The Phoenix Flyer: St. Thomas More School Newsletter
March 3-10, 2023
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,
This week we have an exciting event happening at STMS, one that I have been looking forward to all year. Our 3rd-8th grade Speech Tournament is something unique to our school, and a program that has prepared our students to communicate clearly and with poise. I was incredibly impressed with our kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade students who recited memorized poems last Friday. They were so amazing! I know that the event this Wednesday and Thursday will be just as incredible and look forward to hearing the speeches that our students worked so hard to perfect.
Later this month we will have our annual parent meeting, which I am now calling the State of the School. In addition to information on enrollment for next year, we will be reviewing our progress this year and discussing future goals for STMS. I look forward to seeing you all there.
Lapè(“Peace” in Haitian Creole),
Elizabeth Glaze
Dates to Remember
3/8-3/9 Speech Tournament, Grades 3-8
3/10 No School (Teacher professional development)
3/17 St. Patrick’s Day – Wear a green shirt and uniform bottoms
3/20 Class Pictures (PK4 – Grade 8)
3/21 Class Picture (PK3)
3/27 Noon Dismissal
3/29 State of the School (Annual Parent Meeting – info to come), 6:30
Parking Lot Reminder
The safety of our students, as well as our wider school community, is of utmost importance. Lately there have been several incidents in the parking lot that have caused concern. Please remember the following procedures during pickup:
- Parents of students in grades PreK-2 should park in the timed parking lot for pick up. Once parked, you may only move your car once all the students have cleared the area (approximately 3:15).
- Parents of students in grades 3-8 will process through the snake line, leaving the left side of the line free for advancing cars.
- Once your car has entered the area with green cones, your student may make their way to the car. Once your student is safely inside your car, you may carefully pull out of the line and advance to the school exit.
- Cars may NOT go back out the entrance (or enter through the exit)
- After you collect your student(s), please keep them close to you – children should not be playing in the parking lot or the big toy until after 3:15, when most of the cars have been cleared.
Yearbook Sales
Pre-order your child’s yearbook now. Only $30 for 68 pages of precious memories! To ensure your child gets one, yearbooks MUST be pre-ordered by Friday, April 7th. Get your order in TODAY! Print the attached flyer and send to school with the exact cash payment or checks payable to STMS. 8th graders will be receiving a free yearbook and do not need to submit an order form.
Lent Activities
St. Thomas More School/ Parish – Stations of the Cross
March 17, 2:15pm | March 24, 1:00pm |
March 31, 2:15pm | April 7, 12:00pm |
St. Thomas More Parish – Evenings of Reflection
During Lent, St. Thomas More Parish will be hosting several special evenings of reflection:
Wednesday, March 8 at 7pm – Special Women’s Reflection Mass
Wednesday, March 15 at 7pm – Lenten Parish Reconciliation Service
Wednesday, March 22 at 7pm – Men’s Night of Lenten Reflection
Please see the Lent Reflect and Renew Flyer
Knights of Columbus Fish Fry
Please join the Knights of Columbus for their annual Fish Fry’s on the following Fridays during Lent from 6PM to 7PM in the parish hall:
Friday, March 10th
Friday, March 31st
Our delicious cod is cooked fresh each of these Fridays with our “secret” recipe that will delight your taste buds. Meals include fries, coleslaw and dessert for one inexpensive price.
You can also place an ORDER TO GO by calling Jim in advance at (425) 248-3157.
Come out for a truly great meal and share in the Lenten Fellowship Event!
Gala Auction Update
Virtual Auction
Not able to attend the gala auction? Join us from the comforts of your home! Bidding online opens at 9:00am on March 9 and closes on March 12 at 7:00pm.
Share with family & friends and help support our biggest fundraiser of the year!
https://stml2023.ggo.bid/bidding/package-browse
We can’t wait to see everyone at the Gala Auction on Saturday, March 11, 2023, 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm. If you still need a room, please see the link below.
Embassy Suites Hotel Room Block: Embassy Suites Hotel Room_STMS Auction Gala
Gala Auction Volunteer Sign Up: Gala Auction Volunteer Sign Up
Jessica Lang | Auction Procurement Team | St. Thomas More School
Cell (425) 890-5891 Email: jessica@nvllaw.com
Follow Along @stmsauction
Family Auction
The Family Auction committee is looking for donations towards pizza to sell at the Family Auction on 4/29. If you are interested, please check out the link below to sign-up. Donations of $20 count as 1 auction hour. All funds need to be turned into the office by 3pm Friday April 21st. Cash only please.
We look forward to seeing everyone at the Family Auction on Saturday April 29th 12-4pm.
Please review the available slots in the Sign-Up Genius linked below. Thank you!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C44AFAA29A3F5C34-donation
Thank you,
Family Auction Committee
Parent Club
Our next Parent Club Meeting is April 6 at 8:30am in the Renggli Room.
