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.

  Make every day - EARTH day!
 

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

August 25 we will  be closing at 12 noon...NO school on Monday, August 28, 2017.  We will keep you updated on future closings.  

We have cancelled our Back to School Open House on Tuesday, August 29 and will reschedule soon. Please be safe.


August 23, 2017 NEWS...

EMERGENCY CLOSINGS In case of inclement weather, the general practice is:  STM will close when other Catholic Schools in Houston close and/or when the HISD schools in southwest Houston close. Please tune your radio/TV to the following stations for this announcement: KODA 99FM KQUE 103FM KPRC 950AM KILT 510AM KNUZ 1230AM KPRC Channel 2 KHOU Channel 11 KTRK Channel 13
Parents are cautioned to exercise their judgment in situations which may only affect their local neighborhoods (such as flooding). In such instances, children can be released to parents early to insure their safe arrival home. Parents will also be informed through the IRIS system of STM closings.  

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 and we appreciate your help. 

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 in the morning…it is hard to remember messages that are given verbally to us while we are working the carpool line…however, we will write down lunch orders in the carpool line!  Also, we will not begin the pick-up Carpool Line at 3:00 pm until all our walk-ups have been dismissed.  Please wait for us to wave you into the driveway and have your orange 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 orange cards cannot be seen by the teachers…thank you for your patience and understanding.

Back to School Dance – is this Saturday, August 26 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…Pizza $1 per slice.

Lunches may be ordered online on your Renweb account – You may also put money into your child’s account - please go to the school website:
www.stthomasmore-school.org
then go to Parent Information – School Payments - choose Cafeteria payments.  The lunch money will not be part of the FACTS program.
 
Tuesday, August 29 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 purple Oktoberfest t-shirts ($10 each) available for purchase – the purple Oktoberfest shirts or the red spirit shirt may be worn on our weekly Spirit Tuesdays with the uniform bottoms!

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, room parents, recess duty workers, clinic volunteers, and chaperones. You may register for the program at www.virtus.org. 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 now required of anyone who took VIRTUS prior to December 31, 2011. To register for Keeping the Promise Alive go to www.virtus.org - be very careful when registering that you are not registering for Protecting God’s Children. 

FORMS - If you have not already done so, please sign and return all STM forms to the school office by Friday, August 25. 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 around 6:30 pm.  You may also find the Principal’s Memo on the front page of our school website.  The Preschool Memo will be posted under Parent Information – Preschool – Weekly Memo.


 

August 16, 2017 NEWS...

Welcome!  We are delighted to have your child enrolled with us for the 2017-2018 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 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, the children have discovered they are special and God found them a perfect family.  At our opening Mass yesterday, Fr. Hai welcomed all the students back to school and blessed the teachers and the students with holy water.  In P.E. 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 Day School Students in the back first and then come and get in the carpool line and 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 2 Early Bird teachers with over 50 Day School students 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.   At 3:00 pm we will begin our afternoon Carpool Line.    While using our Carpool Line, please stay off your cell phone and be safe, patient, understanding and never walk children or adults between the cars in our Carpool line.  Thank You for helping us keep all our students safe.
 
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 PINK Emergency Card we sent home this week. We would like to know who is designated to pick up each preschooler.  Also, once we have entered the email addresses into RenWeb you should receive the Principal’s memo.  If you did not receive the first Principal memo that was emailed on Tuesday evening, please contact me with your email address. 

UNIFORMS -  We realize the Preschool uniforms from Parker Uniform Store has been difficult to obtain this school year.  The company is working on a solution to all the confusion.  In the meantime, please send your child in navy shorts or pants with a green polo for the boys, a navy skirt and green polo for the girls, or the red spirit shirt or current purple Oktoberfest shirt with tennis shoes – and NO BELTS.  Please keep extra clothing in the backpacks – just label everything.

K of C Pancake Breakfast celebrating back to school fun will be this Sunday, August 20, in Servant Hall from 8:30 am to 11:00 am - thanks to our Knights of Columbus Southwest Council 3910...Adults: $5.00  and Kids : $3.00
 
Parish Soccer information is going home today – please note the deadline to register is Tuesday, August 22.

Celebrate your child’s birthday in LIGHTS…please send the $5.00 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 – mark your calendar for Saturday, August 26 from 6 to 9 pm.  Admission is $5 per person or $20 per family…food and drinks will also be available to purchase during the evening.

Mark your calendar for our Evening Open House on Tuesday, August 29 – more info soon regarding this fun evening.

May God Bless All Our Children and Keep Them Safe.

SUMMER 2017 NEWS:
 
Dear Parents,
 
The STM Preschool welcomes you to the 2017-2018 school year...a year filled with the wonder of God's love and exciting adventures in the classroom with new friends and nurturing teachers.  Our goal is to relate the love of God by showing the children love. Love provides security. Loves shows discipline. Love gives a quality education. Love is a glimpse of God - "For God is Love."  We believe the love of God joins us together.

NEWS FLASH - please note that our Novell internet server is not always working - we have not been able to send or receive emails to all providers this summer.  If you need to get in touch with us and we are not answering emails, please, call us at the Preschool Office:     713-729-9062...thank you for your patience.
 
Preschool Hours:  7:45 am to 3:00 pm…We will begin our Morning Carpool Line at 7:45 am each school day.  All students must be in school by 8 am.  On Fridays, the preschoolers will attend the All School Mass.  Please drop off the older siblings first in the Day School Carpool Line in the back parking lot by the Gym and then drive over to the Preschool building for the 7:45 Carpool Line in the Preschool circle driveway.  We ask that everyone use our carpool line for a smooth transition to the beginning of the school day!   The Academic day will begin promptly at 8 am each school day. 
 
HOMEWORK:  all entering preschoolers have a summer reading list.  Please look for it on the school website www.stthomasmore-school.org - on the Home Page…click on the Summer Tool kit box…look for the Required Reading for 3K or 4K…no math requirement for preschoolers.  Please bring the Book Report to your child’s teacher at the Meet and Greet on Wednesday,  August 9.  You may drop in between 8 am - noon or from 1 - 3:30 pm.  We look forward to meeting you and your child on Wednesday. You may also go to the used uniform sale in the old gym on Wednesday, August 9 between 8 am to 1 pm.

LUNCH:  Healthy items please – no candy or soft drinks.  Hotdogs, grapes, apples, and any large pieces of food need to be cut in bite size pieces please.   We are unable to microwave student lunches...you may send warm items in a thermos.  Thank you for your help.  If your child needs to order a lunch from the cafeteria – please send a note and tell us each morning during drop-off and remember to set-up your debit cafeteria account.  Orders must be turned in by 8:15 a.m. The cafeteria will be open on the first day of school...the menu will be posted soon. Your child will have several options: the daily designated lunch plate offered or a grilled cheese sandwich lunch plate or the hot dog lunch plate any day of the week.  On Monday, August 14 the hot lunch plate is Spaghetti, salad and garlic bread.  The lunches are $4 (drinks are extra).  The hot lunches will be delivered to the preschool building each school day at 11 a.m.

SLEEPING MATS:  Please bring either a JUNIOR size sleeping bag (labeled) or small sleeping mat (labeled) on Wednesday, August 9 at the Meet and Greet.  We will keep the sleeping mats in a special container in the classroom.  

UNIFORMS:  must be purchased at Parker Uniform Company located at 3817 Bellaire Blvd, 713-661-6110. There is a link to the Parker Uniform Company on our website.
 
BACKPACKS:  A REGULAR SIZE backpack (labeled)- no rolling ones or mini ones.  Please keep an extra set of underwear, socks and clothing in a gallon size ziplock bag in the backpack at all times.  The teachers will send home daily notes and/or school work in a folder in the backpack.  The folders need to be checked and emptied of all papers each evening...the folder needs to return to school each day and stay in the backpack...thank you.  You may also read the Weekly Preschool Memos and the Principal's Memo for news during the school year on our website!

TUITION:  For the 2017-2018 school year, STM has contracted with the FACTS Tuition Payment System to handle tuition, cafeteria and field trip payments.  ALL families must set up a FACTS account.  A link to the application can be found on the school website under QUICK LINKS.  As you start the application process, please be sure that you are completing the form for the Payment and Billing Plan NOT the Grant and AID application. 

August 14, 2017 is the first day of Preschool, Early Birds and the Kidventure After School Care Program, Finale.  Enjoy the last days of summer and we look forward to an amazing school year... Imagine, Believe and Achieve.



Dear Parents,
We are just a week away from our last day of Preschool.  
The 4K Graduation Program is on WEDNESDAY, May 24, 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 Wednesday, May 24, 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 After School Care until 6 pm for the registered preschoolers.  This is our last day of After School Care.  Early Birds will be opened on Thursday morning.
ALSO, on Wednesday, May 24, the 3K students will have a REGULAR, BUT FUN CLASS DAY… A TEDDY BEAR PICNIC is planned for the morning.   Please have your child bring their favorite teddy bear or stuffed animal to school on Wednesday, May 24.  They will have a special breakfast treat!  This will be the last day of Preschool for our MWF 3K students.
Thursday, May 25 is our last Mass for this school year and our last day of school for all M-F 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, 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.
We will have After School Care until Wednesday, May 24 - this is our last day for the After School Program.  Early Birds will be open on Thursday, May 25.
TUITION AND AFTER SCHOOL CARE PAYMENTS- Please remember that all tuition (PK - 8th grade) and After School Care accounts 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.
 
The 4K students will have a Graduation rehearsal first thing on Monday morning, May 22.  We would like all our 4K students to be at school on Monday no later than 8:15 a.m. so that we may practice – thank you!
 
 
FACTS TUITION PAYMENT SYSTEM - A reminder that all families must set up an account with the FACTS Tuition Payment system for the 2017-2018 school year. A link to the application can be found on the school website under Quick Links. As you start the application process, please be sure that you are completing the form for the Payment and Billing Plan NOT the Grant and Aid application.  In order to pay your tuition out over 12 months, the payment plan must be set up by Thursday, May 18. Any plan set up after that date will be limited to an 11 month payment plan thereby increasing the monthly payment.
 
AFTER SCHOOL CARE FOR THE 2017-2018 SCHOOL YEAR - Registration is now open for After School Care for the 2017-2018 school year with kidventure.com. The oldest child in the family is bringing home a brochure with tuition prices and registration information. A flyer is attached to the Principal memo with the tuition schedule. A link to register may be found on the school website under Quick Link.
 
SUMMER OFFICE HOURS- Beginning May 30th the school office will be open from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday. The office will be closed completely the week of July 4th.
 
PARISH NEWS -The Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) at St. Thomas More will be formally installed at the 9 AM and 11 AM Masses on Sunday, May 21, 2017. Following each Mass, members of the PPC will conduct a “listening” session in Servant Hall.  All are welcome!  Please see the flyer attached to the Principal memo.
 
Saturday, June 3 End-of-the-School Year Rummage Sale - see flyer attached to the Principal  memo.
 
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING OUR MILITARY - A small way to show our appreciation for our military is to say “thank you for your service" when we see them. This past week our entire student body said "thank you for your service" by participating in a gift for troops drive. With the support of all our parents and families the kids packed 13 large boxes to ship to our troops overseas. This year the boxes will be shipped to Kuwait where Lt. Michael Felton, STM ’07, will distribute the items to the soldiers on his base. Thank you to all our STM families who helped make this drive successful.
 
PTO would like to recognize all the outstanding volunteers who have given of their time and talents during this school year. As a thank you, we are asking anyone who volunteered for a PTO event, to submit their name by Friday, May 19th. A drawing will be held that afternoon and gift cards will be awarded to 5 lucky volunteers. To register for this drawing please see the flyer attached to the Principal memo.
 
Meet your 2017 - 2018 PTO Board:
President:  Aimee Taylor
Vice President:  Fatima Maniar
President Elect:  Theresa Orsburn
Secretary:  Jenni LaBeth
Treasurer:  Corey Morgan
Event Coordinator:  Jennifer McCarty
Volunteer Coordinator:  Amber Farnham-Middleton
 
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.  May you have a wonderful and safe summer, rejoicing in your children’s joy!



May 10, 2017 News...
Friday, May 12 is the ALL SCHOOL MASS - All students must be in dress uniform.
 
Tuesday, May 16, STM Spirit Night at Los Tios restaurant -- see flyer.
 
FACTS TUITION PAYMENT SYSTEM- A reminder that all families must set up an account with the FAC TS Tuition Payment system for the 2017-2018 school year. A link to the application can be found on the school website under Quick Links. As you start the application process, please be sure that you are completing the form for the Payment and Billing Plan NOT the Grant and Aid application.  In order to pay your tuition out over 12 months, the payment plan must be set up by May 18. Any plan set up after that date will be limited to an 11 month payment plan thereby increasing the monthly payment.
 
