A Message from Mrs. Perrault, Principal
Dear Families,
Happy Spring! This week is a beautiful example of God’s gift of sunshine and joy. It has been so much fun “feeling appreciated” this week by our families. We know that this week is symbolic of how much you do for us all year round. I hope you also feel appreciated by our staff because we are so very fortunate to be blessed with all of you and your children.
As I continue to say– this spring brings many activities. I am thrilled that classes are going on field trips. For many students, this will be their first field trip as a St. Stephen student. Isn’t that hard to believe? Please look at the Google School Calendar for all the upcoming events. Also, this edition of the Martyr Messenger highlights some things coming up.
Just a little word about enrollment: We are thrilled that most of our students will be returning for the 2022-23 school year. If you are in need of financial assistance, we will be sending a link to the application next week.
Yesterday we dedicated The Boden Reischl Artist of the Month memorial. Please take a moment to visit the webpage school.stephen.org/art to learn about Boden and his legacy.
I hope you are having a beautiful spring full of hope and peace.
United in Christ,
Mrs. Perrault
In this issue of Martyr Messenger:
- Admin Updates: The Boden Reischl Artist of the Month Dedication, May Crowning, Rotary Scholars, 7th Grade Physical Information, Open Staff Positions, Martyr Mission DDD, "Teacher, Support Staff & Volunteer of the Year" Nominations, 4th-Grader Plays At Carnegie Hall
- Home & School Updates: Used Uniform Committee Chair Needed, A Night at the Ball Park, Faith at Home
- Parish Updates: Martyr Mission Ticket Sales, Martyr Moms Easter Egg Hunt, Joy of Giving Save the Date
- Sports Club Updates: Volleyball Clinic Registration Open, Fall Sports Registrations & Basketball Coordinator Needed
- Community Updates: Creighton Prep NHS, Marian Softball Camp, Flaming Hoops Basketball Camp, Marian Summer Camps
Administration Updates
The Boden Reischl Artist of the Month
To honor and remember Boden Reischl, a St. Stephen 5th-grader and gifted artist who passed away suddenly in the spring of 2021, the Artist of the Month program has been renamed, The Boden Reischl Artist of the Month. Yesterday, on April 27, 2022, Boden's second heavenly birthday, Mrs. Perrault dedicated the program, and Fr. Dave Belt blessed the plaque that will hang in the Artist Gallery. Learn more about Boden and his life-giving legacy at school.stephen.org/art.
May Crowning - Bring A Flower For Mary
Each student is invited to bring a flower on Thursday, May 5th. Flowers will be arranged and placed in the church to honor Mary for our May Crowning after 8:15 AM Mass on Friday, May 6th.
Rotary Scholars
For nearly 100 years the Rotary Club of Omaha has honored Omaha youth by way of the yearly Honor Roll Event. The Rotary Honor Roll, a time-honored tradition, distinguishes 8th-grade students who represent the highest characteristics of leadership, character, scholarship & presence. This criterion has been the litmus test since the inception of the award in the early 1900s. The event has also been a platform to award scholarships to chosen graduating seniors who, just 4 years earlier, were 8th grade Honor Roll recipients.
We would like to congratulate this year’s Rotary Scholars:
- Madeline Caldwell
- Mara Hartwig
- Sawyer Poling
- Isabelle Romberg
The Honor Roll event will be virtual this year on May 11, 2022, Wednesday, from 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM.
CSF Scholarship Application Deadline: May 6
Children's Scholarship Fund (CSF) scholarship applications for the 2022-23 school year will close on Friday, May 6th. CSF can accept documentation for up to two weeks after the deadline, but all families who wish to be eligible for CSF funding must apply by May 6, 2022.
7th Grade Physical Information
The Nebraska School Law requires all students entering 7th grade to have a physical examination by a physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner within six (6) months prior to the start of school. A dental examination is recommended at this time. We do not require a specific form to be submitted, the physician’s office will provide a printout of the appointment details and immunizations. Click the below PDF for more details.
We're Hiring!
We are actively recruiting candidates for the following positions. Please help us fill these important roles by sharing with those who you think might be interested or apply yourself, if you would make a great fit!
