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




May 30, 2018 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 30^th graduating PK-4 class will have a special ceremony in the church tomorrow, THURSDAY, May 31, at 8:30 a.m.  The PK-4 students from Mrs. El-Ahl's, Mrs. Mack's and Mrs. Warner's homerooms 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 A.M. on Thursday, May 31, 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 Kidventure until 6 pm for the registered after schoolers.  This is our last day of KV After School Care.  Early Birds will be opened on Friday morning, June 1, and we will dismiss at 10:45 am.  NO AFTER SCHOOL CARE FRIDAY.
 
Friday, June 1, 2018 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 have an Early Dismissal day for all students.  The Preschool Carpool line will begin at 10:45 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 11 am…thank you.
Wednesday, August 8 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 13 is our first day of school for the 2018-2019 school year.

Wednesday, August 15 is our first All School Mass, the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Holy Day of Obligation.
 
BEFORE and AFTER SCHOOL CARE - Registration is now open – please contact me at 713-729-9062 if you need to enroll your child.
 
SUMMER OFFICE HOURS- Beginning June 4 the school office will be open from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday. The office will be closed the week of July 4^th.
 
May you have a wonderful and safe summer, rejoicing in your children’s joy!   Please remember to read, read, read.


On May 23 the Preschoolers and Kinders attended a fun black light Ocean Puppet Show in the Old Gym.  Lisa Jastram has entertained our students for over 20 years!  You may check out Lisa's fun videos (including "In the Ocean, in the Sea") by going to her website: www.oasisforchildren.com  then click on video to get to the Youtube channel:  "Oasis for Children music videos"  Your children can enjoy singing along with the songs they learned at the program.  They can also share the experiences of the program with you by watching the short promo videos together.  Ask your child what they saw and what they did or what was their favorite part.  New videos will be added as they are created.   

May 23, 2018 NEWS...

Thank you to all who attended our last Spirit Night for the school year at Barnes & Nobel.  An extra big THANKS to Thomas the Tiger who received many hugs from our students!  The required Summer Reading Books will be left on the tables through this weekend for you to purchase – please mention St. Thomas More when you check out.  You may also visit online (through May 29) and purchase using our special St. Thomas More School code  #12363875 – please enter this number in the space provided after you have filled out your billing information. We had four lucky winners from the Scavenger Hunt – congrats to: Sofia Cardenas, Dominic Mendoza, Mary Cate Orsburn and Liam Rivera-Leyden.

The 4K Graduation Program is on THURSDAY, May 31, at 8:30 a.m. in the CHURCH.  The 4K students may wear “Sunday Best” clothes…please no shorts and no light up tennis shoes for the Graduation. All graduating 4K students must be at the Preschool building at 8:00 A.M. on Thursday, May 31, 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 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.  We will have Kidventure until 6 pm for the registered preschoolers.  This is our last day of KV After School Care.  Early Birds will be opened on Friday morning, June 1.
 
Friday, June 1 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 have an Early Dismissal day for all students.  The Preschool Carpool line will begin at 10:45 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 11 am…thank you.

Wednesday, August 8 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 13 is our first day of school for the 2018-2019 school year.
 
Wednesday, August 15 is our first All School Mass, the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Holy Day of Obligation.
 
NO SCHOOL on Monday, May 28..have a safe Memorial Day Weekend!

May 16, 2018 NEWS...

We are less than 2 weeks away from our last day of Preschool.  What a busy and fun year your children had in Preschool.  We thank you for all your hard work and help all year.  And, we were very grateful for all the wonderful treats you showered upon us last week during Teacher Appreciation Week…it really was a grand slam week for our teachers – THANK YOU!  
A special BIG Thank You for your donations to Fr. Hai’s Censer…we reached our goal and will be able to honor his 19 ^th Anniversary with this special gift from the children! 
Please join us for our last Spirit Event on Tuesday, May 22 from 6 pm to 9 pm at the Barnes and Nobel Bookstore located at Buffalo Speedway and Holcombe.  The book fair will have our required Summer Reading Books available for purchase.
 
Mrs. Orsburn’s 3 ^rd grade Brownie Troop is collecting used books in good condition for Books Between Kids as part of their World of Girls Journey.  Students can drop off books in the collection box at the Preschool building until May 25 ^th.  Their biggest need right now is Chapter Books.   Thanks for supporting the STM Girl Scouts and giving the gift of reading to children in need.  For more information you may visit:  http://www.booksbetweenkids.org/
 
The 4K Graduation Program is on THURSDAY, May 31, at 8:30 a.m. in the CHURCH.  The 4K students may wear “Sunday Best” clothes…please no shorts and no light up tennis shoes for the Graduation. All graduating 4K students must be at the Preschool building at 8:00 A.M. on Thursday, May 31, 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 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.  We will have Kidventure until 6 pm for the registered preschoolers.  This is our last day of KV After School Care.  Early Birds will be opened on Friday morning, June 1.
 
