April 2 NEWS…
 
Dear STM Prechool Families,
 
We are thrilled to have you and your children working with our teachers to make this the best Distance Learning community during this difficult time.  Our staff is dedicated in providing all preschoolers with online learning opportunities that will help them continue to develop the skills they need to be a successful student.  STM’s mission is and continues to be… committed to developing the minds, hearts, and souls of our students.  By planting faith-filled seeds of good habits, we open our students’ minds to knowledge, their hearts to service, and their souls to the beauty of God’s creation.  We had a beautiful Praise and Worship Service this morning with 33 Preschoolers in attendance!  Thank you.  Tomorrow, Friday at 10 am, please join us with Fr. Clark’s Gospel reading and reflection on YouTube https://youtu.be/lC4FFOtve34
 
We realize that there have been some technical difficulties and some frustrations with this new Distance Learning format.  We are implementing instructional practices and expectations that are very different from what is experienced in our normal - traditional preschool classroom. On that note, please have patience with our faculty and staff, and know that your feedback and communication is welcome.  In order for this endeavor to be successful, our teachers will be communicating clearly and consistently with families through several platforms including Seesaw, Zoom and school emails. 
 
In Catholic schools, we believe that parents are the primary educators of their children…we are here to help in any way possible.  We will continue to monitor the needs of our STM community related to COVID-19 and will keep you updated.  As of today, our return date to the Preschool is scheduled for Monday, May 4, 2020.
 
Please pray with us.  We must continue to thank and praise God for his blessings, while we ask for his mercy, his strength, and his guidance.
 
May God Bless All Our Children and Keep them Safe and Healthy. 

Love and Prayers, Nina R. Coltharp



March 26 NEWS…

Good evening STM Preschool Families,

We were excited to see all the smiling faces on our Zoom classes this week!  We realize the importance for the Preschoolers to see their friends and so the beginning of each Zoom may be noisy as they greet one another.  Thank you for being an awesome partner in our Distance Learning…and thank you for your patience as we work out all the tech issues.  Homework assignments have been amazing!  Although the whole global situation is stressful, it is somewhat of an exciting time in education - a time we will remember always.

We will continue to operate our distance learning program until the Preschool can safely reopen for students.  As of now, we are planning to reopen school on Easter Monday, April 13. The most recent correspondence from the Archdiocese is that they are taking time to assess the ever-changing circumstances, while evaluating every state and local announcement, to make closure decisions for our Catholic schools.  We will continue to update you if there are changes.

Our teachers have been working tirelessly as we transform our brick-and-mortar programming into distance programming.  I could not ask for more dedicated and passionate educators and co-workers, and I know you will join me in making sure they know how much they are appreciated.  Thank you to each family who has reached out with words of encouragement and of course, prayer, patience and grace.  We draw strength during times like this from our partnerships with loyal families and the steadfast love in our faith community.
 
I hope you will be able to watch the live stream/recording with Fr. Clark on the Gospel reading and reflection.  It is scheduled for 10 am on Friday, March 27, 2020.  Therefore, the Preschool Praise and Worship service for 10 am has been cancelled.  Ms. Thome sent a Principal’s Memo to all families earlier with a link for tomorrow’s Gospel reading and reflection with Fr. Clark. 

FYI…please note the following changes in the Preschool schedule:

Ms. Howard  - 9 am    Mondays and Wednesdays Zoom
Mrs. Mack    -  9 am    Mondays and Wednesdays Zoom
Mrs. Garza - 8:30 am  Mondays and Wednesdays Zoom
Mrs. Warner –  9 am    Mondays and Wednesdays Zoom
Mrs. Moreno – 10 am  Tuesdays and Thursdays Zoom (Praise and Worship)
Fr. Clark   -     10 am  Fridays (Gospel reading and reflection)

The Homeroom teachers and Mrs. Moreno (Religion) will continue to post activities and lessons on Seesaw daily.  Mrs. Jongkind (Spanish) and Mrs. King (Music) will post weekly lessons to Seesaw.

We miss you and your children more with each passing day.  Our staff is striving to be the “calm in the storm” for your children and your family during this time. We pray that we can all be at least together in spirit at all times during these days and weeks.  Please know that your family and your students are loved at St. Thomas More.

May God Bless All Our Children and Keep them Safe and Healthy. 

Love and Prayers, Nina R. Coltharp
 
 


Happy Monday and welcome to Distance Learning.

 
Psalm 46:1  "God is our refuge and strength."


Wow things have really changed since we left for Spring Break.  We wish that we could be back in the Preschool Building to see all of your beautiful children - we miss their smiles and hugs! Your child's (ren's) teachers have been working very hard to get their lessons to all of the preschoolers. Most of you were introduced to Seesaw earlier in the school year.  New to most of us is ZOOM.  Please let us know if you are unable to log in to see your class teacher for their daily morning meetings. 

Some ZOOM rules:

Find a quiet space.

Be on time - you may join up to 5 minutes early...please mute after you greet your teacher.

Follow classrom rules - please remember to raise your hand and unmute yourself when you are asked to speak.  Then mute yourself when you are not speaking to your teacher.

Sign out or click "leave the meeting" when the session is finished.

We are looking forward to reconnecting with our STM families.This first week of online learning is a time for families and teachers to become acquainted with this new way of learning.  Please contact your teachers through email or Seesaw if you have any questions.

Being part of our amazing STM Catholic community is a blessing during trying times.  We have a wonderful church and faith that stands strong.  Pray, pray and pray some more.

Be safe and stay healthy.   



March 18 NEWS...

Psalm 46:1  "God is our refuge and strength."

Just a reminder that the STM Preschool and Day School is closed through Good Friday, April 10.  We are working on Preschool resources and activities that you may use at home.  We will keep you posted on our Distance Learning...more info soon. 

Prayers for all our STM families to stay safe and healthy. 




March 11 NEWS...

Early Dismissal on Friday, March 13, 2020…We will begin the Preschool Carpool line at 11:45 am.  Please pick up your preschooler first before heading over to the Day School carpool line…the older students will start dismissing at noon.

The children will have a special Rodeo day on Friday, March 13 while the older students are having their Field Day.  Preschoolers may wear a Western shirt with jeans and tennis shoes.  Please - no boots, hats or any Western toys such as spurs, chaps, or guns…thank you. 

Spring Break would be a great time to clean out your child’s backpacks – remove and file all school papers and artwork.  Please remember to add an extra set of clothes – don’t forget the underwear and socks.  The school has run out of underwear to loan to preschoolers.  It would also be a good time to wash the backpacks, lunch kits and sleeping blankets.

K of C will have their famous Fish Fry this Friday, March 13 in Prinster Hall /Cafeteria starting at 5 pm until the fish runs out.  Come early and enjoy the great food and STM community!

We appreciate all our families who completed re-enrollment for the new school year.  Please note - if you are not returning, we still need you to fill out the form. There is a place for you to check that informs the school you will not be enrolling for the 2020-2021 school year.  Thank you for your diligence in this procedure.  We will mail the New Family acceptance letters on Friday and then fill classes with the open spots.

Next Wednesday, March 18, is the deadline to pre-order lunches for when we come back from Spring Break.  You have until midnight to place your order at www.lunchdirect.com   school code is 592700.

Please make sure you fill out the form for our Religion program on Circle of Grace...this is mandatory.
 
Our Annual Auction/Gala, Saturday, April 4, is one of our most important fundraising events of the year.... and it is always a good time for all!  This night would not be possible without the generosity of our parents and parishioners.  Don’t forget to turn in your donations for the Class baskets, please.  More information on Night on the Nile is on our website.
 
Our next Spirit Night is on Tuesday, March 24 at the Ragin’ Cajun located at 4302 Richmond Avenue, 77027 from 4 to 9 pm…please plan on having food and fun with your STM families.

March 16 through 20…NO SCHOOL.  Early Dismissal this Friday, March 13 at 11:45 am

 We wish everyone a safe and fun Spring Break!


March 4 NEWS...

Thank you, thank you to all who came out last Thursday for our STREAM night.  It was great to see so many preschoolers enjoying the fun activities inside.  The viewing with the big telescopes was amazing.  Thank you parents for joining us!

Tonight, March 4, is the deadline to pre-order next week’s lunches.  You have until midnight to place your order at www.lunchdirect.com   school code is 592700.

Since we cancelled school last Friday and missed the “Go Texan Day”, the Preschool staff is busy planning Rodeo Activities for Friday, March 13.  The preschoolers may wear their Rodeo clothes (jeans, Western style shirt and tennis shoes) on March 13.  Please - no boots, hats or any Western toys such as spurs, chaps, or guns…thank you.

Also, next Friday, March 13 is an early dismissal day.  We will begin the Preschool Carpool line at 11:45 am.  Please pick up your preschooler first before heading over to the Day School carpool line…the older students will start dismissing at noon.

We celebrated Ash Wednesday last week – calling us to remember that we are created by God and will return to Him.  Throughout Lent, we are called to be reflective and meditative, turning away from sin and turning toward God by “giving alms - performing acts of charity, fasting and praying”.  May we each experience spiritual growth during Lent, so we can truly celebrate and recognize the great gift and miracle of the resurrection of our Lord and Savior at Easter.  Bishop Barron with Word on Fire says…”Lent is about doing things, things that involve the body as much as the mind, that involve the exterior of your life as much as the interior.”  If you would like to receive daily Lenten Gospel reflections go to this link and enter your email address…  https://www.lentreflections.com/

K of C will have their famous Fish Fry this Friday, March 6 in Prinster Hall / Cafeteria starting at 5 pm until the fish runs out.  Come early and enjoy the great food and the awesome STM community!

Please make sure you fill out the form for our Religion program on Circle of Grace.  Mrs. Moreno will begin these lessons soon.  The form is mandatory.


February 26 NEWS...ASH Wednesday
 
Thank you to all who supported last Friday’s Spirit event at Apex Cheer and Live Oak Grill.  The next Spirit event is on Tuesday, March 3, Barry’s Pizza at 6003 Richmond, 77057.  Purchases all day will benefit STM.  The KIDS Zone is from 6 to 8 pm and it includes face painting, balloon artist and a kid’s pizza making station.
 
We held our screening day for new students last Saturday and are preparing the acceptance letters for those families.  Please take time to submit your re-enrollment information for the 2020-2021 school year.  We would like to be able to hold your child’s spot, so please be prompt in registering and remember the Registration fees are discounted the earlier you register.  Also, read over your current data in FACTS and make any corrections on phone numbers, addresses and emails - thank you.  NEWS FLASH…STM will host a summer camp through KIDVENTURE starting June 1.  Please visit their website at kidventure.com and choose the St. Thomas More campus.
 
Our Lenten season begins today with Ash Wednesday.  Lent lasts for 40 days and reminds us that Jesus was in the desert.  He was hungry and tempted.  As Catholics, Lent is a time for praying, fasting, and almsgiving.  It is a time to sacrifice repent and reflect.  The Preschoolers had a special Praise and Worship Service with today’s Gospel, songs, prayers and distribution of Ashes by Fr. Clark.

Tomorrow, February 27, is our Astronomy/STREAM night starting at 5:30 pm in the New Gym…lots of fun activities for your Preschooler…star gazing is around 6:45 pm on the field.  See the Principal’s memo if you want to pre-order Chick-fil-A.
GO TEXAN Day is this Friday, February 28.  The Preschoolers may wear jeans, a Western style shirt and tennis shoes.  NO boots, hats or any Western toys – such as spurs, chaps, or guns…thank you.

This Friday is also the famous K of C FISH FRY…begins at 5 pm and ends when the fish runs out…come early and enjoy the great food and the awesome STM community!
Tonight is the deadline to order next week’s lunches…www.lunchdirect.com 592700.

February 19 NEWS...

Thank you, thank you to all who came out to race in the cold on Saturday!  It was quite chilly but no rain like last year.  We thank you for participating in STEPS and supporting Catholic education.

Tonight, February 19, is the deadline to pre-order next week’s lunches.  You have until midnight to place your order at www.lunchdirect.com   school code is 592700.

Thank you Mrs. Warner for sharing the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Holy Cards with all the students.  Mrs. Moreno has had several lessons with our Preschoolers on this very important first American born Saint.  Fr. Clark Blessed the Holy Cards and they have been given out to our students...please check your child’s backpack.  We also send prayers to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton for starting Catholic Schools in America!

STM Spirit event is this Friday, February 21 – fun activities at the Apex Cheer from 7 to 10 pm located at 4119 S. Main in Stafford…and good food at the Live Oak Grill from 11 am to 9:30 pm located at 12935 Dairy Ashford in Sugar Land.

Next Thursday, February 27 is our STREAM night.  Activities will begin at 5:30 pm in the new Gym.  We will have fun art, math games and more in the Gym.  At 6:30 pm the Fort Bend Astronomers Club will give a short presentation.  Then at 7 pm we will go outside to view the sky through the BIG telescopes!  Please come join us.

Please make sure you received the email regarding re-enrollment in your email.  The email was sent out last Friday.  If you did not receive this information, please give us a call so we may update your email information.  Remember, new this year – a tiered registration fee schedule.  Re-enrollment packets submitted by March 1, 2020 will have a $200 registration fee per student.  From March 2- 22, 2020 the registration fee is $250.00 per student and on March 23, 2020 the registration fee is $300.00 per student .  Please call Mrs. Judy Gentempo at 713-729-3434 if you have any questions regarding the re-enrollment packets.  We are looking forward to a great 2020-2021 school year!

Don't forget to fill out the form for our Religion program on Circle of Grace. 
Mrs. Moreno will begin these lessons the first of March...thank you.



February 12 NEWS...

Tonight, February 12, is the deadline to pre-order next week’s lunches.  You have until midnight to place your order at www.lunchdirect.com   school code is 592700.

Thanks to all who attended STM’s Spirit Day last Friday at Chuck E Cheese.  Our next STM Spirit event is on Friday, February 21 – fun activities at the Apex Cheer from 7 to 10 pm located at 4119 S. Main in Stafford…and good food at the Live Oak Grill from 11 am to 9:30 pm located at 12935 Dairy Ashford in Sugar Land.

On Friday we will celebrate St. Valentine’s Day - February 14.  Your child may bring Valentine cards or a non-food treat to share with your child’s classmates…please do NOT address the cards…this makes it much easier for the students to distribute them in the classroom.

Ms. Howard/Mrs. Moreno-Garza’s 3K class has 14 students
Mrs. Mack/Mrs. Mayorga’s 3K class has 15 students
Mrs. Garza/Mrs. Orsburn’s 4K class has 18 students
Mrs. Warner/Mrs. Chica’s 4K class has 18 students
 
Please look for the re-enrollment packet in your email tomorrow.  New this year – a tiered registration fee schedule.  Re-enrollment packets submitted by March 1, 2020 will have a $200 registration fee per student.  From March 2- 22, 2020 the registration fee is $250.00 per student and on March 23, 2020 the registration fee is $300.00 per student .  Please call Mrs. Judy Gentempo at 713-729-3434 if you have any questions regarding the re-enrollment packets.  We are looking forward to a great 2020-2021 school year!
 
It is almost here…Saturday, February 15 is RACE day for STEPS for STUDENTS. Sunrise Mass begins at 6:30 am and the Catholic School Village will also open at 6:30 am.  STM will have a corner booth…once you enter the gate to the Village turn to the left and walk to the end of the row and you will see the St. Thomas More booth on the corner!  Race time is 8 am - see you there!!!
 
Monday, February 17 is a Teacher In-Service day - NO Preschool – NO After School Care.

Please make sure you fill out the form for our Religion program on Circle of Grace.  Mrs. Moreno will begin these lessons the first of March...thank you.



February 5 NEWS...

Tonight, February 5, is the deadline to pre-order next week’s lunches.  You have until midnight to place your order at www.lunchdirect.com   school code is 592700.

Thank you parents for attending the Open House last week and participating in our Catholic Schools’ Week activities!  We also appreciate  all the food donations…we reached our goal of 100 plus items for the      St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry.  They were very appreciative of the Preschoolers’ donations!

PK Fours did an awesome job with their 100 day presentations.  We will be counting their 100 items all week.  We appreciate your help in charting the 100 items and the creativity you spent working with your child on this homework project…please continue to count at home with your children. They had a busy but fun day – check out the STM Facebook page!

Please make sure you fill out the form for our Religion program on Circle of Grace that was mentioned in the Principals’ Memo.  Mrs. Moreno will begin these lessons the first of March.

Next week we will celebrate St. Valentine’s Day on Friday, February 14.  Your child may bring Valentine cards or a non-food treat to share with your child’s classmates…please do NOT address the cards…this makes it much easier for the students to distribute them in the classroom.

Ms. Howard/Mrs. Moreno-Garza’s 3K class has 14 students
Mrs. Mack/Mrs. Mayorga’s 3K class has 15 students
Mrs. Garza/Mrs. Orsburn’s 4K class has 18 students
Mrs. Warner/Mrs. Chica’s 4K class has 18 students
 
Friday, is STM’s Spirit Day from 3 to 8 pm at Chuck E Cheese located at 1920 Southwest Freeway in Stafford.  Make plans to join the STM Community on February 7^th.

Friday is also the STM Fish Fry starting at 5 pm until the FISH runs out!  Join the Knights of Columbus and their famous award winning fried fish in Prinster Hall/Cafeteria on February 7^th.

Sunday, February 9 at 3 pm is Dream Dinners…if you pre-registered.

Friday, February 14th the STM Girl Scouts are offering babysitting at the Preschool – see the flyer and please note the deadline to register is this Friday, February 7.  

Saturday, February 15 is RACE day for STEPS for STUDENTS - If you have already registered, we appreciate your support and we look forward to seeing you on race day! You may still register online at

www.steps4students.org  
 
Monday, February 17 is a Teacher In-Service day - NO Preschool and   NO After School Care.

BOX TOPS has made it easier for you to earn money for STM…please see the flyer that was sent home with your child or check out this link

https://www.boxtops4education.com/




Our Catholic Schools’ Week “Learn Serve Lead Succeed” has been a busy one! 

Please remember that we are having an Open House tonight from 5 to 7 pm...Wednesday, January 29, 2020.

Please bring your child with you to visit their classroom and then you may head over to the Book Fair in the Library.

Please note that Mrs. Mack is ill and will be unavailable to meet with you this evening.  However, feel free to stop by and see the classroom and your child(ren)'s artwork!


Tonight, January 29, is the deadline to pre-order next week’s lunches.  You have until midnight to place your order at www.lunchdirect.com  
school code is 592700.






January 22 NEWS...

CARPOOL changes for tomorrow, Thursday, January 23 due to the Archdiocesan Science Fair being held on our campus:

We will start the Preschool Carpool line at 8am in the circle driveway (the older students will be using the driveway between the Preschool building and the Old Gym/Rehkopf Center from 7:30-8am).  Afternoon Carpool line will remain the same from 3:10 to 3:30 pm.

CAFETERIA menu change…since the Science Fair students will be housed in the cafeteria on Thursday, NO LUNCHES will be available to purchase.  All students must bring a lunch from home on Thursday, January 23…thank you. We appreciate your patience in advance…STM will have an extra 250 students who are participating in the Science Fair, 40 judges, sponsors and parents on the campus from 6:30am to 3:30pm.

Our Catholic Schools’ Week “Learn Serve Lead Succeed” starts this Sunday, January 26. Please see our calendar of events below:

SUNDAY, JAN 26 - Wear your school uniform to church at any Mass to show your school pride and celebrate Catholic education.  Join us at the 9am Mass where the students will participate as Altar Servers, Ushers and singing in the Choir!  The Book Fair in the school Library will open on Sunday at 10am and will close at 2pm.

MONDAY, JAN 27 - We will celebrate our community…please bring a canned good/non-perishable item for our St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry and wear jeans and tennis shoes with your choice of any STM shirt.  The Food Pantry needs cereal, peanut butter and jelly, spaghetti sauce, tomato sauce, corn, and toilet paper…thank you.

TUESDAY, JAN 28 – We will celebrate our students.  Wear your pajamas to school.  You need a good night sleep to do your best at school.  Students in PK3 - 3rd grade may wear pajamas; students in 4th - 8^th grades may wear their college gear!  

7 to 8am is also the Pancake Breakfast with Dad in Prinster Hall/Cafeteria. You must sign up and pay for this event by Friday January 24…$5 per person.  You are free to eat anytime between 7 and 8 am on Tuesday, January 28.  (If dad is unavailable, your student may bring a favorite adult to breakfast.)  You must pre-register online – go to the STM website’s home page…please note that NO walk-ins will be accepted. 

After the Pancake Breakfast please stroll over to the Book Fair in the STM Library and then take your child to the Preschool building for class.  All proceeds from the Pancake Breakfast go towards the STM Steps for Students Fundraising Goal.  The STEPS registration is $20 through January 31, 2020.  On Friday, February 1 the fee will be $30 per person.  Please register your student now.

If your child is not attending the Pancake Breakfast, Preschool carpool line will begin as always at 7:45 am.

WEDNESDAY, JAN 29 - Current Family Open House from 5:00 to 7:00pm.  This is a family event.  Please bring your child to the classroom between 5 and 7:00pm.  Your child is eager to show off their school work and artistic creations with you!  Please come and see all the fun we are having in Preschool.  The Book Fair will also be opened until 7:00pm in the Library.

THURSDAY, Jan 30 – celebrate our Nation and wear a red, white and blue top with your uniform bottoms…r/w/b socks may also be worn!  The Preschoolers will learn about St. Elizabeth Ann Seton who established the first free Catholic school in America located in Baltimore, Maryland.

FRIDAY, January 31 - Preschool Praise and Worship Service – we will celebrate our Priests and Deacons. 

A very special Thank You to our parents for the delicious luncheon today…we appreciate your hard work and love!  It was an amazing healthy Valentine luncheon.

Congrats to the Delapaz Family for their first place win in the Chili Cook-Off this past Saturday and Hot Tamale congrats to our Preschool Staff in their second place win! 

Please mark your calendars for some future FUN events…
Friday, February 7 is STM Spirit Night from 3 to 8pm at Chuck E Cheese’s located at 11920 Southwest Freeway in Stafford. 

Sunday, February 9 at 3pm join us at Dream Dinners at 5107 Bellaire to assemble 3 delicious meals to take home and enjoy with your family for only $34.99 and $10 from each purchase will be donated to STM! Go to https://dreamdinners.com/session/828258 for more info and to pre-order. 

Friday, February 14 enjoy a romantic evening with your Valentine while the STM Girl Scouts (High School group) babysit your children here at the STM Preschool. 

Saturday, February 15 is our Steps for Students Race Day!

Steps for Students will be held in downtown Houston at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart (1111 St. Joseph Pkwy). There is limited free parking available. Please prepare to pay for parking and arrive before 7:00 am when street closures go into effect.

Race Day Schedule:
6:30 am Catholic School Village Opens
6:30 am Mass at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart
7:45 am Presentation of the President's Cup and David Guite Spirit Award
8:00 am Timed 5K Start
8:10 am Untimed 5K/1 Mile Start
9:00 am Post-Race Party

Thank you for your commitment to help raise funds and awareness for Catholic education. We look forward to seeing you on race day!

Monday, February 17 is a Teacher In-Service Day – NO Preschool, NO After School Care.  


January 15 NEWS...

The Preschool Staff will be competing in Saturday’s First Annual STM Chili Cook-Off.  Please make plans now to join us on January 18th after the 5 pm Mass.  We are meeting in Prinster Hall/Cafeteria for a fun and delicious family event at 6 pm. The Chili Cook-Off event will benefit Steps for Students and has been coordinated in effort with the Knights of Columbus. Twelve Cook-off teams have been formed and are ready to go.  Come out and savor the taste!
 
Tonight, January 15, is the deadline to pre-order next week’s lunches.  You have until midnight to place your order at www.lunchdirect.com   school code is 592700.

Tonight is also STM’s Spirit Night at Bernie’s.  Make plans to join the STM Community at Bernie's Burger Bus Wednesday, January 15^th.  Orders placed all day, dine in or carry out, will benefit STM!  Mark your calendars ....take the night off and let someone else do the cooking!   Bernie’s is located at 5407 Bellaire Blvd. 

Monday, January 20 is Martin Luther King Holiday - NO PRESCHOOL and NO After School Care.
 
A Pancakes with DAD Flyer was sent home this week…please note that you must pre-register and pay online by Friday, January 24 if you plan on attending the event.  More Catholic Schools’ Week info is coming soon – including the Book Fair!


Happy New Year 2020!
 
Welcome Back and thank you, thank you to our wonderful families for your generosity at Christmas.  We are so blessed to have your joyous children in our school.  Tonight, January 8, is the deadline to pre-order next week’s lunches.  You have until midnight to place your order at www.lunchdirect.com   school code is 592700.

Monday, January 6 was the Epiphany of Our Lord, or the 12th day of Christmas…the church celebrated the Epiphany this past Sunday.  The word “epiphany” comes from the Greek epiphainen, a verb that means "to shine upon," "to manifest," or “to make known.” Thus, the feast of the Epiphany celebrates the many ways that Christ has made Himself known to the world.  The visit of the Magi is emphasized on Epiphany Day, and Christ's baptism is celebrated the first Sunday that follows, January 12, 2020.  

Casa de Esperanza (the House of Hope for Children) was very grateful for our pajamas donation…thank you for putting a BIG smile on the children at Casa de Esperanza.

Make plans to join the STM Community at Bernie's Burger Bus next Wednesday, January 15^th.  Orders placed all day, dine in or carry out, will benefit STM!  Mark your calendars ....take the night off and let someone else do the cooking!   Bernies is located at 5407 Bellaire Blvd, 77401.
 
Calling all cooks.... please plan on joining in on the Chili fun next Saturday, January 18th for the 1st Annual STM Chili Cook-Off.  This yummy event will benefit Steps for Students and will be coordinated in effort with the Knights of Columbus.  Put your cook-off teams together now.  The Preschool Staff has entered a team!  Details can be found in the Principal’s Memo.  Hope to see you there!

Monday, January 20 is Martin Luther King Holiday - NO PRESCHOOL and NO After School Care.

Happy Epiphany 2020!

There is a special tradition of bringing Christ into your home for the new year.  Take a piece of chalk and write CMB plus 2020 over your front door – the numerals of the new year along with the initials of the legendary Magi:  Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar …CMB in Latin also stands for “Christ, Bless this Home”.  We bless our homes knowing that God reveals Himself in the daily experiences of our lives.  Some families also bless each room sprinkling them with holy water. The blessing speaks of journeys ended and journeys begun at the doorway, and prays that all journeys be as satisfying as was the Magi’s.  It prays that the house beyond the door have the quality of love and peace that the Magi marveled at when they at last arrived in Bethlehem. 

The CMB+2020 is a good way to share our faith with others when they ask you “What is that over your door?” explain to them that you have Christ in your home - 

    Be PROUD to be Catholic!  

 

December 18 NEWS...