AFTER SCHOOL CARE FOR THE 2017-2018 SCHOOL YEAR - Registration is now open for After School Care for the 2017-2018 school year. The oldest child in the family is bringing home a brochure with tuition prices and registration information. A flyer is also attached to this memo with the tuition schedule. A link to register may be found on the school website under the Quick Link.
 
SUMMER OFFICE HOURS- Beginning May 30th the school office will be open from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday. The office will be closed completely the week of July 4th.
 
PTO NEWS- The PTO would like to recognize all the outstanding volunteers who have given of their time and talents during this school year. As a thank you, we are asking anyone who volunteered for a PTO event, to submit their name by Friday, May 19th. A drawing will be held that afternoon and gift cards will be awarded to 5 lucky volunteers. To register for this drawing please see the flyer attached to this memo.
 
TUITION AND AFTER SCHOOL CARE PAYMENTS- Please remember that all tuition (PK - 8th grade) and After School Care accounts must be paid in full with the May 1 payment. Final report cards will be held for any families whose account is past due.
 
PARISH NEWS -The Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) at St. Thomas More will be formally installed at the 9 AM and 11 AM Masses on Sunday, May 21, 2017. Following each Mass, members of the PPC will conduct a “listening” session in Servant Hall. Please see the attached flyer.
 
4K Graduation Ceremony is Wednesday, May 24 at 8:30 am in the Church.  We will not have Mass, but the program consists of songs, prayers and diplomas!  Please dress your child in “Sunday Best” clothing – no shorts…no uniforms.  The ceremony should last about an hour and a half.  You are welcome to take your child home after the Graduation program or they may stay with us for the normal school hours.  If you are registered for the After School Care program, your child is welcome to stay with us until 6 pm.
 
Thursday, May 25 Early Dismissal at 11:00 am. and last day of Preschool.  We will all attend the All School Mass, the Ascension of the Lord, a Holy Day of Obligation.  After the Mass, the preschoolers will return to their classrooms.  Preschool will NOT stay in the church for the Day School award ceremony.
 
Saturday, June 3 End-of-the-School Year Rummage Sale - see flyer attached to this memo.
 
May 3, 2017 News...

New addition to the Preschool building…a framed puzzle of the Holy Family.  This beautiful art work was put together by the Vietnamese sisters at St. Catherine’s convent.  Mrs. Mack and several Preschool teachers were the top bidders at their annual gala this past Friday evening.  It is hanging in the front entrance on the brick wall – please make sure you take a look the next time you are at the school and in the carpool line!
$29,595.02  Wow!  This is the amount raised to date for the Wheelchairs for Children Mission.  197 wheelchairs will be delivered!!!  Thank you to the many students, faculty, staff, parents and parishioners who helped on Divine Mercy Wheelchair weekend.  There is still time to donate and there will be some other special events coming up.  Thank you!

Friday, May 5 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 Mass on Friday, May 5.  Our First Holy Communicants will also parade in with their special banners.
 
CALLING ALL GARDENERS - If you have a green thumb and enjoy the great outdoors, STM invites you to help with the creation of our very own butterfly garden! Extra hands and green thumbs would be appreciated. Contact Theresa Orsburn at Theresa.Orsburn@yahoo.com if you are interested in working on this project.
 
TUITION AND AFTER SCHOOL CARE PAYMENTS - Please remember that all Preschool tuition and After School Care accounts must be paid in full with the May 1 payment. Final report cards will be held for any families whose account is past due.
 
May 16, please save the date for the next SPIRIT NIGHT at Los Tios on Beechnut in Meyerland, from 4 pm to closing.  Los Tios will give 20% of all food sales by STM families on Tuesday, May 16 back to our school.
 
4K Graduation Ceremony is Wednesday, May 24 at 8:30 am in 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 After School Care program, your child is welcome to stay with us until 6 pm.
 
Thursday, May 25 is our last day of Preschool – please note we are having an Early Dismissal at 11:00 am.  We will all attend the All School Mass, the Ascension of the Lord, a Holy Day of Obligation.  After the Mass, the preschoolers will return to their classrooms.  Preschool will NOT stay in the church for the Day School award ceremony.
 
FACTS TUITION PAYMENT SYSTEM - A reminder that all families must set up an account with the FACTS Tuition Payment system for the 2017-2018 school year. A link to the application can be found on the school website under Quick Links. As you start the application process, please be sure that you are completing the form for the Payment and Billing Plan NOT the Grant and Aid application. In order to pay your tuition out over 12 months, the payment plan must be set up by May 18. Any plan set up after that date will be limited to an 11 month payment plan thereby increasing the monthly payment.
 


April 26, 2017...
Thank you to all the students, parents, staff members and Knights that helped out at the Divine Mercy Wheelchair Weekend.  It was successful because the whole community came together to raise money for Wheelchairs for Children.  From helping at Mass to rolling and serving tacos to providing information about the wheelchairs to parishioners, STM students and teachers were visible everywhere.  We’ll have the total donations collected very soon.  Keep watching!  May God bless you. 

Friday, April 28 All School Mass - Students must be in dress uniform…long navy pants for boys and the navy dress for the girls.
 
SCRIP ORDERS - Graduation gifts, Mother’s Day even Father’s Day - looking for that perfect gift? Order SCRIP gift cards and let them decide. An order form is attached to this week's Principal Memo - also a pink order form came home with today's memo. If you have any questions contact Kathy Prado in the school office at 713.729.3434.
 
CALLING ALL GARDENERS - If you have a green thumb and enjoy the great outdoors, STM invites you to help with the creation of our very own butterfly garden! Extra hands and green thumbs would be appreciated. Contact Theresa Orsburn at Theresa.Orsburn@yahoo.com if you are interested in working on this project.
 
HOME LANGUAGE SURVEY St. Thomas More School is applying to receive Title III funds which are distributed through HISD. One of the requirements is to have A Home Language Survey on file for every student in the school. These funds will be used for Professional Development for teachers and instructional materials that will benefit every student, regardless of whether or not English is the first language of the student. The survey was mailed to every family on April 5. If you have not already turned your survey in to the school office, please do so by the end of this week…thank you.
 
TUITION AND AFTER SCHOOL CARE PAYMENTS - Please remember that all Preschool tuition and After School Care accounts must be paid in full with the May 1 payment. Final report cards will be held for any families whose account is past due.
 
May 16, please save the date for the next SPIRIT NIGHT at Los Tios on Beechnut in Meyerland, from 4 pm to closing.  Los Tios will give 20% of all food sales by STM families on Tuesday, May 16 back to our school.
 
4K Graduation Ceremony is Wednesday, May 24 at 8:30 am in 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 After School Care program, your child is welcome to stay with us until 6 pm.
 
Thursday, May 25 is our last day of Preschool – please note we are having an Early Dismissal at 11:00 am.  We will all attend the All School Mass, the Ascension of the Lord, a Holy Day of Obligation.  After the Mass, the preschoolers will return to their classrooms.  Preschool will NOT stay in the church for the Day School award ceremony.



Jesus has Risen… Alleluia!!!   We hope everyone enjoyed their Easter weekend – the children will continue to learn about the Easter season for the next 50 days until Pentecost Sunday, June 4, 2017. 

A 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 our Knights of Columbus for hosting last Saturday’s Parish Easter Egg Hunt!!!

Friday, April 21 is the All School Mass and preschoolers must be in dress uniform.  It is also the Auction/Gala Earth Day event from 3:30 to 5:30 pm…if you already registered your preschooler, then you will receive a reminder attached to this memo with more details – thank you for your support.
 
CALLING ALL GARDENERS - If you have a green thumb and enjoy the great outdoors, STM invites you to help with the creation of our very own butterfly garden! Extra hands and green thumbs would be appreciated. Contact Theresa Orsburn at Theresa.Orsburn@yahoo.com if you are interested in working on this project.
 
AMERICAN WHEELCHAIR MISSION WEEKEND is this Saturday and Sunday, April 22 and 23.   Fr Hai has graciously given us the opportunity to tell the parish about the great effort the students and KC 3910 have made in raising money for wheelchairs for children. We are asking all the students to wear their uniforms to Mass this weekend. There will be a plaid bag collection for the project. The Knights will be cooking a Taco Breakfast with proceeds benefitting the project. We need many students, parents and staff to help make this a success. If you and your child can help at Mass and/or the breakfast please contact Mrs. Warner  by email at  kwarner@stmorenews.com or call 713-729-9062…we appreciate your help!
 
HOME LANGUAGE SURVEY was mailed to all the school families on April 5.  St. Thomas More School is applying to receive Title III funds which are distributed through HISD. One of the requirements is to have A Home Language Survey on file for every student in the school. These funds will be used for Professional Development for teachers and instructional materials that will benefit every student, regardless of whether or not English is the first language of the student.  If you have not already turned your survey in to the school office, please do so by April 21.


April 12, 2017 NEWS...

WE have begun the holiest week of the year…this Thursday begins the Triduum where we will remember the ministry of humility and service to one another that Jesus gave to his disciples by washing their feet.  May this Easter season renew us in the hope that we may live in Christ Jesus the Lord. 

We are in session for half day on Holy Thursday – NO MASS…the preschoolers will attend Stations of the Cross in our Prayer Garden and then have a special Lenten retreat the rest of the morning.  Preschool Carpool line will begin at 10:45 am – please pick up your preschooler first then go to the Day School Carpool Line – thank you.

PRESCHOOL EASTER HOLIDAYS - Good Friday through Easter Monday, April 14-17.  The Sunday Nursery will be closed on Easter Sunday.  School will resume on Easter Tuesday, April 18 for M-F classes and on Easter Wednesday, April 19 for MWF classes.

St. Thomas More Parish Easter Egg Hunt for children 9 years and under will be on Saturday, April 15 at 2 pm…rain or shine!!!  Please have your children bring a basket – the Knights of Columbus will be supplying the eggs with an ice cream treat after 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.

The Auction/Gala Preschool Sign-Up Party “Earth Day” has a few openings.  The afternoon activities will include taking a nature walk, recycling and picking-up trash, planting flowers, playing games, reading stories and having a snack.  If you would like your child to come and learn how to take care of the earth, keep our school grounds clean and have fun with their teachers please sign up now…date is Friday, April 21 from 3:30-5:30…please let us know by Wednesday, April 19.  The fee is $25.00 per preschool child and all proceeds go to the “STM FEVER” 2017 Auction/Gala.

AMERICAN WHEELCHAIR PROJECT FUNDRAISER - April 22 / 23…please sign up to help with breakfast after the Masses and the second collection during Mass.  Contact Mrs. Warner at 713-729-9062 or kwarner@stmorenews.com if you have any questions.
 
CALLING ALL GARDENERS - If you have a green thumb and enjoy the great outdoors, STM invites you to help with the creation of our very own butterfly garden! Extra hands and green thumbs would be appreciated. Contact Theresa Orsburn at Theresa.Orsburn@yahoo.com 

Many Blessings for a Joyous Easter 2017


April 5, 2017 News...

Friday, April 7 - All School Mass at 8:15 am - All students must be in dress uniform.  Knights of Columbus Fish Fry 5-7 pm...see note below.
 
Cafeteria Menu Changes:  Chicken Fried Steak with Mash Potatoes and Gravy for Monday, April 10 and Pancake, Sausage, Tator Tots and Fruit on Tuesday, April 11.
 
Monday, April 10 from 5 to 8 pm is STM Spirit Night at the Meyerland Chick-fil-A.  Please come out and support STM…a percentage of the sales that evening will be donated to St. Thomas More – all you have to do is tell them you are here for the STM Spirit Night.  We are having a special “cow” visitor to school on Monday.
 
Wednesday, April 12 is the Preschool EASTER EGG HUNTS.  We need your help - PLEASE bring a bag of stickers or individually wrapped candy – nothing with peanuts or nuts to school by Monday, April 10.  Please make sure your donations will fit in a regular size plastic egg.  The school has the eggs – we just need the stuffings.  We do appreciate your help in making our hunts a success...thank you.

Thursday, April 13 - Holy Thursday Retreats and Early Dismissal at 11:00 a.m.     Yes, we will have Early Birds…but, NO AFTER SCHOOL CARE.
 
Friday, April 14 GOOD FRIDAY - NO school
 
At 2 pm on Saturday, April 15 is the Knights of Columbus Easter Egg Hunt for children ages 1 year to 9 years old on the big field next to Prinster Hall…please note that the hunt will start at 2 pm and not at noon as stated in the Church Bulletin …bring your baskets and your cameras for the 2 pm Egg Hunt – don’t be late! 
 
Monday, April 17 Easter holiday – NO school

Preschool 4K Graduation – please note the change in date for our 4K graduation program – it is on Wednesday, May 24 at 8:30 am in the church.  We will have a cake and punch reception immediately after the ceremony.  The original calendar sent out in August has the graduation date as May 23…it has been changed and noted on the STM website for Wednesday, May 24, 2017.  This is a regular school day for our preschoolers with Early Birds and ASC.  While the 4K has their graduation, the 3K will have a Teddy Bear Picnic!  The last day of school is on Thursday, May 25 with an Early Dismissal at 11 am.  The preschoolers will attend Mass for the Holy Day of Obligation, the Ascension of Jesus.  We will have Early Birds but no ASC on our last day of school.