Friday, June 1 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 have an Early Dismissal day for all students.  The Preschool Carpool line will begin at 10:45 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 11 am…thank you.

TUITION - Please remember that all tuition (PK - 8th grade) and Cafeteria debt must be paid in full with the May 1 payment. Final report cards will be held for any families whose account is past due.

Mills Uniform will be supplying our school uniforms starting mid to late June.  We will keep you updated as information and availability is provided to us. 

First day of school for the 2018-2019 school year is Monday, August 13 



May 2, 2018 NEWS...
Friday, May 4 is the All School Mass - Students must be in dress uniform…long navy pants for boys and the navy dress for the girls.  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 4.
 
Knights of Columbus Fish Fry is this Friday, May 4 from 4:30 pm until the fish runs out!
 
MENU change for Monday, May 14 – we will not be serving pasta – but your child may still order either a hot dog or the grilled cheese sandwich or a BBQ sandwich.  Mr. Espinosa is offering barbeque sandwiches, chips and fruit for the Hot Lunch plate for all students on Monday, May 14.
 
The STM Before and After School Care (BASC) will be offered to all students enrolled in      St. Thomas More in the 2018-2019 school year.  This program is NOT being serviced by Kidventure for the new school year…it will be serviced by St. Thomas More.  A gold flyer was sent home last week.  If you are interested in registering for the BASC program, please return the flyer to school by May 4.  We do NOT have online registration set-up for the After School program.  You must return the flyer.  Preschoolers do have several options.  If you have any questions, please give me a call at 713-729-9062.
 
4K Graduation Ceremony is Thursday, May 31 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 Kidventure After School Care program, your child is welcome to stay with us until 6 pm.
 
Friday, June 1 is our last day of Preschool – please note we are having an Early Dismissal and the Preschool Carpool Line will begin at 10:45 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. 

April 26, 2018 NEWS...

THANK YOU Mrs. Orsburn and the Sugar Land Kendra Scott store for making the STM Kendra Scott Spirit night a success!  Our next STM Spirit Night event will be held at the Barnes and Nobles located at 3003 Holcombe and Buffalo Speedway on Tuesday, May 22…more details soon!

NEWS FLASH:  Our Business Manager, Casey Leung, is working with FACTS on the new school year’s tuition rates.   If you registered for the 2018-2019 school year, an email was sent out regarding tuition.  This tuition rate did not include the program for your preschooler (half day or full day), Catholic or Sibling discount and/or the Financial Aid.  Thank you for your patience as we make the corrections – your updated tuition rate will be finalized by the first of May.

STM Before and After School Care (BASC) will be offered to all students enrolled in St. Thomas More in the 2018-2019 school year.  Please see the flyer and return to school by May 4, 2018 if you would like your child to be registered in the program.  Preschoolers do have several options.  If you have any questions, please give me a call at 713-729-9062.

FRESH PASTA and SAUCES…please see the flyer on how to order true authentic Italian pasta by Chef Casetta…pre-order by Wednesday, May 2 – delivery date is on Friday, May 4…a portion of the proceeds will benefit STM.

SAFETY:  Please be aware that any adult that is seen looking through the playground fence or sitting in a car on the school side of Wigton Dr. will be approached by either a STM staff person or the Constable.  We want your children to be safe and to also feel safe when they are in school.  The teachers and staff may not know every student’s parent so we need your help.  If you need to pick up your child early, please give us a call so we may have your child ready.  When you arrive to school, enter the Preschool Carpool line and ring the doorbell.  Have your carpool sign available…or, your TDL identification.  We will then gather your child from the classroom.

FIRE DRILL – we were proud of our preschoolers this morning – they followed the directions and listened the first time.  We have changed our exit route and meeting place for the fire drill.  We had a quiet and orderly fire drill today.  Remember to practice fire drills in your own home too. 

Thank you for helping us keep all of our students safe.


April 18, 2018 NEWS...
STM Spirit Night at Kendra Scott First Colony Mall in Sugar Land on Thursday, April 19 from 6 to 8 pm.  20% of proceeds go to the school...treat yourself to an early Mother's Day gift or just come by and enjoy sips, bites and jewels for the evening!