Please mark your calendar for January 4, 2020 for STM’s Winter Swim Party at the Houston Aquatic Center.  Please see the back of this memo for more information - remember half of the cost will go to STM!Thank you to everyone who had a chance to shop at Kendra Scott and/or phone in their orders last Thursday…what a nice PTO event…thank you Mrs. Theresa Orsburn for all your hard work.  This was ou

THANK YOU…The Wassail and Cookie Weekend was a huge success. It was only possible because of the many, many volunteers that helped. From those who set up the sign up link to bakers to servers, you all made it a truly memorable event. Thank you to Ms. Thome and staff for their continued support. It was a wonderful way to celebrate the Advent season. Thank you for sharing your time, talent and treasures and mostly your friendship with our parish family.  May you and yours have a very Blessed Christmas, Mrs. Warner and Mrs. MorenoT
 
 
The Preschool Staff wishes everyone a Blessed and Joyous Christmas.  May you have a happy and healthy New Year 2020!


December 11 NEWS...

Tonight, December 11, is the deadline to pre-order next week’s lunches.  You have until midnight to place your order at www.lunchdirect.com   school code is 592700.

Thank you, thank you for all the pajamas!  We collected 60 pairs of new pajamas from infants to adults.  We are now waiting to see which organization will receive your generous donation…we will keep you posted.

Spirit Night at Kendra Scott in First Colony from 6 to 8 pm tomorrow, Thursday, December 12. Light refreshments will be provided while you shop! 20% of all sales will go to STM.  If you are unable to attend, you may phone in your order at 832-532-8521.

The SCRIP fundraising information was sent home earlier this week.  If you want to purchase gift cards – please turn in your order form with the payment by Friday, December 13 and then plan to pick up your order on Wednesday, December 18.

BINGO NIGHT is this Friday.  Doors will open at 6 pm in Servant Hall.  The first game will begin promptly at 6:30 pm.  This fun evening will support our Steps for Students.

Calling all of Santa's helpers!  It is STM’s Cookie and Wassail Weekend…December 14 and 15 (STM’s Gift Giving Weekend).  Cookies and Wassail (hot apple cider) will be served after all the Masses.  As you can imagine, we need lots of volunteers to either bake or purchase cookies to donate and still more elves to help serve after each Mass.  We will be accepting cookies (store bought or homemade) on December 13^th, this Friday in the Preschool.  If you can help, please contact Kathy Warner at kwarner@stmorenews.com. Thank you!

STEPS and Santa photos…it is not too late to register for STEPS.  We did take photos of every child that was present in school last Wednesday with Santa.  Please turn in your form as soon as possible…thank you.

Mark your calendar for a Winter Swim Party on January 4^th from 1 to 4 pm at the Swim Houston Aquatic Center located at 8454 W. Airport.  Cost is $8 per child (half will go to STM).

We will break for the Christmas holidays with an early dismissal on December 20 with carpool line beginning at 10:30 am.  Please pick up your Preschooler first…the older students’ carpool line will begin at 10:45 am.  NO After School on Friday, December 20.  Classes will resume on Monday, January 6, 2020.
 
  JESUS IS COMING! 

“SLOW DOWN…BE WATCHFUL!           
BE ALERT!”  



December 4 news...
Tonight, December 4, is the deadline to pre-order next week’s lunches.  You have until midnight to place your order at www.lunchdirect.com   school code is 592700.

Our Thanksgiving Prayer Service and Song Festival was absolutely beautiful.  We appreciate Fr. Clark and Ms. Thome and all our families joining us on our special day of Praise.  We are blessed to be a special part of this amazing St. Thomas More Community.   We also give THANKS to the Bellaire store and also to the Fountain View store...H-E-B's The ROASTERY for their generous coffee and donut donation to our Preschool Thanksgiving event. 

Many families benefitted with Thanksgiving baskets from our students’ generosity of food items to the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry.  Thank you for sharing in this time of need.

Advent began this past Sunday, December 1, and the children are busy preparing for Jesus’ birthday and many Christmas surprises.  Please remember that Advent looks back to the first coming of Christ, our Savior, in Bethlehem; and it looks to the future when Christ will come again.  We hope you will be able to start your own family traditions during this liturgical season – the Advent Wreath is one tradition that we discussed in Religion classes with the students.  You can pray and sing around your Advent Wreath.  Some great Advent websites:  www.usccb.org, www.catholiceducation.org, www.catholicicing.com, and www.catholicmom.com.

Advent Wreaths - We light the first purple candle, PROMISE, to remind us that God promised to send us His son, Jesus.  The second purple candle, LIGHT, reminds us that the light of God’s love will show in our lives when Jesus is guiding us.  The third candle (pink), LOVE, reminds us that God wants us to love HIM and each other.  Finally, the fourth candle (purple), HOPE, reminds us that God gave us a gift of hope and life forever with Him.  Some Advent wreath traditions also include a fifth white “Christ” candle, symbolizing purity, that is lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas day…place this candle in the center of your wreath. Take time to go over ADVENT activities – the purple flyer was sent home before Thanksgiving break.               

In the SPIRIT of St. Nicholas (feast day is Friday, December 6) – Santa and Mrs. Claus stopped in to take photos with all our preschoolers.  If you would still like to register for STEPS and receive a Santa Photo please return the form by this Friday.

Thank you for joining us yesterday at STM’s Spirit Night at Los Tios.  Remember you can also visit Tomfoolery (the toy store next door) through today, December 4 and a percentage of the sales will come to STM.

Pajama Drive is back!!!  We are partnering with Scholastic Reading Club.  For every new pair of pajamas you donate, Scholastic Reading Club will pair it with a brand-new book!  Any size NEW pajamas will be accepted – from newborn to adult…please send the new pajamas to the Preschool by Friday, December 6.  The pajamas and books will be given to a child living in a homeless shelter for a reassuring bedtime.

Breakfast with Santa is Saturday, December 7 from 8:30 to 10 am in Servant Hall…hosted by the Knights of Columbus…don’t forget your cameras!

Also, on Saturday, December 7, Dr. Chucle’s Girl Scout troop is having a Giftwrapping Fundraiser in Prinster Hall from 12 noon to 2 pm.  If you hate to wrap gifts – let her troop handle this holiday chore! 

Calling all of Santa's helpers!  STM’s Cookie and Wassail Weekend is December 14 and 15 (STM’s Gift Giving Weekend), cookies and Wassail will be served after all the Masses.  As you can imagine, we need lots of volunteers to either bake or purchase cookies to donate and still more elves to help serve after each Mass.  We will be accepting cookies on December 13^th, that Friday in the Preschool.  If you can help, please contact Kathy Warner at kwarner@stmorenews.com. Thank you!

GENTLE REMINDERS: 
Please be prompt in both drop off in the mornings (7:45 to 8 am) and at the Preschool dismissal time (3:10 to 3:25 pm).

Please do not send any type of medicines to school in your child’s lunch kit or back pack…this includes vitamins and cough drops – which are medicines.  All medicines (over the counter or prescribed medicines) that need to be administered during school hours need to be in the original package and given to either Ms. Coltharp or the nurse, Mrs. Zepeda, with a Doctor’s permission form.  The form is on the school website.

Please change the extra clothing in your child’s backpack – from summer clothes to winter clothes.  Remember to label all Sweaters and Coats.

We will break for the Christmas holidays with an early dismissal on December 20 with carpool line beginning at 10:45 am.
 
 
JESUS IS COMING!  “SLOW DOWN…BE WATCHFUL!  BE ALERT!”   
 


November 21...THANK YOU, THANK YOU to the Bellaire store and also to the Fountain View store...H-E-B's The ROASTERY for their generous coffee and donut donation to our Preschool Thanksgiving Service this morning. 

November 20, 2019 NEWS...

NEWS FLASH...Early Dismissal on Friday, November 22, ...carpool line will begin at 11:30 am.

Next Wednesday, November 27, is the deadline to pre-order the December 2nd week’s lunches.  You have until midnight on November 27 to place your order at www.lunchdirect.com   The school code is 592700.  You may want to place it now!
 
Tomorrow, Thursday, November 21, in Servant Hall at 8:30 am is our PRESCHOOL Thanksgiving Prayer Service and Song Festival with the Preschoolers.  This is a very special day with the Preschoolers singing to families and friends.  Please drop off your Preschooler in carpool line by 8 am so that we may parade over to Servant Hall by 8:30 am.  We will open the doors to Servant Hall at 7:45 am so that you may come over after carpool line.  Please note this year the Preschoolers will sing their special “Grandparent” song after the Thanksgiving Service on Thursday.  We will also have a photo opportunity with you and your Preschooler.  Light refreshments will be available after the Preschool program…it should last about 45 minutes.

Grandparents’ Day is this Friday, November 22 starting with 8:15 am Mass and light refreshments after Mass in Servant Hall and then a program in the Old Gym.  The Preschoolers will walk over at 10 am and sing their one song to the Grandparents and then return back to the Preschool Building.  The song lasts less than a minute.  However, the older students will be putting on a special program to the grandparents.  You are welcome to join us on both days for these two special events.

Thank you to all who donated food to our SVDP Food Pantry – they were very happy to see all the wonderful Preschool donations!

Pajama Drive is back!!!  STM Preschool is partnering with Scholastic Reading Club.  For every new pair of pajamas you donate, Scholastic Reading Club will pair it with a brand-new book!  Any size NEW pajamas will be accepted – from newborn to adult…please send the new pajamas to the Preschool by Monday, December 2.  The pajamas and books will be given to a child living in a homeless shelter for a reassuring bedtime.

Mark your calendar for our STEPS events… December 4th - Pictures with Santa.  December 13th - STM Community Bingo Night.  January 18th - First Annual Chili Cook-Off.  February 5th - Fun Run-a-Thon.  February 15th - Steps for Students Race Day downtown.

K of C will be hosting a Santa event.  Saturday, December 7 from 8:30 to 10 am, Santa will be in Servant Hall to visit with the children.  Please bring your camera!    

Mark your calendars…December 14-15 is Gift Giving Sunday at St. Thomas More Parish and the tradition is that the entire community enjoys Wassail and Cookies after all the Masses that weekend.  We are seeking bakers, servers and behind the scene helpers that weekend.  Dad’s we could use your help after the Masses to move the wassail thermoses.  Be looking for more information in the coming weeks.  Contact Kathy Warner at kwarner@stmorenews.com if you are able to help with Wassail Sunday.
 
Prayers and Blessings to all our STM families and friends for a HAPPY Thanksgiving.  We will be on Thanksgiving break November 25 through November 29.  First Sunday of Advent – December 1^st.


November 13 NEWS...

Tonight, November 13, is the deadline to pre-order next week’s lunches.  You have until midnight to place your order at www.lunchdirect.com   school code is 592700.

TODAY – is our Spirit Day at Tapester's Grill located at 4520 Beechnut St, 77096…they are opened until 8:30 pm.  Please join us Wednesday, November 13, 2019, for good food and family fun.   All orders placed on this day, dine in or carry out, will benefit STM! 

Please join us on Thursday, November 21, in Servant Hall at 8:30 a.m. for our PRESCHOOL Thanksgiving Prayer Service and Song Festival with the children.  Please note this year the Preschoolers will sing their special “Grandparent” song after the Thanksgiving Service.  We will also have a photo opportunity with you and your Preschooler!  Light refreshments will be available after the program.  Please send back the yellow form with your RSVP by this Friday, November 15…thank you.

Thanksgiving is only 2 weeks away…our SVDP Food Pantry needs your help by providing food for Thanksgiving baskets…please see last week’s memo for the list.

Pajama Drive is back!!!  STM Preschool is partnering with Scholastic Reading Club.  For every new pair of pajamas you donate, Scholastic Reading Club will pair it with a brand-new book!  Any size NEW pajamas will be accepted – from newborn to adult…please send the new pajamas to the Preschool by Monday, December 2.  The pajamas and books will be given to a child living in a homeless shelter for a reassuring bedtime.

K of C will be hosting a Santa event.  Saturday, December 7 from 8:30 to 10 am, Santa will be in Servant Hall to visit with the children.  Please bring your camera!   
 
Mark your calendars…December 14-15 is Gift Giving Sunday at St. Thomas More Parish and the tradition is that the entire community enjoys Wassail and Cookies after all the Masses that weekend.  We are seeking bakers, servers and behind the scene helpers that weekend.  Dad’s we could use your help after the Masses to move the wassail thermoses.  Be looking for more information in the coming weeks.  Contact  Kathy Warner at kwarner@stmorenews.com if you are able to help with Wassail Sunday!
 



November 6 NEWS...

Tonight, November 6, is the deadline to pre-order next week’s lunches.  You have until midnight to place your order at www.lunchdirect.com   school code is 592700.

REMINDERS:
            SAFETY - Please refrain from using your cell phone while in our school zones during   carpool line.  Safety of the children comes first…thank you.
            UNIFORM - Girls need to wear privacy shorts under their jumpers/dresses please.  Any tights worn must be the school colors…a solid red, solid white or a solid black…no prints.
            Any shirts worn under the short sleeve uniform shirts must also be in the solid school    colors of red, white or black.
            Tennis shoes should be worn daily…no ballet flats or sandals or boots.

Dad's Club Campout is this weekend and Registration is now live ...You may register and pay at the STM Membership Toolkit.  We're looking forward to seeing you on Friday, November 8th to Saturday, November 9th.  Family fun, a movie, a fire pit, s'mores and camping under the stars.  Dinner, popcorn and breakfast are included.  More details can be found on the school website.

Make plans to join STM for our next Spirit Day on Wednesday, November 13, 2019, at Tapester's Grill located at 4520 Beechnut St, 77096…hours are 7 am to 8:30 pm.  All orders placed on this day, dine in or carry out, will benefit STM! 

HELP PLEASE…Our Prospective Family Open House is on Friday, November 15, 2019.  We are inviting new families to the school Mass at 8:15 am and then to join us over in the Library for an informational session with Ms. Thome, our Principal.  Afterwards, I will be giving Preschool  and Campus Tours.  Please, spread the word about our wonderful school and invite your neighbors and friends to the Open House on Friday, November 15^th.

Thanksgiving is only 3 weeks away…our SVDP Food Pantry needs your help by providing food for Thanksgiving baskets…please see the back side of this memo.

Thursday, November 21, the Preschool classes, will be hosting a Thanksgiving Prayer Service in Servant Hall.  Everyone is welcome to join us for our Preschool Thanksgiving Prayer Service and Song Festival.  Please have your preschooler arrive by 8 am so they may parade over with their class to Servant Hall.  This year we are inviting all families, friends and grandparents to join us in Servant Hall.  The Preschoolers will sing their “Grandparent Song” after the Thanksgiving Service.  We will have light refreshments after our program.  Invitations with a RSVP will go out next week so we may get a head count for the refreshments.

HELP THE SVDP FOOD PANTRY PUT THE
 
        GIVING IN THANKSGIVING!
 
       Shop from the below list to assist our friends in need in preparing their Thanksgiving meals (or pre-filled bags can be purchased at our local neighborhood Walmart).

We will resume classes on Monday, January 6, 2020.

• Bring the items to the Food Pantry during pantry hours (Tuesday & Thursdays 9-11 & 1-3) or during closed hours, your donation can be dropped at the Parish Office.  Please DO NOT leave any food by the Adoration Chapel.
• Help by continuing to drop off your Thanksgiving food donations at the pantry as we continue to share our bounty with our friends.  We need your help!
• Accept our thanks and those of whom we serve because of your generosity.

 Shopping List:

[  ] 2 cans Chicken Broth                    [  ] 1 box Stuffing Mix       [  ] 2 cans of Corn
[  ] 2 cans Fruit                                      [  ] 1 box Cake Mix             [  ] 2 cans of Green Beans
[  ] 1 Gravy Mix Packet                       [  ] 1 can Cake Frosting     [  ] 1 box Mashed Potatoes
[  ]  Ice Tea or Drink Mix


October 30 NEWS...

Tonight, October 30, is the deadline to pre-order next week’s lunches.  You have until midnight to place your order at www.lunchdirect.com   school code is 592700.

Prayers of thanksgiving to our beloved Astros who have given us a longer baseball season this year!  Tonight is the night where we will “Take IT Back” …Go ‘STROS! 

Thank you, thank you to all who joined us on Monday at Escalante’s for STM’s Spirit Day…we earned over $300 on your dinners!  Thanks also to Escalante’s for their generosity to STM.  Our next event will be on Wednesday, November 13 at Tapester’s Grill.

Tomorrow is HALLOWEEN, Thursday, October 31,  and the Preschoolers will have a parade in their class-made costumes in the Old Gym at 8:30 am.  We will begin promptly at 8:30 in the morning.  Families and friends are welcome to join us for this fun event.  The children will sing a few Halloween songs after they parade into the gym.  Please do NOT send your child to school in their own Halloween costume…they will wear the ones made at school.  We will put the class made costumes over their clothing for the Halloween Parade.  Please have your child at the Preschool building by 8 am on Thursday, October 31^st.  After you drop off your child we will open the doors to the Old Gym so that you may be seated before the Preschoolers parade over to you!

Halloween comes from the word hallowed meaning “holy” or “sacred”.  November 1 is the Solemnity of All Saints – where the Church honors all of God’s saints (holy people).  It is a family day of celebration in memory of those family members now sharing eternal happiness in the presence of God.  Halloween is the vigil or the evening before All Saints Day.  We eagerly anticipate the celebration of our living connection with the Saints – all the faithful who have lived and died before us.  We ask the Saints to pray for us and to help us to make good choices.  November 1 is a Holy Day of Obligation.

Knights of Columbus Fish Fry is this Friday, November 1^st starting at 5 pm until the fish runs out…The Fish Fry will be in the Cafeteria/Prinster Hall…in the back.

Sunday, November 3, 2019 - Daylight Savings will end.  Please remember to fall back an hour or turn your clock back one hour before you go to bed on Saturday.  This means sunrise and sunset will be an hour earlier now…more light in the morning and it will get darker quicker in the evenings.

Report Cards were emailed last Friday.  Please note the designated evaluation codes:
 
          M – Most of the Time                          SO – Sometimes
          WT – Working Towards                       NI – Not Introduced 




October 23 NEWS...

Tonight, October 23, is the deadline to pre-order next week’s lunches.  You have until midnight to place your order at www.lunchdirect.com   school code is 592700.
 
Thank you, thank you to all who contributed to the success of this year's Oktoberfest!  We could not do this without all of our wonderful students and their families, teachers and staff, weekend volunteers, booth sponsors, raffle ticket sellers, and those who donated to the rummage sale, plant booth, stuffed animal booth, delicious treats to the sweet shop, cake walk and candy booth. Most of all we thank everyone who came out to enjoy the fellowship of this day. Watch this memo in upcoming weeks for a final amount raised. 
 
Congratulations on a job well done to all students for selling Oktoberfest Raffle Tickets.  As a school community we sold over $50,000 in raffle tickets…this is absolutely amazing!  Our top selling family in the Preschool community is the Yancy family (Sydney in 4KA and Harper in 4KB).  The Yancy Family sold $904.00 in raffle tickets…THANK YOU!!!  The following are the top selling students in our Preschool Homerooms (please note that if you have siblings the sales are split between homerooms)…
          3KA  Ms. Howard – Lincoln Stoker
          3KB  Mrs. Mack –  Mia Alfafara and Elizabeth Newsome
          4KA  Mrs. Garza – Sydney Harper
          4KB  Mrs. Waner -  Emory Moreno
Thank you, thank you, thank you for all your hard work!
 
Please join us for our next STM Spirit Day at Escalante’s in Meyerland on Monday, October 28, for lunch or dinner…just mention STM when you order!
 
HALLOWEEN, Thursday, October 31, the Preschoolers will parade in their class-made costumes in the Old Gym at 8:30 am.  We will begin promptly at 8:30.  Families and friends are welcome to join us for this fun event.  The children will also sing a few Halloween songs after they parade into the gym.  Please do NOT send your child to school in their own Halloween costume…they will wear the ones made at school.  We will put the class made costumes over their clothing for the Halloween Parade.  Please have your child at the Preschool building by 8 am on Thursday, October 31^st.




October 16 NEWS...

Tonight, October 16, is the deadline to pre-order next week’s lunches.  You have until midnight to place your order at www.lunchdirect.com   school code is 592700. 

Just 4 more days until OKTOBERFEST.  Please join in on our fun between 10 am to 6 pm on Sunday, October 20^th.  All children who have this year’s PURPLE Oktoberfest t-shirt may wear it to school on Friday, October 18, with jeans.  If you do not have the shirt – please dress in the school uniform.
 
We need volunteers in the Stuffed Animal Booth…please let us know if you can work a1 or 2 hour shift with Mrs. Mack. 
 
The Sweet Shoppe needs help with baked sweets - either home-made or store bought (please label if they have nuts).  You may bring these baked goodies to school on Friday, October 18 when you drop-off your preschooler in the morning or at pick-up in the afternoon. OR, you may drop them off at the Scout House (Sweet Shoppe) anytime on Sunday during Oktoberfest - we appreciate all your help…thank you.
 
Raffle sales are going great – we are so close to reaching our goal this year that Mrs. Prado is sure we will exceed our goal.  Please keep selling your raffle tickets but turn them in by 3 pm on Friday so we can count your sales!  Thank you again for all your hard work in making this year’s Oktoberfest a success – you are appreciated J Reminder, if we make our goal, we will have a school holiday on Monday, October 21.
 
HALLOWEEN - Thursday, October 31, the Preschoolers will parade in their class-made costumes in the Old Gym at 8:30 am.  You are welcome to join us for this fun event – the children will also sing some Halloween songs.  Please do NOT send your child to school in a Halloween costume…they will wear the ones made at school.  Please have your child at school by 8 am.
 

October 9 NEWS...

Tonight, October 9, is the deadline to pre-order next week’s lunches.  You have until midnight to place your order at www.lunchdirect.com   school code is 592700. 

It's Oktoberfest time of year…only 11 days away…Please mark your calendar for our fabulous fun event on Sunday, October 20, 2019 from 10 am to 6 pm.  Raffle Sales are at $30,000 and our goal is $50,000.  We appreciate your support - please keep selling, selling, selling your raffle tickets!  This Sunday, October 13 is the last weekend that you may sell tickets after all the Masses.  For more Oktoberfest information please go to the school website and register for the membershiptoolkit – https://stthomasmorepto.membershiptoolkit.com/ There are many ways you may volunteer to help make this a successful event:
          * Sign up to work a shift at a Food or Games Booth. 
          * Start collecting items for the Rummage Sale.
          * Decide on which "sweet" you are baking for the Sweet Shoppe and Cake Walk.
          * Donate a couple of boxes of "movie theatre size" candy for the Candy Store.
          * Donate "gently loved" stuffed animals.  No animal is too big or too small.
          * Donate some plants or a small pot for the Plant Booth.
          * Donate a new game, puzzle or small toy for the Plinko Game Booth.

The students are looking great in all their outfits for our Homecoming/Spirit Week.  Tomorrow is the last day to take part in a non-uniform day for the week.  Thursday, October 10 your child may wear the Red or Black STM Spirit shirt or any shirt with red/black/white on it with their uniform bottoms.  Friday will be a school uniform day.
 
Thank you to all our families who participated in Monday’s Spirit Night at the 401 Restaurant. Next Spirit event is tomorrow, October 10^th.  Stop by for a sno-cone at the Kona Ice truck right after school or during the soccer game.  You can also visit the Tiger Spirit Pop-Up Shop which will be located next to the Kona Ice truck.  The Tiger Spirit store will be featuring STM’s latest and greatest t-shirts, hats and more.
 
Car Safety reminders – when picking up your child from Preschool for After School Care or for a Doctor’s appointment, etc…please never leave your car running.  Also, do NOT leave any valuables visible.  We have had purses stolen from our circle driveway even with a grandparent in the car.  We need to all work together to keep our children and families safe…thank you.
 
Monday, October 14 is a Teacher In-Service…no Preschool and no After School Care.

October is National Fire Prevention Month - keep your family and your home safe.  Please have a fire drill at home and discuss with your child where you will meet outside your home. Don’t forget to change your batteries in smoke detectors too. 

 FIRE SAFETY – from KidsHealth...

Unfortunately, many children will try to hide from a fire, often in a closet, under a bed, or in a corner. By teaching them basic fire safety facts, they'll be better able to protect themselves.

Fires spread quickly.  Most fire-related deaths are not from smoke inhalation – not burns.

Dangerous fumes can overcome a person in just a few minutes.

Cover your mouths and noses with a moist towel or an article of clothing to keep out dangerous fumes while evacuating.

Crawl under the smoke to safety, staying as low to the ground as possible (smoke always rises).

Touch any door (not the doorknob) to see if it is hot, and if it is, not to open it — find another exit.

Locate the nearest stairway marked "Fire Exit" if they live in an apartment building.

Avoid elevators during a fire.

Never stop to take personal belongings or pets or to make a phone call (even to 911).

Never go back into a burning building once safely outside.

Stop, drop, and roll to put out flames if an article of clothing catches fire.

Children have fire drills at school and adults have them at work. Fires are frightening and can cause panic. By rehearsing different situations, your family will be better prepared in the event of a fire at home.  Be sure to plan escape routes, especially in case a fire were to happen at night. 

Plan possible exits for each room in your house.  Think of two escape routes from each room, in case one is blocked by fire.  Check the room to make sure that furniture and other objects are not blocking doorways or windows.

Be sure to know the locations of the closest stairwells or fire escapes and where they lead.

Practice the escape routes for each room.

Decide on a safe meeting place outside your house or apartment building.

Test your plan to see if everyone can be out of the house and at the safe meeting place within 3 minutes.  Make sure your babysitters know the plan too.



October 2 NEWS...

Tonight, October 2, is the deadline to pre-order next week’s lunches.  You have until midnight to place your order at www.lunchdirect.com   school code is 592700. 

It's Oktoberfest time of year!  Please mark your calendar for our fabulous fun event on Sunday, October 20, 2019 from 10 am to 6 pm.  Raffle Sales are at $20,000 and our goal is $50,000.  We appreciate your support - please keep selling your raffle tickets!
 
Several items are needed to make Oktoberfest a success…gently used stuffed animals for the Stuffed Animal Booth – all sizes are accepted, gently used books for the book sale, plants for the plant booth, baked goodies and sweets for the Sweet Shoppe (held in the Scout House) and/or the Cake Walk which is in front of the New Gym…please mark your sweets if they contain nuts.  Donations are very much appreciated - especially, items for the Rummage Sale which will be held in Servant Hall.  You may bring your Rummage Sale items to Servant Hall starting on Wednesday, October 16.  For more information please go to the school website and register for the membershiptoolkit – they also have an App for your phone! Check out this link https://stthomasmorepto.membershiptoolkit.com/ and see all the many ways you may volunteer to help make this a successful event…thank you.
 
Next week is our Homecoming/Spirit Week…we have Volleyball and Soccer games all week.  We are also having a special “dress” theme for Monday through Thursday:
 
Monday (10/7) Mismatch Clothing,Crazy Hair and Mismatched Socks
 
Tuesday (10/8) Tacky Tourist Tuesday - Dress up as a Tacky tourist ready to vacation at STM
 
Wednesday (10/9) College Gear/Jersey Wednesday - Wear your favorite College Gear or Pro Team Jersey with any uniform bottoms
 
Thursday (10/10) Red, Black & White Thursday - Show your spirit by wearing our school colors Red, White and Black with any uniform bottoms
 
Friday (10/11) – school uniform day
 
Spirit Night on Monday, October 7 - join us at the 401 Table & Tap located at 6700 Ferris St in Bellaire.  All orders placed from 11 am to 10 pm will benefit St. Thomas More.  Please make sure you mention that you are with STM! 

