A Message from Mrs. Perrault, Principal
Dear Families,
It is hard to believe that we are ending our first quarter of the 2021-2022 school year. Although the school year began differently from what many of us had hoped, we have been determined to have as much fun and keep our school as “normal” as possible while maintaining safe conditions for our students, staff, and community. Because of all of your support, prayers, and commitment to St. Stephen the Martyr School, our students are growing academically, emotionally, and spiritually. I often share with other administrators how blessed I feel being a part of this strong faith-filled community. You make a difference, and I am most grateful!
Next week you will have an opportunity to conference with the teachers. The Sign-up Genius link is included again below, in case you missed it. Also, always feel free to reach out to staff at any time if you have questions, concerns, want to say “Thank you”, or even just to say “Hello”. We do appreciate hearing from you and learning more about your children.
Thank you for all you do and for giving us the opportunity to be a part of your children’s lives.
Mrs. Perrault
In this issue of Martyr Messenger:
- Admin Updates: Fall Conferences Link, Inclement Weather, Halloween Celebrations, Lost & Found & COVID-19 Update
- Art to Remember - Orders Due Oct. 26th
- Scholastic Book Fair: Virtual Fair Launches Tomorrow, Friday, Oct. 22nd
- Local Afghan Linguist Speaks to 8th Graders About Life in Afghanistan
- Staff Spotlight: 6th Grade Team
- Home & School Updates: Yearbook Recap, Final Martry Marathon Celebrations & More
- Parish Updates: PAL Basketball Registration, Trunk-or-Treat & Blood Drive
- News From the Community
- Important Upcoming Dates
COVID-19 Update
Administration Updates
Halloween Celebrations
Our Halloween celebrations will take place on Wednesday, October 27th, except for our early preschool classes, who will have their parties on Tuesday.
Halloween Party Schedule:
Tuesday, October 26
- Mrs. Craig Morning: 9:45 a.m.
- Mrs. Craig Afternoon: 2:10 p.m.
Wednesday, October 27
- Preschool (MWF): 9:45 a.m.
- PreK Morning: 9:45 a.m.
- PreK Afternoon: 1 p.m.
- TK: 1:30 p.m.
- K-5: 2:15 p.m.
Middle School Celebration
- 6th, 7th, or 8th-grade students will celebrate with a field trip to The Mark!
- Middle school students can wear Halloween colors/t-shirts/etc. Follow Dress Down Day guidelines outlined on page 44 of the Family Handbook.
Halloween Parade
Parents are invited to attend our outdoor costume parade. Students will parade with their class around the school. The parade will begin at 2:45 p.m. with PreK, followed by Kindergarten-5th grade. Normal dismissal begins at 3:10 p.m.
Costume Guidelines for Preschool - 5th Grade
Students can wear their costumes to school on Wednesday!
(Tuesday for Mrs. Craig's students!)
- Costumes must align with our school values and should not be offensive, politically charged, gory, or against Catholic Church teachings.
- Since students will arrive in costumes, you may want to modify the costume so that it is comfortable and not distracting. Kindergarten will not attend mass on this day.
- Masks: Students are still required to have a face mask for COVID-19 with them at school, and situational use will still be enforced as needed.
Note: Costume masks may not be worn in place of regular COVID masks. Wearing a costume mask over a cloth mask could create breathing problems, so in certain situations, a costume mask may need to be placed aside so the student can wear their face mask.
Art To Remember - Orders Due Oct. 26
Our school is participating in our annual creative fundraiser with Art to Remember which allows you to purchase keepsake products customized with your child's art. The deadline to place orders is October 26th.
This year all orders are to be made online from your home. While some SSM students have already received customized order forms, many others were not finished with their drawings before the first deadline.
You still have every opportunity to order keepsakes with your child's work printed on them. For instance, if your child did not receive their customized order form, did not get artwork finished, would like to use another piece of artwork, etc., you can select a piece of artwork from home and upload it by going to Art to Remember and following the instructions included in the video below.
Scholastic Book Fair: October 25 - 28
Shop Our Scholastic Book Fair
In-Person Shopping:
- Mon. Oct. 25th - Wed. Oct. 27th
- 7:40 - 8 a.m.
- 3:10 - 3:40 p.m.
- Thursday, October 28th
- 7:45 a.m. - 6:15 p.m.
Online Shopping
- Fri. Oct. 22nd - Fri. Oct. 29th
- All orders over $25 ship FREE to your home!
- Anyone (not just school families) can shop the virtual book fair!
Local Afghan Linguist Speaks to 8th Graders About Life in Afghanistan
Guest Speaker Wraps Unit on Novel: The Breadwinner by Deborah Ellis
On Friday, Oct. 15, Mohammad Sahil, a former Linguist for the United States Military, spoke with Ms. Oliver’s eighth-grade literature students. The students had just concluded reading The Breadwinner by Deborah Ellis. Similar to the novel’s protagonist, Mr. Sahil’s life was impacted by Taliban rule in Afghanistan.
By sharing his own personal story, he gave students a glimpse into the life and the culture of Afghanistan.
