A Message from Mrs. Perrault, Principal
Dear Families,
Thanksgiving is a time for all of us to pause our busy lives and take time to reflect on our many blessings and say “thank you” to our family, our friends, and especially our Lord.
My personal Thanksgiving reflection will include a special thanks for the gift of each of you as members of our St. Stephen the Martyr family. I especially thank you for entrusting your most precious gifts – your children – to our school and staff.
May your Thanksgiving Day be filled with joy and peace. I wish you a safe and happy holiday.
Mrs. Perrault
In this issue of Martyr Messenger:
- Admin Updates: Thanksgiving Food Drive, Progress Reports, Supporting Your Children, November EFTs, 8th Grade Fundraiser & Covid-19 Update
- Staff Spotlight: 5th Grade Team
- Home & School Updates: School Musical Auditions, Christmas Gift Fund, Santa Shoppe Save the Date & More!
- Parish Updates: 2021 Annual Report, Opportunities to Get Involved & Soccer Equipment Return Day
- From the Community: Marian Open House & Skutt Dance Team Clinic
- Important Upcoming Dates
COVID-19 Update
Administration Updates
Partnering With You to Support Your Child
We understand that all of our families may go through difficult times. During the turbulence of life, we invite you to lean on our teachers and staff to provide your child extra support while at school. We hope you feel comfortable letting your child’s teacher(s) know if there is anything that might affect your child’s social and/or emotional well-being while at school. You can also contact our school counselor. We want to work with you to provide a comforting environment.
Progress Reports To Be Posted: Tuesday, Nov. 23rd
- Log in to your Sycamore account so that you are on your main page.
- On the right-hand side of your screen, you will see an area labeled 'My Students'.
- Click on your child and select documents. You should see a list of previous report cards, progress reports and other reports as well as the current report card.
- Click on the report card to view your child’s current grades.
- Progress reports will be posted Tuesday afternoon, Nov. 23rd.
November EFT Statements
Unfortunately, our current EFT statements are not itemized. Several families may have seen a higher than expected deduction this month. Here are the items that were included in this month's deductions:
- Field Trip or Special Visitors fees from September and October activities
- Sacrament Preparation fees
- Extra Entree lunch fees
- Home & School Dues and Contributions that you elected to pay via EFT. In addition to your $30 dues, you may have elected to use EFT deduction for the following: an extra school directory, yearbook(s), bulk copy paper, or donations for Catholic Schools Week Teacher Appreciation Lunch, Teacher Christmas Gift Fund/Program, Teacher Appreciation Week or Monthly Teacher Hospitality Cart. If you have questions about what Home & School contributions you elected to pay via EFT please email Home & School at ssmhomeandschool@gmail.com.
8th Grade Fundraiser: Save the Date - January 8th
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 5th Grade Team!
Which staff member...
- Wanted to grow up to be an eye doctor?
- Has a twin brother?
- Has a ring with a mustard seed in it, reminding her of her favorite scripture: Matthew 17:20.
Home and School Updates
School Musical 2022
Be Prepared! Our school musical registration and auditions begin in December!
Hosted by Home & School and partially funded through a grant from the Nebraska Arts Council, our school musical introduces 1st-8th grade students to everything that goes into the production of a musical!
From acting, singing, and dancing to lighting, sound, set design, our students learn and grow together with instruction from professional musicians, directors, and choreographers.
Important Dates:
- Dec. 1 - Jan. 21: Registration (on our website, linked below)
- Dec. 6th & 7th: Auditions for Grades 6-8 (details below)
- Jan. 18th: Rehearsals Begin
- April 4th-6th: Tech Week (all must be present)
- April 8th: Performance, 7:30 PM
- April 9th: Performance, 7:00 PM
Auditions for Actors: Grades 6-8
Dec. 6th & 7th: 3:30 - 5:30 PM
(Room 116: Music Room)
All 6-8th grade students are welcome to audition. Everyone who auditions will be given a role. You must complete a registration form on the website no later than Dec. 4th to audition.
