A Message from Mrs. Perrault, Principal
Happy Spring! We are in the home stretch for the 2020-2021 school year, and it feels so good to know that we have been in school and in the building all year! I really want to say a great big “thank you” for all you have done as parents and families to ensure the health and safety of our SSM community. May will bring many exciting days. We look forward to May Crowning on May 7th, 8th Grade Graduation, Kindergarten Picnic, Field Day, and other end-of-the-year celebrations.
Every year brings about some staffing changes. This year Mrs. Kathy Jones, Mrs. Margie Crowe, and Mrs. Connie Bredemeyer will be retiring. I know they will all be missed tremendously. Home & School will host a retirement open house for them on Tuesday, May 25 from 3:30 - 5 p.m.
Mrs. Sunni Potach (7th grade language arts/literature) is moving to New Hampshire with her family. She will be greatly missed as well. Karen Kneifl, 7th and 8th grade math teacher, will be going back into retirement so she can spend more time with her grandbabies. We are so thankful for her stepping in mid-year to teach our middle school.
Last, but certainly not least, Dr. Joe Greco will be leaving his position as assistant principal. We are so appreciative of all the hard work he has done here at SSM. He definitely has made a difference. Joe will be taking a position with the Elkhorn Athletic Association beginning July 1.
We have filled these positions for the 2021-2022 school year:
- Mrs. Nicole Verraneault will be the new full-time PE teacher. She has been a part-time PE teacher here at SMM for 3 years.
- Mrs. Carrie Gentile will be our Mon-Wed- Friday preschool teacher. She previously taught preschool here for 8 years prior to 2018.
- Mrs. Susan Baginski will be our new 7th grade language arts/literature teacher. She is coming to us from St. Vincent de Paul after working for two years in their middle school program.
- Mr. Terry Wenzl will be our new 5-8 Resource/Team teacher. He has a special education degree and 6 years of experience from Boys Town. He has most recently taught middle school at Jesuit Academy.
- Mrs. Mary Lee will be joining us as our 7th and 8th grade math teacher. She comes with 23 years of experience teaching middle and high school math.
- Mrs. Mary Gill will continue teaching second grade, but will also take on extra leadership responsibilities, serving as a “lead teacher” mentoring teachers, developing personalized professional development plans, helping leadership with the implementation of PBIS and MTSS strategies, and serve as a liaison between leadership and staff. Mary has a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Creighton University.
As I announced earlier this week, Mr. Greg Verraneault will be joining the administrative team. You can read more about him in this edition of the Martyr Messenger. I am certain all of these fine educators will love being a part of our welcoming community. They are very excited to work with you and your children.
Please continue praying for all of our families especially the Reischls, Keegans, Ben Robinette, and Jacob Legleiter.
Much love and many blessings,
Mrs. Perrault
In this issue of Martyr Messenger you will find information about:
- Tuition in Full - Payment Reminder
- Spring Appeal School $20,000 Matching Challenge
- May Crowning - May 7th
- Spring Book Fair Results
- Last Chance to Nominate Teacher, Support Staff & Volunteers
- Home & School Updates: 'Kickball & Kona' & 'Night at the Ballpark'
- Totus Tuus & Skutt Wrestling Camp Registration
- ...and more!
Tuition In Full - Payment Reminder
The due date to pay tuition in full for the 2021-2022 school year is May 15. If your family is choosing this option, please submit your payment by May 15.
School $20,000 Matching Challenge - Every Gift (Regardless of Size) Helps!
We have been presented with a challenge! Two parish families, one with students currently enrolled at St. Stephen, have made a $20,000 matching challenge to school families to participate in our Spring Appeal. To earn this match, we will need your support! Read the below PDF for more details & to learn how your contribution helps our school!
Last Chance to Nominate Teachers, Support Staff & Volunteers!
Please consider taking the time to nominate a teacher, staff member, and/or volunteer so that their hard work and dedication to our students can be recognized. Use the button below to learn more and to complete the nomination form. The deadline to nominate is, tomorrow, Friday, April 30th.
Teacher Associates Needed for the 2021/2022 School Year!
Do you love children and education? Are you a parent or grandparent of any of our school students? Are you looking for an opportunity to work in a fun, faith-filled positive environment? We are looking for a few teacher associates for the 2021-2022 school year. There is some flexibility with days/times/etc. If you would like to talk more about this opportunity, please contact the school office and set up a time to chat (402) 896-0754. I would love to tell you more about the positions.
