| | | |  | | Grade 5 Paper Mountains Activity
Fifth graders are currently learning Mapping & Earth's Surface Features. So, yesterday, students developed a model of the earth's surface and used it to discover an important principle about how rivers work. In the activity, Paper Mountains, students used a spray bottle to make rain fall on paper models of mountains to observe patterns of how water and rivers flow. | | | January 13, 2021 Dear STM Families, Looking for about 250 happy smiling kids; it's much too quiet around here! We're delighted to welcome students back on campus next Tuesday, 1/19/2021 following the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. What a contrast it is to celebrate the peaceful protests of the great Rev. King in light of the tragic and violent attack on our nation's capital just one week ago. The events unfolded as I wrote the newsletter last Wednesday and I was shocked and abhorred at what was happening. That six people lost their lives is beyond appalling. That lawmakers and their staff had to hide in fear for their lives was a disgrace. (That children have to practice safety drills and hide in closets is also unconscionable, but that is a topic for another occasion). As a country we need to teach our children that this is not how a democracy works. We need to share stories of heroes like Martin Luther King for their work in advancing social justice through non-violent protest. There are so many examples of people doing good in this nation and in our world that we cannot let the mob define who we are. Let's continue to work together to share God's love, to care for one another, and to model respectful dialogue in all situations. | | | SAFE RETURN TO SCHOOL The continued safety of all staff and students continues to be a cause of concern especially in light of the increasing number of cases locally. In preparation for returning to campus next week, all STM employees will be tested for COVID-19 this week. While testing of students is not mandatory we highly recommend testing for any student who travelled outside the Bay Area or who gathered with people outside of their household in the past 14 days. Remember that there is a mandatory quarantine of 10 days for anyone traveling, moving, or returning to San Francisco from anywhere outside the Bay Area. | | | STM JANUARY RETURN TO SCHOOL FORM Complete the January Return to School Form ONLY if your child is returning to school for in-person learning on Tuesday, January 19, 2021.
Form must be COMPLETED between Tuesday, January 12-Thursday, January 14, 2021 DUE BY 12 noon on Thursday, January 14, 2021 While returning to in-person instruction is very important to us, we also have a responsibility to keep our teachers, administrators, and staff as safe as possible during the COVID-19 pandemic. They are essential to the safe running of our schools and deserve to return to school in an environment where they are protected. If your child has traveled out of the State or Country, if they have been exposed to anyone with Covid-19, or if they have mixed with others outside your household in the past two weeks, they will need to quarantine for 14 days. Given the Regional Stay at Home Order still in effect, gatherings with people of different households is prohibited. Therefore, in order for your child(ren) to return to on-campus learning on January 19, please answer the questions on the STM January Return to School Form. Email us at office@stmsf.org if you have any questions. | | |  | PARKMERCED AND FOOTBRIDGE UPDATES ~ Good News! In November 2019 the STM school community met with members of the Parkmerced Vision project, specifically in regard to the removal of the footbridge across Brotherhood Way. Many of our parents and students spoke eloquently regarding our various safety concerns. I have since met again with the Parkmerced group and city departments and am thrilled to announce that our voices have been heard! They are now exploring various alternatives to maintaining and modifying the existing footbridge. Please visit their website for further details and read the following information Parkmerced has provided. "Though we encourage everyone to watch the entire video for an overview and brief update on the Parkmerced Vision Plan, as well as context for the pedestrian bridge discussion, for ease of reference the pedestrian bridge discussion begins at the 5:00 mark in the video. Hopefully this video is helpful. We tried to incorporate much of your feedback and explore various alternatives to maintain the pedestrian bridge as we heard in response to our previous presentations in November 2019 and April 2020. After watching the video, please communicate your feedback, comments, and questions to us through email at info@parkmercedvision.com or via phone at (415) 405-4666 by January 15, 2021. For general information on the Vision Plan, please visit the Parkmerced project website www.parkmercedvision.com. For the City's latest developments and updates on COVID-19, please visit sfdph.org or call 3-1-1." | | CALENDAR Friday, Jan. 15: TK and K acceptance notifications sent Monday, Jan. 18: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - School Holiday Tuesday, Jan. 19: In-person instruction resumes Monday, Jan. 25: Minimum Day 12:15/12:30 pm
Sunday, January 31-Saturday, Feb. 6
Catholic Schools Week
Spirit Week Sunday, January 31-Saturday, Feb. 13
Scholastic Online Book Fair
STAR Testing | | |  | STM 29th Annual Cioppino Dinner Save the date: Saturday, February 27, 2021 We are doing things a little differently this year - Cioppino On The Go! Let's all continue to support STM by breaking bread (or crab legs!) together. Start thinking about how many servings you'll need so you won't have to share. Or maybe gifting a few Cioppino meals to friends and family. More information to come! | |  | CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK FREE DRESS ALL WEEK! During Catholic Schools week, our Student Council encourages all students to show their STM Bronco spirit by setting up a week of free dress for all. So start planning -
Monday, Feb. 1: School Colors or Jerseys -
Tuesday, Feb 2: Dress like your teacher day -
Wednesday, Feb 3: Wacky Wednesday -
Thursday, Feb. 4: Throwback Thursday -
Friday, Feb. 5: Pajama Day | |  | January 31-February 13 | | | For the safety of all, we again urge you to continue to follow the guidelines from the San Francisco Department of Public Health regarding face coverings, physical distancing, avoiding gatherings, and staying home as much as possible. Please let us know if your child or family members are in close contact with anyone who has Covid-19. Keep children home if they exhibit any of the following signs of a possible Covid-19 infection: - Fever or chills
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Loss of taste or smell in the last 10 days.
- Children may say that food "tastes bad or "tastes funny."
- Headache
- Diarrhea, nausea or vomiting
We look forward with hope to a quick rollout of the vaccine and an end to this pandemic. Be safe! Marie Fitzpatrick Principal | | | | | | | | |