Monday, October 14 is a Teacher In-Service…no Preschool and no After School Care.



September 25 NEWS...

Tonight, September 25, is the deadline to pre-order next week’s lunches.  You have until midnight to place your order at www.lunchdirect.com   school code is 592700.  Please see the note from LunchDirect regarding our school closure last Friday…The recent storms had caused several schools in your area to close.  Those with lunch orders from our website, LUNCHDIRECT.com have been issued credits for Friday, Sept. 20.  These are automatically applied on future orders when you go to check-out.

It's Oktoberfest time of year!  Please mark your calendar for our fabulous fun event on Sunday, October 20, 2019 from 10 am to 6 pm.  Raffle Sales are at $11,000 and our goal is $50,000.  We appreciate your support - please keep selling your raffle tickets!
 
Several items are needed to make Oktoberfest a success…gently used stuffed animals for the Stuffed Animal Booth – all sizes are accepted, gently used books for the book sale, plants for the plant booth, baked goodies and sweets for the Sweet Shoppe (held in the Scout House) and/or the Cake Walk which is in front of the New Gym…please mark your sweets if they contain nuts.  Donations are very much appreciated - especially, items for the Rummage Sale which will be held in Servant Hall.  You may bring your Rummage Sale items to Servant Hall starting on Wednesday, October 16.  And, please remember to volunteer to work a shift on Sunday – or set up on Friday afternoon and/or tear down starting at 6 pm on Sunday evening…email Mrs. Kathy Prado at kprado@stmorenews.com
 
BREAKFAST – studies show that children who eat breakfast tend to eat healthier overall and are more likely to participate in physical activities, which helps in maintaining a healthy body weight.  Breakfast gives the body the refueling it needs for the day ahead after going without food for 10 to 12 hours during sleep.  The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics says that children who eat a healthful, well-balanced breakfast are more likely to: Meet their daily nutrient requirements - Concentrate better - Have better problem-solving skills - Have better hand-eye coordination - Stay alert - Be more creative - Miss fewer days of school - Be more physically active.  Without breakfast, our bodies don’t get the jump start they need to operate at their fullest potential throughout the day.  Please make sure your child has a healthy breakfast before coming to school.
 
Spirit Night this Friday at Jumping World Trampoline Park located at 6904 Southwest Freeway, 77074 on September 27^th from 4 to 8 pm.  Please go to the link for dress code and to fill out the waiver: 
https://jumpingworldusa.com/location/houston-sharpstown/
 
Monday, October 14 is a Teacher In-Service…no Preschool and no After School Care.



September 18 NEWS...
 
Parents - due to theTropical Depression/Storm Imelda, there is a possibility that St. Thomas More School will close.  Please watch the news and be aware if HISD closes, then St. Thomas More will also be closed.  Please remember that we follow HISD in regards to school closures due to weather.  We want you to be safe.  If your neighborhood is flooding or the roads are impassable, please stay home.  We will also send out an alert by Constant Contact if the school closes. 
 
Tonight, September 18, is the deadline to pre-order next week’s lunches.  You have until midnight to place your order at www.lunchdirect.com   school code is 592700.

It's Oktoberfest time of year!  Please mark your calendar for our fabulous fun event on Sunday, October 20, 2019.  There are many ways for YOU and your family to get involved…

          Oktoberfest 2019 t-shirts are on sale now for only $10.  The current year purple t-shirts can be worn on all STM Spirit Tuesdays and on Friday, October 18. 
 
          Raffle tickets were sent home but we always have more if you need them.  We thank all of you for your raffle sales and ask that you keep up the great work!  If you would like to sell your tickets this weekend after Mass, Fr. Clark is allowing our students to sell to the Parishioners after all the Masses.  Your child needs to wear the school uniform and a parent must be present while they are selling the tickets.  Please call Kathy Warner at 713-729-9062 if you have any questions about selling your tickets after the Masses this Saturday and Sunday, September 21 and 22.
 
Carpool Safety – please remember if you have to pick your child up early from school, give us a phone call and let us know so that we may have your child ready.  Also, if we do not answer the emails right away, please call on the school phone 713-729-9062.  The internet has been up and down the past several weeks.  Also, please never leave your car running and anything valuable in your car when picking up your children from school.  We have had purses and cell phones stolen from cars in our circle driveway. 
 
Kona Ice will be here on Thursday, September 17th, next to the Kinsel Family Field.  Come out and cheer on our STM Soccer teams, games starting at 4:30, and enjoy a sweet treat while you are here.  A percentage of the proceeds will come back to STM. Save the date for our next Spirit Night at Jumping World Trampoline Park on September 27th!





September 11 NEWS...

Thank you for joining us at our first Spirit Night this past Monday evening at Chick-fil-A.  We appreciate you taking time to have dinner with your STM friends and supporting the school.  Please save the date for our next Spirit event to be held at Jumping World Trampoline Park on Friday afternoon, September 27…more info soon.

Tonight, September 11, is the deadline to pre-order next week’s lunches.  You have until midnight to place your order at www.lunchdirect.com   ...our school code is 592700.

It's Oktoberfest time of year!  Please mark your calendar for our fabulous fun event on Sunday, October 20, 2019.  There are many ways for YOU and your family to get involved…
 
          Oktoberfest 2019 t-shirts are on sale now for only $10.  The current year purple t-shirts can be worn on all STM Spirit Tuesdays and on Friday, October 18. 
 
          Raffle tickets were sent home last week.  If you would like to sell your tickets this weekend after Mass, Fr. Clark is allowing our students to sell to the Parishioners after all the Masses.  Your child needs to wear the school uniform and a parent must be present while they are selling the tickets.  Please call Kathy Warner at 713-729-9062 if you have any questions about selling your tickets after the Masses this Sunday, September 15. 
 
          Please see the attached Oktoberfest Booth Sponsorship information.  You can be a full or partial booth sponsor…all donations are needed and welcomed!  If you have any questions, please contact Kathy Prado in the school office at 713-729-3434 or kprado@stmorenews.com. 
 
The Catholic Church Remembers…September 11, 2001 -  today marks the 18^th anniversary of the worst terrorist attack on the USA…today is designated Patriot Day…please observe a moment of silence in honor of the individuals who lost their lives as a result of the terrorist attacks.   http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity/september-11/index.cfm



September 4 NEWS...
 
Thank you for joining us last Thursday evening at our Parent's Back to School Night.  We appreciate you taking time to come and visit with your child’s teachers.  A big thank you for all who baked cookies and joined us last night in the church to hear Fr. Peter Stoddart’s talk on “St. Thomas More and the English Martyrs” …what a wonderful evening and great fellowship afterwards in Servant Hall.

Tonight, September 4, is the deadline to pre-order next week’s lunches.  You have until midnight to place your order at www.lunchdirect.com   ...our school code is 592700.

It's Oktoberfest time of year!  Please mark your calendar for our fabulous fun event on Sunday, October 20, 2019.  Oktoberfest 2019 t-shirts are on sale now.  The current year purple t-shirts can be worn on all STM Spirit Tuesdays and on Friday October 18, 2019.  Raffle tickets are being sent home today, September 4th, with the oldest/only child in Preschool...oldest and only siblings in the Day School will bring home the Raffle tickets tomorrow.  Included with the tickets will be the Oktoberfest calendar with important dates and incentives.  If you have any questions, please contact Kathy Prado in the school office at 713-729-3434 or kprado@stmorenews.com. 
 
STM loves volunteers!  From volunteering with PTO and PAWS at school events or helping as a substitute teacher.   We are looking for subs (this is a paid position) but everyone must first complete the special training, “Safe Haven”.  Please go to https://galvestonhouston.cmgconnect.org/  for the online class…it is a free class.  Once you have completed the course let us know and then you can be a Substitute teacher .  Please note that in the Preschool we have two teachers in every classroom so you will not be teaching all alone.

Fish Fry by Knights of Columbus is back.  They are held the first Fridays of the month and then every Friday during Lent except on Good Friday.  Please join us for good food and camaraderie this Friday, September 6 in Prinster Hall (also known as the cafeteria) from 5 to 7 pm.  Adult plates are $8 and Children under 12 years of age are $4.  This Fish Fry has been noted to be the best in the Archdiocese!  
 
Join us for our first STM Spirit Night on Monday, September 9^th at the Chick-fil-A Meyerland store on Beechnut from 5 to 8 pm…enjoy the fun, fun, fun and good food!



August 28, 2019 NEWS...
Week 2 has been amazing…your children are having fun and learning the routines!
Tonight, August 28, is the deadline to pre-order next week’s lunches.  You have until midnight to place your order at www.lunchdirect.com   ...our school code is 592700. 
 
Our Parent's Back to School Night is scheduled for tomorrow, August 29.  Parents are invited to Servant Hall (the building next to the Church) beginning at 5:30pm to learn about our various groups and events (PTO, PAWS, Dad's Club, Roadrunner Lunch, Oktoberfest, etc...). At 6:00pm we will begin the meeting with prayer and a short overview detailing the most important need to knows for the year. Next, you will have the opportunity to hear from your children's teachers. This is a very important event on our school calendar and one that should not be missed.  PLEASE NOTE:  Ms. Howard, PK3 teacher will be unavailable on Thursday.  She purchased a STM Auction item at the Gala last year and will be attending that event.  Ms. Howard will have some information in the classroom for you – and if you have any questions or concerns you may email her or send a message through SeeSaw.

NO Preschool or After School Care on Monday, September 2, 2019, Labor Day Monday…enjoy your long weekend!

Please join us on Tuesday, September 3, 2019 at 7:00pm in the Church for a special presentation of St. Thomas More and the English Martyrs:  "Living Your Faith in the World Today."  Join us for an opportunity to grow in our Faith and learn more about our Patron Saint…special guest speaker is a friend of Fr. Clark’s – from England,  Fr. Peter Stoddart.
 
Carpool Reminders…carpool is running more smoothly each day!  Remember to please display your pink carpool sign on your passenger visor – they are not visible from your dashboard.  If you are a walker, please do not walk in between the cars and try to pick up your child before the carpool line starts.  Thank you for adhering to these procedures to keep our students and teachers safe.



August 21, 2019 NEWS...

Happy Wednesday and Welcome to Day 3 of Preschool…we have a happy building J  The past several days have been filled with students and teachers learning the “ ins and outs” of a new classroom, new friends and new routines.  I am grateful for our teachers, staff, and the Dad’s Club who worked tirelessly to make sure that the classrooms and school buildings are warm and inviting for our students.  Thank you for being a part of   St. Thomas More – a family of families.

Principal’s Memo – Did you receive a Constant Contact email with the Principal’s Memo from our Principal last night?  If you did not receive the memo, please call and let me know so that we may update your email address.  Ms. Thome’s weekly Principal’s Memo will be sent out every Tuesday evening.  The Preschool Memo will be posted online at www.stthomasmore-school.org  under Parent Information – Preschool – Weekly Memo on Wednesdays.  A hard copy of the Preschool Memo will also come home with your child every Wednesday in their backpack. 
 
Back to School FAMILY Dance is this Saturday, August 24th from 6:00pm - 9:00pm.  Please see the Principal’s Memo for more info.

Birthdays – your child’s birthday is special…and we are happy to recognize their special day at school.  However, we are a food-safe campus and we will not be able to have a “birthday party” at school with food items from the families.  The teachers will take time to recognize your child’s birthday, with song, birthday stickers, certificates, games etc.  We ask that you do NOT send any food items and it is optional for you to send a party favor for each child in the class. 

CARPOOL -  It is very important to have the children in the classroom by 8 am - we appreciate your help.  Morning Carpool line begins at 7:45 am and will end at 8:00 am.  If you arrive after 8 am, please pull into the circle driveway and take your child out of the car and then ring the doorbell.  Afternoon Carpool line will begin at 11:15 am for our half day students and 3:10 pm for the full day students.  Please make sure you have the PINK carpool sign in the front window…some of our parents use a small pants hangar and hang the pink card on the rear view mirror or you may place it on the passenger visor…they are NOT visible from your dashboard.    We will unbuckle your child in the morning and we will seat belt your child in their car seat in the afternoons.  Every child must have a car seat.  
 
If you are a walker – please use the cross walk over by the Old Gym/Rehkopf Building.  One of the Preschool teachers will meet you to help walk your child to the front of our building.  Never walk in between our carpool cars or in front of the cars…sometimes parents are waving goodbye as their car is in motion.  Thank you for your help in keeping our students and teachers safe.

FORMS - If you have not already done so, please sign and return all STM forms to the school office by Friday, August 23.

Lunches – They must be ordered online by today, August 21 for next week – August 26 through 30. The School Menu will be provided online and orders may be placed at www.lunchdirect.com   ...our school code is 592700.  If you are sending a lunch, please label all thermoses, containers and utensils.  Please do NOT pack too many choices for your child.  They will eat their protein first before we will open up snacks.  You may send extra water bottles – we do have water fountains but the children drink better from their own water bottle.  Leftover snacks may be eaten in the After School Care program.

Parent's Back-to-School Night - Parents only, please join us from 5:30 to 7:00 pm in Servant Hall on Thursday, August 29.  More info next week.

Parent Coffee – after you drop off your child, please drive to the back parking lot and stop in to the new gym foyer next Wednesday, August 28th for the first Parent Coffee of the new school year between 7:30 and 8:30 am. 

PICTURES - This morning’s photo session was an adventure…every child did get their picture taken for the school yearbook.  Purchasing your child’s photo is optional.  You may order your child’s school photo online at: inter-state.com/order and use our school code of 41246FA

TUESDAY Spirit Days -  Every Tuesday during the school year your child may wear either the STM red spirit shirt or this year’s purple Oktoberfest shirt with uniform shorts/pants/skort.   Spirit Shirts will be sold at the dance.  Oktoberfest shirts will be sold at the Back to School Night.

We are delighted to have your child enrolled with us for the 2019-2020 school year.  We feel blessed to share this important year with your child.  They will learn many new things as we Grow Together in Christ.  



Wow - the summer heat is here and the start of a new school year is just around the corner!  Final preparations are being made all around campus.  We are very excited to welcome our families back with new and returning students!

Please note the following dates:

Sunday, August 11 from 2 pm to 4 pm - all new families...please join us in Prinster Hall (the school cafeteria) for a Social with snocones, new buddies, homeroom assignments and fellowship. 

Thursday, August 15 - Meet the Teachers (bring your child) and the Used Uniform Sale...more info soon.

Monday, August 19 - First day of school.        Early Birds and After School care will also open!

We also  give a very warm

welcome to our new Pastor,

    Fr. Clark Sample!   





May 29 NEWS...

Please join your STM parish family for an afternoon of free fun, sponsored by the Knights of Columbus on Sunday June 9 from 2:00-4:00pm in Prinster Hall and the field behind it.

The Knights will provide hot dogs and trimmings to eat all we ask you to bring is the outdoor play stuff – balls,
frisbees, etc, so we can all share. This fun day is open to all STM parishioners and their friends.   Hope to see you on June 9.

May 22 NEWS...

Dear Parents,
We have had an awesome school year with your children!  Thank you for sharing them with us.  How blessed we are to be able to teach and enjoy God’s children.  
 
STM’s 31^st graduating PK-4 class will have a special ceremony in the church tomorrow, THURSDAY, May 23, at 8:30 a.m.  The PK-4 students may wear “Sunday Best” clothes…please no shorts and no light up tennis shoes for the Graduation. All graduating students must be at the Preschool building at 8:00 in the morning on Thursday so that we may rehearse with the children.   We welcome parents, grandparents, siblings, and friends to join us in the CHURCH at 8:30 a.m. for the program.  Since we will be in the Church, remember to be respectful in God’s house.  We will have time for a photo session, but remember it is a day for your PK-4 child to shine!  Please find a sitter for younger siblings if they will be disruptive during the program.  The students will be dismissed to you immediately after the program and then all may join us outside on the church steps for cake and punch. If your child is staying with us after the graduation, please feel free to send an extra set of clothes for them to change into at the Preschool.  We will have After School Care until 6 pm for the registered after schoolers.  This is our last day of After School Care.  Early Birds will be opened on Friday, May 24.  We will dismiss at 11:45 am.  NO AFTER SCHOOL CARE on FRIDAY.
 
Our 3K students will have a regular fun day at school on Thursday!
 
Friday, May 24, 2019 is our last Mass for this school year and our last day of school for all Preschoolers.  Your child must be in their school uniform. We will have an Early Dismissal day for all students.  The Preschool Carpool line will begin at 11:45 am on Friday, so please pick up your preschooler before you go to the Day School Carpool line…the Day School Carpool line will begin at Noon…thank you.

A TEDDY BEAR PICNIC is planned for the last day of school for all our preschoolers.   Please have your child bring their favorite Teddy Bear or stuffed animal to school on Friday, May 24.  After Mass the preschoolers will enjoy a special treat – Honey Comb cereal and milk with their Teddy Bear!  No LUNCH – the cafeteria is closed.

Thursday, August 15 join us with your child for a scheduled "Meet and Greet" during the school day. A Sign-Up Google document will be sent to all parents soon so you may schedule your appointment with your class teachers.

Monday, August 19 is our first day of school for the 2019-2020 school year.

May you have a wonderful and safe summer, rejoicing in your children’s joy!  Please remember to read, read, read!



May 15 NEWS...
Our 4K Graduation Ceremony is just one week away…Thursday, May 23 at 8:30 am in the Church.  We will not have Mass, but the program consists of songs, prayers and diplomas!  The 4K students may wear their “Sunday Best” clothes to the ceremony.  The ceremony should last about an hour and a half.  All graduating 4K students must be at the Preschool building by 8 am – we will have carpool starting at 7:45 am.  Please drop off your child at the Preschool building and then you are welcome to go to church to get a seat.  The students will process over to the church together at 8:25 so that we may begin our program by 8:30 am.
 
We welcome parents, grandparents, siblings, and friends to join us at 8:30 am in the CHURCH for the Graduation program.  Since we will be in the Church, remember to be respectful in God’s house.  We will have time for a photo session, but remember it is a day for your 4K child to shine!  Please find a sitter for younger siblings if they will be disruptive during the program.  The 4K students will be dismissed to you immediately after the program and then all may join us outside on the church steps for cake and punch.  You are welcome to take your child home after the Graduation program or they may stay with us for the normal school hours.  If you are registered for the After School Care program, your child is welcome to stay with us until 6 pm.  This will be the last day for After School Care.
 
Friday, May 24 is our last day of Preschool – please note we are having an Early Dismissal at 11:45 am.  We will attend the All School Mass.  After the Mass, the preschoolers will return to their classrooms.  Preschool will NOT stay in the church for the Day School awards.
 
A TEDDY BEAR PICNIC is planned for the last day of school for all our preschoolers.   Please have your child bring their favorite Teddy Bear or stuffed animal to school on Friday, May 24.  After Mass the preschoolers will enjoy a special treat with their Teddy Bear and read stories!
Please Note:  NO LUNCH for the students on our last day of school – the cafeteria will be closed.  Please make sure you have settled your cafeteria account before the end of the month with Mr. Espinosa…thank you.
 
Early Dismissal on Friday, May 24 at 11:45 am.  The Preschool Carpool Line will begin promptly at 11:45 am.  We will NOT have After School Care on Friday.  Please pickup your preschooler first – before you go to the Day School Carpool Line which begins at noon…thank you.
Thursday, August 15 please join us with your child for a scheduled "Meet and Greet" during the school day. A Sign-Up Google document will be sent to all parents during the summer so you may schedule your appointment with your class teachers.
Monday, August 19 is our first day of school for the 2019-2020 school year.


May 8 NEWS...

Attention all CURRENT PK4 Parents: 
STM’s Cub Scout Pack 99 is having a recruitment night next week so all BOYS and GIRLS are able to participate in all the fun activities we have planned for this summer and going into the Fall of 2019!
 
New this year,  Pack 99 will have girl dens for girls interested in all that the Cub Scout Program has to offer.  The recruitment night is a come and go event that will be held this Monday, May 13th, from 6-7pm in Prinster Hall.  If you have any questions, or can't make it but still interested, please contact our Cubmaster, Charles Raimond, Jr. at Cubmaster.pack99@gmail.com, 832-964-7702, or through our website,  www.pack99.org
 
4K Graduation Ceremony is just 2 weeks from today…Thursday, May 23 at 8:30 am in the Church.  We will not have Mass, but the program consists of songs, prayers and diplomas!  The 4K students may wear their Sunday Best…they do NOT have to wear the school uniform for the 4K Graduation Ceremony.  The ceremony should last about an hour and a half.  You are welcome to take your child home after the Graduation program or they may stay with us for the normal school hours.  If you are registered for the After School Care program, your child is welcome to stay with us until 6 pm.  This will be the last day for After School Care. 
 
Friday, May 24 is our last day of Preschool – please note we are having an Early Dismissal at 11:45 am.  We will attend the All School Mass.  After the Mass, the preschoolers will return to their classrooms.  Preschool will NOT stay in the church for the Day School award ceremony.  Please Note:  NO LUNCH for the students – the cafeteria will be closed…please make sure you have settled your cafeteria account with Mr. Espinosa before the end of the month…thank you.
 


Summer Reading 2019...come join us tonight for our last Spirit Event at Barnes and Noble Bookstore located at 3003 Holcombe and Buffalo Speedway, Monday, May 6 from 6 to 8 pm.  This social will include our Librarian, Mrs. Fontenot reading a story to the children, Thomas the Tiger and our cheerleaders will be passing out door prizes, and also lead you in a scavenger hunt!    Please see the list below and look for your child's grade for the new school year 2019-2020!  If you are unable to attend, Barnes and Noble will have the books displayed through Friday, May 10 ...and you may also purchase the books online at BN.com/bookfairs from May 6 through May 15...please enter STM's Bookfair ID#  12327941 at checkout.  A percentage of your purchases will benefit STM.  Thank you.



Entering Pre-Kingergarten3 (we encourage you to read as many as possible)

The Very Hungry Caterpillar  by Eric Carle

Chica Chica Boom  Boom by Bill Martin Jr.

Llama Llama Misses Mama  by Anna Dewdney

The Night Before Preschool  by Natasha Wing

One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish  by Dr. Seuss

 

Entering Pre-Kindergarten4(we encourage you to read as many as possible)

There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly by Lucilee Colandro

A House for Hermit Crab by Eric Carle

Any version of the Gingerbread Man/Boy

One nonfiction book of your choice about Dinosaurs

One nonfiction book of your choice about Space

 

Entering Kindergarten

Hop on Pop by Dr. Seuss

Go Dog Go by P.D. Eastman

If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff

*One non-fiction book of your choice about animals

May 1 NEWS...
Our faith focus this month is honoring our Blessed Mother Mary.  We show Mary we love her.  The children are discovering that Mary loves them as a mother loves her children.  She is always with us therefore we can always talk to her and pray to her.  We are learning that God created all the Mothers and there is a special day just for Mothers on May 12.
Friday, May 3 is the All School Mass - Students must be in dress uniform.  Please note that we will be crowning Blessed Virgin Mary and are asking all students to please bring flowers to this Friday’s Mass on May 3 to help decorate the Altar.
 
Knights of Columbus Fish Fry is this Friday, May 3 starting at 5 pm.
 
4K Graduation Ceremony is Thursday, May 23 at 8:30 am in the Church.  We will not have Mass, but the program consists of songs, prayers and diplomas!  The 4K students may wear their Sunday Best…they do NOT have to wear the school uniform for the 4K Graduation Ceremony.  The ceremony should last about an hour and a half.  You are welcome to take your child home after the Graduation program or they may stay with us for the normal school hours.  If you are registered for the After School Care program, your child is welcome to stay with us until 6 pm.  This will be the last day for ASC. 
 
Friday, May 24 is our last day of Preschool – please note we are having an Early Dismissal at 11:45 am.  We will attend the All School Mass.  After the Mass, the preschoolers will return to their classrooms.  Preschool will NOT stay in the church for the Day School award ceremony.  NO LUNCH.
 
Thank you to all who joined us at Escalante’s on Monday evening.  Our big winner for the Escalante’s Gift Card went to Mrs. Danica Stephens!
 
On May 2, 2019 there will be a National Night Out For Austin Tice.  Go out to eat that night at one of the participating restaurants and proceeds will go to the fund. The 401 Table and Tap, One Fifth Mediterranean, Georgia James, Luby’s, Max’s Wine Dive, St. Arnold Beer Garden, UB Preserv, Boheme, Jason’s Deli on Dairy Ashford are some of the participating restaurants.  You can go to: nightoutforaustin.com for more information.  More importantly, please keep the Tice family in your prayers. For more information and updates on Austin you can visit  austinticefamily.com. 

Please join us for our last Spirit Event on Monday, May 6, from 6 to 8 pm at the Barnes and Nobel Bookstore located at 3003 Holcombe and Buffalo Speedway.  The book fair will have our required Summer Reading Books available for purchase.  STM’s Librarian, Mrs. Fontenot will read a favorite book to the students.  Tommy the Tiger and the STM cheerleaders will be serving up some Tiger Spirit and door prizes!  A family scavenger hunt is also planned for the evening along with a signature blended beverage for STM.   If you are unable to attend, Barnes and Noble will have the books displayed through Friday, May 10 for STM…you may also purchase the books online…visit BN.com/bookfairs from May 6 through 15 and enter the Bookfair ID# 12527941 at checkout.  A percentage of your purchases will benefit STM.  Thank you.  
 
PK3 Summer Reading List:

The Very Hungry Caterpillar   by Eric Carle
Chica Chica Boom Boom     by Bill Martin Jr.
Llama Llama Misses Mama   by Anna Dewdney
The Night Before Preschool   by Natasha Wing
One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish   by Dr. Seuss

PK4 Summer Reading List:

There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly   by Lucilee Colandro
A House for Hermit Crab   by Eric Carle
Any version of the Gingerbread Man/Boy
One nonfiction book of your choice about Dinosaurs
One nonfiction book of your choice about Space



April 24 NEWS...
We hope everyone enjoyed their Joyous Easter weekend.  The children will continue to learn about the Easter season for the next 50 days until Pentecost Sunday, June 9, 2019…the Birthday of the Church.  The word Pentecost is Greek and means “50 ^th day.”  Fifty days after Easter Sunday we will celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and their followers.  The apostles began to spread the word of Jesus which established the beginning of the Church – therefore, the birthday of the Catholic Church.

We had our Easter Egg Hunts and class parties today…Fr. Joseph joined us for a fun morning Thank you for all your generous donations.

