A Message from Mrs. Perrault, Principal

Dear Families,

This week I was reminded of the joys of teaching. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to fill in and sub for an 8th-grade science class. I taught middle school English for 24 years so needless to say, I was a bit worried about being out of my comfort zone with the content. With the assistance of our amazing 8th graders, I was able to not only absolutely enjoy the time I spent with them, but I also learned a bit about photosynthesis. We really are blessed here at SSM. I wanted to share this with all of you because sometimes we all need reminders about why our teachers and staff do what they do every day – it is for the love of your children.

2022-2023 enrollment will open at the end of the month. We hope that all of our Preschool-7th grade families will return. Enrollment this year will be completed through a new online enrollment tool, FACTS Management. This summer we will transition to the FACTS payment and school information systems for the 2022/2023 school year. More information outlining the new tool is included below. Next week we will email instructions on how to enroll your students for the 2022/2023 school year using FACTS.

You will also find information about Catholic Schools Week in this edition of the Martyr Messenger. I am always so excited about this week. Although we celebrate our faith every day, this is the one week we get to spend every day reflecting on the important role that our Catholic education has on the community, nation, and the future of our children.

Mrs. Perrault

"Catholic schools, which always strive to join their work of education with the explicit proclamation of the Gospel, are a most valuable resource for the evangelization of culture [...]"

Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium, No. 134, of the Holy Father, Pope Francis.

In this issue of Martyr Messenger:

Admin Updates: COVID-19 Update, Re-Enrollment Rollout, Catholic Schools Week & Safe Environment Training
Home & School Updates: Mid-Year Used Uniform Sale, Open House Volunteers Needed, EPS Penny War, Winter Social Event & more
Parish Updates: PAL Registrations and Events, Planned Giving Seminar, Hearts Open Wide Service Opportunity
Community Updates: Blood Drive at SSM, High School Alumni Achievements, Omaha Public Library Writing Contest

COVID-19 Update

Our number of Covid cases has increased since we returned to school after Christmas break. As of this morning, we have 17 students in quarantine at home due to household exposure and 9 active positive cases (PreK-8). Since all students are masking, the protocols for classroom exposure have not changed. If there is a report of a positive student or staff, students in the classes/cohorts will continue masking. Because of this, we will no longer send letters after each case. We will continue filing reports with the health department and send letters when the Douglas County Health Department gives us different directives (for example if there is a cluster concern and in-person instruction is affected).

With the shortened quarantine, we do not have students missing too many consecutive instructional days, but we are having some difficulty finding substitutes when our staff members are out. If you have a teaching degree or would like to learn about how to become certified as a local substitute teacher (which does not require a teaching certificate) please check out the requirements: www.education.ne.gov/tcert/substitute-teacher/local-substitute-permit or reach out to Mrs. Perrault or Mr. Verraneault. We would love to have more of our parents in our classrooms.

school.stephen.org/covid

We will continue to provide updates in the Martyr Messenger and will update the website at school.stephen.org/covid with any new information as it becomes available.

Administration Updates

Enrollment 2022/2023 - FACTS Rollout

We are excited to announce that we are migrating our student information system, enrollment/application process, and financial management system to FACTS Management. This will replace our current information system, Sycamore. What does this mean for you? You will be able to manage all of your family's "school business" through one Family Portal.

A few highlights:

Access from anywhere: The FACTS Family Portal gives families access to school information on any device – from laptop to smartphone – and on all browsers.
Enrollment becomes "re-enrollment": After this year's initial launch, you will no longer need to re-enter your student and family information. The student information system works seamlessly with the enrollment and application software to change your annual enrollment to re-enrollment. Previously completed fields are pre-populated for your review, making enrollment a breeze.
Fewer Paper Forms: Submit your student's medical forms, baptism certificates, emergency contact information, etc. all digitally to be stored safely and securely. Next year, you'll only be asked to review the information and update anything that is outdated.
Financial Management Moves Online: Tuition payment, tuition assistance, and incidental billing (eLunch, field trips, Kidzone, sacrament fees, technology fees, Home & School fees, etc.) are included in the new financial management tool. For incidental billing, you will have the choice of ACH, debit/credit cards, or checks for payment. Tuition will be payable via ACH with one, two or 10-month payment plans. You will be able to access your financial account from any device, see incidental charges, and set up payment reminders to be sent to you via text or email.

Next week, you will receive information on how to create your Family Portal and a step-by-step guide walking you through the enrollment process. On January 30th, you will receive an email inviting you to re-enroll your students for the 2022/2023 school year.

Note: While new students will be able to begin applying on the same date our current students begin re-enrollment, current students and their siblings still have priority admission based on our admissions policy outlined on page nine of our Family Handbook.

Catholic Schools Week: Jan. 30th - Feb. 4th

Our teachers have a fun, faith-filled week planned for our students. See all the details below and visit our website for even more information! Follow our social media channels throughout the week as we share daily themes, Dress Down Day reminders and features on the fun activities! Finally, don't forget to vote for St. Stephen the Martyr daily in the Spirit Catholic Radio's 10th Annual Superstar Catholic Schools Contest! See below for voting details.

Click Here For More 2022 Catholic Schools Week Information

Spirit Catholic Radio Superstar Catholic Schools Contest - Vote For St. Stephen!

