Administration Updates
Introducing...SSM News!
We are excited to announce "SSM News" our new weekly news program. SSM News was created as a way to involve our students in what is happening in our school and our church community, utilizing new technology resources in our Technology Lab.
SSM News will be produced weekly and broadcast in homerooms on Fridays. After this week, SSM News will be produced only during 5-day weeks. We will then share SSM News via Martyr Messenger and in our weekly announcements.
SSM News is under the direction of Mrs. Pennings and will rotate weekly with volunteer newscasters from 5th to 8th grade. All interested 5th-8th grade students will get the chance to participate.
The volunteers for the October 5th pilot episode include the following 5th Graders: Eva Guthmann-Leany (anchor #1), Riley Reischl (anchor #2), Sylvie Donohue (this day in history), Kate Kovar (weekend events), Macie Smolinski (weather), and Luke Ternus (PRAY model).
No School Oct. 6th - 10th
There is no school on Friday, October 6th, Monday, October 9th, or Tuesday, October 10th.
Please note the campus will be closed following the 8:15 AM Mass on Tuesday, October 10th as the main electrical breaker for our campus will be replaced. There will be no confessions, school, religious ed classes, or Kidzone. The parish offices will also be closed.
Thank you for understanding!
Staffing Update
We would like to ask for your prayers for Mrs. Rebecca Berry. Mrs. Berry was recently diagnosed with parathyroid cancer. She will be unable to teach for the remainder of the semester as she undergoes surgery and begins treatment. Please keep her in your family's prayers.
We are grateful and blessed to have found a long-term sub within our own school family. Mrs. Erika Codina has accepted the position and will be teaching 8th-grade literature and language arts in Mrs. Berry's absence. Mrs. Codina has two students at St. Stephen the Martyr in grades 3rd and 5th grade. Please join us in welcoming Mrs. Codina!
Conferences: Nov. 1st
Fall conferences will be held on Wednesday, November 1st. Next week, there will be an email sent out with a SignUp Genius link to schedule your time with your child's teacher(s). We look forward to meeting with you!
Music in Catholic Schools Honor Band
Congratulations to sixth-grade students, Bo Herdzina (Alto Saxophone) and Elizabeth Keating-Manzitto (Trombone) who were selected for the 2023-2024 Music in Catholic Schools Honor Band. Congratulations, Bo & Elizabeth! We are so proud of you!
School Photos: Oct. 16th
September Saint of the Month Award Honorees
Last week we announced our honorees who were selected by their teachers for living like St. Teresa of Calcutta, serving others and following the PRAY Model.
Congratulations to all of our amazing students!
During October, our students will learn more about St. Therese of Lisieux, and our teachers will be watching for students who live their lives like her, reflecting Jesus in small ways through their actions and showing kindness towards others.
Preschool, PreK & TK Honorees
Pictured L-R: Ella (TK-Ferrante), Tess (TK-Foster), Everest (Preschool-Gentile) and Blakely (PreK-Tabaka)
K-8 Honorees
Back Row (L-R): Caden (8A-Brown), Emma (8B-Harvey), Avery (7B-Mullen), Reese (7A-Peetz), Martin (6B-Bolton), Lillian (6C-Mabeus), Reese (6A-Pestel), Not Pictured: Chloe (8C-Berry)
2nd Row (L-R): Henry (5A-Freeman), Rosie (5B-Jonas), James (5C-Keating), Natalie (4B-Haack), Gavin (4A-Roche), Chandler (4C-Hermann)
3rd Row (L-R): Connor (3A-Mancilla), Lakelyn (3C-Niehaus), Ana (3B-Lowry), Leah (2B-O'Leary), Lila (2A-Gill), Thea (2C-Schweers)
Front Row (L-R): Amelia (1B-Heidrick), Joey (1A-Fitch), Tinsley (1C-Keller), Dorothy (KB-Rezac), Caleb (KA-Hoff), Halle (KC-Schrage)
Mental Health Memo From Catholic Charities
The Catholic School Office shared this resource on depression in children and teens. If you or your child need additional resources, please contact our school counselors Mrs. Kincaid or Mr. Daymut.
Home & School Updates
September Boden Reischl Artist of the Month Honorees Selected!
It is time to announce our first month of 23-24 honorees for the Boden Reischl Artist of the Month! We've rounded up another great group of talented artists and are excited to share them with you! You may view their art displayed in the gallery outside the music room or online at school.stephen.org/art. Congratulations to our September honorees!
Join Us Next Tuesday at Vala's!
Join us at Vala’s Pumpkin Patch next Tuesday, October 10th from 11 – 4 PM for our annual Fall Family Frolic. Your family is responsible for admission at the door; no advanced ticket purchase is required. We have the Jack O’ Lantern Party Barn reserved for a SSM meet-up space and we’ll provide s’mores from 1 – 3 PM! Wear your SSM spirit or Martyr Marathon shirt, grab your friends and join us for lots of St. Stephen family fun!
Want to lend a hand? We could use s'more volunteers in the Jack O' Lantern Party Barn! Sign up using the button below.
Have You RSVP'd for Trunk or Treat?
Join us for a night of Halloween fun!
Friday, October 27th |6-7:30 PM
St. Stephen the Martyr is hosting a SPOOKTACULAR night of Trunk-or-Treating, complete with a DJ, food truck and lots of family-friendly fun!
