A Message from Mrs. Perrault, Principal
Dear Families,
We are excited to kick off our 30th Anniversary year in August! We are so blessed to have a school community that continues to flourish and grow. For those of you who may not know the history of our school, here is just a brief overview:
- 1992: Founded as a K-5 elementary school and named after the first martyr of the Catholic Church
- First Pastor: Fr. Gerry Gonderinger
- First Principal: Sister Regina Wagner
- Fun Fact: Fr. Dave Belt was the first music teacher, in addition to being the associate pastor!
- 1996: Grew to a K-8 school
- 1998: A new addition was added including 19 new classrooms, a computer lab, a library, and a full-size, state-of-the-art gym
- 2002: Growing enrollment marked the first year of three classes in every grade and the preschool was added
- 2008: The school earned the National Blue Ribbon School award and became an accredited school
- 2019: The Transitional Kindergarten program was added
- 2022: 711 students are enrolled for the 2022-23 school year!
Our school consistently remains a top-five populated Catholic Elementary School in the Nebraska area. Since the doors opened, St. Stephen the Martyr has graduated almost 2,000 students.
This year begins my fifth year as the school principal. I have watched this school grow in so many ways, but what makes me proudest is the growth of our school community in terms of support, faith, and genuine pride. When St. Stephen the Martyr Catholic School is mentioned outside of our own community, I consistently hear only positive words. Our reputation and culture truly reflect our mission of being, United in Christ to ignite the joy of faith, community, and learning. This transformation is a testament to all of our staff, students, and families who truly love our school and share their joy and pride with others outside of these walls. Even during the most challenging times, we are a community that supports one another, trusts in our Lord, and lifts each other up through prayer.
Thank you for trusting in me to lead our school, and may God bless all of you.
United in Christ,
Mrs. Perrault
In this issue of Martyr Messenger:
- Admin Updates: Grief Resources, 3rd Grade Teacher Announcement, Help Us Recruit New Support Staff, 22-23 Family Handbook, Hot Lunch Update, Men's Club Thank You & Sister School Update
- Home & School Updates: Corporate Sponsorship Deadline July 31, Summer Play Date #2 & Date Change for #3, Used Uniform Sale, Open Committee Spots, Back To School Night, Bulk Paper Order Option
- Parish Updates: Final Tailgate, Archbishop Visit to SSM & Mid-Year Tax Statement info
- Community Updates: High School Honor Rolls, Summer Math Course
Administration Updates
We are all so saddened by the loss of Ali Tupper and Joe Tupper. There are no words to express the heartbreak we feel for the Tupper family. Anyone who knew Ali and/or Joe, knows that both children were exceptional in character, faith, academics, and athletics. They were genuinely kind and compassionate to everyone they came across.
Zack, Steph and Anna have asked to share their gratitude for all the support from their St. Stephen’s community, and for the flowers and memorials from our staff and families. We will continue praying for their family, and we will let our school community know if there are other ways to help them in the future.
As a school, the social-emotional well-being of all of our students, staff, and families is extremely important. We will have counseling available throughout the school year and are planning to have a special gathering with our 8th graders before the start of school. We wanted to share these resources with our families now:
- speakinggrief.org/documentary. (an excellent documentary)
- thecollectiveforhope.org (a resource for people of all ages)
Welcome, Mrs. Caroline Niehaus!
We are excited to announce that Mrs. Caroline Niehaus will join our 3rd-grade team this Fall. Mrs. Niehaus has her Bachelor of Science in Education from Creighton University and her Masters' degree in Language Arts from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. She previously taught at St. Wenceslaus. Caroline is married to Randy and they have 2 daughters. Claire is a junior at Duchesne Academy and Zelie is a 7th grader at St. Vincent de Paul. She also has a shorkie named Bella who is very spoiled. We are excited for her to join our amazing faculty!
Note: We previously announced that Mrs. Angie Lowry would be returning to SSM to teach 3rd-grade for the 2022-23 school year. Unfortunately, she was unable to be released from her current teaching contract. We wish her well as she continues teaching at Millard Public Schools.
