Wednesday, November 30, 2016

STM Newsletter for November 30, 2016

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Dear Friends,
 
One of the most important seasons in our church calendar, the Season of Advent, began this past Sunday. This season is a time for all of us to prepare for the birth of Jesus on Christmas day. Christians prepare for celebrating the birth of Jesus by remembering the longing of the Jews for a Messiah. In Advent, we're reminded of how much we ourselves also need a Savior, and we look forward to our Savior's second coming even as we prepare to celebrate his first coming at Christmas. God wanted so much for us to be with him that he became one of us. This is the greatest Christmas present – God's presence on earth. In the liturgical calendar the season of Christmas begins on Christmas Eve and lasts through the Feast of the Epiphany on January 6th. Please help your children understand the symbolism of the Advent Wreath and the importance of the true meaning of Christmas.

Next Thursday, December 8, we celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, a Holy Day of Obligation. The title of Immaculate Conception recognizes Mary's privilege of coming into the world free from sin. Through the power of Jesus' death and resurrection, every human can be freed from sin at Baptism. Through that same power, Mary was always free of sin, even from the very first moment of her life. Please consider joining the student body at the 8:30am mass.

SANDWICHES-FOR-THE-NEEDY
This Friday, December 2, is our next collection of sandwiches-for-the-needy. All are welcome to participate and the 7th and 2nd graders are charged with taking the lead that day. We thank you in advance for what we hope will be another huge collection for those at the Martin de Porres House of Hospitality.
DECEMBER 4th - FAMILY MASS, PANCAKE BREAKFAST and HOLIDAY FAIR
We look forward to seeing you all here this Sunday. We will begin the day with a 10:00am Family Mass where we will present all our Confirmation and First Communion candidates. Following the Mass, join us for the Holiday Fair and Pancake Breakfast in Carroll Hall. They will also offer pictures with Santa.
PEANUT BUTTER FRIDAY
As a reminder, we are collecting peanut butter for the St. Vincent de Paul society. If we reach our goal of 800 jars of peanut butter by Friday, December 16, the student body will enjoy free dress on Tuesday, December 20. Please send a jar (or two!), any kind, any size with your child by Friday, December 16.
Current count: 270!
TOY DRIVE
The SF Firefighters toy barrel is now in the office and is awaiting your donations! Please consider donating new, unwrapped toy(s) for kids ages infant to 12 years old. Let's continue to "Show the Wideness of God's Mercy" to less fortunate kids in our community, especially at this time of the year. We will continue collecting the toys until December 16.
SANTA'S SECRET SHOP
The Parents' Club present their annual Santa's Secret Shop starting tomorrow, Thursday, December 1. Over the next two days, all the students will have an opportunity to purchase gifts for parents, friends and relatives. Each student should use the envelope they are receiving today to help them plan their shopping and to keep their money safe.
OUTDOOR ED NACHO SALE
Check out the flyer in your envelopes today if you wish to order and support the 5th and 6th graders in their fundraiser for Outdoor Education.

PROGRESS REPORTS
Progress Reports are going home today. All students, third grade and up, are receiving such a report. These progress reports show a snapshot of the student's current academic standing with optional comments from their teachers. The grading scale is available here. As a system default, art, PE, music and tech will show P/100% for students who fully participate. Students in grades K-2 with behavior and/or academic concerns have already been contacted by their child's teacher.

CHILDREN'S CHRISTMAS EVE LITURGY
Calling all Angels, Shepherds, Wise Men and readers! Please consider having your child participate in the Christmas Eve Children's Liturgy. The first practice will be held this Saturday at 1pm in the church. Please see the flyer in today's envelope for more information.
CHRISTMAS PROGRAM
On December 15, our students will present their Christmas Program and will sing a selection of favorite Christmas Carols. All students will be involved in this production. This year we are excited to present the program on the almost completed stage in our gym.

Students should wear dressy clothes unless told otherwise by their classroom teacher. No t-shirts, sweats or Uggs please. Pants/dressy jeans should be fitted and not baggy.

The yard will be open for parking at 5:45pm. The gym doors will open at 6:00pm to allow students to enter their classrooms and for parents to enter the gym. Everyone is asked to line up in an orderly manner until the gym doors open. All students need to arrive by 6:20pm at the latest. We will begin the program promptly at 7:00 pm.

We are asking that everyone attending this fun event considers bringing one or two new, unwrapped toys as part of our toy drive for needy children, or a jar or two of peanut butter for our peanut butter drive. We look forward to your attendance for this faith-filled and fun-filled production. Everyone is welcome!
Does your child have a December or January Birthday?
Please click HERE to schedule a birthday party for your child and complete a birthday book request.

Just a reminder that Christmas vacation starts at 12:15/12:30pm on Tuesday, December 20. There is no extended care that day, so plan ahead!

Sincerely,

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

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