Reminder, this Friday, April 26 is an early dismissal day… carpool begins promptly at 11:45 am for dismissal.  Preschool will NOT be having Field Day with the older students.  We will attend the All School Mass and then come back for an International Festival in the Preschool building.  The children will visit five Countries and travel from classroom to classroom in the Preschool building.  They will enjoy a snack, dance, sing, have stories and do art projects.  Please note we are NOT serving lunch just a snack.  The cafeteria is NOT opened on Friday.  When you pick up your child, remember to take them home and give them lunch!
          Ms. Howard and Mrs. Moreno-Garza – Ireland – Potatoes (chips)
          Mrs. Mack and Mrs. Larrahona – Australia – Fairy Bread ( bread with sprinkles )
          Mrs. El-Ahl and Mrs. Orsburn – France – Baguettes (French bread)
          Mrs. Warner and Mrs. Garza – Mexico – Tortilla chips
          Mrs. Moreno and Mrs. Coltharp – America – Mini Corn Dogs and Apple pie 

From Mrs. Moreno:  Thank you for participating in CRS Rice Bowl this Lent.   Please remember to turn in your Lenten Rice Bowls today.  You may send the money in an envelope instead of the Rice Bowl.  If you wish to send a check, please count the money in your CRS Rice Bowl and write a check for the amount made out to              St. Thomas More.  Be sure to write “CRS Rice Bowl” on the memo line of the check.  Thank you for sharing your prayers and gifts with our brothers and sisters in need this Lent.  Together, our school is making a difference in the lives of the poor.

Skip the cooking!  Our next STM Spirit Night will be next Monday, April 29th at Escalante's in Meyerland Plaza!  Please present the flyer to your waiter.
 

 
National Night Out for Austin Tice will be held on Thursday, May 2, 2019
 
In August of 2012 one of our own was kidnapped in Syria. Austin Tice and his family are parishioners of STM. Austin's siblings attended St. Thomas More School.  Austin is a former Marine, Georgetown law student, and a freelance journalist who loved the Syrian people and wanted the world to know their story.  Over the past seven years the Tice's have never given up hope of finding Austin. The National Press Club is hoping to match the one million dollar fund set up to find Austin.  On May 2, 2019 there will be a National Night Out For Austin.  Go out to eat that night at one of the participating restaurants and proceeds will go to the fund. The 401 Table and Tap, One Fifth Mediterranean, Georgia James, Luby’s, Max’s Wine Dive, St. Arnold Beer Garden, UB Preserv, Boheme, Jason’s Deli on Dairy Ashford are some of the participating restaurants.  You can go to: nightoutforaustin.com for more information. 

More importantly, please keep the Tice family in your prayers. For more information and updates on Austin you can visit  austinticefamily.com. 
 

April 17 NEWS...

Thank you, thank you to all who helped make the Havana Nights Auction/Gala such a beautiful evening and a great success…we appreciate you.  Even if you were not able to attend this year's Auction/Gala, it is not too late to sign up for the Preschool sign up party that is on Monday, April 29.   Your preschooler can spend an OUT OF THIS WORLD afternoon with their teachers from 3 to 5:30 pm.  The cost is $25 per preschooler.  All proceeds go to the 2019 Auction/Gala.  We only have a few spots remaining!
 
NEW for the Auction/Gala…special raffle tickets for $50.00 to take a chance at winning a unique chef’s experience at Steak48 with Executive Chef Jeff Taylor.  This is a special dinner for eight where you will be joining Chef Jeff in the kitchen.  Besides personalized chef coats, you will have a fantastic sit down dining experience with sommelier pre-selected wines.   NOTE:  Reservations must be made at least 4 weeks in advance and it is valid Tuesday through Friday, (this does not include any additional liquor or gratuity).  Purchase a chance in the school office or you purchase the raffle tickets online at the STM website through this Thursday, April 18.
 
Holy Thursday, April 18 is a regular school day with a 3 pm dismissal.  We will be opened for Early Birds, however, NO After School Care…everyone will be dismissed at 3 pm.

April 19 and April 22, Good Friday and Easter Monday are school holidays.

Wednesday, April 24 is the Preschool Easter Egg Hunt and Class Parties.  Please help fill our eggs.  We need stickers, trinkets, or individually wrapped candy (nothing with nuts) to fill our regular size plastic eggs.  Please bring all donations to school by tomorrow, Thursday, April 17.  We do appreciate your help in making the Preschool Easter Egg Hunts a success.

ASTROS FEVER is back and we are on a winning streak!  Catholic Family Day at Minute Maid Park is on Friday, April 26.  The Houston Astros will be playing the Cleveland Indians beginning at 7:10 pm.  A portion of the proceeds from ticket sales will benefit the Catholic Schools in the Galveston-Houston Archdiocese.  To purchase tickets please go to the Principals’ Memo.

April 26 is an Early Dismissal – Preschoolers will dismiss at 11:45 am.  Kinders through 8 ^th graders will be participating in Field Day.  The PK teachers are having a mini International Day for their students in the Preschool building.  Please note - you do not need to sign up for help with Field Day unless you have an older student in the Day School – thank you.

We are entering the Easter Triduum – Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday, nearing the end of our 40 days of Lent (prayers, fasting and almsgiving).  Easter is the oldest Christian holiday and the most important feast of the church year.  Easter Sunday starts the Easter season of 50 days until Pentecost.  We celebrate Christ’s resurrection from the dead and the promise of new life.  Easter also reminds us that Jesus has overcome death and sin…marking the victory of good over evil.

We wish all our families a very blessed and joyous Easter!


April 10 NEWS...
Saturday, April 13 is Havana Nights – the STM AUCTION/GALA… it is not too late for you to put on your dancing shoes and join in on the fun – purchase your tickets TODAY!!!  Remember there is babysitting available with a reservation  $15 per child or $40 for 3 or more children – contact Jeanne Chucle at drchucle@live.com NO DROP-INS accepted.

NEW for the Auction/Gala…special raffle tickets for $50.00 to take a chance at winning a unique chef’s experience at Steak48 with Executive Chef Jeff Taylor.  This is a special dinner for eight where you will be joining Chef Jeff in the kitchen.  Besides personalized chef coats, you will have a fantastic sit down dining experience with sommelier pre-selected wines.   NOTE:  Reservations must be made at least 4 weeks in advance and it is valid Tuesday through Friday.  (this does not include any additional liquor or gratuity)  You do not need to be present at the Auction/Gala to purchase a raffle ticket.  You may purchase them in the school office or you may purchase the raffle tickets online at the STM website through Holy Thursday, April 18.
 
Thank you for your generosity with all the supplies for the STM Food Pantry.  Deacon Johnson appreciates all our help.  Deacon Johnson also said you are putting many smiles on those in need.

ASTROS FEVER is back and we are on a winning streak!  Catholic Family Day at Minute Maid Park is on Friday, April 26.  The Houston Astros will be playing the Cleveland Indians beginning at 7:10 pm.  A portion of the proceeds from ticket sales will benefit the Catholic Schools in the Galveston-Houston Archdiocese.  To purchase tickets please go to the Principals’ Memo.

Monday, April 29, your preschooler can spend an OUT OF THIS WORLD afternoon with their teachers from 3 to 5:30 pm.  The cost is $25 per preschooler.  All proceeds go to the 2019 Auction/Gala.  We only have a few spots remaining.

REMINDERS:   K of C Fish Fry this Friday (closed on Good Friday) starting at 5 pm.  Adult plates are $8 and children are $4 per plate.

Holy Thursday, April 18 is a regular school day with a 3 pm dismissal.  We will be opened for Early Birds, however, NO After School Care…everyone will be dismissed at 3 pm.

April 19 and April 22, Good Friday and Easter Monday are school holidays.

Wednesday, April 24 is the Preschool Easter Egg Hunt and Class Parties.  Please help fill our eggs.  We need stickers, trinkets, or individually wrapped candy (nothing with nuts) to fill our regular size plastic eggs.  Please bring all donations to school by next Wednesday, April 17.  We do appreciate your help in making the Preschool Easter Egg Hunts a success.

April 26 is an Early Dismissal – Preschoolers will dismiss at 11:45 am.  Kinders through 8 ^th graders will be participating in Field Day.  The PK teachers are having a mini International Day for their students in the Preschool building.  Please note - you do not need to sign up for help with Field Day unless you have an older student in the Day School – thank you.


April 3 NEWS...

Thank you for supporting the Barry’s Pizza Spirit Night on Tuesday evening!  The children really enjoyed making their own pizza and getting their faces painted!

Saturday, April 13 is Havana Nights – the STM AUCTION/GALA… it is not too late for you to put on your dancing shoes and join in on the fun – purchase your tickets now.  The Caterer needs a head count by this Friday, April 5. We are also looking for donations to be auctioned at the Gala – they may be big or small…all items needed!   Any questions you may contact Kathy Prado at kprado@stmorenews.com  
 
Auction/Gala is also looking for help next week during the school day.  Do you have a good eye and enjoy making things pretty?  We need you!!!  Helpers wanted to organize and merchandize Auction/Gala items, create displays, and to craft and embellish the Auction/Gala baskets.  Contact Theresa Orsburn if you have any questions or would like to volunteer:  713-906-7375 or theresa.orsburn@yahoo.com
 
Fr. Hai’s Birthday is on Sunday, April 14.  As a school community we would like to make a donation to the STM Food Pantry in his honor.  We are asking the students to participate by bringing $2 to school by Wednesday, April 10…and they will receive a Jeans Pass for Monday, April 15.  The gift will be presented to Fr. Hai at the All School Mass on Friday, April 12.  We encourage all to help our STM Food Pantry in honor of Fr. Hai.
 
Deacon Johnson has asked for our help with the STM Food Pantry.  Besides distributing food - they also hand out toiletries.  Items needed are: baby wipes, toothpaste and toothbrushes, disposable razors, deodorant, etc.  If you can help with any of these items, please send them with your child and we will make sure they get delivered to Deacon Johnson.  Thank you.

ASTROS FEVER is back!  Catholic Family Day at Minute Maid Park is on Friday, April 26.  The Houston Astros will be playing the Cleveland Indians beginning at 7:10 pm.  A portion of the proceeds from ticket sales will benefit the Catholic Schools in the Galveston-Houston Archdiocese.  To purchase tickets please go to the Principals’ Memo and click on the link.
April 29, your preschooler can spend an OUT OF THIS WORLD afternoon with their teachers from 3 to 5:30 pm.  The cost is $25 per preschooler.  All proceeds go to the 2019 Auction/Gala.  Please see the flyer for more information!

REMINDERS:  
K of C Fish Fry every Friday during Lent (except on Good Friday) starting at 5 pm.
Holy Thursday, April 18 is a regular school day with a 3 pm dismissal.  NO After School Care.
April 19 and April 22, Good Friday and Easter Monday are school holidays.


March 27 NEWS...
 
Thank you, thank you to our wonderful Preschool families who generously gave their time, talent   and treasures to beautify the school grounds last Saturday.  The Mancillas and Hill families, Mr. DeLaTorre and Mr. Rivas did an amazing job - we do appreciate you!  We also thank Fr. Hai for bringing his truck over to load our extra trash bags that wouldn’t fit in the dumpsters.  The STM’s Dad’s Club is scheduling a clean-up day in April – we will keep you posted on the date.
 
Thank you Mrs. Orsburn and to all who dined at the 401 Restaurant this past Spirit Monday!  A special thanks to the manager, Mr. Hector Moreno (yes, Mrs. Moreno’s husband) who made this Spirit Night special for our families. 
 
Back by popular demand, our next Spirit Night is this Tuesday, April 2 at Barry’s Pizza on 6003 Richmond Ave, 77057.  From 6 to 8 pm the children may participate in a “make your own pizza station”, face painting and a balloon artist will create fun balloons for them.  Hope to see you there!
 
Mrs. Moreno sent out an email to all parents who have not given their permission for the Circle of Grace program.  Please note that the parental approval is per student and not per family…you must sign for each student.  Please check your emails to see if you are missing this form.  Thank you.
 
This year the Preschoolers will have their class Easter Egg Hunts when we return from our Easter holidays.  We will have a special Lenten retreat on Holy Thursday.  Don’t forget that Holy Thursday will be a regular Preschool dismissal at 3 pm with NO After School Care.  Good Friday and Easter Monday are school holidays.
 
The Flu season is not over yet…we have had several students in our classes diagnosed with the flu and also a stomach virus.  Please keep your child home from school until they are completely recovered.  Your child must be fever free with no medicine for 24 hours.  The same goes for vomiting and diarrhea – nothing for 24 hours.  Also, make sure your child is able to keep food in their stomach before sending them back to school.
 
Friday, March 29 is the All School Mass – preschoolers wear your DRESS uniform please.
 
Fish Fry Friday with the Knights of Columbus on March 29 from 5 pm until the fish runs out – plates are:  Adults $8 and Children $4.
 
Saturday, April 13 is our annual Auction/Gala – don’t get left out, please purchase your tickets now.  This fundraising event would not be possible without the generosity of our parents and parishioners.  We are still looking for donated Auction items…big or small – all items are needed!  We are trying to fill the Religion table too – if you have any religious donations, please send to the school office…especially a Boy’s First Holy Communion basket.  Any questions, contact Kathy Prado at kprado@stmorenews.com



NEWS FLASH… The Preschoolers will be celebrating Mass on Friday, March 22 with the entire student body in the renovated church! 
 
Please have your child in the dress uniform:
BOYS - long khaki pants with the white oxford shirt and either the solid black tennis shoes or solid white tennis shoes or the tan leather topsiders.   
 
GIRLS – may choose between the plaid dress jumper with the Peter Pan white blouse under the jumper or the navy button down dress.  Shoes must be solid black tennis shoes or solid white tennis shoes or the tan leather topsiders.


March 20 NEWS...
Happy Spring!  The children have been very excited to be back in school with their friends.  They have shared some great stories on where they spent their Spring Break week.  The teachers are rested and ready to begin our last Quarter of School...we still have many fun and informative lessons to share with your children.  Report Cards will be going home next Tuesday, March 26.

We appreciate all our families who completed re-enrollment for the new school year.  Please note, if you are not returning, we still need you to fill out the form. There is a place for you to check that informs the school you will not be enrolling for the 2019-2020 school year.  Thank you for your diligence in this procedure.  We did mail the New Family acceptance letters and are filling our classes with the open spots.

The Dad’s Club is hosting their Second Annual Tiger Family Camp Out this Friday, March 22 to Saturday, March 23.  Check-in begins at 5:30 pm and the price is $45.  A movie, a fire pit, camping under the stars, dinner, popcorn and breakfast are included…NO PETS please.  Register on www.myschoolanywhere.com

K of C Fish Fry this Friday, March 22 from 5 pm until the fish runs out!

Our next School Spirit Night is on Monday, March 25 at The 401 Table and Tap Restaurant located at 6700 Ferris, Bellaire, 77401 – serving hours are from 11 am to 10 pm…please plan on having food and fun with your STM families!

Please mark your calendar for the following dates:

Saturday, April 13 is Havana Nights – STM’s Gala/Auction starting at 6 pm

Holy Thursday, April 18 is a regular school day.  NEWS FLASH - the After School Care will be closed.  All students will be dismissed at 3 pm...NO After School Care.

Good Friday and Easter Monday, April 19 and 20 are school holidays...NO SCHOOL.

Friday, April 26 is a NOON Dismissal...NO After School Care.


March 6, Ash Wednesday News...

Lent is a special season that begins on Ash Wednesday and lasts 40 days, ending just before Easter Sunday.  We remember Jesus and why He loves us by doing good deeds, helping others, praying to God, going to daily Mass, reading from the Bible, fasting etc. May we all try to be holier and more like Jesus this Lenten season.  Pope Francis asks us to "make our hearts firm" (Jas 5:8) and to be "merciful, attentive and generous." Embrace his call to mercy by reaching out to those in need.  Be attentive to the Lenten call to prayer; be generous with your time and treasure.  “Lent is a favourable season for opening the doors to all those in need and recognizing in them the face of Christ.”

You may read more of Pope Francis’ Lenten Message at this website:  www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/liturgical-year/lent/index.cfm  You will also find the guidelines for Lenten fasting and abstinence on this website. 

This morning, the Preschoolers had a very special Ash Wednesday Prayer Service in the Preschool building with Fr. Joseph and Deacon Johnson.  The children prayed, sang and received ashes.  Mrs. Moreno is sending home a Lenten calendar for you to work on at home. Each preschooler also received a bag of pretzels with the legend of the pretzel attached to it.

The Oldest/Only child in each family will bring home today a Catholic Relief Services RICE BOWL – please see the attached letter explaining this “faith-in-action” program.  This is a school wide Lenten project for STM.  If you have any questions, please email Mrs. Terri Moreno.

Virtue of the Month ~ Mercy… Take family time each day to offer devotional prayers and how to give compassion or forgiveness to someone who is suffering.  Have a family discussion on how you might help others in need by giving of your time…doing random acts of kindness….caring for others. Lent reminds us that this is a time for special prayer, fasting and almsgiving…you can discuss sharing our toys, food and clothing with others, give up watching TV or playing computer games, recycling at home and school, treat nature with respect, smile and pray for all people in need around the world.

STM LENTEN MISSION 2019 – Monday through Wednesday, March 11-13 at 7 pm in the church with Fr. Leon Strieder…theme is “Lent as a Sacramental Journey”.
 
Knight of Columbus FISH FRY FRIDAYS – each Friday during Lent except on Good Friday…from 5 pm - 7 pm.  Adults are $8 a plate and children 12 yrs and under are $4.
 
SPRING BREAK begins this Friday, March 8 with an early dismissal at 11:45 am – the preschoolers will eat lunch before dismissing for the day. We will return on Monday, March 18.

Spring forward this weekend when Daylight Savings Time begins and remember to set your clocks up one hour on Sunday, March 10 at 2 am…or you can set your clocks up an hour before you go to bed on Saturday evening!  

Spring Break would be a great time to clean out your child’s backpacks – remove and file all school papers and artwork.  Please remember to add an extra set of clothes too.
Friday, March 8 is the deadline for re-enrollment.  We will be mailing the acceptance letters to all new incoming students this weekend.  Please go into your RenWeb account and submit your enrollment for the new school year 2019-2020…thank you.

March 11 through 15…NO SCHOOL.  Early Dismissal this Friday, March 8 at 11:45 am  We wish everyone a safe and fun Spring Break!

Auction/Gala - CRAWFISH BOIL… There are limited seats available for the CRAWFISH BOIL that will be held on Saturday, April 6.  Tickets are only $75 per person.  This fun event is hosted by Sam and Nicole Hix, Scott and Raquel Janoe and Katharine Powell.  Secure your spot by logging into the STM website and click on the Crawfish Boil invitation.  Don't miss out on this event which raises money for the 2019 Auction/Gala!
 
Our Annual Auction/Gala, Saturday, April 13, is one of our most important fundraising events of the year.... and it is always a good time for all!  This night would not be possible without the generosity of our parents and parishioners.  Don’t forget to turn in your donations for the Class baskets, please.  More information on Auction/Gala news is on our website.


February 27 NEWS...

Thank you to all who braved the rain and cold to have dinner at Bernie’s Burger Bus for last Thursday’s Spirit Night.  What a fun social and the food was yummy!   NOW, get ready for the next Spirit event…a special Ladies evening this Sunday, March 3^rd at Scout and Molly’s Boutique located at 3311 Westpark Dr. starting at 5 pm.  Whether you need to add something new to your wardrobe, find the PERFECT outfit for our Gala/Auction on April 13th, update your look with the hottest accessories or find that little something that fits you just right – this night is for YOU!  STM’s Private Shopping Party includes wine, light appetizers and a Personal Stylist to help you find the perfect outfit for you. 
We hope you can join us this Sunday evening from 5 to 7 pm at Scout and Molly’s.
 
We held our screening day for new students last Saturday and are preparing the acceptance letters for those families.  Please take time to submit your re-enrollment information for the 2019-2020 school year by Friday, March 8.  We would like to be able to hold your child’s spot, so please be prompt in registering.  Also, read over your current data in Renweb/FACTS and make any corrections - thank you.
 
Our Lenten season begins with Ash Wednesday next week, on March 6th.  Lent lasts for 40 days and reminds us that Jesus was in the desert.  He was hungry and tempted.  As Catholics, Lent is a time for praying, fasting, and almsgiving.  It is a time to sacrifice repent and reflect.  On Ash Wednesday, the All School Mass will be held in Rehkopf Gym for the older students.  The Preschoolers will NOT be celebrating Mass next Wednesday, however, we will be attending a special Lenten Prayer Service in the Preschool building.  Fr. Joseph will be joining us and distributing ashes to all the Preschool students and the staff.

The STM Parish Lenten Mission will be Monday through Wednesday in the Church – March 11-13, 2019 starting at 7 pm.  Theme:  Lent as a Sacramental Journey given by Fr. Leon Strieder.

As the weather warms up for Spring, you don't want to miss the Second Annual Tiger Family Camp Out on the STM Field starting Friday, March 22nd to Saturday, the 23rd.  The campout was a great success last year and promises to be a fun night for the whole family.  Not a camper?  Join the fun but feel free to leave before the gates are locked at 10 p.m. You can sign up in the online store or drop off cash and the reservation flyer to the office.  Register today!  Please go to the Principal’s Memo and under the Dad’s Club section you will find the registration information.

February 20 NEWS...

Thank you to everyone who came out to STEPS on Saturday.  A very BIG thank you to Mrs. King and Mrs. Orsburn for making a FUN STM STEPS booth by bringing the breakfast tacos and a balloon artist – what a big hit!!! If you have already registered, we appreciate your support.  Please note that we are still accepting donations and     Ms. Thome has prizes that will be awarded through the end of February.  
 
Thursday, February 21 is Spirit Night at Bernie’s Burger Bus - 5407 Bellaire Blvd.  Please plan on making this your dinner spot for this Thursday!  The next Spirit event will be a special MOM’s evening on Sunday, March 3 at Scout and Molly’s Boutique located at 3311 Westpark Dr. starting at 5 pm.  website:  Scoutandmollys.com/westu
 
Friday, February 22, is Go Texan Day …your child may come to school in Western clothes – but NO BOOTS and NO HATS.  Remember traffic may be challenging due to all the trail riders coming in to Memorial Park on Friday…and once the HLSR begins the traffic will be slow around NRG.
 
STM’s re-admission information was emailed to you last Friday.  We hope to have all our current students returning to us in the new school year!  Please submit your enrollment information for the 2019-2020 school year by Friday, March 8.  We will be testing all new students this Saturday and then will send out acceptance letters regarding openings on March 9.  We need to be able to hold your child’s spot, so please be prompt in registering.  Also, read over your current data in Renweb/FACTS and make any corrections - thank you.
 
Fr. Hai has reported that the church renovations are moving along but we will not be back in the church building until the first Sunday of Lent, March 8 and 9.  Therefore, on Ash Wednesday, March 6, the preschoolers will NOT be attending the Mass in the Rehkopf Gym but will have a special Prayer Service and Ash Distribution in the preschool building. 
 
The STM Parish Lenten Mission will be Monday through Wednesday in the Church – March 11-13, 2019 starting at 7 pm.  Theme:  Lent as a Sacramental Journey given by Fr. Leon Strieder.
 
News from the Clinic:
As you know, we are in the middle of the cold and flu season in southeast Texas. The good news is that our community has experienced much fewer instances of illness compared to some of the surrounding schools. This is due in part to the diligence of students, staff and parents to break the "chain of transmission" by utilizing frequent hand-washing and keeping students with acute illness out of the general school population until they are well.
 
Sometimes it can be difficult to decide whether or not to send your students to school, please consider the following guidelines when assessing your child for school readiness:

• Students should be fever free for 24 hours without the aid of fever-reducing medications before returning to the school environment.
• Students must be able to manage their symptoms/secretions independently. Students with excessive mucus drainage, coughing, and/or sneezing should be kept home, even if they do not have fever.
• Students returning to school after absence due to systemic illness often find the demands of a full day of classes to be exhausting, even if they are no longer "ill". Please consider whether your student may benefit by returning for one or two half days until they are able to build up their endurance to successfully complete a full day or a full day+ extracurricular activities.
• Students who need medication dispensed at school must have that medication brought to the STM Clinic by an adult and complete the necessary permissions that are mandated by the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. These guidelines are available in the STM Family Handbook, pp 38-41, located on the STM website, www.stthomasmore-school.org.

If you have questions/concerns about your student’s health status while at school please feel free to contact the nurse, Mrs. Gleason at 713.729.3434



February 13 NEWS...

Tomorrow we will celebrate St. Valentine’s Day.  Your child may bring Valentine cards or a non-food treat to share with your child’s classmates…please do NOT address the cards…this makes it much easier for the students to distribute them.
 
Ms. Howard/Mrs. Moreno-Garza’s 3K class has 13 students
Mrs. Mack/Mrs. Larrahona’s 3K class has 13 students
Mrs. El-Ahl/Mrs. Orsburn’s 4K class has 17 students
Mrs. Warner/Mrs. Garza 4K class has 19 students
 
Friday, February 15 is a noon dismissal for all students.  Starting at 1 pm we will have requested Parent / Teacher Conferences.  Preschool will have lunch before dismissing at 11:45 am.  Your child may bring their lunch or order from the cafeteria. NOTE:  the carpool line for the preschoolers will begin promptly at 11:45 am. If you have an older sibling, please pick up your preschooler first before getting in the Day School carpool line. The older students will dismiss at 12 noon. Parent/Teacher Conferences will begin at 1:00 pm by appointment only. Please email me at ncoltharp@stmorenews.com or call the Preschool office at 713-729-9062 by Wednesday, February 13, if you would like to schedule an appointment.
 
Saturday, February 16 – RACE DAY!!!  There is still time to register for Steps for Students!  If you have already registered, we appreciate your support and we look forward to seeing you on race day!  Register at   www.steps4students.org
 
STEPS is a family event with the Archdiocesan Schools. You may attend the walk downtown and then walk with your school family – STM will have a table set-up as their meeting place by 7 am…look for the STM school pop–up tent which will be located in the Village of Schools space # 14.  Mass at the Co-Cathedral begins at 6:30 am and is located at 1111 St. Joseph Pkway, 77002 The 5K Run/Walk will start at 8 am. The Post Race Party begins at 9 am. Free Parking is limited, but you may park in the PAY garages or the parking lots in the area – please note that there will be some street closures.  A map was inside the STEPS shirt.
 
Monday, February 18 is a school holiday…Teacher In-Service – NO SCHOOL.
 
Thursday, February 21 is Spirit Night at Bernie’s Burger Bus - 5407 Bellaire Blvd.
 
Friday, February 22, is Go Texan Day .
 
STM’s Re-admission information will be emailed to you by the end of the week.

Happy St. Valentine’s Day – love and prayers to all our STM families!

February 6 NEWS...
  
Re-enrollment for Current Students will be emailed to you at the end of this week.  Tuition Assistance info: The Tuition Assistance application for the 2019-2020 school year is now available.  If you are interested in applying for Tuition Assistance  please visit the Tuition Assistance page on the choosecatholicschools.org website.  You need to fill out the online application NOW.  Please note that the FACTS deadline is next Monday, February 11, 2019 where 90% of available funds will be distributed.  You will be emailed the week of March 18 regarding awards.  A second deadline for FACTS is on July 1, 2019 where the remaining 10% will be distributed.  Emails will be sent the week of July 29 to parents regarding awards.  In order for the application to be considered all documents requested by FACTS must be submitted PRIOR to the above deadlines.
 
