St. Thomas More School Newsletter
October 24-28, 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 and Families,
What a fun Wednesday we have had today! This morning, author Annie Cheng of Ube Books read to the PreK-2nd grade classes. They so enjoyed having her visit, share her books and answer their questions about being an author.
We also enjoyed delicious Filipino food prepared by 88Cues. A special thank you to Jason Moore, owner of 88Cues who is donating 20% to St. Thomas More.
We are looking forward to a fun Halloween and our All Saints Day Mass next Tuesday. We hope to see you there.
和平 Hépíng (Peace in Mandarin),
Elizabeth Glaze
Dine for Dollars
Pop-Up Filipino Hot Lunch! (Dine for Dollars)
What a great way to celebrate together through food and community! Thank you to Jason Moore and his family, 88Cues is hosting our first Pop-Up Filipino Hot Lunch on Wednesday, October 26th!
Picture Retakes and 3-Year-Old Preschool Pictures
Picture Day for 3-year-old preschool and make-ups is Thursday, November 10, 2022. If you ordered photos on the original day and you would like to have them retaken, you do not need to order again. Simply return the photos to school on or before picture day. If you would like to order a new package of photos with a new photo that will be taken on make-up day, use this online order form:
https://v2.myproimages.com/kids-photography-2111/code/StThomasMore2022
Candy Drive
Need that extra Halloween candy out of the house next week? Still want it to go to a good cause?
From November 1-4, the 3rd grade will be collecting candy all next week to send to Soldier Angels’ Treats for Troops. Active military personnel and veterans will receive candy bagged by our 3rd graders with notes of appreciation in them. Help them with this stewardship project by donating any leftover Halloween candy next week. Candy must be individually wrapped and fun sized is preferred to fit in sandwich bags.
STMS Family Survey
After the first 30 days of the school year, we reach out to families with a survey to determine how things are going for you and your child(ren). Please take a few minutes to provide some valuable feedback for us as we work to make this year the best possible for your child(ren) and you.
Early Dismissal for Appointments
Please remember to email your child’s teacher and copy the office staff if you are taking your student out of school for an appointment. We appreciate your cooperation on this.
Free Dress Days Reminder
Please remember on Free Dress Days that students may wear more casual clothing as long as they are dressed within school dress code guidelines. Along those lines, please keep in mind that student dress should be modest – no bare mid-diffs or spaghetti straps, clothes must fit properly. No leggings (unless under a skirt) in grades 5 and up.
Patrol
Anyone looking for volunteer hours? We can always use your help in patrol!! You will receive 1 hour for every AM or PM day. Please contact me (Robert Trias) for which days you are available and either mornings (AM) or afternoons (PM) or both. You contact myself @ (206)353-2000 or TRIAS0175@yahoo.com , I will also be doing patrol every Monday (PM), so you can talk to me at school.
Thank you!!!
Extended Care Supervisor Needed
7:00-8:15. The pay range is $17-$20/ hour (depending on experience). Alternatively, St. Thomas More School parents can use volunteer hours if they wish. If you, or someone you know, is interested, please contact the school office at (425) 743-4242. The application is available on the Archdiocese Website/ Frontline (click the link).
Volunteers
Parents who wish to volunteer will need to be current on their Virtus Training, Protecting God’s Children and complete the School Volunteer Agreement attesting to their vaccination status. Parents wishing to volunteer inside the school building will need to be fully vaccinated.
Here are some upcoming training dates that are nearby (register on Virtus):
11/05 St. Michael Church, Snohomish, 9am
11/05 St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Bothell, 10am
Current Volunteers Needed
Computer Lab is looking for a parent volunteer to come in once or twice a week to wipe down the lab. Preferably after school. Takes about 30 minutes to wipe down keyboards, mice, back of chairs and tabletops. This would count as volunteer time!
Auction Update
PROCUREMENT WISH LIST
We have created an Amazon Wish List for anyone who needs help coming up with ideas of what to procure for our Spring Auctions. Please check out the Step Into Spring Gala wish list at the following link: https://www.amazon.com/registries/custom/16MZ1EB1D7KLS/guest-view
Please share this link with anyone who is interested in donating to our Auctions.
