A Message from Mrs. Perrault, Principal
Dear Families,
What a joyful week we had last week as we celebrated our Catholic school! I am always so proud of our students and all their accomplishments. I love how our students have many different individual talents that they share every day with our school community in a variety of ways. We have artists, musicians, athletes, super spellers, future writers and poets, robotics gurus, budding comedians, and many students who would win a kindness challenge any day of the week. Most importantly though, we have students who love God and live their faith every day!
Just like our students, our teachers continue to work hard and learn. Our professional development days and PLCs (Professional Learning Communities) meetings focus on the Gradual Release of Responsibility, Love and Logic, curriculum alignment, the science of reading, social emotional learning, MTSS (multi-tiered systems of support), and analyzing assessment data. Teachers work collaboratively with grade level and across grade levels. All of our professional development and PLCs align with our school goals and mission.
This week we are celebrating National School Counselor Week. SSM is blessed to have two super counselors who genuinely love and care about all of our students. Thank you to Mr. Daymut and Mrs. Delaney.
I hope to see many of you at conferences next week and remember, please reach out any time you would like to talk with a staff member. Tomorrow you can access progress reports, and STAR parent reports will be sent home as well. Please see the information regarding testing and retesting found below. We appreciate your partnership in educating your children.
Enrollment is underway. If you have students who will be entering kindergarten, third, fifth, or seventh grade for the 2025-26 school year please be aware that space is limited and we could possibly have a waitlist.
I continue to feel so fortunate to share my faith and love of Christ with all of our families every day. We really do have a special community at St. Stephen the Martyr school
Just like our students, our teachers continue to work hard and learn. Our professional development days and PLCs (Professional Learning Communities) meetings focus on the Gradual Release of Responsibility, Love and Logic, curriculum alignment, the science of reading, social emotional learning, MTSS (multi-tiered systems of support), and analyzing assessment data. Teachers work collaboratively with grade level and across grade levels. All of our professional development and PLCs align with our school goals and mission.
This week we are celebrating National School Counselor Week. SSM is blessed to have two super counselors who genuinely love and care about all of our students. Thank you to Mr. Daymut and Mrs. Delaney.
I hope to see many of you at conferences next week and remember, please reach out any time you would like to talk with a staff member. Tomorrow you can access progress reports, and STAR parent reports will be sent home as well. Please see the information regarding testing and retesting found below. We appreciate your partnership in educating your children.
Enrollment is underway. If you have students who will be entering kindergarten, third, fifth, or seventh grade for the 2025-26 school year please be aware that space is limited and we could possibly have a waitlist.
I continue to feel so fortunate to share my faith and love of Christ with all of our families every day. We really do have a special community at St. Stephen the Martyr school
United In Christ,
Mrs. Perrault
In this issue of Martyr Messenger:
- Admin Updates: Re-enrollment, Conferences & Teacher Professional Development Days, School Advisory Board, Middle School Honor Roll Update, Superstar Catholic School Contest Voting, STAR Testing, 7th Grade Physicals, Food Drive Thank You, Lost & Found, Financial Aid Info, Weather Related School Closings, Track & Field Seeking Head Coach
- Home & School Updates: Valentine's Celebrations, Yearbook Photos & Cover Art Contest
- Parish Updates: Thursday Nights with Father Dave, Mardi Gras Dinner & Auction, Totus Tuus Save the Date, Worlds of Fun Trip Save the Date
- Community Updates: Mom Prom, Summer Art Camps, Marian Father-Daughter Dance
Administration Updates
What is the School Advisory Board and who are our members?
The St. Stephen the Martyr School Advisory Board is an advisory board that functions to advise and assist the administration and ultimately the pastor in the following areas:
- Assessing the school implementation of the strategic plan especially in the areas of Academic Excellence and Catholic Identity and reviewing the plan annually.
- Establishing general policies for the control, operation, maintenance and expansion of the school; (Implementation of policies is ordinarily the responsibility of the Principal of the school.)
- Assuring the financial viability and operational vitality of the school building and technology by providing advice and counsel with regard to long range financial planning and annual budget development.
- Reviewing and evaluating the mission, vision, philosophy, and goals of the school and recommending approval of such to the Principal and Pastor.
The school board meets three or four times annually, in accord with the schedule determined by the board. The agenda for regular board meetings shall be set by the Executive Committee and mailed to members at least one week prior to the meeting. The agenda for Special Meetings shall be communicated to members to the extent possible given the circumstances.
