The Phoenix Flyer: St. Thomas More School Newsletter
November 6-10, 2023
Principal’s Message
New Beginnings
Jeremiah 29:11 “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’
Dear Parents and Families,
It feels like we are about to head straight into the holiday season! There are so many ways we are coming together as a community to celebrate, and having our Catholic Faith at the heart of it keeps us grounded. A few weeks ago, Father Okumu talked to our students about how we are all called to be disciples and that in our service of each other and our greater community we are acting as the apostles did in the time of Christ. I see this manifest in many ways, and certainly our school-led Masses are just one example of this.
Last week our 2nd graders lead a beautiful All Saints Day Mass. The readings and songs were well-prepared – their version of Hear I am to Worship was truly heartwarming. Their teacher, Mrs. Gibson, along with Mrs. Del Rio and Mr. Ocfemia made sure the students were confident in their parts, and we appreciate their hard work!
Finally, we welcome a new member to our family. Mrs. Maddock’s granddaughter, Rory Jo, was born on Halloween! Congratulations, Mrs. Maddock!
In Christ,
Elizabeth Glaze
Dates to Remember
11/9 Veteran’s Day Assembly, Changed to 2pm in STM Church
11/10 No School, Veteran’s Day observed
11/18 School-led Mass, 5pm (Grade 5)
11/18 STM Christmas Festival, 2-9pm
11/19 STM Christmas Festival, 9:30am-1pm
11/22 Thanksgiving Mass, 11am and Noon Dismissal
11/23-24 No School – Thanksgiving Holiday
11/27 End of Trimester 1
STMS Referral Program
Do you know about STMS’ referral program? When you refer a family and they enroll their child(ren) at STMS grade K-8, once that family completes their first year with us, both the new family and the referring family will receive the equivalent of one month’s tuition (single-child tuition). This year we had a few families who will be recipients of our referral program, including the Mesfin family, who enrolled their 7th grader, Abel, thanks to a referral from the Berook family (Mahlet is in 5th grade).
Please contact the school office with any questions, (425) 743-4242.
WSCC Newsletter
Please see the links below for the quarterly newsletter for Catholic Schools from the Washington State Catholic Conference, provided in both English and Spanish.
Extended Care Access
Due to the construction project, for the next few weeks please access Extended care through the West door (on the Parish side).
Hot Lunch
Hot lunch is back!! Please see the link to the printable monthly Hot Lunch form, or stop by the school office for a hard copy.
Please note: The deadline for all hot lunch payments is Thursday. We are not able to accept payments sent in on Friday morning.
We need volunteers! Please use the Sign Up Genius link below to earn volunteer hours by helping us with our hot lunch.
STMS Spirit Wear
We are excited to launch our very own spirit wear website! Please use the QR code below or click on the link to see the amazing assortment of STMS swag available for purchase. A huge “thank you” to Eric Miller, who put this all together!
Please note: Only clothing available in the Uniform Code Approved section are to be worn at school.
Local Area Events
St. Brendan Catholic Church Holiday Craft Fair
November 11, 9:00am -4:00pm. Please see the link to the flyer below for details.
St. Brendan Holiday Craft Fair
St. Thomas More Christmas Festival
Saturday, November 18th, 2:00-9:00pm and Sunday, November 19th, 9:30am-1:pm. Please see the flyer linked below for details.
St. Thomas More Christmas Festival
Thanksgiving Food Drive
It’s time for the annual STM Food Drive. Please see the flyer linked below for information on what each grade level is collecting.
Parent Club
Poinsettia and Evergreen Fundraiser
Just a few more hours! Sell, Sell, Sell!
Please turn in your order form and all money by 3pm on Thursday, November 9th. Checks can be made out to STM. Cash is accepted too.
I know we aren’t dealing with digital order forms, so it is super important that you double check your order forms. Check the quantities and the dollars all match up and are accurate. We will triple and quadruple check, but it would be super helpful if you go over your order form too.
The beautiful poinsettias, garlands, and wreaths will arrive on Wednesday, November 29th, just in time for the Advent Season! Pick up this year will be in the Renggli Room.
50% of your sales will count towards your $700 Fundraising Commitment!
Let us know if you have any questions.
Have fun selling and Happy Holidays!
-Nick & Anna Golla (thehbgollas@gmail.com)
Thanksgiving Chili Bar for School-Parish Teachers & Staff
Brrr, it’s starting to get Chili again! In appreciation for our St. Thomas More School and Parish teachers and staff, the Parents Club is hosing a Chili Bar Luncheon in the Renggli Room on Tuesday, November 14th. We want to extend our warmest gratitude for all their service and dedication to our entire school and parish community! Thank you for all you do!
School and Parish Families, here’s another great opportunity to earn some volunteer hours by donating a crockpot of chili, breads, drinks, and treats for our teachers and parish staff. Please bring your donations by 9:30am to the Renggli Room. Please review the available slots below and click on the button to sign up. Thank you.
Chili Bar Sign Up Genius https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0C4BAFAC2CA0FA7-46009134-thanksgiving
Auction News
Auction Volunteers
We still need auction volunteer committees! Please complete the Sign-Up Genius linked below to indicate your preferred committee. Even if you filled out the volunteer survey at Curriculum Night, we are asking that you also use the Auction Sign-Up Genius so that we can capture all the auction volunteer information in one place.