CLASSROOM AUCTION
HELP NEEDED
We are still looking to fill in the gaps for our Classroom Auction obligations. Please reach out to your room parent, or to me directly Jessica.e.nunn@gmail.com if you would like to assist as the procurement lead or art project for your grade.
Our class basket themes are filling up fast, so please send me your theme if you haven’t already.
Grade | Procurement Lead | Basket | Art Project |
K | Mariners | ||
1 | Adopt a kitty | Starry Night | |
2 | |||
3 | Kelly Schmid | Coffee & Cocktails | Lego – Seattle Skyline |
4 | |||
5 | Builder’s Paradise | ||
6 | Baking – w/ mixer | ||
7 | Escape Room | ||
8 | Seahawks |
Thank you for your help,
Jessica Lang | Auction Procurement Team | St. Thomas More School
Cell (425) 890-5891
Follow Along @stmsauction
Parents Club
Hello Families,
October has flown by, and we are nipping at the heels of Halloween! We are so excited to partner with the church for our Trunk or Treat Event! Please come and bring your friend and family to the event, it will be fun for the entire family! We will be selling refreshments in Dalton Hall during the Trunk or Treat from 6-8pm. Please come and stop by.
Thank you for celebrating Filipino American History Month!
*We want to Thank Annie Cheng, the author and founder of the Ube Books Series for taking the time to come to our school today to read some of her stories to the children!
A little bit about our author Annie Cheng:
Annie Cheng is a Filipino-Chinese immigrant from the Philippines. Born to a Chinese-Filipino father and a Filipina mother. She is a mother, a wife, a recent nurse graduate, and a meningitis survivor.
Ube Books is created to celebrate the Filipino Nursing community as she believes the Filipino nursing community have given so much, and continuously do so, to the communities we live in. Her goal for her books is for Filipino children to see themselves in the literature they are exposed to. But also, for non-Filipino families to know us and to humanize us. She firmly believes in diversifying children’s bookshelves leads to a kinder and more compassionate world.
She also wants to use this space to spread Meningitis awareness, a disease that almost took her life in 2020. She believes that recognizing signs and symptoms, early interventions, and proper treatment can save lives.
*Thank YOU to 88Cues, Jason Moore and his family for hosting our first Pop—Up Filipino Hot Lunch of the year!
October 29th: St. Thomas More Parish is hosting the 3rd Annual Trunk or Treat with gathering and food available in Dalton Hall for purchase (Pizza, popcorn, and beverages) 6pm-8pm.
We could still use more vehicle for the trunk or treat. Please consider decorating your car.
Click on the link, if you would like to sign up to be part of the Halloween decorated cars for Trunk or Treat. Volunteers also needed to help set up Dalton Hall and distribute food and drinks.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0C4BAFAC2CA0FA7-trunk
See Trunk or Treat Flyer for refreshment items and pricing.
Fundraisers:
Wreath and Poinsettia:
We have one more week for the Evergreen and Poinsettia Fundraiser! 50% of your sales go towards your $650 fundraiser commitment. Get your holiday wreaths and Christmas décor early!
Start date: Monday October 17th
- Runs from October 17-31st
- Fundraiser is ending on October 31st place your orders before it is too late.
- Students will be sent order forms
- 50% of sales goes toward fundraising
- Wreath/ Poinsettia pick up on Tuesday November 22nd.
Sneaker Fundraiser
- Clean your closet for a cause!
- 20 pairs =$15.00 toward fundraising
- Ask friends and family for donations
- See details in the Sneaker Fundraiser Flyer.
Kind regards,
Francesca and Suzi
Parent Club Chairs
Other Local Area Events
AMHS Trunk or Treat
Ready for an afternoon of spooky fun? Come to the Archbishop Murphy High School Trunk or Treat, hosted by MacKenzie Hewitt and STMS alum Sean Mullins! The event will take place on Sunday, October 30, from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. in the AMHS parking lot (12911 39th Ave SE, Everett, WA 98208). Admission is free! Wear your costume and bring a bucket for collecting candy. See you there!