Friday, April 20 the preschoolers will NOT be attending Mass.  We are having an in-house field trip.  Docents from the Houston Museum of Natural Science are bringing an Ocean exhibit to share with our preschoolers.  Your child may wear an “ocean-themed” shirt or an “earth day” shirt to school on Friday.  NOTE:  the preschoolers will have lunch that morning but they need to bring their own lunch on Friday because the cafeteria will be closed.

EARLY DISMISSAL:  The Preschool Carpool line will begin at 11:45 am on Friday morning.

FYI from the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History – Ocean Portal: 
Earth Day is a day that was created to promote awareness and appreciation
for the Earth's environment and occurs each year on April 22 ^nd. The first Earth Day was in 1970 and was founded by U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson (D-Wisconsin) as an environmental teach-in for school children.  Since 1970, people around the world have set aside April 22nd of each year to think about protecting the environment. This includes the ocean, as it’s a huge part of Earth’s environment. But the sea often seems to play a background role compared to more terrestrial causes.

What many people forget is that the inspiration for Earth Day came from the ocean. In 1969, a pipe carrying oil from 3,500 feet below the seafloor split off the coast of Santa Barbara, California, spilling some 3 million gallons of oil into the ocean over the course of 10 days—the biggest spill in U.S. history at that point, and still the third-largest. The thick oil killed thousands of  seabirds, along with  dolphins, California’s iconic sea lions and elephant seals, and countless fish and  invertebrates.  Much harm and damage was done to the ocean and the shoreline – so, Earth Day was born.  On April 22 of the following year, 20 million Americans focused on environmental issues for a single day, inspired by the devastation off the coast of Santa Barbara. Now more than 1 billion people participate from countries around the world.  Below are some ways to help:

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. April 13 NEWS...
 
Thank you for joining us this past Sunday at Fuddruckers for our Spirit Day…the school earned $200 from food sales – we appreciate your support!
 
Reminder:  Early Dismissal on Friday, April 20 – Preschool Carpool Line will begin at 11:45 am.  The preschoolers will have a special visitor from the Museum of Natural Science that morning…we will NOT be participating in the older student’s Field Day.
 
STM’s Helping Hands Medical Mission serving the poor of El Salvador is having a dinner and dance on a Saturday evening, April 21 from 6 pm to 11 pm.  Yelba and her variety band will be performing.  For ticket information please contact Cindy Womack at 713-774-0795.  Tickets will also be sold after all the Masses on Sunday.  For Mission information:  stmhouston.org/medical-mission
 
Knights of Columbus Fish Fry will be back on Friday, May 4…mark your calendar!
 
Preschool Graduation for our 4K students will be held on Thursday, May 31 at 8:30 am in the church.  We will have our morning carpool line at the Preschool building.  Once all the 4K students have arrived to class, the teachers will walk them over to the church.  We will not have Mass, but the program consists of songs, prayers and diplomas!  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 KV After School Care program, your child is welcome to stay with us until 6 pm.
 
Friday, June 1 is our last day of Preschool – please note we are having an Early Dismissal at 11:00 am. NO KV AFTER SCHOOL CARE.  We will attend the All School Mass at 8:15 am. After the Mass, the preschoolers will return to their classrooms for their last day of school activities.  Preschool will NOT stay after Mass in the church for the Day School award ceremony.  Our carpool line will begin at 10:45 am.

April 4 NEWS...
 
Jesus has Risen… Alleluia!!!   We hope everyone enjoyed their beautiful Easter weekend.  The children will continue to learn about the Easter season for the next 50 days until Pentecost Sunday, May 20.  A VERY BIG THANK YOU to Fr. Hai and   Fr. Joseph, Deacon John and Deacon David for their amazing service to the St. Thomas More Parish Community - especially during Holy Week...we are blessed to have you.  ALSO, a BIG THANK YOU to  Theresa Mack and our Knights of Columbus for hosting last Saturday’s Parish Easter Egg Hunt!

Spring is definitely in the air and the children seem to have an extra bounce. We only have two months left to this school year and many fun lessons and activities have been planned. Please remind your child that we want them to enjoy coming to school, but safety is our prime concern - Thank you. 
 
Friday, April 6, Preschool Report Cards will be emailed to all families in good financial standing with the school.
 
Please join us for our Fuddruckers Spirit Day this Sunday, April 8th. Order anyway you like, anytime you like from 11:00am - 9:00pm from the location in Meyer Park at 10101 South Post Oak Rd, 77096 and mention STM and 20% of the sale comes back to STM. Another delicious way to support our school!
 