Thank you to our 2024-2025 Advisory Board members:
- President: Kelli Herstein (Academic Excellence and Governance & Leadership)
- Vice President: Jennifer Ross (Mission & Catholic Identity and Governance & Leadership)
- Secretary: Scott Sanderson (Operational Vitality and Academic Excellence)
- Missy Adam (Operational Vitality)
- Charles Cooper (Mission & Catholic Identity and Governance & Leadership)
- Kari Hohenstein (Academic Excellence)
- Nicole Paus (Operational Vitality and Academic Excellence)
- Amanda Treiber (Operational Vitality and Governance & Leadership)
- Jarred Roy (Operational Vitality)
Middle School Honor Roll
A few weeks ago, we shared the names of our First Semester Honor Roll students. We soon learned that FACTS was not calculating all grades correctly. Therefore, a few students were missed. After working with FACTS and reviewing the lists, we now have all errors corrected. Below you will find the updated list of the First Semester Honor Roll recipients. We are very proud of their hard work and dedication to their academics!
Last Day to Vote for SSM!
Tomorrow is the last day to vote for St. Stephen the Martyr Catholic School in Spirit Catholic Radio's Superstar Catholic School Contest!
STAR Testing
Our students are assessed throughout the school year using Renaissance STAR Assessments, a tool that assists our classroom teachers in differentiating instruction, identifying instructional needs, and helps when making curriculum decisions. You can find a more complete explanation and more information about STAR Testing in the letter attached below. Assessment Reports will go home with students in this week's Friday Folders.
7th Grade Physicals
The Nebraska School Law requires all students entering 7th grade to have a physical examination by a physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner within six months prior to the entrance of school. A dental examination is recommended at this time. We do not require a specific form to be submitted as the physician’s office will provide a printout of the appointment details and immunizations. See the below PDF for more details.
Food Drive Thank You
The St. Stephen the Martyr Food Pantry is very appreciative to be the recipient of Catholic School’s Week food drive collection! It was a great success and our pantry is full of nutritious food, helpful household items, and necessary hygiene products. A special shout out to the 7th graders who made numerous hauls to the Parish Center with the collected donations as well as Mrs. Mabeus and the Catholic Schools Week Committee for coordinating the food drive.
With a grateful heart,
SSM Food Pantry
Lost & Found Reminder
There are many lunch boxes, water bottles, school sweatshirts, mittens, hats and other items stuck in our Lost & Found. Please visit the south foyer of the school to claim your items!
Financial Aid Applications
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.
Weather Related School Closings
Our School Advisory Board and Administration has reviewed our School Closing Policy as it relates to inclement weather. The decision has been reached that St. Stephen the Martyr School will no longer consider late starts. Effective immediately, if Millard Public Schools calls a late start, St. Stephen the Martyr School will be closed. If Millard Public Schools and/or Omaha Catholic Schools close, we will close. As always, families will receive email communication regarding weather-related closings. Thank you, and please see Mrs. Perrault's email dated Feb. 5th for more information.
Track & Field Seeking Head Coach for Girls Team
Home & School Updates
Valentine's Celebrations
Planning is underway for our upcoming Valentine's Day celebrations. Class parties will be Wednesday, February 12th. Grade-level party sign-ups for preschool through 5th grade have been sent out. 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
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.
Yearbook Cover Contest
- Submit your designs by March 7
- Email jhheien06@gmail.com to enter
- Winning design earns a free Dress Down Day!
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!
Parish Updates
Join Father Dave on Thursday Nights
Dinner & Auction Tickets Now on Sale!
Save the Date: Totus Tuus Catholic Summer Camp
Join us at Worlds of Fun!
6th-12th graders are invited to join the West Omaha Family of Parishes Youth on Thurs., June 5th for a day trip to Worlds of Fun! Registration coming soon. Adult chaperones needed. Contact Johnny Murray, Director of Youth Ministry at St. Wenceslaus at murrayj@stwenceslaus.org.
Community Updates
Tiki Time Mom Prom Luau
Summer Art Camp
Marian Momentum Father-Daughter Dance
Announcing Her Royal Highness and her entourage! Princesses and their prince charming are invited to the Princess Ball hosted by Marian Momentum, the Marian show choir. Daughters ages preshool-6th grade are invited to join us March 1st from 5:30-8 PM at Marian for music, snacks and activities. Registration will also include a tiara and keepsake T-Shirt for your daughter. Must register before February 17 to guarantee a T-Shirt.
Important Upcoming Dates
- 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. 13th: 11 AM Dismissal, Conferences
- Feb. 14th: No School
- Feb. 17th: No School; Teacher Professional Development
- Re-enrollment Deadline
- Feb. 18th: Kindergarten Field Trip to Durham
- Feb. 22nd: Cub Scouts Mom Prom: 7-9 PM, Dining Room