, 11/27 vs Oklahoma Wesleyan University.  Game time is 5 p.m. at the Mabee Fieldhouse on the Avila campus.
 
All parents and STM kids that wear an STM item (sweatshirt, T-shirt or basketball uniform, spirit wear) will be allowed into the game for free. The first 25 STM kids in the door get a free bag of popcorn. 


Because our Catholic devotion for the month of October is the Holy Rosary, I hope you can include this prayer in your daily prayers through this month:


TO THE QUEEN OF THE HOLY ROSARY:
 Queen of the most holy Rosary,  in these times of such brazen impiety, manifest thy power with the signs of thine ancient victories, and from thy throne, whence thou dost dispense pardon and graces, 
mercifully regard the Church of thy Son, His Vicar on earth, and every order of clergy and laity, who are sore oppressed in the mighty conflict. 
Do thou, who art the powerful vanquisher of all heresies, hasten the hour of mercy, even though the hour of God's justice is every day provoked by the countless sins of men. 
For me who am the least of men, kneeling before thee in supplication, do thou obtain the grace I need to live righteously upon earth and to reign among the just in heaven, the while in company with all faithful Christians throughout the world, I salute thee and acclaim thee as Queen of the most holy Rosary:
Queen of the most holy Rosary, pray for us.