Next week we will celebrate St. Valentine’s Day on Thursday, February 14.  Your child may bring Valentine cards or a non-food treat to share with your child’s classmates…please do NOT address the cards…this makes it much easier for the students to distribute them in the classroom.
 
Ms. Howard/Mrs. Moreno-Garza’s 3K class has 13 students
Mrs. Mack/Mrs. Larrahona’s 3K class has 13 students
Mrs. El-Ahl/Mrs. Orsburn’s 4K class has 17 students
Mrs. Warner/Mrs. Garza 4K class has 19 students
 
Friday, February 15 is a noon dismissal for all students.  Starting at 1 pm we will have requested Parent / Teacher Conferences.  Preschool will have lunch before dismissing at 11:45 am. NOTE:  the carpool line for the preschoolers will begin promptly at 11:45 am. If you have an older sibling, please pick up your preschooler first before getting in the Day School carpool line. The older students will dismiss at 12 noon. Parent/Teacher Conferences will begin at 1:00 pm by appointment only. Please email me at ncoltharp@stmorenews.com or call the Preschool office at 713-729-9062 by Wednesday, February 13, if you would like to schedule an appointment with your child’s teacher.
 
 
Saturday, February 16 – RACE DAY!!!  There is still time to register for Steps for Students!  If you have already registered, we appreciate your support and we look forward to seeing you on race day! You may register online at www.steps4students.org  
 
STEPS is a family event with the Archdiocesan Schools. You may attend the walk downtown and then walk with your school family – STM will have a table set-up as their meeting place by 7 am…look for the STM school pop–up tent which will be located in the Village of Schools.  Mass at the Co-Cathedral begins at 6:30 am.  The church is located at 1111 St. Joseph Pkway, 77002. The 5K Run/Walk will start at 8 am. The Post Race Party begins at 9 am. Free Parking is limited, but you may park in the PAY garages or the parking lots in the area…most parking fees cost $7…there will be some street closures. 
 
  Monday, February 18 is a school holiday…Teacher In-Service – NO SCHOOL.
 

REMINDER…School Uniform Regulations – SHOES:  
 
Dress or Tennis shoes must be closed and either solid black or solid white ONLY (white or black logo branding – Nike swoosh is allowed).  Tennis shoes must have non-marking or white soles.

Topsiders must be tan leather with tan sole ONLY.
 
For the safety of our students, especially on the playground and in the gym…we prefer that your child wear Tennis Shoes each school day.
 
Houston has another Cold Front around the corner (this Thursday evening) - please keep a sweater in your child’s backpack at all times.  We like to take the children outside daily to play, but they must wear a sweater or jacket on the playground when the weather is cool.  Please remember to label all outer clothing.

January 30 NEWS...

On Monday we opened our Catholic Schools week with a Pancake breakfast in Servant Hall.  Thank you for joining us so early in the morning and making it a huge success!  On Tuesday, we had special prayers in Religion class for our parents, teachers, Priests and Deacons.  We thank all our families for choosing STM and giving your child a Catholic education.
 
Tonight, Wednesday, January 30 is Open House in the Preschool building from 5pm to 6:30 pm.  The Library will be open until 7 pm so you may visit the Book Fair after visiting with the teachers and seeing your child’s amazing work they have prepared for you.
 
Thursday, January 31 - please help stock our food pantry…your child may wear jeans and tennis shoes of your choice with any STM shirt if you bring a non-perishable item for the food pantry…thank you.

STEPS - Thursday is also the last day to register for STEPS at a discount…price goes up on Friday…don’t be late, register today!!!

Friday, February 1 the Book Fair will close at noon in the school library.

The school administration, along with the religion department, is organizing a parent meeting on  Thursday, February 7 at 6:30 p.m. on the campus of St. Thomas More Parish School to present an overview of the Circle of Grace program that is being implemented in all Archdiocesan schools throughout Galveston and Houston. 
 
The Circle of Grace program is a safe-environment program that teaches children and youth how to identify and maintain appropriate physical, spiritual, and emotional boundaries.  This is a parent-only meeting. However, for your convenience free childcare will be provided by the school during the event. If you are planning to attend, we ask that you register for the meeting.  Please find the form on the STM website.


January 23 NEWS...
CARPOOL changes for tomorrow, Thursday, January 24 due to the Archdiocesan Science Fair being held on our campus:

        We will start the Preschool Carpool line at 8 am (the older students will be using the driveway between the Preschool building and the Old Gym/Rehkopf Center from 7:30-8am).
 
         Afternoon Carpool line will remain the same from 3 to 3:15pm.

        CAFETERIA menu change…since the Science Fair students will be housed in the cafeteria on Thursday, Hot Lunches are only being offered to the preschoolers; a sack lunch option is available or bring your own lunch:                                                                                       Hot Dog Hot Lunch including fruit and goldfish for $4.50 - drinks are .50 for water, Apple or Orange Juice for $1, and White or Chocolate Milk for $1…or you may choose the sack lunch:                                                                                                                   
         Ham Sandwich Sack lunch or a Ham and Cheese Sandwich Sack Lunch for $6 which includes a drink, fruit, chips and a cookie.

We appreciate your patience in advance…STM will have an extra 170 students who are participating in the Science Fair, 40 judges, sponsors and parents on the campus from 6:30 am to 3:30 pm.
 
Friday, January 25 – the Preschoolers will have a weekly Prayer Service in the Preschool building during the Church construction.  We will NOT be attending Mass with the older students in the Old Gym/Rehkopf Center.  Once the renovations are completed and we have re-opened the church, the Preschoolers will attend Mass.
 
Friday, January 25 is STM Spirit Day at Jumping World located at 6904 Southwest Freeway from 4-8pm.  Pay the special STM price of only $15 for 2 hours of jumping (regular price is $12 per hour).  STM will receive $7 per jumper!  If your child(ren) still have energy after 2 hours - you can purchase additional hours at $8 per hour. Concessions will also be available and open at 5pm....In other words, no cooking dinner that night.  A waiver is required for all JUMPERS, and no clothing with zippers, buttons, studs or rhinestones are allowed for safety reasons. You must fill out the online waiver before jumping.
https://www.rollerdigital.com/jumpingworldusahoustonsharpstown/waiver/#/

Our Catholic Schools’ Week “Learn Serve Lead Succeed” starts this Sunday, January 27. Please see our calendar of events below:

SUNDAY, JAN 27 - Wear your school uniform to church to show your school pride.  The Book Fair Opens on Sunday at 11am and closes at 2pm.

MONDAY, JAN 28 – Wear your pajamas to school.  You need a good night sleep to do your best at school.  Students in PK3 - 3rd grade may wear pajamas; students in 4th - 8th may wear their college gear!  

Monday, January 28 - Pancake Breakfast with Dad in Servant Hall. The breakfast is between 7 and 8 am…you are free to eat anytime between these hours for $5.00 per person.  (If dad is unavailable, your student may bring a favorite adult to breakfast.)  You must pre-register online – RSVP with the Pancake Breakfast google form found on the STM website’s home page…please note that NO walk-ins will be accepted.  Money must be sent to the office by Friday, January 25 – please make checks to St. Thomas More.   After the Pancake Breakfast please stroll over to the Book Fair and then take your child to the Preschool building for school.

All proceeds from the Pancake Breakfast go towards the STM Steps for Students Fundraising Goal.  The STEPS registration is $20 through January 31, 2019.  On Friday, February 1 the fee will be $30 per person.  Please register your student now.

If your child is not attending the Pancake Breakfast, Preschool will begin with carpool at 7:45 am.

TUESDAY, JAN 29 – Twin Day or Dress “ALIKE” day with your friends!  Don’t forget to LIKE our school on social media please!

WEDNESDAY, JAN 30 - Current Family Open House from 6:00pm to 7:30pm.  This is a family event.  Please bring your child to the classroom between 6 and 7:30 pm.  Your child is eager to show off their school work and artistic creations with you!  Please come and see all the fun we are having in Preschool.  The Book Fair will also be opened until 7:30 pm in the Library.

THURSDAY, Jan 31 - Bring a canned good/non-perishable item for our St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry and wear jeans and tennis shoes with your choice of any STM shirt.

FRIDAY, FEB 1 - Preschool Praise and Worship Service.  It is also World Read Aloud Day – please read to your child daily! 

A very special Thank You to our parents for the delicious and fun luncheon last week…we appreciate your hard work and all the great chefs.  It was an amazing Luau!

January 16 NEWS...

Monday, January 21 is Martin Luther King Holiday – NO SCHOOL - enjoy your long weekend!  Stay warm.

Thursday, January 24 – CAFETERIA menu change…due to the Archdiocesan Science Fair being held on our school campus, the cafeteria will only be able to offer a Hot Dog Hot Lunch or a cold Ham Sandwich Sack lunch or a cold Ham and Cheese Sandwich Sack Lunch for next Thursday, January 24, 2019.

Friday, January 25 is STM Spirit Day at Jumping World located at 6904 Southwest Freeway from 4-8pm.  Pay the special STM price of only $15 for 2 hours of jumping (regular price is $12 per hour).  STM will receive $7 per jumper!  If your child(ren) still have energy after 2 hours - you can purchase additional hours at $8 per hour. Concessions will also be available and open at 5pm....In other words, no cooking dinner that night.  A waiver is required for all JUMPERS, and no clothing with zippers, buttons, studs or rhinestones are allowed for safety reasons. You must fill out the online waiver before jumping.
https://www.rollerdigital.com/jumpingworldusahoustonsharpstown/waiver/#/


Our Catholic Schools’ Week “Learn Serve Lead Succeed” starts the following Sunday, January 27. Please see our calendar of events below:

SUNDAY, JAN 27 - Wear your school uniform to church to show your school pride.  The Book Fair Opens on Sunday at 11 am and closes at 2 pm.

MONDAY, JAN 28 – Wear your pajamas to school.  You need a good night sleep to do your best at school.  Students in PK3 - 3rd grade may wear pajamas; students in 4th - 8th may wear their college gear!    Pancake Breakfast with Dad in Servant Hall begins at 7am for $5.00 per person.  (If dad is unavailable, your student may bring a favorite adult to breakfast.)  You must pre-register online – RSVP with the Pancake Breakfast google form found on the STM website’s home page…please note that no walk-ins will be accepted.   All proceeds go to STM Steps for Students Fundraising Goal.   After the Pancake Breakfast please stroll over to the Book Fair!

TUESDAY, JAN 29 – Twin Day or Dress “ALIKE” day with your friends!  Don’t forget to LIKE our school on social media please!

WEDNESDAY, JAN 30 - Current Family Open House from 6:00pm to 7:30pm…come to your child’s classroom and see all the fun we are having in preschool J  The Book Fair will also be opened from 6 to 7:30 pm.

THURSDAY, Jan 31 - Bring a canned good/non-perishable item for our St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry and wear jeans and tennis shoes with your choice of any STM shirt.

FRIDAY, FEB 1 - We will celebrate Mass – all students please be in Dress Uniform.


January 9 NEWS...

Thank you to everyone who joined us Friday evening for the Yoga/Fun Fitness and Bingo event!  We raised over $1000.00 for STM’s STEPS for STUDENTS…our goal is $25,000.  If you have not registered for STEPS – please go to the following link:  https://www.steps4students.org and please search for St. Thomas More school.  This is one of the largest events in our Archdiocese that provides a platform enabling the 59 Catholic school communities to raise funds for our specific needs.  It is a family affair on Saturday, February 16, 2019.  The event begins with 6:30 am Mass at the Co-Cathedral.  The 5K race/walk will begin at 8 am downtown near the church.

Next Tuesday, January 15^th our current 4K families are invited to a special Kindergarten Preview!  We will begin at 7:45 am in the school Library.

Wednesday, January 16, the PK through First Grade parents will host a Staff Lunch.  Please check the MySchoolAnywhere link for sign-up opportunities for this event.

Monday, January 21 is Martin Luther King Holiday - NO SCHOOL.
 
Come out for our next Spirit Night at Jumping World located at 6904 Southwest Freeway on Friday January 25th from 4-8pm. Pay the special STM price of only $15 for 2 hours of jumping (reg price is $12 per hour).  STM will receive $7 per jumper! Your child(ren) still have energy after 2 hours?  No worries!  You can purchase additional hours at $8 per hour.  Concessions will also be available and open at 5pm....In other words, no cooking dinner that night.  A waiver is required for all JUMPERS, and no clothing with zippers, buttons, studs or rhinestones are allowed for safety reasons. You must fill out the online waiver before jumping.

https://www.rollerdigital.com/jumpingworldusahoustonsharpstown/waiver/#/

Please note that on our first calendar, January 25th was listed as a noon dismissal for Parent/Teacher conferences…this is now a regular school day.  Please note, the Parent/Teacher conferences have been changed to February 15th.  This date is reflected on the school calendar.

Thursday, February 7, at 6:30 pm in Servant Hall, all parents from PK-8 ^th grade are asked to attend a meeting regarding the Circle of Grace program.  This program teaches our children to identify and maintain appropriate physical, emotional and spiritual boundaries.  God is with them at all times.


January 3, 2019 NEWS...

Happy New Year 2019!

Welcome Back and thank you, thank you to our wonderful families for your generosity at Christmas. We are so blessed to have your joyous children in our school.  Sunday, January 6 is the Epiphany of Our Lord, or the 12th day of Christmas.  The word “epiphany” comes from the Greek  epiphainen, a verb that means "to shine upon," "to manifest," or “to make known.” Thus, the feast of the Epiphany celebrates the many ways that Christ has made Himself known to the world.  The visit of the Magi is emphasized on Epiphany Day, and Christ's baptism is celebrated the first Sunday that follows, January 13, 2019.

There is a special tradition of bringing Christ into your home for the new year that we would like to share with our STM families.  Take a piece of chalk and write CMB plus 2019 over your front door – the numerals of the new year along with the initials of the legendary Magi:  Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar …CMB in Latin also stands for “Christ, Bless this Home”.  We bless our homes knowing that God reveals Himself in the daily experiences of our lives.  Some families also bless each room sprinkling them with holy water. The blessing speaks of journeys ended and journeys begun at the doorway, and prays that all journeys be as satisfying as was the Magi’s.  It prays that the house beyond the door have the quality of love and peace that the Magi marveled at when they at last arrived in Bethlehem.  The CMB+2019 is a good way to share our faith with others when they ask you “What is that over your door?” explain to them that you have Christ in your home -  Be PROUD to be Catholic!   Recite this prayer when you mark your door:  The three Wise Men, Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar followed the star of God’s Son who became man two thousand and nineteen years ago.  May Christ Bless this home and remain with us all throughout the new year. Amen.

Friday, January 4 is Mass day – the Preschoolers will begin carpool line at 7:40 am. 

Friday, January 4 is also BINGO night and our STM Parish Community Fitness & Fun Night!  Join us at the K of C Fish Fry starting at 5 pm in Prinster Hall and then walk over at 5:30 pm to Servant Hall and Rehkopf Center for an evening of Bingo and games!  Please see the Principal's Memo for more info.
 
Monday, January 21 is Martin Luther King Holiday - NO SCHOOL.

Please note that January 25th was listed as a noon dismissal for Parent/Teacher conferences.  Please note, this date has been changed and was moved to February 15th.  This date is reflected on the school calendar.

December 17 NEWS...

The Preschoolers will attend December 19^th, Wednesday’s All School 8:15 am Mass.  The students may wear their Sunday BEST – no jeans please. Immediately after Mass, the preschoolers will process over to Servant Hall (next to the church) to sing Christmas Carols. We welcome you to join us for our annual Christmas Caroling!  Please wait to take photos after all students have entered Servant Hall.  Some of our children are very timid and do NOT like cameras going off in their faces. Thank you for your cooperation. The students will leave for the Preschool building immediately after the caroling for their classroom Christmas party.  Remember, it is an early dismissal day – Preschool carpool line will begin at 11:45 am…NO After School Care.
 
We will resume classes on Thursday, January 3, 2019.
   



DECEMBER 12 - Happy Feast Day - Our Lady of Guadalupe
 
Our Preschoolers have been busy preparing for the Christmas Season and Jesus’ birth in all of their classes.  They are also learning about traditions that are celebrated in Latin countries.  Today we celebrate the Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe.  On October 12, 1945, Pope Pius XII, decreed Our Lady of Guadalupe to be "Patroness of all the Americas." Her feast day is December 12, and it is a Holy Day of Obligation in Mexico.  Mrs. Jongkind showed a special movie in Spanish Class on the story of Our Lady of Guadalupe.  The Virgin Mary appeared four times before  Juan Diego and once more before Juan Diego's uncle at a place called the Hill of  Tepeyac, which would become part of  Villa de Guadalupe, in a suburb of  Mexico City.  The Virgin Mary told Juan Diego to go to his Bishop and ask for a church to be built at that site.  The Minor  Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in  Mexico City is the most visited Catholic pilgrimage site in the world, and the world's third most-visited sacred site.

Mrs. Jongkind also shared a special tradition celebrated by many Hispanics, Las Posadas. It originated in Spain, but it’s been a yearly celebration throughout Mexico for over 400 years. The tradition remembers and celebrates Mary and Joseph’s difficult journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem in search of a warm place to stay the night. ( Posadas is Spanish for “lodgings” or “accommodations.”)  Beginning on December 16 and ending nine days later, on December 24,  Las Posadas commemorates the nine months of Mary’s pregnancy. Each night, one family agrees to house the pilgrims. And so it begins: At dusk, a procession of the faithful takes to the streets with children often dressed as angels and shepherds. Religious figures, images and lighted candles are a part of the festivities. The group representing the Holy Family stands outside a series of houses, singing songs, asking for lodging. They are refused time and again until the group reaches the designated house. Finally, the travelers are permitted to enter. Prayer and song continue in the home, and festive foods are shared. The evening ends with a  piñata in the shape of star. Mrs. Jongkind gave the students a Pinata Star coloring page to work on in class.

HELP NEEDED!  Baker Elves and Servers Wanted!  On Dec 15 and 16, St. Thomas More will celebrate our wonderful Gift Giving Weekend.  One of our parish traditions has returned to STM to celebrate with Cookies after all the Masses. This has been an annual tradition for two decades.  Please help us continue this beautiful and unique parish tradition.  We need people to bake or buy 3 doz cookies.  They can be delivered to the Preschool building on Fri Dec. 14. We will also be accepting cookies at the Scout House on Sat. Dec 15 from 11-2 pm.  If you can help us serve after Mass that weekend please email Mrs. Warner at kwarner@stmorenews.com or or sign up with MySchoolAnywhere.  Again we need many, many cookies and many volunteers to continue this celebration.  Join us in this joyful event and thank you for helping make this tradition a big success, Kathy Warner. 
 
COLD WEATHER has hit HOUSTON and it looks like it might hang around for awhile this time!!!  Please, please dress your child in layers and send a jacket in the backpack – we can always take off layers, but your child will not be able to play outside without a jacket if our weather is cool…and the children do love to run and play outside.

Thank you for your pajama donations to the Preschool Service Project…we collected 76 pairs of pajamas!  Scholastic has been notified and we are now waiting to see which shelter will be receiving our pajama donation.  This is the note from Scholastic:  “The Pajama Program offers at-risk children the unconditional, magical gifts of pajamas and books to create a safe escape at bedtime, to open up their imaginations and creativity, and to give them the good night’s sleep that every child needs to realize their dreams. With your help, the children we serve can enjoy the greatest benefit of a loving bedtime and peaceful good night: a fulfilling good day. After all, good nights are good days.  Thank you for sharing your love with the children of Pajama Program. Your donation is greatly appreciated.”
 
Wednesday, DECEMBER 19 – please join us for caroling in Servant Hall after the 8:15 am Mass.  All families and friends are welcome to the Christmas Caroling.  Afterwards, the Preschoolers will return to the Preschool Building and have their classroom Christmas parties.  The students will have an early dismissal with carpooling starting at 11:45 am.  December 19 is our last day of Preschool and there will be NO After School Care.  THE PRESCHOOL IS CLOSED DECEMBER 20 through January 2 for Christmas Holidays.  Preschool will resume on Thursday, January 3, 2019.
 
Teachers’ Christmas Gift Fund is organized by the PTO.  Please check the website for more info…deadline is Tuesday, December 18.

December 6 - Happy St. Nicholas' Day   
We had a surprise visitor today who left candy canes!  The children have been very excited in preparation for Jesus’ birthday.

Thank you to everyone who had a chance to shop at Kendra Scott and/or phone in their orders last Monday…what a nice PTO event…thank you Mrs. Theresa Orsburn for all your hard work.  This was our last Spirit night for the Fall season…the Spring calendar will be out soon.

A very BIG thank you to Jace DeLaTorre’s uncle for all his beautiful handiwork in decorating the lawn in front of the STM Digital Sign at Hillcroft and Wigton.  We appreciate all your hard work Javier.

Scholastic Pajama deadline is December 10…any size new pajamas – thank you for supporting this Preschool Service Project.

COLD WEATHER in Houston comes and goes – we always need to be prepared for the unexpected.  Please, please dress your child in layers and send a jacket in the backpack – we can always take off layers, but your child will not be able to play outside without a jacket if our weather is cool.  Don’t forget to label them – not all children recognize their own clothes!!!

Come have  breakfast with Santa on this Saturday, December 8th.  The Knights of Columbus will be hosting this event in Servant Hall.  Santa will make his appearance from 8:30 - 10:00am.  Come enjoy some delicious breakfast, and take a picture with Santa!  

Calling all of Santa's helpers!  A long time STM Parish tradition will be returning to our parish on December 15th and 16th.   Cookie Weekend is back. That weekend (Gift Giving Weekend), cookies will be served after all the Masses.  As you can imagine, we need lots of volunteers to either bake or purchase cookies to donate and still more elves to help serve after each Mass.  We will be accepting cookies on Friday, December 14th in the Preschool or Saturday from 11am - 2pm in the Scout House. If you can help us, please contact Kathy Warner 713-591-7982 or  kwarner@stmorenews.com. Sign-ups are on the  My School Anywhere app too.  Thank you!

Please note the last day of school for this year is Wednesday, December19^th.  The students will attend the All School Mass at 8:15 am and they may either wear their dress uniform or come to school in their SUNDAY BEST…no jeans.  After Mass, the Preschoolers will walk over to Servant Hall and sing Christmas Carols around the Christmas tree.  Families and Friends are invited to come hear the Preschoolers sing – they have beautiful voices and are very excited to share their singing talent with you! The preschoolers will return to the Preschool building for a small class party after the Christmas Caroling. We will be dismissing the Preschoolers for carpool line at 11:45 am. 
We return in the New Year on Thursday, January 3, 2019.


November 28 NEWS...

Our Thanksgiving Prayer Service and Feast was absolutely beautiful last week!  We appreciate Father Hai, Deacon Johnson, Ms. Thome and all our families joining us on our special day of Praise.  Parents, we thank you for making this a wonderful tradition with our preschoolers.  We are blessed to be a special part of this amazing St. Thomas More Community.  We also thank you for all your generous food donations.  Many families benefitted with Thanksgiving baskets from our students’ generosity of food items to the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry.  Thank you for sharing in this time of need. 

Grandparents’ Day was a huge success – biggest turn out ever!!!  A BIG thank you to Mrs. Orsburn, Mrs. Callaci, Mrs. Cruz-Khilnani, Mrs. DeLaTorre and Mrs. Kentner,      Mrs. King, Mrs. Nelluvelil, Mr. Raimond and Mr. Suarez-Rivero for all their hard work in coordinating this amazing event.  Also, thank you to our Preschool families for the generous breakfast donations.  We truly do appreciate you.  You may view photos from Grandparents Day on the website - please call for the password.

Advent begins this Sunday, December 2, and the children are busy preparing for Jesus’ birthday and many Christmas surprises.  Please remember that Advent looks back to the first coming of Christ, our Savior, in Bethlehem; and it looks to the future when Christ will come again.  We hope you will be able to start your own family traditions during this liturgical season – the Advent Wreath is one tradition that we discussed in Religion classes with the students.  You can pray and sing around your Advent Wreath.  Some great Advent websites:  www.usccb.org, www.catholiceducation.org, www.catholicicing.com, and www.catholicmom.com .

Advent Wreaths - We light the first purple candle, PROMISE, to remind us that God promised to send us His son, Jesus.  The second purple candle, LIGHT, reminds us that the light of God’s love will show in our lives when Jesus is guiding us.  The third candle (pink), LOVE, reminds us that God wants us to love HIM and each other.  Finally, the fourth candle (purple), HOPE, reminds us that God gave us a gift of hope and life forever with Him.  Some Advent wreath traditions also include a fifth white “Christ” candle, symbolizing purity, that is lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas day…place this candle in the center of your wreath. Take time to go over ADVENT activities.
                                        
Come join us for a special PTO event this Monday, December 3, with shopping at Kendra Scott in Sugar Land – 20% of all sales go to St. Thomas More School…if you are unable to attend you may call the store at 832-532-8521 between 10 am and 9 pm and STM will benefit from your purchase.  Please see the flyer.

Breakfast with Santa is December 8 from 8:30 to 10 am - Please see the flyer.

Pajama Drive is back!!!  We are partnering with Scholastic Reading Club.  For every new pair of pajamas you donate, Scholastic Reading Club will pair it with a brand-new book!  Any size NEW pajamas will be accepted – from newborn to adult…please send the new pajamas to the Preschool by Monday, December 10.  The pajamas and books will be given to a child living in a homeless shelter for a reassuring bedtime.

Calling all of Santa's helpers!  A long time STM Parish tradition will be returning to our parish on December 15th and 16th.  Cookie Weekend is back. That weekend (Gift Giving Weekend), cookies will be served after all the Masses.  As you can imagine, we need lots of volunteers to either bake or purchase cookies to donate and still more elves to help serve after each Mass.  We will be accepting cookies on Friday, December 14th in the Preschool or Saturday from 11am - 2pm in the Scout House. If you can help us, please contact Kathy Warner at 713-591-7982 or kwarner@stmorenews.com. There are also sign-ups available on the My School Anywhere app.  Thank you!

2019 Auction / Gala help wanted!  The Steering Committee is looking for volunteers to work on this fundraising event which will be held on March 2.  If you are interested in helping with this exciting event please contact Mrs. Prado at kprado@stmorenews.com 

GENTLE REMINDERS: 

Please be prompt in both drop off in the mornings (7:45 to 8 am) and at the Preschool dismissal time (3 to 3:15 pm).

Please do not send any type of medicines to school in your child’s lunch kit or back pack…this includes - no vitamins and no cough drops.  All medicines (over the counter or prescribed medicines) that need to be administered during school hours need to be in the original package and given to either  Ms. Coltharp or the nurse, Mrs. Gleason, with a Doctor’s permission form.  The form is on the school website.

Please change the extra clothing in your child’s backpack – from summer clothes to winter clothes.  Remember to label all Sweaters and Coats.

We will break for the Christmas holidays with an early dismissal on Wednesday, December 19…carpool line will begin at 11:45 am.



November 12 NEWS...