KC Fish Fry Friday April 7, 2017 in Prinster Hall
Come join your STM friends for a wonderful dinner and help raise money for the American Wheelchair Project.   This is the last Fish Fry for Lent.    STM students will be selling drinks and collecting donations to raise funds for this project.  So far we have over $4000 for 30 wheelchairs.  This year’s wheelchairs will be going to children’s facilities.  The Fish Fry will begin at 5 pm and continue to 7 pm or whenever they sell out!  Students who would like to earn service hours, please contact Mrs. Warner kwarner@stmorenews.com.
 
HELP PLEASE…April 22 and 23 will be WHEELCHAIR WEEKEND at St. Thomas More.  Fr. Hai has graciously given us permission to have a second collection that weekend and sell breakfast on Sunday.  Again, the school students will be working with the Knights of Columbus.  Our STM Knights have several events they are committed to working that weekend.  We will need LOTS of students, faculty and parents to help out during the weekend at the Masses and at the Breakfast.  PLEASE check your calendars and contact Mrs. Warner at kwarner@stmorenews.com or call 713-729-9062 to volunteer.  Students this is a great way to cover your service hours.  Let’s all join together and make this a great success.  Thank you.


Please note: The Internet Safety website was incorrectly listed in this week's parent memo. To view the video please go to netsmartz.org  (not .com)

International Day Fun is Friday, March 31 with an early dismissal at 11 am.  The Preschoolers will travel to 5 countries with their special passports in the homeroom classrooms and then have a “lay-over” snack of nachos and lemonade in their visit to 2 more countries.  We will not be attending Mass on Friday.                 The students may wear long blue jeans or shorts, appropriate shirts, and closed toe tennis shoes. Please, No tank tops or spaghetti strap shirts…No sandals or crocs.  The Preschool Carpool Line will begin at 11 am and the Day School Carpool Line will begin at 11:30 am…please pick up your Preschooler first at 11 am – thank you!

March 29, 2017 News...
Preschool’s International Day Fun is this Friday, March 31 with an early dismissal at        11 am.  The Preschoolers will travel to 5 countries: Ireland, Turks and Caicos, France, Italy, and Australia, with their special passports in the homeroom classrooms. The preschoolers will also have a “lay-over” with snack of nachos and lemonade in their visit to America and Mexico.  We will not be attending Stations of the Cross with the Day School students nor will the preschoolers participate in the Field Day Activities.  Field Day is for Kinders through 8 ^th grade students only.  The preschoolers will go to Stations of the Cross in the Prayer Garden on Thursday during Religion classes.  On Friday, the students may wear long blue jeans or shorts, appropriate shirts, and closed toe tennis shoes. Please, NO tank tops or spaghetti strap shirts and NO sandals or crocs.  The Preschool Carpool Line will begin at 11 am and the Day School Carpool Line will begin at 11:30 am… please pick up your Preschooler first at 11 am– thank you!
 
FAITH AND FAMILY LECTURE SERIES -  Many thanks to all who came out to STM on March 23rd to attend our program on Internet Safety for Parents. We were pleased to host Ms. Vieco-Garcia from the Children’s Assessment Center and enjoyed a session filled with lots of good and practical information. A reminder that we are using the Netsmartz Program from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children to guide our training and discussions and that you may access this content and download the presentations at any time by visiting www.netsmartz.com    If you have any further questions or want to share feedback, please feel free to email mgleason@stmorenews.com
 
OUR EASTER EGG HUNTS are on Wednesday, April 12 and we need your help please!   PLEASE bring a bag of stickers or individually wrapped candy – nothing with peanuts or nuts to school by Monday, April 10.  Please make sure your donations will fit in a regular size plastic egg.  We do appreciate your help in making our hunts a success...thank you.

WEATHER INFO… when we are under heavy flooding or a tornadao watch - please note that we have a “shelter in-place” for the students….safe rooms with NO WINDOWS.  We also do NOT expect you to drive in this weather to pick-up your child for dismissal until the threat of danger is out of the area and you and your family will be safe in the car driving home.  Safety is a priority – we will take precautions at all times to keep your child safe.  The STM faculty and staff love and care about each and every one of their students and school families.  
 
Reminders: 
Wednesday, April 12, Preschool Easter Egg Hunt and Party
Thursday, April 13, Holy Thursday – Preschool retreat with Early Dismissal at 11 am. (we will not be attending the Passion Play in the Church). 
Friday, April 14, Good Friday - Easter holiday – NO SCHOOL
Saturday, April 15, Knights of Columbus Easter Egg Hunt – 2 pm back field (see flyer)
Monday, April 17, Easter holiday – NO SCHOOL

March 31, 2017 Preshool is having an International Day celebration - the children will travel to 7 countries!  We will be dismissing the preschoolers at 11 am for Early Dismissal.

March 22, 2017 News...
 
Welcome Back!  The preschoolers seem to be excited to be back after Spring Break and see all their friends.  However, they do seem tired and are trying to adjust to the time change.  Please make sure your child is getting to bed early (10 hours of sleep is recommended for preschoolers.)
 
KidVenture will be handling After School Care for the 2017-2018 school year. Join us for an information session at 5:00 p.m. in the school library on Thursday, March 23.
 
FAITH AND FAMILY LECTURE SERIES - A very special thank you to Mrs. Aimee Taylor for her presentation on Healthy Eating for the Family.  Mrs.Taylor had lots of great information to share with those present. Make your plans to join us this Thursday night for the Internet Safety for Parents and Communities presentation on Thursday, March 23 ^rd from 6:00-7:00 PM in Servant Hall.  Please RSVP: mgleason@stmorenews.com
 
WHEELCHAIR MISSION UPDATE- Thank you everyone who has contributed to the project so far. To date we have collected almost $4000 at the taco breakfast and selling drinks at Fish Fry. That means we have 26 wheelchairs to send to children in need. A big thank you the following students:  Alexander Kinsel, Benito Moreno-Garza, Aiden Potoczniak, Vince Graceffa, Trey Clifford, Jack Clifford, Hailey Falk and Julia, Ryan and Kate Gallagher who have sold sodas at the Fish Fry. Mark your calendars for Saturday and Sunday, April 22-23 – this is Wheelchair Weekend. We will be looking for help.  LOTS of students and parents will be needed to help out that weekend at Masses and the Sunday Breakfast. Our Knights are committed to 3 events that weekend and they will be spread thin. Please consider helping us out April 22 and 23 to bring Mobility to Children.
 
STM YEARBOOK - IT'S TIME TO ORDER - It’s that time of year....don’t miss out on the opportunity to have a remembrance of all the great events that happened during this school year. The yearbook contains class pictures, teacher pictures, sports pictures and other activities that took place during the 2016 - 2017 year. Have a keepsake of the year forever! Cost is $55.00. Complete this order form and return it to the school with payment attached. Orders will be filled on a first come first served basis.
 
PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY:
 
Student’s name __________________________________TEACHER:_____________
 
Number of books ordered: _________________  Amount  paid:__________________
 
Please make check payable to St. Thomas More School…delivery in Early MAY!




March 8, 2017
 
“A very special thank you to all who supported this year's Auction Gala in any way! To our sponsors, donors, volunteers, and guests...we could not do this without you and, don't forget, the students of STM School are the beneficiaries of your hard work and generosity…thank you”… Ms. Thome.
 
Auction/ Gala SIGN UP PARTY - Even if you were not able to attend this year's gala, it is not too late to sign up for the Preschool Earth Day sign up party…see flyer.
 
Friday, March 10, is Mass Day…wear dress uniforms please.
 
Daylight savings time is on Sunday, March 12 – remember you will be springing forward - so set your clocks up one hour and then enjoy your Spring Break…Monday, March 13 - 17 – Have Fun and Be Safe!
 
We still have a few families who have not turned in their readmission packets. We are accepting new students and sending out the acceptance letters on Friday. Any current student whose readmission packet has not been turned in is at risk of losing their spot for next school year.
 
Faith and Family Lecture Series – tonight, Wednesday, March 8 from 6:30-7:30 pm in Servant Hall (adjacent to STM church).  Please join us for a presentation by STM parent, Aimee Taylor, on information on healthy eating for your family.
 
Thursday, March 23 - KidVenture information meeting on 2017-2018 After School Care at 5:00 p.m. in the Library.
 
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 Faith on Fire Mission:  “Awaken Our Hearts”.  Fr. Hai has scheduled 5 days for you to grow in prayer and faith during Lent.  Saturday, March 11 from 9 am – Noon is the Ministry Appreciation workshop and luncheon – the aim is to foster spiritual renewal and growth for those who serve in our Parish.  Every person involved in ministry at any level should plan on attending this event.
 
STM Parish Family Concert from 7-8:30 pm on Sunday, March 12 in the Church
STM Parish Mission from 7-8:30 pm Monday, March 13 – Wednesday, March 15
 

It’s “STM FEVER” Auction/Gala
Preschool Sign-Up Party

Spend a special afternoon with the Preschool teachers!  You will learn how to take care of the earth and keep our school grounds clean and healthy.  We will serve an “Earth Day” snack and drink.  Some of the afternoon activities will include taking a nature walk, recycling and picking-up trash, planting flowers, playing games and reading stories. 
Date:       Friday - April 21, 2017
Time:       3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Place:       STM Preschool building
Cost:        $25.00 per Preschool Child
                        Checks made payable to St. Thomas More

Generously hosted by the 3K and 4K teachers:
Ms. Howard, Mrs. Normann-Petersen, Mrs. El-Ahl, Mrs. Mack, Mrs. Warner,     Mrs. Cook, Mrs. Jongkind, Mrs. Moreno and Ms. Coltharp





March 1, 2017
 
This Friday, March 3, is GO Texan Day.  WE WILL NOT 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.  The Preschoolers will sit around a pretend campfire in the classroom and enjoy a cowboy snack of beans and biscuits.  The Trail Riders are unable to visit STM this year, but we will have some Rodeo activities in the classes. 
 
Saturday, March 4 is the STM FEVER Auction/Gala – it is not too late for you to put on your dancing shoes and join in on the fun - please purchase your tickets by NOON on Thursday, March 2.  Any questions you may contact Kathy Prado at 713-729-3434 or kprado@stmorenews.com
 
Please note that on March 10 we have a full day of school it is not an Early Dismissal day…that day has been moved to Friday, March 31- all students will be dismissed at 11 a.m. March 31, 2017.
 
Daylight savings time is on Sunday, March 12 – remember you will be springing forward - so set your clocks up one hour.
 
Spring Break…Monday, March 13 - 17 we will have NO SCHOOL.
 
We have a few families who have not turned in their readmission packets. We are accepting new students beginning Thursday of this week. Any current student whose readmission packet has not been turned in is at risk of losing their spot for next year.   KIDVENTURE information night is on Thursday, March 23 from 5 -6 pm in the Library for those interested in the After School Program for the 2017-2018 school year.  
 
FAITH AND FAMILY LECTURE SERIES - Mark your calendar to join us on March 8 for a presentation by STM parent, Aimee Taylor, on healthy eating for your family, free from chemicals and additives. Flyers were sent home last week or you may see the flyer attached to the Principal memo.
 
PTO SPIRIT ITEMS- Have you seen the newest STM spirit items available for sale through the PTO? Flyers were sent home last week with your preschooler or you may find it on the Principal’s memo!  See how you can share your STM TIGERS’ spirit!!!
 
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 Faith on Fire Mission:  “Awaken Our Hearts”.  Fr. Hai has scheduled 5 days for you to grow in prayer and faith during Lent.  Saturday, March 11 from 9 am – Noon is the Ministry Appreciation workshop and luncheon – the aim is to foster spiritual renewal and growth for those who serve in our Parish.  Every person involved in ministry at any level should plan on attending this event.
 
STM Parish Family Concert from 7-8:30 pm on Sunday, March 12 in the Church

STM Parish Mission from 7-8:30 pm Monday, March 13 – Wednesday, March15 in the Church



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. 

MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS FOR LENT 2017…
"The Word is a gift. Other persons are a gift."
“Lent is a favourable season for opening the doors to all those in need and recognizing in them the face of Christ. At the basis of everything is the word of God, which during this season we are invited to hear and ponder more deeply.” -- Pope Francis.  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. 