Seeking a positive, engaging, and faith-filled math teacher to join our middle school team in the fall of 2022. The positions will require that the teacher plans for, teaches, and facilitates learning for students and creates a positive Catholic learning environment. The teacher will provide interventions and accommodations to support the students’ participation and progress in the curriculum. Teachers will also maintain academic progress and records for students while working collaboratively with students, parents, and staff.
Seeking support staff team members (age 16+) and teachers (19+) for our childcare program, Kidzone. We are hiring for this summer and for the 2022/2023 school year. Schedules are flexible and can work with teen sports/school schedules.
Earn A Dress Down Day on May 4 With A Donation to Martyr Mission!
Teacher, Support Staff & Volunteer of the Year
Each year, the School Advisory Board strives to recognize the exceptional work of our teachers, staff and volunteers through our annual Teacher of the Year, Support Staff of the Year, and Volunteer of the Year awards. We need your help. 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. Complete the fields below to submit your nominations. The deadline to nominate is Friday, May 13.
St. Stephen 4th-Grader, Sarah Fernandes, Plays At Carnegie Hall
One of our very own, 4th-grader Sarah Fernandes, made her debut at Carnegie Hall on April 15. She was featured in the Omaha World-Herald article: 10-year-old girl from Omaha plays piano at Carnegie Hall: 'It felt really special' (linked below). Congratulations, Sarah! We are proud of you!
Home and School Updates
Used Uniform Sale Committee Chair Needed!
Do you love a good bargain? Have you dreamed of opening your own boutique? Well, have we got the gig for you! We are seeking someone to chair our Used Uniform Sale Committee for the 2022/2023 school year!
Here's what to expect: This committee chair is responsible for leading a group of volunteers to collect uniform donations from families, plan and host used uniform sales at school in July & at Back to School Night in August. Depending on demand, the committee may host a mid-year sale. Committee chairs and members always get first dibs on any of the merchandise!
Does this sound like the volunteer opportunity you've been waiting for? Contact us at ssmhomeandschool@gmail.com. View all of our open committee head and member positions using the button below. Don't see something that fits your talents? Email us at ssmhomeandschool@gmail.com and we will find the perfect spot for you!
A Night At the Ball Park: Save the Date - May 6
Faith at Home
Create a Mary Garden in May
Spring has (finally) sprung! And what better way to celebrate the new life teeming around us than to honor the woman whose “yes” to new life changed the world! May is dedicated to Mary in the Catholic Church. Why not celebrate Mary, Mother’s Day, and the arrival of Spring by creating a Mary Garden? A statue of Our Lady surrounded in freshly planted flowers can be the perfect place to sit and just “be” with your children. More details on creating a Mary Garden.
True Devotion to Mary on the Feast of St. Louis de Montfort
Today is the feast day of St. Louis deMontfort - a saint well known for his love of the Blessed Virgin Mary. His writings on her role in the spiritual life are considered “Catholic classics” and his Consecration to the Blessed Virgin Mary is widely used to this day. In his book True Devotion to Mary, de Montfort says that the more a soul is devoted to Mary, the more devoted it is to Jesus because of all the created beings, “Mary is most perfectly in conformity with Our Lord Jesus Christ.” Today, spend time with the Mary by saying a rosary or check out the book 33 Days to Morning Glory by Fr. Michael Gaitley.
Parish Updates
Summer is around the corner, so we're opening up bidding early on two of our most popular packages! Place your bids NOW! Bidding will close on Friday, April 29 at 8 PM! Don't want to wait? Click on Buy Now and it's yours!
The Tiburon Pool Membership & More(package #207) includes a Tiburon Family Pool Membership with all the sun-lovin' essentials: rolling cooler, $50 Apple I-tunes gift cards, oversized beach towel, youth goggles, sunscreen, STIR coffee hydro flask (discount on refills), munchies, and 4 Tiburon swim team t-shirts!
The Mount Michael Summer Camp (package #113) is for boys ages 7-14. Ride horses, shoot archery, play games, and more! Choose one full week: June 26-July 1, July 10-15, July 17-22, July 24-29.
Have you purchased your tickets yet? Click the button below to purchase tickets, donate to special Fund-A-Needs, browse the auction (new items added weekly, check back often), and more. Can't attend but still want to help? Check out our volunteer opportunities using the button below.
