The Phoenix Flyer: St. Thomas More School Newsletter
May 15-19, 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,
Last week our 7th graders went on their retreat to Warm Beach. The experiences in working on relationships with God and with each other will surely be a highlight of this year. I had the opportunity to join them for a few activities – it was wonderful to see them in this environment.
Our K-3 Track Meet was a huge success. Smiles and ribbons abounded as our primary students participated in a variety of events with other local area Catholic schools.
Tuesday of this week, we had the Track Meet for Grades 4-8. Thank you to all the parent volunteers, as well as Mr. Feeney, for all your help and effort in these events. We truly have a remarkable community!
صلح Solh (“Peace” in Farsi),
Elizabeth Glaze
Dates to Remember
5/21 Mass presented by 5th and 1st grades (10:30)
5/22 No School. Teacher in-service.
5/26 Kinship Mass, 9:00am (Grades K, 1, 3, 5, and 7 only)
5/29 Memorial Day. No school.
6/1 Parents Club – Volunteer Appreciation
6/1 Spring Concert, 7pm
6/4 Baccalaureate Mass, 10:30am
6/8 8th Grade Graduation Breakfast, 10am
6/8 8th Grade Graduation, 7pm
6/14 Scrub Day, Knights of Columbus BBQ
6/15 Field Day
6/16 Moving Up Ceremony; Last Day of School
Auction Update
Are you ready? The Teacher Experiences from the Family Auction are still available for purchase!
Last Friday was the Gracie Barra Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Class. Class was assisted by our very own 7th grader, Sofie Hardi!
Please bring cash or check to the school office and remember, first come, first serve!
Thank you,
The Family Auction Team
Barajas, Hardi, and Golla Families
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.”
4th Grade Stewardship
Fourth Grade’s stewardship project is to raise Salmon, as we “care for God’s creation”. We received our eyed Chum salmon eggs in January. We were able to watch them be put in the tank and begin caring for them. We checked the water, fed them, and watched them grow. During this time, we worked on learning all about Chum salmon, and other types of salmon. We studied their lifecycles, and learned what we can do to protect salmon. On May 4 we went to Willow Creek Hatchery and released our salmon! We also got a tour of the hatchery and fed 40,000 Coho Salmon. It has been an amazing experience. We are so grateful!
My Edmonds News Article on Salmon Fry Release
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)
Try-Outs
Date: Wednesday, May 24th
Time: 3-4 pm
Location: Music Room
The link to the Sign-Up form is below. Students may also get a hard copy of the form from Mr. Ocfemia for a Sign-Up form.
All K-7th grade students interested in performing in the Talent Show will need to “try out” next Wednesday in the Music Room. Bring any music, instruments, props, etc that you need for your act. You do not need to be in costume, just able to perform. We only do the Talent Show every-other year, so this is 6th and 7th grade’s last opportunity to perform. We realize acts have not been perfected yet and no one will be turned away. Mr. Ocfemia and Mrs. Gregorio will be guiding students to ensure they are ready to perform on Wednesday, June 14th. The time for the talent show is still to be determined based upon the number of performances. However, parents if you need to request time off, it would be 1:00 or later on June 14th.
Parent Club
Hello Sunshine!
It has been another great week of sunshine and fun activities here at STMS! The Kindergarten to 3rd Graders had a blast at the Primary Track Meet held at St. Mary Magdalen School on Friday, May 12th, where they competed in the Softball Throw, 30 Yd Sack Race, 50 Yd Jump Rope, 75 Yard Dash, and several relays against several Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese. (Thank you to Marietta Daily for sharing the pictures)
Track Meet 2023It was an amazing day for STMS at the Funko Field Everett Memorial Stadium! STMS Phoenix 4th to 8th Grade raced through the finish lines securing 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in the 400 Meter Relay, 400 Meter Run, 100 Meter Run, Softball Throw, Long Jump, and several events! It was a fun filled day for the students, teachers, and all the families! Thank you to all the fans that came out to support! Shout out to Brandy Corujo, Feven Kebede, Tara Meucci, Fadia Kassab, our teachers, and all our parent volunteers to help with ribbons, events, and the concession stands! (Thank you for the awesome Pictures attached, taken by Mike Hequibal)
Congratulations to our STM 2nd Grade Class and their families! Saturday, May 13th was a truly blessed day for our 2nd Graders who received their 1st Holy Communion. The students looked absolutely gorgeous in their pretty white dresses and boys in their sharp suits. There were 39 candidates joined together with St. Thomas More Faith Formation and their families in a beautiful ceremony with Father Okumu and our special guest priest. Some of our celebrants also participated in the Sunday Mass in the Crowning of our Mother Mary, where families honored our Blessed Mother Mary with a procession and flowers.
