A Message from Mrs. Perrault, Principal
Dear Families,
As we approach Thanksgiving, I am reminded of all of my blessings. Of course, one of my greatest blessings is having the opportunity to be a part of our St. Stephen the Martyr community. There is nothing better than starting each day and seeing the smiling happy faces of so many children. They are just beating down the door to get in, and it’s not because it’s cold outside!
I am also so grateful to the staff that I work with. They truly exemplify our mission in everything they do. Below you will see a feature on our Resource Team. I am incredibly proud of how this team has grown and evolved over the last few years to better serve our students and support our classroom teachers. Their commitment to helping our children be successful is inspiring, and I'm excited for you to get to know them a little better!
I hope that you can enjoy some time with family and friends over the holiday. I pray that every one of our families has a beautiful and prayerful holiday season!
Blessings,
Mrs. Perrault
In this issue of Martyr Messenger:
- Admin Updates: Meet Our Resource Team, Thanksgiving Food Drive, K-2 Music Program, South Side Cross Walk, Winter Glove & Mitten Drive, Volunteer at Winter Book Fair, Lost & Found, Math Club, Progress Reports, UNO Mavs Field Trip
- Home & School Updates: Breakfast in Bethlehem, October Artist of the Month, Teacher/Staff Christmas Gift Fund, Santa Shoppe, Musical Registration Coming Soon
- Parish Updates: Facility Updates, Angel Tree Project, Hiring: Director of Youth & Young Adult Ministry
- Community Updates: SkyHawk Music Bingo, Cookies with Santa & BLUEtique Holiday Shopping Event at Marian, Upcoming Duchesne Events
Administration Updates
Meet Our Resource Team
At St. Stephen the Martyr, we have two full-time resource teachers and two interventionists who support our classroom teachers and students to ensure every child is successful in school. In addition to these specialists, our two school counselors, three teacher associates and a dedicated volunteer support our resource team.
Our Resource Team functions independently, and collaboratively with classroom teachers, to provide a multi-tiered system of support for our students. This provides a proactive and preventative framework, integrating data and instruction to maximize student achievement and support their social, emotional, and behavioral needs from a strengths-based perspective, educating the whole child.
Additionally, our Resource Team coordinates with public schools to schedule services for any students who qualify for an Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) through their zoned public school district.
Click the button below to view our Resource Team's biographies and get to know them better!
Additionally, our Resource Team coordinates with public schools to schedule services for any students who qualify for an Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) through their zoned public school district.
Click the button below to view our Resource Team's biographies and get to know them better!
Thanksgiving Food Drive: Now - Nov. 21st
Students may bring their designated item to their classroom from November 9th-21st. The food will be blessed at the All School Mass on November 21st. In addition to stocking our St. Stephen Food Pantry, surplus items will be shared with the Juan Diego Center. This is a wonderful way for our students to help those in need, “to feed the hungry and give drink to the thirsty”. (Mathew 25)
K-2nd Grade Music Program: Dec. 14th
SSM Kindergarten-2nd Grade Presents The Merriest of Music
Dear SSM Families,
Our K-2 music program is Thursday, December 14, 2023 at 2 PM and 6 PM.
Students are required to be at both performances. If for some reason your child is not able to attend both performances please send a written note or email me at s.smith@stephen.org. You and your guests are welcome to attend either or both performances. The 2 PM performance will have the 3rd-8th grade students in attendance. For the evening performance, your child will need to report to his/her classroom at 5:45 PM. We are asking that you not arrive at school any earlier than 5:45 as that is the time your child's teacher will be in the homeroom classroom. Please have your child wear comfortable clothing: Boys please wear dress pants/khakis and a nice shirt. Girls please wear dresses/skirts or nice pants/shirt. No jeans, please! Remember they get pretty warm standing so close together - please keep this in mind when choosing an outfit. They will be in school uniforms for the 2 PM program.
