Dear Parents:
As a faith community, we will gather together on Sunday, February 3rd at the 10:00am Family Mass. Let's use this opportunity to reflect on the importance that we all place on Catholic education. Our kindergarten students and families will take the lead in preparing this special Mass, which is the culminating activity of the celebration of National Catholic Schools Week. We look forward to seeing you all there.
National Catholic Schools Week runs from January 28th through February 3rd. Please mark your calendars for our Family Mass, Open House, and Book Fair, and other exciting events on Sunday, February 3rd. A schedule of all these events and the times of classroom observation during this week can be downloaded from stmsf.org. Feel free to drop in and see what’s going on around the school. Please share the schedule with friends who may be interested in our school.
At St. Thomas More School, students receive a superior academic foundation in safe surroundings where qualified, dedicated teachers instill moral and spiritual values and where we help foster a close relationship with Christ. This is a good opportunity for you to reflect on the importance you place on a Catholic Education for your child.
COLDS AND FLUS: Currently we have close to 60 students absent each day this week. As we continue our way through the flu season, please remember that students MUST be fever free for at least 24 hours before returning to school. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE - if your child is showing ANY symptoms of illness such as headaches, cough, dizziness, fever, or stomach aches, keep them at home. This will avoid spreading these symptoms to others.
SANDWICHES-FOR-THE-NEEDY: Our next collection for the Martin de Porres House is this Friday, January 25th, when the Kindergarten and 8th graders will take the lead. We encourage ALL families to provide an extra sandwich. Some of our older students will prepare 50 additional sandwiches in our school kitchen to add to this collection.
REPORT CARDS: Report cards will go home this Friday, January 25th. Be sure all your accounts are in order so that there will not be any delays in sending those grades home.
PIZZA/HOT DOG SALES: Please remember that order forms are only sent home at the beginning of each quarter. This is your only opportunity to order. Please clearly mark the name, grade and the word PIZZA or HOTDOG on the envelope if you wish to order. Do not put both orders in the same envelope. The due date for Pizza and Hot Dog orders is this Friday, January 25th.
GRANDPARENTS DAY: Thank you for the great response to Grandparents Day. So far we have over 50 Grandparents and other special friends joining us next Thursday afternoon for a special pasta lunch and other fun activities. There is still time to sign up! Send in your reservation form by this Friday.
We need a number of parent volunteers to help prepare food and ensure the success of this event. Please let Melody know if you are available to help. Can you donate pastries for Grandparents Day? Please drop them off to the office next Thursday morning, January 31st.
CIOPPINO 2012: Work continues in preparation for our BIG fundraiser on Saturday, February 23rd. Thank you for the many donations that have come through the school office for our Cioppino baskets and auction items – keep them coming! Consider getting together with other parents from your child’s class to purchase a table. This event is a lot of fun. Remember, childcare is available for a nominal fee. Please respond as soon as possible as we believe this will be a sell out event again this year. To purchase tickets, please use the flyer you are receiving today and return it to the school office. The next Cioppino meeting has been scheduled for this coming Tuesday, January 29th at 7:00pm in Carroll Hall.
GEOGRAPHY BEE: Congratulations to the recent winners of our annual school Geography Bee. The top three students in each classroom competed for the school championship. Those contestants were
4th graders Ciarra Cruz, Aysaiah Radoc-Manrique, and Zach White.
5th graders Adam Kolokotrones, Chloe Sladewski and Aved Sodah
6th graders Lara Bautista, Lemar Deguzman and Jackie Villarosa.
7th graders Peter Cuddihy, Tony D’Aura and Melina Diaz.
8th graders Jose David, Alex Diaz and Jerome Torres.
8th grader Jerome earned third place overall and second place went to 7th grader Tony. Our school's champ, who will represent us in the statewide competition, is 4th grader Zach White. Congratulations to all the contestants and good luck in the next round, champion Zach!
USF CLASSES: There are still a few spaces available for students in grades 7 and 8 to work in collaboration with USF graduate students in an exciting course entitled, Digital Media and Learning. This will look great on the resume of students applying for high school next year! Please let Mrs. Fitzpatrick know if you are interested.
TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: Families that applied for the STM TAP will be receiving an application form today. Funds will be distributed on the basis of those families who need the most help. To qualify for temporary tuition assistance, families will need to show proof of financial hardship and funds will be distributed on a discretionary basis by the school administration. Please let Mrs. Fitzpatrick know in writing if you are interested in receiving an application form.
KINDERGARTEN SCREENING: We have received many kindergarten and preschool applications for the 2013-2014 school year. Many thanks also for your referrals of new families. A reminder that again this year we will be screening all kindergarten applicants in order to assess their readiness for our kindergarten program. Kindergarten applicants in Utopia will be assessed during their school day throughout the week of February 4th. For siblings of current students and new families, information was sent out yesterday about our screening day, Saturday, February 9th.
STUDENT HOLIDAY: Plan ahead - Please remember that the school will be closed next Friday, February 8th. This is the day set for the annual Archdiocese Professional Development for all Catholic school teachers and administrators.
JOANNE PANG FOUNDATION: Thank you to all who generously contributed to our free dress fundraiser for the Joanne Pang Foundation. With your help, we were able to raise $630. Thank you all once again for supporting the need for cord blood donation.
LET'S GO 49ERS...LET'S GO! Last week we said “Let's hope they make it into the Super Bowl...and maybe we'll have a 49ers free dress day!” Well there’s no more need to hope – the 49ers made it! This Friday, January 25th, students have the opportunity to wear free ‘red and gold’ dress. Let's go NINERS! Let's go….and win the Superbowl!!!
Sincerely,
Marie Fitzpatrick
Principal