Last week all STM School families were mailed information regarding the Circle of Grace program that the Archdiocese of Galveston/Houston asked all schools and churches to implement.  Circle of Grace is the approved safe environment training program for elementary students enrolled in any religious education in the Galveston-Houston Archdiocese. The goal of the Circle of Grace program is to educate children to actively participate in a safe environment for themselves and others. Circle of Grace is the love and goodness of God that surrounds us and all others. It is the recognition that God is with us always and is there to help us in difficult situations.  If you have any questions regarding this program, please feel free to reach out to Mrs. Moreno, the Preschool Religion Teacher.
 
Reminder:  Early Dismissal on Friday, April 20 – Preschool Carpool Line will begin at 11:45 am.  The preschoolers will have a special visitor from the Museum of Natural Science that morning…we will NOT be participating in the older student’s Field Day.


MARCH 28 NEWS...

WE have begun the holiest week of the year…this Thursday begins the Triduum – three high holy days that conclude with vespers on Easter Sunday.   On Holy Thursday, we will remember the ministry of humility and service to one another that Jesus gave to his disciples by washing their feet and how we are all called to serve one another.  May this Easter season renew us in the hope that we may live in Christ Jesus the Lord. 

We are in session for the full day on Holy Thursday – NO MASS…the preschoolers will attend Stations of the Cross in our Prayer Garden and have a mini Lenten retreat.  We will dismiss the students at normal time for the 3 pm carpool line. 

PRESCHOOL EASTER HOLIDAYS begin on Good Friday through Easter Monday, March 30 through April 2, 2018…NO SCHOOL.   Classes will resume on Easter Tuesday, April 3, for our M-F classes and on Wednesday, April 4 for the MWF classes.

St. Thomas More Parish Easter Egg Hunt for children 9 years and under will be on Saturday, March 31 at 2 pm…rain or shine!!!  Please have your children bring a basket – the Knights of Columbus will be supplying the eggs for the hunt…don’t forget your cameras and please pray for good weather!  The Easter Egg hunt will be out on the soccer field next to the cafeteria/Prinster Hall. PLEASE DON’T BE LATE!

The Auction/Gala Preschool Sign-Up Party “Finding Dory” Movie Night has a few openings.  Please see the flyer and note the deadline is Wednesday, April 4 to register your child.  All proceeds go to the STM 2018 Auction/Gala…thank you for your support.
 
Special Note:  Preschoolers will NOT be participating in the Kindergarten through 8 ^th grade Field Day Activities on Friday, April 20.  We will have special activities in the Preschool during the Field Day event for older students.  We will attend Mass in the morning and then have Docents from the Museum of Natural Science bring an Ocean and Sea Life exhibit to Preschool.  Early Dismissal - The Preschool carpool line will begin at 11:45 am on Friday, April 20.
 
Many Blessings for a Joyous Easter 2018


March 21, 2018 NEWS...
 
Welcome back and Happy Spring!
 
Congratulations to the Preschool top STEPS4STUDENTS sponsorship:  Jace DeLaTorre (3K student in Ms. Howard’s class) who collected $355.00 in donations.  Jace will get to visit with the firemen from Houston Fire Station 28 and take photos with the Firemen on STM’s back patio.  Jace will also get a special pair of STM socks and he may wear his choice of tennis shoes every Wednesday during April.  Congrats Jace – we appreciate all your hard work in collecting donations!
 
Faith and Family Lecture Series – Tomorrow, Thursday, March 22 from 6:30-7:30 pm in Servant Hall (adjacent to STM church).  Our presenter, Barbie Atkins, MS, LPC will present: "When to Worry about Worrying", an Introduction to Identifying and Addressing Stress and Anxiety in Children and Parents.  Refreshments will be provided. Babysitting and tutoring/homework help will be provided by Beta Club with RSVP.  
 
The Preschool EASTER EGG HUNTS are on Wednesday, March 28 and we need your help…      PLEASE bring a bag of stickers, or small trinkets, or individually wrapped candy – nothing with peanuts or nuts to school by Monday, March 26.  Please make sure your donations will fit in a regular size plastic egg…not the jumbo eggs.  We do appreciate your help in making our hunts a success...thank you.

Re-Enrollment packets were emailed to every parent on February 20 ^th.  If you have not received an email regarding your child’s re-enrollment, please give us a call to ensure we have the correct contact information for you.  OR, if you no longer have the email, you can log into your RenWeb account and access the link for re-enrollment under the Family Information Tab on the left hand side of your home page.  Please note that “ incidental fees” on the enrollment process is referring to lunch account and the Before and After School Care Program.  Your child will be enrolled for the 2018-2019 school year once you have filled out the online form, review it, pay the re-enrollment fee, and then hit submit.  Our business manager, Mr. Leung, will have to complete the tuition section regarding the fees. However, you are able to see the tuition rates for the new school year in the email.  Please give me a call if you have any questions concerning the re-enrollment online process, 713-729-9062. 
 
