A Message from Mrs. Perrault, Principal
Dear Families,
Happy Summer! I hope you are all adjusting to your summer schedules and enjoying some time with your families. We have been very busy in the office preparing for our next school year, and we are thrilled that you have made the decision for your family to be part of this incredible community. Welcome to our new families joining us for the 2025-2026 school year. We are so glad to have you at St. Stephen the Martyr Catholic School!
I am excited for some of the changes next year including the implementation of CKLA for grades K-4. If you are not familiar with the science of reading and want to learn more there are several podcasts devoted to evidenced based learning and literacy. Hear more about it here.
Several wonderful summer activities are being hosted by our Home & School Association during the summer months, including a Used Uniform Sale and Summer Playdates for our youngest students. Details are included below and we hope to see you!
Thank you to all those who attended our Corporate Sponsor Mixer last night in support of our school and Martyr Marathon. You will be hearing more soon about ways you can donate, sponsor, and volunteer.
I am also excited about some of our uniform additions for next year. We have added khaki as an option for bottoms and navy blue polos that can be worn with the school plaid or the khaki bottoms. Digiorgios does not carry the khaki options, but you can find them on our Lands End website here using school code 900155482.
We will send another Martyr Messenger in mid-July. Please know you are all in my prayers this summer! I hope your break is filled with lots of family time, prayer, and relaxation.
United In Christ,
I am excited for some of the changes next year including the implementation of CKLA for grades K-4. If you are not familiar with the science of reading and want to learn more there are several podcasts devoted to evidenced based learning and literacy. Hear more about it here.
Several wonderful summer activities are being hosted by our Home & School Association during the summer months, including a Used Uniform Sale and Summer Playdates for our youngest students. Details are included below and we hope to see you!
Thank you to all those who attended our Corporate Sponsor Mixer last night in support of our school and Martyr Marathon. You will be hearing more soon about ways you can donate, sponsor, and volunteer.
I am also excited about some of our uniform additions for next year. We have added khaki as an option for bottoms and navy blue polos that can be worn with the school plaid or the khaki bottoms. Digiorgios does not carry the khaki options, but you can find them on our Lands End website here using school code 900155482.
We will send another Martyr Messenger in mid-July. Please know you are all in my prayers this summer! I hope your break is filled with lots of family time, prayer, and relaxation.
United In Christ,
Mrs. Perrault
In this issue of Martyr Messenger:
- Admin Updates: Now Hiring: Teacher Associates, Substitute Teacher, Annual Calendar, Summer Office Hours, Tuition Payment Reminder, Medication Pickup, 7th Grade Physicals, Kindergarten Documents Needed, Uniform Changes, New SSM Backpacks, Kindergarten Experience Days
- Sports Club Updates: Summer Cross Country Training, CYSL Registration Now Open
- Home & School Updates: Used Uniform Sale, Summer Playdates, Save the Date for Back to School Night, School Supply Packs
- Parish Updates: Reach One More, New Coordinator of Middle School Youth Ministry
Administration Updates
Now Hiring: Teacher Associates
We are hiring! Our first grade classrooms are in need of a Teacher Associate. Please contact Greg Verraneault to learn more!
Seeking Substitute Teachers for the 2025-2026 School Year
Did you know? You do not need to have a teaching degree to become a substitute teacher. All college graduates are eligible. Please contact Greg Verraneault to be added to our sub list or to learn how to obtain certification.
2025-2026 Annual Calendar
Our annual calendar for next school year is now available. Please note: the calendar is tentative and subject to change.
Summer Office Hours
Our summer office hours are Monday-Thursday, 8:30 AM-11:30 AM. Please note that we sometimes have meetings outside of the school office. It is always best to call before you head up to school. Emails or voice messages received while we are out of the office will be returned as quickly as possible!
FACTS Tuition Payment Reminder
For families who use the 10-month payment plan for tuition:
- 2024/2025 tuition auto-payments are now complete unless you have an unpaid balance.
- 2025/2026 tuition auto-payments will begin in July.
For families who selected the one or two-time payment plan:
- Your first (or only) payment will be auto-deducted in July.
- The second payment for those who selected the two-time payment plan will be auto-deducted in January 2026.
*Please contact the school office if you need to make changes to your payment plan.
Exciting Updates to Our Uniform Dress Code!
We’re excited to share some new additions to our uniform dress code for the upcoming school year!
Students will now have the option to wear khaki pants, shorts, skirts, and skorts. A performance-fit option (excluding joggers or drawstring styles) will also be available for khaki pants and shorts.
In addition, students may wear a navy blue polo when wearing khaki or plaid items.
