| | | | Dear Friends,
November 1st and 2nd are very special days on our church calendar. All Saints' Day, November 1st, honors all the saints, particularly those who do not have their own special feast day. All Souls' Day is a day of prayer for deceased souls and is celebrated on November 2nd. Many Christians visit cemeteries where their loved ones are buried. The Catholic Church remembers deceased members of the congregation on this day and often throughout the month of November. Please consider joining the student body for the 8:30am mass for All Saints' Day.
Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is celebrated in many parts of the United States, particularly where there are large Latin American communities. Day of the Dead events, which come in the form of festivals, parades and group celebrations, are held on November 1-2 to coincide with All Souls' Day and All Saints' Day. During these celebrations some people wear masks, carry signs, or put up elaborate decorations to honor the dead. Some community centers invite people to commemorate their deceased loved ones with ofrendas (offerings) through alters that include food, symbols, flowers, candles, photos and other mementos. Altars in memory of the dead are also made in people's homes. | | | FALL FESTIVAL/HALLOWEEN CARNIVAL
A BIG thank you to our 2016 co-chairs of the Fall Festival; Ivon van Mechelen and Michaela Munda. What a fabulous time everyone had this past Saturday. The sun was shining, the food was delicious, and the children just had a tremendous day. Thank you also to the many volunteers for their countless hours in making this event such a great success. Thanks also for the many donations that were dropped off over the past few weeks. | | | STUDENT HOLIDAY
This Friday, October 28, is a holiday for all students, Preschool through 8th grade. The faculty will engage in an all day curriculum planning in-service on that day.
MINIMUM DAY
Next Monday, October 31, is a minimum day dismissal. Don't forget we dismiss at 12:15 (K-3) and 12:30 (4-8) that day. Yes, we will have extended care beginning immediately at the end of the shortened school day. | |  | | HALLOWEEN PARADE
Our K-8 Halloween parade, will begin at 11:00 in the schoolyard on Monday, October 31st. Students will parade up the street and through Alma Via. All are welcome to attend! Parking will be limited, so please arrive early and consider parking down Brotherhood Way or in Park Merced. When purchasing costumes for wearing to school for the parade, please consider the following: - Age appropriate
- Bathroom accessible
- Make up must be applied at home
- Shoes must be comfortable for walking
- No weapons of any kind
Also remember that Monday, October 31st is a minimum day with a 12:15/12:30pm dismissal. | | REPORT CARDS
Report cards are going home tomorrow, Thursday, October 27.
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE and CITIZENSHIP AWARDS
We would like to invite everyone to join us at the 8:30am mass, followed by the awards ceremony on Tuesday, November 1. We will present 1st quarter honors and citizenship awards at this time.
Academic Excellence Awards will be presented to students in grades 4 through 8 if he/she maintains outstanding grades in the following subjects: Religion, Mathematics, Reading/Literature, English, Science/Health, History/Social Studies, Behavioral Expectations, and Learning Skills. Students receiving first honors must earn a 3.75 GPA or above in all subject areas, and students receiving second honors must earn a 3.50 GPA or above. As a reminder, all honor roll students must receive a 2 or above in Behavioral Expectation and Learning Skills.
In lieu of Academic Awards, two students in each grade, K-3, will receive Citizenship Awards based on the following criteria:
1. Exemplify exceptional Catholic values
2. Demonstrate overall good citizenship
3. Behavioral Expectation and Learning Skills of 2 or above | | PENNY BUCKET CHALLENGE The Student Council's "Penny Bucket" is coming to a close. As of the latest weigh in: - 3rd grade is in first place with 72 lbs
- TIED for second place each bringing in 68.5 lbs is 4th and 5th grade
At the end of October, the class that collects the most pennies will earn a FREE DRESS DAY! Keep sending those pennies in - they will continue to be collected through next Monday! | | | | TOILETRIES DRIVE FOR VETERANS
This year's toiletries collection is in honor of SFPD Officer Kevin Downs who was injured recently in the line of duty, and will benefit the SF Veterans Administration Hospital in San Francisco. Please help us by donating new or unused TRIAL SIZE personal items such as: mouth wash, moisturizer, body wash, shampoo, lotions, soaps, toilet paper, facial tissue and other personal hygiene items. Please send your donations of any of the above items with your child to school, or drop them off in the office. The collection will run from November 1 through November 15. Check out the flyer you are receiving today for more information. | | | | NOVEMBER CALENDAR
In your envelope today you are receiving the Calendar of Events for the month of November. With all the minimum days for conferences, etc., it will be a helpful reminder throughout the month. Please take note that Tuesday, November 22 is a minimum day and yes, extended care will be available that day until 6pm. Does your child have a November Birthday? Please click HERE to schedule a birthday party for your child and complete a birthday book request. SCHOOL TOURS/APPLICATION FORMS Please continue to invite friends and relatives interested in St. Thomas More School to come to one of our school tours for prospective parents. Click HERE to reserve a place on one of the tours listed below: - Tuesday, November 8th at 9:00am
- Tuesday, November 22nd at 9:00am
STUDENT SAFETY REMINDER
Please remind your children to be aware of their surroundings at all times. We have noticed an increase in the nearby homeless population and ask that you keep us informed and report any unusual activity or behavior to the school office.
Just a reminder that next week is Parent Teacher Conference week, Tuesday-Friday with 12:15/12:30 dismissal.
Happy Halloween! Happy All Saints Day!
Sincerely,
Marie Fitzpatrick
Principal | | | | | | | |
