A Message from Mrs. Perrault, Principal

Dear Families,
We are off and running! I am so excited to share this school year with all of you and your children. Our new staff members have already commented several times about our wonderful school and community. Thank you for making them all feel welcome. I am honored to be your principal, and I truly believe it is a privilege and a blessing to be part of St. Stephen the Martyr School.

I look forward to a year filled with faith and joy. Please always feel free to contact me and/or Mr. Verraneault when you have questions or concerns, I encourage you to always first reach out to the teacher if your question or concern pertains to your child’s classroom teacher. Thanks for choosing SSM. We are so happy to have you and your family.

Blessings,

Mrs. Perrault

In this issue of Martyr Messenger:

Admin Updates: Curriculum Night, Family Handbook Acknowledgement Form, Uniform Reminders, Chromebook Policy Form, We’re Hiring: Kidzone Staff, Join Us At Mass, Volunteers Needed in Early Childhood, Spirit Wear Orders
Home & School Updates: Join Us for Our First Meeting Tonight, Used Uniform Closet, Martyr Marathon Fundraising, Dues & Contributions, Needed: Classroom Coordinators, Liturgical Living at Home
Men's Club Updates: Husker Watch Party
Sports Club Updates: Micro Soccer Registration
Parish Updates: We're Hiring: Director of Communications, Beloved, Bible & Book Studies, Sisters of Faith, Gather: A Dinner Group for Widows & Widowers
Community Updates: Skutt Catholic Dance Clinic

Administration Updates

Curriculum Night - Thursday, September 5th

This event informs families of the curriculum covered in our classrooms. It is not a conference to discuss individual student needs/concerns.

Get tips on how you can support your child's learning at home
Students do not attend curriculum night - just parents/guardians
Curriculum Night is for TK-8th Grade only (No Preschool/PreK)
Note: Kindergarten teachers will not have a Curriculum meeting as this information was covered at the Kinder Parent Meeting in July. Kinder families, however, are invited to attend the Technology presentation, Specials presentation, and/or the Resource & TEAM presentation.
Click here to view our school map and locate the classrooms indicated below.

TK, 1st - 4th Grade: Parents should choose one of the below times and meet in their child’s classroom.

5:45-6:10 PM
6:20-6:50 PM
7:00- 7:25 PM

5th and 6th Grade: Parents should choose one of the below times and meet in Miss Freeman’s classroom #202. All 5th & 6th grade teachers will be present and have time to talk during all three sessions.

5:30-6:10 PM
6:15-6:50 PM
6:55- 7:30 PM

7th and 8th Grade: Parents should choose one of the below times and meet in Mrs. Peetz’s classroom #210. All 7th & 8th grade teachers will be present and have time to talk during all three sessions.

5:30-6:10 PM
6:15-6:50 PM
6:55- 7:30 PM

Technology Presentation: Mrs. Tessari (Library Specialist) and Mrs. Pennings (Technology Specialist) will present information on FACTS/Google Classroom/ and "Being Safe" online. This session will be held in the Computer Lab #103.

5:30-6:10 PM
6:15-6:50 PM
6:55-7:30 PM

Specials Presentation: Ms. Suto (Art), Mrs. Smith (Music), Mrs. Tucksen (Music), Mrs. Verraneault (PE), Mrs. Johnson (PE), and Mrs. Luth (Spanish) will provide an overview of Specials curriculum and classes. This session will be held in Ms. Suto’s Art Room #113.

5:30-6:10 PM
6:15-6:50 PM
6:55-7:30 PM

Resource & TEAM Presentation: Mr. Daymut (Counselor), Mrs. Delaney (Counselor & Interventionist), & Mrs. Ryan will share information about student services. This session will be held the Library #106.

5:45-6:10 PM
6:20-6:50 PM
7:00-7:25 PM

Family Handbook Acknowledgement Form

The Family Handbook Acknowledgement Form was due Tuesday, August 27, 2024. If you have not yet completed it, do so now. The Family Handbook is linked below, posted on our website, and in our app. Complete the form via the Family Portal in your web browser, or by following the below steps in our SSM School App.

24-25 Family Handbook

Uniform Reminders

We want to take a moment to remind you to check shorts, skirts, jumpers & skorts to ensure they meet the required length. Several students are already coming to school with violations. Please help your child follow the policy. 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

If needed, please place new orders from our uniform stores, Dennis Uniform or Digiorgio's, or visit our Used Uniform Closet in the Parish Center, open 8 AM - 3:30 PM, Monday-Friday. See details on the Used Uniform Closet in Home & School's updates below.

Chromebook Policy Form

A Chromebook Policy Handbook form was sent home in last week's Friday folders for students in grades 6-8. If you have not done so yet, please review the policy, sign & return the acknowledgment form.

We're Hiring: Kidzone Staff Members

Join Us at Mass!

We love it when our families attend Mass with our school students! While students need to sit with their classes, families are always welcome to join us and celebrate Mass with our school family. Reminder: Because our Church becomes an extension of our School when students are present, our Church doors are locked from 8:20 - 9:15 AM when school is in session on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Volunteers Needed in Early Childhood Classes

Come learn more about your Catholic faith through the eyes of 3-5 year olds! Our Early Childhood students attend Catechesis of the Good Shepherd as part of their faith formation at school. A trained catechist leads the classes, but the program needs volunteers to serve as assistants during each 1 hour and 35-minute session, during the school day. No experience is needed, but volunteers must be Safe Environment Trained. For more information, contact Brooke Keller at bnkeller@gmail.com.

Free and Reduced Lunch

School families may apply for Free and Reduced Price School Meals through the National School Lunch Program. More information on this process can be found on page 16 of the Family Handbook.

Spirit Wear Orders Due Tomorrow!