2022-2023 Family Handbook
The 22-23 Family Handbook is now available and can be accessed using the button below or on our website: school.stephen.org/parents. Once you've read it in its entirety you can complete the Signature Page via your FACTS Family Portal under the "Web Forms" Tab.
Help Us Recruit New Staff Members
We have several support staff positions that we need your help filling. Who do you know that may be a good fit for these positions?!
Teacher Associate: We are hiring a teacher assistant for our Kindergarten and/or 5th-grade classrooms. If interested, contact Greg Verraneault, Assistant Principal, at: g.verraneault@stephen.org.
Full-time Custodian: This position performs general custodial duties including trash removal,
vacuuming, restroom cleaning, hallway floor mopping/ scrubbing, window cleaning, snow removal, painting, etc. Hours: School Year: Monday – Friday, 3 – 11 PM. If interested, contact Scott Dethlefs, Custodial Supervisor, at: s.dethlefs@stephen.org.
vacuuming, restroom cleaning, hallway floor mopping/ scrubbing, window cleaning, snow removal, painting, etc. Hours: School Year: Monday – Friday, 3 – 11 PM. If interested, contact Scott Dethlefs, Custodial Supervisor, at: s.dethlefs@stephen.org.
Kitchen Staff: We have an opening for a kitchen staff member. Working hours are full school days 9 AM to 2 PM. Experience is not necessary but would be helpful. If interested, contact Missy Ziola, Kitchen Manager, at: m.ziola@stephen.org.
Kidzone Staff: We are seeking support staff team members (age 16+) and teachers (19+) for our childcare program, Kidzone. Schedules are flexible and can work with teen sports/school schedules. Beginning in August, hours are Monday-Friday from 3:30-6 PM. If interested, contact Cheryl Connolly, Kidzone Director, at: c.connolly@stephen.org.
Hot Lunch Updates
While discussions on free and reduced lunches continue in Congress, as of now, our lunch prices will return to their pre-pandemic rates.
- $3.95: Hot Lunch (per meal) TK-8
- $4.00: Staff & Guest Lunch
- $2.50: Extra Entrée
- $0.55: Milk (per meal)
The cost of student lunches will be billed as incidentals through FACTS. Families will be charged through their FACTS accounts on either the 15th or last day of the month.
Families can apply for assistance through the National School Lunch Program. Applications can be obtained confidentially in the kiosk outside of the school office and returned to the school office when completed. NOTE: school lunch prices are subject to change. Families will be notified in advance.
Thank You To the St. Stephen the Martyr Catholic School Men's Club!
Did you know that our school now has a men's club!? We wanted to extend our gratitude to this group of men that painted our new counselor's & Mr. Verraneault's offices, moved furniture, and assembled new classroom furniture!
Are you interested in uniting with other men through faith, fellowship, and service to our school? Contact Blake Titman at btitman@gmail.com to learn how you can join the SSM Men's Club!
Mrs. Glea Hamik, TA, Visits St. Stephen Sister School in Guatemala
Mrs. Hamik was one of 15 people, representing 11 different parishes, that traveled to San Sebastián Coatan. Below is an update on their visit to John Paul II, our sister school.
Home and School Updates
Corporate Sponsor Deadline: July 31
Your support makes a difference! Here are some of the ways Corporate Sponsors impacted our school during the 2021/22 school year:
- 60 New Wing Desks for the Library/Computer Room
- Simple Solution Math books
- STEM supplies
- Sacramental Celebrations & Family Socials
- Teacher Appreciation Events
- And More! Click here to view the complete list here.
Parent Involvement
We love having our school parents involved at St. Stephen! We still have a few spots to fill to complete our committee lists for the year. Check out our openings below. We would love to have your help. Additionally, throughout the year be sure to watch school.stephen.org/volunteer for sign-ups that are added for each event. If you are interested in any of the positions listed below, please click "Volunteer" to sign up! If you have questions or are interested in being a Class Coordinator, email: ssmhomeandschool@gmail.com.
