Wednesday, August 31, 2016

STM Newsletter

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Dear Friends,
 
We are back at it! Last week we welcomed back our Spanish teacher, Beatriz Cortes, who began working with kindergarten through eighth grade students. We are happy to welcome back our PE teacher, Lawrence Cummins and are excited to work with our new music teacher, Michelle McDaniel. Our school counselor for this year from the USF School Based Family Counseling Program, Melissa Spina, will be on campus two full days a week beginning September 8th. Look for a letter form her next week regarding referrals for this program. Yes, we are back at it!

It was great to see you all at our back-to-school night last week. Congratulations to the family of Yelena Reyes (5th), who won the raffle for $500 towards their tuition!
The canonization of Mother Teresa will be held on 4 September in Rome during the Sunday Mass celebrated as part of the Jubilee for workers and volunteers of mercy.
SANDWICHES-FOR-THE-NEEDY
Our first sandwiches-for-the-needy collection is next Friday, September 9th with the 8th and kindergarten students taking the lead. We encourage all of you to consider making an extra sandwich (or more) and sending it to the office on that day. We have been asked to provide just one type of sandwich: turkey on sliced white or wheat bread. Please individually wrap the sandwiches (ziplock sandwich bags preferred). Sandwiches will be delivered to the Martin de Porres House of Hospitality on Potrero Ave. Their mission is to serve in the spirit of compassion, understanding and love and they provide breakfast and lunch during the week and brunch on Sunday to those in need in the community. Please visit their website, martindeporres.org for more information. 

Thank you to Alexis Reyes (Tyler, 7th, Yelena, 5th, and Elijah, 2nd) who has volunteered to deliver sandwiches again this year. 
STAR TESTING
Over the next three weeks your child, along with all elementary school students in the Archdiocese of San Francisco, will take the Renaissance STAR Reading and STAR Math Assessments. This new assessment system will replace the IOWA test that was previously given each fall. The decision to move from IOWA to STAR was reached through a process of extensive research, including the review of best practices for student assessment that provides information regarding students' strengths and target specific areas for academic growth. Please click here for more information. 

CHOICELUNCH
The school lunch program is off to a great start with an average of 80 students ordering lunch each day. We welcome any feedback you or your children have with regards to this program. The lunches are quite substantial especially for the younger students. Teachers have found that there is more food then they can eat in one sitting. Beginning tomorrow, in grades K-3, students who have ordered a Choicelunch, will receive the snack and fruit/veg that comes with the lunch in the classrooms earlier in the day so that they may have this for their morning snack (you may find that an additional morning snack is not needed).  We will try this for a week and see how well it works.

Parent volunteers are needed to help with the lunch program. Are you free from 12-1pm on a regular basis, even once or twice a week? This is a great way to earn your parent hours! Let Judy Silva, jsilva@stmsf.org, know if you are available.

STREAM (STEM+Art and Religion)
On Friday, September 30, we will begin STREAM electives for the 6th, 7th and 8th graders. These classes 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. Please discuss these class options with your child. They will be making their selections during class next week.
FUNDRAISING AT STM

FUN RUN:
 Next Wednesday, September 7, we will kick off our FUN RUN Fundraiser. As per the financial policies, all K-8 families are required to participate in the Fun Run. Each family is to raise a minimum of $100 per child enrolled in the school. More information will be available next week.

SCRIP: As part of your financial obligations to STM, each family is required to meet the mandatory scrip requirement to generate a minimum profit of $100 by participating in the electronic scrip programs authorized by the school (shopwithscrip.com). If you are unsure how to sign up for these scrip programs, please stop by the office and Judy will be happy to help you get started.
Picture Day, Tuesday, September 6th. Full school uniform is required. All students will be photographed.
PM Extended Care combines August-September into one bill that will be billed through FACTS in the first week of October.

NERT: Neighborhood Emergency Response Training
Where: Holy Name of Jesus School, 1560 40th Ave., San Francisco
When: October 17 – November 28 (except October 31), 6:30-10:00 pm  
Registration: Click here or call 415-970-2024

The San Francisco Fire Department (SFFD) is offering a free Neighborhood Emergency Response Team (NERT) certification program at Holy Name School in the Sunset District, October 17 through November 28 (no class October 31).

This event is sponsored by the SFFD to train individuals on the basics of personal preparedness and prevention, including hands-on disaster skills. NERT training is done by professional firefighters and is a free public service from the City of San Francisco. Being prepared in the event of a disaster can bring a little peace of mind for those living in earthquake country. NERT members are trained citizen first responders who can help save lives.