Knight of Columbus FISH FRY…this is the last Lenten Fish Fry Friday.  The Knights will NOT be serving Fish on Good Friday.  Please join us on March 23^rd at 5pm until the fish runs out! They do have a special To Go Line – Adult plates are $8.00 and the Children’s plates are $5.00.
 
STM Knights of Columbus are hosting an Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, March 31 at 2 pm for children ages 9 years and younger.  Please bring your own baskets to collect the eggs.  The hunt will be on the back playground next to Prinster Hall/Cafeteria.  DON’T BE LATE!
 
Movie Night “Finding Dory” on Friday, April 6 from 5:30 - 8:30 pm for $25.00 per student or $50 per family has a few openings.  Please let me know if you need a registration form. This event benefits the STM Auction/Gala 2018…thank you for your support.
 


March 7, 2018 NEWS...

Thank you, thank you to all who helped make the Auction/Gala such a beautiful evening and a great success…we appreciate you.
 
Auction/Gala SIGN UP PARTY - Even if you were not able to attend this year's Auction/Gala, it is not too late to sign up for the Preschool Movie Night “Finding Dory” sign up party that is scheduled for Friday, April 6 from 5:30 to 8:30 pm for $25 per student.  Please let me know if you need the registration form that was sent home last week.
 
Re-Enrollment packets were emailed to every parent last week on February 20.  If you have not received an email regarding your child’s re-enrollment, please give us a call to ensure we have the correct contact information for you.  Please note that “ incidental fees” on the enrollment process is referring to lunch account and the Before and After School Care Program.  Your child will be enrolled for the 2018-2019 school year once you have filled out the online form, review it, pay the re-enrollment fee, and then hit submit.  Our business manager, Mr. Leung, will have to complete the tuition section regarding the fees. However, you are able to see the tuition rates for the new school year in the email. 
 
Any current student whose re-enrollment is not finalized by this Friday, March 9, is at risk of losing their spot for the next school year.  We will be sending out our acceptance letters to all new students this Friday, March 9.  Please give me a call if you have any questions concerning the re-enrollment online process, 713-729-9062. 
 
Knight of Columbus FISH FRY FRIDAYS – each Friday during Lent except on Good Friday…starting at 5 pm until the fish runs out…come early it is YUMMY!!!
 
Faith and Family Lecture Series -Thursday, March 22 from 6:30-7:30 pm in Servant Hall (adjacent to STM church).  Our presenter, Barbie Atkins, MS, LPC will present: "When to Worry about Worrying", an Introduction to Identifying and Addressing Stress and Anxiety in Children and Parents.  Refreshments will be provided. Babysitting and tutoring/homework help will be provided by Beta Club with RSVP.
 
Daylight savings time is on Sunday, March 11 – remember you will be springing forward - so set your clocks up one hour and then enjoy your Spring Break…March 12-18, 2018.  Have Fun and Be Safe! 





February 28 NEWS...

Your child’s safety is very important to all of us at St. Thomas More.  We care about every one of our students and will do everything within our power to keep them safe.  Please refer to  Ms. Thome’s Tuesday memo, February 27, for information on safety issues at school.
 
Saturday, March 3 is the STM Auction/Gala…We are looking for volunteers to help tomorrow and Friday 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.  The Auction Committee also needs volunteers on Friday during the school day to help with set-up.  Your help is appreciated.
 
Re-Enrollment packets were emailed to every parent last week.  If you have not received an email regarding your child’s re-enrollment, please give us a call to ensure we have the correct contact information for you.  Please note that “ incidental fees” on the enrollment process is referring to lunch account and the Before and After School Care Program.  Your child will be enrolled for the 2018-2019 school year once you have filled out the online form, review it, pay the re-enrollment fee, and then hit submit.  Our business manager, Mr. Leung, will have to complete the tuition section regarding the fees. However, you are able to see the tuition rates for the new school year in the email.  Please give me a call if you have any questions concerning the re-enrollment online process, 713-729-9062.
 
Knight of Columbus FISH FRY FRIDAYS – each Friday during Lent except on Good Friday…starting at 5 pm until the fish runs out…come early it is YUMMY!!!
 
PTO NEWS…Please join us for the next PTO meeting which will be held on March 6 ^th, Tuesday evening at 6:15 p.m. in Donovan's Den.
 