Thank you,
Mrs. Susan Smith, Pre-K-2 Music
Students are required to be at both performances. If for some reason your child is not able to attend both performances please send a written note or email me at s.smith@stephen.org. You and your guests are welcome to attend either or both performances. The 2 PM performance will have the 3rd-8th grade students in attendance. For the evening performance, your child will need to report to his/her classroom at 5:45 PM. We are asking that you not arrive at school any earlier than 5:45 as that is the time your child's teacher will be in the homeroom classroom. Please have your child wear comfortable clothing: Boys please wear dress pants/khakis and a nice shirt. Girls please wear dresses/skirts or nice pants/shirt. No jeans, please! Remember they get pretty warm standing so close together - please keep this in mind when choosing an outfit. They will be in school uniforms for the 2 PM program.
Thank you,
Mrs. Susan Smith, Pre-K-2 Music
New Crosswalk in South Parking Lot:
Our students’ safety is of utmost importance. After observing traffic flow during the first quarter, we have added an additional crosswalk to help students safely cross from the lower tiers in the south lot to the sidewalks near the church, school, and/or parish center.
Please take time to review this map with your children and remind them of the importance of using the crosswalks in our parking lots. Safety Patrol will be at the new crosswalk during their morning and afternoon shifts to assist students. As you drive through our lots, please drive slowly, and follow the directions of our staff members and Safety Patrol students. Thank you for helping us keep all children safe.
Winter Glove & Mitten Drive: Donate Tomorrow!
Our seventh-grade students are collecting winter gloves and mittens for the children served by Project Harmony. Place donations of new gloves and mittens in the bin in the school commons tomorrow morning, Friday, Nov. 17th.
Volunteers Needed for the Winter Book Fair
The Winter Book Fair will be December 11th - 14th and we need your help to make it a success!
More details on how and when to shop will be coming soon. Until then, if you can lend a hand to help make the Book Fair a success, use the button below to sign up!
Lost & Found is Full!
Claim your lost items from our Lost & Found in the South entry! Any items left after school next Tuesday, November 21st, will be donated to those in need.
We do our best to return labeled items to students. Please label your student's items.
Math Club is Back for 6th-8th Graders: 1st Meeting is on Nov. 30th
Progress Reports
You will receive an email Tuesday, Nov. 21st from Mrs. Swanstrom with a link to your student's Progress Report. If you have any questions or concerns, please email your student's teacher(s).
UNO Mavs Field Trip for 4th-6th Graders
On November 30th, our 4th-6th grade students get to attend an all-expense paid trip to watch the UNO Mavs Men's Basketball game! Please note the following details:
- Permission slips have been sent home with students. Please return ASAP.
- Students will leave St. Stephen at 11:15 AM and return in time for normal dismissal
- Students may wear a St. Stephen Spirit top with uniform bottoms
- Students MUST bring a disposable sack lunch (students will not be allowed to purchase lunch or snacks from the concession stands)
- Students may NOT bring cash or phones with them
This opportunity is funded by the University of Nebraska Omaha Athletics and we are excited for our students to attend the event. Go Mavs!
Home & School Updates
Join St. Nicholas on Dec. 3rd at Breakfast in Bethlehem!
Come celebrate the beginning of Advent and the Feast of St. Nicholas with a morning filled with the Knights of Columbus’ famous pancake breakfast and Home & School hosted St. Nicholas festivities including Sleepless from Seattle specialty coffee cart, hot cocoa, fun activities for the kids, and a visit from St. Nicholas himself. Please RSVP so St. Nicholas can be prepared for all of the children attending!
October Honorees for the Boden Reischl Artist of the Month
Our October honorees for the Boden Reischl Artist of the Month have been selected! This month's art features bold, beautiful colors and several different creatures! You may view their art displayed in the gallery outside the music room or online at school.stephen.org/art. Congratulations to our October honorees!
Busy with your holiday plans and Christmas shopping? Let us help!
We will again offer all SSM school families the opportunity to participate in the annual Teacher/Staff Christmas Gift Program.
Consider each of the wonderful teachers and school staff members who interact with your child throughout the year. Then consider the time and number of gifts it would take to individually thank all of those teachers and staff members. Participation in the Christmas Gift Program saves you time and money during the hectic holiday season! Donations are used to give a gift to each of St. Stephen the Martyr teachers and staff members who share in the daily education and care of your child.
