The Phoenix Flyer: St. Thomas More School Newsletter
January 15-19, 2024
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,
I hope everyone stayed warm over the bitter cold weekend. The temperatures reminded me of winters I have spent both in my home state of Nebraska, and Chicago, Illinois where I have also spent some time during the winter months.
Thank you to all who could join us at our assembly honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Friday. The assembly was moving and the students performed beautifully. I love the song we all joined in singing at the end – the reminder from Dr. King to continue to do everything we can to overcome hatred and promote social justice is always timely. The song “We Shall Overcome” was a message Dr. King promoted in his assembly at the Washington National Cathedral in March of 1968 when he said, “We shall overcome because the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” I know the STMS community is one that strives to further efforts for social justice for all as part of our Catholic faith.
In Christ,
Elizabeth Glaze
Dates to Remember
1/20 Family Movie Night, 6-9pm, Renggli
1/26 Noon Dismissal, Teacher In-Service
1/26-1/27 Mock Trial Competition
1/27 Book Fair Family Night
1/28 School-led Mass (6th and Kindergarten)
1/28 Catholic Schools Week Kick Off – Open House (after 10:30 Mass)
1/28-2/3 Catholic Schools Week
St. Thomas More Early Learning Center
We are proud to announce that the St. Thomas More Early Learning Center is now fully licensed with the Washington State Department of Children, Youth & Families. Starting in January, we will offer a full-day option in our 4- and 5-year old PreK Program. Please contact the school office for more information.
Open House
School Commission Committee Members Needed
Do you need volunteer hours? Our School Commission is looking for volunteers to help our various subcommittees. Please review the committee descriptions below.
Development Committee
Volunteer Opportunity! We have an opportunity for YOU!!
Do you like photography/videography?
Do you like web content development?
Do you like print design for brochures and flyers?
Do you like being creative?
The School Commission, Development Committee is looking for volunteers to help update the STMS website, create marketing brochures and help tell our school’s story.
Our meetings are flexible, we will meet via Zoom and in-person based on availability!
Please reach out to Vickie Jarman @ vljarman@hotmail, if you are interested.
Grant Writing Committee
The purpose of the Grant Committee at STMPS is to collaborate with a team of parent volunteers to provide aid in supporting grant research, application and writing to help with school operations, expenses and building improvements for our school. This team will meet once or twice a month for quick meetings via zoom beginning in March 2024 to kick off this work effort. Please reach out to Maria Houser at Maykahlo34@yahoo.com for further information.
Safety Committee
The School Safety Committee at St. Thomas More Parish School plays a pivotal role in safeguarding its students and faculty. Comprising dedicated educators, administrators, and community members, the committee meticulously identifies safety priorities through assessments and open dialogues with stakeholders. They leverage their expertise with the grant writing committee to secure necessary funding for enhancing campus security measures, whether it’s installing modern surveillance systems, fortifying entry points, or conducting safety workshops for staff and students. By meticulously developing timelines and action plans, this proactive committee ensures swift and effective implementation of crucial changes, thereby fostering a secure environment conducive to learning and growth within the school premises. Please contact Nick Golla at nngolla@gmail or Eric Miller at ericmiller22@gmail.com for more information.
Book Fair
Lights, Camera, Book Fair Party! Saturday, January 27, 6-8 pm in the Renggli Room
There’s no party, like a Book Fair party, and YOU have a VIP pass! There’s fun for the whole family including music, dancing, snacks, crafts, and lots of FREE fun. Be seen by the paparazzi as you walk the Red Carpet into Book Fair to get all your Book Fair swag. This is one event you won’t want to miss.
Lights! Cameras! But there is no action without you! Miss Watters needs a whole cast of people to make this year’s Book Fair an award-winning production. Go to https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050F45AFAF229-47179474-2024#/ to sign up today. More information about Book Fair will be coming home with students soon.
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.
Inclement Weather Protocol
As we head into the season of inclement weather, we wanted to remind you of the protocols at STMS. We generally follow Edmonds school district, but there are times when we may make a different decision. We will make every effort to get this information to you as quickly as possible. For information on school closures or delays, please consult the following:
- School General Voicemail – with our new phone system we are now able to update our voicemail greeting remotely
- Direct Email
- School Website
- News – KOMO or KING
- Text Message (for those who have signed up for FACTS Text Messages)
Local Area Events
Parent Club
Community Building Family Event – New Date!
STMS is hosting a Family Movie Night this coming Saturday, January 20th from 6-9pm in the Renggli Room.
Come in your cozy pajamas and bring a blanket to sit on. Kids are welcome to bring their favorite stuffy!
It’s free admission! There will be food for purchase: Pizza or a cup of chili for $2 and $1 for juice, hot cocoa, chips, cookies, and popcorn.
Click on the link below for the flyer.
It’ll be a fun night for the whole family!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0C4BAFAC2CA0FA7-46643587-volunteers
Auction News
Have you bought your Auction Gala Tickets?
