Wednesday, March 29, 2017

STM Newsletter for March 29, 2017

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Dear Parents:

As we look back over our lenten promises, and reflect of those who have lead the church in past years, we need to remember to honor the messages of Pope Benedict XVI and Pope John Paul II. In the words of Pope Benedict XVI, "Let us be concerned for each other...To stir a response in love and good works." And in the words of our current Pope, Francis, "May the Holy Spirit lead us on a true journey of conversion, so that we can rediscover the gift of God's word, be purified of the sin that blinds us, and serve Christ present in our brothers and sisters in need."  

ACADEMIC AWARDS
We would like to invite everyone to join us on Friday at 8:30am for mass. Immediately following mass, we will present Citizenship and Academic Excellence Awards. See you there!
YMI ESSAY CONTEST
Nine STM students were awarded a total of over $1,600 at the YMI Essay Contest last Saturday night in a ceremony at St. Peter & Paul Church in San Francisco. The top STM finisher was 7th Grader Christian Bustos, who took home $625 for 2nd place in the middle school division. STM won more awards than any other school in San Francisco Bay Area. Congratulations to all the STM award winners and their teacher Mr. Kavanagh. 
PARENT TUITION AGREEMENT AND
PARENT PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS
Returning kindergarten through seventh graders are receiving the Parent Tuition Agreement and the Parent Participation Requirements for the 2017-2018 school year today. Please read them over and then complete both sides of the form and return them to us by the deadline of Friday, April 7. By returning those forms, we will know that you agree with the Parent Tuition Agreement and that you acknowledge and understand the Parent Participation Requirements for the coming school year.
PARENT PARTICIPATION HOURS/SNACK BAR
There are still some opportunities to fulfill your Parent Participation Hours for this school year. Girls' basketball has begun and there are many shifts available on Friday nights and Saturday mornings at the gym's snack bar. To sign up for a snack bar shift click HERE. Don't forget that families that do not fulfill the 12 hour minimum service hour commitment will be assessed $450 at the end of the school year. 
Calendar Items
SPRING SHOW
When: Thursday, April 13
Time: 11:00am
Where: STM Gym
8TH GRADE PLAY
When: Thursday, April 27
Time: 7:00pm
Where: STM Gym
EASTER BREAK - APRIL 14-23
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION
When: Saturday, May 13
Time: 10:00am
Where: STM Church
CONFIRMATION
When: Friday, May 5
Time: 5:30pm
Where: STM Church
Does your child have a April Birthday?
Please click HERE to schedule a birthday party for your child and complete a birthday book request.
Finally, congratulations to the following students who raised the most in their class for the spell-a-thon: Amanda Yao (K), Camila Rios (1st), Elizabeth Alvarado (2nd), Brady Curran (3rd), Marquez Beasley-Bell (4th), Darby Curran (5th), Ethan Kho-Santos (6th), Santino Woo (7th), and Michael Conefrey (8th). These students will be receiving a certificate and their free dress pass at the awards ceremony on Friday. The highest fundraiser in the school was Brady Curran (3rd) and the class that raised the most funds, and winners of a free dress day and the popcorn and movie party, is 3rd grade. This year the spell-a-thon raised almost $12,000. We are also happy to report that 32 students are also receiving a certificate for getting 100% correct on their spell-a-thon. Congratulations and thank you again to everyone who participated.

Sincerely,

Marie Fitzpatrick
Principal

Copyright © 2017 St. Thomas More School, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email from the office of St. Thomas More School.  
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50 Thomas More Way
San Francisco, CA 94132
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Wednesday, March 22, 2017

STM Newsletter for March 22, 2017

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Dear Parents:

As we enter the third week of Lent, and prepare to celebrate the greatest feast in the Catholic Church - the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, please take a moment to reflect on the following from Pope Francis:

In his message for Lent 2017, Pope Francis reminded the faithful that they should heed the Scriptures and treat each human person they encounter as a gift.

"Lent is the favorable season for renewing our encounter with Christ, living in his word, in the sacraments and in our neighbor," he said. "May the Holy Spirit lead us on a true journey of conversion, so that we can rediscover the gift of God's word, be purified of the sin that blinds us, and serve Christ present in our brothers and sisters in need." 
PARENT VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
 
CHOICE LUNCH
Parent volunteers are needed to help with the lunch program through the end of the school year. Are you free from 11:45am-12:45pm on a regular basis, even once or twice a week?  Let Judy Silva, jsilva@stmsf.org know if you are available.

SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR
We are looking for someone from our parent community to take over the reigns as our Scholastic Book Fair coordinator for the 17-18 school year. Interested? Contact Judy Silva, jsilva@stmsf.org to learn more!
EXTENDED CARE
Monday, March 27, is a minimum day, so Extended Care will be serving a pizza lunch. There will be a choice of cheese or pepperoni. One slice with a drink is $4 and an extra slice is $1 more. Billing will be through FACTS.

