Dear Parents:
This past weekend, the
church celebrated the Feast of Pentecost, the birthday of
the Church and the gift of the Holy Spirit – the sending of the Holy Spirit by
our Lord Jesus Christ. Having been with his disciples for forty days after the
resurrection, the Lord Jesus Christ ascended into heaven and now sits at the
right hand of God the Father. Pentecost closes the Easter Season. It celebrates
the overwhelming experience of God giving the Holy Spirit to the first
community of believers in the church. The color of the vestments and
decorations for Pentecost is red, which symbolizes the intense love and fire of
the Holy Spirit. From now until the beginning of the Advent Season we will celebrate
the church season known as Ordinary Time. We now see the return of the green
vestments that are a symbol of life and growth in the church.
This week our sixth
grade students made cards for their fellow sixth graders at School of the
Epiphany in order to express their compassion on the death of one of their
classmates. Please keep the family and the Epiphany community in your thoughts
and prayers at this difficult time.
Sandwiches-for-the-needy: Just a
reminder that
our final collection of sandwiches-for-the-needy
is this coming Friday, June 1st. We ask that all grades pull
together to provide sandwiches that day. Thank you once again to all who have
supported these collections throughout the year.
Class of 2012: The
graduates are off on their picnic to Six Flags tomorrow before they return for
all the activities of graduation day this Friday. We are saying good-bye
to a fine class of eighth grade students. They have earned awards and recognition for their
academic achievements from several of the high schools at which they have been
accepted! The student body will come together for the graduates’ last Mass as
STM students this Friday at 11:00. The graduation ceremony will be at 5:00 p.m.
that evening. At those events, students will pray together, share their
thoughts about their time at STM, hear the announcements of awards, and
celebrate this educational milestone in their lives. We salute our graduates
and hope you will join them at either or both ceremonies. Congratulations to:
Maopeli
Ali, Ari Arrospide, Samantha Basco, Noelle Bumanglag, Emily Cano, Ralph De
Jesus, Chloe Deguzman, Amaya Echarte, Adrian Embry, Samuel Gagucas, Lidy
Garcia, Mario Giusto, Austin Grotkin, Kevin Hughes, Peter Kolokotrones, Pearla
Lewis, Byron Li, Nicholas Lobre, Matthew Martinez, Anderson Nguyen, Michelle
Nguyen, Kaitlin Nori, Rowby Ocampo, Remy Phaophongsavath, Roisin Quirke, Jenyse
Rojo, Josette Rojo, Mike Santos, Melia Schelstrate, Matthew Schivo, Dominic
Soriano, Iza Tongol, Luca Trumbull, Jackie Tsodikova, Rayna Urbino, and Stacey Velasco.
More
congratulations…Last Wednesday evening, two of our 8th graders were
honored by USF in an academic recognition award ceremony. Katie Nori accepted
the award for most improved student in the area of academics, and Rayna Urbino
accepted the award for consistent academic excellence. Keep up the great work
as you begin your high school journey.
Memory Book: Last week those who had pre-ordered their
memory book should have received it in their Envelope. There are still a few
copies available but a sellout is assured! Remember, memory books are now $25
and can be purchased from the office.
Photo
Time: Our First Communicants and Confirmandi are receiving photos from
their special days today. Also, those who ordered the student body panoramic
photos (by the deadline) will be receiving them today.
Tuition and Fees: Do you have any unpaid
tuition or fees
(including the scrip requirement and extended care) for this
school year? Please make sure you settle up before the 10:00am dismissal on
June 8th, in order that your child/children may receive their report
cards in a timely manner. Report cards for students absent on the last day will
be filed in their cumulative folders and may be picked up during the summer or
next school year.
Scrip: This Friday is the
last chance to order scrip for the school year before our adjusted schedule
during the summer. Additionally, we will continue to take simply Uniforms scrip orders through dismissal tomorrow, Thursday,
May 31st. Orders can be placed either online of through the
school office. Remember, gift cards make great gifts for graduations and
Father's day!
Early Dismissals: Next week, Monday through Thursday, we
will have minimum days with 12:15 dismissal for students in grades K-3
and 12:30 dismissal for students in grades 4-7. There will be extended care
starting at dismissal on those days. Remember, extended care payment for this
final week continues to be on a pay-by-the-day or pre-pay basis. On Friday,
June 8, our last day, K-7 will dismiss at 10:00 and Preschool at
10:30. There is NO Extended Care that day.
Summer
Hours: The school office will be open during most of
the summer, however, we will be on restricted hours, generally from
9-12. If you plan to come and make a payment of tuition and any fees, please
call first to see if we are here. We prefer that you mail those items; but if
we are here when you call, we’ll be happy to help you. If you do need us during
the summer, please call and leave a message or send us an email. The school
office will be closed from July 2-6 and July 16-20. Preschool runs a year round
program and will continue to operate according to their regular schedule but
will also be closed from July 2-6.
Parents' Club: Next
Tuesday, June 5th is the night set aside for the Parents’ Club end
of year meeting and recognition dinner. This will be held in Carroll Hall at
7:00pm.
Don’t forget, the Parents’ Club is providing you with a final
social activity as the year comes to an end. The end-of-the-year-social is
scheduled to start just after school begins next Friday, June 8th
in Carroll Hall and lasts until dismissal. All are invited. See you there.
Limited parking will be available in the school yard.
Used Uniforms: To facilitate the
Parents’ Club collection of used uniforms this year, we are allowing the
students to enjoy free dress on Thursday and Friday of next week. There are no
strings attached, no required donations, just enjoy a little freedom. However,
we will be happy to accept any uniform pieces that your children have outgrown
or that you will no longer be using. Eighth graders may donate their uniforms
Thursday and Friday of this week. The used uniform sale will take place in
Carroll Hall on August 23rd, our first day back for next school year.
Dance Festival: Dancing
with the Stars has nothing on our students. Last week's Dance Festival was
a spectacular night showcasing what talented students we have. Congratulations
to the dancers, their teachers and especially to Sondra Dwyer, our dance
teacher, who put the show together. Thanks also to Cynthia Bringas and the
preschool staff for leading our youngest students in their Zumba routine.
As you all heard at last week’s dance festival, our long
time dance instructor, Sondra Dwyer will be retiring at the end of this school
year. Sondra arrived at St. Thomas More School in 1986, and has been a valued
member of the faculty ever since. During her time here, Sondra has guided students
in kindergarten through eighth grade in more than 20 dance festivals covering
dances from all around the world. Sondra will be dearly missed. Her enthusiasm
for teaching and creativity will be remembered by all of her students, past and
present. We look forward to seeing her as part of our audience next dance
festival.
With
Sondra’s departure, we welcome Sue Risotto, who will be taking the reigns as
our new dance teacher. We are happy to be able to continue such an enriching
program. Welcome Sue!
Band
Program: Congratulations also to the students who played in the band. Their
performance under the guidance of teacher Mike Borderline was superb! We look
forward to continuing this after school class again next year.
As
the school year draws to a close, I would like to express my sincere
appreciation for the support you have extended to the staff of St. Thomas More
School over the past year. Through your efforts in the various school events,
you have shown a keen interest, not only in the activities involving your
child, but also in the whole school community. It has been a privilege to have
the opportunity to work with you and your children this year.
Sincerely,
Marie Fitzpatrick
Principal
Congrats Grads! Class of 2012!
