A Message from Mrs. Perrault, Principal
Dear Families,
Happy New Year! Our second semester is off to a great start despite the frigid cold! We are gearing up for a great month. Over the next week, our staff and Home & School volunteers will finalize plans for our school's Open House & Catholic Schools Week. The week, dedicated to celebrating the gift of Catholic education and sharing our wonderful school with new families, brings me such joy every year. This also means it is almost time to enroll for the 2025-2026 school year. Enrollment for our current families will open on Sunday, January 26th at Noon. All new families will begin enrolling on February 17th. It is important to enroll before February 17th to ensure a spot (some classes are full, and some are very close to full.) Details for enrolling will be sent out a few days before enrollment opens.
It is no doubt winter, and that means that snow will be inevitable at some point. I am including the “Inclement Weather Policy”. It is highly unlikely we will have late starts, but the policy does include information about that possibility.
Welcome back! We will certainly have a wonderful second semester!
United In Christ,
Mrs. Perrault
In this issue of Martyr Messenger:
- Admin Updates: Re-enrollment, Volunteer for Open House, Catholic Schools Week, Circle of Grace, Library Volunteers, Honor Roll, Parent Reminders, First Communion Parent Meeting, Italian Feast, Archdiocesan Educator of the Year Nominations, Cold Weather Reminders & Inclement Weather Policy, Report Cards
- Sports Club Updates: Late Soccer Registration, Track Registration
- Home & School Updates: Home & School Meeting, Musical Updates, Middle School Dance, Yearbook Photos & Cover Art Contest, EPS Penny Wars, Used Uniform Closet
- Parish Updates: Trivia Night, Dinner & Auction Tickets on Sale, VBS Save the Date, Thursday Nights with Father Dave, Free Throw Contest
- Community Updates: High School Honor Roll, Entrance Exam at Mercy, Middle School Event at Duchesne, Mt. Michael Coaches Clinic
Administration Updates
Re-Enrollment for the 2025-2026 School Year
Re-enrollment for the 2025-2026 school year will begin Sunday, January 26th. Re-enrollment packets will be emailed to each currently enrolled student, except those with delinquent FACTS financial accounts. All FACTS account delinquencies for the 24-25 school year including tuition, incidentals, lunch & Kidzone must be paid before an enrollment packet will be sent for your student.
Enrollment packets and the $211/student enrollment fee must be paid by February 17th to reserve your child's spot in our school for the 2025-2026 school year. Concerns with meeting this deadline should be directed to our office staff.
We have several grades that are near capacity, so please do not delay re-enrolling and reserving your child's spot! Additional details and re-enrollment guides will be shared in the next Martyr Messenger.
Volunteer for our Open House: Sunday, Jan. 26th
We are excited to welcome prospective families to tour our school, meet our early childhood and kindergarten staff members, and meet fellow parents! Here's how you can help:
- Invite your family and friends to attend the event: You and your children are our best ambassadors! Please share our social media posts with your friends and please extend a personal invitation to anyone you may know who is considering enrollment in a new school next year. They can visit school.stephen.org/openhouse to reserve a tour at our Open House.
- Volunteer at the event: We anticipate giving over 60 tours in just three hours! We cannot do this without your help. We will give you all the information you need to show prospective families our school. The only skills you need are a welcoming demeanor and a love for St. Stephen the Martyr Catholic School! Sign up using the button below.
Catholic Schools Week
Catholic Schools Week is almost here! We'll have complete details in our next Martyr Messenger. If you'd like a sneak peek at the fun to come, visit our website at school.stephen.org/csw!
Circle of Grace Curriculum
Our school utilizes the Archdiocesan Circle of Grace curriculum. Circle of Grace aims to help children understand their own and other's dignity in mind, body and spirit. Please view the below PDF for helpful information about curriculum content and helpful tips for parents.
Library Volunteers
Mrs. Tessari is looking for volunteers to help with checkout time in grades K-2 and volunteers to help shelve returned books. We would love to have you!
Congratulations to our Middle School Honor Roll Students!
Students on the Gold Honor Roll achieved an average of 93% or above in their daily “core classes". Students on the Red Honor Roll achieved an average between 86% and 92% in their daily “core classes”.
Parent Reminders for Second Semester
- Lost & Found: Please check to see if anything your family owns is in the Lost & Found, even if you aren't missing anything. The shelves are full and there are plenty of mittens, water bottles, lunch boxes and other items wanting to go home!
- School Dismissal Policy: Effective immediately: We will switch dismissal times for second semester. A-L will dismiss at 3:25 PM. Students with last names M-Z will dismiss at 3:20 PM. *Note: Please pick your child up at dismissal time. For the safety of our students, please do not allow your child to stay on school grounds, especially the playground, unsupervised. If you are running late, please call the School Office so a staff member can supervise your child.
- Parking Lot Reminder: Please be courteous and respect the "No Parking" spaces, the handicapped spaces, loading zones, and signs from Dinner and Auction. You will be asked to move your vehicle if you choose to park in a No Parking Zone, please understand and be respectful if asked to move.
First Communion Parent Meeting
Monday, January 13th | 7 PM
Parents of second graders: Get all the details about your child's upcoming First Holy Communion at our parent meeting. Parents will also pick up a First Communion Preparation Booklet containing activities and lessons which you are asked to complete with your child at home and turn in by March 28th.
Parents of second graders: Get all the details about your child's upcoming First Holy Communion at our parent meeting. Parents will also pick up a First Communion Preparation Booklet containing activities and lessons which you are asked to complete with your child at home and turn in by March 28th.
