| | | |  | | December 2, 2020
Dear STM Community:
Advent is a time of preparation for three special things: the coming of Christ at Christmas, the coming of Christ in our daily lives through grace and the Eucharist, and finally, to his second coming at the end of time. This year the season of Advent began last Sunday, November 29 and runs through December 24. There are several ways to remind ourselves and our children of this time of preparation before Christmas arrives. These may include making an Advent wreath and adding the candles each week, saying an advent blessing each day, keeping an Advent calendar, making and decorating a Jesse tree, celebrating the feast of St. Nicholas on Dec. 6th or singing Christmas carols. Whichever way you choose, it is important that we reflect on all that we are thankful for during this time of waiting for the season of Christmas. | | CALENDAR
Wednesday, December 2
Meeting with the Principal for new families 6 pm
Thursday, December 3
Parents' Club Meeting 7pm Monday, December 7
Kindergarten Screening begins Friday, December 18
Minimum Day - 12:15/12:30 dismissal
Monday, Dec. 21-Monday, Jan. 4
Christmas Holiday - school closed Tuesday, January 5
TK-8 classes resume with distance learning
Minimum Day 12:15/12:30 dismissal
Wednesday, January 6
TK-8 in-person instruction continues on campus; Full day
| | | KINDERGARTEN and TK APPLICATIONS
2021-2022 Applications for next school year are currently being accepted. New student application forms for Kindergarten, Transitional Kindergarten (TK) and grades 1st-8th are now available and may be completed online. -
Children currently in TK will not need to reapply. You will be automatically saved a space in next year's Kindergarten class. -
Children currently attending Utopia, our preschool, as well as siblings of current students, as well as alumni families will be given preference in the application process. -
Screening for all applicants begins December 7th and will be ongoing. First round of acceptances will be mailed January 15, 2021 -
Questions? please reach out to our office at (415) 337-0100 or to Betty Quinlan, our Admissions Director, bquinlan@stmsf.org. We ask your help in encouraging prospective parents to consider St. Thomas More School for their child for the 2021-2022 school year. You, our current families, are our best advertising! Please invite friends and relatives interested in St.Thomas More School to come to one of our virtual "MEET THE PRINCIPAL" events for prospective parents. Click HERE to reserve a place on one of the dates listed below: -
December 2, 2020, 6pm -
January 20, 2021, 6pm -
February 10, 2021, 6pm | | | HEALTH AND SAFETY UPDATE
San Francisco County has reverted back to the Purple Tier of the California COVID-19 Reopening Matrix. However, the SFDPH has stated that all schools currently open, may remain open. We continue to implement our approved Infection Mitigation Plan and appreciate the extra cautions and vigilance of you, our families. We offer weekly onsite surveillance testing for all staff through Curative, which offers a turnaround time of less than 24 hours. With the possibility of vaccine availability for all in the coming months we can look forward with hope and faith to an end to this pandemic and a brighter future for all our families. Meanwhile, the Lord is my Strength and my Shield and we continue to be strong together.
| | | ADVENT SEASON/CHRISTMAS PROGRAM This year, our Christmas celebrations here at school are going to look a little different than usual. However, our students are anxious to share some of the activities they have been working on with you. Please join us as we celebrate the 12 days of Christmas here at STM. One class will present a video each day during the next two weeks. Check our website each day for updates! |  | | HOLIDAY SHOPPE |  | | | And finally, a traditional Irish Christmas Blessing: May the Blessings of Christmas be with you,
May the Christ Child light your way
May God's holy angels guide you,
And keep you safe each day. Marie Fitzpatrick Principal | | | | | | | |
