A Message from Mrs. Perrault, Principal
Believe it or not, Christmas break is coming. I hope you enjoy this Christmas with peace and joy. Our prayer for the school is that peace and joy are ever-present in our learning, our dedication to our families, and our love for one another. Christmas break officially begins at noon on December 16th. Our students and staff deserve a well-earned break from school. They have been superstars this entire semester and the time has flown by so quickly. We really have been blessed with the time we have had being able to be together in the school building.
As we continue through Advent and the Christmas season, I encourage you to reflect on the things and people who are truly important in your lives. It’s important for all of us to step back and put things into perspective and appreciate our blessings. I look forward to welcoming everyone back on January 5th. Have a safe and peaceful break.
Merry Christmas,
Mrs. Perrault
As we continue through Advent and the Christmas season, I encourage you to reflect on the things and people who are truly important in your lives. It’s important for all of us to step back and put things into perspective and appreciate our blessings. I look forward to welcoming everyone back on January 5th. Have a safe and peaceful break.
Merry Christmas,
Mrs. Perrault
In this issue of Martyr Messenger you will find information about:
- From Home and School
- Cozy Cohort Christmas
- Teacher/Staff Christmas Gift Program
- Teacher Wish Lists
- Safe Environment Training
- Uniforms Policy Reminder
- Yearbook
- ...and more!
From Home and School
A Cozy Cohort Christmas
Due to COVID-19, we won't be able to host Santa Shoppe this year. While we may not be able to shop for those we love, we can still spread Christmas cheer and celebrate the season!
Spread Cheer
Please have your student use supplies that will be in their Friday Folder tomorrow, and any that you have at home, to create a Christmas card for a resident at Brookestone Village. These cards are sure to bring cheer to the recipients! Please send cards back to school on Monday, Dec. 14th (PreK-8th Grade) or on Tuesday, Dec. 15th (preschool).
Give Back
On Dec. 16th, K-8 students Dress Down Day in their coziest Christmas sweaters (or other festive attire) by donating $1 to the Parish Angel Tree Projects benefiting: Essential Pregnancy Services (EPS), Open Door Mission, SSM Parish Food Pantry & St. Augustine Indian Mission. Donations should be given to their teachers. We encourage preschool-TK students to donate too!
Celebrate the Season!
K-8th Grade: On Dec. 16th, K-8 students can celebrate an All School Mass in the comfort of their classroom via LiveStream! 4th & 5th Grade will attend in-person. Then after mass, students will get to watch a Christmas movie in their cozy cohort, snacks included!
Preschool-TK: On December 15th (High 5 & Tu/Thurs Preschool) & December 16th (TK & MWF Preschool) students can celebrate by dressing in their
coziest Christmas sweaters (or other festive attire). TK students
have a dress down day - no uniforms! We have special snacks for
the students and each teacher has fun Christmas activities planned
for the day to celebrate the holiday in our cozy cohorts!
coziest Christmas sweaters (or other festive attire). TK students
have a dress down day - no uniforms! We have special snacks for
the students and each teacher has fun Christmas activities planned
for the day to celebrate the holiday in our cozy cohorts!
Teacher/Staff Christmas Gift Program
Today was the last day to send money for the Teacher Christmas Gift Fund; but, WE WILL ACCEPT DONATIONS THROUGH TOMORROW, FRIDAY DEC 11th. Thank you for participating. See flyer for more details.
Teacher Wish Lists
As Christmas nears check out your teacher’s wish list.
Uniforms
With the first semester being a little crazy, some of our students have become a bit lax with following the school uniform rules. We are hoping that when we come back in January, we won’t have to spend as much time correcting uniform infractions.
Please take some time over break to talk with your children about the school uniform and the uniform policies. Some key points to include are the following:
- Spirit Wear tops are only allowed on Martyr Mondays, Dress Down Days, and on PE days for grades 6-8
- When wearing a UNIFORM sweatshirt, we require a uniform shirt to be worn underneath
- Shirts should be tucked in during the school day
- Skorts and skirts should be no more than 3 inches above the knee; usually you can let down the hem
- Leggings are allowed in solid navy or black and fitted to the ankle
- Socks must be worn with shoes
- Both Dennis Uniform and DiGigorgios have all of the SSM uniform pieces
- We have added khaki pants/shorts/and skorts as options
Dress Down Days:
- Tops should cover stomachs, backs, shoulders
- If wearing legging, tops must be long enough (usually to the end of your fingertips and should cover the student’s bottom)
- Jeans and pants should not have holes or rips
- Shorts should be at least mid-thigh -- no short shorts
If you have more questions about the uniform policies, please use the family handbook for guidance (pgs. 42-44)
Safe Environment / Volunteer Training
Will you be volunteering at our school? Whether you are a sacristan, staff member, coach, catechist, or a parent hoping to help in the classroom or with school events, our Diocese requires that you be Safe Environment certified! Come learn and be empowered to be an ambassador of our Church and an advocate for our families and youth. Class size will be limited in order to maintain social distancing. The next Safe Environment training will be held here at St. Stephen the Martyr on Monday, December 14th from 6:30-9 PM, and led by youth minister Laura Bogue.