Thanksgiving is just one week away and STM’s Student Council would like you to help with the school’s Thanksgiving Project.  We would like to make 60 food baskets for the STM Food Pantry.  Preschoolers are welcome to bring anything on the following list: Canned Vegetables, Canned Fruit, Boxed Potatoes, Rice, Stuffing Mix, or Canned meat.  All items need to be donated by Wednesday, November 14.  You may also purchase a pre-packaged bag of food at the Neighborhood Walmart for about $15.  Thank you for your help in this important food drive at Thanksgiving. 

WANTED - your invitation to the Preschool Praise and Worship Service this Thursday, November 15.  Please let us know by Wednesday morning if you and your child will be attending our special service.

Thursday, November 15, the Preschool classes, all MWF students and the M-F students will be hosting a Thanksgiving Prayer Service in the church and our Thanksgiving Feast in Servant Hall.  We are limited in space, so we will only be able to accommodate one parent at the actual feast.  HOWEVER, everyone is welcome to join us in the Church at 8:30 a.m. for our Preschool Thanksgiving Prayer Service and Song Festival.  We will begin the morning with NO carpool.  Please take your preschooler to the church at 8:15 am on Thursday, November 15 and join us for our special service.  Please note this is not a Mass celebration.  We plan to begin our program promptly at 8:30 on Thursday morning.  Then, immediately after the service we will walk over to Servant Hall for our Feast.  Please provide your own babysitting for siblings. 

November 15 will be a regular Preschool day with the Prayer Service in the morning.  Preschool will be dismissed at our regular hours.  However, you are free to take your Preschooler home after the feast…just let your teacher know if your child will be leaving early.

The Preschoolers will also be participating in the Grandparents' Day celebration on Friday, November 16.  We will begin our morning carpool line at 7:40 am so that we may be seated before Mass begins at 8:15 am.  Please drop off your child at the Preschool building no later than 8 am. You may tell the grandparents to check in at Servant Hall starting at 7:45 am before Mass. 
 
Preschool is in session a half day only on Friday, November 16.  All Preschoolers will be dismissed at 11:45 am.  We will NOT be having lunch on Friday, November 16. Grandparents, with the parent’s permission, may take your child home…please send a note to your child’s teacher. 
 
Thanksgiving Holidays will begin immediately after carpool this Friday, November 16 at noon.  May all our families have a very blessed and safe Thanksgiving.  Preschool classes will resume on Monday, November 26.  

November 7 NEWS...
 
THANK YOU to all our families for attending last night’s Spirit Night at Barry’s Pizza…you do make a difference and we appreciate your support!  The Preschoolers enjoyed making their own pizza – especially the dough!  Next Spirit Event is on Monday, December 3, from 6 to 8 pm at the First Colony Mall’s Kendra Scott…more info soon.
 
November 9-10 is the 2 ^nd Annual Tiger Family Campout  - Please sign up ASAP – otherwise the event may be cancelled.  More info in the Tuesday Principal’s Memo.

Monday, November 12 is Homeroom Class Picture Day…all students must be in the DRESS uniform.  Preschool Boys need to wear their long pants with the white button down shirt.  Preschool Girls need to wear the plaid jumper with the white button down shirt with the Peter Pan collar…or they may wear the Navy Dress.  Please NO red or green polo shirts on Monday.

Monday is also individual re-take photo day.  Please send your original photo to school on Monday, November 12, if you want your child to have a re-take.

Mark your calendars now for the Fall Parent Coffee next Wednesday, November 14th from 7:30am - 8:30am.  Coffee and tea will be served in the New Gym Foyer.

Thanksgiving is two weeks away and STM’s Student Council would like you to help with the school’s Thanksgiving Project.  We would like to make 60 food baskets for the STM Food Pantry.  Preschoolers are welcome to bring anything on the following list: Canned Vegetables, Canned Fruit, Boxed Potatoes, Rice, Stuffing Mix, or Canned meat.  All items need to be donated by Wednesday, November 14.  You may also purchase a pre-packaged bag of food at the Neighborhood Walmart for about $15.  Thank you for your help in this important food drive for all those in need this Thanksgiving. 

Thursday, November 15, the Preschool classes, all MWF students and the M-F students will be hosting a Thanksgiving Prayer Service in the church and our Thanksgiving Feast in Servant Hall.  We are limited in space, so we will only be able to accommodate one parent at the actual feast.  HOWEVER, everyone is welcome to join us in the Church at 8:30 a.m. for our Preschool Thanksgiving Prayer Service and Song Festival.  We will begin the morning with NO carpool.  Please take your preschooler to the church at 8:15 am on Thursday morning, November 15 and join us for our special service.  Please note this is not a Mass celebration.  We plan to begin our program promptly at 8:30 on Thursday morning.  Then, immediately after the service we will walk over to Servant Hall for our Feast.  Please provide your own babysitting for siblings. 

November 15 will be a regular Preschool day with the Prayer Service in the morning.  Preschool will be dismissed at our regular hours.  However, you are free to take your Preschooler home after the feast…just let your teacher know if your child is leaving early.
 
 
The Preschoolers will also be participating in the Grandparents' Day celebration on Friday, November 16.  We will begin our morning carpool line at 7:40 am so that we may be seated before Mass begins at 8:15 am.  Please drop off your child at the Preschool building no later than 8 am. You may tell the grandparents to check in at Servant Hall starting at 7:45 am before Mass.  Please see the schedule below:   
 
After the 8:15 am Mass is celebrated, the Preschoolers will be first to come up on the altar to sing to the grandparents in the congregation.   Immediately after the Preschoolers sing, we will take our Preschoolers back to the Preschool classrooms.  The grandparents (if they have no other siblings in the church) are welcome to exit the church and go to Servant Hall and have refreshments). Then the grandparents may walk over to the Preschool building to pick-up their Preschool grandchild and have a photo taken with them in the Preschool building. If you have siblings in the Day School, please stay in the church to hear the older siblings sing and then follow the above schedule with picking up the Preschool grandchild first and then going to the Day School for the older grandchild.  After you have gathered all the grandchildren, you may have your photo taken in the Day School Library. The Preschooler will be dismissed to the grandparent when they arrive to the Preschool building unless we have been notified otherwise.
 
Preschool is in session a half day only on Friday, November 16.  All Preschoolers will be dismissed at 11:45 am.  We will NOT be having lunch on Friday, November 16. Grandparents, with the parent’s permission, may take your child home…please send a note to your child’s teacher. 
 
Veterans Day is this Sunday, November 11.  Please send in all photos by this Friday so we may put up our Veterans Wall of Honor. 
 
THANKSGIVING HOLIDAYS…NOVEMBER 17 - 25…CLASSES RESUME ON MONDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2018. 

Spaghetti Dinner and Bingo - Saturday, December 15. This is a STEPS fundraising event…more information soon.

Reminder, please pack sweaters and/or a coat in your child’s backpack.  And please make sure the clothing is labeled.  Today is our last day of warm weather.  We are expecting really cold temperatures next week.  After our rain showers they are predicting the temperatures to be in the upper 30’s.  Houston is finally getting some Fall weather! 



HALLOWEEN -  Wednesday, October 31, the Preschoolers will parade in their class-made costumes in the Old Gym at 8:30 am.  Families and friends are welcome to join us for this fun event.  The children will also sing some Halloween songs and we will have a short prayer service.  Please do NOT send your child to school in a Halloween costume…they will wear the ones made at school.

October 24 NEWS...

Thank you, thank you to all who contributed to the success of this year's Oktoberfest!  We could not do this without all of our wonderful students and their families, teachers and staff, weekend volunteers, booth sponsors, raffle ticket sellers, and those who donated to the rummage sale, plant booth, stuffed animal booth, delicious treats to the sweet shop, cake walk and candy booth. Most of all we thank everyone who came out to enjoy the fellowship of this day. Watch this memo in upcoming weeks for a final amount raised.  Congratulations on a job well done to all students for selling Oktoberfest Raffle Tickets.  As a school community we sold over $41,866.00 in raffle tickets…this is absolutely amazing!  Our top selling families in the school community are:  1st place - Tamayo Family, 2nd place – Carnes Family, 3rd place – Kinsel Family.  The Preschool top selling students are: 1^st place – Emory Moreno and Jacquelyn Warden, 2^nd place - Jace DeLaTorre, and 3^rd place – Javier Aguilera.  Ms. Howard’s class had the top selling percentage of sellers and Mrs. Warner’s class brought in the most money for Preschool… thank you thank you for all your hard work!
 
Congratulations to our Rafffle ticket winners:
 
          1st place -- $5000 Visa gift card – Ms. Pat Flippen
          2nd place - $1500 Visa gift card – Mrs. Fontenot
          3rd place - $1000 Visa gift card –  Patti Heinrichs
          4th place - $500 Target gift card – Lizette Lazo
          5th place - $300 Target gift card – Karla Stoneham
 
Tuesday, October 23, we distributed the 1^st Quarter Report Cards – please check your child’s backpack.  We look forward to seeing you at the scheduled Parent / Teacher conferences on Friday, October 26 to discuss your child’s progress.
 
Friday, October 26 is Mass day and early dismissal at 11:45 am.  The scheduled Parent/Teacher conferences will be Friday afternoon.  Please let us know if you are unable to attend the conference .  All half day students may bring a lunch to school on Friday OR you may order the pizza lunch and dismiss at 11:45 am and not 11:15 am.

HALLOWEEN, Wednesday, October 31, the Preschoolers will parade in their class-made costumes in the Old Gym at 8:30 am.  We will begin promptly at 8:30 am.  Families and friends are welcome to join us for this fun event.  The children will also sing a few Halloween songs after they parade into the gym.  Please do NOT send your child to school in their own Halloween costume…they will wear the ones made at school.  We will put the class made costumes over their clothing for the Halloween Parade.
 
Thursday, November 1, is All Saints Day - we will be attending the 8:15 am Mass.  Please send your preschooler to school in their dress uniform on Thursday.  We will NOT celebrate Mass on Friday, November 2…the children may wear the casual uniform to school Friday.  Please be prompt with arriving to school on Mass Days.  Carpool will start at 7:40 am.
 
The Preschoolers have spiritually adopted Seminarian Ian Peoples who entered the Jesuits in 2015 and took his vows in August 2017.  Ian should reach the stage of ordination in about eight years.  Please keep him in your daily prayers. You may also include in your prayers, St. Ignatius the founder of the Jesuits and St. Alphonsus Liguori patron saint of vocations and priests…thank you. 
                                                                                                         
Mark your calendars:
 
Friday, October 26 – Early Dismissal and then Parent/Teacher Conferences
Wednesday, October 31 – Preschool Halloween Parade at 8:30 am in the Old Gym
 
Thursday, November 1 – All Saints Day – Preschoolers will attend Mass at 8:15 am
Friday, November 2 – K of C Fish Fry in Prinster Hall starting at 5 pm
Friday, November 2 – STM Choirs will be presenting an Evening of Prayer in Remembrance of the Dead – all invited to the church at 7:30 pm.
Sunday, November 4 at 2 am Daylight Savings Time ends - Turn your clocks back.
Tuesday, November 6 – Spirit Night at Barry’s Pizza at 6003 Richmond Ave.  The children will have stations to visit:  make your own pizza, balloon artist and face painting!
Friday, November 9 through Saturday, November 10  – STM Dads Club is hosting the Second Annual Tiger Family Campout on STM’s  back field – more info soon.
Thursday, November 15 – Preschool Thanksgiving Praise/Worship Service at 8:30 am
Friday, November 16 – Grandparents’ Day from 7:45 to 11:45 am…early dismissal
November 19 through 23 – NO Preschool…Thanksgiving Holidays
 
Monday, December 3 – Spirit Night at the Kendra Scott  store in First Colony Mall, Sugar Land from 6 to 8 pm…if you are unable to attend, please consider shopping online - orders will be accepted all day.
Friday, December 7 – K of C Fish Fry in Prinster Hall starting at 5 pm.
Saturday and Sunday, December 15 and 16 – Gift Giving Sunday at STM – we will also be handing out cookies at all the Masses and looking for bakers to donate cookies.
Friday, December 19 – All School Christmas Mass and then the preschoolers will sing Christmas Carols around the tree in Servant Hall after Mass…early dismissal at 12 noon.
 
Now that it is getting cooler, please remember to label all sweaters and jackets.
 
Cafeteria Lunch NEWS…the hot lunch is $4.50 and all drinks are $1.00 except for the small water which is 50 cents.  Please check your accounts…thank you.


October 17 NEWS...
 
Just 4 more days until OKTOBERFEST!!!  All children who have this year’s BLUE Oktoberfest t-shirt may wear it to school on Friday, October 19, with their uniform bottoms.  If you do not have the shirt – please dress in the school uniform.
 
This Sunday, October 21 is OKTOBERFEST from 10 am to 6 pm.  We have our booth chairs – but can still use some volunteers in the Stuffed Animal Booth from 10 am to 12 noon and from 4 to 6 pm. The Sweet Shoppe needs help with the last shift from 4 to 6 in the afternoon.  We are also looking for baked sweets (either home-made or store bought – please label if they have nuts) for the Sweet Shoppe.  You may bring these baked goodies to school on Friday, October 19 when you drop-off your preschooler in the morning or at pick-up  at 3 in the afternoon…OR, you may drop them off at the Scout House (Sweet Shoppe) anytime on Sunday during Oktoberfest - we appreciate all your help and we look forward to seeing you and your family on Sunday.
 
Raffle sales are going great – we are so close to reaching our goal this year that Mrs. Prado is sure we will exceed our goal.  Please keep selling your raffle tickets but turn them in by 3 pm on Friday so we can count your sales!  Thank you again for all your hard work in making this year’s Oktoberfest a success – you are appreciated.  Reminder, if we make our goal, we will have a school holiday on Monday, October 22nd.
 
Were you able to watch Channel 13 Morning News at 5:30 this morning?  Mr. Jeff Ehling (a STM parent) filmed Ms. Howard and her 3K students …they are our SUPER little Astro fans but with the biggest hearts and very loud cheers!!!  Wear your orange tomorrow and cheer on our Astros!

Friday, October 26 - Parent/Teacher Conferences and Early Dismissal Day.  The preschoolers will begin their carpool line at 11:45 am.  The students will eat lunch before they dismiss for the day at 11:45 am.  Please look for your scheduled time to meet with your class teacher.  We look forward to seeing you on Friday.  


HALLOWEEN -  Wednesday, October 31, the Preschoolers will parade in their class-made costumes in the Old Gym at 8:30 am.  You are welcome to join us for this fun event – the children will also sing some Halloween songs.  Please do NOT send your child to school in a Halloween costume…they will wear the ones made at school.


October 15 NEWS...
 
Mrs. Kathy Prado sent out an email Monday morning asking for help this weekend.  Please read some of the letter below from Mrs. Prado…
 
Oktoberfest is this Sunday, October 21^st from 10 am to 6 pm.
 
We need everyone's help to make this major fundraiser a success!  There are many ways to get involved and show your love and support for St. Thomas More Parish School.  Here are a few examples...Sell your Raffle Tickets…Volunteer to work a shift at Oktoberfest – Bake!  You may sign up with the Sign Up Genius online…thank you!

Preschool Booths…

Stuffed Animal Booth
9 am to 10 am – Set Up… help with hanging the stuffed animals
10 am to 12 noon – two spots
12 to 2 pm – one spot
2 to 4 pm – one spot
4 to 6 pm – two spots

Sweet Shop in the Scout House
12 to 2 pm – two spots
2 to 4 pm – two spots
4 to 6 pm – three spots

WE ARE ALSO IN NEED OF AN ELECTRICIAN ON FRIDAY (October 19th) TO HELP CONNECT OUR SUB-PANEL.   Please email Kathy Prado  at kprado@stmorenews.com if you can help us out!  
 
October 10 NEWS...
 
Today is Spirit Night – Wednesday, October 10 at Tapester’s Grill located at 4520 Beechnut…drop in anytime - all day at Tapester’s Grill.  Children who order a Kids Meal will receive a free dessert – just make sure to mention St. Thomas More!
 
Thank you to all our Crazy Sock students – Beta Club is very appreciative of the donations!  And, we enjoyed seeing all the students’ crazy and cute socks!
 
Tomorrow, Thursday, October 11, the Preschoolers may dress as their favorite book or movie character…please no Halloween Costumes – just a “character” shirt with pants and tennis shoes.  
 
Friday, October 12 is the All School Mass.  Please wear dress uniform - boys in long pants and white oxford shirt and the girls in either the blue dress or the plaid jumper with the white blouse.
 
Sunday, October 21 is OKTOBERFEST from 10 am to 6 pm.  Currently, we have sold $20,000 worth of raffle tickets – AWESOME JOB!  Please keep selling!
 
BIG THANK YOU to Javier at Ranchwood Landscaping for the generous donation to STM.  He did an awesome job landscaping around our Digital Sign on Hillcroft and Wigton with pumpkins and fall plants – it is absolutely beautiful!  Please see the back of this memo for more information on Ranchwood Landscaping.  Also, thanks to     Mrs. DeLaTorre for having a talented gardener in the family – Javier is her brother.
 
HELP PLEASE…Substitute Teachers are needed in the Preschool classrooms…this is a paid position.  Requirements:  you must love children and you must be Virtus trained.  Go to www.virtus.org and look for the free 3 hour class “Protecting God’s Children” at a church in the Galveston-Houston Archdiocese.  Once you have completed the course and background check then you will be eligible to sub in the Preschool J 
All Preschool classrooms have two teachers working together with the students – you will not be alone with the children and you will have fun!
 
Remember to read the Principal’s Memo for more information on events at the school:  https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#inbox/FMfcgxvzKtZzPSZKRRbljfbWXbktBcQb


October 3 NEWS...
 
Thank you to everyone who joined us last Friday for our Family Spirit Day at Chuck E. Cheese…the school profited $238.00.  Thank you Mrs. Orsburn for all your hard work in booking our Spirit Nights.  Currently, we have collected $591.28 from the 3 Spirit Nights.  Mark your calendar for our next Spirit Night – next Wednesday, October 10 at Tapester’s Grill located at 4520 Beechnut…drop in anytime - all day at Tapester’s Grill.  You can order take-out too for lunch or dinner!
 
Friday, October 5 is First Friday of the month and both 3K and 4K will be attending the All School Mass.  Please wear dress uniform - boys in long pants and white oxford shirt and the girls in either the blue dress or the plaid jumper with the white blouse.
 
This Friday is also STM’s FISH FRY with the Knights of Columbus in Prinster Hall/Cafeteria starting at 5 pm and closing when they run out of fish.  They ordered extra fish this month! 
 
Sunday, October 21 is OKTOBERFEST from 10 am to 6 pm.  Raffle Sales are at $15,000.  We are half way to our goal of $30,000.  We appreciate your support - Please keep selling your raffle tickets…we have lots of tickets if you need more!
 
Several items are needed to make Oktoberfest a success…gently used stuffed animals for the Stuffed Animal Booth – all sizes are accepted, gently used books for the book sale, items for the Rummage Sale which will be held in Servant Hall, plants for the plant booth, baked goodies and sweets for the Sweet Shoppe (held in the Scout House) and/or the Cake Walk which is in front of the New Gym…please mark your sweets if they contain nuts.  We are also looking for new small items… children’s toys or games for the Plinko Booth.  These items will be used for prizes at the Plinko Booth – a very popular game booth.  Donations are very much appreciated!  AND, don’t forget to sign up to work a shift at Oktoberfest.  Please email Mrs. Prado at kprado@stmorenews.com if you have any questions or to volunteer.
 
NEXT WEEK is Homecoming Week for the STM Volleyball and Soccer teams!
 
Monday, October 8 – NO SCHOOL…it is a Teacher In-Service day.  Enjoy your long weekend.
 
Tuesday, October 9 - Twin Day ...teachers and students may dress alike (you may also wear your blue Oktoberfest shirt).
 
Wednesday, October 10 - RED Spirit Day...please wear your Red shirt.  You may also wear crazy socks with a $1 donation to the Beta Club for their special fundraiser.  Beta Club is a Middle School Service Organization.  Reminder - Wednesday is also Spirit Night at Tapester’s Grill.
 
Thursday, October 11 - Preschoolers may dress as their favorite book or movie character.

The Preschoolers had a special in-house field trip today!  Houston Fire Department – Station #82 Fire Truck and four firefighters visited the children for October’s Fire Safety Month.  The firemen had a short presentation showing off their equipment and told them the truck carried over 500 gallons of water on it.  Then the rookie fireman put on his gear so the children won’t be afraid if they see a fireman all dressed out.  They also demonstrated the STOP, DROP and ROLL safety technique and reminded the children to always cover their faces.  Finally, all the children were allowed to walk through the fire truck!!! Please speak to your children about a fire escape plan in your own home.  We have fire drills at school but the Fire Captain said it was very important that families discuss their escape routes and have home practice drills. Please, remember to change your batteries in your smoke alarms yearly…October is a good month to change batteries.
 
Helpful safety tips and information from the City of Houston’s Fire Department - babysitting guides to cooking and holiday safety:
http://www.houstontx.gov/fire/safety/safetytips.html
 
A very informative fire safety video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WiIGMWRKfQI


September 26 NEWS...
 
Friday, September 29 is Family Spirit Day at the Chuck E. Cheese’s on SW Freeway in Stafford…please join us for fun, food, and social from 3 pm to 9 pm at 11920 Southwest Freeway, 77477.  Don’t forget to mention STM and receive 10 free game points per child.  A portion of all food, merchandise and Play Points is donated to STM.
 
Sunday, October 21 is OKTOBERFEST from 10 am to 6 pm.  Please check your MySchoolAnywhere email that was sent out this week regarding how to volunteer.  Oktoberfest is one of our major fundraisers and we need YOU and your support. Mrs. Prado is looking for a chairperson to run BINGO in the Old Gym.  Everything will be provided – we just need your help!  Please email Mrs. Prado at kprado@stmorenews.com to volunteer.
 
Oktoberfest RAFFLE Tickets…we have collected $6,000.00 in raffle ticket sales – thank you for your support.  Please let me know if you need more raffle tickets!
 
Several items are needed to make Oktoberfest a success…gently used stuffed animals for Mrs. Mack’s Stuffed Animal Booth – all sizes are accepted, gently used books for the book sale, items for the Rummage Sale which will be held in Servant Hall, plants for the plant booth, baked goodies and sweets for the Sweet Shoppe (held in the Scout House) and/or the Cake Walk which is in front of the New Gym…please mark your sweets if they contain nuts.  Donations are very much appreciated!
 
Lunches – please note if you are sending water to school in your child’s lunches, the teachers would prefer you to send either water bottle containers that have a lid which closes and does NOT leak or please send the small 8 ounce water bottles.  DO NOT send the big 16 ounce water bottles.  They are very hard for the children to handle at the lunch table.  Most of the bigger water bottles are spilling and the children then have to go to the water fountain for their drink.  We will refill the small water bottles…thank you for your help.  
 
Substitute Teachers are needed in the Preschool classrooms…this is a paid position.  Requirements:  you must love children and you must be Virtus trained.  Go to www.virtus.org and look for the free 3 hour class “Protecting God’s Children” at a church in the Galveston-Houston Archdiocese.  Once you have completed the course and background check then you will be eligible to sub in the Preschool.  
 
Please see the Thank You note BELOW for all the wonderful religious articles that you donated to the STM Medical Mission Team…a special Mass will be celebrated on Friday, October 12, at 8:15 am.

Thank you so much to all those who were able to help our team provide rosaries and religious items to the people we will be serving in El Salvador the end of October.   St. Thomas More Parish School families on very short notice collected over 1100 items.  These will help our team to not only bring medical care to the poorest of the poor but to bring Christ and Our Lady to them.  Many of these people come back year after year and tell the missionaries that these are the only items they have to adorn their small houses.  It is wonderful that we are able in a small way to remind them that they are loved and remembered in our prayers and we in theirs.
 
On Friday, October 12, 2018, the 8:15 Mass will be offered for all the volunteers, those going on the mission and all at home missionaries.  I hope you can join us as we pray for the success and safe travels of our volunteers.
 
Thank you for your kindness and prayers.
                  
Kathy Warner and the STM Medical Mission Team



September 19 NEWS...
 
Thank you to all who joined us at the LosTio’s Spirit Night this past Monday.  STM earned $150 from your food sales – my Nachos Los Tios were yummy!  Please save the date for our next STM Spirit Night at the SW Freeway Chuck E. Cheese on Friday, September 28…more details soon.

STM is hosting a viewing of  Screenagers:  Growing up in the Digital Age tomorrow evening, September 20.  The movie begins at 7 pm in the church. This screening will give attendees the science and research-based information needed to make informed decisions about Technology and screen use.  You will also be given solutions and resources to better navigate the digital world.  Please join us for a social before the movie at 6:30 pm in Servant Hall.  Babysitting is free to STM students – but reservations are required.  For babysitting please email Mrs. Gleason at mgleason@stmorenews.com   Movie Tickets are selling fast - $10 online in advance https://impactflow.com/event/presented-by-st-thomas-more-parish-school-9137  or $15 at the door.

A reminder for afternoon carpool…walk-up parents please park on the residential side of Wigton Drive and do NOT walk in between the Carpool line.  The Preschool Carpool line is daily from 3 to 3:15 pm.  Thank you for your understanding and your help.  Also, if your child attends the ASC program but you would like to pick them up at 3 pm on special days, please give us a call by 2:45 pm so that we may have your child in the right area. 
 
BOXTOP special drive until Friday, September 28.  Please see the attached flyer and the drawing by our Librarian, Mrs. Fontenot.
 
Oktoberfest is a month away…Sunday, October 21 from 10 am to 6 pm.  Oktoberfest is one of our major fundraisers and we need your help and support.  Booth sponsorship is a large part of the success of our event.  Please email Mrs. Prado at kprado@stmorenews.com  if you are interested in sponsoring a booth.  Also, please turn in your raffle tickets – if you need more tickets, you may request them on the brown envelope.  We also have the blue 2018 Oktoberfest t-shirts ($10) available for your child and they may be worn on Tuesday Spirit days with the school uniform bottoms.  Thank you for your help and support – we do appreciate you.

Have you ever given your child your cell phone or an ipad to entertain them?  Please join us this Thursday, September 20 for the special screening of the movie SCREENAGERS – Growing up in the Digital Age.  The movie will begin at 7 pm in the Church – however, you may join us for a social in Servant Hall at 6:30 pm before the movie.  Babysitting is available for STM students – free of charge…reservations are required for babysitting.  MOVIE Tickets are $10 now or $15 at the door.  Tickets online – https://stthomasmore-school.org/screenagersmovie.com


September 12 NEWS...

Dear Parents,
 
We need your help please.  If you did not receive yesterday’s Principal memo, please let us know ASAP.  This means we do NOT have your correct email address.   In the Tuesday memo was information about IRIS – the Alert System that STM will use in the event of a school emergency, such as closures due to weather.  IRIS allows us to quickly contact families by phone and email.  We will be testing the notification system after school. If you do not receive a call and/or email from us by the end of today, Wednesday, September 12 - please contact Mrs. Judy Gentempo at  jgentempo@stmorenews.com.  
 
