| | | | | February 10, 2021 Dear STM Community,
Next week on February 17, we mark the beginning of Lent on Ash Wednesday. Creighton University Campus Ministry site tells us that "Lent offers us all a very special opportunity to grow in our relationship with God and to deepen our commitment to a way of life, rooted in our baptism. In our busy world, Lent provides us with an opportunity to reflect upon our patterns, to pray more deeply, experience sorrow for what we've done and failed to do, and to be generous to those in need." Their website, Praying Lent - Creighton University/ has many great resources to help us during this special 40 days as we prepare our hearts for the great celebration of Easter. Please take time to talk about Lent as a family and to allow your children to become familiar with some of your families' lenten traditions. Children will have the opportunity to receive ashes outside their classroom from Fr. Marvin. For everyone's safety, ashes will be "sprinkled" to avoid any direct touching of another person. | | | CALENDAR Friday, Feb. 12
Minimum Day
12:15 TK-3 dismissal
12:30 Grades 4-8 dismissal
Optional Parent Teacher Conferences
Monday, Feb. 15
Presidents' Day Holiday
Tuesday, Feb. 16
Grade 4 Virtual Field Trip: The Gold Discovery: The Story of How the Discovery of Gold Changed the Cultural Face of California Monday, Feb. 22
Minimum Day - 12:15/12:30 dismissal
Teacher In-service
Friday, Feb. 26
End of Trimester 2
Grade 8 Graduation Photo Day Saturday, Feb. 27
Cioppino on the Go! | | | VALENTINE'S DAY GRAM PICK-UP Thursday, February 11, 2021 Thank you for your generous Valentine's Day donations! We are no longer accepting donations as all of the Valentine's Day bags are packed and ready to distribute to our students. Valentine's Day Candy Grams and treat bags for Distance Learning students may be picked up outside between 12 noon and 2:00 pm on this Thursday, February 11th. If it is raining, we will move pick-up to the gym. | | | VALENTINE'S DAY CELEBRATION at STM: Thursday, February 11, 2021 Teachers will also have school packets and/or material ready for pick-up We hope to make our Valentine's Day celebration a fun and festive one for all students. Because not all students will be on campus to participate, the passing of individual cards or treats will not be permitted at school. However, there are some fun plans in the works. -
Valentine's free dress for all. -
Treat bags will be provided by the school to each student. -
Distance Learning students may pick up their Valentine's bags outside between 12 noon and 2:00PM. They will be set up on tables and labeled by grade. -
Students on campus will get their treats in school. -
The Student Council is selling candy grams. These will be added to the bags being picked up. | | | RETURN TO IN-PERSON INSTRUCTION Today, February 10, is the last day to submit your request for your child to return for in-person instruction on Tuesday, February 16, 2021. Below are the other upcoming return to in-person instruction dates. Please submit your request at least 5 days before your child's return date. - March 8, 2021
- April 12, 2021
- May 4, 2021
| | | COUNSELOR'S CORNER Vanessa Gamache STM School Counselor Available Monday, Wednesday, and Friday Please contact me at vgamache@stmsf.org. | | | | Mindfulness and meditation can be used as a daily practice, and as a tool to help relieve stress and anxiety. Families are encouraged to participate with their children in the activities. Here's one of the links I shared previously that you may find helpful. Mindfulness Resources (Free) Classes: https://www.mindfulschools.org/free-online-mindfulness-class-for-kids/ Videos: https://www.susankaisergreenland.com/watch-demonstrations Guided meditations:: https://annakaharris.com/mindfulness-for-children/ Managing Frustrations The following tips and recommendations may help your child deal with the many frustrations associated with the restrictions of the pandemic. - Use simple calming strategies: counting to 10, taking deep breaths, a short break.
- Help your child describe the problem and express their feelings (I feel…, when…).
- Together, come up with a potential solution and connect it to previously set expectations.
- Explain how the child's behavior is linked to consequences. Set gentle and firm limits.
- Assume that everyone is trying their best. Be kind to yourself. Be patient with others.
FUN Downtime Activities for Adults & Kids During the pandemic families are home more than ever. Below are some links for fun downtime activities to engage both adults and children that can be fun and meaningful. List of great movies to watch by age: | |  | Cioppino On The Go is live! Date: Saturday, February 27, 2021 You are invited to join St. Thomas More School for our annual Cioppino Dinner (on the go style!) Curbside pick up: St. Thomas More schoolyard between 4pm-7:30pm Dinner: $45/per person (Crab or chicken, green salad, appetizer box, pasta, bread and dessert) Drinks to Go: $15-$30 *Bid on wonderful gourmet baskets and class sponsored baskets.
*Purchase raffle tickets for a chance to win! 1st prize/$1000 and 2nd prize/iPad Check out the STM Cioppino 2021 website link below: | |  | LAST DAY: SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2021 | | STM Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) This year, because of the pandemic, has been an unusual one in regards to direct financial assistance from St. Thomas More School. The generosity of an anonymous benefactor in May 2020 gave us $100,000 which went directly to our families to cover reregistration fees and tuition for so many of our families who suddenly lost their source of steady income. In January 2021 we received additional funding from this benefactor that allows us to support more needy families, as the job market in so many areas continues to be so volatile. We are blessed to be able to offer assistance to so many of our neediest families who would otherwise be forced to leave STM and we are so very grateful to be able to work along with you during this stressful time. Additionally, we have a limited amount of funds available for STM TAP (Tuition Assistance Program). This fund is replenished annually by soliciting grants from private foundations. Funds will be distributed on the basis of those families who need the most help and/or who have not received help from us already this year. To qualify for temporary tuition assistance, families will need to show proof of financial hardship and funds will be distributed on a discretionary basis by the school administration. Please email Mrs Fitzpatrick at marifitz@stmsf.org by Friday, February 19th if you are interested in receiving an application form. | | |  | | Valentine's Day is just around the corner on Sunday, February 14th. This is a great opportunity to support our school by shopping with smile.amazon.com. | |  | | Get started: - Enroll in the RaiseRight mobile app or on ShopWithScrip.com.
- Email ncottura@stmsf.org for the enrollment code.
- Seamlessly check out and get eGift cards and use reloaded money faster by securely paying online with a bank account or credit card.
| | | We are excited to hear that San Francisco has announced that educators will be able to sign up to get an appointment to receive their vaccine beginning February 24th. I'm ready! Stay safe and healthy. Marie Fitzpatrick Principal | | | | | | | | |