Does your child have a September Birthday?
Please click HERE to schedule a birthday party in your child and complete a birthday book request.
Enjoy the Long Weekend!

Sincerely,

Marie Fitzpartick
Principal
Copyright © 2014 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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Tuesday, August 23, 2016

STM Newsletter

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Dear Friends,
 
Welcome Back! We are excited to welcome the twenty-five kindergartners many of whom recently graduated from our preschool, Utopia. Another special welcome goes out to the eight, new, first through eighth graders who are joining us this year. It is our expectation that all our new students and their families will again be warmly welcomed and enjoy their time at St. Thomas More School. Our school continues to thrive because of your wonderful community spirit and the precious children you entrust to our care.

Construction on the stage build-out continues, though not as quickly as we would like. Currently the project is expected to be completed by the end of October. The good news is the gym will be available for practices and games beginning September 1st! At the moment a large section of our school yard is cordoned off for the construction crew. They plan to move the fence shortly to give us back more space in the yard. Meanwhile, to adjust to the smaller play area, we have staggered recess and lunch times so that not all the students are in the school yard at the same time. This may adjust as we move forward. We had planned to begin eating lunches outside this year, but will wait to begin this until construction is completed and the school yard is fully restored.
SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM
Choicelunch will provide lunches on Tuesdays through Fridays. Lunch will consist of an entree, side, snack and drink. Please note that the snack will be delivered with the lunch, not before. This program will begin tomorrow, Wednesday, August 24, and must be pre-ordered online by 9am the previous day (or by 6am day of for an additional fee). How to Register: Visit www.choicelunch.com to create a new account and register your child(ren) (name, grade & allergy info). Please feel free to contact Choicelunch customer service with any question at 1-855-465-8624.

On Mondays that are not a minimum days or holidays, we will continue our special lunch to assist with fundraising for the 5th and 6th grade Outdoor Education program. Order forms for these lunches will be included in your envelope.
IMPORTANT FORMS
Important forms that require your attention are included in your weekly Envelope. Some students received their envelopes today, others will be receiving them tomorrow. Please complete and return them immediately.
Universal Medical Information/Emergency Contact Release and Consent Form
Medical Release and Consent to Treatment/General Terms of Parental Consent
AM Extended Care Sign up (for those using this service)
 
PM Extended Care Sign up/Authorization/Allergies (for those using this service)
Parent-Student Handbook Acknowledgment
iPad responsibilities (6-8 grade)
 
Monday Lunch Order Form (for those wishing to order)
BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT
Tomorrow evening, Thursday, August 25th
, is our Back-to-School Night. This year, due to the construction in the gym, the format will take on a slight change. There will be two sessions: Session 1: 7:00-7:25pm and Session 2: 7:30-7:55pm. You will meet your child's teacher at the beginning of one of these sessions IN YOUR CHILD'S CLASSROOM.

This is a mandatory meeting for all families. At least one parent from each family is required to attend. As per the 2016-2017 Parent Participation Requirements, families without a representative in attendance will be assessed a $25 fee for a missed meeting. While it would be ideal if children could stay at home, we understand this is not always possible. Childcare for younger children enrolled at STM will be available in Carroll Hall at $10 per family. Please click HERE to make a reservation for childcare. We can only accommodate families who have preregistered.
IMPORTANT AUGUST DATES
Wednesday, August 24
- Choice Lunch Begins - AM and PM Extended Care Begins -
- PE Classes Begin -
Thursday, August 25
- Music Classes Begin
- Back to School Night
Monday, August 29
- Minimum Day, 12:15/12:30pm Dismissal
BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS AT SCHOOL
As a courtesy to parents, we do allow birthday celebrations during the school day. If you wish to provide a small treat for your child's birthday, you will need to purchase a birthday book beforehand. A birthday book request must be submitted at least a week in advance through the school website. Once this has been submitted, your child's teacher will contact you to set up a mutually convenient plan. Please do not contact the teacher directly. Requests not received in time may require that your child's birthday will be celebrated on a day other than their actual birthday. For more information and to submit a birthday book request, click HERE.
FROM THE ATHLETIC BOARD
Girl's Volleyball - Please sign up no later than this Thursday. The fees will be $90 if paid by August 30th and $110 after that. The sign-up link always can be found under the Athletics tab on the school website but can also be linked directly by clicking HERE. The FACTS system has not yet been linked for sports fees, so please make your payments into the drop box in the office.
Sincerely,
Marie Fitzpartick
Principal
Copyright © 2014 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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This email was sent to bwong9.stmnewsletter1516@blogger.com
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St. Thomas More School · 50 Thomas More Way · San Francisco, CA 94132 · USA

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