We have been in school a month and the students have really settled down into their routines – we are so proud of them.  Please remember you may check out your homeroom teachers on the main school web page for any additional class information and look for the weekly Show and Tell HW on RenWeb too. 
 
Mrs. Moreno, our Preschool Religion teacher is still missing a few Circle of Grace permission slips before she may start the program.  Please return by this Friday.
 
If you send lunch items that need utensils, please place them in your child’s lunch kits and label them if they are not disposable.  Also, remember to send napkins and straws…we do NOT always have them handy in the classrooms…thank you. 
 
Next Monday, September 17 is our Spirit Fiesta Night.  Please join us at the Meyerland Los Tios from 4 to 10 pm at 4840 Beechnut, 77096.  Remember to say you are from St. Thomas More.  Please mark your calendar for our next Spirit event that will be held on Friday, September 28 at the SW Freeway Chuck E Cheese.
 
Thank you to all who attended the first K of C Fish Fry…they sold out early this month, so if you were unable to get your fish dinner – please come back on Friday, October 5…they promise to have plenty of fish!
 
THANK YOU for all the religious donations to the Medical Mission – Mrs. Warner will give an update soon!

September 5 NEWS...
Thank you for joining us last Thursday evening at our Parent's Back to School Night.  We appreciate you taking time to come and visit with your child’s teachers.  We still have a few missing forms that were sent home that evening.  If you have not returned them to school, please send them in the morning…thank you.

STM loves volunteers!  From volunteering with PTO and PAWS at school events or helping as a substitute teacher (we are looking for subs and this is a paid position) please make sure you have completed the special training, “Protecting God’s Children”.  First visit www.virtus.org and choose the Galveston-Houston Archdiocese.  Then you select the class.  Classes are held at various times at our churches across the Houston area.   It is a free class which last 3 hours…do NOT be late – they will close the doors.  NOTE:  they will also run a background check.  Please let me know if you want to SUB.

Mass on Friday, dress uniform please – long pants for the boys with the white shirt and dress jumper with the Peter Pan blouse for the girls.  Both 3K and 4K students will be attending Mass this Friday, September 7.  Carpool line will begin at 7:40 am so that we may arrive to church for the 8:15 am Mass on time.  If you arrive late, please take your Preschooler and meet us over in the church.

Thank you for the many donations to the Medical Mission Team.  Mrs. Warner has one more week until she needs to pack them up.  Please send any Holy cards, religious greeting cards, religious articles and most importantly rosaries to the Preschool by September 12.

Fish Fry by Knights of Columbus is back!!!  They are held the first Fridays of the month and then every Friday during Lent except on Good Friday.  Please join us for good food and fellowship this Friday, September 7 in Prinster Hall (cafeteria) from 5 to 7 pm.  Adult plates are $8 and Children under 12 years of age are $4.  This Fish Fry has been noted to be the best in the Archdiocese!  

August 29 NEWS...
 
Parent's Back to School Night is tomorrow evening, Thursday, August 30 from 6 to 7 pm. Parents are invited to Servant Hall beginning at 5:30 pm to learn about our various groups and events (PTO, PAWS, Dad's Club, Scouts, Box Tops, Oktoberfest, etc...).  At 6:00 pm we will begin the meeting with prayer and a short Power Point detailing the most important needs to know for the year. Next, you will have the opportunity to hear from your children's teachers in the homerooms.  Hope to see you tomorrow evening!

Mass on Friday, dress uniform please – long pants for the boys with the white shirt and dress jumper with the Peter Pan blouse for the girls.  Only the 4K students will be attending Mass this Friday.  In September the 3K students will begin attending Mass with all the students.

Medical Mission Team needs your help – we are looking for donations: holy cards, religious greeting cards, religious articles and most importantly rosaries.  If you have anything you would like to donate just send them to school - Attn: Mrs. Warner or drop them off at the Preschool building. We will be trying to ship these the first week of September.  Thank you.

Labor Day Holiday is Monday, September 3 - NO SCHOOL.
Enjoy the long weekend and be safe!

August 22, 2018 NEWS...
Happy Wednesday!  We are in week 2 and we have a happy building.  The children are coming into the classrooms with BIG smiles on their faces and eager to learn. Thank you for being prompt at drop off and pick-ups.  It is very important to have the children in the classroom by 8 am - we appreciate your help. 

This morning’s photo session was an adventure…every child did get their picture taken for the school yearbook.  Purchasing your child’s photo is optional.  You may order your child’s school photo online at: inter-state.com/order and use  our school code of 30216NA.

Just a few reminders about Carpool Safety:  First, we really would like everyone to use our carpool line in the morning…the exception are the neighbor children who walk to school and use our crosswalk.  Please never walk in between the cars or in front of cars that are using our carpool line…sometimes parents are still waving goodbye to their child and cars are moving…you and your child may not be seen by the driver.  If you must walk your child up – please use the crosswalk and walk over by the Old Gym/Rehkopf Building.  Then, one of the Preschool teachers will meet you to help walk your child to the front of our building.  As always, the safety of our students comes first. 

Please do NOT let your child get out and walk between our cars.  We will open the car door for your child and unbuckle them so they may arrive safely to school.  If you need to give us a message, it is best to have it written down or call us after 8:30 am. However, we will take lunch orders in the carpool line! 

Afternoon Carpool Line begins at 3:00 pm OR after all our walk-ups have been dismissed.  Please wait for us to wave you into the driveway and have your green carpool cards clearly displayed on your front windshield or hanging from your rearview mirror.  Some cars have a dash that leans back toward the driver and therefore the green cards cannot be seen by the teachers…thank you for your patience and understanding.

Lunches may be ordered online on your Renweb account – You may also put money into your child’s cafeteria account – through your FACTS account…top left side tab.

Back to School Dance – is this Saturday, August 25 from 6 to 9 pm in the Old Gym/Rehkopf Center.  Admission is $5 per person or $20 per family…food and drinks will also be available to purchase during the evening…everything is $1.00.

Monday, August 27, from 5 to 8 pm, is our First Family Spirit Night…please join us at the Meyerland Chick-fil-A, 5001 Beechnut and mention St. Thomas More when you place your order for dinner.….please see the attached flyer with all the FALL dates.

Thursday, August 30 is our Parent's Back-to-School Night… Parents only - please join us from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. We will meet first in Servant Hall (the hall is right next to the Church). The evening will begin promptly at 6 p.m. with a welcome from our Pastor and Principal…then at 6:20 the Preschool parents will report to their child's homeroom in the Preschool building. This is a great way to meet your child's teachers and to see what will be going on in their classes during this school year. 

Mrs. Prado will also have the new blue Oktoberfest t-shirts ($10 each) available for purchase at the Back to School Night.  The blue Oktoberfest shirts may be worn on our weekly Spirit Tuesdays with the uniform bottoms!  Mark your calendars for Oktoberfest - Sunday, October 21, 2018…Preschool will be looking for all bakers to help out in the Sweet Shoppe…more info soon!

VIRTUS TRAINING - National Protecting God’s Children Child Abuse Prevention Program, is required of any volunteer who will spend time supervising the children of St. Thomas More School. This includes, but is not limited to, substitute teachers, room parents, recess duty workers, clinic volunteers, and chaperones. You may register for the program at www.virtus.org and choose Galveston-Houston Archdiocese.  The first class is called Protecting God’s Children.  Classes are offered at various times and locations throughout the Archdiocese. Please note: IMPORTANT VIRTUS NEWS ....A one and a half hour refresher course called Keeping the Promise Alive is required of anyone who took VIRTUS Protecting God’s Children (the first class) prior to December 31, 2011. To register for Keeping the Promise Alive please go to www.virtus.org

FORMS - If you have not already done so, please sign and return all STM forms to the school office by Friday, August 24. Parents, please note that the Print Media form that you returned had several choices…granting your child’s photo to be taken and also published either in the yearbook or on the school website, no photos for public view, nothing on the internet, and no financial remuneration.  We are sending home forms that had everything checked off or not filled out - thank you for your prompt attention to this important matter.

EMAILS – please send us a good email if you are not receiving the weekly Tuesday Principal’s Memo…the second memo went out yesterday evening.  The Preschool Memo will be posted under Parent Information – Preschool – Weekly Memo.  A hard copy of the Preschool Memo will also come home with your child every Wednesday.

St. Thomas More Medical Mission NEWS…
 
As many of you know St. Thomas More Parish has a Medical Mission Team that travels each year to El Salvador. What most people don’t know is that along with providing medical care they also are missionaries. With the help of others in the parish these people not only take care of desperately needed health care but meet the spiritual needs of people who have very little. This is done by distributing religious articles, holy cards, religious greeting cards and one of the most treasured, rosaries. Mr. and Mrs. Pesl have made 1000’s of rosaries over the last 10 years to help this effort. Like many others they lost their home during Harvey and all their supplies for making the rosaries. They are relocating to Spring and will no longer be able to continue to help our team. So we are reaching out to our school community to ask you to help us anyway you can. We’re asking you to look around your home, see if you have any holy cards, religious greeting cards, religious articles and most importantly rosaries you could donate to this cause. So please, consider becoming a home missionary by joining our team to bring Christ and the Catholic faith to those that only know Christ through us. If you have anything you would like to donate just send them to school Attn: Mrs. Warner or drop them off at the Preschool building. We will be trying to ship these the first week of September. Please every little item is a treasure to those that literally have nothing.
Any questions??? Email me at kwarner@stmorenews.com I promise you, you will reap many graces by bringing Christ to others.   Mrs. Warner


PHOTO DAY IS WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22...
Individual School Pictures are scheduled for this  Wednesday, August 22, 2018.  The students will be allowed to dress in non-uniform clothes.  Students may wear an appropriate shirt and pants or jeans (no skinny jeans or holes/rips in the jeans).  Uniform shorts are acceptable.  All students should follow the guidelines listed on page 52 of the  Family Handbook.  Any student with inappropriate attire will be asked to call their parent to bring them a uniform.  Order forms went home with the students on Monday.  Purchasing photos is optional...however, every student will have their picture taken for the yearbook. 
You may also order pictures online, please visit  inter-state.com/order and use  our school code of 30216NA.

 

August 15, 2018 NEWS...
Welcome!  We are delighted to have your child enrolled with us for the 2018-2019 school year.  We feel blessed to share this important year with your child.  The first few days of Preschool have been fun and exciting.  We only took the 4K students to Mass this morning for the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and it was a beautiful Mass.  We hope to continue everyone’s enthusiasm for learning all year and let their light shine as we Imagine, Believe and Achieve! 
 
The children have been adventurous and busy making new friends, singing, learning, and playing.   In Religion with Mrs. Moreno, the children have discovered they are special and God found them a perfect family.  In P.E. with Coach Iris and Coach Mouton, the students are discovering how their bodies can move and how coordinated we can be with a little practice!  The teachers will join in the fun and make each child’s day special.  Your child will receive opportunities to increase their skills of problem solving, thinking, reasoning, and creating…and they will learn through play!  Playing encourages social development with the opportunity to learn by doing – taking turns, making friends, sharing, helping others, recognizing and accepting others, cooperating on projects, and building self-esteem.  Please ask your child about their school day and check for art work and important papers in the backpacks daily.
 
CARPOOL and traffic info…We will start our Preschool Carpool Line at 7:45 am each day.  Our line does move quickly – we finish in 15 minutes most days.  We ask all parents to use the line and not walk up to the building unless you are a designated walker from the neighborhood.  You must use the crosswalk if you are a walker.  PLEASE, drop off your older student in the back by the new gym and then come and get in the Preschool carpool line…take those special minutes with your child to read a book before he/she starts the day with us!  Don’t forget to wait for my signal.  We can NOT take EARLY BIRDS unless you are registered and arrive before 7:30 am.  We have two Early Bird teachers with over fifty K-8 ^th graders who need to get to classrooms by 7:45 so they may start their day.  We will promptly start our Carpool line at 7:45 – or after our circle driveway is free of walkers from the neighborhood.  In the afternoons we will begin our afternoon Carpool Line at 3 pm.  Please be prompt in dropping off and picking up your child.  While using the Carpool Line, please stay off your cell phone and be safe, patient, understanding and never walk children or adults between the cars.  Thank You for helping us keep all our students safe.
 
FACTS – If your child is enrolled in the Before and After School Program, our business manager, Mr. Leung will be billing you through FACTS.  If you are ordering lunch from the Cafeteria – please go to your Parents Renweb account – then look on the top left side click on 2018-2019 Cafeteria Account to add funds to your child’s account.  If you have paid in cash or check this week, the monies have been turned in to Mr. Leung and he will place this in your account.  The Preschool Cafeteria Menu is online.  You should be able to place your order from home online but please also let us know during the morning carpool line if your child will be ordering lunch…thank you. 
 
LUNCHES – please pack a nutritious lunch.  Remember to cut/slice all fruit – especially, grapes into spears and apples into bite size pieces and hotdogs should be cut into spears or quarters.  Don’t forget to send spoons and please label them and any containers/thermoses.
 
PAPERWORK – we are still missing paperwork – most importantly is the Green Health information and the White Photo Permission form.  Also, we should have your email address from Renweb – however, if you did not receive the first Principal memo that was emailed yesterday, please contact me with your current email address. 

UNIFORMS - We realize the Preschool uniforms from MILLS Uniform Store are on backorder.  The company is working on a solution and promises to have everything filled shortly.  In the meantime, please send your child in khaki shorts or pants with a red polo or the red spirit shirt or the current blue Oktoberfest shirt with tennis shoes – and NO BELTS.  Please keep extra clothing in the backpacks – just label everything.

STM Parish Soccer League information is going home today.

Celebrate your child’s birthday in LIGHTS…please send the $10.00 payment with the form if you are interested in having your child recognized for his/her birthday on STM’s outdoor digital display sign at the corner of Hillcroft and Wigton Dr.

Back to School Dance  will be held on Saturday, August 25 from 6 to 9 pm.

Spirit Night at the Meyerland Chick-fil-A on Monday, August 27.

Evening Open House on Thursday, August 30 at 6 pm.

Preschool and After School Care Phone #  713-729-9062




 





1. Bring Your Own - The trash we "throw away" doesn't disappear. Plastic bags, disposable food containers, snack wrappers, and other loose garbage can be washed into local waterways and eventually end up in the ocean where it poses a major hazard for marine life. Sea birds, turtles, seals, and other animals can mistake floating plastic for food or become tangled in it and die. So make a point to bring your own reusable shopping bags, beverage cups, and food containers. 
 
2. Check the Pressure - Hitting the road? Grab a simple tire gauge and make sure your tires are properly inflated. You can trim your carbon footprint, reduce wear and tear on your vehicle, and save yourself some cash at the same time. In fact, the U.S. Department of Energy estimates that under-inflated tires waste about 1.2 billion gallons of gas per year in the U.S. Cutting back on fossil fuel consumption can help curb the effects of  climate change and ocean acidification, which are altering ocean chemistry and disrupting marine wildlife on a global scale.

3. Flip the Switch - Many household electronics, such as video game consoles, stereos, computers, and kitchen appliances, continue drawing power after they are switched off. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that this “phantom” energy use accounts for 75% of the power consumed by electronics in the average home. Eliminate this extra energy use by unplugging your gadgets or using a power strip to safely and quickly cut power to electronics that are not in use.
 
4. Clean Up Your Act - Even if you don't live near the coast - all that goes down your drain can eventually end up in the ocean. You can help keep the ocean and other waterways healthy by picking your cleaning products carefully. Many household chores can be done with simple, non-toxic ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, or lemon juice.
 
5. Be a Picky Eater - When it comes to seafoods, there aren't always plenty more fish in the sea. In fact, some studies estimate that up to 90 percent of large predatory fish (those that eat other animals—and usually end up on our dinner plates) have disappeared since humans began heavy fishing. You can help turn the tide by demanding  sustainable seafood at the supermarket and in your favorite restaurants.



 