This program is optional, of course. However, we ask you to please give serious consideration to participating. The Christmas Gift Program has been a huge success in the past and we look forward to continuing the tradition this year and showing our teachers and staff members how much they’re appreciated by our school families!
Ways to Donate:
- Give via Cash or Check & send to the school office (checks can be made out to SSM Home & School)
- Give Online using the button below
Donations will be collected through Friday, December 8th.
Ho! Ho! Ho! Santa Shoppe is set for Dec. 7th & 8th!
Get ready, Christmas Elves! Santa Shoppe is scheduled for Thursday, December 7th & Friday, December 8th and we need YOUR help! Please consider signing up to help set up, wrap gifts, help our younger students shop, facilitate activities for non-shoppers, or tear down the event!
Sign up to volunteer using the button below. Please note that if you'd like to volunteer during your student's class, the sign-up includes shopping times. Every slot you sign up for gets you an entry in a drawing to win an Apple iPad!
Santa Shoppe is open to K-8 grade students only. Our Early Childhood students will visit the Shoppe to see Santa but will not be shopping.
Thursday Shoppers:
- All Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd and 3rd grades
- Freeman (5A) & Jonas (5B)
- Pestel (6A) & Mabeus (6C)
- Mullen (7B)
- Harvey (8B)
Friday Shoppers:
- All 4th Grade
- Keating (5C)
- Bolton (6B)
- Peetz (7A)
- Brown (8A) & Berry (8C)
To kick off the festivities, students get a Christmas Colors Dress Down Day on Thursday. Now that's something to get jolly about!
Save the Date: Registration for Finding Nemo, Jr. Opens Nov. 28th!
Key Dates for 2024 Musical
- Registration begins Nov. 28th
- Auditions are for grades 6-8th only. All middle school students must register before auditioning. All 1st-5th grade students who would like to be in the musical will be given a role.
- Auditions are on the stage at 3:30 PM on Monday, Dec. 4th and Thursday, Dec. 7th
- Rehearsals start the week of Monday, Jan 8th
- Tech week is MANDATORY for all students (March 17th - 20th)
- School performance: Thursday, March 21st at 1:15 PM
- General Audience performances are Friday, March 22nd at 7:30 PM and Saturday, March 23rd, at 7 PM (presence is mandatory for all)
Parish Updates
Votive Candle Display Update
We have updated our votive candle display in our Daily Mass Chapel.
It was suggested by Catholic Mutual Group to remove the candles on the walls due to the fire risk experienced in other parishes and to install a votive candle stand.
All parishioners are invited to light a candle for their intentions.
Roof Replacement Complete
Work is now complete on our roof over the parish offices, schools’ administrative offices and dining room! Due to the age and current condition of the roof, replacement was a necessary update to keep our parish home & school safe and protected from the elements. If you are interested in supporting continued capital improvement projects, please reach out to Catiana Urrutia at 402-861-4541 or c.urrutia@stephen.org. Thank you for supporting your Parish!
Angel Tree Project - Nov. 4th - Dec. 3rd
Three Ways to Participate:
- Sign up to “adopt” a specific person(s): If you signed up to adopt a person, return your wrapped/tagged gifts under the tree in the Gathering Space by December 3rd.
- Take an ornament from one of the trees and return the item(s) under the trees.
- Give Stamps, Gift Cards, Cash/Checks: Donate books of stamps, $10 or $25 gift cards (Walmart or Target), cash or checks by placing them in the wooden drop box labeled “Angel Tree Project” in the Gathering Space. Checks should be made out to St. Stephen the Martyr Church. To give online, click the button below.
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
SkyHawk Music Bingo
All 7th and 8th graders are invited to Skutt Catholic for Music Bingo, cookies, and hot chocolate. This fun event is free and a great way to meet future classmates and SkyHawks. Students will also have a chance to win some cool SkyHawk Gear! The event capacity is 200, so sign up soon using the button below!
