The Phoenix Flyer: St. Thomas More School Newsletter
February 2-9, 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,
Catholic Schools Week was a hit! From Book Fair, to Teacher/ Student Swap Day to Faith Family activities, students and teachers alike had a wonderful time celebrating with each other all that we love about Catholic education and STMS. We ended the week with Student Appreciation Day. 8th graders competed with teachers in an active physical version of a game called Memory. Teams were either the Bean Bag Team or the Hockey Puck Team and in turns, raced to turn over cones to find their team’s object (namely, bean bags and hockey pucks). It was fast-paced and fun and thankfully, no one fell! It was a very close match, but the teachers prevailed and held their winning streak of the past few years.
Last week, the 2024-25 Intent to Return Survey was emailed to all families. If you have not filled that out, please do so this week. The data collected from the survey is needed to inform our planning process for next year, which is already underway. Please contact me if you have any questions prior to filling out your form.
In Christ,
Elizabeth Glaze
Dates to Remember
2/9 No School, Teacher In-service
2/12 100th Day of School
2/13 Valentine’s Day Spirit Day (wear pink or red top and uniform bottoms)
2/14 Ash Wednesday (Mass, 9am)
2/16-2/19 No School, President’s Day Holiday and Mid-Winter Break
2/23 Stations of the Cross (time TBD)
2/25 School Led Mass, 8:30 (Grade 4)
Intent to Return
Thank you to all who have already completed the Intent to Return for the 2024-25 school year. It is vital to our planning process for next year that we know the status of our returning families. If you have not already done so, please complete the Intent to Return survey linked below. It is important to include student(s) names and grades.
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.
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.
Speech
Congratulation to our Saint Thomas More Speech Team! The results of the tournament this weekend at Seattle Prep are:
Shannon M: Finalist Impromptu
Mia A: 2nd Oratory
Sara R: 2nd Ed. Com
Sara R: 1st Dramatic Interpretation!!! This comes with $1000 Scholarship if she attends Seattle Prep.
Our students worked hard to complete three tournaments this year. We are so proud of you! Go Phoenix!
Catholic Schools Week Pictures
Special Announcement
We are wishing a fond farewell to a long-standing community member and familiar face in our school office. Mrs. Sandra McLaughlin’s last day at STMS is February 23rd. We wish her all the best as she spends more time with the loves of her life – her family and coaching tennis. We appreciate all the time and talents she has shared with our school community over the years.
Box Top$ for Education
Parents help us raise fund for STMS when you shop. It’s as easy as registering on the BoxTop$ For Education app the scanning your receipts! Please call Mrs. Heather Anderson in the school office if you have any questions.
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
Knights of Columbus Valentine’s Day Dance
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
Parent Club
Family Fun Night – Save the Date!
Our next Family Fun Night will be a roller skating event on March 11th from 6-8pm. The cost is $12 per student. Check back for more information coming soon.
March Parent Club Meeting
Please note: The next Parent Club meeting is March 14 (rescheduled from March 7 due to the Speech Tournaments.
Auction News
Auction Gala is almost here!
We are only a month away!
We have Gala Tickets Available to Purchase!
Buy your Gala Tickets and Register here: https://stmpsl.ejoinme.org/MyEvents/2024GalaAuction/GalaRegistration/tabid/1408446/Default.aspx
For your convenience, you may purchase your gala tickets and table sponsorships online, however, to maximize our auction revenue, you may choose one of the options below to avoid costly fees:
- Use coupon code SPRING2024 & pay by cash or check.
- Pay via check to St. Thomas More School and turn in to the school office.
- Consider paying for the credit card surcharge by checking the box at checkout.
Dessert Dash Time!
Are you looking for auction volunteer hours? Think DESSERT! For every dessert donated you will receive 2 volunteer hours. We are on the hunt for delectable desserts for the Dessert Dash portion of the Gala to satisfy everyone’s sweet tooth and get those bid paddles up high! Let’s make those bidders go wild with delight! Sign Up Here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4BAEA923A3FDC25-47814653-dessert
Each donated cake/dessert = 2 hours of volunteer time and goes towards your auction volunteer hours.
All donations will need to be delivered at Embassy Suites Hotel in Lynnwood on March 9th between 11am-3pm.
Volunteers Needed: New volunteer positions added for the day of auction! We also still have a few open volunteer opportunities that needs your attention to prep for the event! View Volunteer Opportunities Here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4BAEA923A3FDC25-45401522-auction
Hotel Room Block Available Now to Book!
Banish stress and stay with ease at the Embassy Suites to make your night a grand slam! The hotel is rolling out the red carpet for us with a group rate of just $131/night (plus taxes)
PLUS! Breakfast is included and will be waiting for you! What better way to start your day, right?
Book Here: ST. Thomas More Parish School Auction (hilton.com)
We’re on the lookout for some super cool items to auction off! See our Auction Newsletter for a list of items needed: Auction Newsletter 2023-24 Vol 2
Patrol
Please see the link to the current Patrol schedule.
Scrip
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 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.
Current Volunteer Opportunities
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.
For information on how to create your profile and register for a class, please contact Heather Anderson at heather.anderson@stms.org or (425) 743-4242 for instructions. Training and background checks are good for 3 years. If you need to renew your status, you can do so online at Virtusonline.org.
Archdiocese of Seattle – Safe Environment
Volunteer hours
The St. Thomas More Parish School Volunteer hours are due May 31, 2024! Per our school contract, families are to contribute 40 of volunteer time of which at least 4 hours are to be contributed directly to the Auction. If you have not completed your volunteer hours you will be billed on June1, 2024, $30 for any hours not served.
There is still time to do your volunteer hours! Volunteer opportunities yet to come: Gala and Family Auctions, Scrip, helping around the school, parent club meetings, school commission meetings, and more—watch for sign-up ideas in the newsletter!
Directions to log hours:
- Log into Family Portal (District Code: St-Wa)
- Click on Family on the left-hand menu
- Find Service Hours on the right side and click “+ Add”
- Fill out the hours and click “save”
- Hours will show up on the family page under Service Hours. You can add more throughout the year.
If you would like me to send more detailed instructions for logging in your volunteer hours, please contact Heather Anderson at heather.anderson@stms.org or (425) 743-4242
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#/
School Commission Committees
Please see the information above under School Commission for volunteer opportunities on one of the School Commission subcommittees.
TV Installs
We need a few muscles to help us install a TV 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.
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.
