A Message from Mrs. Perrault, Principal
Dear Families,
What a treat it was to listen to our kindergarten, first, and second graders at this afternoon’s Christmas program. They did such a wonderful job and it is a blessing to hear their sweet voices sharing His good news! If you are attending this evening, enjoy! I want to extend my gratitude to Mrs. Smith & Mrs. Tucksen for their hard work in preparing the students.
As we head into our last week of the semester, our teachers have lots of festive fun planned and I hope your children enjoy every moment! We have such dedicated staff members, and seeing their creativity is so fun.
I pray that your family can experience the true joy of Christmas in the coming week and that you have a wonderful time celebrating with your family.
From all of us at St. Stephen the Martyr Catholic School, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. May we continue growing and working together truly being United in Christ.
Much love, many blessings, and prayers,
Mrs. Perrault
In this issue of Martyr Messenger:
- Admin Updates: 3-Day Preschool Openings for Second Semester, Mass Schedule Change Next Week, K-2 Music Evening Program, Textbook Loan Forms & Dress Down Day, Last Day of Winter Book Fair, Catholic Schools Week Talent Show, Catholic Schools Week Poster Contest, 8th Grade Fundraiser
- Home & School Updates: November Artist of the Month, Musical Registration, EPS Penny Wars, Adult Night Out, Yearbook Photos
- Sports Club: Spring Soccer Registration
- Parish Updates: Holy Hour for Children, Christmas at SSM, Trivia Night, St. Stephen the Martyr Feast Day Mass & Statue Blessing, KOC Free Throw Contest
- Community Updates: Mercy High School Practice & Placement Exams
Administration Updates
3-Day Preschool: Second Semester Class Openings
We now have two openings in our 3-Day Morning Preschool which meets Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 8 - 10:50 AM. Sign your child up to grow and learn with us in the new year. The 3-Day preschool class will begin their second semester on January 8th.
School Mass Schedule Change for Next Week
Next week, we will have an All School Mass (K-8) together before Christmas break on Wednesday, Dec. 20th. We hope you can join us! Our Kindergarten-4th grade students will not attend Mass on Tuesday, Dec. 19th.
K - 2nd Grade Music Program: Last Program is tonight at 6 PM
SSM Kindergarten-2nd Grade Presents The Merriest of Music
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.
Textbook Loan Forms
Please watch for textbook loan forms to come home with your PreK - 7th-grade student(s) this week. Students who return their completed forms on or before Wednesday, December 20th will earn a Dress Down Day on Thursday, January 4th. St. Stephen the Martyr School receives some of our textbooks from the Millard School District. Please sign these forms and return them to school with your student ASAP and no later than Jan. 4th. An example of how to complete the forms is included below. Please contact Courtenay Swanstrom in the school office with any questions at c.swanstrom@stephen.org.
Winter Book Fair Ends Tomorrow!
Friday is your last chance to shop in person at our Book Fair. Stop by and stock up on Christmas presents to keep your readers busy over break! Note: The online book fair will stay open through December 20th. You can order online and have books shipped to your home!
Volunteer in the Library Next Semester!
Are you looking for a fun way to volunteer? Mrs. Tessari is looking for volunteers to help in the library with check-out times in grades K-2 and a few volunteers to shelf books. The check-out time slots are 30 minutes and the shelving slots are 45 minutes. Kids love seeing their parents or grandparents volunteering in the school! You must be Safe Environment trained to volunteer in the library.
Catholic Schools Week Talent Show!
We are excited to host our first talent show during Catholic Schools Week! Get all the details in the PDF below.
Catholic School Week Poster Contest!
We are hosting a poster contest for Catholic Schools Week! St. Stephen the Martyr students and/or families are invited to enter the contest and design a poster featuring St. Stephen the Martyr Catholic School. A judging panel will honor top posters with special awards during Catholic Schools Week! View additional details and guidelines in the PDF below.
Show Your Support for Our 8th Grade Students Traveling to Washington D.C. Next Spring!
Tickets may be purchased in advance from 8th graders or at the door.
Home & School Updates
November Honorees for the Boden Reischl Artist of the Month
Our November honorees for the Boden Reischl Artist of the Month have been selected. Several of this month's artists journeyed back to medieval times! Our 8th graders are in the middle of completing their saint icons, so there are no honorees for 8th grade this month. You may view their art displayed in the gallery outside the music room or online at school.stephen.org/art. Congratulations to our November honorees!