Sugar Land Skeeters Reading Program:  Students in Preschool through 5th grade are participating in the Sugar Land Skeeters Reading Program. On January 29, 2018, Swatson, the mascot for the Skeeters, came to St. Thomas More Parish School for an assembly promoting their reading program. Each student received a bookmark from Swatson to log the required 4 books for the Skeeters Reading Challenge. Each student who completes the required reading of 4 books and gets a parent/guardian or a teacher signature before March 9, will receive 2 free tickets to a Sugar Land Skeeters game. Do not forget to turn in your completed bookmarks to your homeroom teacher no later than March 9, 2018!
 
Box Tops For Education is an easy way to support our school.  We thank you for sending in the purple flyers filled with Box Tops!  Please continue to clip box tops and send them to school with your child. 


 

February 21, 2018 NEWS...   Thank you, thank you to all who came out to Steps for Students this past Saturday. We had a lot of excitement and fun activities leading up to this event and the day did not disappoint.  Over 300 families registered and together we raised over $22,000.00!  Thank you as well for all those who participated in the fundraising for Steps.   This Friday, February 23, is and Early Dismissal for all students.  The preschoolers will eat lunch before going home on Friday.  Carpool line will begin at 11:45 am.   Friday, February 23 is also GO Texan Day.  WE WILL HAVE MASS on Friday.  Your child may wear appropriate western type clothes but please, NO hats, boots, chaps, ropes, stick horses or play guns. Blue jeans may be worn but NO shorts. For the girls, jean pants are preferred; skirts are acceptable but must reach the knee.    Box Tops or Education is an easy way to support our school. In order to get these counted and turned in on time, we NEED your box tops by next Tuesday, February 27th. Please clip those box tops this week and send them to school with your child.  Look for the purple Box Top flyer that was sent home!   Saturday, March 3 is 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.  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 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   Re-Enrollment packets were emailed to every parent yesterday evening – the process is all online and should take about 15 minutes.  We hope that you find this more convenient.  Please note that you must use the Desktop version of RenWeb…no phone apps.  If you have not received an email regarding your child’s re-enrollment, please give us a call to ensure we have the correct contact information for you.  Please note that “ incidental fees” on the enrollment process is referring to lunch account and the Before and After School Care Program.  Also, you will not see the total monthly fees with FACTS at this time.  Our business manager, Mr. Leung, will have to complete this section and confirm with you.  However, you are able to see the tuition rates for the new school year in the email.  Please give me a call if you have any questions concerning the re-enrollment online process, 713-729-9062.   Knight of Columbus FISH FRY FRIDAYS – each Friday during Lent except on Good Friday…starting at 5 pm until the fish runs out…come early it is YUMMY!!!   STM Parish Lenten Mission with Bill Wegner – tonight is the last night to come and hear this charismatic minister…7 pm in the church, Wednesday, February 21. February 14, 2018 NEWS... Thank you to all who came out on Monday evening for the monthly STM Spirit dinner at Skeeters Grill – we do appreciate your support and fellowship!   K of C Fish Fry will be back every Friday during Lent beginning with Friday, February 16.    Saturday, February 17 – 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! Individual registration costs $30 online www.steps4students.org until 7 pm on Friday, February 16.  Race packets can be picked up Thursday or Friday, February 15 and 16 between 12–7 pm at St. Dominic Chancery located at 2403 Holcombe.   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 # 13.  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…most parking fees cost $7…there will be some street closures.  You may want to bring a rain coat – we do have a 50% chance of showers.   Monday, February 19 is a school holiday…Teacher In-Service – NO SCHOOL.   Friday, February 23 is an early dismissal for all students and then requested Parent/Teacher conferences.  Preschool dismisses at 11:45 am and 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 call the Preschool office at 713-729-9062 by Wednesday, February 21, if you would like to schedule an appointment with your child’s teacher.   Friday, February 23, is also Go Texan Day. Students may wear appropriate western type clothes but NO hats, boots, chaps, ropes, stick horses or play guns. Blue jeans may be worn but NO shorts. For the girls, jean pants are preferred; skirts are acceptable but must reach the knees. Remember, this is also a Mass day and all Western Clothing must be appropriate for church. If your child chooses not to dress for Go Texan Day, then they must come to school in dress uniform.   STM’s Registration and Re-admission information will be coming home with your child soon.  Kidventure’s Summer brochure is being sent home with every student today.  