For 10 YEARS, Spirit Catholic Radio has been shining a spotlight on Catholic schools in our area. The competition begins Monday, Jan. 31 and lasts through Feb. 11. Winners will be announced on Feb. 14. Vote for St. Stephen using the button below!

Vote For SSM on Jan. 31st!

Want to Volunteer at School? Get Safe Environment Certified at SSM on Monday, January 31st

All school volunteers ages 19+ must be Safe Environment certified. Interested volunteers can complete the certification anywhere in Omaha, but we will be hosting a training right here at St. Stephen the Martyr on Monday, January 31st, 6:30 – 9 p.m. in the Dining Room. Training is free of charge, but registration is required. Register at omaha.cmgconnect.org or for more details, visit school.stephen.org/safe-environment-training.

Volunteer in the Library

Miss Garrett needs volunteers to help check-out out the younger grades and to help shelve the books students have returned. Sign Up Here

Upcoming Event Hosted by SSM Boy Scouts

Home and School Updates

Mid-Year Used Uniform Sale Details:

Payment Forms: Cash or Check only. 100% of the proceeds go directly to SSM Home & School Association
Volunteer: Want to shop early? Sign up to volunteer and gain early access to the sale.
Uniform Information: school.stephen.org/uniforms

Donate Used Uniforms for the Sale

This sale will be a DONATION of uniforms ONLY. No labeling is required since ALL items are considered a donation.
As a reminder, we no longer accept boys’ light blue polos or navy screen-printed sweatshirts for the uniform sale.
Drop off items in the SOUTH entry of school now until Thursday, January 27. No late items will be accepted.
There will be no pickup option for any unsold uniform items. All unsold items will be considered a donation to Home and School for the following year’s sale.

Questions? Please email us at ssmhomeandschool@gmail.com.

Join us Feb. 26th for a Party at the Ski Lodge!

Reservations are now being accepted for this NEW event! Tickets are limited to the first 150 registrants. Use the RSVP button below to register. Questions? Contact Malori at malorititman@gmail.com.

RSVP Here

EPS Penny Wars!

Final Collection: Tomorrow, Jan. 21, 8:30 AM

EPS Penny War Details!

Be The Light Committee: Service Opportunity

There at still slots open for our Stephen Center service event. Join us on Jan. 29th from 4:30 - 6:45 p.m.

Sign Up Here

Volunteer, Jan. 30th at Our Open House!

We still need volunteers that will welcome new families 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!

Sign Up To Volunteer at Our Open House

Faith at Home

January 22: Day of Prayer for the Unborn

Jesus said “Let the little children come to me…for the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these.” (Matthew 19:14) The smallest and most forgotten of God’s children - the unborn - will be lifted up worldwide as Catholics unite to pray for their protection and for their mothers. On this day, many Catholics come together to pray the rosary. Although the subject is sensitive, small children can understand that we pray to keep all babies safe from harm. To further the conversation with your children, print off this coloring page and talk with your children about ways we can truly build a fully pro-life culture that protects the vulnerable.

January 24: Our Lady of Peace

Mary has been called “Queen of Peace” because she ushered peace into the world with her “yes” to the Angel Gabriel and her presence at the foot of the cross when peace was won. But devotion to this aspect of Our Lady developed in various warring nations, most notably in France during the Revolution and in El Salvador during their civil war. She holds a dove and an olive branch and pleads for peace among nations and families. Visit here to learn about a special 31 Day Novena to Our Lady of Peace.

Parish Updates

Join us for an Introduction to Planned Giving

Jan. 27th, 6 - 7:15 PM - Gonderinger Parish Center

Preparing and having a healthy estate plan is critical for the loved ones around us and the charitable interests that are important in our lives. It’s our hope this Introduction into Planned Giving discussion, presented by estate planning attorney Justin Hochstein, will be beneficial to you and provide the latest insight and important tax updates as you prepare or review your existing estate plans. Register using the button below. If you have any questions please contact Catiana Urrutia at 402-861-45451 or c.urrutia@stephen.org

Register Here

SSM Sports Club Updates:

Open to 4th-8th grade girls and boys teams. Space is limited.

PAL, Bronze, or Silver Level Club Teams Only
Registration Fee $155
3 Game Guarantee
Individual Awards for 1st & 2nd Place
Games will be played at St. Stephen and Skutt Catholic – all games on a full-court
Entry Deadline February 16th, 2022, 11:59 PM CST

For more information, email coreyguenther34@gmail.com.

Flames Classic Registration

Soccer Registration

Track Registration

From the Community

SSM Alumni On High School Honor Rolls

We are proud of all of our alumni who continue their academic success in high school! When we are notified by high schools, we will share the achievements on our webpage: school.stephen.org/alumni. First semester honors roll students have been added to the website. Congratulations to all of our alumni!

Blood Drive - Sponsored By Knights of Columbus

Saturday, February 5, 2022 from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

To schedule your appointment at St. Stephen, visit redcrossblood.org, search with Sponsor Code "StStephen" and reserve your time or schedule by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Learn More

Important Upcoming Dates

January 21st – Knights of Columbus Free Throw Contest
January 22nd – Trivia Night
January 28-29^th – Used Uniform Sale
January 30^th – Open House
January 30th- February 4^th – Catholic Schools Week
February 14: Valentine’s Day Parties
February 17: 11 AM Dismissal & Conferences
February 18 & 21: No School

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