Our World’s Finest Chocolate Fundraiser has just finished this week and all orders have been submitted. Thank you to all the families that participated and to our parent volunteer Tara Meucci for leading our fundraiser! Stay tuned for more information on the order delivery and the class winners!
For any questions, please feel free to reach out to Tara Meucci @ 425-218-1787 or via email at meuccita@aol.com!
Go Phoenix!
Stay warm and cozy!
Francesca & Suzi
Scrip
SCRIP NEWS!
JOIN US THIS SUNDAY MARCH 5TH FOR A SCRIP INFO POPUP!
Being the last quarter for Fundraising, using Scrip is an easy way to get some fundraising done. Come learn more about the RaiseRight App and ask questions after 8:30 & 10:30 masses!
Speaking of the app, Check out BONUS DAYS March 2-3rd and earn more rebates!!
IN PERSON SALE TIMES:
Wednesday 8-9am — Friday 2:45-3:30pm — Every other Sunday 9:30-10:30am (March 5th)
Email us at stmpsscrip@gmail.com for questions!
WSCC Catholic Schools Quarterly Newsletter
Below please find the links to the WSCC’s Catholic Schools Quarterly Newsletter for Winter Quarter 2023 in English and Spanish.
English https://www.wacatholics.org/_ui/img/global/Schools-Quarterly-Newsletter-02.07.2023.pdf
Spanish https://www.wacatholics.org/_ui/img/global/Noticias-de-la-WSCC-para-Escuelas-Cat%C3%B3licas.pdf
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.
Tim Feeney graduated from Central Washington University with a B.A. in Education. Tim has coached many softball and basketball teams. He has been a basketball official for over twenty years and has refereed at six Washington High School State Tournaments. Mr. Feeney ran Washington Prep Basketball, which runs high school girls basketball leagues, for ten years. Tim is married to Kim, who works at Boeing and they live in Orondo. They have two daughters, Megan and Erin and 3 grandchildren, Remi, Tristan, and Lola (just born February 24). Mr. Feeney enjoys reading, jogging, traveling, camping, boating, and using his SeaDoo and going to the gym.
Hot Lunch
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.
If you volunteer to help with our Hot Lunch fundraisers, please use the Sign Up Genius below:
STMS Hot Lunch Fundraiser – Volunteers Needed
Hot Lunch Schedule through March
Mar 10 No School | Mar 17 Grilled Cheese | |
Mar 24 Pizza | Mar 31 Pizza | April 7 Half Day (Spring Break_ |
April 14 Spring Break | April 21 Hamburger | April 28 Pizza |
May 5 Hot Dog | May 12 Pizza | May 19 No Hot Lunch |
May 26 Hamburger | June 2 Pizza |
School Mass & Assembly Schedule
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.
Mar 19, 10:30** | 3rd Grade |
April | 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.
**The March time has been changed from 8:30 to 10:30
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):
3/15 St. Mary Magdalen, Everett, 6p,
4/19 St. Joseph, Seattle, 6:30pm
Trainings are good for 3 years. If you need to renew your status, you can do so online at Virtusonline.org.
CYO
4th Thru 8th Grade Track and Field
(3rd Graders may run if we do not have enough 4th graders)
Prelim Meet 5/6, Relay Meet 5/13, Qualifying Meet 5/20, Championship Meet 6/3
Meet Location: Highline Stadium (400 S 156th St. Burien)
8th Grade Pentathlon 5/21
Meet Location: West Seattle Stadium (4432 35th Ave. SW Seattle)
Registration Deadline: 3/31 Coach: Jerome Angeles, need assistant coaches
Practice: TBD Practice Location: Meadowdale Middle or Alderwood Middle
Register at: https://www.teamsideline.com/seattlecyo
***We still need assistant coaches for Track and Field. If you would like to volunteer, please contact Karen Pena at kjpena77@gmail.com
School Commission – Committee Members Needed
The School Commission is looking for parents interested in joining the committees designated to work on school priorities. If you are interested in joining any of the committees, please email Vickie Jarman, vljarman@hotmail.com or Maria Houser, “Maria Houser” maykahlo34@yahoo.com.
- Safety/ Facilities & Maintenance: Review facilities for safety concerns; help make recommendations on needed services and materials.
- Technology: Review tech needs and make recommendations.
- Fundraising: Review fundraising efforts for viability and make recommendations for future fundraising activities.
- Grants: Research grants that meet needs of school. Write grant proposals.
- Strategic Planning: Assist with long-range school planning based on accreditation goals.
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.
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!!!
Coffee & Donuts
Please see the links below to sign up. We need more people to sign up for the 8:30 Mass.
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.