Student Actors: Grades 1-5
Students in these grades perform songs and dances as part of a group. No auditioning - everyone gets a part.
Scenic Crew: Grades 4-8
Interested young artists are invited to join us for Scenery Workshops!
Tech & Backstage Crews: Grade 6-8
As a member of these crews, students help with lighting, sound, stage & production management. Tech & Backstage Crews are a key part of bringing the musical to life!
St. Nicholas Cookie & Ornament Exchange
The exchange is underway! Hosts from each grade level will be reaching out with the time and date for your grade's event. If you do not receive an invite by November 21st, please reach out to Sarah O'Leary at sarah.oleary@plcschools.org.
Christmas Gift Program
Home & School invites families to participate in our annual Teacher/Staff Christmas Gift Program. This program ensures that every staff member that interacts with our students receives some Christmas love! Donations are combined into one Christmas fund that is then equitably shared, bringing Christmas cheer to our dedicated teachers and staff members. Participation is easy! Here is how to donate*:
- Donate Cash or Checks (made payable to SSM Home & School): Place donations in envelopes labeled "Christmas Gift Program" with your family name, children’s names & grade levels and send them to school with your child or you can drop them off in the box in the school office.
Donations will be collected through Dec. 10th. View the below flyer for more details.
*Note: Several of our families have already generously donated to this program via our Home & School Dues & Contribution form. If you already did so, you may disregard this request. If the Christmas spirit moves you to give again, you are always invited to do so.
Ho! Ho! Ho! - Santa Shoppe is Back!
After giving Santa's elves a year off in 2020, we're putting them back to work!
Save the date for this year's Santa Shoppe: Dec. 13th & 14th.
This annual event allows our K-8th grade students the opportunity to shop for their families and friends at school. Gifts are wrapped on-site so they can surprise everyone, even their parents! While early childhood students don't shop, they'll still get to partake in some festive fun! More details coming soon.
Home & School Meeting Minutes
Thank you to all who attended the last H&S meeting. Below are the meeting minutes if you were unable to attend. As we continue to explore after-school extracurriculars please reach out to us if you have ideas, are willing to help lead, or want to learn more. We are looking to pilot a group or two in the spring semester. So let us know if you are interested. Thank you!
2nd Annual Yearbook Cover Contest
Final Reminder: The deadline for 8th-graders to submit an entry for the Yearbook Cover Contest is December 1st. The artwork should represent their most memorable time at St. Stephen the Martyr Catholic School. The winning drawing will be displayed on the front cover of the 2021/2022 yearbook. All others will be included in the yearbook. Learn more about the cover contest and all yearbook news at school.stephen.org/yearbook.
Art to Remember: Last Chance!
It's not too late to preserve your student's art for years to come! Visit our website for all of the details: school.stephen.org/art-to-remember.
Faith at Home
Christ the King - November 21
In a post-World War I atmosphere of rising tyrants in all corners of Europe, people were abandoning the Christian faith in favor of economic advantage and secularism. So Pope Pius XI created the Feast of Christ the King, declaring that Christ is King above all kings and he is a king of peace. So make today all about building peace! Tiny actions of peace like letting an irritating comment slide or seeking forgiveness from someone have eternal impact. How can you be a peace-bringer today?
Thanksgiving - November 25
Practicing gratitude is one of the best things you can do for your spiritual and mental health. But it can be hard to teach children to have an attitude of gratitude in today’s world of instant gratification. This Thanksgiving, instead of simply listing things that you are grateful for, consider a mindset switch. Today, replace the phrase “I have to” with “I get to”! “I have to clean my house before the guests arrive” is transformed when you say “I get to clean my house for my guests!” Simple changes in your thought patterns can completely change the way you present the world to your child. Let us take action today to encourage a generation of thanks-givers!