Mrs. Perrault
Kidzone is now accepting enrollment for Summer Camp and for Fall 2021!
Kidzone is available for enrolled TK-8th grade St. Stephen's students.
Questions? Please contact our Director, Cheryl Connolly, at c.connolly@stephen.org or call the Kidzone office at 402-896-4316.
From Home and School
Thank you to everyone who made Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week A Success!
Thank you to all of our parents for your donations and time to make Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week a success. Our teachers and staff do so much for our children and we are so grateful for your support to show them how much we appreciate all they do!
Last Home & School Meeting: May 12
Home & School will host our final meeting for the 2020/2021 School Year on May 12th. (Note: this date changed from the originally scheduled, May 5)
Kickball & Kona - Sign Up Today!
Kickball & Kona is this weekend, May 1st & 2nd! See yesterday’s email from Home & School for more details & then sign your family up using the grade-level SignUp Genius links. This is a family event & all family members are invited to attend! Reminder: one guardian must stay with your student.
- Early Childhood Education (all preschool classes)
- Kindergarten
- 1st Grade
- 2nd Grade
- 3rd Grade
- 4th Grade
- 5th Grade
- 6th Grade
- 7th Grade
- 8th Grade
Yearbooks!
There is still time to purchase your yearbook(s)! Use the link below or send $25 to the office.
commpe.pictavo.com
School Code: 92789
8th Grade Baby Pictures & Tributes: Please submit your 8th Grade Baby Pictures by Friday, May 14th. This is also the last day to purchase an 8th grade shoutout. Email them to ssmyearbook2021@gmail.com or upload them to the website.
Wanted - Pictures from the 2020 - 2021 School Year!
If you have any questions please reach out to Jenny Escobar or Kathy Gesch at ssmyearbook2021@gmail.com.
Night at the Ballpark - Save the Date!
May 27th, Game Time is 6:30 p.m. at Werner Park
Join your SSM friends by purchasing Storm Chasers tickets on the berm.
Faith at Home
Celebrate St. Joseph the Worker on May 1
St. Joseph, Jesus' foster father, had the God-given mission of nurturing, protecting, and providing for Mary and Jesus. His work is a model for all people to utilize their gifts and talents for the benefit of others. But did you know that the Catholic Church teaches that work actually helps us receive dignity from God? John Paul II points out that at the very moment of our creation, humans were given work as part of our identity when Adam was given tasks in the Garden. On St. Joseph the Worker Day, thank God for the work you have and pray for those searching for jobs.
May: the Month of Mary
May signals new growth, and as Catholics, we take pause to attribute the new life we see outside to the woman whose new life within her (Jesus) changed the world. Her "yes" meant a new climate for the human soul. This month, make a special effort to pray the Rosary, read more about Mary, or sing Marian hymns as a family. A great resource to learn about having a close relationship with Mary is called "33 Days to Morning Glory" by Fr. Michael Gaitley (available on Formed.org).
Our Parish is excited to bring the beautiful model of faith formation, Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, to the parish’s preschool-age children. Volunteers are needed to help! Click the below link to learn more.
Totus Tuus - Registration Now Open!
St. Stephen the Martyr, in collaboration with the Archdiocese of Omaha, is excited to offer Totus Tuus this summer! Totus Tuus, meaning Totally Yours was St. John Paul the Great’s motto. It signifies the desire to give oneself entirely to Jesus through Mary. This week-long program, led by trained college students, inspires in children a true longing for holiness, a deep desire for daily conversion, and openness to vocation. Registration is now open!
St. Stephen/St. Wenceslaus parishes Parochial Athletic League (PAL) football team registration for the 2021 season is open! All 2021 fall semester 5th, 6th, 7th & 8th-grade boys who attend the five-day school or whose families are St. Stephen parish members are eligible to play. The PAL league consists of teams from Parishes in the Omaha and Council Bluffs Archdiocese. Practices are at Skutt H.S. and we will play a minimum of eight varsity games and six JV games plus an end-of-season tournament.
Important Dates Coming Up
- May 7: May Crowning (Students are invited to bring flowers for Mary)
- May 10: No School (Teacher In-Service)
- May 12: Home & School Final Meeting for the 2020/2021 School Year (Note: this date changed from the originally scheduled, May 5)