Receive a short email or a quick text message each day during Lent that teaches you something and challenges you in your faith journey by signing up with Lenten Flocknotes:
https://flocknote.com/lent

A Lenten packet will come home with every preschooler today which includes a calendar, a coloring page on walking the Lenten pathway – please color one step each day, purple crosses for your participation in random acts of kindness and sharing with others, the words and motions to our Lenten song, the Legend of the Pretzel and a bag of pretzels.  Lent reminds us that this is a time for special prayer, fasting and almsgiving.  In Religion classes we have discussed 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.  The preschoolers may continue to do random acts of kindness so they may earn canned or boxed goods for the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry and you may also write these good deeds on the purple crosses.  Please send these non-perishable food items to school anytime during Lent. 

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!!!



FEBRUARY 22, 2017 News...

Friday, February 24 is the All School Mass…all students must be in dress uniform.
 
Thank you to all the families who attended Mass at the Co-cathedral and walked with the STM family at the Steps for Students last Saturday and/or who donated to this fundraising event – what a beautiful day…it warmed up quickly!  We appreciate all your support.
 
Registration/re-admission packets for the 2017-2018 school year went home last week.  Please turn them back in to the school office by Friday, February 24^th.  Thank you.
 
Tuesday, February 28 is Fat Tuesday and the Preschoolers will be participating in Mardi Gras activities.  Please note that the cafeteria is serving Pancakes for the hot lunch on Tuesday…however, our preschoolers may order a hot dog instead of the pancakes.  Grilled cheese sandwiches will be unavailable on Tuesday because the griddle will be flipping pancakes!
 
March 1 is Ash Wednesday and the All School Mass…students must be in dress uniform.  We will not be attending Mass on Friday, March 3.
 
Friday, March 3, is 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 knee.
 
Saturday, March 4 STM FEVER Auction Gala - Don't get left out - purchase your tickets NOW!

The Preschool teachers will be hosting a special afternoon in celebration of Earth Day on Friday, April 21 from 3:30-5:30 pm.  Please see the flyer if you would like your child to participate.  Proceeds will benefit this year’s STM FEVER Gala/Auction.
 
Skeeters Reading Bookmark is due on Friday, March 11…please read, read, read!
 
Please welcome Fr. Joseph Methanath, OSH to our STM Parish community as Parachial Vicar. Fr. Joseph was ordained in 1991 and is originally from Karala, India but has spent the last 10 years in South Africa. Fr. Joseph will be saying Monday and Tuesday morning Masses and Thursday and Friday evening Masses.  He already stopped in to visit with the preschoolers!
 
FAITH AND FAMILY LECTURE SERIES - March 8 will be a presentation by STM parent, Aimee Taylor, on healthy eating for your family, free from chemicals and additives. For additional information, see the flyer attached to the Principal's memo.
 
PTO SPIRIT ITEMS - Have you seen the newest STM spirit items available for sale through the PTO? Check out the flyer attached to the Principal's memo to see how you can show your Tiger Pride.


February 15, 2017 news...
 
Friday, February 17 is the All School Mass.  NOTE:  Preschoolers who have this year’s STEPS for STUDENTS t-shirt may wear it to school on Friday with long blue jeans (yes even for Mass day)…if your preschooler does not have the STEPS t-shirt  - they must come to school in dress uniform. PLEASE, remember this is an early dismissal day for all our preschoolers.  We will begin the carpool line for all the preschoolers at 11:15 am...then if you have a Day School student - you may go over and pick-up your Day School student who is being dismissed at 11:30 am on Friday.  Please pick up your preschooler first.  Parent/Teacher conferences will begin at 12:30 pm by appointment only.    
 
Saturday, February 18 Steps for Students – this 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…all children must be accompanied by an adult.  Mass at the Co-Cathedral, located at 1111 St. Joseph Pkway, 77002 is at 6:30 am.  The 5K Run/Walk will start at 8 am.  The Post Race Party begins at 9 am.  You may still register for $25 until February 17.  Free Parking is limited, but you may park in the PAY garages or the lots…most cost $7…there will be some street closures…hope to see you there!!!
 
Monday, February 20 President's Day holiday – No School…Teacher In-service
 
Tuesday, February 21 Parish/School Praise and Worship Service in the church at 6:15 pm.
 
Registration/re-admission packets for the 2017-2018 school year went home this week with the Oldest and Only student - please let me know if you did not receive your white packet.  They are due back in the school office Friday, February 24 ^th.  Also, Kidventure’s Summer brochure came home this week…their registration opened on February 9th.
 
 
2017-2018 CALENDAR - due to some additional faculty/staff inservice days required by the Catholic Schools Office, we have had to make changes to the 2017-2018 calendar that was distributed two weeks ago. The corrected calendar is available on the school website. Please note the most important changes are to the last day of school and the Christmas holidays.
 
 
IT'S ALMOST GALA TIME AND WE NEED YOUR HELP…
 
 
We all have different business that we visit on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis (children's sports lessons, play places, restaurants, theaters, gyms, florists, retail stores, etc) . We are asking for any ideas of places that might be willing to donate items for the auction. If you have a relationship with the owner/manager and feel comfortable asking them, we can follow up with the detailed donation information. Or, if you want to send the names of businesses, and if you have it, a manager/owner or contact person, we can take care of the rest. We are hoping to pick the collective brain of the school community to come up with the BEST Silent Auction yet!
And don't forget to think of family members, co-workers, friends, neighbors who might have contacts for donation items!
 
Here are the categories that we currently have (but feel free to think outside the box!) Religious Items, Men's Table, Entertainment, Home & Garden, Kids & Family, Treasures & Pleasures, Jewelry, and Almost Live Items.
 
 
Check out this Gala Live Auction Item...
 
"24 Karat Magic" Package - We have four tickets to the SOLD OUT Bruno Mars concert here in Houston on October 24th at the Toyota Center! Come "just the way you are" to hear Bruno's many hits and have a great time at the Toyota Center! Tickets are lower level and this package includes a $100 Uber gift card to get you and three friends to and from the show!
 
Donated by Midtown Tickets and Meg and Jeff Ehling
 

Babysitting will be offered for those attending the Gala/Auction on March 4 – please see flyer online under the Principal’s memo – we sent home a hard copy flyer last week…no drop-ins so please return the form if you need babysitting ASAP.


February 8, 2017...
 
FROM THE CLINIC - FOOD ALLERGY MEETING – The Parents Advisory Committee on Food Allergies will meet tonight, Wednesday, February 8, at 7:00 p.m. in the Day School Library. The Advisory Committee is open to all parents who have experience and/or interest in dealing with food allergies in school age children. This week we will be working on setting goals for the food allergy management for the upcoming academic year, as well as, planning an educational event for STM families. If you are interested in attending, please RSVP to Mary Gleason at mgleason@stmorenews.com
 
Friday, February 10 is the All School Mass.  The students must be in dress uniform...we will begin the Preschool Carpool at 7:40 am. 
 
VALENTINE’S DAY is next Tuesday…all our MWF 3K students are welcome to attend Preschool on Tuesday for a regular school day.  The 3K and 4K students will have a small party celebrating St. Valentine’s Day in the classroom.  The children may bring Valentine cards to their classmates.  Please have your child only sign the card and do not address them to their friends…this will make distribution much simpler!!!  Please do not send candy or food – you may bring small items such as stickers and pencils if you wish. We are a Food Safe Campus. 
 
Friday, February 17 - Weather make-up day for closure due to flooding on January 18.  The Preschool will have Early dismissal at 11:15 a.m. Parent/Teacher Conferences by appointment only are from 12:30 - 5:00 p.m.  The scheduled conference times will be sent on Friday.  If you would like to request a conference with your teacher, please send a note to school ASAP and we will confirm the appointment time. 
 
Saturday, February 18 Steps for Students – this 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…children must be accompanied by an adult.  Mass at the Co-Cathedral, located at 1111 St. Joseph Pkway, 77002 is at 6:30 am.  The 5K Run/Walk will start at 8 am.  The Post Race Party begins at 9 am.  You may still register for $25 until February 17.  Free Parking is limited, but you may park in the PAY garages or the lots…most cost $7…there will be some street closures…hope to see you there!!!
 
Monday, February 20 President's Day holiday – No School…Teacher In-service
 
We will send home registration/re-admission packets for the 2017-2018 school year soon.
 
Babysitting will be offered for those attending the Gala/Auction on March 4 – please see flyer on the Principal's Memo.



February 1, Wednesday, Open House from 6 to 7 pm...tonight!

We received overwhelmingly positive feedback from our Accreditation Team – they loved our school and enjoyed visiting with the teachers and students.  They were impressed with all the great work in the classrooms by our wonderful students! Thank you for your help in making STM shine .  Please come tonight to our Open House from 6 to 7 pm (note new time) and see all the special work your child has been working so hard on this year. Bring your child with you to their classroom from 6-7 pm.
 
Friday, February 3 All School Mass and St. Blaise Day (known as Saint of the Healer and ailments in the throat).  Students must be in dress uniform...we will begin the Preschool Carpool at 7:40 am. 
Fr. Hai will bless the students’ throats after Mass. 
 
WHEELCHAIRS FOR CHILDREN SUPER BOWL DESSERTS - It is not too late to help with this event. We will be selling desserts after Masses this Saturday and Sunday. When people pick up their Super Bowl Take Out Dinners prepared by the Knights, they will have the opportunity to purchase a dessert. Proceeds will benefit the wheelchair project. We would greatly appreciate it if you can provide a cake, cookies or pie. For your convenience, you can drop them at the Preschool building on Friday or at Servant Hall before the 5 pm Mass on Saturday. We also need students after the 5 pm Mass (Saturday), the 7:30, 9:00 and 11:00 am Masses (Sunday) to help sell the baked goods. Any questions??? Call Kathy Warner at 713-729-9062 or email at kwarner@stmorenews.com  Thank you for your support.
 
STM BOOK FAIR will be opened during our evening Open House on Wednesday, February 1 ^st.  The Library/Book Fair will close at 7:30 pm.  Please come to see your child’s classroom first – the Open House ends at 7 pm. The PTO will have a table set-up during Open House in the Preschool building offering their newest products for sale – look for red or black STM spirit baseball hats and choice of small and large STM insulated cups!  Thank you Mrs. Orsburn for all your help!
 
STEPS FOR STUDENTS - Don’t wait until the last minute! REGISTER TODAY!    Go to www.steps4students.org  and click the REGISTER NOW button at the top of the page. The registration deadline for having STM pick up your packet is Feb. 1, by 11pm.  Also, the registration fee increases from $15 to $25 at 11:01 pm on Feb. 1.  Every STM student who is registered by 11:00 p.m. Wednesday night will be entered in a drawing to win a RCA Android Tablet!  Don't miss your chance to win!
 
Friday, February 17 - Weather make-up day for closure due to flooding on January 18.  The Preschool will have Early dismissal at 11:15 a.m. Parent/Teacher Conferences by appointment only are from 12:30 - 5:00 p.m.  The scheduled conference times will be sent home next week.  If you would like to request a conference with your teacher, please send a note to school and we will confirm the appointment time. 
 
Saturday, February 18 Steps for Students – this 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…children must be accompanied by an adult.
 
Monday, February 20 President's Day holiday – No School…Teacher In-service



January 25, 2017
 
ACCREDITATION SITE VISIT began Monday and ends Thursday, January 26, 2017.  The students are working very hard at their lessons and keeping smiles on their faces while visiting with our Accreditation Team.  The Team was very impressed with our SAFE carpool line and how smooth we all worked together on it.  We appreciate our families getting the students to school on time. Thank you for your help in making STM shine especially bright while our visitors are here.
 
Friday, January 27 All School Mass - Students must be in dress uniform...we will begin the Preschool Carpool at 7:40 am.
 
AMERICAN WHEELCHAIR MISSION FUNDRAISER- K of C Chapter 3910 will be taking orders after all the Masses on January 28 and 29th for their annual Cajun Super Bowl take-out dinners. The dinners will be ready for pick-up on February 4 and 5 after Mass.  As part of our effort to raise money for the American Wheelchair Mission Project, we would like to offer desserts for sale when people come to pick up their order. If you can bake a cake, cookies or a pie for us to sell that weekend we would greatly appreciate it. You can deliver it to the Preschool on Friday , February 3 or before the 5 p.m. Mass on Saturday, February 4 to Servant Hall. We would also like some students to help with selling the baked goods after the Masses that weekend. If you can help in anyway, please contact Kathy Warner at the Preschool (713-729-9062) or 713-591-7982 or email kwarner@stmorenews.com Remember all proceeds from the desserts will go to Wheelchairs for Children.
 
Catholic Schools Week begins this Sunday, January 29.  We will open the STM BOOK FAIR on January 29 from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Students attending the Book Fair on Sunday in the STM Library must be accompanied by an adult. The Book Fair will also be opened during our evening Open House on Wednesday, February 1st.  Please see the Book Fair Volunteer flyer for help needed during the Book Fair under the Principal's Memo.
 
PTO will have a table set-up during Open House in the Preschool building offering their newest products for sale – look for red or black STM spirit baseball hats and choice of small and large STM insulated cups!  Thank you Mrs. Orsburn for all your help!
 