Cookies with Santa & BLUEtique Holiday Shopping Event at Marian High School
Cookies with Santa! | Sunday, Dec. 10 | 11 AM - 1 PM | Marian Quad
Bring your little ones to visit Santa Claus at Marian. Enjoy a hot chocolate bar, Christmas cookies, an Elf on the Shelf scavenger hunt, crafts, and a visit with Santa and his elves.
New this year, we will have a Holidays Around the Globe activity. Your children can learn about December holidays celebrated around the world and create their very own snow globes.
Get your Christmas shopping done at the BLUEtique Holiday Shopping Event from 11 AM - 3:30 PM. We are fully stocked with youth and adult spirit wear including the popular Marian football design. Enjoy treats while you shop and check out our large collection of Marian swag. Be the first to see new merchandise and also take advantage of one day only sales and special offers. Qualifying purchases will be entered into drawings for a BLUEtique gift card and custom Christmas ornament.
In the spirit of Christmas, Marian students, the Servants of Mary and the Alumnae Board of Advancement will be collecting gently used or new men’s, women’s and children’s winter coats, gloves, hats and scarves. There will be collection boxes at check-in. We are partnering with the Stephen Center in Omaha to provide these items to families in need in the Omaha community. Click Here to Register
Upcoming Duchesne Academy Events
Preseason Basketball Clinic
Saturday, November 18; 2 - 5:30 PM
Who: 7th and 8th grade girls
What: A basketball skills clinic followed by the annual Red-White Cardinal Scrimmage
More information and registration through the following link: Basketball Clinic
Deck the Halls!
Friday, December 1; 6 - 8 PM
Who: 7th and 8th grade girls
What: A merry holiday party with themed treats and a festive craft!
More information and registration through the following link: Deck the Halls!
Future Cardinal Basketball Fan Night
Thursday, December 7; Game time: 6:30 PM
Who: 5th– 8th grade girls
What: Be our guest at a home varsity basketball game for an exciting night including pizza and a meet-and-greet with the team!
More information and registration through the following link: Basketball Fan Night
Duchesne Dance Clinic
Saturday, December 9, 2023; 9 AM - Noon
Who: K-8th grade dancers
What: A dance clinic and performance that is a fundraiser for the team
More information and registration through the following link: https://dashomaha.org/danceclinic2023
8th Grade Entrance Exam
Saturday, January 13, 2024; 8:30 AM – 1 PM
Who: 8th grade girls
What: Entrance and scholarship exam for current 8th grade girls
More information and registration through the following link: 8th Grade Exam
7th Grade Practice Entrance Exam and Parent Meeting
Saturday, January 20, 2024; Noon – 3:45 PM, Parent meeting 12:15 – 1:00 PM
Who: 7th grade girls, optional meeting for 7th grade parents
What: A practice entrance exam for 7th grade students and a parent information meeting with the Head of School, Principal, and Admissions Team
More information and registration through the following link: 7th Grade Practice Exam
Important Upcoming Dates
- November 16: H&S Teacher/Staff Christmas Gift Fund Collection Begins
- November 21:
- Thanksgiving Food Drive Ends
- Progress Reports
- Thanksgiving Food Drive Ends
- November 22-27: Thanksgiving Break
- November 28:
- Classes Resume
- Musical Registration Begins
- December 4:
- Musical Auditions for 6-8th Graders, 3:30 PM on Stage
- First Reconciliation: 2A & 2B
- December 5: First Reconciliation: 2C
- December 6: Advent Prayer Service
- December 7:
- Christmas Colors Dress Down Day - Wear Christmas Colors & Follow Family Handbook
- Santa Shoppe - Day 1
- Musical Auditions for 6-8th Graders, 3:30 PM on Stage
- December 8: Santa Shoppe - Day 2
- December 14:
- K-2 Christmas Program, 2 & 6 PM
- Martyr Messenger
- December 20:
- K-8: 11 AM Dismissal (no hot lunch)
- Preschool, PreK & TK: No School
- Quarter 2 Ends
- December 21 - January 3: Christmas Break
- January 4: Classes Resume