Principal’s MemoAugust 23, 2016

CALENDAR REMINDERSTuesday, August 23 Praise and Worship Service - 6:15 p.m. - see flyer attached to this memo

Wednesday, August 24 Individual and Homeroom Group pictures - see additionalinformation in this memo.

Friday, August 26 All School Mass - Students must be in dress uniform.

Monday, August 29 Odyssey of the Mind - 3:20 - 4:00 pm.

Tuesday, August 30 SPIRIT DAY - Students may wear any approved STM Spiritshirt or this year's Oktoberfest shirt with uniformbottoms.

Chess Club - 4th - 8th grade - 3:20 - 4:20 p.m.

CLUBS FOR STUDENTS IN 4TH THROUGH 8TH GRADEMeeting dates and times for the following clubs are posted on the school calendar located on the schoolwebsite:

Chess Club is open to students in 4th - 8th grade.Robotics Club is open to students in 4th - 8th grade.Art Club - Jr. High StudentsOdyssey of the Mind is open to students in 4th through 6th grade.Spanish Club is open to 8th grade students only.Students in 4th through 8th grade may run for Student Council Homeroom Representatives.

Other opportunities will be announced as the school year progresses.

PEP SQUADThe first Pep Squad practice will be this Friday. Friday is the last day to sign up. Bring theapplication, attached to this memo, to this Friday's practice.

OKTOBERFEST 2016Mark your calendars for this year's Oktoberfest to be held on Sunday, October 16th. Thealways popular Oktoberfest T-Shirts are on sale now. See the order form attached to this memo.

STM YARD SIGNSThe STM yard signs have arrived. Be sure to see the flyer attached to this memo.

PICTURE DAY AT STM - Wednesday, August 24thThis year we will take Individual and Homeroom Group pictures on the same day. Twoseparate order forms were sent home with your child today. Both packets must be completed if youare ordering a homeroom group and individual pictures. ALL STUDENTS MUST BE IN DRESSUNIFORM FOR PICTURES.

STEPS FOR STUDENTS - SAVE THE DATEMark your calendars for this year's Steps For Students - February 18, 2017! You don't want to missall the fun as we walk/run to raie money

CELEBRATING YOUR CHILD'S BIRTHDAY AT STMParents may help their child celebrate their birthday/unbirthday with their class by bringing small itemsto share like pencils, stickers, small gift bags, etc. STM is a Food Safe campus, which means that wedo not allow food items in the classroom setting except as designated and distributed by the schooladministration. Please note that no cookies, candies, cakes, etc may be brought to share at anytime on the school campus.

Junior High students distribute their items during lunch period. If your child is a Junior High student(grades 6,7,8), please send enough for their entire grade.

BALLOON BOUQUETSCelebrate a birthday or special event in your child’s life by having a balloon bouquet and a small treatbag delivered to your child’s homeroom. This PTO fundraiser is a great way to let your child knowyou are thinking of them. An order form is attached to this memo.

DISMISSAL PROCEDURESIf you pick your child up at the Primary Playground door, please help us keep all our children safe byabiding by the following guidelines:

1) Enter and leave the Primary Playground by the gate between the preschool and the library.Do not use the gate at the front of the Preschool.

2) Please do not park on the school side of Wigton Dr. That lane is reserved for the Preschoolcarpool line.

3) Younger siblings may not play on the playground equipment as you wait for your child to bedismissed. Please exit the playground as soon as you have collected your student.

LOST AND FOUNDPlease be sure to clearly label all uniform pieces including the PE Uniform with your child's name.Items turned in to Lost and Found that are labeled will be returned to the child.

VIRTUS TRAININGVIRTUS, the National Protecting God’s Children Child Abuse Prevention Program, is required of anyvolunteer who will spend time supervising the children of St. Thomas More School.This includes, but is not limited to, room parents, recess duty workers, clinic volunteers, andchaperones. You may register for the program at www.virtus.org. Classes are offered at varioustimes and locations throughout the archdiocese.

Please note: IMPORTANT VIRTUS NEWS ....A one and a half hour refresher course calledKeeping the Promise Alive is now required of anyone who took VIRTUS prior to December31, 2011

To register for Keeping the Promise Alive go to www.virtus.org - be very careful whenregistering that you are not registering for Protecting God’s Children.

WATER BOTTLESStudents, in 1st through 8th grade, are encouraged to bring water bottles, containing waterONLY, to keep at their desks during the day. The bottles must have sport tops and be clearlylabeled with the student’s name. Water bottles will not be delivered to the student once the schoolday has started.