Special Appreciation to our Faith Formation Team, Sharon Guerrero, Violeta Juzon, Makayla Vu, Vickie Jarman, and Mrs. Gibson for all they do in coordinating this special event for our kids! Thank you to Mike and Joy Hequibal for our beautiful pictures! Congratulations again to our 2nd Grade students on this momentous occasion! God Bless you and your families!
Bunco Night Fun Night!
Come and join us for more fun on Thursday, May 18th, here at Dalton Hall from 6:30-8:30pm hosted by our very own Parents Club member and Super Mama, Brandy Corujo! Scroll down for more info on the Bunco Night Section! It’ll be a great event for the whole family!
Have a wonderful week as you soak in the sun!
FUNDRAISING
Your final family fundraising letter is being sent via email today. If you do not receive it please contact Carrie Verge. Any outstanding fundraising is due by Wednesday May 24th. After that, all remaining funds will be billed in FACTS on May 26th.
Francesca & Suzi
Scrip
As we are winding down this school year I want to give a SHOUT OUT to our wonderful SCRIP volunteers! For without them we wouldn’t be able to provide sell times for families to pick up Gift Cards for various occasions and earn for fundraising!
Carrie Verge. Alfredo Barajas. Nick Golla. Rachel Rodgers. Therese Sarr. Melanie Abigania. Marietta Daily. Brandy Corujo. Gemma & Gary Ardiente. Lizbeth Martinez & and Most importantly my Co-Coordinator and Bookkeeper, Feven Kebede!
SCRIP gives opportunities to Fundraise and Volunteer ALL YEAR ROUND. If you’d like to get ahead start on your hours this summer or earning for next year’s fundraising contact us at stmpsscrip@gmail.com to learn more. We need more and new volunteers for next year! Come join our team!
On that note, as Feven and My Children head into Middle School we are in need of new members to phase into the Coordinator roles, a TEAM of THREE would be great… A purchaser, a bookkeeper, and a volunteer coordinator. These roles don’t have to take ALL your time but what you make it on your own schedule. Please consider gifting your time and talent to this Great & Important STMS program!
Buy Scrip Wed AM drop off, Friday PM pick up, and every other Sunday 9:30-10:30, (This school Sun 5/21, additional 11:30-12pm TBD)
Tiffany Butts
Scrip Coordinator
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 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
The CYO Track and Field Qualifying Meet is this weekend. See below for details:
May 20 – Qualifying Meet:……Pool A 10:00am @ Highline Stadium
May 21 – Pentathlon:……………1:00pm @ West Seattle Stadium
Please come and support STMS! 💙
***We need 2 volunteers this week for the start line B heats. Please consider volunteering. We need 2 people signed up by this Friday, May 19th
Sign Up Genius
We need all volunteers to sign-up via SignUpGenius for the Qualifying meet. We cannot have any missing volunteer slots as we are taking times and measurements this meet. Having enough volunteers at each station is crucial to making the meet run efficiently and on time.
Sign Ups for 5/20
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C084DAEAB2DA5F4CF8-track2
Guidelines for COVID, Flu and RSV
Updated May 2023
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 May 15, STMS had 22 reported cases of COVID-19 positive test results since September 2022.
The Snohomish Health District has recently revised their guidelines. The link to the guidelines can be found below:
Snohomish County Health Department COVID Guidelines
WA State Department of Health Guidelines
Important Updates to STMS Guidelines
- If your child tests positive, the quarantine period is 5-10 days. If after 5 days, your child is symptom free and has not had a fever within the last 24 hours, he/she may return to school and will need to remain masked through day 10.
- Day 0 is the first day of the onset of symptoms, or if asymptomatic, the first day of the positive test.
- If your child was previously asymptomatic before testing positive, but starts to exhibit symptoms after testing, day 0 is the first day of symptoms (the 5-day count starts over).
- 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 and remain masked through day 10 of exposure of anyone in the household testing positive for COVID.
- If your child exhibits symptoms of illness at school, they will be asked to wear a mask, and we will call home. We have COVID-19 testing available at school – please email or call the office if you would like your child tested.
If students have active symptoms from any respiratory infections and/or have a fever, they should not come to school.
*If you have any questions regarding STMS guidelines, please contact the school office at (425) 743-4242. Please note that although STMS guidelines are based on the Washington State Department of Health and the Snohomish County Health District, we reserve the right to add extra precautions.
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!!!