Register for the Musical!
Rehearsals begin the week of January 8th. All 1st-5th graders and ALL students who wish to be on the Tech Crew and/or Stage Crew must be registered by January 21st (no late registrations accepted after this date). All students who want to participate will be given a role. 1st-5th graders do not audition.
EPS Penny War
Start saving your change! The EPS Penny War will begin at the end of January. All proceeds will benefit Essential Pregnancy Services. More details coming soon!
Save the Date: Adult Night Out is Feb. 3rd!
Plans are underway for our second annual Adults' Night Out. All parents and guardians are invited to an evening out to gather, build community and have some fun, sans kiddos! The event will be hosted Saturday, February 3rd from 6-10 PM at Heavy Brewery in Gretna. More details coming soon, until then, mark your calendars and book your sitter!
Yearbook Photos
Ornament Exchanges, Polar Express Days, Gingerbread Parties, Santa Shoppe - oh my! We want all your festive memories in our 2023-2024 Yearbook! Click here to upload your photos today or use the link under "Yearbook" in the school app.
Sports Club Updates
Parish Updates
Children's Holy Hour: December 18th
All ages are invited to attend this special family Holy Hour led by the Marian Sisters. The evening will include music and teaching on Eucharistic Adoration. We will have resources to help guide families, advent coloring books, and candy canes! Come as a family and spend an hour with our Lord this Advent.
Christmas At St. Stephen the Martyr
Since Christmas falls on a Monday this year, Catholics have two obligations to fulfill on Christmas weekend- one for the 4th Sunday of Advent and one for Christmas. Both obligations can be fulfilled on Sunday, just not at the same Mass. Saturday evening and Sunday morning Masses are liturgically 4th Sunday of Advent Masses. Sunday afternoon and evening Masses will be Christmas Vigil Masses. Mass times for the weekend will be as follows:
- 4th Sunday of Advent Vigil Mass: Saturday, Dec. 23rd: 5 PM
- 4th Sunday of Advent Mass: Sunday, Dec. 24th: 7:30 AM, 9 AM, 10:30 AM
- Christmas Eve Mass: Sunday, Dec. 24th:
- 4 PM (in Worship Space) and 4:15 PM (gym): Doors will open at 2:30 PM on Christmas Eve for our 4 PM Mass. When the Worship Space is filled, our ushers will direct parishioners to the gym for our 4:15 PM Mass. Doors will remain unlocked until 8 PM.
- 6 PM: Our Children's Choir will perform
- 11 PM: This Mass replaces Midnight Mass. Doors open at 9:30 PM and our Adult Choir will perform their Christmas concert at 10:30 PM. Please come and listen to their beautiful Christmas music!
- Christmas Day Mass: Monday, Dec. 25th: 9 AM, 10:30 AM (live-streamed)
Trivia Night is Jan. 20th!
Blessing of New St. Stephen the Martyr Statue
Knights of Columbus Free Throw Contest - Jan. 5th
Community Updates
Mercy High School Practice & Placement Exams
Important Upcoming Dates
- December 14: K-2 Christmas Evening Program, 6 PM
- December 15: Last Day of Book Fair
- December 18: Children's Holy Hour, 6-7 PM, Worship Space
- December 19: No School Mass
- December 20:
- K-8: 11 AM Dismissal (no hot lunch)
- All School Mass
- Preschool, PreK & TK: No School
- Quarter 2 Ends
- December 21 - January 3: Christmas Break & School Office Closed
- December 24:
- 4th Sunday in Advent Mass Times, 7:30 AM | 9 AM | 10:30 AM
- Christmas Eve Mass Times, 4 PM | 4:15 pm (in gym) | 6 PM| 11 PM
- December 25: Christmas Day Mass Times, 9 AM | 10:30 AM
- December 26: Feast of St. Stephen the Martyr Mass & Staute Blessing
- January 4: Classes Resume
- January 5:
- Report Cards
- Knights of Columbus Free Throw Contest, 7 PM
- January 13: 8th Grade Pasta Feed Fundraiser
- January 15: No School (Teacher In-service)