A Message from Mrs. Perrault, Principal
Dear Families,
Congratulations to our second graders who made their First Communion on Sunday! It was beautiful to celebrate with them, but also to recognize them again at Mass on Tuesday followed by a special breakfast hosted by our Home and School Association.
Speaking of Home and School, we were spoiled again during Teacher Appreciation Week last week. It is amazing to feel such support and gratitude from our school community. Thank you to all of our families who support and volunteer through Home and School. We have an exciting announcement below on who our 2024-2025 president and vice president will be, so be sure to continue reading. Additionally, there are several volunteer opportunities for the 24-25 school year, so please explore the open positions and see where you may be a good fit.
On Tuesday, I had the pleasure of spending the morning with our superintendent Mrs. Vickie Kauffold. She was so impressed with our students, staff, and school. I am so proud to talk about our school community, but it is even better when someone can visit and experience why I love being a part of this school.
Earlier this month we announced that Mrs. Abby Rezac (kindergarten teacher) will be moving to St. Louis. I'm excited to share that we have hired Miss Abby O’Brien as our new kindergarten teacher. She is currently teaching at St. Joseph’s in the Lincoln Diocese. She is excited to join our team and to be back in Omaha with her family.
I am so proud of the growth I have seen in our students this school year and I look forward to celebrating our 8th graders as we enter their last month at St. Stephen the Martyr Catholic School!
United In Christ,
Mrs. Perrault
In this issue of Martyr Messenger:
- Admin Updates: Incidental Billing Update for May, Special Dress Down Day - April 30th, May Crowning, Spring Book Fair, Field Day, Lost & Found, End Of Year Award Nominations, Student Council End-of-Year Celebration, Progress Reports
- Home & School Updates: New President & Vice President, A Night at the Ball Park, School Supply Packs, Urgent Need for Summer Volunteers, Buy Your 23-24 Yearbooks, 8th Grade Graduation Lunch, Boden Reischl Artist of the Month, Used Uniform Sale Donations
- Sports Club Update: Fall 2024 Volleyball Tryouts and Registration
- Parish Updates: Nebraska Catholic Day of Giving, Pastoral Council Open Positions
- Community Updates: Girl Scout Daddy Daughter Derby Dance, Upcoming Duchesne Events, Mark & Rose Delaney Memorial Scholarship, Flaming Hoops Basketball Camp
Administration Updates
Incidental Billing for May
Due to the large number of Field Trips in April and May, FACTS Incidental Billing will be issued three times in May on May 1st, 15th, and 30th. Please contact the office with questions.
Special Dress Down Day: Tuesday, April 30th!
Mrs. Perrault & Mr. Verraneault were happy to have Mr. Matthew Keating-Manzitto and Miss Natalie Ferrante join the admin team on Wednesday! Mr. Keating-Manzitto and Miss Ferrante assisted and fulfilled the duties of the principal and assistant principal for the majority of the day. They were pretty busy helping with announcements, reading to students, cross-walk duty and so much more! They dressed in professional attire, received their own business cards and Runza even catered in their lunch!
The best part for our students: Mr. Keating-Manzitto announced that Tuesday, April 30th will be a Dress Down Day for all students! Woo hoo!!
We are so grateful to their families for supporting the Dinner and Auction through their purchase of the Principal & Assistant Principal of the Day packages. It was a super fun day for everyone and we think they could have careers in education one day!
Bring a Flower for Mother Mary on Friday, May 3rd
Students are invited to bring a flower for our May Crowning on Friday, May 3rd. Volunteers will collect the flowers from students on Friday morning in the School Commons before school.
Stock up for Summer at our Spring Book Fair!
The Spring Book Fair is May 6th-10th, 7:30-7:55 AM and 3:30-3:55 PM. Every dollar you spend will benefit our school directly.
★ Our Fair is CASHLESS: Credit/Debit cards, ApplePay, and eWallet only
★ You can sign up for a Book Fair eWallet, a convenient digital payment account, so your child can shop the Fair cash-free. Grandparents, friends, and others can contribute to the eWallet to help build your home library. Visit our Book Fair website to set up an eWallet today.
★ Middle schoolers may attend on their own and bring any younger siblings. All students who do not have middle school siblings must attend with a parent/guardian.
★ You can order online May 3-16 and have books shipped directly to your home!
★ Our Fair is CASHLESS: Credit/Debit cards, ApplePay, and eWallet only
★ You can sign up for a Book Fair eWallet, a convenient digital payment account, so your child can shop the Fair cash-free. Grandparents, friends, and others can contribute to the eWallet to help build your home library. Visit our Book Fair website to set up an eWallet today.