Happy St. Valentine’s Day – love and prayers to all our STM families   February 7, 2018 NEWS... WOW…after a fun-filled Catholic Schools Week we come back on Monday with the 100 th day of school.  Our 4K students did a marvelous job counting to 100 and their 100 day projects were amazing!  Thank you for working with your children on this special assignment to celebrate their 100 th day of 4K at STM.  We also collected over 100 items for the food pantry from all our preschoolers…thank you 3K and 4K families for all your much appreciated donations.  Deacon Johnson was very grateful with your generosity – the shelves were bare and needed to be restocked – please note that items are accepted all year.   Next week we will celebrate St. Valentine’s Day on Monday, February 12.  Your child may bring 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. Normann-Petersen/Mrs. Orsburn’s 3K class has 12 students Mrs. El-Ahl’s 4K class has 10 students Mrs. Mack/Mrs. Larrahona’s 4K class has 12 students Mrs. Warner/Mrs. Garza 4K class has 13 students   Monday, February 12 is also STM Spirit Night at Skeeters Grill located at 5529 Weslayan.   Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) will be celebrated among the classes on Tuesday, February 13th.   The Lenten Season begins on Wednesday, February 14th, with Ash Wednesday. We will have an all school Mass (please wear dress uniforms) and the children will receive ashes after Mass on Wednesday.  The students will not attend Mass on Friday, February 16.  The Lenten Family Calendar from Loyola Press is attached to this memo.   K of C Fish Fry will be back every Friday during Lent beginning with February 16.  Steps for Students is a 5K run/walk and is a fundraising event for our school. Participating schools keep 100% of the funds they raise. As of today, we have raised $18,000.00 towards our goal of $25,000.00. We are rolling out our SPONSORSHIP DRIVE...and our goal is to reach $25,000.  Ms. Thome has agreed to host a Lights, Camera, Action Party during the school day  for any grade that raises $1,000.00 in sponsorships, excluding registration, by Friday, February 16, 2018. All monies collected will go directly to St. Thomas More Parish School.   Friday, February 9 is Parents Night Out – please see the flyer…deadline is this Thursday to make your reservation.  NEWS FLASH:  Girl Scout Troop 21126 will also offer babysitting during the Auction/Gala on Saturday, March 3 – more info coming soon.   Saturday, February 10 please pick up your STEPS shirts if you registered after the deadline on January 31.  The school only received those shirts from families that registered early.  The STEPS shirts will be available at St. Dominic’s in Room 106, located at 2403 E Holcombe, 77021 from 10 am to 3 pm.   Monday, February 19 is a school holiday for the students - NO SCHOOL.   February 23 is a noon dismissal for students.  The teachers will have a lunch break and then we will begin the requested Parent/Teacher conferences. January 31, 2018 NEWS... On Monday we opened our Catholic Schools week with a prayer service led by Student Council Representatives in the school gym.  After the service we had a special reading program presented by the Sugar Land Skeeters mascot.  Swatson, the mascot, gave a presentation on how if you put your mind to a certain task - then you can do it!  Swatson also acted out his life story in a short skit. The students received a bookmark so they can record their 4 books. The special Swatson story books were not available on Monday, but will arrive shortly…we will send them home to the students when they are delivered to the school.  Please note that you must turn in the completed bookmark to your class teacher by March 9, 2018 to receive the 2 free Skeeters baseball tickets.    The Pancake Breakfast on Tuesday was a HUGE success!  Thank you everyone for your patience…we had lots of last minute drop-ins.  The children were so excited to eat breakfast at school with their parent and win prizes from the Magician.   Tonight 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.   STEPS - This is also the last day to register for STEPS at a discount…price goes up on Thursday…don’t be late, register today!!! Tomorrow, February 1 - 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. Friday, February 2 the Book Fair will close at noon in the school library. Next Friday, February 9, from 6 – 10 pm Girl Scout Troop 21126 will host a Parent’s Night Out – please see the flyer. Sunday, February 11 the K of C are selling Breakfast and Fajitas Tacos – see flyer. BIG THANK YOU to all our preschool families for the delicious foods at the Teacher Rodeo Luncheon last week – it was a beautiful event and we appreciate your special treat to the staff.  A very special thank you to Mrs. DeLaTorre and Mrs. Kentner for decorating the lounge into a Western affair!  See photos on STM’s social media. January 24, 2018 NEWS... National Catholic Schools week is the last week in January.  We have several fun activities planned for our STM students:   Sunday, January 28 please wear your school uniform to Mass to show your school pride.  The Used Uniform Sale begins at 10 am in the Scout House and the Book Fair is at 11am in the Library.  All week we will be watching for students doing random acts of kindness at school.  