Nominate our Administrators/Teachers for Archdiocesan Educator of the Year!
Italian Feast Fundraiser
Support 8th Grade D.C. Trip!
Jan. 11th | 5-9 PM | Dining Room
Cold Weather Recess Reminders
Please ensure your student is appropriately dressed for the weather. We will have outdoor recess as long as the actual or the "feels like" wind chill temperature is 10 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. Please send students to school with labeled jackets, hats, gloves/mittens, etc. When there is snow to play in, students may bring snow pants/bibs and boots, but they must wear shoes while inside. Please make sure these items are labeled. Sending them in a labeled plastic bag can be helpful for keeping their items together and provide easy storage should they get wet at recess.
Report Cards
Report Cards will be sent home with your student tomorrow. If you have any questions or concerns, please email your student's teacher(s). Thank you for a great semester!
Inclement Weather Policy
As colder weather settles in, it is a good time to review our inclement weather policy. St. Stephen the Martyr Catholic School (SSM) observes the school closing policies of the Millard Public Schools (MPS) and/or Omaha Catholic Schools (OCS). When school is canceled, SSM will send families an email (using the “Correspondence” email(s) the family has on file in FACTS). If either district calls off school due to inclement weather, SSM will be closed. If MPS or OCS calls a late start, SSM will issue our own weather announcement via email by 6:15 AM based on weather conditions impacting our school. SSM will either close school for the entire day or begin school at 10 AM. If MPS or OCS announces a remote learning day in lieu of a snow day, school and Kidzone will be canceled. The full policy can be found on page 26 of the Family Handbook.
Sports Club
Late Registrations for CYSL Soccer open until Monday, Jan. 13th
Register for Track & Field for 5th-8th Graders!
Season Starts March 3rd
Home & School Updates
Home & School Meeting
Jan. 14th | 6 PM
Rehearsals began this week for Matilda Jr.
- Rehearsal Schedules were sent to registered actors. If you did not get an email, please email us.
- K-5th can still register to participate in the musical! Registration closes tomorrow.
- Parents can volunteer to help supervise rehearsals using the button below.
Yearbook Cover Art Contest + Submit Your Photos!
Yearbook Club will meet next on January 23rd at 3:30 PM
The Yearbook Club is looking for creative Middle Schoolers to design the cover! Create a cover design following the yearbook theme: Carnival. Submissions are due by Jan. 22nd to jhhein06@gmail.com.
Save the Date! Middle School Dance
Catholics Schools Week Penny War
This annual fundraiser for Essential Pregnancy Services (EPS) is a fun way for our school children to give back to our community and show support for mothers and children. The EPS Penny War will run from January 21st - January 30th. How much money can we raise this year and who will be our 2025 winner?! Start saving those pennies and watch Friday Folders for more details.
Submit Your Photos to Yearbook!
Yearbook is seeking picture submissions throughout the school year that capture all the fun memories of classroom parties, events, sacraments, milestones and other fun activities for all our students. Use the button below and make sure to select the grade or activity appropriate album when submitting. Thank you for your help in collecting the '24-'25 school year memories!
Used Uniform Closet
Need a few more uniforms to get through the end of the year? Visit the Uniform Closet in the Parish Center. This is a self-service uniform sale, available all school year whenever the GPC is open. Parish Center doors are unlocked Monday-Friday, 8-3:30 with the clothing racks located in the conference room closet. Browse the racks, pick your uniform pieces, and pay by OSV using the QR code posted in the closet.
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
Parish Updates
Join us for Trivia Night
Create a table with fellow school parents!
Dinner & Auction Tickets Now on Sale!
Save the Date for VBS
Now Seeking Adult Volunteers for Vacation Bible School June 9-13th
Registration will begin March 31st for our Alaskan Adventure Vacation Bible School! We are currently seeking Adult Volunteers to ensure a great experience for our participants. Watch for more information on VBS coming soon.
Join Father Dave on Thursday Nights
Knights of Columbus Free Throw Contest
Community Updates
SSM Alumni on High School Honor Rolls
We are proud of all of our alumni who continue their academic success in high school! When we are notified by high schools, we will share the achievements on our webpage: school.stephen.org/alumni. First-semester honor roll students have been added to the website. Congratulations to all of our alumni!
Future Cardinal Fan Night at Duchesne Academy
5th – 8th grade girls are invited to join us for a home Duchesne Varsity Game on January 28th at 7 PM. Students will experience our energetic student section, enjoy snacks, and have chances to win fun raffles. Join us in cheering the Cardinals to victory! Register at duchesneacademy.org/admissions. Questions? Contact Maggie Vazquez, Admissions Event Coordinator at mvazquez@duchesneacademy.org
8th Grade Placement & Scholarship Exam at Mercy High School
8th Grade Exam is coming up this Saturday, January 11th. In addition, we will be hosting a 6th/7th Grade Practice Exam on the same day. We would love for your students to participate in the exams and experience what Mercy has to offer. If any families need assistance signing up, I’m happy to help either by guiding them through the process or assisting in person at your school.
To register, families can visit this link:
Baseball Coaches Clinic at Mount Michael
Important Upcoming Dates
- Jan. 10th: Report Cards
- Jan. 14th: Home & School Meeting
- Jan. 18th: Trivia Night
- Jan. 21st: EPS Penny Wars Begin
- Jan 26th: Open House & Re-enrollment Begins
- Jan. 26th - Feb 1st: Catholic Schools Week
- Feb. 17th: Re-enrollment deadline