PTO Used Uniform Sale this Sunday, January 29 in Servant Hall from 8:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.  We have noticed that our preschoolers grew over the Christmas holidays.  This would be a great opportunity for you to pick up some gently used uniforms – especially the boys uniform pants for your child.
 
Sunday, January 29, 2017 - BEGINNING OF CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK - Students are encouraged to wear their dress uniform to Mass this weekend.  The Book Fair opens in the Day School Library from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. - Students must be accompanied by an adult.  Please see the special volunteer flyer with the Principal's weekly memo.
 
Monday, January 30 – Celebrating in our Community with the love of reading -
Preschool through 5 ^th grade will have a special guest visitor, the Skeeters’ Mascot – Swatson, is coming to St. Thomas More Parish School for an assembly promoting their reading program.  This program is meant is to promote extracurricular reading while teaching the students valuable life lessons.  Swatson will give each student a book to take home and read. The title of this special book is, Swatson’s Guide to Being a Champion.  Swatson will talk about how to prepare for something big, like a game or a test! The book can not only act as one of the four books the student needs to read to complete the Skeeters Reading Program, but is also educational and fun.  In the back of each book is a bookmark students will use 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 10, 2017 will receive 2 free tickets to a Sugar Land Skeeters game…thank you Mrs. Normann-Petersen for hosting this program.
 
Tuesday, January 31 Celebrating our students - You need a good night sleep to do your best in school and get a great education that will get you into a good college ... so students in PK3 - 3rd grade may wear their PJ'S to school.  Please wear tennis shoes with your pajamas.  Day School students in 4th - 8th grade may wear jeans with college gear. 
 
Wednesday, February 1 Celebrating our Nation - Students who bring $1 to be donated to one of Fr. Hai's favorite charities may wear blue jeans with any red, white or blue shirt.
 
EVENING OPEN HOUSE for CURRENT FAMILIES – Wednesday, February 1 from 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.  Please bring your student to the Open House – they are eager to share their work with you!  Afterwards, you may walk over to the Library for the Book Fair.



January 19, 2017 NEWS:
Inclement Weather – The Archdiocese has contracted with a company called Immediate Response Information System (IRIS) to deliver emergency information to the area Catholic schools. STM will also use this program to publicize information to our parents. Depending on the importance of the information, you will be contacted by home phone, e-mail or cell phone.  If you did NOT receive a notice Wednesday, January 18, regarding the school closure due to flooding, please let me know ASAP so we may update our records.  Thank you.
 
Friday, January 20 All School Mass - Students must be in dress uniform...we will begin the Preschool Carpool at 7:40 am.
 
ACCREDITATION SITE VISIT begins Monday, January 23 through Thursday, January 26, 2017.  We will have a 7 member accreditation team on our campus. They will be observing classes, drop-off and dismissal procedures, the Early Birds and After School Program, and extracurricular activities. We are asking all our parents to limit doctors/dentist appointments during these days and to do their best to get everyone to school on time. Let's be "Tardy free" for those mornings!  Thank you, in advance, for your help in making STM shine especially bright while our visitors are here.
 
CAMPUS CLEAN-UP DAY - A very heartfelt thanks to all who came out to our Campus Clean-Up Day on January 14th. Over 150 parents, students, and alumni came out to help us make our campus shine both in and out. The whole morning was a great example of the generosity and community that is such an inherent part of St. Thomas More School …thank you!
 
Catholic Schools Week begins on Sunday, January 29.  We will open the STM BOOK FAIR on January 29 from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Students attending the Book Fair on Sunday in the STM Library must be accompanied by an adult.  NOTE: the Book Fair will be opened during our evening Open House on Wednesday, February 1st.  Also, during Open House in the Preschool building, the PTO will have a table offering their newest products for sale – look for red or black baseball hats and insulated cups!
 
ELECTRONICS RECYCLING DRIVE- Thank you to all who contributed to our large item recycling drive. Your efforts helped us keep 5 large skids of electronics out of landfills.  Special BIG thanks to Mrs. Jocelyn Vincent for organizing this event - thank you, thank you!
 
May God Bless All Our Children and Keep Them Safe.


Friday, January13:
 
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.  If you are ordering lunch from the cafeteria, please let us know as your child is getting out of the car (lunch orders are turned in before we head to Mass).
 
Electronics Recycling Drive ends at 9:00 a.m…thank you Mrs. Vincent for organizing this event and all your hard work.
 
Report Cards distributed – please check your child’s backpacks and return the envelope signed.
 
Saturday, January 14 Campus Clean Up Day - Make your plans to join us this Saturday morning, January 14, from 9:00 a.m. to Noon as we get our campus ready for our accreditation site visit. We need help with gardening, trash pickup on the grounds, and general housecleaning chores in the classrooms. All of the teachers will be here and they will be looking for help cleaning and decorating their classrooms. Please bring your own supplies (buckets, sponges, dust cloths, vacuum cleaners, gardening tools etc.). Make sure that they are clearly labeled with your name…thank you!
 
Monday, January 16 Martin Luther King Holiday - NO SCHOOL
 
Tuesday, January 17 Spirit Day - Students may wear STM Spirit Shirts with uniform bottoms
 
SUPER KIDS - SUPER SHARING DRIVE- Check out the flyer attached to this memo so see how you can partner with the NFL and the Houston Texans to help local children in need.  All donations must be dropped off by Wednesday, January 18. You can earn a special Jeans' Day on Thursday, January 19 for contributing to the Super Kids- Super Sharing drive.
 
PTO USED UNIFORM SALE - Sunday, January 29 in Servant Hall. For additional information,
see the flyer attached to this memo.
 
Steps for Students – Saturday, February 18…more info soon!!!
 
AUCTION GALA 2017 will be upon us soon and the Live and Silent Auction Committees need your help! We are looking for donated items to make this year's gala fundraiser a success. Please consider donating vacation homes, Texans/Rockets/Dynamo tickets or items, restaurant gift cards, religious items, etc. We appreciate any and all donations. Underwriting is another way to support the Gala.  Please contact Kathy Prado in the school office with donations or questions. Thank you in advance!
 
BOX TOPS - A very special thank you to all who continue to cut those Box Tops for Education and send them to the office.  Our most recent rewards check was for $673.00. Thank you to Mrs. Mack for all your work in preparing the Box Tops for submission.
 
DISMISSAL - Please wait for us to wave you into the circle driveway.  We do try to dismiss all walkers before we start the carpool line…thank you.


January 4, 2017
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!!!  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 2017 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+2017 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!  Friday,  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 8.   

Friday, January 6 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.  AND, please pack a sweater in your child’s backpack daily – the weather in Houston changes very quickly… and all students need to wear a jacket to school on cold days – Winter is coming to Houston – forecast has it in the high 30’s over the next several days – we do take the children outside unless it is raining!
 
Friday, January 6 is also the K of C Fish Fry – starting at 5 pm until the fish runs out!!!
 
Monday, January 9 – STM ELECTRONICS DRIVE begins at 9 am…thank you Mrs. Vincent! Help us save the environment! Don't forget that you can bring your old ink cartridges, toner cartridges, and cell phones to the office anytime during the school year. See the flyer attached to this memo for acceptable items.
 
January 10 Spirit Day - Students may wear STM Spirit Shirts with uniform bottoms. 
 
January 10 - School and Parish Praise and Worship Service at 6:15 pm in the church.
 
January 14 - Campus Clean Up Day - for additional information see flyer attached to the Principal's weekly memo.
 
January 16 Martin Luther King Holiday - NO school
 
SAVE THE DATE - PTO USED UNIFORM SALE - The PTO will hold a used uniform sale on Sunday, January 29 in Servant Hall…more info soon!
 
Please remember to check your teacher’s website online with important classroom information!  You can also find the Preschool memo and the Principal’s weekly memo online.


St.Thomas More is once again hosting an electronics drive for the community. Below are the items available for safe recycling. The black rolling bins will be delivered Monday, January 9th at 9am and they will be removed Friday, January 13th at 9am from outside of the old gym off of Wigton Drive. Anyone and everyone is welcome to come and drop off their items!!! Please let me know if you have any questions.

Jocelyn Vincent
jocelynvincent12@gmail.com

Recyclable Items

 

• Personal Computers
• Laptops / Notebooks
• Computer Monitors
• Servers / Server Racks
• Keyboards
• Mice
• Cords & Cables
• Hubs, Routers, & Switches
• Hard Drives
• Tape Drives
• Memory Chips / RAM
• Circuit Boards
• Projectors
• Modems
• Printers

• Copiers
• Fax Machines
• Plotters
• UPS Batteries
• Power Supplies
• PDA's
• Cable TV Boxes
• Storage Devices
• Telephones & Systems
• Cell Phones
• Toner Cartridges
• DVD/CD/VCR Players
• Radios
• Ferrous & Non-Ferrous Metals

The Preschool and After School Staff
 wish everyone a
Blessed and Joyous Christmas. 
May you have a happy and healthy
New Year 2017!!!

December 6, 2016 – Happy St. Nicholas’ Day
 
Today, St. Nicholas visited the school – please ask your child who Saint Nicholas is and how he is remembered all over the world.
 
Wednesday, December 7 "Photos With Santa" - you may still order the photos, but we need monies and the form by 8 am on Wednesday morning please! Students must be in dress uniform. 
 
Thursday, December 8 is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception and we will attend 8:15 am Mass…carpool will begin at 7:40 am.  Students must be in dress uniform.
 
Friday, December 9 is the Teacher sponsored Parents Night Out – Kids Night In…all paperwork must be turned in ASAP.  Please note that the children may not be dropped off any earlier than 6 pm…we have an After School Program that ends at 6 pm and those students need to be picked up before we may accept our Kids Night In!
 
Scholastic Reading Club - Pajama Drive - please send any size new pajama by Friday, December 9 ^th 
 
Friday, December 16 is our last day of Preschool for the year – we have an early dismissal, 11 am.  The Preschoolers will attend the 8:15 am Mass.  Immediately after Mass we will walk over to Servant Hall and the preschoolers will sing around the big Christmas tree.  All parents and friends are invited to the Preschool Christmas Caroling and the All School Mass…then the preschoolers will come back to the classroom for a small class party before dismissal at 11 am.
                 JESUS IS COMING!  “SLOW DOWN…Be watchful!  Be alert!

November 30, 2016
 
Our Thanksgiving Prayer Service and Feast was absolutely beautiful.  Thank you for joining us on our special day of Praise and for making this a wonderful tradition with our preschoolers.  We are blessed to be a special part of this wonderful St. Thomas More Community.  We are also blessed with so many amazing grandparents and families who attended the Preschool’s first Grandparents Day at STM.  If you have not seen the photos, please note they are on the HOME page of our STM website…click on Grandparents Day  -  then go to the photo link and put in the password from August...please call me if you need help!
 
Advent began this past Sunday, November 27 and the children are busy preparing for Jesus’ birthday and many Christmas surprises.  Adventus means arrival.  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.  Some great Advent websites for you to start your own family traditions during this liturgical season:  www.usccb.org     www.catholiceducation.org    www.catholicicing.com  and  www.catholicmom.com
 
Today, November 30 is STM Spirit Night at Napoli Restaurant - for additional information see the flyer sent home Monday or on the Principal’s memo online.
 
Friday, December 2 is the PTO sponsored Parents Night Out – all paperwork must be turned in ASAP.  Friday is also Mass day for the Preschoolers – please drop off your child by 7:40 am.  Friday is also the K of C Fish Fry in Prinster Hall from 5 pm until the fish run out!!!
 
Saturday, December 3 is breakfast with Santa and the Knights of Columbus from 8:30 to 10 a.m. in Servant Hall.  Please bring your own camera!  This is a free event for all our STM Parishioners.
 
Wednesday, December 7 "Photos With Santa" - order form was sent home on Monday or you may find it online with the Principal’s memo. Students must be in dress uniform.
 
Thursday, December 8 is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception and we will attend 8:15 am Mass…carpool will begin at 7:40 am.  Students must be in dress uniform.
 
Friday, December 9 from 6-8:30 pm is Parents Night Out – Kids Night In with STM teachers…should be a fun evening!!!  Please see the flyer.
 
We sent home a Scholastic Reading Club - Pajama Drive flyer before Thanksgiving. We have received several pajamas – thank you!  Remember, any size NEW pajamas will be accepted - from newborn to adult – please send by Friday, December 9 ^th.  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 J
 
Friday, December 16 is our last day of Preschool for the year – we have an early dismissal, 11 am.  We will return on Tuesday in the New Year, January 3, 2017. 

THANKSGIVING PRAISE AND WORSHIP/FEAST INVITATION:

Please join us on Thursday, November 17, 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 17.  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 attending 8:15 am Mass for the Grandparents Day event on Friday, November 18, with the preschoolers…this is an early dismissal day for all students at 11:15 am.
 