Auction/Gala is looking for help next week during the school day.  Do you have a good eye and enjoy making things pretty?  We need you!!!  Helpers wanted to organize and merchandize Auction/Gala items, create displays, and to craft and embellish the Auction/Gala baskets.  Contact Theresa Orsburn if you have any questions or would like to volunteer:  713-906-7375 or theresa.orsburn@yahoo.com         Seaks of journeys ended and journeys begun at the doorway, and prays that all journeys be as satisfying as was the Magi’s.  It prays that the house beyond the door have the quality of love and peace that the Magi marveled at when they at last arrived in Bethlehem.  The CMB+2018 is a good way to share our faith with others when they ask you “What is that over your door?” explain to them that you have Christ in your home -  Be PROUD to be Catholic! Recite this prayer when you mark your door:  The three Wise Men, Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar followed the star of God’s Son who became man two thousand and eighteen years ago.  May Christ Bless this home and remain with us all throughout the new year. Amen. Friday, January 5 is Mass day – the preschoolers will begin carpool line at 7:40 am.  Parents, please makes sure your child has eaten a good breakfast before coming to school each day and please take your child to the bathroom before coming to school on Mass days.  Also, pack a sweater/jacket in your child’s backpack daily…remember to label all clothing. Friday, January 5 is Faith and Family Rosary for all students and their families beginning at  5 pm in the Church – start the new year off with prayers for peace and unity.  Afterwards you may attend the K of C Fish Fry!!!   Saturday, January 13 is a Parent Seminar on Technology:  Friend or Foe by Dr. Remi Webber at 6:30 pm in Servant Hall.     Monday, January 15 is Martin Luther King Holiday - NO SCHOOL.   HELP NEEDED with volunteers to wrap the Auction baskets starting mid February during the school day.  Please contact Kathy Prado if you are able to volunteer:  kprado@stmorenews.com or 713-729-3434.  The Auction/Gala is on Saturday, March 3, 2018.    Please remember to check your teacher’s website online with important classroom information!  December 18 NEWS...   4K NEWS FLASH… Mrs. El-Ahl’s assistant, Carmen Cruz, gave birth to a baby girl weighing 8 pounds 4 ounces and 20 inches in length on Monday afternoon, December 11, 2017.  We want to welcome beautiful Aylin Cruz and ask that you keep the family in your prayers. Mrs. Cruz and Aylin are now at home and doing great – just adjusting to no one sleeping in the house!   Thank you to all who joined us on Friday for BINGO!  What a fun evening and so many happy faces winning Bingo games and lots of door prizes!   The Preschoolers will attend December 20 th, Wednesday’s All School 8:15 am Mass…they may wear Sunday BEST – no jeans please. Immediately after Mass, the preschoolers will process over to Servant Hall (next to the church) to sing Christmas Carols. We welcome you to join us for our annual Christmas Caroling!  Please wait to take photos after all have entered Servant Hall.  Some of our children are very timid and do NOT like cameras in their faces.  Thank you for your cooperation. The students will leave after the caroling and go back to the Preschool building for their classroom Christmas party until dismissal at 10:45 am with our carpool line.   Wednesday, December 20 will be the Preschoolers last day of school for 2017…it is an EARLY dismissal at 11:00 am for both Preschool and Day School.  If you have a Day School sibling, please come to the Preschool building first – we will start our carpool line at 10:45 am and then you may get in line for the back carpool line for Day School students – thank you!     Wednesday, January 3, 2018, classes will resume. The Preschool Staff  wishes everyone a Blessed and Joyous Christmas   May you have a happy and healthy New Year 2018 December 6 NEWS... Happy St. Nicholas’ Day – we had a surprise visitor today who left candy canes! Thank you to everyone who had a chance to shop at Kendra Scott and/or phone in their orders last week…what a nice PTO event…thank you Mrs. Theresa Orsburn for all your hard work.  The last Spirit night for this year is on Monday, December 11 th.  Please stop by Tapesters for breakfast, lunch or dinner…they are giving STM 20% of the sales back to the school…you may dine in or carry out and they even have a drive through window! Tapesters is located at 4520 Beechnut. STEPS  - Pictures with Santa at school was today, Wednesday, December 6…please note that all the preschool students had their picture taken with Santa today – so you still have time to order.  Deadline is this Friday, December 8, so the order may be placed by the weekend.   STEPS - Movie Night is on Friday, December 8 from 6 to 8:30 pm…thank you to everyone who has signed up...the children may wear their pajamas that evening (not during school – we will be attending Mass and the students must be in dress uniform).  They may also bring their pillow for the movie night.  We will provide the dinner, movie and crafts. STEPS – come join us for BINGO and hotdogs on Friday, December 15 in Servant Hall from 5:30 pm to 9 pm. Scholastic Pajama deadline is December 11…any size new pajamas – thank you. SVDP FOOD PANTRY needs your help…please bring a non-perishable item to school or to the church this weekend during our Gift Giving Sunday to stock their shelves – thank you. COLD WEATHER in Houston comes and goes – we always need to be prepared for the unexpected!!!  Please, please dress your child in layers and send a jacket in the backpack – we can always take off layers, but your child will not be able to play outside without a jacket if our weather is cool.  Don’t forget to label them – not all children recognize their own clothes!!! Please note the last day of school for this year is Wednesday, December 20th.  The students will attend the All School Mass at 8:15 am and they may either wear their dress uniform or come to school in their SUNDAY BEST…no jeans.  After Mass, the Preschoolers will walk over to Servant Hall and sing Christmas Carols around the Christmas tree…all are invited to come hear the Preschoolers sing – they have beautiful voices and are very excited to share their singing talent with you!!!  Then they will return to the Preschool for a small class party. We will be dismissing the Preschoolers for carpool line at 10:45 am.  We return in the New Year on Wednesday, January 3, 2018. We wish all our families a very Blessed Christmas and a Joyous New Year 2018!  November 29 NEWS.... Our Thanksgiving Prayer Service and Feast was absolutely beautiful last week!  We appreciate Father Hai, Father Joseph, Ms. Thome and all our families joining us on our special day of Praise.  Parents, we thank you for making this a wonderful tradition with our preschoolers.  We are blessed to be a special part of this amazing St. Thomas More Community.  We also thank you for all your generous food donations.  Many families benefitted with Thanksgiving baskets from our students’ generosity of food items to the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry.  Thank you for sharing in this time of need.  We would now like to replenish the pantry for Christmas.  Please have your child once again do small chores and good deeds around the house to earn a canned good for the Food Pantry. Grandparents’ Day was a huge success.  We will be posting the Grandparent pictures soon! Advent begins this Sunday, December 3, and the children are busy preparing for Jesus’ birthday and many Christmas surprises.  Please remember that Advent looks back to the first coming of Christ, our Savior, in Bethlehem; and it looks to the future when Christ will come again.  We hope you will be able to start your own family traditions during this liturgical season – the Advent Wreath is one tradition that we discussed in Religion classes with the students.  You can pray and sing around your Advent Wreath.  Some great Advent websites:  www.usccb.org , www.catholiceducation.org , www.catholicicing.com , and www.catholicmom.com . Advent Wreaths - We light the first purple candle, PROMISE, to remind us that God promised to send us His son, Jesus.  The second purple candle, LIGHT, reminds us that the light of God’s love will show in our lives when Jesus is guiding us.  The third candle (pink), LOVE, reminds us that God wants us to love HIM and each other.  Finally, the fourth candle (purple), HOPE, reminds us that God gave us a gift of hope and life forever with Him.  Some  Advent wreath traditions also include a  fifth white “Christ”  candle, symbolizing purity, that is lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas day…place this candle in the center of your wreath. Take time to go over ADVENT activities and read from the Bible daily – see the Principal’s memo for the Advent Calendar.  Come join us for a special PTO event this Thursday, November 30, with shopping at Kendra Scott in Rice Village – 20% of all sales go to St. Thomas More School…if you are unable to attend you may go online on Thursday evening and STM will benefit from your purchase! Friday, December 1 - FISH FRY CANCELLED...HOWEVER, FREE EVENT ON Saturday morning, December 2 from 8:30 to 10 am - come have breakfast with Santa…bring your own camera please! STEPS - Pictures with Santa at school on Wednesday, December 6…please see flyer. The Movie Night is on Friday, December 8 from 6 to 8:30 pm…please see the flyer. Scholastic Pajama deadline is Monday, December 11…any size new pajamas –thank you. November 15, 2017 NEWS... Thursday, November 16, all MWF preschoolers and the M-F preschoolers will be hosting a Thanksgiving Prayer Service in the church and our Thanksgiving Feast in Servant Hall.   The preschoolers have worked hard on their costumes and the program. The children are eager to sing their hearts out to you!  Remember, all families and friends are welcome to join us in the Church at 8:30 in the morning for our Preschool Thanksgiving Prayer Service. Remember, NO Thursday morning carpool.  Please take your preschooler to the church at 8:15 am on Thursday, November 16 and join us for our special service…not a Mass celebration.  We plan to begin our program promptly at 8:30 on Thursday morning.  Then, immediately after the service we will walk over to Servant Hall for our Feast.  We are limited in space, so we will only be able to accommodate one adult at the actual feast in Servant Hall.  Friday, November 17 is an all school Mass in honor of Grandparents…dress uniforms please.  This is an early dismissal day for all STM students.  The preschoolers will start morning carpool at 7:40 am for Mass and dismissal carpool at 10:45 am.  There is no KIDVENTURE on Friday afternoon…if you are unable to pick up your preschooler by 10:45 am, please do not send them to school on Friday. THANKSGIVING HOLIDAYS …we wish all our STM families a blessed Thanksgiving!!!  No School November 20 - 27…CLASSES RESUME ON Monday, November 27. Thank you to all who joined us last night for Spirit Night at Napoli Restaurant.  Our next PTO event is on November 30 with shopping at Kendra Scott in Rice Village – 20% of all sales go to St. Thomas More School, please see the flyer in the Principal's memo. Friday, December 1 is the K of C Fish Fry from 5 pm until the fish runs out!!!  The Knights are also hosting a free event…Saturday morning, December 2 from 8:30 to 10 am - come have breakfast with Santa…bring your own camera please! STEPS - Pictures with Santa at school on Wednesday, December 6…please see the flyer in the Principal's memo. STEPS - Movie Night on Friday, December 8 from 6 to 8:30 pm…please see flyer in the Principal. Scholastic Pajama deadline is Monday, December 11…any size new pajamas will be appreciated…thank you. STEPS - Bingo Night is on Friday, December 15 from 5:30 to 9:30 pm. BIG THANK YOU to all our families for donating food to the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry at St. Thomas More Church.  The shelves were bare and our students made an amazing effort re-stocking the shelves and filling the Thanksgiving baskets!   Thursday, November 16, the Preschool classes, all MWF students and the M-F students will be hosting a Thanksgiving Prayer Service in the church and our Thanksgiving Feast in Servant Hall.  We are limited in space, so we will only be able to accommodate one parent at the actual feast.  HOWEVER, everyone is welcome to join us in the Church at 8:30 a.m. for our Preschool Thanksgiving Prayer Service and Song Festival.  We will begin the morning with NO carpool.  Please take your preschooler to the church at 8:15 am on Thursday, November 16 and join us for our special service…not a Mass celebration.  We plan to begin our program promptly at 8:30 on Thursday morning.  Then, immediately after the service we will walk over to Servant Hall for our Feast.  Please provide your own babysitting for siblings.  November 16 will be a regular Preschool day with the Prayer Service in the morning.  Preschool will be dismissed at our regular hours.  However, you are free to take your preschooler home after the feast. The preschoolers will also be participating in the Grandparents' Day celebration on Friday, November 17 from 7:45 to 11:00 am.   We would love to have pictures of our students with their grandparents to show throughout the day. It's not too late to send your pictures to jfelton@stmorenews.com or make a copy of your picture and send it to the school office as soon as possible. Please do not send any original pictures. School is in session a half day only on Friday.  All students will be dismissed at 11:00 am.  Friday will be a special Preschool day with the students arriving for our 7:40 am carpool line and then attending Mass.  After Mass is celebrated, the preschoolers will be first to come up on the altar to sing to the grandparents in the congregation.   Immediately after the preschoolers sing, we will take our preschoolers back to the Preschool classrooms.  The grandparents (if they have no other siblings in the church) are welcome to exit the church and go to Servant Hall and have refreshments). Then the grandparents may walk over to the Preschool building to pick-up their Preschool grandchild and have a photo taken with them in the Preschool building. If you have siblings in the Day School, please stay in the church to hear the older siblings sing and then follow the above schedule with picking up the preschool grandchild and then going to the Day School for the older grandchild.  After you have gathered all the grandchildren, you may have your photo taken in the Day School Library. The preschooler will be dismissed to the grandparent when they arrive to the Preschool building.  HELP NEEDED – Substitute teachers:  part-time and full time substitute teachers are needed immediately in the Preschool…we do have two teachers in the classrooms so you will have a partner. Teaching in a Catholic School is a calling and we are hoping that you will answer our call.  You must be Virtus trained.  Please call or email me if you are interested at 713-729-9062 or ncoltharp@stmorenews.com   We will celebrate St. Nicholas’ Day with our annual "Pictures with Santa" which is scheduled for December 6th. Please watch for an order form in next week's memo. This is a great way to register early for this year's Steps for Students, as well as have a great picture to share at Christmastime!   Parents Night Out and Kids Night In:  Movie Night with students in Preschool through 3 rd grade is scheduled for Friday, December 8 from 6 to 8:30 pm.  Parents enjoy a few hours to do some Christmas shopping and we will feed your child and entertain them with a movie, games, and crafts.  Proceeds will benefit STEPS for STUDENTS!!!  Older STM School siblings are welcome to join in on the fun evening too.  Students may wear their pajamas and bring a blanket and pillow.   Pajama Drive is back!!! We are partnering with Scholastic Reading Club.  For every new pair of pajamas you donate, Scholastic Reading Club will pair it with a brand-new book!  Any size NEW pajamas will be accepted - from newborn to adult – please send to the Preschool by Monday, December 11 th.  The pajamas and books will be given to a child living in a homeless shelter for a reassuring bedtime.  After the collection in December, the preschoolers will have a pajama party to thank them for their donations…we will announce the day soon when we are wearing pajamas to school. Bingo Night is Friday, December 13 from 5:30 to 9:30 pm. This is also a STEPS fundraising event.  Please join us on Thursday, November 16, in the Church at 8:30 a.m. for our PRESCHOOL Thanksgiving Prayer Service with the children.  Then, one parent may join us in Servant Hall for our FEAST immediately after the Prayer Service.  NO CARPOOL LINE on Thursday, November 16.  Please, bring your child at 8:15 am directly to the church for our Prayer Service which will begin promptly at 8:30 am.  After the Feast gathering you may take your preschooler home or wait for the regular dismissal.   Remember, we are also attending 8:15 am Mass for the Grandparents’ Day event on Friday, November 17, with the preschoolers…this is an early dismissal day for all students at 11:00 am.   Please let us know if you will be in attendance so we may plan accordingly:     __________YES, I will attend Thursday’s (Nov 16) Thanksgiving Praise and Worship/Feast     __________YES, I will attend Friday’s (Nov 17) Grandparents Day…11:00 am dismissal     Preschooler’s Name__________________ Thanksgiving Holidays…November 18-26 Parents Night Out - Kids Night IN 3k, 4k, Kindergartners – 3rd Grade  Friday, December 8, 2017     Preschoolers – 3rd graders may wear your pajamas and bring your blanket, stuffed animal, and pillow to school.  Older STM School siblings are welcome to join in on the fun evening too.  This STEPS  fundraiser is hosted by the Preschool and Primary teachers.    Serving Up: Pizza, Movie, Goldfish, Games & Crafts   Location: Preschool Building 6:00pm - 8:30pm   Proceeds will benefit STEPS for STUDENTS!!! $20 per child  $40 per family     CONGRATS TO OUR HOUSTON ASTROS  2017 WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS We are so proud of you!!! November 2, 2017 News... Show your ASTROS SPIRIT and wear your Astros shirt or any orange shirt with uniform bottoms on Friday, November 3rd.   Thank you parents, families and friends for joining us at the Halloween Costume Parade and song festival…what an enthusiastic crowd!!!  Our little ones looked amazing in their costumes.  Thank you Mrs. Moreno for your  expertise carving of our Pumpkin along with the explanation of the pumpkin prayer…and thank you Fr. Joseph and Deacon Johnson for the special blessing and extra Astros prayers – they sure did help us bring home the wins…congrats to our CHAMPS/HEROES!!!  During the All Saints Day Mass on Wednesday, Fr. Joseph blessed our Saints medals for all the students.  May we all strive to be more saintly each day so that we reach Heaven together.   Friday, November 3 is early dismissal at 11:45 am and then scheduled conferences will begin at 1 pm.  We realize the Astros Parade downtown begins at 2 pm…if you need to reschedule your conference please let us know ASAP.     Congratulations to our 4K students who won the K of C Christopher Columbus Art Contest: Susan Mondello – First Place Emily Stasio – Second Place Oliver Orsburn – Third Place We are very proud of the good job you did with your coloring project – CONGRATS!!!   Friday, November 3rd, is the famous Knights of Columbus Fish Fry in Prinster at 5 pm.    Once again this November we will be decorating the halls of STM with our annual Veterans’ Wall Memorial. Please send in the names and/or photos of your loved ones who are serving or have served in the armed forces by Friday, November 3rd. PLEASE BE SURE TO NOTE IF YOUR HONOREE IS CURRENTLY SERVING!  Please contact Mrs. Normann-Petersen if you have any questions at:  cnormannpetersen@stmorenews.com   The STM Student Council is conducting a food drive to help the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry at St. Thomas More Church.  Thanksgiving Food Baskets are being made and we need your help please.  Preschool students were asked to provide either a box of corn bread mix or a one pound box of oatmeal.  Donations must be received by November 7.  Any donation will earn a Jeans’ Pass for Wednesday, November 8.  We ask the preschoolers to do a good deed at home to earn the "food item" for the food pantry…thank you for your help!   Thursday, November 16, the Preschool classes will be hosting a Thanksgiving Prayer Service in the church and our Thanksgiving Feast in Servant Hall.  We are limited in space, so we will only be able to accommodate one parent at the actual feast.  HOWEVER, everyone is welcome to join us in the Church at 8:30 a.m. for our Preschool Thanksgiving Prayer Service and Song Festival.  We will begin the morning with NO carpool.  Please take your preschooler to the church at 8:15 am and join us for our special service…not a Mass celebration.  We plan to begin our program promptly at 8:30 on Thursday morning.  Then, immediately after the service we will walk over to Servant Hall for our Feast.  Please provide your own babysitting for younger siblings.  November 16 will be a regular Preschool day with the Prayer Service in the morning.  Preschool will be dismissed at our regular hours.  However, you are free to take your preschooler home after the feast. Preschoolers will be participating in the Grandparents' Day celebration at STM.  This special day is Friday, November 17 from 7:45 to 11:00 am.  School is in session a half day.  All students will be dismissed at 11:00 am.  Friday will be a special Preschool day with the students arriving for our 7:40 am carpool line and then attending Mass.  After Mass is celebrated, the preschoolers will be first to come up on the altar to sing to the grandparents in the congregation…immediately after the preschoolers sing, we will take our preschoolers back to the Preschool classrooms.  The grandparents (if they have no other siblings in the church) are welcome to exit the church and go to Servant Hall and have refreshments). Then the grandparents may walk over to the Preschool building to pick-up their grandchild and take them into room 1 in the Preschool building for a photo.  The preschooler will be dismissed to the grandparent when they arrive to the Preschool building.   Saturday, November 4 Daylight Savings Time ends - Turn your clocks back before you go to bed…you fall backwards!!!                                                                 Mark your calendars now, the next Spirit Night is scheduled for November 14th at Napoli Pizza and Pasta located at 5266 Beechnut…one of my favorite Italian restaurants!   Fr. Joseph is traveling to the Holy Land.  He has offered to take our special intentions with him on this journey.  Please send your special prayer intentions in to the Preschool by Monday, November 6th.   November 20 through 24 – NO Preschool…Thanksgiving Holidays October 25, 2017 News... Thank You, Thank You to all who came out and had dinner on Monday evening and supported the STM Spirit Night at Escalantes – my dinner was delicious and the Tres Leches was amazing…the school earned $500 from your purchases!   HALLOWEEN, Tuesday, October 31, the Preschoolers will parade in their class-made costumes in the Old Gym at 8:30 am.  We will begin promptly at 8:30 am.  You are welcome to join us for this fun event.  The children will also sing a few Halloween songs after they parade into the gym.  Please do NOT send your child to school in their own Halloween costume…they will wear the ones made at school.  This is also our weekly Spirit Day so they may choose to wear spirit clothes instead of the school uniform.  We will put the class made costumes over their clothing for the Halloween Parade.   Wednesday, November 1, is All Saints Day and we will be attending Mass.  Please send your preschooler to school in their dress uniform on Wednesday.  We will NOT celebrate Mass on Friday, November 3…the children may wear the casual uniform to school Friday.    Friday, November 3 is early dismissal at 11:45 am and then scheduled conferences will begin at 1 pm.  Please see the attached Parent-Teacher Conference Schedule and let us know as soon as possible if you are able to attend your assigned conference time on Friday, November 3, 2017.   STM VETERANS’ WALL OF HONOR is back! Early November we will be decorating the Preschool with our annual Veterans’ Wall Memorial. Please begin to gather the names and/or photos of your loved ones who are serving or have served in the armed forces.  Complete the attached flyer by November 3, 2017 and send to your child’s homeroom teacher - BE SURE TO NOTE IF YOUR HONOREE IS CURRENTLY SERVING!  Photos are welcome, and will be returned to you if they are clearly marked, but please send in the person’s name even if a picture is not available.  If you have any questions, contact Mrs. Normann-Petersen at cnormannpetersen@stmorenews.com    Mark your calendars for: Sunday, November 5 at 2 am Daylight Savings Time ends - Turn your clocks back before you go to bed on Saturday…you fall backwards. Thursday, November 16 – Preschool Thanksgiving Praise and Worship Service and Feast Friday, November 17 – Grandparents’ Day from 7:45 to 11:00 am November 20 through 24 – NO Preschool…Thanksgiving Holidays Friday, December 8 - Parents’ Night Out and STM Kids’ Night In…this Steps Fundraiser is hosted by the Preschool and Primary Teachers from 6 to 8:30 pm…more info soon. WIN HOUSTON ASTROS WIN!!! Dear Parents, My name is Ian Novak, an STM alumni. I am building planter boxes for the Preschool students to use in their science classes as my Eagle Project. To pay for lumber and the gardening soil necessary for the project, I am asking for donations. Any donation is helpful, but for donations of $75 or more, a sign with the donator's name will be put near the four boxes in the Preschool Playground.  All donations will go towards the planter boxes.   Email me at itnovak19@mail.strakejesuit.org if you want to donate, or drop off a check at the Preschool office. Please make the check out to St. Thomas More and put it in an envelope that says Eagle Project.   Thank you,   Ian Novak   Veteran’s Wall of Honor     Name: ________________________________________________   Branch: _______________________________________________   Years Enlisted:__________________________________________   War: __________________________________________________   Awards/Honors Received: _________________________________   Related to(student name): _________________________________   Relationship: ___________________________________________     Please complete the form above and return to the school office by Friday, November 3rd. Contact Mrs. Normann-Petersen at cnormannpetersen@stmorenews.com  with any questions. Please indicate if the veteran’s are currently deployed/serving, were POW, KIA or MIA, on the back of the form.   October 23, 2017 NEWS FLASH... ASTRO SPIRIT DAY TUESDAY, OCTOBER 24 - CHEER OUR HOUSTON ASTROS ON BY WEARING AN ASTROS SHIRT OR AN ORANGE SHIRT WITH UNIFORM BOTTOMS!!! GO ASTROS!   October 18, 2017 NEWS...   Thank you, thank you to all who contributed to the success of this year's Oktoberfest!  We could not do this without all of our wonderful students and their families, teachers and staff, weekend volunteers, booth sponsors, raffle ticket sellers, and those who donated to the rummage sale, plant booth, stuffed animal booth, delicious treats to the sweet shop, cake walk and candy booth. Most of all we thank everyone who came out to enjoy the fellowship of this day. Watch this memo in upcoming weeks for a final amount raised.  Congratulations on a job well done to all students for selling Oktoberfest Raffle Tickets.  As a school community we sold $37,000.00 in raffle tickets…this is absolutely amazing!   Our top selling families are:   1st place - The Kinsel Family, 2nd place - Tamayo Family, 3rd place - The Vodehnal Family…thank you, thank you!!!    Rafffle ticket winners:   1st place -- $5000 Visa gift card – Mrs. King -Ticket sold by King Family 2nd place - $1500 Visa gift card – Ms. LeRoy - Ticket sold by the Carnes Family 3rd place - $1000 Visa gift card – Ms. Lopez - Ticket sold by the Lopez Family 4th place - $500 Target gift card - Mr. Mancilla - Ticket sold by Mancilla Family 5th place - $300 Target gift card - Mr. Marsh -Ticket sold by Marsh Family First place ticket was sold by a new STM family with a preschooler and a Kindergartner  – Congrats!!!   October 19 at 7:30 pm come to the first Mom’s Night Out at Napoli – you may order half price appetizers and desserts and have a chance to meet STM moms for a relaxing evening.   Friday, October 20, we will distribute the 1st Quarter Report Cards via email using the addresses available in Renweb.  We will also print out a hard copy for our Preschool families.  A teacher letter will accompany the report cards informing you that the preschoolers will work on these skills all year – and it also gives you an explanation of the grade coding for the skills.  We look forward to seeing you at the scheduled Parent / Teacher conferences on Friday, November 3 to discuss your child’s progress and to address any concerns…more info on conferences soon.   Please join our Tiger Football team for their GHCAA 6 Man Football Division Championship Game this Saturday, Oct 21at St. Thomas High School, located at 4500 Memorial Dr, 77007. Kickoff is at 9:00am in the stadium. Plan to come out for a fun fall football game and cheer our Tigers onto victory!   K of C Free Family Movie Night and popcorn this Saturday, October 21 from 7:30-9 pm  bring your own lawn chair!   SPIRIT DAY… Monday, October 23 all day, Escalantes on Beechnut in Meyerland will give a portion of the proceeds from sales to STM…BRING THE FLYER and enjoy a delicious meal.   HALLOWEEN is  Tuesday, October 31...the Preschoolers will parade in their class-made costumes in the Old Gym at 8:30 am.  You are welcome to join us for this fun event – the children will also sing some Halloween songs!!!  Please do NOT send your child to school in a Halloween costume…they will wear the ones made at school.   Mark your calendars for the 1st Annual Tiger Family Camp Out on Friday November 10th on the big St. Thomas More Field…please see the flyer that was sent home today for more information and for the registration form. October 4, 2017 NEWS... KC Fish Fry, this Friday, October 6 in Prinster from 5pm-8pm (or until they sell out). Monday, October 9 – NO SCHOOL…teacher in-service…student holiday. Do you have raffle tickets to sell and don't know what to do? There are parishioners that want that winning ticket. All you have to do is show up after the Masses Oct. 7 and 8. Bring your tickets, a pen, an envelope or something to put your tickets and money in and wear this year’s purple Oktoberfest t-shirt or your school uniform. We need students at all Masses this weekend: 5:00 pm Saturday, and then 7:30, 9:00, 11:00 am, 1:00 pm, 5:00 pm and 7:00 pm on Sunday. A parent or an adult must be with the students .  Please contact Mrs.Warner at kwarner@stmorenews.com for which Mass you will be coming to sell tickets…thank you.  The Preschoolers are praying for 100% participation in selling raffle tickets…Preschool Goal is $6,000. Currently, we have collected $2100…only $3900 more to go…sell, sell, sell.   PLEASE, Help needed – have you signed up to work a shift at Oktoberfest???  We need YOU!!!  The Stuffed Animal Booth and the Sweet Shoppe are looking for volunteers on OKTOBERFEST Sunday, Oct 15 – please see the attached flyer!  We are also looking for baked sweets (either home-made or store bought – please label if they have nuts) for the Sweet Shoppe.  You may bring these baked goodies to school on Friday, October 13 when you drop-off your preschooler in the morning or at pick-up in the afternoon…or you may drop them off at the Scout House (Sweet Shoppe) anytime on Sunday during Oktoberfest - we appreciate all your help!   We are still accepting donations for the Beth Yeshuran Preschool:  floor puzzles, manipulatives, magna blocks, duplo legos and toys.  They recently held a book drive, so no books are needed at this time.  Thank you for your help.   From the Business Office, payments for Early Bird and Cafeteria Accounts can be made on the school website, https://stthomasmore-school.org/school-payments  When charging, please put your child’s name in the subject line. OCTOBER IS FIRE SAFETY MONTH...please see the info from our special visitors at Fire Station 82 located under the Preschool Fun Facts. OKTOBERFEST HELP NEEDED: Mrs. Mack is chairing the Stuffed Animal booth and is looking for used and gently loved stuffed animals and also parent volunteers to help staff the game.  This game is very easy to learn and run.  Players buy a chance to win a stuffed animal.  Once you have collected the tickets from all the players, you spin the wheel…when the wheel stops on the lucky number - this is the winner and that person gets to pick a stuffed animal. Mrs. Normann-Petersen, Mrs. Vodehnal and Ms. Coltharp are chairing the Sweet Shoppe Booth in the Scout House.  We need your help with baking sweets or donating store-bought sweets to sell in the Sweet Shoppe.   We also need volunteers to help work a shift – we are located in the Scout House which does have A.C.      You may drop off the sweet donations and the stuffed animals on Friday, October 13 at the Preschool building or on Sunday anytime during the day.   Will you prayerfully consider donating 2 hours of your time to work at Oktoberfest in the Sweet Shoppe OR the Stuffed Animal Booth  with us?  Oktoberfest is Sunday, October 15 from 10am-6pm.   Available Shifts: 10am-Noon  ______________________________________     Noon-2pm  ____________________________________     2pm-4pm _____________________________________     4pm-6pm _____________________________________     If you have already signed up to work in another location, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! September 27, 2017 News... Thank you, thank you for supporting STM during Homecoming week.  The preschool students donated over 75 canned goods to help stock the SVDP food pantry here at STM.  Please go to our Facebook page and see all the happy faces wearing Red and holding up their can goods.  GO TIGERS!   Lunches…please note that the Preschool teachers eat lunch with your children and are teaching good eating habits and table manners and explaining healthy foods during lunch time.  We always have the students eat their protein first.  Sometimes the children are not happy with what is packed in the lunch kit and then might refuse to eat.  Please do not try out new foods for school lunches – let your child help pack what they would like to eat here at school.  They need to eat so their bodies will grow (we tell them they need brain power too) and it also makes both the teacher and the child happy when they have full tummies!  In a recent article on back to school lunch ideas in the Houston Chronicle they mentioned: "Kids who help cook or prepare a meal are going to be more interested in trying new foods. Take your children to the grocery store and let them choose their lunch items!”  Choices are good but please do not pack too much food.   From the Business Office, payments for Early Bird and Cafeteria Accounts can be made on the school website, https://stthomasmore-school.org/school-payments   ???Need to sell your Oktoberfest Raffle Tickets - join us after one of the following Masses on Saturday September 30, Sunday October 1, Saturday October 7 and Sunday October 8…and sell your raffle tickets to the STM parishioners – with your parent in attendance. Please let Mrs. Warner know if you’d like to sell that weekend and the Mass you’ll be working. Wear your Oktoberfest shirt or your school uniform. Bring a pen and some cash to make change if needed. Remember a parent must be present. You can email Mrs. Warner - kwarner@stmorenews.com Thank you for supporting STM.   Individual school pictures were sent home this week. Retakes for those who missed our original picture day as well as those needing a retake will be on Wednesday, October 4, 2017   REMINDER:  NO SCHOOL ON MONDAY, OCTOBER 9…This is a Teacher In-service - Student holiday.  September 25, 2017 News... St. Thomas More Preschool is hosting a toy and manipulative drive for a neighboring preschool - Beth Yeshuran.  We met the preschool teachers this summer at an Early Childhood Conference. Their Preschool was flooded during Hurricane Harvey and will not be re-opening until October 16, 2017.  The classrooms were left in a mess and many of their educational toys were destroyed.  We would like to spread some good neighbor cheer to the students and are asking for donations.                          If you would like to contribute to the Beth Yeshuran Preschool they would like to replace the following items: floor puzzles, manipulatives, magna blocks, duplo legos and toys.  They recently held a book drive, so no books are needed at this time.  Please let me know if you have any questions.   Thank you for helping us share our good fortune and neighborhood cheer to the Beth Yeshuran preschool students. September 13, 2017 News... Back To School Parents Night is tomorrow evening, Thursday, September 14 at   6 pm in the New Gym.  Please note the change in location…the New Gym.  Fr. Hai will open with prayer and Ms. Thome will give a short presentation.  Immediately after the program, the Preschool parents will be dismissed to walk over to the Preschool building to meet with the Preschool teachers.  We look forward to seeing you tomorrow evening at 6 pm.    Back To School Dance this Saturday night, September 16 from 6 pm to 9 pm in the NEW GYM.  We look forward to coming together as a school community for a fun filled evening.  We are anxious to ring in the new school year with a joyful, fun-filled, family event and hope you will be able to join us in the festivities!  It's a 70's theme with a catch - everyone must be in tennis shoes (any era) to protect the integrity of our beautiful gym floors.  The cost is only $5 per person or $20. Spirit Night:  Monday, September 18 from 5 to 8 pm at the Meyerland Chick-fil-A.   The Administration and Advancement Committee have been working on establishing an Annual Fund for St. Thomas More Parish School for over a year. This Annual Fund, Together We Give and Together We Grow is part of our Strategic Advancement Plan.  It was originally set to kick off on August 25, 2017.  Due to Hurricane Harvey it was delayed. This Annual Fund is vital to both short term and long term goals/needs of St. Thomas More Parish School. All families will receive more information in the mail next week. We are asking all STM families to consider making a gift or pledge to our Annual Fund at the level most comfortable for you at this time. Your gift to our Annual Fund may be directed to current needs of the school and/or to the Endowment which will enable the long term sustainability of    St. Thomas More Parish School.  Please look for more information on Together We Give and Together We Grow in the coming weeks.   It hard to believe that Oktoberfest is only a few weeks away, Sunday, October 15 from 10 am to 6 pm.  We look forward to coming together to celebrate as a community.  Please note that Oktoberfest Ticket Packets went home on Tuesday in a brown envelope with the oldest/only students.  We look forward to everyone's participation in this important fund raiser. Wednesday, September 6, 2017 NEWS…the children did an amazing job in school today…they worked and played hard and then took a nice nap!  We were happy to see all the smiling faces and glad to get back to a school routine. Please know that we will continue to pray for our STM families as we work through the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey.  A BIG thank you to all who came out and either donated items or their time with the Helping Hands mission…it was a beautiful sight to see all the children helping out too…what a wonderful community we have here at STM, truly a family of families.      A blue "Clinic Emergency Card" to all presently enrolled families is being sent home today with the Oldest/Only student in the school. We are aware that many families will have changes in their contact information that the school needs to have on file to ensure the safety of our students during the instructional day. While an update on our new software program, RenWeb would seem a simple solution, we are not yet fully confident that this program is providing seamless connection with our other information programs. Therefore, we ask that ALL families submit this Clinic Emergency Card, even if nothing has changed in your contact information. Only ONE card is needed per family. We appreciate your assistance with this request, please know this redundancy is only to ensure we have the most correct and updated information to safeguard your children.   Additionally, please see below regarding support for families affected by Hurricane Harvey as well as a message from the Catholic Schools Office regarding resources available.   Hurricane Harvey Support - The STM community was hard hit by the recent storm and flooding. We understand that the challenges our families face will last for months even as school resumes and we are committed to supporting our students through this challenge. If you and your family were adversely impacted by Hurricane Harvey we would invite you to communicate that information as well as areas that you need assistance with for moving forward. Our goal is to try to match families with volunteers and agencies that can help. Please feel free to email that information to the School Clinic, mgleason@stmorenews.com Please know that this correspondence is private and confidential and will not be shared without your permission.   Friday, September 8 – Blessed Virgin Mary’s birthday…we will attend the All School Mass at 8:15am…carpool will begin at 7:40am.  Friday is also the last day to turn in your group picture order forms to your homeroom teacher.    Friday, September 8 – please join us in the cafeteria / Prinster Hall for the Fish Fry prepared by the Knights of Columbus at 5 pm.  Adults and children plates are available for purchase.   Tuesday, September 12 is Spirit Day – students may wear the Red Spirit t-shirt or the Purple Oktoberfest t-shirt with uniform bottoms. Please note we have postponed the next PTO Meeting to Tuesday, September 12th at 6:15pm in Donovan's Den (located off of the old gym). All are invited! New this year, the STM Dad's Club! Join us for our first meeting on Tuesday, September 12th at 7:15pm in the New Gym. Thursday, September 14 is the Back to School Night - Parent’s evening Open House beginning in Servant Hall and ending with a visit to your child/children’s classrooms.  The doors will open at 5:30pm and then the meeting will begin at 6pm. NEWS FLASH…We have rescheduled the Back to School Dance to Saturday, September 16th, 6:00pm-9:00pm in the old gym. Monday, September 18, 2017 from 5 – 8PM please come out and support St. Thomas More Parish School during Spirit Night. Chick-fil-A will be donating a percentage of sales to the school. Don’t forget to tell the cashier you’re there for STM Spirit Night! Join us at Chick-fil-A located in Meyerland Plaza at 5001 Beechnut St. NEWS FLASH...We will resume classes on Wednesday, September 6, 2017.  Our prayers are with you and your families.  BE SAFE. Dear STM Families, I hope you all are safe and dry at this time. I heard from Fr. Hai earlier today and he said the church and school are still alright, but the rectory is flooded. Both Fr. Hai and Fr. Joseph are well and in good spirits. Please keep them in your prayers. I know quite a few of you live close to the school, so I hope you are all alright.  As you may have seen, HISD is closing for the upcoming week. As of right now, we plan to do the same. Know that the faculty, staff, and I will do all we can to maintain the momentum we have gained in the first two weeks of class.  For everyone, know that you are all in my prayers. STM is a strong community and I know we will persevere.

Yours in Christ, Kristen Thome                                       Principal