A Message from Mrs. Perrault, Principal
Dear Families,
We are really starting to see and feel spring. I feel like before we know it, the school year will be ending. Time sure does fly when you are having fun, and spring is always a fun and blessed time here at SSM! Please pray for our second graders who will make their First Holy Communion on Sunday, April 21st. We are so proud of all of them. I want to extend a special thank you to their parents, teachers and staff who have helped to prepare them.
Next week is Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week. Thank you in advance for the amazing week you have planned for us here at school. We feel incredibly blessed to be entrusted with the education and formation of your children. Please know how grateful we are to spend our days with them.
United In Christ,
Mrs. Perrault
In this issue of Martyr Messenger:
- Admin Updates: Staffing Updates, 2024-2025 Annual Calendar, Spring Counseling Newsletter, Uniform Reminders, El Entrenamiento y Certificación de Ambiente Seguro: Una Sesión en ESPAÑOL, Spring Music Program, End Of Year Award Nominations, SSM News, Progress Reports, Music in Catholic Schools Solo/Ensemble Festival Results
- Home & School Updates: Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week, 2024-2025 Open Home & School Positions, Yearbooks Now on Sale
- Sports Club Update: Fall 2024 Volleyball Tryouts and Registration
- Men's Club Update: Men's Club Triathlon Registration
- Parish Updates: Dinner & Auction Thank You, Summer 2024 Tailgates, Vacation Bible School, Totus Tuus Registration
- Community Updates: Girl Scout Daddy Daughter Derby Dance - Registration Now Open, Sack Lunch Ministry
Administration Updates
Additional Staffing Updates for the 2024-2025 School Year
Teacher Departures:
- Mr. Terry Wenzl, current 5th-8th grade resource teacher & TEAM program staff member, has accepted a resource position at Westside High School for the '24-'25 school year and will not be returning to SSM. Mr. Wenzl asked me to share that he has absolutely loved teaching at SSM, but he felt that God was calling him to a different experience where he could work with high school students.
- Mrs. Kim Johnson, current Kindergarten-4th grade resource teacher & TEAM program staff member, has also decided not to return to SSM. She has growing children and will be working a position from home that will better suit her needs and responsibilities at this time. Mrs. Johnson shared that she is so grateful for the opportunity she has had to work with our students and families.
- Mrs. Abby Rezac, a current Kindergarten teacher, will not be returning to SSM. Her husband has accepted a job promotion in St. Louis. Although she is excited about a new adventure, she has expressed how much she will miss the SSM community.
- Mrs. Lucy Kincaid, counselor, will not be returning next year. Here is a message from Mrs. Kincaid: After being a part of St. Stephen the Martyr school for 20-plus years, I will not be returning next year, I am looking forward to seeing what God has in store for me in the future. It has been an absolute blessing to serve the SSM community.
Please join us in praying for and wishing Mr. Wenzl, Mrs. Johnson, Mrs. Rezac, and Mrs. Kincaid the best!
New Staff Hires:
New Staff Hires:
- Mrs. Amy Michaelsen has been hired to teach second grade. She is currently teaching second grade in Papillion and her children are enrolled in our school. We are thrilled that she will join our second grade team!
- Mrs. Amy Ryan has been hired as a resource teacher. She currently works in special education at Gretna Public Schools. Mrs. Ryan also has children enrolled at SSM school. We are excited for her to join our TEAM!
- We are currently interviewing for a kindergarten teacher. We will provide hiring updates as plans are finalized.
Changes in Staffing Assignments:
- Mrs. Dawn Schweers, current 2nd grade teacher, will transition to Resource next year and will be providing student services, serving all grade levels. She will join our TEAM program. She is very excited about this opportunity.
After looking at staff strengths, experiences, and student needs, we have made some changes to our 5th and 6th grade instructional staff. These changes will help ease the transition from elementary school to middle school and also positively impact content alignment.
The following staffing changes will be made for 5th and 6th grade instruction:
The following staffing changes will be made for 5th and 6th grade instruction:
- Mrs. Susan Roche, a current 4th grade teacher, will transition to teaching 5th and 6th grade math. She will have a 5th grade homeroom.
- Mrs. Joni Coffey will teach 5th grade reading and 6th grade language arts. She will have a 5th grade homeroom.
- Miss Jen Freeman will teach 5th grade language arts and 5th grade social studies. She will have a 5th grade homeroom.
- Ms. Ronita Bolton will teach 5th and 6th grade science. She will have a 6th grade homeroom.
- Mrs. Jeanna Pestel will teach 5th grade religion and 6th grade literature. She will have a 6th grade homeroom.
- Mrs. Mabeus will continue to teach 6th grade religion and have a 6th grade home room.
- Mrs. Watson will continue to teach 6th grade social studies.
We previously shared that Mrs. Jenny Jensen would join our 5th grade team. Due to the above instructional staff changes for 5th and 6th grade, we asked Mrs. Jensen if she would be interested in teaching 4th grade instead. She has agreed to join our 4th grade team teaching math and religion.
We feel it is important to continually evaluate our school’s goals, instruction, and staff strengths to make changes that are best for our students. We are looking forward to the 2024-2025 school year!
We feel it is important to continually evaluate our school’s goals, instruction, and staff strengths to make changes that are best for our students. We are looking forward to the 2024-2025 school year!
2024-2025 Annual Calendar
Our annual calendar for next school year is now available. Please note, the calendar is tentative and subject to change.
Spring Counseling Newsletter
"Independent Children: Helping Our Kids Take Risks, Increase Self-Worth, and Thrive" By: Mr. Adam Daymut,
St. Stephen School Counselor
Please take some time to read the below newsletter from Mr. Daymut. It includes an overview of some challenges our kids face and easy-to-implement advice on fostering a child's sense of self-worth and independence.