Please let us know if you will be in attendance so we may plan accordingly:
 
 
__________YES, I will attend Thursday’s (Nov 17) Thanksgiving Praise and Worship/Feast
 
 
__________YES, I will attend Friday’s (Nov 18) Grandparents Day…11:15 am dismissal
 
 
Preschooler’s Name__________________

Thanksgiving Holidays…November 19-27, 2016
Class will resume on Monday, November 28, 2016    


November 9, 2016

Thank You to all who came out and ate the K of C fish dinner on Friday evening to help support the American Wheelchair Mobility Project  – the next Fish Fry is scheduled for Friday, December 2.  Then on December 3rd, K of C is having Breakfast with Santa in Servant Hall from 8:30 am - 10 am...bring your camera!!!
 
Friday, November 11 is our All School Mass - All students must be in dress uniform.
 
Tuesday, November 15 is Spirit Day – wear your Red Spirit or Blue Oktoberfest shirt!
 
BIG THANK YOU to all our families for donating food to the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry at St. Thomas More Church.  We were able to put together 81 Thanksgiving baskets and had several more dozen bags that were almost complete for distribution next week.  We also thank the Wal-Mart at Hillcroft and Braeswood for all their help!
 
Thursday, November 17, 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 17 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 17 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.


This year the preschoolers will be participating in the Grandparents' Day celebration at STM.  This special day is Friday, November 18 from 7:45 to 11:15 am.  School is in session a half day only on Friday.  All students will be dismissed at 11:15 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.  Please take a few minutes to read the flyers attached to the Principal’s  memo online to see how to RSVP and how you can help make this day special for the grandparents.  You may also go to the Sign-Up Genius to help on Friday at:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60b084ca8a82ba02-grandparents
 
 
LOAVES AND FISHES CHRISTMAS PROJECT - This year the Preschool and After School Care students hope to spread Christmas cheer to the nearly 500 clients of Loaves and Fishes Soup Kitchen managed by Deacon David Johnson. The students are collecting used Christmas cards, cutting off the backs and attaching a label wishing the clients a blessed Christmas. We’re asking that if you have any cards, please send them with your child to school.  Thank you for helping us share Christmas with someone who might not otherwise receive a Christmas wish.
 
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 Friday, December 9 ^th.   The pajamas and books will be given to a child living in a homeless shelter for a reassuring bedtime.  Last year we donated our pajamas to Spaulding for Children whose mission is to provide children in need of a loving home with the joy of having one!  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 .

We will celebrate St. Nicholas’ Day with our annual "Pictures with Santa" which is scheduled for December 7th. 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!
 
SCRIP PROGRAM - With the holidays approaching, the SCRIP program is a great way to earn money for STM. SCRIP gift cards are the same gift cards that you can purchase from the retailer. You pay face value but a percentage of the cost of the card comes back to STM. Christmas presents, Christmas shopping, groceries, gas.....all of these things can raise money for STM at no cost to you. Check out the SCRIP order form attached to this memo.  Scrip orders are due this Friday, November 11 at 9 am and pick-up your cards will be next Wednesday, November 16, 2016.
 
THANKSGIVING HOLIDAYS…NOVEMBER 19 - 27…CLASSES RESUME ON MONDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2016.



November 2, 2016

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 her expertise carving of our Pumpkin and the special pumpkin prayer. We had so much fun - can’t wait until next year.

On Tuesday, at the All Saints Day Mass, we honored our Pastor, Fr. Hai for serving our Parish School community and he blessed our Saints medals for all the students.  Fr. Hai graciously donated a portion of the collection from the Mass to the school with a promise to help beautify our Prayer Garden – thank you, thank you Fr. Hai.   Then, we had a visit from the 5th graders who shared with our little ones their favorite Saint and handed out a treat bag with a Holy Card, bracelet, pencils and a Bible bookmark to each preschooler!  May we all strive to be more saintly each day so that we reach Heaven together.
 
Once again this November we will be decorating the halls of STM 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. PLEASE 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…due this Friday, November 4.
 
AMERICAN WHEELCHAIR MISSION FUNDRAISER and KC FISH FRY -This coming Friday, November 4, will be the November Knights of Columbus Fish Fry at St. Thomas More.  STM students will be selling drinks to raise money for the American Wheelchair Project. So far this year $1410 has been raised at Fish Frys and the Sunday Taco Breakfast. Come out and enjoy good food, good company and help purchase wheelchairs. This year’s chairs will be going to childrens' centers around the world. A big thank you to the following students who helped sell drinks, clear tables and assist people to their tables at last month's Fish Fry:  Alex Kinsel, Benito Moreno-Garza, Madison Seymour, Edward Seymour, Grace Quarterman, Kate, Ryan and Julia Gallagher and Mary Cate Orsburn. If you’d like to help and earn service hours email Mrs. Warner at kwarner@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.  Donations must be received by November 8.  Any donation will earn a Jeans’ Pass for Wednesday, November 9.  We ask the preschoolers to do a good deed at home to earn the canned good for the food pantry…thank you for your help! (note - the Wal-Mart at Hillcroft and Braeswood has prepared and bagged the entire list of items for $14)
 
 
Thursday, November 17, 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 17 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.

This year the preschoolers will be participating in the Grandparents' Day celebration at STM.  This special day is Friday, November 18 from 7:45 to 11:15 am.  School is in session a half day.  All students will be dismissed at 11:15 am.  If you would like to help with the preparations please visit this link and sign up - just copy and paste into your browser!!! 

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60b084ca8a82ba02-grandparents

Friday, November 18, will be a special Preschool day with the students arriving early 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 to the Library for a photo.  The preschooler will be dismissed to the grandparent when they arrive to the Preschool building.
 
LOAVES AND FISHES CHRISTMAS PROJECT - This year the Preschool and After School Care students hope to spread Christmas cheer to the nearly 500 clients of Loaves and Fishes Soup Kitchen managed by Deacon David Johnson. The students are collecting used Christmas cards, cutting off the backs and attaching a label wishing the clients a blessed Christmas. We’re asking that if you have any cards, please send them with your child to school or place in the box marked Loaves and Fishes in the teachers’ workroom. Thank you for helping us share Christmas with someone who might not otherwise receive a Christmas wish.
 
Saturday, November 5 Daylight Savings Time ends - Turn your clocks back before you go to bed…you fall backwards!!!



October 26, 2016

Thank You to all who came out and had dinner on Monday evening and supported the STM Spirit Night at Tapester's Grill. We will let you know how much was raised soon.
 
This week our oldest/only students will bring home an All Souls Remembrance card that you may send back with prayer intentions.  Please look for this in your child’s backpack.  They are also coming home with the Archdiocesan Title I Economic Eligibility Form – please return this paperwork by Wednesday, November 2 ^nd. 
 
Friday, October 28 is our All School Mass - All students must be in dress uniform.

Tuesday, November 1 is All Saints Day and the preschoolers will attend Mass.
 
HALLOWEEN   Monday, 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.  Afterwards the children will return to their homerooms and have the class party!  This is a regular school day and dismissal will be at 11:15 for half day and 3 pm for full day or the After School Program which ends at 6 pm promptly!
 
Saturday, November 5 Daylight Savings Time ends - Turn your clocks back before you go to bed…you fall backwards!  Remember this is a great time to change smoke detector batteries.
 
STUDENT COUNCIL “THANKSGIVING BASKET” FOOD DRIVE - Once again, the STM Student Council is conducting a food drive to help the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry at St. Thomas More Church. Please read the flyer for the list of donated foods…note that the neighborhood Wal-Mart at Hillcroft and Braeswood has prepared and bagged the list of items for $14.  All donations must be received by November 8 to the Preschool. Any donation will earn a Jeans’ Pass for Wednesday, November 9.
 
STM VETERANS’ WALL OF HONOR is back! Early November we will be decorating the halls of STM 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. If you submitted names and/or pictures last year you do not need to resubmit. If you have a new person you would like us to honor, please complete the flyer and send to your child’s homeroom teacher or by e-mail to smcdonald@stmorenews.com. PLEASE 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.
 
May God Bless All Our Children and Keep Them Safe.


October 19, 2016

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 weekend volunteers, booth sponsors, raffle ticket sellers, and those who donated to the rummage sale, plant 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!
 
Rafffle ticket winners:
1st place -- $5000 Visa gift card - Mr. Jesus Guajardo Ticket sold by Gabriel Matos
2nd place - $1500 Visa gift card - Ms. Cathey May Ticket sold by the Black Family
3rd place - $1000 Visa gift card - Mr. Robert Berry Ticket sold by the Marquines Family
4th place - $500 Target gift card - Mr. Mauricio Matos Ticket sold by Gabriel Matos
5th place - $300 Target gift card - Mr. Romeo Real Ticket sold by Norma Tamayo
 
Thursday, October 20 Annual Astronomy Night -- see flyer with this memo.
 
Friday, October 21 is the Preschool Teacher/Parent Conferences…NO REGULAR CLASSES or BEFORE/AFTER SCHOOL CARE on this day. The teachers are looking forward to sharing your child’s work with you.  There is NO SCHOOL…only Parent/Teacher Conferences…see you on Friday.  Remember, Mrs. Warner will be out of town from October 20 through October 24 and will schedule her 4K Conferences on October 26, 27, and 28 before and after school…if you have not already scheduled a time with Mrs. Warner she will assign you a conference time and the day when she returns next week.
 
Monday, October 24 STM Spirit Night at Tapester's Grill - see the hot pink flyer attached to this memo to see how you can support this easy fundraiser for STM.
 
Tuesday, October 25 – Spirit Day!  Wear this year’s blue Oktoberfest shirt or the Red Tiger Spirit shirt!

HALLOWEEN  Monday, 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 12, 2016

Thank you, thank you to all who brought cereal boxes for the Food Pantry – awesome job!!! Also, thank you for all the boxed movie candy for Oktoberfest’s Candy Booth – it will be located in the old gym with Bingo…stop by and purchase back your candy on Sunday!

Thursday, October 13 is Pajama Day with tennis shoes!  Please no night gowns or slippers – you must wear long pants and shirts with sleeves – thank you!

Friday, October 14 is the All School Mass – Preschool students may wear long blue jeans with this year's blue Oktoberfest shirt. If you do not have this year's Oktoberfest shirt you must wear the STM dress uniform.  AND, as our final celebration for Homecoming week, ALL STUDENTS may wear crazy socks and tennis shoes. We will begin our carpool line at 7:40 am on Mass days.  Please make sure your child has eaten breakfast and gone to the bathroom before arriving to school…thank you!
 
Help needed –have you signed up to work a shift at Oktoberfest???  We need YOU!!!  The Stuffed Animal Booth (Theresa Mack), the Raffle Ticket Booth (Terri Moreno) and the Sweet Shoppe (Nina Coltharp) are looking for volunteers on OKTOBERFEST Sunday, Oct 16 – please go to the online sign up if you are interested:    https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0c49aea72ca3fb6-oktoberfest2
We are also looking for baked sweets for the Sweet Shoppe – you may bring those to school on Friday, October 14 when you drop off your preschooler…we appreciate all your help!
 
Preschool Teacher/Parent Conferences are on Friday, October 21.  We sent home the conference schedule but are still waiting for some responses - if you are unable to attend and need to reschedule, please let us know! The teachers are looking forward to sharing your child’s work with you.  There is NO SCHOOL…only Parent/Teacher Conferences.
Please note:  Mrs. Warner will be out of town from October 20 through October 24 and will schedule her 4K Conferences on October 26, 27, and 28 before and after school…please let Mrs. Warner know if you would like a 10 minute spot between 7 am and 7:30 am or after 3 pm…we will schedule them every 15 minutes.  You may email Mrs. Warner at kwarner@stmorenews.com and then we will confirm the scheduled time back to you.  Thank you to the families who already scheduled their conference!

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16 OKTOBERFEST 2016 - 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Make your plans to join us for this day of fun filled activities, good food and great fellowship as you support STM School! Monday, October 17 Possible Oktoberfest holiday - will be confirmed as soon as we make our goal in raffle ticket sales.


October 5, 2016

Friday, October 7 is the All School Mass – Preschool students must be in STM dress uniform.  We will begin our carpool line at 7:40 am on Mass days.  Please make sure your child has eaten breakfast and gone to the bathroom before arriving to school…thank you!

KC Fish Fry, October 7 in Prinster/Cafeteria 5pm-8pm (or when they sell out).

Monday, October 10 – NO SCHOOL…teacher in-service.

Wednesday, October 12 - Individual picture retake day.
 
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. 8 and 9. Bring your tickets, a pen, something to put your tickets and money in and wear this year’s Oktoberfest t shirt or your uniform. We need students at all Masses (5:00 pm Sat., and then 7:30, 9:00 and 11:00 am Sunday and 1:00, 5:00 and 7:30 pm Sunday). 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.
 