Invite family and friends to join our school community for an evening of fun and all for a good cause! Catch the early bird rates by purchasing your tickets no later than 1/22/24. Final RSVP date is on 2/12/24. Join the STMS school and parish communities!
View Invitation here: https://stms.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/2024-STMS-Auction-Invitation_Final.pdf
Purchase Auction Gala Tickets here: https://stmpsl.ejoinme.org/MyEvents/2024GalaAuction/GalaRegistration/tabid/1408446/Default.aspx
*Class Auction Basket: Due on February 8th
We’re missing a volunteer for 6th Grade
*Class Auction Art Project: Due on February 15th
We’re missing volunteers for 2nd & 8th Grades
*Gift Card Wish List are still Available: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4BAEA923A3FDC25-46673126-auction
Fulfill your procurement commitment by purchasing any of the listed gift cards. You also earn scrip dollars on top of your donation!
*Lots of Auction Volunteer Positions are still OPEN! Fulfill your 4-hour auction commitment and sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4BAEA923A3FDC25-45401522-auction#/
*Calling all businesses! We have amazing opportunities to support STMS and get seen by our community!
Ask your favorite businesses to advertise with us or sponsor a table! If you have a business or know of a service-based business, please send them links to Sponsorship & Advertising Opportunities here: https://stms.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Sponsorship-1.jpg & Sponsorship and Advertising Opportunities, p. 2
Patrol
Please see the link to the current Patrol schedule.
Scrip
Happy New Year!
We’re back to our regular selling routine. See below to sign up to help sell on Sundays this Winter.
Don’t forget 2/3rds of your Fundraising (approximately $467) is due at the end of the month! Check your email from our treasurers Melanie & Gemma!
Did you know….? You can pay your Hulu & Disney+ bundle with Scrip from the app? Yes, there’s Hulu (earn 6%) and Disney (earn 3%) Scrip on the app!
Volunteers Needed!
We need your help! Please see our Winter Sign Up Genius to see where you can help-
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4AA5AB2AA1F5C70-46513153-winter
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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; 11/26, 12/10,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 Volleyball
St Thomas More has opened volleyball registration for teams this year based on interest that has been expressed to teachers! Registrations have been coming in, but a reminder that registration is due by 1/19/2024. League games are from February 24th through April 14th. Certain divisions have playoffs depending on grade and season outcome which would go through April 28. Practice times will be determined based on interest and gym availability.
We are still looking for coaches!
Register at:
https://www.teamsideline.com/sites/seattlecyo/current-programs (select 4-8 Volleyball 2024 – Winter I 2024)
Please contact Andy Jimenez if you can help volunteer or coach (or if you have any questions).
CYO Basketball
Come out and support our Basketball teams! For the complete schedule check the teamsideline website.
https://www.teamsideline.com/sites/seattlecyo/schedules
4th grade boys team | 5th grade boys team | Middle school boys team | |
20-Jan | 10:15 at St Mary Mag | ||
21-Jan | 2:15 at Holy Rosary | ||
27-Jan | 9am at Our Lady of Hope | ||
28-Jan | 4pm at Holy Rosary |
Also, 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. Please let us know if you are interested or can suggest someone who might be!
Contact Laurel Pehanich or Mr. G if you have any questions (or want to help volunteer)!
STMS Referral Program
Would you like to get a month’s tuition for free? 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).
Who could you refer to STMS?
Please contact the school office with any questions, (425) 743-4242.
STMS Spirit Wear
Don’t forget to order your STMS Spirit Wear. Use the link below.
Please note: Only clothing available in the Uniform Code Approved section are to be worn at school.
For questions on ordering, please contact Eric Miller, ericmiller22@gmail.com.
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.
Volunteers
Current Volunteer Opportunities
School Commission Committees
Please see the information above under School Commission for volunteer opportunities on one of the School Commission subcommittees.
Auction Volunteers Needed
*Lots of Auction Volunteer Positions are still OPEN! Fulfill your 4-hour auction commitment and sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4BAEA923A3FDC25-45401522-auction#/
TV Installs
We need a few muscles to help us move a tv from the library and install in our Early Learning Classroom and another tv installed in our Extended Care classroom. You may need a few of your own tools to remove the brackets and reinstall on the preschool wall. If you are interested, please call the school office at (425) 743-4242.
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
COVID, Flu and RSV
As we head into the cold and flu season, I would like to send out a general reminder about health and safety guidelines. We have a host of illnesses circulating, including strep throat, continuing COVID cases, and at least one reported case of RSV.
Recommendations of the Snohomish Health District as we navigate the cold and flu season include ensuring that if students have active symptoms from any respiratory infections and/or have a fever, they should not come to school. Students who have had a fever must be fever-free for 24 hours without the use of medication before returning to school. In addition, The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends teaching children to cover their coughs and sneezes using their elbow or a tissue, and to always wash their hands afterwards.
Also, as we have had a recent case of RSV, I am including a resource provided by the Snohomish Health Department on signs of RSV, in addition to general guidelines and benefits of vaccinations for flu, COVID and RSV.
*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.