STM PARISH JR. HIGH YOUTH GROUPJr. High Youth Group, open to students in 7th and 8th grade, will be restarting this Septemberbut needs adult volunteers to help guide and nourish our youth as well as provide a safeenvironment for our children to gather. The group will meet following the 5 o'clock Mass onSunday's from 6:30 to 8:00 PM in the old gym. Please E-mail Ryan Efaw atRyan@AdoreMinistries.com if you are able to help with this ministry or have any questions.

SUMMER CONTESTSIf you wish to participate in the Jr. High Summer Photo Contest, sponsored by Mrs. Felton, or theOptional Summer Reading Activity, sponsored by Mrs. Fontenot, the deadline for turning in yourentries is this Friday, August 26. Contest rules are attached to this memo.

STM COMMUNITY PRAISE AND WORSHIP&

ADORATION

This is a great opportunity to come together as families in our school and parish to pray andworship together. Once a month, St. Thomas More School and Parish will join together to host

a worship and adoration night for families.

We will start adoration and worship at 6:15pm and it will go until around 7pm. You canalso join us at the 5:30pm Mass before. In addition, Father Hai will be offering the sacramentof Reconciliation during this time. Lisa Veneralla, the worship leader at the Sunday night, 5pmMass, will be leading worship.

Our first praise and worship is NEXT TUESDAY, AUGUST 23rd.

See you there!

STM COMMUNITY PRAISE AND WORSHIP&

ADORATION

This is a great opportunity to come together as families in our school and parish to pray andworship together. Once a month, St. Thomas More School and Parish will join together to host

a worship and adoration night for families.

We will start adoration and worship at 6:15pm and it will go until around 7pm. You canalso join us at the 5:30pm Mass before. In addition, Father Hai will be offering the sacramentof Reconciliation during this time. Lisa Veneralla, the worship leader at the Sunday night, 5pmMass, will be leading worship.

Our first praise and worship is NEXT TUESDAY, AUGUST 23rd.

See you there!

STM COMMUNITY PRAISE AND WORSHIP&

ADORATION

This is a great opportunity to come together as families in our school and parish to pray andworship together. Once a month, St. Thomas More School and Parish will join together to host

a worship and adoration night for families.

We will start adoration and worship at 6:15pm and it will go until around 7pm. You canalso join us at the 5:30pm Mass before. In addition, Father Hai will be offering the sacramentof Reconciliation during this time. Lisa Veneralla, the worship leader at the Sunday night, 5pmMass, will be leading worship.

Our first praise and worship is NEXT TUESDAY, AUGUST 23rd.

See you there!

St. Thomas More girls in grades K through 5th can join the STM PepSquad. This after-school program meets once a week from3:30 – 4:30 p.m. on Fridays. Participants learn cheer skills includingjumps, motions, and dance.

All those interested should complete the attached Release andParticipation form. The purpose of our Pep Squad is two-fold; motivatethe teams they’re supporting and promote enthusiasm amongst ourfans. Pep Squad members, in conjunction with our St Thomas MoreCheerleaders, will participate in selected football, soccer, volleyball,baseball, basketball games and school assemblies.

Uniforms: St. Thomas More will provide Pep Squad t-shirts, hairribbon, and pom poms. Girls will provide their own black shorts.

Games: Regular season football games are held on Wednesdaysstarting on September 7th through the second week of October. Allhome games will be played at St. Thomas More.

Release Form: All participates will be required to complete this form(and return to the school office, ATTN: Mrs. Felton).

Fee: $50 per girl – this will cover the cost of t-shirts, ribbon, and pompoms.

Coordinator: Mrs. Black

St. Thomas More girls in grades K through 5th can join the STM PepSquad. This after-school program meets once a week from3:30 – 4:30 p.m. on Fridays. Participants learn cheer skills includingjumps, motions, and dance.

All those interested should complete the attached Release andParticipation form. The purpose of our Pep Squad is two-fold; motivatethe teams they’re supporting and promote enthusiasm amongst ourfans. Pep Squad members, in conjunction with our St Thomas MoreCheerleaders, will participate in selected football, soccer, volleyball,baseball, basketball games and school assemblies.

Uniforms: St. Thomas More will provide Pep Squad t-shirts, hairribbon, and pom poms. Girls will provide their own black shorts.

Games: Regular season football games are held on Wednesdaysstarting on September 7th through the second week of October. Allhome games will be played at St. Thomas More.

Release Form: All participates will be required to complete this form(and return to the school office, ATTN: Mrs. Felton).

Fee: $50 per girl – this will cover the cost of t-shirts, ribbon, and pompoms.

Coordinator: Mrs. Black

St. Thomas More girls in grades K through 5th can join the STM PepSquad. This after-school program meets once a week from3:30 – 4:30 p.m. on Fridays. Participants learn cheer skills includingjumps, motions, and dance.