“Nick of Time” Free Heart Screening
Meadowdale High School is hosting the “Nick of Time” event, which provides free heart screenings to young adults. The Nick of Time Foundation in partnership with the UW Medicine Center for Sports Cardiology will be at our high school campus on Wednesday November 2, 2022, at Meadowdale High School.
This event is open to all to students and athletes between 14-24 years of age. Register here:
https://booknow.appointment-plus.com/yq0zz2cm/10
Raising awareness regarding Sudden Cardiac Arrest in youth, and ultimately producing a safer community. In the US, we lose one high school aged athlete every three days to Sudden Cardiac Arrest. Many have a hidden heart abnormality that left undiagnosed, will lead to SCA.
For more information on the Nick of Time Foundation, visit their website:
Nick of Time Foundation: https://nickoftimefoundation.org
MTHS STEM Program Information Night
Date: Wednesday November 9th
Time: 6 pm-8 pm
Location: Mountlake Terrace High School Theater (in person/onsite)
Virtual Option:
You are invited to a Zoom webinar. Date Time: Nov 9, 2022 05:30 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada) Topic: MTHS Annual STEM Parent Information Night Join from a PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone or Android device: Click Here to Join Note: This link should not be shared with others; it is unique to you. Add to CalendarAdd to Google CalendarAdd to Yahoo Calendar Or One tap mobile: US: +12532158782,,83787789042# or +16699006833,,83787789042# Or Telephone: Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location): US: +1 253 215 8782 or +1 669 900 6833 or +1 719 359 4580 or +1 346 248 7799 or +1 669 444 9171 or +1 309 205 3325 or +1 312 626 6799 or +1 386 347 5053 or +1 564 217 2000 or +1 646 876 9923 or +1 646 931 3860 or +1 301 715 8592 Webinar ID: 837 8778 9042 Participant ID: 492583 International numbers available: https://edmondsschools.zoom.us/u/kenRd76prL |
Invited Guests: 7th & 8th grade Parents & Students
Please join us for a comprehensive presentation & overview of the Mountlake Terrace STEM Program Pathways.
Our STEM Staff will be there to answer your questions. Tours of the STEM Magnet labs & classrooms will follow the Q & A session.
RSVP by November 4th (see RSVP link below)
https://forms.gle/gL7N5EvcfuszqqkR7
Direct questions to: Debra Davenport davenportd@edmonds.wednet.edu
CYO
Saint Thomas More CYO Basketball registration is open for girls and boys in grades 4th – 8th.
Register at: https://www.teamsideline.com/seattlecyo
Registration will close on October 28th.
League Games: 11/19, 11/20, 12/3, 12/4, 12/10, 12/11, 12/17, 12/18, 1/7, 1/8, 1/14, 1/15, 1/21, 1/22, 1/28, 1/29
Coaches:
4th Grade Boys – Andre Lang and Alfredo Barajas
5th Grade Boys – Darren Walker
8th Grade Boys – Jerome Angeles
5th Grade Girls – Andre Taylor (St. Pius)
STMS will not have teams for 4th-grade girls, 6th-grade girls and boys, and 7th-grade girls and boys. If your children are still interested in playing, please contact me at kjpena77@gmail.com. I will be able to find a spot for them on another parish team.
Dear Families,
Our kids are enjoying this year’s CYO Sports! Help us to raise funds for our CYO sports to cover our equipment, fees, and expenses!
We will be selling Brown Bear Car wash tickets inside Dalton Hall during Trunk or Treat to support our CYO Program at Saint Thomas More.
You can purchase 1 ticket for $12 or 2 tickets for $20.
All profits will go towards paying for gym and track facility fees and purchasing new equipment.
Thank you for all your support!
-Karen
STMS Open House
Preschool-8th grade Open House
Join us for our upcoming preschool-8th grade Open House on Nov. 9th, 2022 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Learn more about St. Thomas More School, the admissions process, and experience our school in action.
Please RSVP to attend at Margot.mclaughlin@stms.org
Stewardship Campaign
St. Thomas More Parish needs help with mailings for the Annual Catholic Appeal mailing. All hours can be used toward your volunteer hours (3-4 hours for each mailing). If you would like to help, please contact Catherin Bellande in the parish office at (425) 743-2929, ext. 100 or cathyb@stmp.org.