Homecoming Week Activities – please see the flyer under the Principal's Weekly Memo.
 
Help needed –have you signed up to work a shift at Oktoberfest???  We need YOU!!!  The Stuffed Animal Booth (Theresa Mack), the Raffle Ticket Booth (Terri Moreno) and the Sweet Shoppe (Nina Coltharp) are looking for volunteers on OKTOBERFEST Sunday, Oct 16 – please go to the online sign up if you are interested:    https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0c49aea72ca3fb6-oktoberfest2
We are also looking for baked sweets for the Sweet Shoppe – you may bring those to school on Friday, October 14 when you drop off your preschooler…we appreciate all your help!
 
Preschool Teacher/Parent Conferences are on Friday, October 21.  Last week we sent home the conference schedule.  Please return the bottom half of your scheduled conference acknowledgement by Friday, October 7.  The teachers are looking forward to sharing your child’s work with you.  There is NO SCHOOL…only Parent/Teacher Conferences on October 21.  The teachers do want to meet with you.  However, if you are unable to meet on Friday, please contact your child’s teacher to arrange another conference day and time…thank you.
Please note:  Mrs. Warner will be out of town from October 20 through October 24 and will schedule her 4K Conferences on October 26, 27, and 28 before and after school…please let Mrs. Warner know if you would like a 10 minute spot between 7 am and 7:30 am or after 3 pm…we will schedule them every 15 minutes.  You may email Mrs. Warner at kwarner@stmorenews.com and then we will confirm the scheduled time back to you.  Thank you to the families who already scheduled their conference!

Mark your calendar for the Preschool Halloween Parade and Song Festival on Monday, October 31 at 8:30 am in the Old Gym...parents are welcome to join us!  The children will make their costume at school in their classrooms.
 
September 28, 2016

Thank you, thank you to everyone who came out and ate the taco breakfast this past Sunday...to date $1213.00 has been raised for the AMERICAN WHEELCHAIR MISSION MOBILITY PROJECT from the fish fry and taco breakfast. That means that 8 wheelchairs will be delivered to children in need. The next event will be the KC Fish Fry, October 7 in Prinster/Cafeteria 5pm-8pm (or when they sell out).

Friday, September 30 is the All School Mass – Preschool students must be in STM dress uniform.  We will begin our carpool line at 7:40 am on Mass days.  Please make sure your child has eaten breakfast and gone to the bathroom before arriving to school…thank you!

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. 1, 2, 8 and 9. Bring your tickets, a pen, something to put your tickets and money in and wear this year’s Oktoberfest t shirt or your uniform. We need students at all Masses (5:00 pm Sat., and then 7:30, 9:00 and 11:00 am Sunday and 1:00, 5:00 and 7:30 pm Sunday). An adult must be with the students . Please contact Mrs.Warner at kwarner@stmorenews.com to let us know which Mass you will be coming to sell tickets.
 
Help needed –have you signed up to work a shift at Oktoberfest???  We need YOU!!!  The Stuffed Animal Booth (Theresa Mack), the Raffle Ticket Booth (Terri Moreno) and the Sweet Shoppe (Nina Coltharp) are looking for volunteers on OKTOBERFEST Sunday, Oct 16 – please go to the online sign up if you are interested:     https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0c49aea72ca3fb6-oktoberfest2
 
Tuesday, October 4 SPIRIT DAY - Students may wear any red STM spirit shirt or this year's blue Oktoberfest shirt with the uniform bottoms.

ONGOING RECYCLING PROGRAM…Help us save the environment!  Don't forget that you can bring your old ink cartridges and toner cartridges to the Preschool anytime during the school year.  The Houston ZOO is accepting old cell phones at the gorilla exhibit!
 
Preschool Teacher/Parent Conferences are on Friday, October 21.  Your child's schedule came home today - please sign and return the bottom half of your scheduled conference acknowledgement by Friday, October 7.  The teachers are looking forward to sharing your child’s work with you.  There is NO SCHOOL…only Parent/Teacher Conferences on Friday, October 21.  The teachers do want to meet with you.  However, if you are unable to meet on Friday, or need a different time, please contact your child’s teacher to arrange another conference day and time…thank you.

Please note:  Mrs. Warner will be out of town from October 20 through October 24 and will schedule her 4K Conferences on October 26, 27, and 28 before and after school…please let Mrs. Warner know if you would like a 10 minute spot between 7 am and 7:30 am or if you prefer after 3 pm…we will schedule them every 15 minutes.  You may email        Mrs. Warner at kwarner@stmorenews.com and then we will confirm the scheduled time back to you, thank you!


September 21, 2016

Today is the last day of summer and the heat is still in Houston…we are praying that our Fall season will bring a cool front soon with lower temperatures!  The Fall season also brings many fun Houston festivals – please plan on joining us for the BEST school festival on Sunday, October 16 from 10 am to 6 pm - St. Thomas More’s Oktoberfest!  You may check the Principal’s memo online for announcements and other events associated with Oktoberfest and the many ways that you can support this important fundraiser.

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. 1, 2, 8 and 9. Bring your tickets, a pen, something to put your tickets and money in and wear this year’s Oktoberfest t shirt or your uniform. We need students at all Masses (5:00 pm Sat., and then 7:30, 9:00 and 11:00 am Sunday and 1:00, 5:00 and 7:30 pm Sunday). An adult must be with the students. Please contact Mrs.Warner at kwarner@stmorenews.com to let us know which Mass you will be coming to sell tickets.
 
Friday, September 23 is the All School Mass – Preschool students must be in STM dress uniform.  We will begin our carpool line at 7:40 am on Mass days.  Please make sure your child has eaten breakfast and gone to the bathroom before arriving to school…thank you!

AMERICAN WHEELCHAIR MISSION MOBILITY PROJECT - STM School and the STM Knights of Columbus are partnering to raise money for the American Wheelchair Mission Mobility Project. This year’s wheelchairs will be going to facilities that aid children. On Sunday, September 25, 2016 the Knights will host a Taco Breakfast after the 7:30 and 9 am Masses. Come and join us in Servant Hall – right next to the church for some great food and fellowship and to raise money for a wonderful cause.

Tuesday, September 27 SPIRIT DAY - Students may wear any red STM spirit shirt or this year's blue Oktoberfest shirt with the uniform bottoms.

Carpool line in the morning and the afternoon – please wait for us to WAVE you into our circle driveway – we need teachers up front to help with our traffic flow.  In the afternoons we also have an After School Teacher who needs to load her car up daily for transporting snacks to the cafeteria…thank you for your cooperation.   



September 14, 2016

Wednesday, September 14 at 7:30 pm in the church – there will be a Memorial Mass for   Mr. Benito Moreno Garza, Mrs. Socorro Moreno-Garza’s husband.  He died on August 20, 2016.  Mr. Moreno Garza will always have a special place in our hearts here at St. Thomas More.  Please keep the family in your prayers.

Friday, September 16 is the All School Mass – Preschool students must be in STM dress uniform.  We will begin our carpool line at 7:40 am on Mass days.  Please make sure your child has eaten breakfast and gone to the bathroom before arriving to school…thank you!

Tuesday, September 20 SPIRIT DAY - Students may wear any red STM spirit shirt or this year's blue Oktoberfest shirt with the uniform bottoms.

September 20 at 6:15 pm is also the School and Parish / Praise and Worship Service in the church after 5:30 pm Mass…meditation and confessions too.

AMERICAN WHEELCHAIR MISSION MOBILITY PROJECT - STM School and the STM Knights of Columbus are partnering to raise money for the American Wheelchair Mission Mobility Project. This year’s wheelchairs will be going to facilities that aid children. On Sunday, September 25, 2016 the Knights will host a breakfast after both the 7:30 & 9:00 AM Masses - come and join us in Servant Hall for some great food and to raise money for a wonderful cause.
 
Wednesday, Sept. 28 FAITH AND FAMILY NIGHT LECTURE SERIES -- "How to Dial Down the Drama: Help for Moms of Teens and Tweens"
 
A NOTE FROM THE CLINIC - The Clinic is transitioning all our students health records to a computerized database this year. Once it is completed this will make health information more accessible and secure. While inputting the health data we have come across some gaps and are asking your assistance in updating our records. If your child is missing vaccine records they will be bringing home a letter today, Wednesday, September 14^th. This letter will describe the specific information that is needed to complete your child's health file. Our goal is to complete this project by September 30th, in accordance with requirements prescribed by the State of Texas Department of Health. If you have any questions about this process, please feel free to contact the school nurse, Mary Gleason, 713-729-3434.


September 7, 2016

The IRIS phone alert system was sent to all our STM families on Tuesday evening, September 6th. This system is used for general phone announcements, as well as, weather alerts/school closings etc. The message went to home phone, mom cell and dad cell. If you did not receive them last night, please email Pat Flippen at pflippen@stmorenews.com with the phone number you would like us to use.

OKTOBERFEST 2016 RAFFLE TICKETS WERE SENT HOME THIS WEEK WITH THE OLDEST CHILD IN THE FAMILY. Be sure to check the calendar included in your brown envelope packet for prize deadlines.  We appreciate your help in selling raffle tickets for this important school fundraiser!  Mark your calendar to join us at this wonderful event on Sunday, October 16 from 10 am to 6 pm…Oktoberfest 2016 (please note the new times).

Friday, September 9 is the All School Mass – Preschool students must be in STM dress uniform.  GIRLS:  the STM navy jumper with shorts underneath the jumper; BOYS: the STM green polo with long navy pants – please NO BELTS – the boys are having difficulty undressing when they need to use the restroom!  We will begin our carpool line at 7:40 am on Mass days.  Please make sure your child has eaten breakfast and gone to the bathroom before arriving to school…thank you!

Friday, September 9 from 5 pm – 8 pm…K OF C FISH FRY – plan on attending this great social with yummy food in Prinster Hall/Cafeteria!!!

Tuesday, September 13 SPIRIT DAY - Students may wear any red STM spirit shirt or this year's blue Oktoberfest shirt with the uniform bottoms.

AMERICAN WHEELCHAIR MISSION MOBILITY PROJECT - STM School and the STM Knights of Columbus are partnering to raise money for the American Wheelchair Mission Mobility Project. This year’s wheelchairs will be going to facilities that aid children. On Friday September 9, 2016 the Knights will host the first Fish Fry of the school year. Come and join us in Prinster Hall/Cafeteria for some great food and to raise money for a wonderful cause. Students will also be selling sodas/sweets and collecting donations for the wheelchairs.

The 2016-2017 Student Directory is available on the webpage under the Parent Information Tab. Please use the password that was provided to you to access the directory.

Our school email system has been down since last Friday – please call us at 713-729-9062 if we are not answering our emails in a timely matter!  We do care!



August 31, 2016
 
Friday, September 2, is the All School Mass - Students must be in STM dress uniform…. GIRLS:  the STM navy jumper with shorts underneath the jumper;  BOYS: the STM green polo with long navy pants – please NO BELTS – the boys are having difficulty undressing when they need to use the restroom!  We will begin our carpool line at 7:40 am on Mass days.  Please make sure your child has eaten breakfast and gone to the bathroom before arriving to school…thank you!
 
Sunday, September 4, Pope Francis will declare Blessed Teresa of Kolkata a saint at the Vatican… the conclusion of the Year of Mercy jubilee for those engaged in works of mercy.    http://www.catholicnews.com/services/englishnews/2016/mother-teresa-to-be-canonized-sept-4-pope-sets-other-sainthood-dates.cfm
 
Monday, September 5, Labor Day– NO SCHOOL…ENJOY and BE SAFE!
 
Tuesday, September 6, is SPIRIT DAY - Students may wear any approved STM red Spirit shirt or this year's blue Oktoberfest shirt with uniform bottoms.  The Red Spirit shirt is $10 for the preschoolers.  The blue Oktoberfest shirt is also $10 for the preschoolers.  If you would like to purchase one of these shirts, please send the money in an envelope indicating size and which shirt you would like to purchase…we will send the shirt home in your child’s backpack.  The smallest size offered is a Youth XS 2-4, then Youth S 6-8, M 10-12 or L 14-16.  Sometimes we will have a special RED OUT DAY showing support for the Sports teams at STM…and the students may wear their red spirit shirt – we will try and get you the information ahead of time.  This afternoon is our first football game on the big field at 5 pm – please make your plans to come out and watch the game and wear RED! All students must be accompanied by an adult.
 
OKTOBERFEST 2016 Mark your calendars for this year's Oktoberfest to be held on Sunday, October 16th.  Can you help this year's Oktoberfest be the most profitable ever? Check out the booth sponsorship form attached to the memo.
 
11:15 am and 3 pm DISMISSALS - Any preschooler not picked up by the time the carpool line is over will be charged a late fee of $10 for the first five minutes late and then $1 a minute additional for each minute late after the 5 minutes.  We appreciate you being prompt for both drop-off and pick-up!