Uniform Reminders
It seems we've finally made our way into spring! Hooray! Many of our students grew over winter and we want to take a moment to remind you to check shorts, skirts, jumpers & skorts to ensure they meet the required length. Per the Family Handbook:
- Male Dress Code - Length of Shorts: Knee length to 2 inches above the knee
- Female Dress Code - Length of Jumpers, Skirts, Skorts & Shorts: Knee length to 3 inches above the knee
El Entrenamiento y Certificación de Ambiente Seguro:
Una Sesión en ESPAÑOL el jueves 18 de abril de 6 a 8:30 PM
Estimados padres de familia,
El Entrenamiento y Certificación de Ambiente Seguro es un requisito para cualquier persona que se involucra en las actividades escolares. Para nosotros, su participación es muy importante porque son parte de nuestra comunidad escolar. Por eso les invitamos a que se capaciten y certifiquen en Ambiente Seguro. Habrá una sesión en ESPAÑOL el jueves 18 de abril de 6:00 a 8:30 pm. En El Centro Pastoral Tepeyac (5301 S. 36th St. Omaha, NE, 68107).
Ya que no podemos recibir personas que no se han registrado previamente, por favor utilice el siguiente enlace para registrarse oportunamente: https://omaha.cmgconnect.org/?locale=es
Debido a los temas que se abordan en esta sesión no es conveniente la presencia de menores de edad. Por favor planeen su asistencia de acuerdo con esta disposición.
Si necesita asistencia para registrarse por favor llame al 402.557.5571 o al 402.557.5570.
3rd-5th Grade Music Program
The 3rd-5th Grade Music Program will be on Thursday, April 25th at 2 PM and 6 PM! Families are invited to join us for either or both performances. Students will wear uniforms for the afternoon performance and dress up in the evening. Students should report to their homerooms before the evening performance by 5:45 PM. All 3rd-5th graders will perform at both concerts – please contact Mrs. Tucksen at j.tucksen@stephen.org if your student will be absent from a performance. Thank you and we look forward to singing for you!
End Of Year Nominations
Our School Advisory Board is still accepting nominations through Wednesday, May 8th!
SSM News: April 11th Edition
This week our 6th graders cover birthdays, lunch menu & Teacher Appreciation Week! This episode features Drake L., Henry P., Kenzie G., Maria R., and Bryson F.
Progress Reports
You will receive an email Thursday, April 25th 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).
Music in Catholic Schools Solo/Ensemble Festival
This past Saturday was the MCS Solo/Ensemble Festival. Over 89 events were judged and 22 schools were represented. Students earned Superior, Excellent or Good ratings.
The following students represented St. Stephen the Martyr performing solos or ensembles:
- Bo H., Alto Sax, Superior +
- Nolan H. & Henry E., Clarinet, Superior
- Elizabeth K., Trombone, Excellent
- Marty R., Alto Sax, Excellent
- Shivali S., Clarinet, Excellent
- Scarlett A., Flute, Good
Congratulations to all of our students! We are proud of your great work and dedication!
Home & School Updates
Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week: April 15th-19th
Volunteers & Donations Needed!
We still need your help! We need volunteers to decorate this coming Sunday, donate desserts for next Friday! Get all the details and sign up using the button below!
Open Positions for the 2024-2025 School Year
Yearbooks On Sale Now!
Yearbooks are on sale now through Tuesday, April 30th. They are $25 and you can order using the button below or order in person after school on Tuesday, April 16th from the Yearbook Club in the front of the school (north side).
Sports Club Updates
Fall 2024 Volleyball Tryouts & Registration
SSM Volleyball is open to all girls enrolled in St. Stephen grade school or Religious Education programs in grades 3-8. We welcome athletes of all abilities, including multi-sport athletes. Practices and games will begin in August.
Men's Club Updates
Parish Updates
Thank You for Supporting Our Dinner & Auction!
2024 Summer Tailgates
Vacation Bible School
We are so excited to dive into friendship with God this summer at our SCUBA Vacation Bible School. Registration is still open! We are also recruiting for both youth volunteers and adult station leaders. Register and sign up to volunteer using the button below.
Totus Tuus
Totus Tuus is a Catholic Summer Camp run by a collaborative effort between leaders of St. Stephen the Martyr and St. Wenceslaus and young adult missionaries hired by the Archdiocese of Omaha. Register for this awesome summer camp using the button below!
Community Updates
SSM Girl Scouts Host: Daddy Daughter Derby Dance
Sack Lunch Ministry
Thank you for your continued support of our sack lunch ministry. Your generosity feeds our brothers and sisters at the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVDP), Stephen Center, and Open Door Mission. Use the buttons below to sign up this month!
Important Upcoming Dates
- April 15-19: Teacher Appreciation Week
- April 15: Fire Drill
- April 17: 2 PM Dismissal (Staff Meeting)
- April 21: First Holy Communion
- April 23: First Communion Breakfast/Sacrament Celebration, 9:30 AM, Dining Room
- April 25:
- Spring Music Program, 2 PM & 6 PM, Gym
- STAR Testing - Math
- Progress Reports
- April 26:
- No School (Teacher In-service)
- Men's Club Triathlon
- April 29: No School (Teacher In-service)
- April 30: STAR Testing - Reading
- May 3: May Crowning
- May 6: 8A Confirmation
- May 7: 8B Confirmation
- May 8:
- 8C Confirmation
- Home & School Meeting, 7 PM
- May 9:
- All School Mass - Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord
- 8th Grade Confirmation Celebration - students only (no families)
- May 10: No All School Mass