The Phoenix Flyer: St. Thomas More School Newsletter
June 5-9, 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 Thursday we all gathered to watch our students perform at the Spring Concert. I can’t tell you how many compliments I received on not only the quality the performance (it was clear those students practiced regularly), but also the choice of music, which reflected some of the diverse cultures represented at STMS. Mr. Ocfemia did a wonderful job of preparing and guiding our students and truly bringing out their best through music. There were so many memorable moments! Thank you to all who could attend.
This Thursday, June 8th we will celebrate our graduating eighth graders. I have enjoyed getting to know these students over this past year. I hope you will join me in wishing them all the best for their future.
Мир (mir) (Peace in Bulgarian),
Elizabeth Glaze
Dates to Remember
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
Uniform Exchange
The STMS Uniform Exchange will be Monday, June 12th 1:00-3:30. Come by the breezeway outside the office and drop off any uniform items your students have outgrown, and exchange for other uniform items. We will have another Uniform Exchange the week before school starts in August.
Margot McLaughlin
Development Director
St. Thomas More School
Summer STEM Programs
iCode, the company we have been partnering with for our afterschool STEM workshops this year, have summer camp programs in STEM. Please see the flyer below for more information as well as a promo code for all STMS families.
Summer Reading
This week in library students are receiving their summer Read-Oh cards. It is an optional reading incentive that STMS students can do along with their classroom summer reading activities.
What is Read-Oh?
Read-Oh is like Bingo, but to cover a square, students must complete a reading challenge. Some are fun, others are more difficult. Complete 7 squares in a row and students get to take a dip in Miss Watters prize pool in September. They can complete up to 3 lines (Read-Oh’s), and if they complete the WHOLE card, it’s a “Sun-Out” and in addition to the 3 prizes they get to also come to a special party.
Click here for your Read-Oh card.
Local Area Events
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.
AMHS Junior Summer Strength & Conditioning Camp
Archbishop Murphy High School will have a summer strength and conditioning camp from July 11th-August 10th. The cost is $50 for all 5 weeks and is open to 6th, 7th and 8th grade students. Please see the flyer below for more information.
AMHS Summer Strength & Conditioning Camp
Parent Club
To our Dear Graduating 8th Grade Class of 2023,
Congratulations on this momentous occasion and all your accomplishments! Whatever year you came and joined the school, I hope that St. Thomas More has been a second home to you and this has been a nurturing place that has fortified your academic, emotional, and spiritual growth!
As you embark on your new adventure may you take with you fond memories of growing together as a class in each grade, fun events and activities you participated in, words of advice from your favorite teachers, the songs you learned, the games you played in PE, the student store snacks, the fun team sports, stories that made you laugh and cry, and most of all, the friendships you built along the way and the love that has been poured on you from your teachers, your mentors, and families who love you! Thank you for all your hard work, your dedication, and being a leader to the students that look up to you!
We will miss your smiling faces next year! Come by the old stomping ground once in a while and say hello.
We wish you all the best in your next chapter and may you embrace the journey ahead of endless possibilities!
Congratulations to the Graduating Class of 2023!!
Upcoming important events: Please join us for a Farewell Reception on June 14th at 3:15 pm in the Renggli Room, as we wish our beloved teachers farewell and best wishes to those who are retiring and leaving STMS. It’s Potluck! Please feel free to share a dish or your choice!
Join us in celebrating Mrs. Galloway’s Retirement on Saturday, June 17th from 12noon – 3pm in the Renggli Room. Come and dress up in your favorite Hawaiian outfits and say Aloha & Mahalo to Mrs. Galloway!https://www.evite.com/event/01D23F3INPLSY4PSGEPN7MQYQWCRXQ?utm_campaign=send_sharable_link&utm_source=evitelink&utm_medium=sharable_invite
Last but not least, Abraham Lucas, current Seahawks Player will be hosting a free Youth Football Camp on June 28th, Wednesday from 3:00-5:30pm @ Archbishop Murphy! Sign your kids up soon! Here’s the link to sign up! https://Leagueadvantageyouthfootballcamp.eventbrite.com
Scrip
Scrip News!
In the ’22-’23 School Year, STM School & Parish families earned a total of $16,251.41 in Rebates for our school! 👏👏👏
Several families earned their fundraising commitment shopping with Scrip gift cards!
Summer Sales!
To get started on next year’s fundraising and keep fundraising we do plan to hold Scrip sales every other Sunday in the breezeway 9:30-10:30am. We could use more volunteers if interested in getting started on hours!!