These items can be purchased through Lands’ End Uniforms, which will also carry our plaid options starting September 1. To order through Lands End:
- Visit landsend.com/myschool
- School Number is 900155482
- Use True Fit guide to find the right size
DiGiorgio’s will continue to offer our navy blue and plaid items, but they will not carry any khaki options.
Please remember: Only approved uniform items are allowed. Skirts, skorts, and shorts must meet the school’s length guidelines. Items that are too short will not be permitted. Thank you for your support in keeping our dress code consistent and appropriate for a Catholic School.
SSM Backpacks
Our new uniform supplier, Lands End, has backpacks available for purchase that feature our school logo. These are an optional purchase.
Kindergarten Experience Days
Enrolled incoming kindergartners will get to see our kindergarten classrooms, meet their teachers and their future classmates, and get a taste of what kindergarten is all about! Register below and watch for more information coming soon!
Medication Pickup
If your student has medication in the school office, a parent or guardian must stop in to pick it up during our summer office hours. The School Office is open in June & July Monday through Thursday from 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM.
8th Grade Family Pickups
Families with 8th graders who went to Washington D.C. may pick up their fundraising checks and D.C. Class Picture in the office as soon as possible. Thank you!
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 (6) months before the start of school. A dental examination is also recommended at this time.
Kindergarten Documents Needed
Incoming Kindergarteners must have the following documents on file in the office to start school in August:
- Birth certificate – original to photocopy (according to state law, students cannot attend school until this is received)
- Baptismal certificate—if your child was baptized at SSM, no need to submit a certificate
- Physical Exam/Immunization documentation for all Kindergarteners
- Dental information (date of most recent exam, no paperwork required from dentist)
- Vision Evaluation for all Kindergarteners (this is part of the kindergarten physical)
- Preschool report card
Contact the school office with any questions. Thank you!
Afternoon Preschool & PreK Openings
Now Hiring: Kitchen Staff
Sports Club Updates
Fall CYSL Soccer Registration
Register by July 7th
Summer Run Club
Home & School Updates
Used Uniform Sale
Our yearly Used Uniform Sale will be on Sunday, July 20th. Please use the button below for specific seller instructions.
- 20% of sale proceeds go directly to the SSM Home & School Association.
- Items to be sold at the Used Uniform Sale may be dropped off in the south breezeway from May 8th- July 18th. No late items will be accepted!
- Be sure to clearly label your items with your family name using masking tape. Items not marked or marked unclearly will be considered donations.
- Volunteers shop early! Sign up below to volunteer to help run the sale.
- A check will be issued with each family's proceeds in the fall, less the 20% for Home & School. Proceeds under $5 will be considered donations.
- Questions? Contact Amanda Sitter or Libby Guenther.
Summer Playdates For Early Childhood & Incoming Kindergarteners
It's not too late! Order your 24-25 Yearbook
Deadline to order is July 7th
There were so many memories made this past school year! Be sure to grab your copy of the 2024-2025 School year Yearbook. Many thanks to our Yearbook Committee!
School Supply Packs for 25-26 School Year
Home & School organizes the sale of ready-made school supply packs that will be delivered to your child's classroom on Back to School Night.
This is not a fundraiser, but is a service that Home & School provides to our families. Families are not obligated to purchase through EPI and may choose to shop according to the Supply Lists provided on our website.
Use the button below to order EPI Packs & use code STS021. Be sure to order supplies for your child's 2025-2026 grade level.
Back to School Night
Save the Date
Parish Updates
Reach One More Course for Catholics
God invites every one of us to join him in his great mission to reach one more - one more coworker, neighbor, family member, and friend. Join us for six nights, where Director of Mission Adam Ybarra will show you how to make sharing your faith a natural part of your life as a disciple.
New Middle School Youth Minister Mike Kennedy
Please join us in welcoming Mr. Michael Kennedy to our parish staff as he steps into the role of Coordinator of Middle School Ministry for St. Stephen the Martyr. Mike brings a wealth of experience in program development and a strong ability to accompany and engage with our middle school youth in both the parish and school communities.
In this new role, he will lead our Confirmation program and help build a vibrant middle school youth group that serves students from both the parish and the school. We are especially excited to have Mike join our team, as he already has meaningful connections within our community from his time as a substitute teacher in our school.
Welcome, Mike!
Important Upcoming Dates
- June 24th: First Summer Playdate for Early Childhood & Incoming Kinder Students, 6 - 7 PM, School Playground
- July 20th: Used Uniform Sale
- July 29th - 31: Kindergarten Experience
- July 31st: Second Summer Playdate for Early Childhood & Incoming Kinder Students, 11 AM - Noon, School Playground
- August 10th: Final Summer Playdate for Early Childhood & Incoming Kinder Students, 11:35 AM - 12:35, School Playground
- August 18th: First Day of School