COVID -19 Guidelines
St. Thomas More School is following the guidelines published by the Washington State Department of Health and the Snohomish Health District. During the month of September, STMS had 7 reported cases of COVID-19 positive test results. Please continue to monitor your children for symptoms of COVID-19 and keep them home if they are ill. If your child tests positive, the quarantine period is 5-10 days. If after 5 days, your child is symptom free he/she may return to school (wearing a mask) as long as you provide proof of a negative test result. Siblings of a child who test positive, or if a child is exposed to someone else in the home who tests positive, may return to school as long as there are no COVID-19 symptoms with proof of a negative and remain masked.
We will continue to follow advice and recommendations of the Snohomish Health District as we navigate the cold and flu season. If students are persistently exhibiting signs of a cold, they may be asked to wear a mask. If they exhibit symptoms that could be COVID related, we ask that you continue to test students at home. Alternatively, we can test students at school.
Dates to Remember
10/28: Blue Friday
10/29 – Speech Tournament
10/29 – Trunk or Treat at St. Thomas More Parking Lot 6:15pm-7:15pm
11/1 – All Saints Mass
School Mass Schedule
The All-School Masses (through October):
Monday, Oct 31 | Pumpkin Fest | 1:00pm | Music |
Tuesday, November 1* | All Saints Mass | 9:00am | 2nd Grade |
Thursday, November 10 | Veteran’s Day Assembly | 9:00am | Grades 4, 5, and 6 |
Also, this year each grade level will lead the 3rd Sunday Mass (or Saturday vigil Mass), which coincides with Coffee & Donuts (with the exceptions of December, April, and June). Please see the table below for Mass times and participating grade level . All participants and attendees in school uniform will get a free dress pass. Please note we have made revisions to the scheduled Masses.
Nov 20, 8:30 | 4th Grade |
Dec | Christmas Vacation |
Jan 14, 5pm | 7th and 2nd Grades |
Feb 26, 10:30 * | 6th Grade and Kindergarten |
Mar 19, 8:30 | 3rd Grade |
Apr | Spring Break |
May 21, 10:30 | 5th and 1st Grades |
*The February date has been changed from 2/19 to 2/26 to not conflict with President’s Day weekend.
WSCC Newsletter
Below is the link to the Fall Quarter 2022 Newsletter for Catholic Schools published by the Washington State Catholic Conference.
Scouts BSA
Calling all girls grade 4 and up interested in starting or joining Scouts BSA. Please come learn about scouting and have a some Halloween fun with a great group of girls. Please contact Carrie Verge with any questions or if interested.
Check It Out – Library Corner
Check It Out
October is Filipino American History Month.
A great book to learn about their history, culture, and traditions is All about the Philippines: Stories, Songs, Crafts, and Games for Kids by Gidget Roceles Jimenez (2015). Journey with three cousins as they learn about the Philippines. Each of the cousins come from different parts and look very different. One is of Chinese descent, one is Spanish descent, and one is Arab descent, but they are all Filipino and celebrate their differences and what makes them family.
Miss Watters recently purchased this for our STM library and it will be available for check-out soon. Other books about the Philippines and Filipino culture in our library can be found at:
https://stmlynnwood.follettdestiny.com/cataloging/servlet/presentbooklistform.do?listID=23776844
SEL Curriculum
Last year, our Fund a Need auction item was for SEL curriculum, which included updated Second Step materials, as well as another series called Responsive Classroom. Joana Ransford, in her report for the Schools Commission, captured feedback from some of the teachers on how they are incorporating some of the tools and strategies in their classrooms:
Mrs. Martin, 4th: We are using the SEL curriculum to set goals in the classroom and to discuss emotional goals that we have individually as well as those that we share. We enjoy our open forum talks and are excited to move through the curriculum this year.
Ms. Watters, Library: All of the classes in library have explored the reset station and know it is there for them when they need it in library. With 3rd grade, we do mindful breathing at the start of class. They are coming in from recess and are still emotional about things that happened or just have a hard time calming down afterwards. We take a few seconds to close our eyes and take a few deep breaths to help us calm down, be focused and ready for library.