Men's Club Updates
Sports Club Updates
Parish Updates
Help our RE Students Raise Some "Dough"
Our Religious Education students are selling ready-to-bake tubs of cookie dough from the Cookie Company! A $17 tub makes 3-4 dozen cookies! Orders will be at the RE Office on Oct.11th.
Support Women & Families In Need this October during Respect Life Month!
Please join us in collecting diapers and wipes for local women and families in need. Your donation will support women who have chosen not to have an abortion and now need our help providing for their babies. Diapers will be distributed to EPS, Mater Filius, Bethlehem House, Catholic Charities and Christ Child Institute.
Most Needed Items:
Wipes & diapers (sizes: Newborn, 4, 5 and 6)
Wipes & diapers (sizes: Newborn, 4, 5 and 6)
Support the Diaper Drive:
- Drop off diapers and/or wipes in the School Commons throughout October (place donations in the crib) or Stuff the Bus in front of the Parish Center on:
- Sundays after Mass: October 8th, 15th, 22nd & 29th
- School Days: Fridays from 7:30 AM – 3:30 PM: October 12th & 20th
- RE Evenings: Tues/Wed from 4-7 PM: October 24th & 25th
- Contribute online: click here to give a financial contribution
- Volunteer at Stuff the Bus Collection Days: We need volunteers to help greet families and/or carry and count the donated diapers! Click here to sign up!
Diaper Drive Hosted in Partnership with:
- St. Stephen the Martyr Council of Catholic Women
- St. Stephen the Martyr Respect Life Ministry
- Omaha Urban Council of Catholic Women
- Spirit Catholic Radio
For more information on the Diaper Drive, call Colleen Simonsen at 402-689-5420.
Now Hiring: Director of Youth & Young Adult Ministry
St. Stephen the Martyr is seeking candidates for a Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry. Are you or someone you know interested? Click the button below to view the job description. For more information, contact Adam Ybarra, Director of Mission, at 402-861-4507 or a.ybarra@stephen.org.
Community Updates
Fall Activities at Marian
- Volleyball Fan Night: Thursday, Oct. 12 | JV @ 5:30 PM & Varsity @ 6:30 PM: Join us in the East Gym on Marian’s campus to watch our Crusaders take on Westside! Wear your grade school jersey/shirt or a Marian t-shirt for free admission, no preregistration is needed. FREE Marian swag and a raffle drawing!
- Mini Surprise Night: Friday, Oct. 20 | 7-9 PM: It's no surprise - Surprise Night is a favorite Marian tradition! All 7th and 8th-grade girls are invited for a sneak peek at all the surprising fun. Gather your girlfriends for a night of bounce houses, crafts, games, snacks and an exclusive Surprise Night T-shirt. Cost is $15. Register here.
- Ghoul's Night Out | Youth Cheer Halloween Event: Friday, Oct. 27 | 5:30-7:30 PM in the Marian Gym: Let's BOO-gie! Join the Marian cheerleaders for a night of fun. Girls in grades Pre-K to 5th Grade will learn a cheer, learn a dance and make crafts. Wear your Halloween costume! $30 registration includes a trick-or-treating reusable tote. Register here by Friday, Oct. 20.
Upcoming Events at Mercy High School
- Mercyfest: 7th & 8th Grade Girls join us on October 14th from 5-8 PM: Play games, meet new friends, create an art project, have dinner, and learn skills from Mercy volleyball players.
- 6th-8th Grade Lunch & Learn for Parents from Noon-1 PM on Oct. 17, Nov. 9, Dec. 6: Enjoy lunch and conversation with our president and principal to learn why more Omaha parents are choosing Mercy for their daughters.
Visit mercyhigh.org/admissions/recruitment-events.cfm for more information on all events.
Upcoming Duchesne Academy Events
- Thursday, October 5: Future Cardinal Fan Night – Volleyball at 7 PM: 6–8 grade girls are invited to be our guests for a home varsity volleyball game and fun! Future Cardinal Fan Night - Volleyball
- Friday, October 6: Cardinal Coffee | 8:30- 10 AM: Parent information morning with coffee, a meeting, and a tour! Cardinal Coffee - Oct. 6
- Saturday, October 7: Harvest Party |7:30-10 PM: 8th grade girls are invited to experience the fall season on Duchesne’s historic campus! Harvest Party 2023
Important Upcoming Dates
- October 6:
- No School (Martyr Marathon Earned Day Off)
- SSM Men's Club Husker Watch Party, 6:30 PM, School Field
- October 9: No School (Teacher In-service)
- October 10:
- No School (Staff Retreat)
- Home & School Fall Family Frolic event at Vala’s
- Campus Closed following 8:15 AM Mass (no evening confessions, no Kidzone)
- October 13: All School Rosary, 2:30 PM
- October 15: First Reconciliation Meeting, 4 PM, Worship Space
- October 16: School Photos
- October 20: Quarter 1 Ends
- October 25:
- Report Cards
- 2 PM Dismissal (Staff Meeting)
- October 27:
- Middle School to Amazing Pizza Machine
- Trunk or Treat Event sponsored by Home & School and RE
- October 31: Halloween Parties
- November 1:
- No School
- Conferences
- November 2: No School (Teacher In-service/Faith Formation)
- November 3: No School