St. Thomas More School Newsletter
November 7-11, 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,
I have the pleasure of spending lunch with our middle school students every Monday and Tuesday. I took this opportunity to find out what they have enjoyed so far about this year. Here is a sampling of the responses I received:
6th Grade
Nina and Maddie: Blessing of the Pets.
Liam: building pyramids with sugar cubes while studying ancient Egypt.
7th Grade
Adrian, Stephen, Christian and Tommy: learning about the geography and history of WA.
8th Grade
Jasmine, Sara and Amaya: Speech Team
To be fair, I didn’t include all the students who responded with the answer “recess.”
Finally, I neglected to post my favorite picture from Halloween – I was finally able to achieve my goal of dressing up as Professor McGonagall.
ሰላም Selami (Peace in Amharic, spoken in Ethiopia),
Elizabeth Glaze
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
Thanksgiving Food Drive
Our annual food drive to support St. Vincent de Paul will run from November 14-23. Please see the attached flyer for information.
Hot Lunch Returns
HOT LUNCH is coming…
Starting November 18
Tara Meucci is excited to be back on Friday’s to help with hot lunch. Orders and payments are due on Thursdays (day before). No Refunds or change will be given. We will be offering Costco pizza and hot dogs to start.
All pizza lunches will include choice of drink (water, soda, juice) and a treat.
Hot dog lunches will include choice of drink (water, soda, juice) bag of chips and treat.
Cost is $5 per lunch extra slice or hot dog is additional $1. Please see the link below for the order form.
Hot Lunch November/ December Order Form
Native American Heritage Month
November is Native American Heritage Month. It is a time to celebrate the important contributions, cultures, and traditions of Native American people.
There are 29 federally recognized tribes in Washington State. To learn more about the tribes in Washington state, go to: https://www.washingtontribes.org/
Virtual Christmas Card Contest
STMS is having a competition for a design for our virtual Christmas card (it’s a new thing we dreamed up). Students who would like to submit an entry should either email their scanned artwork to elizabeth.glaze@stms.org or they may turn their artwork in to the office. Please include your name and grade.
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!!!
STM Christmas Festival
Please join us for the Christmas Festivities at St. Thomas More Parish on November 26th, 6-9pm and Sunday, November 27th, 9:30-3:00pm. Please see the STM Christmas Festival flyer for more information.
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):
11/14 Holy Family, Kirkland, 6:30pm
11/15 St. Luke, Shoreline, 6:30pm
Parent Pick Up
Please do not arrive before 2:45. We continue to have an abundance of cars lined up on the street, which impedes traffic flow, is dangerous, and upsets our neighbors. Parents, please remember if you are parked in the gravel parking lot, you need to exit via the left lane of the “snake” line out the proper exit. If you are in the timed parking lot, you will need to wait until students are cleared from the lot before you exit.
Auction Update
St. Thomas More
VIRTUAL SILENT AUCTION
November 14-18
JOIN US!
We have a collection of procured and donated items from our school community, local businesses and sponsors that are up for bid in our Virtual Silent Auction starting Monday, Nov. 14th at 8am and ending at 11:59pm on Friday, Nov. 18th.
View our Virtual Silent Auction with family and friends from the comfort of your couch and put your best number forward!
Click on the link below so you are ready to bid on opening day! You don’t want to miss this event!
Sports Tickets * Theatre * Christmas Gifts * Comedy Tickets
Virtual Silent Auction Flyer (link)
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,
Thank you for all your support in our school fundraising activities! Huge shout out to Meucci family and the Gollas family for leading our first two fundraisers of the year!
Wreath Sales
We just finished with our Wreath and Poinsettia Sales last week! Thank you to the Gollas for spearheading our Wreath & Poinsettia Fundraising and to all the students and families that participated! Items can be picked up on November 22nd!
Our total wreath sales were $10,260.50, with the school proceeds of $5130.25!! Kudos to all the families that participated! Congratulations to our top family sellers!
· Jarman Family – $3666
· Golla Family – $1127.50
· Lang Family – $1085
· Azel Family – $751.50
· Butts Family – $517.50
· Umayam Family – $321
Cookie Dough Sales
Our total retail sales were $16,796, with $10,462 from our internet sales, and $6,334 from our order forms. Our school profit was $6,838.40!! Our students did such an amazing job! Special thanks to Tara Meucci and the Meucci family for leading our Cookie Dough fundraising! Thank you to all the students and families for your contribution and hard work! Cookie dough delivery is November 21 after school. Tara could use some volunteers to help sort out the cookie dough by grade level. If you can help her, please arrive at school at 12:30.
Congratulations to our top sellers!
Antonio Meucci – $1337
Ashlyn Azel – $1019
Iyla Lantoria – $765.50
Stephen Valmayor – $740
Camila Corujo – $613
Truly an awesome job! We really appreciate all the school spirit and support for our school community!
Thank you again to the Fairbanks Family for hosting our very first STMS Day at the Fairbanks Farms and for their generous donation of $311 to our school!
Happy Veterans Day!
Remembering all of our veterans, past and present! Thank you for your service to this country. Your courage, sacrifice, and bravery does not go unnoticed, and we truly honor you and your family for all your dedication and all that you have given. Happy Veterans Day on behalf of all Parents Club
Fundraisers:
· Year-round Fundraisers:
-Script
-Shoe fundraiser still underway.
– 20 pairs =$15.00 toward fundraising
(Reminder you can ask places you frequent if you can place a collection box.
-Ask family friends or community for a donation. )
STM Tumblers: We have wonderful hot/cold STM tumblers for sale. Contact Francesca Abellera fbabellera@gmail.com or 206-496-9468 to get yours.
CYO is a wonderful program for our students! We are in need of equipment and facility rental funds. Please consider supporting the Brown Bear car wash sales for our program. Contact Karen Pena for you purchase.
Kind regards,
Francesca and Suzi
Parent Club Chairs
Other Local Area Events
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
CYO Update
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. As of the end of October, STMS had 7 reported cases of COVID-19 positive test results to date.
The Snohomish Health District has recently revised their guidelines. The link to the guidelines can be found below:
Please continue to keep your child at home if they are ill. We will continue to follow the advice and recommendations of the Snohomish Health District as we navigate the cold and flu season.
If your child exhibits COVID-19 symptoms at school, they will be asked to wear a mask, and we will call home. We have COVID-19 testing available and may require proof of a negative test prior to their return to school. The options for testing are:
- Testing is conducted at home by the parent, and a copy of the negative test is sent to the school.
- Testing is conducted by the parent at STMS with our testing supplies.
- Testing is conducted by one of the office staff at STMS.
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. Negative tests should be emailed to the STMS office staff. 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.
Dates to Remember
11/10: Veteran’s Day Assembly, 9am
11/11: No School – Veteran’s Day
11/14-11/23: Thanksgiving Food Drive
11/18: Hot Lunch (see info in Newsletter)
11/23: Half Day; 11am Mass
11/24 & 11/25: Thanksgiving Day Break – No School
11/26 & 11/27: STM Parish Christmas Festival
11/28: Teacher In-service, Noon dismissal
School Mass & Assembly Schedule
The All-School Masses & Assemblies for November:
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 21, 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 January date has been changed from 1/14 to /21 to not conflict with Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend.
**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.
New Music Teacher
We would like to extend a warm welcome to our new music teacher, Mr. Rodney Ocfemia. Mr. Ocfemia is a skilled musician, as well as a parishioner at STM. We are so excited to have him join our family!
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. For more information, please contact Nick Golla, (818) 903-9140 nngolla@gmail.com
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.