FINANCIAL POLICIES
Grades kindergarten through seventh are receiving the Financial Policies for the 2017-2018 school year today. We have managed to keep the tuition increase between 3-3.5% despite the salary increase for all faculty and staff members, the 8% projected increase in the cost of employee benefits for the coming school year, as well as the increased cost of textbooks, school supplies and activities. We hope to balance this low increase by raising the amount of fundraising closer to the Archdiocese average.
Please remember that all monies pledged were due back by today's deadline. All families who did not submit their pledges will be charged the amount pledged to their FACTS account tomorrow.

BASIC FUND
The BASIC Fund renewal packets are now available for pickup in the office for families who currently receive the scholarship.

SEE'S CANDIES
A BIG thank you to Trilce Farrugia, mother of Enzo (3rd grade). Once again Trilce has volunteered to head up the See's Candies Spring Fundraiser. The deadline to order is this Friday, March 24. Candy orders will be delivered in plenty of time for Easter. 

SCRIP
With Easter vacation just around the corner, now is a great time to receive credit on your account for purchasing gift cards through our scrip program. Orders placed online by 8:00am this Friday, March 24, will be delivered in your next Wednesday envelope.

Congratulations to our 8th graders who are heading off to high school next year. Students have been lucky enough to be accepted into several schools to which they applied. The following are the Catholic schools to which students were accepted: Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory (10), St. Ignatius Preparatory (6), Mercy San Francisco (3), Mercy Burlingame (1), Archbishop Riordan High School (14), and Stuart Hall (2). Several students were also accepted into many other prestigious independent schools. We are all so proud of our soon-to-be graduates!

Finally, while our school calendar for 2017-2018 has not yet been approved by the Archdiocese, and we want to let you know that we have requested to begin the new school year on Wednesday, August 16, 2017. Hopefully this will help those of you who are planning your vacations now. An official 2017-2018 school calendar will be sent home as soon as it has been approved. The new school year for Utopia, our preschool, will begin on August 14, 2017.

Sincerely,

Marie Fitzpatrick
Principal

Copyright © 2017 St. Thomas More School, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email from the office of St. Thomas More School.  
Thank you for helping us go green.

Our mailing address is:
50 Thomas More Way
San Francisco, CA 94132
www.stmsf.org

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Wednesday, March 15, 2017

STM Newsletter for March 15, 2017

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Dear Parents:

Students are learning that Lent is a time for preparation for the Resurrection of Jesus. Throughout the Lenten season, students discover how forgiveness, charity, and faith can help them participate in the sacrifice of Jesus. Please work along with us as we help your children explore how they can prepare their hearts for Easter. Discuss with them some of the changes they are hoping to make in their lives during the season of Lent. Share with them some of the changes you hope to make. Together we can help the children understand the significance of this important time in our church calendar. Check out this site for activities you can do with your children.
 
Thank you to all who joined us for our Family Mass this past Sunday. The 6th graders, along with their teachers, Mrs. Santillan and Mr. McKillion, prepared a meaningful service. Thank you also to our wonderful choir and their director, Shelley White, for gracing us with their beautiful voices.
ERIN GO BRAGH!
HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!
St. Patrick is one of the three patron saints of Ireland. We celebrate St. Patrick's feast day every year on March 17. This Friday we will hold our annual celebration of this great saint who is credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland. As is our custom, we will mark the day with a celebration of dance and song with an Irish slant. Please join us at 11:15am in the gym. Show your St. Patrick's Day spirit and wear green free dress on this day. Don't forget that Friday is a minimum day, with dismissal at 12:15/12:30.
RE-REGISTRATION
Families returning to STM/UTOPIA for the 2017-2018 school year
Families NOT returning to STM/UTOPIA for the 2017-2018 school year
RE-REGISTRATION GUIDELINES
  • Deadline to complete re-registration online is TOMORROW, Thursday, March 16.
  • If the online form is not completed by midnight tomorrow, a seat will not be saved for your child.
  • As always, re-registration fees are non-refundable (will be billed on Friday, March 17 - due by April 7).
Students had such a great time showcasing their spelling skills during our annual Spell-a-Thon! Please remember that all monies pledged are due back by next Wednesday, March 22. All families who do not submit their monies by this date will be charged the $30 per child fundraiser minimum to their FACTS account.

STATIONS OF THE CROSS 
Please join us in the gym on Tuesday, March 21 at 8:10am for 4th grades presentation of the Stations of the Cross.

Friday is a big day for our eighth graders. They will be receiving notification of their acceptances in the various Catholic high schools to which they have applied. They are a wonderful, talented and mature group of students. We know they will do amazingly well!

Just a reminder that this Monday, March 20 is a local holiday.

Sincerely,

Marie Fitzpatrick
Principal

Copyright © 2017 St. Thomas More School, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email from the office of St. Thomas More School.  
Thank you for helping us go green.

Our mailing address is:
50 Thomas More Way
San Francisco, CA 94132
www.stmsf.org

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St. Thomas More School · 50 Thomas More Way · San Francisco, CA 94132 · USA

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