The Phoenix Flyer: St. Thomas More School Newsletter
May 8-12, 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,
Although the weather didn’t cooperate for our Jogathon, the students had a blast, despite being soaking wet! (I’m not sure all of the adults shared in their enthusiasm). They also really enjoyed getting their pictures taken with Blitz, the Seahawks’ mascot. Thank you to all the parent volunteers who helped, as well as our amazing office team, Margot McLaughlin, Heather Anderson and Sandra McLaughlin for making sure everything ran smoothly, as well as that amazing balloon arch!
Our 6th graders arrived back to school Friday afternoon tired but happy after an amazing experience at camp. The pictures express what words cannot.
We have an amazing community! Thank you to all of you for your continued prayers and support.
Béke (“Peace” in Latin),
Elizabeth Glaze
Dates to Remember
5/12 Track Meet, K-3
5/16 Track Meet, 4-8
5/21 Mass hosted by 5th and 1st (10:30)
5/26 Kindship Mass, 9am (K, 1, 3, 5, and 7 only)
Auction Update
You’re in luck! Experiences from the Family Auction are still available for purchase.
Last weekend was the Football Camp and the Karaoke Night which were both huge hits with the kids.
Please bring cash or check to the school office and remember, first come, first serve!
Please check your receipts from the event and let us know if you are missing anything.
Thank you,
The Family Auction Team
Barajas, Hardi, and Golla Families
Gracie Barra Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Class – (May 12, 5:00pm-7:00pm)
$50
“Learn the fundamentals of Jiu-Jitsu while having fun with your friends. Gain strength, technique and confidence and then enjoy a pizza party after all your hard work! Studio is located in Edmonds”
Phoenix Cup – (May 24, 5:30-8:30pm)
GRADES 5-8
$25
Calling all middle school students! Battle it out in a friendly tournament! There will be cornhole, giant jenga, foosball, connect 4, and more! Did we mention Pizza? This will be a fun party you don’t want to miss! See who will be deemed the champion!
Kid’s Night Out (aka Parent’s Night Out)- (June 2, 5:00-7:30pm)
Grades K-4
$25
Your Kid’s Night Out is also a chance for a Parent’s Night Out! Drop your kids off in Dalton Hall where they will have a pizza party and play games with some of their teachers! It’s a great chance for them to socialize with kids in different grades!
Cheer Camp – (June 10, 1:30-4:30pm)
$50
“Cheer your heart out with Ms. Chambers and Mrs. Tupou! Learn the basics of cheerleading or take your skills to the next level. This will take place in Dalton Hall.”
Jogathon
Hello all,
A big thank you to all of our volunteers, students and staff for making our Jog-A-Thon successful! The weather didn’t cooperate, but the students had a great time! We will keep the Jog-A-Thon open for donations until Wednesday, May 10th.
https://app.99pledges.com/fund/STMSjogathon2023
Our St. Thomas More goal is to raise $20,000!
Monday Leaderboard Update!
As of this afternoon (5/8) we have raised $15,760! We are at 79% of our goal!
Classrooms by dollars raised:
7th grade-$2,845
5th grade-$2,235
4th grade-$2,115
2nd grade-$2,070
Kindergarten-$1,714
3rd grade-$1,378
6th grade-$1,217
1st grade-$1,120
8th grade-$400
PK4-$310
PK3-$280
Top Students
Evelyn Kindergarten-$535
Brooklyn 5th grade-$525
William 4th grade-$525
Raniya Kindergarten-$495
Hannah 6th grade-$435
Katherine 2nd grade-$435
Classroom with the highest fundraising amount will earn a free dress day/pizza party.
All students who reach $100 in fundraising will earn a free dress pass.Margot McLaughlin
Development Director
St. Thomas More School
Teacher Appreciation Week
A huge “Thank You!” to Francesca Abellera, our Parent Club Co-Chair for a wonderful Teacher Appreciation Week. Our staff was treated with their favorite coffee on Monday, a yogurt bar on Tuesday, lunch hosted by Schools Commission and prepared by the Ramirez family, a fruit spread on Thursday and a Taco Bar on Friday for Cinco de Mayo. A shout out to Vicky Jarman, Socorro Molina and Adrian Ramirez, and Brandy Corujo for helping make this week so special.
BUNCO Game Night at STMS
Mark your calendars for BUNCO NIGHT Thursday May 18th!
This will be a fun night with our school friends. Don’t worry if you’ve never played before- it’s an easy game and we will teach you- promise. Bring your family, your classmates, your grandma and grandpa- it will be fun for everyone! Pizza and snacks will be served at 6pm and the games start at 6:30pm. Cost is $10 per person / $30 max per family. Pay in the office by 5/16. Flyer attached.
We will also need some volunteers to help make this night a success, there is a sign up genius attached with several short shift options for those that want to join in the fun and even opportunities for those that need after work options. Can’t wait to see you all!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0A44AEAC238-bunco
Please see the Bunco Flyer for more information.
Local Area Events
Flag Football at AMHS
The Boys & Girls Club of Snohomish County is hosting a Flag Football program at AMHS for students in Grades 1-8. The program runs from Sunday, April 23 through May 28, 2023. Please see the link to the flyer below for more information.
AMHS Wildcat Buddies
Archbishop Murphy High School’s Wildcat Buddy Program matches elementary school students with AMHS athletes. Please see the link to the flyer below for more information.
Talent Show
STMS Talent Show – Wednesday, June 14th in the afternoon (TBA)
Can your child sing? Dance? Play an instrument? Have a talent they would love to show the school?