All those interested should complete the attached Release andParticipation form. The purpose of our Pep Squad is two-fold; motivatethe teams they’re supporting and promote enthusiasm amongst ourfans. Pep Squad members, in conjunction with our St Thomas MoreCheerleaders, will participate in selected football, soccer, volleyball,baseball, basketball games and school assemblies.

Uniforms: St. Thomas More will provide Pep Squad t-shirts, hairribbon, and pom poms. Girls will provide their own black shorts.

Games: Regular season football games are held on Wednesdaysstarting on September 7th through the second week of October. Allhome games will be played at St. Thomas More.

Release Form: All participates will be required to complete this form(and return to the school office, ATTN: Mrs. Felton).

Fee: $50 per girl – this will cover the cost of t-shirts, ribbon, and pompoms.

Coordinator: Mrs. Black

I hereby give my permission for _________________________________ (student)to participate in St. Thomas More Parish School Pep Squad. Further, I authorize theschool to provide emergency treatment of an injury to, or illness of my child, ifqualified medical personnel consider treatment necessary. The authorization isgranted only if I cannot be reached and a reasonable effort has been made to do so.

Please Print

Date ___________________ Parent or Guardian ________________________________

Address ___________________________________ Phone _______________________

Family Physician ___________________________ Phone _______________________

Pre-existing medical conditions (e.g. allergies or chronic illnesses) ______________________

Alternate contact in case of emergency: Name _______________________________________

Phone ______________________ Relationship to student _____________________________

Medical Insurance Carrier ________________________ Policy Carrier ___________________

Policy Number ___________________________________________________________

My child and I are aware that participation in the St. Thomas More Parish School PepSquad is potentially hazardous activity. I assume risks associated with participation inthis sport, including, but not limited to falls, contact with other participants, or otherreasonable risk conditions associated with the sport. All such risks to my child areknown and understood by me. I understand this Informed Consent form and agree to itsconditions on behalf of my child.

Participant's Signature _______________________________ Date _________________

Parent's/Guardian's Signature __________________________ Date _________________

I hereby give my permission for _________________________________ (student)to participate in St. Thomas More Parish School Pep Squad. Further, I authorize theschool to provide emergency treatment of an injury to, or illness of my child, ifqualified medical personnel consider treatment necessary. The authorization isgranted only if I cannot be reached and a reasonable effort has been made to do so.

Please Print

Date ___________________ Parent or Guardian ________________________________

Address ___________________________________ Phone _______________________

Family Physician ___________________________ Phone _______________________

Pre-existing medical conditions (e.g. allergies or chronic illnesses) ______________________

Alternate contact in case of emergency: Name _______________________________________

Phone ______________________ Relationship to student _____________________________

Medical Insurance Carrier ________________________ Policy Carrier ___________________

Policy Number ___________________________________________________________

My child and I are aware that participation in the St. Thomas More Parish School PepSquad is potentially hazardous activity. I assume risks associated with participation inthis sport, including, but not limited to falls, contact with other participants, or otherreasonable risk conditions associated with the sport. All such risks to my child areknown and understood by me. I understand this Informed Consent form and agree to itsconditions on behalf of my child.

Participant's Signature _______________________________ Date _________________

Parent's/Guardian's Signature __________________________ Date _________________

I hereby give my permission for _________________________________ (student)to participate in St. Thomas More Parish School Pep Squad. Further, I authorize theschool to provide emergency treatment of an injury to, or illness of my child, ifqualified medical personnel consider treatment necessary. The authorization isgranted only if I cannot be reached and a reasonable effort has been made to do so.

Please Print

Date ___________________ Parent or Guardian ________________________________

Address ___________________________________ Phone _______________________

Family Physician ___________________________ Phone _______________________

Pre-existing medical conditions (e.g. allergies or chronic illnesses) ______________________

Alternate contact in case of emergency: Name _______________________________________

Phone ______________________ Relationship to student _____________________________

Medical Insurance Carrier ________________________ Policy Carrier ___________________

Policy Number ___________________________________________________________

My child and I are aware that participation in the St. Thomas More Parish School PepSquad is potentially hazardous activity. I assume risks associated with participation inthis sport, including, but not limited to falls, contact with other participants, or otherreasonable risk conditions associated with the sport. All such risks to my child areknown and understood by me. I understand this Informed Consent form and agree to itsconditions on behalf of my child.

Participant's Signature _______________________________ Date _________________

Parent's/Guardian's Signature __________________________ Date _________________

Oktoberfest 2016

T-Shirts On SaleORDER YOUR SHIRT NOW!!!!

Purchase your

BE THE CHANGE Oktoberfest T-Shirt

These NEW Oktoberfest T-Shirtscan be worn on all STM Spirit Daysand on Friday, October 14, 2016

Please NOTE: Oktoberfest shirts from previousyears CANNOT be worn.