Open Committee Spots
See Committee Descriptions Above
30th Anniversary Celebration Committee Heads
30th Anniversary Celebration Committee Members
Alumni Outreach - Commitee Head
8th Grade Graduation Luncheon - Committee Head
8th Grade Graduation Luncheon - Committee Members
Musical - Committee Heads
Musical - Committee Members
Summer Play Date #2
Join us for our second Summer Play Date at the St. Stephen playground on July 27 from 11 AM-Noon! This event is FREE but registration is requested so we can plan accordingly! Sign up using the button below. Click the graphic for more information!
Note: Due to Archbishop Lucas' visit to St. Stephen the Martyr on August 14, we are moving our last Summer Play Date to Sunday, August 7th. We apologize for the inconvenience!
Back to School Night: August 16
We will have afternoon and evening sessions again this year for Back to School Night. Plan to drop off your school supplies, meet your teachers, check out your classroom, and visit the various club & activities booths. More details will be emailed in early August.
Used Uniform Sale:
Sun., Aug. 7, 8:30-11 AM
Sellers can drop off items in the south school entry from July 18th-28th. 20% of sale proceeds go directly to SSM Home & School Association.
Want to shop early? Keep an eye out for the volunteer sign-up genius!
Click the button below for more details for both buyers and sellers.
Click the button below for more details for both buyers and sellers.
Bulk Paper Order - School Supplies
While the EPI School Supply deadline has passed, we still have one more option for you to cover your required contribution of the two paper reams/student! Don't drag those heavy reams to school. Back again this year by popular request is the bulk paper donation option. When the H&S Dues and Contributions form comes out in August, you'll again have the option to fulfill your copy paper contribution by selecting to contribute $10/student! This saves you the hassle of lugging paper from the store to school and helps our office staff so they can order as needed vs. storing year-round! As a reminder, School Supply Lists can be found on our website at school.stephen.org/school-supplies.
Sports Club Update
Parish Updates
Save the Date: Archbishop Lucas to Visit St. Stephen the Martyr Aug. 13 & 14
Archbishop Lucas will visit St. Stephen the Martyr Catholic Church the weekend of August 13 and 14. He will be the celebrant of the Masses at 5:00 PM on Saturday, August 13, and of the 7:30, 9:00, and 10:30 AM Masses on Sunday, August 14. Following the 10:30 AM Mass, he will bless our new statues. Watch the bulletin and Parish News email for more details on Archbishop Lucas’ visit!
Mid-Year Tax Statements
Mid-year tax statements are currently being sent out to Parishioners. If you haven’t received an email with your tax statement, we may not have your current contact information. Please contact Melissa Kane at (402) 861-4501 or m.kane@stephen.org to update our records. Thank you!
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. Second-semester honor roll students have been added to the website. Congratulations to all of our alumni!
Summer Math Opportunity
Important Upcoming Dates
- July 26: Kindergarten Experience Day One
- July 27: Kindergarten Experience Day Two & Summer Play Date #2
- July 31: Corporate Sponsor Deadline
- August 7:
- Used Uniform Sale, 8:30 - 11 AM in GPC
- Rescheduled: Summer Play Date #3, 11:35 AM-12:35 PM
- August 13 & 14: Archbishop Lucas Visits St. Stephen the Martyr
- August 16: Back to School Night
- August 18: First Day of School - Noon Dismissal
- K-8
- TK A-L only (No school for TK M-Z)
- August 19: Noon Dismissal
- K-8
- TK M-Z First Day (No school for TK A-L)
- August 20: Final Tailgate - Join us to kick off our school's 30th year!
- August 22: First Day of 3-Day Preschool, 3-Day PreK & 5-Day PreK
- August 23: First Day of 2-Day Preschool
Update Your Contact Information
To ensure you receive these emails, please keep your FACTS Family Portal updated with your correct email. If you have questions, please contact the school office at: school@stephen.org or (402) 896-0754. Martyr Messenger newsletters are archived for one school year at school.stephen.org/martyr-messenger. Enrolled families are required to have one adult designated to receive correspondence emails. To remove yourself from the emails, please click 'unsubscribe' below. Thank you!
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!