A Message from Mrs. Perrault, Principal
Dear Families,
I am so excited to celebrate Catholic Schools Week next week! Although we celebrate our faith everyday, this is the one week we get to spend every day reflecting on the important role that our Catholic education has on the community, nation, and the future of our children. We jumpstart our week on Sunday with student led masses (9 AM & 10:30 AM) and our PreK - K Open House 9 AM - noon. Please have your students wear their uniforms when they attend the Sunday masses. We love showcasing our students who are showing their pride in our school.
The 2025-2026 registration will open on January 26th for our current families. We hope and pray that all of our PreK-7th grade families will return. We will be using FACTS Management for the re-enrollment process again. All current families will receive an email from FACTS Management on January 26th. Be sure to check your SPAM folder. In order to re-enroll, you will need to be current with tuition payments. If you have any questions about your financial status, please contact Amy Maroney a.maroney@stephen.org. Enrollment information is included in this Martyr Messenger.
Thank you for your continued partnership and support of the school!
The 2025-2026 registration will open on January 26th for our current families. We hope and pray that all of our PreK-7th grade families will return. We will be using FACTS Management for the re-enrollment process again. All current families will receive an email from FACTS Management on January 26th. Be sure to check your SPAM folder. In order to re-enroll, you will need to be current with tuition payments. If you have any questions about your financial status, please contact Amy Maroney a.maroney@stephen.org. Enrollment information is included in this Martyr Messenger.
Thank you for your continued partnership and support of the school!
United In Christ,
Mrs. Perrault
In this issue of Martyr Messenger:
- Admin Updates: Re-enrollment, FACTS Financial Fees, Digital Directory Opt-In/Out, Financial Aid, Catholic Schools Week, K-2 Music Program Notice, Lost & Found, Knights of Columbus Art Contest,
- Sports Club Updates: Soccer Gear Pop-up Shop, Track Registration
- Home & School Updates: Volunteer at Open House, Yearbook Photos & Cover Art Contest, EPS Penny Wars, Valentine's Celebrations, 8th
- Parish Updates: Thursday Nights with Father Dave, Mardi Gras Dinner & Auction,
- 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 Begins This Sunday, January 26th: We hope that all of our Preschool-7th grade families will be with us again next year!
- Re-enrollment will be completed through your FACTS Family Portal and you will receive an email from FACTS Management on January 26th with a direct link to each of your student's re-enrollment packet. Be sure to check your SPAM folder if you do not receive the email(s).
- You can also access your Re-Enrollment Packet(s) via the SSM School App.
- To reserve your child's spot, you must re-enroll & pay your enrollment fee before February 17th to ensure placement for the 25-26 school year. We do have a few grades that are currently at capacity.
- As a reminder, if you have another child that isn't currently enrolled, but you intend to enroll them (i.e. a sibling of a K-8 student that is a first-time enrollee), you must complete a new student application for your new student. 2025/2026 New Student Applications can be submitted beginning January 26th at school.stephen.org/admissions. Current families receive priority admission.
- Families with delinquencies for the 24-25 school year including tuition, incidentals, lunch & Kidzone will not be able to enroll until delinquencies are settled. Please contact Amy Maroney in the business office if you have any questions at a.maroney@stephen.org.
FACTS Financial Fees
- The FACTS Financial re-enrollment fee is $11/student and the new student application fee is $22/student.
- These fees are required by FACTS and St. Stephen the Martyr Catholic School does not receive this payment. This re-enrollment fee can be paid via ACH at no cost, or by credit card with a processing fee. You will see the $11 FACTS fee and our enrollment fee charged together at $211 after you select your payment plan. FACTS may refer to this $211 as a registration fee.
- The application fee is for all new student applicants, including those who have siblings already enrolled at St. Stephen the Martyr. This fee is required by FACTS and St. Stephen the Martyr Catholic School does not receive this payment. This fee must be paid by credit card and there is a processing fee.
Financial Aid Application
Families may apply for Financial Aid through FACTS. The deadline to submit financial aid applications is May 1. Before other types of Financial Aid are considered, families are asked to apply for aid through the Children's Scholarship Fund. Use the button below to learn more. There are also scholarships available through Opportunity Scholarships. Find more information in the PDF linked below. Applications open on February 10th for both of these scholarship opportunities. Financial aid is also available through the Latino Scholarship Fund. For more information, contact bearellanes@archomaha.org.
Get ready to celebrate Catholic Schools Week: Jan. 26th-Feb. 1st!
Catholic Schools Week Notes:
Food Drive: Our Catholic Schools Week Food Drive will run from Jan. 27-Jan. 30th. See what item your class can bring here.