Contact us at stmpsscrip@gmail.com.
Don’t forget to use the RaiseRight App!!
Last Call!
Last chance to order cards not in our inventory from RaiseRight will be THIS Friday 6/9 in order to receive before the end of the year. Get started on your summer plans!! *Last In Person School Day sale will be Wednesday, June 14th. Start planning for summer!😎
In Person Gift Card Sales: Wednesday 8-9am, Friday 2:30-2:30pm and every other Sunday 9:30-10:30am (THIS SUNDAY).
Staffing Changes 2023-24
As we look ahead to a new school year next year, there are a few staffing changes to be announced at this time.
As most already know, Marcia Golloway is stepping into retirement after teaching here at STMS for 37 years! Marcia joined STMS after having taught in California for 10 years. Her wit and wisdom are two of her hallmark traits that she utilized to help her guide her students through the years. We will certainly miss her, and it is hard to imagine an STM school year without her.
We are also bidding farewell to the following staff members:
- Joana Ransford has been with SMTS for 23 years, starting as a classroom teacher in 4th grade and later 5th grade, and eventually becoming a Multisensory Structured Language (MSL) teacher after becoming certified through the Slingerland Institute in 2016. Among many other roles here, Joana has also been an integral part of our Guidance Team, which works with classroom teachers, parents and outside specialists to serve students with diverse learning needs.
- Tim Feeney has been with STMS for 17 years, in addition to teaching PE at several other Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Seattle. His passion and love of helping his students become more active is evident and he often aligns his teaching of good sportsmanship and fair play with our Catholic values. We will always remember his Field Days, Track Meets, and Star Mile events among our fond memories of Mr. Feeney.
- Adam Locke was a volunteer and parent before coming to work for STMS in 2009. Adam has worn many hats during his tenure, including aide, extracurricular activity lead, and preschool teacher. He has a special gift of teaching our youngest learners at STMS with a gentle manner that quickly fosters relationships with his students and their families. He has been a valued staff member, always ready and willing to support others in any way.
- Leigh Martin came to STMS after years of working in the theater. She has taught 4th grade for 5 years, in addition to completing her student teaching her in 2nd grade. Her love of the theater is evident in her classroom, and she has helped produce numerous plays with her students during her years at STMS, which has brought out some hidden talents in our students.
- Jennifer King joined our school just this year as the first grade teacher. We have appreciated her creativity with our young learners, as well as her focus on being kind and helpful to others. She always displays a love and dedication to her students that makes them feel valued.
These dedicated and beloved staff members have given so much to our community and will truly be missed. We thank them for their loving service to STM, and we wish them all the best in their future endeavors.
We have already begun our process of pursuing candidates to fill the needed staffing positions for next year. At this time, we are pleased to welcome Mrs. Julia Atkins as our new 4th grade teacher. Julia is a seasoned educator, and I’m confident she will be a great fit for our STMS community. As we continue to grow our staff during the summer months, we will keep you apprised of new additions.
Student Council
Party for Departing Teachers
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 & Field 2023 has just concluded and I am so happy and proud of our kids. Our school won a couple team awards and many individuals won medals in their events!
Team Awards (Single A – schools with a roster of 30 kids and below):
-Overall Champion (8th Grade Boys)
-Overall Champion (whole team)
Individual Awards:
Sprints:
60M
-Leo P (3rd Place 4th Gr)
-Andrew C (3rd Place 5th Gr)
75M
-Rio G (3rd Place 4th Gr)
-Jonathan C (1st Place 8th Gr)
-Antonio M (B Heat Winner)
100M
-Andrew L (1st Place 8th Gr)
200M
-Jovanny B (2nd Place 4th Gr)
-Zev B (1st Place 8th Gr)
400M
-Balla S (2nd Place 4th Gr)
Relays:
4×60 Shuttle (3rd Place 5th Gr)
-David S, Elijah T, Andrew C, Jovanny B
4×100 (2nd Place 4th Gr)
-Leo P, Rio G, Jovanny B, Balla S
4×100 (1st Place 8th Gr)
-Andrew L, Jonathan C, Antonio M, Zev B
Shot Put
-Joseph K (2nd Place 8th Gr)
Long Jump
-Andrew L (1st Place 8th Gr)
Turbo Jav
-Zev B (1st Place 8th Gr)
Softball Throw
-Leo P (3rd Place 4th Gr)
-Andrew C (3rd Place 5th Gr)
Thank you all for the support this season! Go Phoenix!
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!!!