★ Middle schoolers may attend on their own and bring any younger siblings. All students who do not have middle school siblings must attend with a parent/guardian.
★ You can order online May 3-16 and have books shipped directly to your home!
Field Day: Monday, May 20th
Planning is underway for our 2024 Field Day that will be held on Monday, May 20th for students in TK-7th Grade! Students have a Class Color Dress Down Day on this day. Please follow Family Handbook guidelines.
TK - 5th grade will have their Field Day in the morning. 6th grade will have one hour of Field Day in the morning and one hour in the afternoon. In the morning, 7th grade will serve as Station Leaders for the younger grades and then have their Field Day in the afternoon. Families are welcome to come cheer students on! Visitors do not need to check in, they can just head straight to the field to watch.
**New this year: Picnic Lunch!**
Students may bring a sack lunch from home or the hot lunch option for that day will be a hotdog sack lunch. Students may bring a beach towel to sit on at the picnic!
Volunteers Needed
We are looking for parent volunteers during the picnic to give teachers their lunch break. Please sign up using the SignUp Genius below if you would like to volunteer to supervise during the picnic lunch. Volunteers should check in at the office and then meet your class on the field!
Lost & Found
Our Lost & Found is overflowing again. Please stop by the south entrance to claim your family's lost items. These doors are unlocked even when school is not in session, so please feel welcome to stop by after weekend Masses to claim your items!
End Of Year Nominations
Our School Advisory Board is still accepting nominations through Wednesday, May 8th! Please submit your nominations using the button below.
Student Council End-of-Year Celebration!
To celebrate our 2023/2024 school year, on Wednesday, May 15th, our Student Council will have Spectrum Snoballs at St. Stephen from 1-3 PM. Students will need $1.50 to cover the cost of the shaved ice treat. Please bring the money to your homeroom by May 13th. As a bonus, students can wear spirit wear tops and dress down bottoms on this day!
Progress Reports
You will receive an email today from Mrs. Courtenay Swanstrom with a link to your student's Progress Report. If you have any questions or concerns, please email your student's teacher(s).Home & School Updates
Introducing our 2024-2025 Home & School President & Vice President
Please join us in welcoming and expressing our gratitude to Leigh Daly & Suszi Munson! Leigh accepted the role of president and Suszi accepted the role of vice president for the 2024-2025 school year. Leigh has children in 1st, 4th, and 5th grade and Suszi has a 4th grader. They will begin their new roles on May 22, 2024.
We are still in search of someone to fill the treasurer role. This person needs to be very detail-oriented and consistent. They are an important part of the Home & School leadership team and will work closely with Leigh, Suszi and our pillar directors. If you are interested in this role, please contact us at ssmhomeandschool@stephen.org.
Save the Date:
A Night at the Ball Park is May 23rd!
There is a promotion running for this game and Berm tickets are $3/ticket for the first 300 tickets sold (limit of 6). Grab your tickets now at this special price! After the first 300 are sold, Berm tickets are $10. Click the button below to purchase today!
24-25 School Supply Packs & Lists
Home & School organizes the sale of school supply packs through Educational Products, Inc. (EPI). School Supply Packs ordered through EPI are delivered directly to the school and placed in your child's classroom before Back to School Night.
This service is provided to families by SSM Home & School and is not a fundraiser. All proceeds cover the costs of the supplies. Families are not obligated to purchase through EPI and may choose to shop on their own using the lists provided on our website at school.stephen.org/school-supplies.
Open Positions for the 2024-2025 School Year
We have two roles that we need to fill ASAP! Please consider volunteering for these committees! See below for more details.
Summer Play Dates: Organizing ways over the summer for early childhood, kindergarten and new families to connect and get to know each other. Volunteers to attend/host these events can expect a 2-hour shift, 3 times/summer. Typically early childhood or incoming kindergarten parents lead, but we are open to anyone who loves to be welcoming!
Used Uniform: Coordinate the gathering & sale of used uniforms for the sale in July & at Back to School Night. As well as maintain the uniforms in the GPC closet. We do have a lead for this so it would be working with that person and assisting.
Yearbook Sales Close April 30th
Reminder: Yearbook sales changed this year so the only window to order the 2023-2024 Yearbook is this April. Sales opened on April 1st and will close on April 30th. If you have not placed your order this month, please do so using the button below!
8th Grade Graduation Luncheon
8th Grade Students will be honored at a 10:30 AM Mass and graduation ceremony. Following Mass, Home & School will host a taco bar lunch in the gym for 8th-grade students, their parents (or two special guests), and teachers.
Boden Reischl Artist of the Month April Honorees
Our Boden Reischl Artist of the Month honorees have been announced for April. These will be the final students selected for the 2023-2024 school year. We have such talented artists and we love being able to highlight their skills and creativity throughout the school year.