Purchase your SSM Spirit Wear by tomorrow, Friday, August 30th! Spirit Wear can be worn on Martyr Mondays, which begin September 9th, and other designated spirit days. All proceeds go to the Omaha Travel Club in support of the 8th Grade Washington D.C. trip.

Order Here

Home & School Updates

Join Us Tonight for our Kickoff Meeting!

6:15 PM | South Parking Lot

(Rain Location: Parish Center)

View the Meeting Agenda

Used Uniform Closet

Did you miss the Used Uniform Sale this summer? Did your kids outgrow the uniforms they have? Visit the Uniform Closet, now open in the Parish Center! This is a self-service uniform sale, available all school year whenever the GPC is open. The GPC doors are unlocked Monday-Friday, 8 AM - 3:30 PM with the clothing racks located in the conference room closet. Browse the racks, pick your uniform pieces, and pay by OSV using the posted QR code. Prices:

Polo shirts - $3
Jumpers - $15
Plaid Skirts/Skorts - $12
Navy Skorts - $8
Shorts and Pants - $5,
Leggings/Tights - $2
Uniform Sweatshirts - $5
Spirit Wear - $3

Questions? Please contact Amanda Sitter at amanda.r.reese@gmail.com or Libby Guenther at guentherel81@gmail.com.

Martyr Marathon Fundraising Kicks Off Tomorrow!

Martyr Marathon is our school’s largest fundraiser of the year, where students walk the marathon route to raise money for our school. This year the event will be held on Friday, September 20th. A successful Martyr Marathon replaces the need to do any other fundraising throughout the year for the school! To participate students are encouraged to collect pledges from family, friends, or neighbors. Donors make a flat donation to support our school, helping us reach our fundraising goals. Click the button below or click the Martyr Marathon Logo in our school app to learn more!

Martyr Marathon Details

Dues & Contributions

Use the button below to complete your Dues & Contributions form. Get several annual donations and your dues paid all on one form online! As a thank you for paying the $30 annual H&S Association Dues, you will be provided with a hard copy of the School Directory.

Dues & Contributions Form

Classroom Coordinators Still Needed!

We still need Classroom Coordinators for the grade levels listed. Help support our fantastic teachers! Sign up using the below button.

1st Grade: 1 spot
3rd Grade: 3 spots
7th Grade: 2 spots

Coordinators help plan holiday parties for grades K-5th and collect money to celebrate teacher and TA birthdays! If you have questions please contact Kelly at kellyraynor5@gmail.com or Becci at becciandevan@gmail.com.

Sign Up Here

Liturgical Living At Home

Aristotle once said, “We are what we repeatedly do.” Getting back into a routine is one of the things parents so appreciate about this time of the year. Routines can anchor us in daily life and create comfort and stability. When we’re on top of our routines, life feels a bit easier to handle. As you start thinking about your family’s routines and getting into a “new groove,” this school year, don’t forget the importance of building a routine for your home, centered around Christ.

According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church 1655:

“In our own time, in a world often alien and even hostile to faith, believing families are of primary importance as centers of living, radiant faith. For this reason, the Second Vatican Council, using an ancient expression, calls the family the Ecclesia Domestica [the domestic church]”

So how do we build a domestic church? It’s through living a life of Prayer, Service, Sacrifice, and Leadership, and each Martyr Messenger we will provide various suggestions and ways parents can take up the mantle of spiritual leadership to strengthen our Catholic Faith and culture in our homes.

This week, hang a Crucifix in a predominant place in your home and in all of your bedrooms. Not only does this signify that your home is a Catholic home, but is a constant reminder of Christ’s sacrificial love for us. As your eyes meet Jesus’ eyes on the cross, remember His words:

“Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.” - Matthew 16:24

“Jesus, help us to keep our lives focused on you. Amen”

Men's Club Updates

Save the Date for Our Husker Watch Party!

Sports Club Updates

Last Chance to Register for Micro Soccer!

Register Here

Parish Updates

We're Hiring: Director of Communications

The Director of Communications is a full-time position and is responsible for developing and overseeing a comprehensive, clear, and consistent communication strategy to articulate and advance the mission of Saint Stephen the Martyr. The Director will work closely with the pastor, staff, and lay leadership to support and enhance communication in the areas of ministry, the parish, the school and community. The ideal candidate is a thoughtful leader, strategic thinker, experienced writer, creative problem-solver, and valuable team member. They have excellent skills in preparing all written publications and in developing and maintaining websites and a digital presence.

Learn More & Apply

Join Us for Next Week for Our First Beloved Meeting of the Year

Book & Bible Studies Now Meeting

Learn More

Join Sisters of Faith On Monday Evenings

Gather: A Dinner Group for Widows and Widowers

Join Our Email Group

Community Updates

Skutt Catholic Dance Clinic

Important Upcoming Dates

August 29: First Home & School Meeting, 6-8 PM, South Parking Lot (Rain Location: Parish Center)
August 30: Martyr Marathon Kickoff Assembly (Students only)
September 2: No School - Labor Day
September 3: No School - Teacher In-Service
September 5: Curriculum Night
September 9: First Martyr Monday - Students may wear Spirit Tops & Uniform Bottoms
September 13: No School - Teacher In-Service
September 19: Yearbook Club (7th & 8th) Grade; 3:30 PM, Technology Lab
September 20:
- Martyr Marathon
- Noon Dismissal (no lunch served)
- No School for Preschool, PreK or TK
September 25: Early Dismissal for Staff Meeting
- Preschool & PreK
  - Morning Classes: 8- 10:15 AM
  - Afternoon Classes: 11:30 AM- 1:45 PM
- 1:50 PM for TK & Kidzone
- 2 PM for K – 8^th Grade
September 27: Progress Reports

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