St. Thomas More School Newsletter
September 11-17, 2022
Principal’s Message
Building Community – One Body, Many Parts
1 Corinthians 12:12 Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ.
Dear Parents,
All the staff at STMS were thrilled to see students back last week. We had an exciting first day. Father Okumu conducted a Blessing of the Backpack prayer service. I was so impressed with how the students knew how to behave with respect and reverence during the prayer service, as well as our first all school Mass on Wednesday. It was a great way to start the year off in building community, which will be our major theme for the school year. During our first Mass together, Father Okumu taught us an African Proverb: “If you want to go fast go alone; if you want to go far, go together.” I am confident that our journey will go far if we go together as a community bound by faith.
One of my great loves in life is travel and learning about different cultures and languages. I will put this into practice this year by closing with one of my favorite words, “peace” in different languages.
I look forward to meeting you and taking this journey together this year.
Amani (Peace in Swahili),
Elizabeth Glaze
Spirit Wear
Last call for STMS spirit wear. Please place your order by 5:00pm on Friday 9/16. Items should be delivered on Friday, 10/7.
Here is the link to the STMS E Store…. http://stms.encompassprint.com
Parents Club
Dear Families,
We hope you had a wonderful summer! We want to extend a warm welcome to our new principal, Ms. Glaze, our new and current teachers, all our new and families and to our whole community! We would love your participation in our upcoming events and activities! Thank you for coming to the first Parents Club Meeting on Thursday, September 8th! We look forward to meeting more new families in person and connecting with each other again!
Here are some important dates:
Sept 14th 7pm School Commission Meeting
Sept 18th School sponsors coffee & donuts after Sunday Mass
September 20th, 6:30-8:30: Curriculum Night
Sept 27th – Room Parents Orientation 6:30pm, Renggli Room
Sept 27th – Cookie Dough Fundraising kicks off
Sept 24th – Intercultural Festival 12:00- 4:30pm, Vendors 11am
Our school and Parish Intercultural festival is on September 24, Saturday, from 12 noon to 4:30 PM. Let us support our festival. Any net proceeds from this festival will benefit our school and parish. The school will be sending a booklet of tickets with your child for you to sell to your family and friends this week. Please turn in your raffle tickets stubs and unsold tickets no later than Monday, Sept 19th with your payments. Checks are made to ” STM ICC”. Thank you so much for your kind support of our school and Parish community.” Please see InterCultural Festival Flyer for additional information.
Please feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions! We are looking forward to an amazing year ahead!
Kind regards,
Francesca and Suzi
Parent Club Chairs
Dates to Remember
9/20: Curriculum Night, 6:30-8:30
9/24: Intercultural Festival, 12:00-4:30
9/26: Noon Release – Teacher Professional Development
10/3: School Pictures
10/14: No School – Teacher Inservice
10/20: Conferences, Noon dismissal
10/21: Conferences- No School
School Mass and Assembly Schedule
The All-School Masses (through October):
Tuesday, Oct 4 | Blessing of the Pets | 12:00 | Student Council |
Wednesday, Oct 12 | Mass of the Holy Spirit | 9:00 | Fourth Grade |
Monday, Oct 31 | Pumpkin Fest | 1:00 | Music |
Also, this year each grade level will lead the 3rd Sunday Mass, which coincides with Coffee & Donuts (with the exceptions of December, April, and June). October 16 will be led by the 8th graders. All participants and attendees in school uniform will get a free dress pass. Here are the links to the sign up forms:
Pet Food and Toy Drive
September 26th – November 4th
God calls us to take care of all of His creation and pets are an important part of our community. Help us take care of those most in need, those that have been neglected, abused, and uncared for with our Pet Food and Toy Drive. We will be collecting dry food, canned food, toys, bedding, etc. in classrooms for Pasado’s Safe Haven, and animal sanctuary located in Sultan. Our drive will end on Tuesday, November 4th at the Blessing of the Pets. For a list of additional items needed by Pasado, go to: https://www.pasadosafehaven.org/ways-to-give/wish-list/ Monetary donations made out to Pasado’s Safe Haven also needed.
Important Reminders
Dismissal
Please do not arrive for dismissal before 2:45. We are creating a line on the street, which impacts our neighbors. We appreciate your cooperation with this. Parents of K- Grade 3 students (who do not have an older sibling) should park in timed parking.
Monday Morning Prayer Service
On Mondays we go directly into Dalton Hall for a prayer service, with announcements following. Parents are welcome to join us – we ask that you gather at the back of the hall.
Scrip
Shopping with SCRIP is fundraising while you shop! The STMS SCRIP Program is a year- round fundraiser that sells gift cards and the brands give back to our school in rebates! There are over 750+ brands to choose from to buy GAS, GROCERIES, CLOTHES, TRAVEL, TOOLS, & more! Rebates from your SCRIP purchase count back towards your Family’s Fundraising Commitment, and you don’t have to sell a thing!
We carry a limited number of brands in our physical inventory sold on Wednesdays at Drop off 8:00-9:00 and Pick Up 2:45-3:30 and on Sundays 9:30-10:30. This depends on volunteer availability. NEED VOLUNTEER HOURS!? Join the SCRIP TEAM! We have various opportunities.
DOWNLOAD The RaiseRight App and to get SCRIP e-gift cards right at our fingertips. Email us today for the enrollment code at smpsscrip@gmail.com. THIS WEEK ON THE RAISERIGHT APP: Raise Days! Sept 15-16. Get BONUS Rebates on E-Gift Cards and Reloadable Gift Cards!
We’re so excited for this New School Year! Welcome back!
-Your SCRIP TEAM
Website
We are continuing to revise and improve the website. You can now access the calendar under the Parents tab for to see upcoming events. There is also updated Auction information. We will continue to keep you informed of updates and improvements throughout the year.