Special Friends Mass: Students can invite a guest to join them at Mass. It can be a grandparent, aunt/uncle, mom/dad, etc. As a reminder, we ask for children of the same family to invite one guest and they will all be allowed to sit together. Following Mass, students will return to their classroom to collect their belongings and then will be dismissed. Dismissal will be at 11 AM.
For complete details about Catholic Schools Week, visit the CSW section in the SSM School App or visit our website, school.stephen.org/csw. For complete details, visit the CSW section in the SSM School App or visit our website, school.stephen.org/csw.
Sports Club Updates
Soccer Gear Pop-up Shop
Register for Track & Field for 5th-8th Graders!
Home & School Updates
8th Grade Parents: Submit your photos for graduation!
The classroom coordinators are starting to collect pictures for 8th grade graduation. Please help out by uploading photos to the correct folder using the button below. Thank you!
Submit Your Photos to Yearbook!
Yearbook is seeking picture submissions throughout the school year that capture all the fun memories. 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!
Valentine's Celebrations
Planning is underway for our upcoming Valentine's Day celebrations. Class parties will be Wednesday, February 12th. Watch your emails for grade-level party sign-ups for preschool through 5th grade. 6th-8th graders will celebrate at Amazing Pizza Machine! Here is the celebration schedule:
- Red/Pink/White Dress Down Day for Everyone!
- Preschool & PreK AM Party: 10 - 10:45 AM in GPC
- Preschool & PreK PM Party: 2:30 - 3:15 PM in the GPC
- TK Party: 2-3 PM in GPC
- K-5th Grade Parties: 2:15 - 3 PM in classrooms
- Middle School to Amazing Pizza Machine.
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?! Rule Reminders: Each grade (Prek-8th) has its own baby bottle for collecting to benefit women and babies served by Essential Pregnancy Services. Proceeds help women get the care and support they need to take care of their babies.
- GAIN POINTS by adding Pennies and bills/checks to your grade’s bottle. LOWER other grades’ totals by adding silver coins to their bottle.
- PENNIES & BILLS/CHECKS add to your grade’s total.
- SILVER COINS subtract from your grade’s total.
- ADDING POINTS
Pennies + 1 point
$1 + 100 points
$5 + 500 points
$10 + 1000 points
$20 + 2000 points - SUBTRACTING POINTS
Nickels - 5 points
Dimes - 10 points
Quarters - 25 points - PRIZE: The grade that has the most points at 9 AM on Thurs., Jan. 30th is the winner and will get to decide between a DDD or recess! The winner will be announced on Friday, Feb. 1st!
Parish Updates
Join Father Dave on Thursday Nights
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 seeking Adult Volunteers to ensure a great experience for our participants.
Now Hiring: Director of Operations
Saint Stephen the Martyr Catholic Church is seeking a Director of Parish Operations. The Director serves as a key member of the pastor’s Leadership Team and oversees and directs a broad range of responsibilities to provide the necessary support and infrastructure for the mission of the parish to thrive. Please use the button below to learn more & apply.
Blood Drive at St. Stephen the Martyr Feb. 8th
Community Updates
Tiki Time Mom Prom Luau
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
Mercy High School Events
- Monarch Dance Clinic: Friday, January 31, 2025
- 5th-8th graders will learn & perform a dance at half time of the varsity basketball game! Admission for dance clinic families will be free. Sign up here.
- Mini Monarch Basketball Night: Tuesday, February 4that 6PM
- We are excited to invite you to Mercy High School's Mini Monarch Basketball Night for students in Grades 2-6! During the evening, students will have the opportunity to participate in a free throw game at halftime, meet the Mercy basketball team & coaches, and receive a special gift from Mercy! Sign up here.
- Shadow Day Visits for 6-8th Graders
- See what a day in the life of a Mercy Girl is like. Spend the day with a current student and/or Student Ambassador. Sign up here.
Benefit Dance for Music in Catholic Schools
Important Upcoming Dates
- Jan 26th: Open House & Re-enrollment Begins
- Jan. 26th - Feb 1st: Catholic Schools Week
- Jan. 30th: 8th Grade Mass at St. Cecilia's Cathedral
- Jan. 31st: 10 AM Special Friends Mass
- 11 AM Dismissal
- Feb. 7th: Progress Reports
- Feb. 12th: Valentine's Day
- Red, White and Pink Dress Down Day
- Class Parties for K-5th
- Middle School to Amazing Pizza Machine
- Feb. 13: 11 AM Dismissal, Conferences
- Feb. 14th: No School
- Feb. 17th: No School; Teacher Inservice
- Re-enrollment Deadline