| | | | Dear Parents,
Regular Mass attendance is a meaningful experience that helps children and parents understand, prepare for and celebrate many of the Sacraments, including First Reconciliation, First Communion and/or Confirmation.
As you know the Sacraments help us build a life around Christ and in order to do that the Church teaches that it is necessary for the faithful to regularly attend Sunday Mass. In fact the Catechism of the Catholic Church states: "The first precept of 'You shall attend Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation and rest from servile labor' requires the faithful to sanctify the day commemorating the Resurrection of the Lord as well as the principal liturgical feasts honoring the mysteries of the Lord, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the saints; in the first place, by participating in the Eucharistic celebration, in which the Christian community is gathered, and by resting from those works and activities which could impede such a sanctification of these days." It is our fervent hope that in attending mass, you and your family will be able to discover the great blessing that comes from praying together.
At back-to-school night, all students who are preparing for First Reconciliation, First Communion and/or Confirmation at St. Thomas More School received a Mass Attendance card for use during their preparation. Please continue to have these signed regularly. | | SHAKE OUT: You may remember the Loma Prieta earthquake, also known as the World Series Earthquake. It was a major quake that struck the San Francisco Bay Area on October 17, 1989. Tomorrow, Thursday, October 15th, at 10:15am St. Thomas More School along with millions of Californians will participate in Drop, Cover, and Hold On in the largest earthquake drill ever! The purpose of the 'Shake Out' is to practice how to protect ourselves during earthquakes. More information can be found on http://www.theshakeout.org. In the event of an earthquake during school hours, your will be contacted via STM's Emergency Messaging System. Click here if you have not already signed up to receive this alert. | | | STREAM: Today we began our Fall STREAM (Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) electives for the 6th, 7th and 8th graders. These classes will nurture students' interests and love of learning through a project based learning approach that emphasizes our school learning expectations (THINK) as well as inspire innovation and creativity. These classes take place on Wednesdays through November 18th with a showcase on November 19th. STREAM students will share their work and projects with STM students and families in the showcase that shows the rigorous work and training resulting from student collaboration, problem solving, effective communication, and the use of critical thinking skills. Ask your junior high student how their STREAM class was!
FUNDRAISING CATALOG DELIVERY: We expect delivery of the fundraising catalog items next Wednesday, October 21st. We will notify you via text alert when the delivery is made so that you can pick up frozen items. Unfortunately, we do not have storage for frozen items. Please arrange a prompt pick-up once the text is sent. | | MOCK TRIAL: The School of Mock (Trial) has been regularly offered as a mock trial workshop with 826 Valencia, the non-profit writing organization founded by author Dave Eggers and educator Nínive Calegari. St. Thomas More School parent and Public Defender Vilaska Nguyen has led the 826 Valencia workshop and is now offering the class to 24 St. Thomas More middle-school students. Sessions will be held on five consecutive Fridays, 4:30-6:00 PM, starting on October 23rd through November 20th. | | | Tuesday, October 20th
School Tour, 9am | | | | Friday, October 30th 8:30am Mass and Honor Roll Assembly
Report cards go home!
K-8 Halloween Parade 11:00am in the schoolyard
Minimum Day, 12:15/12:30pm dismissal | | | | FROM THE DAD'S CLUB: Please join the Dads' Club for an upcoming barbecue on Sunday, October 25, 2015, 4pm at St. Thomas More's Carrol Hall. Fantastic food and delicious local San Francisco beer will be provided (free of charge). Note: The Niners play the preceding Thursday night game so there is no schedule conflict--come unwind and relax! Email your RSVP to vilaska.nguyen@gmail.com. | | | SPORTS PHOTOS: The deadline for submitting the order form for sports photos is this Friday, October 16th. Please have your student return the order forms and payments and they will be collected at the front office for the photographer.
PICTURE RE-TAKES: If you wish for your child to re-take his/her picture on Friday, please return the entire photo package to the classroom teacher by tomorrow, Thursday, October 15th.
ID CARDS: As a reminder, student ID cards may be purchased by putting $2 in an envelope, writing your child's name and grade on it and sending it to your child's teacher. They are not available in the office.
Sincerely,
Marie Fitzpatrick
Principal | | | | | | | |
