The Phoenix Flyer: St. Thomas More School Newsletter
January 22-26, 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,
This week I am including pictures from our Early Learning center. These students are some of the most enthusiastic and joyful students on campus! It truly is my happy place. Now that our 4-year-olds have been staying all day for a few weeks, they are starting to get into a good routine. You will see more information on our Early Learning program next week, when we introduce our new Lead Teacher.
Next week is Catholic Schools Week. To kick off the week we will be having an Open House after the 10:30 Mass. Please stop by to visit your students’ classrooms and see all the amazing things they have been doing.
In Christ,
Elizabeth Glaze
Dates to Remember
1/25 8th Grade Field trip to the Museum of Flight
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.
Mock Trial
Our Mock Trial Team this year, consisting of 6th and 7th graders, have been hard at work for the last few months preparing for the YMCA Mock Trial competition coming up this Friday, January 26, 2024, and Saturday, January 27, 2024, at the Denney Juvenile Justice Center in Everett, WA. They will be competing against other Middle Schools and will present their case in front of a Judge and a jury, with most students acting as both attorneys and witnesses in their respective cases. This is an amazing opportunity for our kids, and we know that they will do great! We want to give a special thank you to their Coaches, Gretchen Neale, Gail Nunn, Maria Houser, Laurel Pehanich, and their parents for all their support, time and efforts this school year! Go Phoenix!
Catholic Schools Week – Spirit Days
Catholic Schools Week is January 28-February 2. Here is a list of our Spirit Days (and regular dress days) for the week:
Friday the 26th – Red Carpet day
Dress up as your favorite celebrity or in your fanciest/best clothes ready to walk the Red Carpet into Book Fair.
Monday, January 29th – Regular uniform day
Tuesday, January 30th – Music genre day
Come dressed to reflect your favorite music genre. If you love Country, dress in Western wear. If you love rock, dress like a rock star. Pop? A pop star, etc.
Wednesday, February 1st – Full Dress Uniform day (Mass)
Thursday, February 2nd – Teacher/Student Swap Day
Students come dressed as your favorite teacher or what you think a teacher would wear. Teachers will come to school dressed like you!
Friday, February 3rd – Faith Family Color Day
Students would wear a shirt that is the color associated with their Faith Family. Please check with your classroom teacher for colors. Some have changed since last year.
Book Fair
Volunteers Still Needed
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. For more information about Book click on the link to the flyer below.
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.
Hugs for Ghana
Hugs for Ghana is a service project started in 2007 at Kamiak High School to bring smiles in the form of stuffed animals to children at a hospital in Ghana. Since then, they have expanded their mission to include medical supplies, school supplies, and more. STMS alumni reached out to us to help them in their work. They will be taking the books to Ghana this summer.
Please send in gently used children’s books for Hugs for Ghana. We’re also collecting monetary donations during Book Fair to buy new books as well.
For more info on Hugs for Ghana, go to: www.hugsfor.org.
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
St. Brendan School Dance
St. Brendan School will be hosting a middle school (7th and 8th grade) dance on Thursday, February 8th from 6:30-9:00 PM are excited to invite the students from STMS. Note that Friday is a non-school day in the Archdiocese, hence the Thursday-night dance.
Dress Code: Casual
Cost: $10/ student
Students will need to bring their student ID and a signed permission form (see link below).
There will also be a concession stand, so students are welcome to bring extra spending money for that.
St. Brendan’s Dance Info and Permission Slip
Paul J. Kim presents “God’s Plan for Love”
On February 4th, at 6pm, Paul J. Kim presents “God’s Plan for Love” at St. Mary Magdalen Church. Please see the flyer below for more information.
Parent Club
Family Movie Night
Thank you to everyone who came out to watch the Trolls Movie “Band Together” at the Family Movie Night on Saturday! Sending a huge shout out to all the Amazing Parents and Student volunteers who made it all happen! 7th and 8th graders helped parents with setting up, taking food orders, and cleaning up! We are grateful for this community!
There were up to 70 people who attended! It was a great gathering!
Parents Club
Auction News
Early Bird Rate Extended until 1/31/24!
Hey STMS Families! 🎉 Let’s shout it from the rooftops – our awesome auction gala is coming up, and we want YOU there to bring the fun! 🌟 Show some love for our school by joining in the festivities. We’re counting on your fabulous presence to make it a blast! Plus, all the proceeds go straight into keeping those tuition fees low. Think of our dear students, it’s a win-win! 🙌 See you at the gala – let’s make it a night to remember! 🎈💙
Purchase Auction Gala Tickets & Register here: https://stmpsl.ejoinme.org/MyEvents/2024GalaAuction/GalaRegistration/tabid/1408446/Default.aspx
View Invitation here: https://stms.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/2024-STMS-Auction-Invitation_Final.pdf
*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
Thank you to our generous sponsors!
Patrol
Please see the link to the current Patrol schedule.
Scrip
Scrip is our only Fundraiser we have going on to reach your $700 contractual commitment. Don’t forget you need 2/3 of that ($467) raised by the end of the month (1/31). With that, wherever you shop, try to think if there’s a way to pay for it using Scrip. Utilize that search bar on the RaiseRight app, and or come see us at in person sales.
Friendly reminder that Kroger gift cards can’t be purchased on the app but only at in-person sales.
We may be selling on Sunday, 1/28 (off schedule) to help kick off Catholic School’s Week!
Lastly as always….WE NEED YOU!
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
We also need people to learn how to sell Scrip to be on a sub list and we are looking for core sales people for next school year!
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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; 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.