August 24, 2016
 
We ask that you please keep Mrs. Moreno-Garza and her family in your prayers.                 Mr. Benito Moreno-Garza, Sr. died suddenly on Saturday, August 20, of a heart attack. Our hearts go out to his son Benito, 8 ^th grade student at St. Thomas More and his wife Mrs. Moreno-Garza as they mourn the loss of their beloved husband and father.  Mr. Moreno-Garza was truly a " family of families” and lived his life as Jesus did – sharing his love and devotion to God with others and helping those in need with an open heart and home.  Mrs. Moreno-Garza will be out of the classroom for a few days.  We know Mr. Benito Moreno-Garza will be greatly missed not only by his family, but also by our STM staff, family and friends.
 
Friday, August 26 is the All School Mass - Students must be in dress uniform.  We will begin our carpool line at 7:40 am on Mass days.  Please make sure your child has eaten breakfast and gone to the bathroom before arriving to school.
 
Tuesday, August 30 is SPIRIT DAY - Students may wear any approved STM Spirit shirt or this year's blue Oktoberfest shirt with uniform bottoms.  The Red Spirit shirt is $10 for the preschoolers.  The blue Oktoberfest shirt is also $10 for the preschoolers.  If you would like to purchase one of these shirts, please send the money in an envelope indicating size and which shirt you would like to purchase…we will send the shirt home in your child’s backpack. The smallest size offered is a Youth XS 2-4, then Youth S 6-8, M 10-12 or L 14-16.
 
OKTOBERFEST 2016 Mark your calendars for this year's Oktoberfest to be held on Sunday, October 16th.  More info soon!
 
STM YARD SIGNS have arrived. Be one of the first STM families to proudly display your STM Spirit!!!  Place one of the new STM Yard Signs in front of your home.  They are available in the STM School Office for $5.00.
 
Please check your child’s backpack daily and empty out all the important papers and school work!  Other classroom news may be found on the teacher’s webpage online at www.stthomasmore-schol.org under the tab: Parent Information – then STAFF – please click on your teacher’s name highlighted in red to see the teacher page!  You may also read our memos online under Weekly Memos!
 
September 5, Labor Day Monday – NO SCHOOL…ENJOY and BE SAFE!


August 17, 2016
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! 

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 in the morning…it is hard to remember messages that are given verbally to us while we are working the carpool line…however, we will write down lunch orders in the carpool line!  Also, we will not begin the pick-up Carpool Line at 11:15 am and 3:00 pm until all our walk-ups have been dismissed.  Please wait for us to wave you into the driveway and have your orange 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 orange cards cannot be seen by the teachers…thank you for your patience and understanding.

Thursday, August 18 is our Parent's Back-to-School Night… 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.  NOTE:  4K teacher, Mrs. Mack will be unavailable on Thursday evening.  Parents of Mrs. Mack’s students are welcome to join us and visit the classroom - and if you have any questions, we have 4K Mrs. El-Ahl and 4K Mrs. Warner that will be able to assist you.  Mrs. Prado will also have the new blue Oktoberfest t-shirts ($10 each) available for purchase – the blue Oktoberfest shirts or the red spirit shirt may be worn on our Spirit Tuesdays with the uniform bottoms!

Friday, August 19 Registration deadline for STM Parish Soccer.  You do not have to be a member of STM school to participate in this program. This program is open to boys and girls from 4 years old - 10 years old. Registration green flyer attached to the Principal memo.

Wednesday, August 24^th is picture day!  This year we will take Individual and Homeroom Group pictures on the same day. Two separate order forms were sent home with your child today.  Both packets must be completed if you are ordering a homeroom group and an individual picture. ALL STUDENTS MUST BE IN DRESS UNIFORM FOR PICTURES.  All Checks are payable to: Inter-State Studio, Inc. You may also place your order online. 
 
DRINK POUCH RECYCLING - Reid and Halley Abdulahah, a 4K student and first grader would like your help!  Halley started a drink pouch recycling brigade at STM last year and will continue her efforts this year to collect, recycle, and raise money for STM. We are collecting in the Preschool building and the Day School is collecting in the cafeteria.  For additional information see the flyer attached to the Principal memo. Pouches mean money for STM so we invite you to help us in our efforts to help both STM and the environment!

RECYCLING OF TONER/INK CARTRIDGES - Once again this year we will be collecting used toner/ink cartridges in the school office. This will be recycled through The Funding Factory. Last spring we raised $106 from this simple recycling effort. Thank you to Mrs. Jocelyn Vincent (3K student Savannah and Kindergartener Dakotah) for organizing this fundraiser.

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, room parents, recess duty workers, clinic volunteers, and chaperones. You may register for the program at www.virtus.org. 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 now required of anyone who took VIRTUS prior to December 31, 2010. To register for Keeping the Promise Alive go to www.virtus.org - be very careful when registering that you are not registering for Protecting God’s Children.
 
FORMS - If you have not already done so, please sign and return the following forms to the school office by Friday, August 19: Formative Discipline and Policy Handbook Release Form, Technology Agreement, Photographic Release, Clinic Emergency Card and Student Health History Form.  These forms were sent out again to our preschoolers on Tuesday, August 16 to the families that we show are missing forms.  We do need to have a Preschool copy in our building – even if you have a Day School student, all Preschool forms need to be returned to the Preschool Office.  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.

EDLINE - Every student and parent has an Edline account. Activation codes were sent home with new students/parents. Be sure to activate your account so that you can receive valuable information including grades and class calendars. If you activated an account last year, you do not have to set up a new account.  Edline should be available by next Monday, August 22.  Please note that our preschoolers do NOT have daily grades and we only use this program for our Preschool Report Cards – first report card will be distributed in October.


August 12, 2016
 
Welcome to a beautiful and blessed Preschool year where learning is fun!
Your child has been busy, busy, busy exploring the classrooms, learning new routines, discovering school work, and meeting new friends.  We feel blessed to share this important first year of school with your child.  The students will come to school, not only to learn, but to have FUN in the classroom with daily adventures.  We have lots of smiling faces in the building – especially after Mass when all the students (and teachers) had a special popsicle treat!!!  Please feel free to call me any time to check on your child.
 
Mass day went well today – Fr. Hai was so excited to see our little ones back in school.  We will attend Mass on Monday, August 15, Holy Day – The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  We begin the carpool line at 7:40 am on Mass days.  We will not have Mass on Friday, August 19.
 
EVENING OPEN HOUSE – August 18, Thursday from 6 – 7:30 pm.  Parents please go to Servant Hall at 6 pm for a short welcome from our Pastor, Fr. Hai and our Principal,           Ms. Thome.  Then the parents will go to their student’s homeroom.  We ask, if possible to please find a sitter for your children.  Thank you. 
 
Please label everything you send to school – not every child recognizes their own clothing items, lunch containers, backpacks etc.  We do need extra clothing in all student backpacks...we understand accidents happen.  REMEMBER, the only prerequisite for our Preschool Program is that your child must be potty trained and be happy to be in school! 
 
Lunches need to be healthy items – no candy or soft drinks please.  Hotdogs, grapes, apples, and any large pieces of food need to be cut in bite size pieces please.   We are unable to microwave student lunches.  Thank you for your help.  If your child needs to order a lunch from the cafeteria – please tell us each morning and don’t forget to set-up your debit cafeteria account.
 
Carpool Safety:  Please be patient with drop-off and dismissal procedures as we begin this new school year.  As always, the safety of our students comes first.  You must place your CARPOOL SIGN in the car or have it in your hand if you are walking.  We will not release your child without the sign – even if you are picking up for a doctor’s appointment in the middle of the school day.  Please send us a note if you need one for grandparents or other family members who may be picking up your child.  We want every child to be safe in our school.  The signs will help all our teachers to recognize you as a parent with a child in our program.  Thank you for your cooperation.
 
Forms:   Please turn in all paperwork and forms – especially the Photo Permission.  We need to have your permission for photos to be allowed on our website and on our teacher pages…thank you for your cooperation in this matter.  If you need to add any additional emergency contact names and phone numbers, please send a list to school with your child and we will add them to your card.
 
Late Fees:  all students who are not picked up by 11:30 am for the half day program or 3:15 pm Monday through Friday for the full day program will be charged a Late Fee of $10 for the first five minutes late.  Additional minutes are $1 per minute.  We are using some of the classrooms in the Preschool building for the After School Program.  If you are in the After School Program your child must be picked up by 6 pm. Late Fees begin at 6:01 pm. Thank you for your assistance in a speedy pick-up!!!
 
Tuition Online Payments:  If you would prefer to pay your tuition online…please go to our website:  www.stthomasmore-school.org   then under the Parent Info Tab – go to Online Payments and when you enter your credit card information please remember to enter your child’s name under the COMPANY NAME space. 
 
Virtus Training:  Virtus, the 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 Preschool and Day School.  You may register for the program at www.virtus.org.  Classes are offered at various times and locations throughout the Galveston-Houston Archdiocese.  Please note: IMPORTANT VIRTUS NEWS ....A one and a half hour refresher course called Keeping the Promise Alive is now required of anyone who took VIRTUS prior to December 31, 2009. To register for Keeping the Promise Alive go to www.virtus.org - be very careful when registering that you are not registering for Protecting God’s Children.
 
We are sending home the Edline account information to all new families. 
 
May God Bless All Our Children and Keep Them Safe.


August 5, 2016

Dear Parents,

The STM Preschool is very excited to welcome all our preschoolers at our Meet and Greet on Monday, August 8.  Please come at your scheduled time to the Preschool building and we will help direct you to your child's homeroom.  Your child needs to attend the conference to meet his/her teachers!!!  If you have registered for the full day program, please bring your sleeping bag (labeled with your child's name) to the meeting. 

How blessed we are to share this important year with your child!  Enjoy your weekend - we look forward to seeing you on Monday.  Remember, first day of school for all our 5 day students is on Tuesday, August 9 and for our MWF students on Wednesday, August 10.

May God Bless All Our Children and Keep Them Safe,  Nina R. Coltharp




June 28, 2016
 
Dear Parents,
 
Please note the following letter was mailed the last week of June:

The Teacher’s Meet and Greet appointments for Oldest/Only Preschoolers were included in this mail-out.  Day School siblings' appointments were mailed on July 6.  Meet and Greet is on Monday, August 8.  The Preschool Calendar, the uniform requirements, and a missing forms letter if applicable and Homework info was also included in the mail-out. 
 
Preschool Hours:  7:45 am to 11:15 am if your child is enrolled in the Half Day program…or 7:45 am to 3:00 pm if your child is enrolled in the Full Day program.  We will begin our Morning Carpool Line at 7:45 am each school day.  All students must be in school by 8 am.  On Fridays, the preschoolers will attend the All School Mass.  Please drop off the older siblings first in the Day School Carpool Line and then drive over to the Preschool for the 7:45 Carpool Line.   The Academic day will begin at 8 am each school day. PLEASE NOTE:  FRIDAY AFTERNOON DISMISSAL FOR THE FULL DAY PROGRAM IS NOW 3 PM.
 
HOMEWORK:  all entering preschoolers have a summer reading list – please see the enclosed list for your child.  All current students received the reading list in a red folder during the last week of school.  The homework is also available on the school website www.stthomasmore-school.org - on the Home Page please click on the Summer Tool Box.  Please bring the Book Report to your child’s teacher at the MEET and GREET on August 8, 2016. 
 
All Preschool tuition is payable over 10 (ten) months, beginning August 2016 and the Early Birds/After School Day tuition will be payable over 9 (nine) months, beginning September 2016.  Your RED payment envelopes will be used for Preschool Tuition and the GREEN payment envelopes will be used for After School.  These envelopes may be sent through the mail or dropped off in the school office.  The tuition payment is due on the first of the month and a late fee of $20.00 is charged if the payment is not received by the 10 ^th of the month.  OR, you may charge your tuition each month with online payments.  First go to our website at www.stthomasmore-school.org then click on the Parent Info tab and then the Online Payments tab.  Please put the Student Name inside the “Company Field” – especially if the person making the payment has a different last name from the student’s name.  There is no additional charge for this option.  If you have any questions concerning tuition, please call me at 713-729-9062. 
 
At the Meet and Greet you will have a quick meeting with the classroom teachers and turn in your child’s book report.  We will also give parents “homework” - important papers to fill out and bring back for the first day of school, Tuesday, August 9 for our M-F students and Wednesday, August 10 for our MWF students.  The Morning Carpool line will begin on Wednesday, August 10.
 
PLEASE RETUN all missing forms and monies by July 15, 2016.  YOU MAY MAIL THE FORMS AND MONEY (payable to St. Thomas More): ST. THOMAS MORE PRESCHOOL, ATTENTION: NINA COLTHARP, at 5927 WIGTON, HOUSTON, TEXAS 77096.  Thank you.
 
May God Bless All Our Children and Keep Them Safe.