Parish Updates
Our 2021 St. Stephen the Martyr Catholic Church Annual Report is ready for your review! As Father Dave shares in the report, "a fundamental element of our parish is the generosity of our people. As you will see in this summary of the 2020-2021 fiscal year, there are many parishioners who have shared their compassion, time, gifts, and financial resources to help the love and peace of Jesus Christ be experienced in our parish, classrooms, neighborhoods, and homes. As you take time to read this summary, please join me in offering a prayer of gratitude for our family of faith, and for the many who offer what they have been given by God to support and nurture all who enter our doors." Thank you for your support of St. Stephen the Martyr Catholic Church!
Upcoming Opportunities to Get Involved
The Community Care/Social Justice Ministry adopted Project Harmony and the Stephen Center for their annual Family CHRISTmas Project.
This opportunity focuses on “Clothing the Naked” – one of the Seven Corporal Works of Mercy and it models how we should treat others as if they are Christ in disguise. Families can participate by donating new items:
- Pajamas in size newborn to adult (adult-sized are for teenagers)
- Bedding Sheets in size twin or full (no blankets or comforters)
Place unwrapped donations in the baskets in the Gathering Space or Parish Center by Dec. 12th. Click here to learn more.
Be the hands and feet of Christ! Get involved, and put your faith into action! We have a wide variety of family-friendly opportunities coming up. Sign-up is required. Learn more at: stephen.org/youth-service/
The Angel Tree Project, organized by Youth Ministry, collects donations for four area organizations: Essential Pregnancy Services, Open Door Mission, St. Augustine Indian Mission, and St. Stephen's Food Pantry.
In the Gathering Space, there is one tree per organization adorned with ornaments of requested items. Families are invited to select one or several ornaments, purchase the items listed, and place* donated items under the designated tree. Please bring unwrapped donated items by Noon on Sunday, Dec. 5th; or by Friday, Dec. 3rd for St. Augustine Indian Mission donations. Learn more at: stephen.org/angel-tree.
Trivia Night is Saturday, January 22nd, 2022. Registration opens on Friday, December 3rd. Sign up to volunteer, sponsor a round or donate items at stephen.org/trivia-night.
Soccer Equipment Return Day
Attention Soccer Coaches: SSM Sports Club is hosting a soccer equipment return on Saturday, Nov. 20th from 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. Please bring any soccer equipment that you have to the shed next to the St. Stephen playground. Thank you for your time and dedication during this fall soccer season.
We appreciate your commitment to coaching our youth!
From the Community
Marian Open House
Sunday, Nov. 21
Noon - 2:30 p.m.
Noon - 2:30 p.m.
Open House is for girls currently enrolled in 5th - 8th grades and their families. Customized tours of the school will allow you to:
- See our building updates, the Haddix Academic Center and the Servants of Mary Chapel.
- Explore the sprawling 40-acre campus, including the Performing Arts Center, STEM classroom and journalism lab.
- Gather tuition assistance and scholarship information.
- Learn about the one-to-one iPad initiative.
- Meet our students and faculty and experience the spirit of Marian.
Skutt Catholic Dance Team Clinic
At the clinic, you are sure to enjoy a fun time with dance, games, and crafts. Afterward, dancers will perform at halftime of the boy's basketball game.
When: Friday, Dec. 10th, 5-8 p.m.
Who: Kindergarten - 8th grade
Where: Skutt Catholic High School Commons
Questions: Contact Coach Emily at dance@skuttcatholic.com
Important Upcoming Dates
- November 23rd – Progress Reports Posted
- November 24th - 26th – No School (Thanksgiving Break)
- November 29th – No School (Teacher In-Service)
- November 30th – Classes Resume
- December 6th & 7th – First Reconciliation
- December 13th & 14th – Santa Shoppe
- December 17th – Early Dismissal (11 a.m.)
- December 18th – January 3rd - No School (Christmas Break)
- January 4th – Classes Resume