A Message from Mrs. Perrault, Principal
I want to apologize for any confusion this morning. When Millard Public Schools calls a late start, it is usually done the evening before. This morning it was not called until 6:00 AM. We cancel school when Millard calls a late start for a few reasons. Mainly, we want our families to be safe, we also want to ensure that our own snow crews have ample time to clear the lots, AM Kidzone concerns, and the hot lunch program may be affected since we contract through Westside. We will review the policy for next year and look at the logistics to see if we can successfully implement late starts. Thank you for your understanding this morning.
Despite the interruption to our week, we are having a fabulous Catholic Schools week! It is so wonderful to see our students and staff share their Catholic identity and show so much pride in our school. This week we also opened registration for the 2021-2022 school year. You can find registration information on our school website as well as in this edition of the Martyr Messenger. Our deadline for registration is February 28. We will use the enrollment at that time to determine class sizes and staffing needs. If you plan on applying for financial assistance, we ask that you first apply for Children’s Scholarship Funding. CSF will open for applications on Monday, February 8. https://www.csfomaha.org/parents-family/how-to-apply.html
If you haven’t had a chance to view the 3D virtual tour and the Open House videos, I encourage you to do so. I can’t say enough about the talents and gifts shared by our own parent volunteers!
Next week we have parent-teacher conferences on February 11. We have an 11 AM dismissal that day, and conferences scheduled from 12-7 PM. You should have received a conference form last week. If you have questions or would still like to schedule a conference, please contact your child’s teacher.
The Google Calendar is frequently updated so please check it out on the website if you have questions about upcoming events. I will also update the latest directed health measures for your reference.
Thank you again for your continued support throughout this school year. We feel very blessed to be in school together.
Mrs. Perrault
Despite the interruption to our week, we are having a fabulous Catholic Schools week! It is so wonderful to see our students and staff share their Catholic identity and show so much pride in our school. This week we also opened registration for the 2021-2022 school year. You can find registration information on our school website as well as in this edition of the Martyr Messenger. Our deadline for registration is February 28. We will use the enrollment at that time to determine class sizes and staffing needs. If you plan on applying for financial assistance, we ask that you first apply for Children’s Scholarship Funding. CSF will open for applications on Monday, February 8. https://www.csfomaha.org/parents-family/how-to-apply.html
If you haven’t had a chance to view the 3D virtual tour and the Open House videos, I encourage you to do so. I can’t say enough about the talents and gifts shared by our own parent volunteers!
Next week we have parent-teacher conferences on February 11. We have an 11 AM dismissal that day, and conferences scheduled from 12-7 PM. You should have received a conference form last week. If you have questions or would still like to schedule a conference, please contact your child’s teacher.
The Google Calendar is frequently updated so please check it out on the website if you have questions about upcoming events. I will also update the latest directed health measures for your reference.
Thank you again for your continued support throughout this school year. We feel very blessed to be in school together.
Mrs. Perrault
In this issue of Martyr Messenger you will find information about:
- Enrollment
- Home and School Update
- Virtual Open House
- Liturgical Living
- Spring Sports
- Note From Our Parish
- ...and more!
Congratulations Spelling Bee Winners!
On Tuesday, February 2, we had our Catholic Schools Week Spelling Bee. We are so proud of all of our top spellers. Congratulations to Hannah Fernandes (8th grade) who placed first and Olivia Pottebaum (6th grade) who is our runner-up. Both students will represent St. Stephen the Martyr School in the Metro Spelling Bee on February 13!
From Home and School
Vote for St. Stephen the Martyr!
Don’t forget to cast your vote for St. Stephen the Martyr Catholic School in Spirit Catholic Radio’s Superstar Catholic School contest!
Vote now-Feb 12th: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2021Superstar
Share this link with friends & family for even more votes!
Virtual Open House!
Help us reach our goal! We are only 7 families short of reaching our goal of 100 families to register for our Virtual Open House!
Please share this link with family & friends:
school.stephen.org/open-house-registration
or share this Postcard!
And don't forget to ask them to put your name in the referral field for a chance to win! This contest ends tomorrow, Feb. 5th at 5 pm. See the flyer for more details.