Click the below button to read more about his visit to St. Stephen, including questions from our 8th-graders and Ms. Oliver's hopes for her students following his visit!
St. Stephen Staff Spotlight
Throughout the year we will shine the spotlight on the amazing team that works with your children. This week we meet our 6th Grade Team!
Which staff member...
- Says St. Kateri Tekakwitha is her favorite Saint?
- Gives this advice to parents: "Pray with and for your children."
- Wanted to be a police officer when she grew up?
- Likes softball, reading, and cooking in her spare time?
Home and School Updates
Martyr Marathon Celebrations
Last Friday, we had a great day celebrating our Martyr Marathon success! Our classroom winners enjoyed their Kona Ice parties and the entire school got to enjoy an outdoor gathering where we debuted Mrs. Perrault's fabulous makeup and students watched Mr. Verraneault get his hair cut! Our top fundraisers did a fabulous job with both hair & makeup! Despite chants from the crowd to "Make him bald!", Mr. Verranauelt was spared a few hairs!
Thank you to everyone who made Martyr Marathon such a wonderful event. And a special thank you to Mrs. Perrault & Mr. Verraneault for being such good sports!
Save the Date: Home & School Meeting, Nov. 10th
Mark your calendars! We will meet to discuss all that happened during the first semester and preview what we have in store for the second semester. Come share your ideas and provide feedback! More details to come.
Box Tops
Box Tops for Education clippings (pictured below as "The Old") are due by October 27th. This is just the due date for the cut-out box tops (please be aware of expiration dates on the clippings). Most box tops can be scanned on the Box Tops for Education app from your receipt, within 14 days of purchase.
Yearbooks
We've received lots of questions regarding yearbooks. We want to make sure families are informed, so we've created the below webpage that has all the Yearbook details you will need!
First up on Yearbook deadlines is our
Second Annual 8th-Grade Yearbook Cover Contest!
In addition to the webpage, all of these details are on the entry form below!
Be The Light - Rake the Rectory
Have you ever wondered who cares for our priests’ house and landscaping? It’s volunteers, just like you! Whether your child is young or old, all school families are invited to Be the Light at our inaugural Rake the Rectory event! This service opportunity is being hosted by SSM Home & School's Be The Light committee and is open to all school students and their families.
Faith at Home
October 22: Celebrating St. John Paul the Great and Theology of the Body
Ever wonder why our school teaches Theology of the Body? St. John Paul II - who lived through the atrocities of World War II - felt compelled to teach extensively on the inherent dignity of the human person, created and loved by God. These teachings are compiled into what we call “Theology of the Body.” Pope Saint John Paul II says Jesus’ dream for us is to live in a culture of life and a civilization of love. Ultimately, to love the way God loves, and to understand that God created us already worthy of love. So along with math, science and spelling, students learn they are wonderfully made and ultimately loved. For more information on the Theology of the Body curriculum used at St. Stephen the Martyr, visit Ruah Woods Press.
All Hallows Eve: A Special Kind of Spooky
Driving around neighborhoods, you might think that Halloween is about ghouls and grim reapers but it’s about SO MUCH MORE. Halloween, or All Hallows Eve, is a celebration of those who have passed before us, in short, for those that are dead. You can see where it took on a creepy connotation. But as Catholics, we know what is in store for us after death if we choose it. Heavenly bliss, along with the hosts of angels in praise of God is our inheritance. And so death is not scary. It’s celebrated! All Saints Day (November 1) and All Souls Day (November 2) celebrate all those who have walked the path of Christianity before us, giving thanks for their lives and witnesses and joining in mutual prayer for the salvation of souls. So when you think about it, the whole thing is more sacred than spooky! Learn more about the history of Halloween in the Catholic Church.
Parish Updates
Parishioners of all ages are invited to a spooktacular evening on Friday, October 22nd. Join us for a FREE night full of entertainment, from car decorating contests to trick-or-treating, to popcorn, hot chocolate, and more! This event is presented by St. Stephen the Martyr Youth Ministry.
From the Community
Little Jays Wrestling
- K through 8th graders of all skill levels are welcome
- Learn the fundamentals of wrestling in a fun active environment
- No experience needed
Upcoming Duchesne Events:
- Discover Duchesne! - Multiple Dates Available
- College Counseling Information Night - Thursday, October 21
- Harvest Party for 8thGrade Girls - Saturday, October 30
- Open House for 5th-8thGraders and Parents - Sunday, November 7
- 8thGrade Entrance and Scholarship Exam - Saturday, January 8
- 7th Grade Practice Exam - Saturday, January 15
Important Upcoming Dates
- October 22nd – Trunk-or-Treat
- October 25-28th – Scholastic Book Fair
- October 26th – Early Preschool (Mrs. Craig) Halloween Parties
- October 27th
- Halloween Parties - Preschool, PreK, TK, K-5
- 6-8th Field Trip to The Mark
- Halloween Parade – Outside, 2:45 – 3 p.m.
- Report Cards Sent Home
- October 28th – Fall Conferences (No School)
- October 29th – No School
- November 1st – No School (In-service)
- November 2nd – Classes Resume
- November 10th – Home & School Meeting