A Message from Mrs. Perrault, Principal
Dear Families,
Happy New Year to all of our students, staff, and families! We have thrived during the past year welcoming 32 new students who have joined our school community since August. Our growth in enrollment really speaks volumes to what an incredible community and culture our staff, students, and families have created here at SSM.
I understand that the past two years have presented struggles and obstacles. We have a diverse community sharing very different perspectives and opinions, but through it all, we have remained united in our one goal– creating an academic environment that is rooted in respect, faith, and love for our children. We may not always agree as a whole, but that is human nature. It is the respect we have for one another and our faith that makes all the difference. So as we enter a new year together, please know that I value you, and I look forward to finishing this school year together “united in Christ to ignite the joy of faith, community, learning!”
Mrs. Perrault
In this issue of Martyr Messenger:
- Admin Updates: COVID-19 Update, Report Cards, Textbook Loan forms, Mask Donations Needed & more
- Staff Spotlight: 4th Grade Team
- Home & School Updates: Open House Volunteers Needed, EPS Penny War, Be The Light Updates, Winter Social Event & more
- Parish Updates: Trivia Night, Iron Sharpens Iron, KOC Free Throw Contest & 'Changing Our ProChoice Culture' event
COVID-19 Update
Administration Updates
Report Cards Sent Home Tomorrow
Watch Friday folders tomorrow for second-quarter report cards. Parents should sign the envelope and return it to school. You may keep the report card.
Return Textbook Loan Forms Tomorrow
One final reminder to please return the completed textbook loan forms tomorrow. St. Stephen the Martyr School receives some of our textbooks from the Millard School District and we must have these forms completed in order to do so. Contact Courtenay in the school office with any questions at c.swanstrom@stephen.org.
Donation Request: Adult-Size Disposable Masks
We are running out of adult-size disposable masks in the office. Any donations would be greatly appreciated!
Reminder, all students should wear one mask to school and have an extra in their backpack.
Spirit Wear Order Due Tomorrow!
Order Spirit Wear and support the 8th graders traveling to DC this spring. This will be the final order of the school year. These t-shirts and hoodies can be worn on Martyr Mondays. Order by Friday, January 7, 2022 using the below button.
Fundraiser for 8th Grade DC Trip - This Saturday!
Upcoming Event Hosted by SSM Girl Scouts
There are still tickets available for the Ties & Tiaras Daddy-Daughter Dance! The first 75 reserved tickets will receive a free tiara at check-in. Don't miss this fun evening sponsored by the St. Stephen the Martyr Girl Scouts!
Home and School Updates
Open House January 30th - We Need Your Help!
New families can begin registering for our Open House this weekend! We need volunteers that will welcome them and share their love of St. Stephen.
Shifts are an hour long and no experience is needed. Your student is invited to join you and we will provide a FAQ sheet to help with any questions that may arise. Thank you for considering this volunteer opportunity!
EPS Penny Wars!
January 10th-14th
Join us for an EPS Penny War, a competition between grades that will be won by the grade that collects the most change! Check out all the rules by clicking the button below & learn how students can earn the most points for their grades! An extra Recess or Dress Down Day is the prize for the grade that wins!
Be The Light Committee: Service Opportunity
Would you like to Inspire your kids to serve the poor and homeless?
Join us on January 29th from 4:30 - 6:45 p.m. at the Stephen Center.
God calls us to fulfill the Corporal Works of Mercy, which includes “feeding the hungry and giving drink to the thirsty.”
All youth must be accompanied by an adult. Use the button below for more details and to sign up. Come and be the hands and feet of Jesus!
Epiphany Blessing
Deacon Jerry stopped by the school this week and blessed our school doors that our students, teachers, staff and visitors enter and exit through each day. We thank our Be The Light Committee for organizing and Deacon Jerry for his time!
This is the blessing he read:
"Visit, Oh Blessed Lord, this school with the gladness of your presence. Bless all who study, work or visit here with the gift of your love, and grant that we may manifest your love to each other and to all whose lives we touch.
May we all grow in grace and in the knowledge and love of you; guide, comfort, and strengthen us in peace, O Jesus Christ, now and forever. Amen.”
Learn more about Epiphany by clicking the buttons below.
Faith at Home
The Holy Name of Jesus
January is usually filled with good intentions that dissipate, so why not use this January to pack a real punch? The month of January is dedicated to the Holy Name of Jesus, and that’s a name that has the power to stop evil in its tracks. Saints have driven out demons, conquered sin and increased virtue by regularly invoking the name of Jesus. In Hebrew, the name literally means “God saves”. Scripture says “at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:10) Just uttering the name Jesus has immense power. To invoke the power of the name of Jesus in your life, use the following prayer, written by St. Bernadine of Sienna:
Jesus, Name full of glory, grace, love and strength! You are the refuge of those who repent, our banner of warfare in this life, the medicine of souls, the comfort of those who morn, the delight of those who believe, the light of those who preach the true faith, the wages of those who toil, the healing of the sick. To You our devotion aspires; by You our prayers are received; we delight in contemplating You. O Name of Jesus, You are the glory of all the saints for eternity. Amen.
Parish Updates
Have you reserved your Trivia Night table yet? Only a few tables remain!
Or sign up to volunteer!
- Check-In, Setup & Social Hour: 6-7 PM
- Trivia begins at 7 PM
- Must be 21 years or older
Learn more: stephen.org/trivia-night
Important Upcoming Dates
- January 7th – Report Cards & Spirit Wear Orders Due
- January 8th
- High School Entrance Exams - Please pray for our 8th graders!
- 8th Grade DC Trip Fundraiser Dinner
- January 10 - 14th – EPS Penny War (see above for details)
- January 15th – Ties & Tiaras Dance Sponsored by SSM Girl Scouts
- January 17th – No School (Teacher in-service)
- January 21st – Knights of Columbus Free Throw Contest
- January 22nd – Trivia Night