Oktoberfest shirts may be worn with uniform pantsor uniform shorts ONLY.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Student’s Name__________________________________________ Homeroom _______________

Size Quantity

Youth XS (2-4)

Youth S (6-8)

Youth M (10-12)

Youth L (14-16)

Adult Small

Adult Medium

Adult Large

Adult XLarge

Adult XXLarge

Total Quantity

Price Per Shirt - $10.00

Total Amount Enclosed_________

Make checks payable to

St. Thomas More School

STM YARD SIGNS HAVE ARRIVED

Be one of the first STM families

to proudly display your STM Spirit

Place one of these new STM Yard Signs

in front of your home

Only $5.00

Available in the STM School Office!!!

I0 --"' _./

Balloon Bouquets' $4.00

for any event for your child -Birthday or Unbirthday

Three (3) balloons with a small treat bagwill be delivered to your child's homeroomon that special day. This fund raiser is afun way to remember a special event in hisor her life or just to let him or her knowyou care!

ALL ORDERS MUST BE RECEIVED 4 WEEKS IN ADVANCE TO ENSURE DELIVERY********************************************************************************

Child's Name

Homeroom Teacher

Date to be Delivered ( Must be Sept. 1 or later)

Bouquet to be From Phone No.

Occasion (Please circle) Birthday Unbirthday Other

********************************************************************************

Child's Name

Homeroom Teacher

Date to be Delivered (Must be Sept 1 or later)

Bouquet to be From Phone No.

Occasion (Please circle) Birthday Unbirthday Other

Join STM’s Cub Scout Pack 99

Here is some of what Pack 99’s Cub Scouts do…

Camping Outdoors

Building & Racing Pinewood Derby Cars

Archery

Bowling

Field Trips

Pool Parties

Walking in Maplewood 4th of July Parade

Who: Boys in Grades 1-5

When: Enrolling Now

Where: St. Thomas More (STM)

Why: Make Friends! Learn! Have FUN!

Contact Us (in person, at an event, or by email):

Stein Hansen, cubmaster.pack99@gmail.com

Check us out at our Den Meetings!

Here’s Pack 99’s 2016-2017 Den Meeting Schedule:

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Q: How often do Pack 99 Cub Scouts meet? A: Cub Scouts meet 3 times a month. This includes their own Cub Rank’s Den Meetings (twice

monthly; typically 6-7:30p in the STM Scout House) and an all-rank Pack Meeting (monthly; 7-8:30p in STM’s Prinster Hall).

Q: How much does scouting cost? A: $60 for the year (this covers the BSA membership fee plus achievements, patches, and

most Pack activities); Scouts also participate in annual Popcorn Fundraiser to help fund field trips and activities (i.e. pool parties, bowling party, etc.).

Q: Who buys my son’s Scout uniform & Cub Scout handbook? And, where are these sold?

A: Parents/Guardians need to get the blue cub scout uniform and handbook from Boy Scouts of America (“BSA”) Scout Shops with basic insignia and the Scout belt. School uniform shorts/pants can be worn instead of the scout short/pants.

Q: When may STM Scouts where their uniform to school? A: Scouts may where their Scout Uniform to STM only on their rank’s Den Meeting days AND

on Pack Meeting days. So, as many as 3 times per month. Please note, Pack Meetings are on Fridays, Mass Days, so Scouts must wear LONG navy school uniform pants with their Scout uniform for Mass.

Q: Who are the den leaders for the new 1st Grade class of Tiger Scouts? A: We need 1-3 parents to volunteer as Den Leader for the new Tiger den of incoming 1st

graders. The time commitment is about 4-8 hours per month. This is great way to get involved and meet other parents.

Q: What is a Tiger Adult Partner? A: Tiger Scouts (1st Graders) are overseen at all activities by their adult partner (i.e. parent,

grandparent, or older sibling).

Q: What are the Cub Scout ranks? A: Tigers are 1st Graders; Wolves are 2nd Graders; Bears are 3rd Graders; and Webelos are

4th–5th Graders.

Q: Can siblings attend events and meetings? A: Yes!

Join STM’s Cub Scout Pack 99 Stein Hansen, cubmaster.pack99@gmail.com

Grade Rank Meeting Day Frequency Time Place

1st Tiger Mondays 1st & 3rd 6:00-7:00pm

2nd Wolf Wednesdays 2nd & 4th 6:00-7:30pm

3rd Bear Wednesdays 1st & 3rd 6:00-7:30pm

4th Webelos1 Thursdays 2nd & 4th 6:00-7:30pm

5th Webelos2 Thursdays 1st & 3rd 6:00-7:30pm

STM

Scout

House