The following committees are already full: Event Day Setup, Silent Auction Item Organizers, Black & White Photo Sales and Auction Catalog Editor.
We need help with the following committees: Procurement, Classroom Art Projects Lead, Class Baskets, Decorating, Styling and Prepping, Clean-up Crew, Drivers to Event, Drivers to School, Dessert Dash, Gala Event Photographer and Auction Newsletter Creator.
SIGN UP HERE https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4BAEA923A3FDC25-45401522-auction#/
Work from Home Volunteer Opportunity
Join the Procurement Team and volunteer from the comfort of your home! Read more about this opportunity here
Visit the Auction Section of the Newsletter for information on Advertising and Sponsorship Tiers.
Patrol
Please see the link to the current Patrol schedule.
Scrip
The St Thomas More Christmas Festival is coming up and we need your help!
We will be selling scrip at this time. Please see the sign up genius below. It’s been broken up into shifts, but if you want to bust out a good chunk of your Volunteer Hours, sign up for multiple shifts, or all day!
The event will be on Saturday, November 18th from 2pm-9pm and Sunday, November 19th from 9:30am-1pm.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4AA5AB2AA1F5C70-45754032-christmas#/
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Here is where and when you can buy Scrip:
✨️In the timed parking lot-Wednesdays 8am-9am and Fridays 2:45pm-3:15pm
✨️In the Breezeway-Sundays (every other; 10/1, 10/15,etc.) 9:30am-10:30am
✨️Anytime, via the Raise Right app.
Questions, Comments, Concerns? Contact Your Scrip Admin Team:
-Gemma Ardiente (ordering & inventory) gemma_ardiente@comcast.net
– Rachel Rogers (bookkeeping) rrodgers517@gmail.com
-Therese Sarr (volunteer selling coordinator) sarrtherese206@gmail.com
-Nick Golla (communications) nngolla@gmail.com
CYO
CYO Needs You!
CYO needs a parent volunteer! Laurel Pehanich stepped in for soccer and basketball, but only as an interim. Mr. G will continue helping, but we need a parent volunteer as well. Responsibilities this year include handling team registrations and on-line sign-ups for track and volleyball. Plese let us know if you are interested or can suggest someone who might be!
CYO Basketball Update
St Thomas More has 4th, 5th, and a 6th/7th/8th grade boys basketball team this year! Thank you to our coaches who have volunteered their time and talent! League games are from Nov. 18-Jan 28th. Practice times will be determined soon. 7th grade girls are playing with Holy Rosary.
Contact Laurel Pehanich or Mr. G if you have any questions (or want to help volunteer)!
Coffee & Donuts
Do you need volunteer hours that can be done outside of the regular work week? Come Set up, Serve, and Clean up on Sundays for Coffee and Donuts after both the 8:30am and 10:30am Masses. It’s easy and fun and a great time for fellowship and fun with our community.
Bring kids with you. Have them dress up in Full Dress and help greet and serve. They can earn a Free Dress Pass!
Click the link below. Please print and fill out and return to the office.
Extended Care Donations Needed
Some of our games and activities in Extended Care are missing items, in poor condition and rather outdated. Some of the items that need replacing include:
Games – (e.g.) Monopoly, Life
DVD’s (G rated only, please)
Crafts (any)
For your donation, you can receive 1 volunteer hour (per donation, not per item). Check back in this space for an updated list of items we still need as we begin to receive donations.
Volunteers
Current Volunteer Opportunities
Thanksgiving Chili Bar for School-Parish Teachers & Staff
School and Parish Families, here’s another great opportunity to earn some volunteer hours by donating a crockpot of chili, breads, drinks, and treats for our teachers and parish staff. Please bring your donations by 9:30am to the Renggli Room. Please review the available slots below and click on the button to sign up. Thank you.
Chili Bar Sign Up Genius https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0C4BAFAC2CA0FA7-46009134-thanksgiving
Requirements for Parent 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.
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.
For information on how to create your profile and register for a class, please click on the link below and look for the Registration Guide under Adult Employee Information and Resources, or contact Heather Anderson at heather.anderson@stms.org or (425) 743-4242.
Archdiocese of Seattle – Safe Environment
We want to help all of our families meet their volunteer hours and become more engaged with our amazing STMS community. Please complete the survey below so we can better understand your talents and interests in volunteering.
Volunteer Talents, Interests and Needs
Guidelines for COVID, Flu and RSV
St. Thomas More School is following the COVID guidelines published by the Washington State Department
of Health and the Snohomish Health District*.
The Snohomish Health District has recently revised their guidelines. The link to the guidelines can be found below:
NEW
Snohomish County Health Department COVID Guidelines – PDF with Barcode
WA State Department of Health Guidelines
NEW
CDC recently made an announcement sharing the news below (see links).
Every U.S. household can receive four free COVID-19 rapid tests delivered to their home through USPS beginning Monday, September 25, 2023.
COVID.gov – Free at-home COVID-19 tests
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.