Used Uniform Sale Donations
As we're about to wrap up the school year, it's already time to start thinking about next year. Drop-off for the summer Used Uniform Sale will begin May 6 and will run through the sale set-up. We hope to host the sale in late June. Please bring your used uniform pieces and spirit wear to the South Breezeway. Label each item using masking tape and clearly marked with your student’s last name and first initial, item size, and item price. Items without names or that are not marked will be considered donations.
Suggested pricing: polo shirts (white or gray only) $3, jumpers $15, plaid skorts/skirts $12, navy skorts $8, shorts $5, pants $5, crew or quarter zip uniform sweatshirts (red or navy with embroidered logo) $5, past years spirit wear $3, sport uniforms $3. 20% of the sale proceeds go directly to the Home & School Association.
Keep an eye out in the next Martyr Messenger for more information, including the sale date, location, and a volunteer sign-up!
Questions? Contact Amanda Sitter at amanda.r.reese@gmail.com or ssmhomeandschool@gmail.com.
Suggested pricing: polo shirts (white or gray only) $3, jumpers $15, plaid skorts/skirts $12, navy skorts $8, shorts $5, pants $5, crew or quarter zip uniform sweatshirts (red or navy with embroidered logo) $5, past years spirit wear $3, sport uniforms $3. 20% of the sale proceeds go directly to the Home & School Association.
Keep an eye out in the next Martyr Messenger for more information, including the sale date, location, and a volunteer sign-up!
Questions? Contact Amanda Sitter at amanda.r.reese@gmail.com or ssmhomeandschool@gmail.com.
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.
Parish Updates
Support the youth of St. Stephen the Martyr through the Nebraska Day of Giving on May 1st!
St. Stephen the Martyr is committed to ensuring that all the youth in our parish have access to Catholic education, whether that is through our school, religious education programs, or youth ministry. Our Tuition Assistance Program helps us keep that commitment. Your support will help fund the following programs for the youth of our parish:
- Tuition Assistance for School students
- Financial Assistance for Steubenville attendees
- Tuition Assistance for Religious Education students
Your gift will help nourish St. Stephen the Martyr and provide for a brighter future for our youth! We are grateful for your support. Early giving is now open! You can contribute by clicking the button below!
Pastoral Council Seeking Two New Members
The Pastoral Council is seeking two engaged parishioners to join their team. In support of Fr. Dave, this Council strives to be consultative in nature, a medium for communication, and a model of cooperation and collaboration. Click the button below to learn more and apply. The Application Deadline is May 10, 2024. Questions? Please contact Bob Homan at rlhoman1961@gmail.com.
Community Updates
SSM Girl Scouts Host: Daddy Daughter Derby Dance
Upcoming Events at Duchesne Academy
7th Grade Girls Night Out
Friday, April 26th from 6-8 PM
Register here: https://duchesneacademyorg.finalsite.com/fs/form-manager/view/6de87b58-1dea-4ebd-aa88-64a4118ed2d5
5th & 6th Grade Field Day
Friday, May 3rd from 6-8 PM
Mark & Rose Delaney Memorial Scholarship
The Delaney family annually distributes one $500 scholarship to be applied toward a current or incoming high school student’s yearly tuition. The student must have/had cancer affect their life (student, student’s immediate, and/or extended family) and attend a high school that the Archdiocese of Omaha operates.
Flaming Hoops Basketball Camp
When:
Tuesday, May 28th - Friday, May 31st
8:30-10:30 AM (Grades 1-3)
10:45 AM - 12:45 PM (Grades 4-8)
Where: St. Stephen the Martyr Catholic School gym
Who: Boys and girls Grades 1-8 (2024-25 school year)
Important Upcoming Dates
- April 25:
- Spring Music Program, 6 PM, Gym
- 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 4: Girl Scouts' Daddy Daughter Derby Dance
- May 6: 8A Confirmation
- May 7: 8B Confirmation
- May 8:
- 8C Confirmation
- Home & School Meeting, 7:30 PM, Parish Center
- 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 (All School Mass will be held the day before for the Solemnity of the Ascension.)
- May 15: Student Council End-of-Year Celebration
- May 16:
- 8th Grade Last Day of School
- 8th Grade vs. Teachers Volleyball Game
- 8th Grade Walk-out
- May 17:
- No School (PreK-7th Grade)
- 8th Grade Graduation
- May 20: Field Day, Class Color Dress Down Day & Picnic Lunch
- May 21: Preschool & PreK Last Day of School
- May 22:
- TK-7th Grade Last Day of School
- All School Mass
- 10 AM Dismissal
- May 23: A Night at the Ball Park, 6:30 PM, Werner Park