Have them start planning their act for the upcoming Talent Show. More information will be coming soon, but have them start thinking about what they want to do now. We can’t wait to see all of our talented students perform. Contact Ms. Watters for any questions.
Parent Club
Happy May!
We had a great kick off to the month as we celebrated our Teachers and Staff with our own Teacher’s Appreciation Week and ended it with a historically wet and fun Jog-a-thon! Thank you to all the volunteers that gave your time during the week. We couldn’t have done it without you!
We have another fun filled week ahead of us…
On Saturday, the second graders, along with other 2nd grade parishioners will be celebrating their First Communion! Join us at 10am.
Second Grade Families- First Communion pictures will be tomorrow, Thursday, the 11th with Mr. Hequibal at 10am.
This Sunday will be the Mama Mary Crowning at the 10:30am Mass. If your kiddos wants to participate in the procession, please arrive by 10am and gather in the Narthex.
Last Thursday, we had our 2nd to last Parents Club Meeting. We need your help! There are many positions to be filled. Contact us if you’re interested in getting more involved with our school’s processes and behind the scenes work that we do to make our student’s year fun!
Other meeting highlights:
-This Friday is the Primary Track Meet (K-3)at St Mary Magdalen, in Everett. See emails from the Office or your child’s teacher. Volunteers are needed!
-Bunco Night is coming up on May 18th. Don’t know what it is, or how to play? No worries! We will all learn and have fun! Check your email inbox for more info!
– Lastly, if you have any ideas on marketing our school, let us know, and we can roll that up to our commission and administration. In the meantime, please log on to Google and leave a review for our school!
The next meeting will be on June 1st. This will be our Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast. All are welcome at 8:30am in the Rengli Room.
Have a great week,
Francesca & Suzi
May Crowning – St. Thomas More Parish
Sunday, the 14th is the May Crowning. It’s part of our tradition at STM that 1st Communicants lead this beautiful celebration on Mother’s Day. All children are invited to bring fresh flowers and join the procession before the 10:30 AM Mass in the Narthex. Please see the flyer below for more information.
Scrip
Shopping with SCRIP Gift Cards is FUNDRAISING while you SHOP!
START FUNDRAISING FOR THE 2023-2024 SCHOOL YEAR! All Rebates earned as of May 1st will give you a headstart on next year’s fundraising commitment! Remember to start using your oldest child’s grade for NEXT YEAR on your order forms.
Plan for Mother’s Day, Graduations, Father’s Day, Summer Travel, Home Improvement, Meal Planning etc using SCRIP Gift cards & e-Gift Cards. See all the brands available on RAISERIGHT.com, & we can submit special orders.
Buy in Person: Wed 8-9am, Fri 2:30-3:15p and every other Sun 9:30-10:30a. NEXT Sunday Sale will be this Sunday, May 14.
Not on the RaiseRight App yet?? Email stmpsscrip@gmail.com for the enrollment code.
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
May 12 Pizza | ||
May 19 No Hot Lunch | May 26 Hamburger | June 2 Pizza |
Library News
May 15-19th Last week to check out books.
May 22-26th ALL books are due!
May 19-26th Buy One, Get One Free Scholastic Book Fair (more info later)
June 5th Last day for AR tests (3-8)
Scholastic BOGO Book Fair
May 20th – May 26th
This is a BOOKS ONLY Book Fair to get some great books for summer reading. Scholastic matches up prices so you’ll pay for your most expensive book, then get the next priced book FREE. Books must be bought in even increments though and the sale does NOT include online purchases.
May 20th 5:30-7:30
May 21st 9:30-1:30
May 23-26th Students shop with their classes during designated class times throughout the week. Families may shop after school until 3:30.
Families may also shop together after the Kinship Mass on Friday, the 26th.
Volunteers are needed. Please sign up at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050f45afaf229-bogo1#/
STMS Yearbook
A limited number of Yearbooks are still available, but on a first come, first served basis. Don’t let your child miss out on precious memories of this school year. Only $30. Order forms are still available in the office.
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.
May 21, 10:30 | 5th and 1st Grades |
Annual Catholic Appeal
ANNUAL CATHOLIC APPEAL 2023 BEGINS
“Give, and it will be given to you.” Luke 6:23 is the theme of this year’s Annual Catholic Appeal, and last weekend kicks off the 2023 Campaign. The Annual Catholic Appeal funds ministries and services for our local Catholic community across Western Washington. This combined effort of parishes and missions ensures the availability of outreach ministries, education, faith formation, administration services for parishes and much more! You should have received Archbishop Etienne’s in-depth letter this week highlighting the ministries that support our communities.
This year, our parish has set a goal of $ $94,911 ___________. All gifts received over our goal will be returned to the parish for our parish project which is_the upgrading of Dalton Hall and Renggli Room. Please prayerfully consider how you can participate in helping our
parish be a light to others.
It’s easy to give to the ACA:
· Online at archseattle.org/GiveACA
· Scan the QR Code
Vacation Bible School
Please see the flyer linked below for more information about St. Thomas More Parish’s vacation bible school.
Volunteers
Parents who wish to volunteer will need to be current on their Virtus Training, Protecting God’s Children and complete the Volunteer Handbook acknowledgement form.
Here are some upcoming training dates that are nearby (register on Virtus):
6/11 Holy Innocents Catholic Church, Duvall
Online sessions are also available in English and Spanish. Visit Virtusonline.org and click on the Current Registration tab.
Trainings are good for 3 years. If you need to renew your status, you can do so online at Virtusonline.org.
CYO
Track Car Pool – May 13 Sign Up Genius
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!!!