Easter Egg Hunt
Join us in celebrating the Easter season with an egg hunt! Hop on over to the micro soccer fields (just east of the playground) at 10 AM on Saturday, April 30th. Martyr Moms will be hosting the egg hunt and live rabbits! If your little one has been dreaming of petting a real live rabbit, now's their chance! All ages are welcome to visit the rabbits and ages 10 and under may participate in the egg hunt. Please RSVP at the link below so we know how many kiddos to expect.
Sports Club Updates
Fall Sports
- Volleyball Registration (now open - see below)
- Football Registration (now open - see below)
- Cross Country Registration (coming soon!)
Basketball Coordinator
We have an opening for a Basketball Coordinator. Responsibilities of this volunteer role include coordinating tryouts, team creation, and helping arrange practice times. There is also an important meeting for new coordinators with the PAL director in July. If interested or have questions, please contact Corey Guenther at coreyguenther34@gmail.com or 402-206-6488; or John Carda at johncardaatc@gmail.com or 402-850-7127.
Volleyball Registration
Football Registration
From the Community
Creighton Prep National Honor Society Inducts Ten St. Stephen Class of 2019 Graduates
On April 3rd, Creighton Prep's National Honor Society inducted ten Class of 2019 St. Stephen alumni! Congratulations to these young men!
Back Row: Colton Schmaderer, Jake Stringer, Max Kalkowski, Diarmuid Reisbig, Joe Circo
Front row: Scott Camero, Gabe Hermanek, Luke Heck, Jacob Williams (Not pictured: Dillon Reinders)
Skutt Catholic Wrestling Camp
Skutt Catholic is hosting a Beginner/Novice Wrestling Camp for new wrestlers and wrestlers with 3 years or less experience (ages 5-14), June 22nd - 24th,
9-10 AM (Beginner), 10:30 - 11:30 AM (Novice). The cost is $75. Register at https://register.ryzer.com/camp.cfm?id=215174. If you have questions, please contact Coach Chas DeVetter at skyhawkwrestle@gmail.com.
9-10 AM (Beginner), 10:30 - 11:30 AM (Novice). The cost is $75. Register at https://register.ryzer.com/camp.cfm?id=215174. If you have questions, please contact Coach Chas DeVetter at skyhawkwrestle@gmail.com.
Marian Summer Softball Camp
When: Tuesday, May 31 - Friday, June 3
- 8:30 - 10:30 AM (Grades 1-3)
- 10:45 AM - 12:45 PM (Grades 4-8)
Where: St. Stephen the Martyr Catholic School Gym
Who: Boys and girls Grades 1-8 (2022-23 school year)
Register: Use the button below for more information and to register online.
About Camp Director: Kathy Jones, a former teacher at St. Stephen the Martyr, has been active in basketball for many years. She began her career as a player at Kansas State University, and after graduating, she took a position as the Assistant Women's Basketball Coach at the University of Missouri. She continued her collegiate coaching as an assistant coach at Memphis University, as well as coaching AAU basketball.
Summer Sports Camps at Marian High School
Registration for Marian athletic camps is now open! Explore our camps and register at marianhighschool.net/choosing-marian/camps/.
Important Upcoming Dates
- May 4: Martyr Mission Dress Down Day
- May 5: Students are invited to bring a flower for Mary for May Crowning.
- May 6: May Crowning & Home & School's 'A Night at the Ballpark'
- May 9: No School (teacher in-service) & Volleyball Tryouts
- May 11: Home & School Meeting
- May 19: 8th Grade Last Day of School
- May 20: No School – 8th Grade Graduation
- May 23: 3-Day Preschool (Gentile) Last Day of School
- May 24: 2-Day Preschool (Craig) & PreK (Tabaka) Last Day of School
- May 25: TK-7th Last Day of School – 10 AM Early Dismissal: All students will dismiss at 10 AM (no staggered dismissal).
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Campus Clean Up-Spring 2022: Saturday, April 9th
Here’s an opportunity for your whole family to help your faith community! Join us for Spring Clean Up of the parish grounds on April 9th (the rain date will be April 16th). Sweeping, raking and trimming are needed. Bring tools such as a rake, broom, dustpan, digger tool, clippers, brown trash bag; and your own water and snack. Youth can earn service hours at this event!