On Friday, after Mass these students will be recognized in the church for their kindness.   Monday, January 29 is LIKE DAY…plan to dress “alike” with your friends and have your parents “Like” STM on Facebook ,Twitter and Instagram!  The Preschoolers will also attend the Skeeters Reading Challenge presentation in the Gym and meet Swatson, the Sugar Land Skeeters’ Mascot!   Tuesday, Janaury 30 all students need a good night’s sleep to do your best at school  - the Preschoolers may wear pajamas to school with their tennis shoes! (no house slippers).  If you are planning to attend the Pancake breakfast – dads please go directly over to Servant Hall at 7:30 am with your preschooler and take pleasure in this special morning.  Please bring the preschooler back to the preschool building after finishing the breakfast and enjoying the special entertainment!   Wednesday, January 31, please join us with your child between 5pm and 6:30 pm in the Preschool Building for our Open House.  The children have worked hard in school and are eager to show off their work!  You may also visit the Book Fair after our Open House until 7 pm.  This is also the last day to register for STEPS at a discount…price goes up on Thursday…don’t be late, register NOW!!! Thursday, February 1 - please help stock our food pantry…you may wear jeans and tennis shoes of your choice with any STM shirt if you bring something for the food pantry. Friday, February 2 recognition after Mass to those students for their random acts of kindness. MAKE-UP Weather Days: March 29, 2018 will be changed to a regular dismissal school day - a previously planned 11 am dismissal. Also, May 11, 2018 is on the calendar as a "possible weather holiday". This day will no longer be a holiday and we will have a regular school day instead. “Thank you for your cooperation and understanding of these adjustments as we all work together to meet the required number of school days in our year,” Ms. Thome. January 10, 2018 NEWS...   FLU SEASON is here and it has been reported that 62% of families in Houston have taken ill with the flu – please read the attached flyer on how to keep you and your family healthy.  One of the best precautions is to wash your hands constantly for 20 seconds…have your child sing the ABC song twice while washing their hands and rubbing them back and forth with soap and warm water.   Monday, January 15 is Martin Luther King Holiday - NO SCHOOL.   Tuesday, January 16 Spirit Day - Students may wear the red STM Spirit Shirt or the purple Oktoberfest shirt with uniform bottoms – please wear a sweater too – it will be chilly again in Houston starting on Thursday.   Parker Uniforms has closed their doors but the PTO will have a USED UNIFORM SALE: Sunday, January 28 in Servant Hall – the beginning of Catholic Schools’ Week.  For the remainder of this school year the boys navy uniform pants may be purchased at Wal-Mart, Target, JC Penney, Kohls and Academy stores.  You may also purchase a solid green polo shirt at most stores and the white oxford shirts.  If you need the girls plaid skort and/or navy dress jumper, please come to the Used Uniform Sale or ask STM parents for hand-me-downs.  Do NOT worry about the school logos…we let you know when we have secured a uniform store that carries the STM clothing.  We are sorry for the inconvenience but thank you for your patience and understanding.   Saturday, January 13 please join us in Servant Hall for a Parent Seminar on Technology:  Friend or Foe by Dr. Remi Webber at 6:30 pm in Servant Hall.     STM ACTS Woman’s Retreat  - January  25-28.  Calling all women interested in building a closer relationship with Christ and establishing lasting relations with like-minded women.  It is being held at the Mother of Perpetual Help Retreat Center at 3417 West Little York and the registration fee is $240.00 which includes 3 nights lodging, all meals and supplies and transportation from STM to the Retreat Center.  Please contact Helen Aneke (STM PARENT) at:  Nykgod14@yahoo.com   STM Combined Choirs GALA X:  Time After Time at 8 pm on February 2 and 3...tickets are $20 and are on sale after all Masses.   Steps for Students – Saturday, February 17… Race Day Schedule: 6:30 a.m. - Mass at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart 6:30 - 7:30 a.m. - Race Day Registration 8 a.m. - 5K Run/Walk 9 a.m. - Post-race party in Catholic School Village   BOX TOPS - A very special thank you to all who continue to cut those Box Tops for Education and send them to the office.  This school year the rewards have totaled almost $500 for STM. Thank you to Mrs. Mack for all your work in preparing the Box Tops for submission…thank you parents for sending them in to your class teachers. January 3, 2018 NEWS... Happy New Year 2018 - 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!!!  Saturday, January 6 is the Epiphany, or the 12th day of Christmas which is when the Magi visited Jesus. The Galveston-Houston Archdiocese is celebrating the Epiphany this Sunday, January 7, and the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord will be celebrated on Monday, January 8. 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 2018 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+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