Participants must register online. There is no cost to attend.
Register at https://omaha.cmgconnect.org/.
Contact Melissa at m.kane@stephen.org with questions.
Textbook Loan Forms
Please watch for textbook loan forms to come home with your K-7th grade students next week. St. Stephen the Martyr School receives some of our textbooks from the Millard School District. Please sign these forms and return them to school with your student on January 5. Please contact Courtenay Swanstrom in the school office with any questions at c.swanstrom@stephen.org
Yearbooks
Two Easy Ways to Order
Take advantage of the Early Bird Discount and order your yearbook today! Early Bird Discount ends 1/1/2021.
- Visit commpe.pictavo.com
- School Code: 92789
- Click or tap "Shop My School"
- Click "Add to Cart"
- Enter your student information & Click "Next"
- Check out!
- Return this Order Form with check or cash to the office
- Make Checks Payable to SSM Home and School
Yearbook Cover Contest
Is your child in 8th Grade? Ask them about participating in the Yearbook Cover Contest. Entries are due by January 17, 2021. See flyer below for more information.
Liturgical Living
Did you know? Christmas is not just one day - it's a whole season of celebration! While Advent is a time to joyfully prepare for that high feast of Christ's coming, the Church keeps the party going for a whole season of Christmas. That's right, Catholic-style Christmas runs from Christmas Eve all the way to the Feast of Epiphany. That's 12 days of Christmas! What better way to kick off 2021 than celebrating Jesus coming down to save us all?!
Here are three ideas to celebrate Christmas after Christmas Day:
1. Celebrate the Feast of St. Stephen the Martyr, our patron on December 26! St. Stephen was the very first person to be martyred because he would not deny Jesus. In his honor, choose a way to share Christ with another person. Charitable works are a traditional way to celebrate St. Stephen and how he stood for the truth all those years ago.
2. Celebrate Epiphany! We celebrate the day the Three Kings visited Jesus on January 6 and honor the fact that Jesus came to save the whole world! The Three Kings, traditionally named Melchior, Caspar and Balthazar, came from the far corners of the earth - Persia (Iran), India, and Babylonia (Iraq/Syria). Why not celebrate with a feast of traditional foods from one of those places? You could choose something to offer to Jesus, just like the Magi did. Another idea is to welcome the baby Jesus to come into your home all year by blessing it with Holy Water. Here is a way to bless your home. (Link: https://www.catholicicing.com/epiphany-house-blessing-with-chalk/)
3. Choose something "Christmassy" to do on each of the 12 Days of Christmas! The 12 Days of Christmas run from Christmas Day to the Feast of Epiphany on January 6. Bake cookies, sing carols, Christmas music dance parties, watch Christmas movies, and keep your decor up! These would also be great days to discover new Christmas traditions, foods, and games!
Merry Christmas and Happy celebrating!
Kidzone Christmas Break Hours
During Christmas Break, Kidzone will be open on the following days from 7 AM to 6 PM.
- December 16th (noon dismissal)
- December 17
- December 18
- December 21
- December 22
- December 28
- December 29
- January 4
Any questions? Contact Cheryl Connolly at c.connolly@stephen.org or (402) 896-4316.
Thanksgiving Pantry Collection
Dear St. Stephen’s Faith Family & School Families
A THANKSGIVING THANK YOU…” you fed my people”! When it comes to flavor, salt brings out the best in what we eat. Without it, food is less enjoyable and sometimes not even palatable. What’s more, going without salt for long enough can have detrimental effects on our health. But it’s no good on its own---we don’t eat salt by itself. In Matthew 5, Mark 9, and Luke 14 we hear more words from Jesus about salt. For salt to lose its flavor is incredibly difficult, that kind of alternation requires a chemical reaction involving other substances. The same is true of our witness. We can fail to have a positive impact if we’ve allowed ourselves to be corrupted or self-serving. When Jesus asks His followers to be like salt, He is reminding us that we are valuable and necessary in bringing out the best---in one another as well as the world---through ordinary acts of service, mercy, love, and humility. This Thanksgiving, our parish family including the school families and kids filled our food pantry shelves along with helping Catholic Charities feed their families. Our parish faith family was the salt that Christ speaks of in His Gospels. ALWAYS remember that GOD helps us live out lives of service and mercy through prayer, sacrifice, and humility. St. Stephen’s fed many families…May GOD continue the GREAT work HE has begun in each of us. May God continue to bless our parish. THANK YOU…Deacon Denny, Pastoral and Spiritual Care.
Important Dates Coming Up
- Wednesday, December 16: Noon Dismissal
- 11:45 Kid Zone and TK
- 11:50 Last Names A-H
- 11:55 Last Names I-Q
- 12:00 Last Names RZ
- Thursday, December 17 - Monday, January 4: Christmas Break
- Return to school on Tuesday, January 5.
