St. Thomas More School Newsletter
November 21-25, 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,
As we head into the holiday weekend, I am thinking about the many things for which I am thankful. I am thankful for our wonderful students! We have such a lovely and diverse student body, and they give me such joy on a daily basis. I am grateful for the wonderful staff at STMS. They have supported me and each other – we are truly blessed. I am thankful for the support of our parish, especially Father Okumu. Our students have enjoyed his visits this year – recently he stopped into answer some questions that were sent in advance. One my favorite questions I head recently was “What is God’s favorite food?” Good luck with that one, Father.
I have been welcomed into the St. Thomas More family by so many parents -thank you for all that you do to support STMS. We are blessed beyond measure.
I wish you all a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Frieden (Peace in German),
Elizabeth Glaze
Pixie Gift Shop
Santa’s Elves are excited to welcome our STMS shoppers! The Pixie Gift Shop will be open Tuesday, 12/06* from 8am-3pm. Your children will be bringing home shopping list envelopes and gift tags. Please help your children fill out both before your child comes to school on the 6th. If your child will be shopping for more than 5 people and you have gift tag stickers at home, please send them with your child. We have plenty of items for our shoppers to choose from and can’t wait to see you!
If you would like to volunteer at the event, please see the Sign Up Genius.
Your Pixie Chairs – Laurie Miller and Nicole Griego
*Please note the change on the original date for Pixie Gift shop on the calendar
Phoenix RISE
Phoenix RISE (Responsible Interactions to Support Engagement) members are 7th and 8th grade students who are volunteering to be helpers on the playground during the lunch recess.
Responsible Interactions to Support Engagement
Twenty-four students volunteered to serve the STMS community in this way. During 2 one-hour training sessions, RISE members learned specific strategies for solving minor conflicts (based on our Kelso’s Choice program), as well as ways to approach and interact with students who may need assistance.
RISE members:
· can help during minor game conflicts by reviewing the rules with the students in conflict.
· may help students learn new recess games if needed.
· look out for kids on the buddy bench and introduce them to games/friends.
· may help recess teachers with taking care of playground equipment or other needed tasks
During indoor recesses, RISE members will be playing games and assisting in K-5 classrooms
We are excited to offer this new leadership opportunity. Way to go, Phoenix RISE!!
Specialist Spotlight
Our specialists work hard to provide a variety of interesting and engaging activities for all of our students. We would like to share some of the highlights of their work, as well as a little bit more about each of them.
Maria G. Casey is our Art teacher and has been working with children and adults for 22 years in both the US and Mexico. Ms. Casey incorporates a true appreciation for art into her lessons, by teaching students about a variety of techniques that different artists use. Her teaching takes into account a variety of skills in art and her lessons are engaging, as well as informative. In addition to teaching, Ms. Casey has her own business, called the The Fat Brush, working with children and adults of all ages, and includes working with people with special needs. We appreciate the authentic way that Ms. Casey brings art to our students.
Hot Lunch Returns
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
If you volunteer to help with our Hot Lunch fundraisers, please use the Sign Up Genius below:
Hot Lunch Schedule through March
Jan 6 Pizza | Jan 13 NO HOT LUNCH | Jan 20 Hamburger |
Jan 27 Pizza | Feb 3 Hot Dogs | Feb 10 NO SCHOOL |
Feb 17 Pizza | Feb 24 Grilled Cheese | Mar 3 Pizza |
Mar 10 Pizza | Mar 17 Grilled Cheese | Mar 24 Pizza |
Mar 31 Pizza |
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/
STMP Christmas EVE Nativity Presentation
Our parish annual 🌟Children’s Christmas Eve LIVE Nativity Presentation is Sat., Dec 24th at the 5 PM Mass.🌟 See the flyer attached for details. I need children volunteers to be barn animals, Roman soldiers, angels, shepherds etc… There will be no speaking parts and rehearsals will be scheduled. To sign up for your children, please click HERE. It’s first come first serve, so don’t delay!
See the Christmas Eve Nativity Presentation Flyer for more information.
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.
Toy Drive
Toy Drive Coming Soon!
Add a toy to your holiday Black Friday shopping for our upcoming Toy Drive for Catholic Community Services. More information coming soon.
Extended Care on Half Days
Extended Care will be offered until 3pm on the half day Mondays that we have PD for teachers. The dates are as follows: November 28, January 23, February 27 and March 27. We will not have a half day Monday during the month of April. On May 22, we will not have school since there will be a full day PD.
On the half days prior to a holiday, we will not offer Extended Care. The effected days are Wednesday, November 23; Friday, December 16; Friday, February 17, Friday, April 7 and Friday, May 26.
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
Family Fundraising Update
Your first family fundraising letter was emailed on Friday November 11th. This letter shows your fundraising earned through October 31, 2022. This letter includes funds earned from Scrip, Cookie Dough and Direct Contributions.