Catholic School Week Fun!
Liturgical Living
St. Valentine really did send valentines!
Valentine's Day is about hearts and chocolate for us, but the real meaning of Valentine's Day goes back to the 2nd century when St. Valentine was imprisoned for being a Christian. While he was there, he healed a child of her blindness. She went to his cell to happily thank him for healing her, but he had already been taken away to be executed. All she found in the cell was a note he had written for her signed, "Yours, Valentine". So the tradition of sending notes on Valentine's Day was born!
Prepare Your Home for Lent
Now is the time to prepare for Lent! Here are five ideas to prepare your home for a Lent filled with prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.
1. Hang a Crucifix
Nothing quite says "Lent" like a crucifix! Seeing one draws our hearts to the sacrificial love of God. Hang one in a new place in your home to draw attention to the message of Good Friday this Lent.
2. Display Your Home Rules
Be clear with yourself and your children what your family values are! Draw on the Word of God to create a list of family values to display in a place where it will be seen, like the kitchen or the dining room. Ideas include: Love one another, be honest and count your blessings.
3. Light a Candle
There is something mesmerizing about a flame, and it seems children think so too. A trick to get kids to focus during family prayer is to light a candle. They will remind kids of Mass, create a peaceful ambiance, and remind us of the light of Christ in our lives!
4. Simplify Decor and Add Catholic Art
If you look around the church on Ash Wednesday, you'll see that most decor has been taken down or simplified. Do the same in your home as an outward sign of the "cleaning" we're doing inside our hearts. Etsy is full of beautiful Catholic art, and the internet is full of ideas for Lenten decor. Try Catholic All Year for inspiration!
5. Keep Holy Water on Hand
Father Dave has been blessing little bottles of water during the pandemic for you to take home. Make use of this during Lent by blessing your children each evening with Holy Water. Make a cross on their forehead while saying the words: "May the Lord bless you and keep you" or "I bless you in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit".
Spring Sports Registration Now Open!
MICRO & CYSL Soccer
SSM soccer is open to all registered parishioners ages 3 to 14. We welcome athletes of all abilities, including multi-sport athletes. Registration closes on Friday, February 12.
Track
SSM Track and Field is open to all registered parishioners in grades 6-8th.
We welcome athletes of all abilities, including multi-sport athletes.
More info & register at stephen.org/sports-club
A Note From Our Parish
Ash Wednesday Mass
Seat Reservations will be required for Ash Wednesday Mass. Mass times, more information, and SignUpGenius link at stephen.org/ash-wednesday-mass/
Live Lent Together! Lenten Small Groups
When you think about Lent do the words “fasting” and “fish fries” come to mind? What if Lent was more than giving up chocolate? What if gathering as a community to pray with the Word of God was as much a part of our Lenten culture as fish fries?
We are forming Lenten Small Groups. Everyone is invited to encounter Jesus and experience real community. If you are interested in being a part of a small group or have questions, please visit stephen.org/lenten-small-groups for more information or email Adam at a.ybarra@stephen.org.
Fish Frys
The Knights of Columbus will be doing Friday Fish Frys, but it will be To-Go, with carryout and drive-thru. Look for more details coming in the bulletin, website, and on Facebook.
Valentines Day Parties!
Grades K-8 will have their Valentine celebrations on February 11 before dismissal. Teachers are working with their classroom coordinators so you will hear from your teachers regarding plans. Valentines can be distributed, but all valentines and valentine boxes will be sent home in a plastic bag. All activities will be COVID friendly and students and staff will follow the recommended guidelines.
Important Dates Coming Up
- Friday, February 5: 11:00 AM Dismissal (No School for Mrs. Tabaka's class)
- Thursday, February 11: 11:00 AM Dismissal (No School for Mrs. Craig's classes or Mrs. Tabaka's class)
- Thursday, February 11: Parent/Teacher Conferences
- Friday, February 12: No School (Teacher In-Service)
- Friday, February 12: Deadline to Register for Spring Soccer
- Monday, February 15: No School (Teacher In-Service)
- February 28: Deadline to Register for 2021-2022 School Year
- March 8-12: Spring Break / No School :)