Mrs. Pehanich, Interventionist: As the Title One teacher and Interventionist, I am able to work with students who would benefit from small group time and small group learning. This can be for academic reasons as well as social emotional needs. SEL funding has provided the staff with training in responsive classrooms and has provided us with materials to work with all students, especially those with those higher social emotional needs. As part of this, all classrooms have reset stations, including mine. I have also seen the benefit of having our counselor, Denise Mullins, here an additional 2 hours/week.
Mr. Rehberger, 7th: 7th grade has now begun its journey through the new Second Step curriculum. Although we have only completed a couple of lessons at this point, it has already led to good discussions and carryover to life outside of this dedicated lesson time. (We have devoted time to this program every Friday morning.) As a teacher, I appreciate the layout and ease of the newly purchased curriculum. Each lesson is guided with a slide show on our screen and has a student handout for the activities and reflection questions. The topics so far have been age appropriate and have enough flexibility to allow me to adapt to our class and current needs. FYI, our topics so far have included some brain science about learning new things and an introduction to having a “growth mindset.”
Coffee & Donuts
Please see the links below to sign up. We need more people to sign up for the 8:30 Mass.
Pastoral Council
The Pastoral Council is a consultative body to the Pastor which serves the people of God through visionary leadership and direction.
The purpose of the Pastoral Council is:
- To create, inspire, and demonstrate leadership and enthusiasm for all matters relating to the spiritual and temporal affairs of St. Thomas More Parish
- To provide recommendations for Parish priorities, directions, and policies through pastoral planning.
- To Promote communication, visibility, and understanding among the Parish Commissions, Committees, Community, Archdiocese, and universal Church.
- Informing community, Council members are challenged to ongoing renewal through prayer, study, listening, and dialogue.
- In developing priorities and directions for the Parish, the Council is to become the means to achieving full participation by the Parish in its mission by giving its voice in guiding and directing Parish life.
- In fostering communication, the Council encourages and initiates dialogue among parish leadership and organizations and brings the concerns to the larger Church.
We invite you to become a part of our Pastoral Council. Our regular schedule is 4th Thursday September- June. However, the September meeting will be on 9/29 jointly with Finance Council.
For more information, please contact Nick Golla, (818) 903-9140 nngolla@gmail.com
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
SCRIP NEWS!
Shopping with Scrip is Fundraising while you shop!
Scrip In Person Sales
· Wednesdays 8-9am & 2:30-3:30pm
· School Coffee & Donut Sundays 9:30-10:30a & 11:30a-12:15p
· 1st & 3rd Sundays 9:30-10:30a
· Orders for physical orders placed on the app or left in the office by Tuesday will be filled and ready for pick up on Wednesday with the Scrip Sellers.
(*See below for volunteer opportunities!)
BROWN BEAR FOR CYO: Brown Bear will no longer be sold as Scrip and instead will go towards supporting our STMP CYO Sports! *Please note: As CYO is not linked to Parents Club, it will not count towards fundraising. EVERY DOLLAR $ will go towards gym fees, new equipment, uniforms, etc. Keep an eye out for opportunities to buy!!
NEW LOCAL VENDOR ALERT Crafty B’s Artisan Boutique located in Edmonds and in Everett Mall. Shop local and find unique handmade gifts! Rebate 20%! https://www.thecraftybs.com/
RAISE RIGHT BONUS FEST: Last weekend to earn extra rebate bonuses during October’s Bonus Fest with purchases on the Raise Right App! If you’re not on the App, email us for the enrollment code. stmpsscrip@gmail.com
*VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES: Join our Scrip team for drop-in volunteer hours when you’re available OR weekly commitments! Sign Up below if interested to arrange training. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080A4DA4AC2FA5F85-scrip1
**Currently looking for at least 1-2 people with weekly or drop in availability on Sundays between Masses, Wednesdays AM/PM, Fridays AM, and Saturday Evenings.
Come find us if you have any questions!! Let us help you, help Scrip work for you! CHECK OUT OUR PAGE & FIND FORMS AT: https://stms.org/fundraising/scrip/
-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.