Families that have elected not to fundraise in their school contract, your first payment is due now. If your payment is not received by December 2nd you will be billed in FACTS plus a late fee.
The next letter will be sent in early February and will include wreaths sales.
If you did not receive your letter via email please contact Carrie Verge (ceverge@gmail.com).
Family Fundraising Coordinators
Carrie Verge & Melanie Abigania
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
Virtual Auction
Thank you to everyone who participated in the Virtual Auction last week. It was a fun way to kick off the holiday season, and we were able to raise nearly $5,000.00 for St. Thomas More. Thank you!
Black Friday Shopping/Holiday Sales
As we head into Thanksgiving weekend and the shopping frenzy, please consider taking advantage of the Black Friday and Holiday Sales to fulfill your $250.00 auction procurement commitment.
You can also check out our Amazon wish list if you are looking for ideas: https://www.amazon.com/registries/custom/16MZ1EB1D7KLS/guest-view
Amazon Custom Gift Listwww.amazon.com |
1st Procurement Deadline – Friday, December 9
Our 1st procurement drop-off deadline is on Friday, December 9, 2022. We will have a pop-up tent in the parking lot at morning drop off, you may also bring in items to the school office during school hours.
*For those who have already turned in their procured items and for those who turn their items in on or before Friday, December 9th you will receive the following:
· Free Dress Pass
· Entry into drawing for $50 Top Golf certificate (There will be three winners)
*Must turn in items valuing $250.00 or more to earn a free dress pass and entry into drawing.
Thank you for your help,
Jessica Lang | Auction Procurement Team | St. Thomas More School
Cell (425) 890-5891
Follow Along @stmsauction
Parents Club
Happy Thanksgiving week!
We are grateful to all our teachers, school and parish staff, the students and all the school families that truly make this an amazing community! We wish you and yours a blessed Thanksgiving with your families!
*St. Thomas More Parish will be hosting a Christmas Festival on Saturday November 26th 6-9pm to November 27th, from 9:30am -3pm! If folks would like to sign up and help, please click on the Sign Up Genius here Christmas Festival
*Pixie Gift Shop will be on Tuesday, December 6th, from 8am-3pm.
Fun Volunteer opportunities for some elves. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050449aaa72ba5f49-volunteers1
Thank you,
Francesca and Suzi
Other Local Area Events
Stay tuned for more events at neighboring schools.
CYO
CYO Update
There are no basketball games this week. I hope you all have a Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!
Please see below for next week’s game schedule:
12/3 – 9:00 AM 4th Grade Girls (Holy Rosary) vs. OLL at Our Lady of the Lake (8900 35th AVE NE Seattle)
12/3 – 10:15 AM 4th Grade Boys (STMS) vs. Evergreen at Holy Rosary (630 7th Ave N Edmonds)
12/3 – 11:30 AM 5th Grade Girls (St. Pius) vs. HRE at Holy Rosary (630 7th Ave N Edmonds)
12/3 – 3:15 PM 8th Grade Girls (Holy Rosary) vs. St. George at St. George (5306 13th Ave S Seattle)
12/4 – 2:15 PM 6th Grade Boys (STMS) vs. Eastside Catholic at East Side Catholic (232 228th Ave SE Sammamish)
12/4 – 5:00 PM 8th Grade Boys vs St. Catherine at Holy Rosary (630 7th Ave N Edmonds)
Thank you for all your support!
-Karen
Guidelines for COVID, Flu and RSV
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 students have active symptoms from any respiratory infections and/or have a fever, they should not come to school.
Please see the letter published from the Snohomish Health District from November 18, 2022.
St. Thomas More School is following the COVID 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:
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
11/18: Hot Lunch (see info in Newsletter)
11/23: Half Day; 11am Thanksgiving 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
12/6: Pixie Gift Shop
School Mass & Assembly Schedule
The All-School Masses & Assemblies for December:
Thursday, 12/8 | Immaculate Conception Mass | 9:00am | Grade 6 and Kindergarten |
Monday, 12/12 | Our Lady of Guadalupe Mass | 12:00 | Parish |
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.
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
Shop at all your FAVORITE stores using Scrip Gift Cards and WIN a Hot Cocoa & Cookie Party for your class!
Prepare for ALL of your Holiday Shopping using Scrip Gift Cards and
earn REBATES back to St. Thomas More School that counts towards your FAMILY FUNDRAISING commitment!
The class* that purchases the MOST Gift Cards or E-Gift Cards
between 11/16 and 12/16 will
WIN a Hot Cocoa and Cookie Party
when we get back from Winter Break!
* For families with multiple students, credit will be split up between siblings evenly
See the Holidays with Scrip Flyer for more information on how you can choose from 750+ of your favorite brands!
STMS Inventory Order Form also included.
Email us at stmpsscrip@gmail.com for questions!—
Tiffany Butts- Scrip Coordinator (Volunteer)
-Always Welcoming New Volunteers!-
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.