A Message from Mrs. Perrault, Principal
Dear Families,
The start of our 25-26 school year is almost here! Our teachers have already been busy getting ready for the arrival of your children. We are all blessed to play such a special role in your children's lives, and we do not take this opportunity for granted. Thank you for entrusting them to St. Stephen the Martyr.
Back to School Event Details & First Week Reminders
Please pay close attention to the information below about next week's Back to School Event. Our Home & School Association and teachers worked so hard to make the event successful and welcoming for your child and family. Additionally, we've also included several important reminders for the first week.
We look forward to seeing you all next week and welcoming you back Monday, August 18th for another great year, United in Christ!
Back to School Event Details & First Week Reminders
Please pay close attention to the information below about next week's Back to School Event. Our Home & School Association and teachers worked so hard to make the event successful and welcoming for your child and family. Additionally, we've also included several important reminders for the first week.
We look forward to seeing you all next week and welcoming you back Monday, August 18th for another great year, United in Christ!
United In Christ,
Mrs. Perrault
In this issue of Martyr Messenger:
- Admin Updates: Back to School Event, Important First Week Reminders, Family Handbook Acknowledgment Form, Uniform Reminders, School Supply Lists, Annual Calendar, Kindergarten Documents, 7th Grade Physicals, School Mass Schedule
- Sports Club Updates: Micro Soccer & Cross Country Registration
- Home & School Updates: First Day Coffee - Hooray!, Family Facebook Groups, New Family Mass, Back to School Event Volunteers, Home & School Dues, Open Positions, Spirit Wear
- Parish Updates: Assumption Mass Times, Former Students Head to Seminary, Altar Server Training Tonight, Parish Event Save the Date, Upcoming Tailgate
Administration Updates
Back to School Event: Thursday, August 14th
What you Need to Know:
All Students:
- Bring your school supplies! If you order through EPI, your school supply pack will already be in your classroom.
- Visit the booths in the gym! A host of groups, committees, and clubs will be in the gym to welcome your family back to school.
- Bring your cash, cards & checkbook! In the gym, you'll have one last chance to purchase used uniforms before the school year.
- Back to School Packet: Our Back to School packet has a host of information for all families! You can pick up your printed copy at our the Back to School Event, or view it digitally here.
- Volunteer at Back To School Night: The Back to School Event committee needs volunteers to help make the event a success! Click here to sign up.
K-8th Grade:
- Kindergarten-8th class lists will be posted in the gym so head there first. Teachers will be in their classrooms to meet their students.
- New Families: Please stop by the welcome table in the school commons (enter through the north or south doors) and we'll have a volunteer available to welcome you and show you around the school!
Early Childhood: Reserve a time to visit the classroom and meet your child's teacher!
- Preschool - Mrs. Gentile: Sign Up to Meet Mrs. Gentile Here!
- PreK - Mrs. Tabaka: Sign Up to Meet Mrs. Tabaka Here!
- TK - Mrs. Hoff: Sign Up to Meet Mrs. Hoff Here!
- TK - Mrs. Foster: Sign Up to Meet Mrs. Foster Here!
Important First Week Dates & Reminders
- Monday, August 18:
- First Day for K-8 (Noon Dismissal)
- First Day for TK A-K (Noon Dismissal – No school for TK L-Z)
- Tuesday, August 19:
- First Day for TK L-Z (Noon Dismissal – No school for TK A-K)
- K-8 (Noon Dismissal)
- Wednesday, August 20:
- First Day of PreK (Mrs. Tabaka's classes)
- First Full Day For TK-8 (first day of lunch service)
- Monday, August 25: First Day of Preschool (Mrs. Gentile's classes)
Parking & Drop-off/Pick-Up Procedures: Please review our drop-off, pick-up, and parking procedures. These are listed in the Family Handbook and on our website at school.stephen.org/drop-off-parking-procedures.
- Drop-off Reminders:
- 1st-8th graders may enter the building starting at 7:50 AM. They may enter through any door.
- On Monday & Tuesday, Kindergartners are invited to meet their teacher near the school's flag pole on the north side. Kindergarten teachers will be outside by 7:45 AM and will lead their class into the building when the first bell rings at 7:50 AM. TAs and support staff will also be available to ensure all Kinders make it to their classroom.
- Early Childhood students may enter the portables starting at 7:50 AM.
- Staff will be on duty to help guide traffic.
- Parents/guardians may walk their children to the door but may not enter the building (staff will be in the doorways to assist and welcome students).
- Pick-Up Reminders:
- Parents may wait by the doors but not enter the building.
- There is no staggered dismissal on early dismissal days. All students will be dismissed at noon on Monday & Tuesday.
- We will begin staggered dismissals on Wednesday, August 20th, our first full day. Students will dismiss as follows:
- 3:15 PM KidZone, TK & Early Childhood Afternoon classes
- 3:20 PM Last names A-L
- 3:25 PM Last names M-Z
New Family Handbook
The Family Handbook is updated for the 25-26 school year. It is linked below, posted on our website, and linked in our app. Please be sure to review it carefully as changes have been made since last school year, especially our new policy for late pickup after dismissal (see page 24).
We know children often have summer growth spurts! Please review the Dress Code section for the length requirements for shorts, skirts, skorts & jumpers to ensure your child's uniform meets our standards! Keep scrolling for more uniform information.
All families must complete the Family Handbook Acknowledgement Form by August 29, 2025. You can complete the form via the Family Portal in your web browser, or by following the below steps in our SSM School App.
Uniform Reminders for the 25-26 School Year
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. DiGiorgio’s will continue to offer our navy blue and plaid items, but they will not carry any khaki options.
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.
Please note: Martyr Mondays do not begin until August 25th, so all TK-8th grade students should be in their uniforms on our first day of school!
School Supply Lists
School supply lists are linked below. You can also find them in our app and on our website.
If you ordered your child's School Supply Pack through Educational Products, Inc. (EPI), the supplies will be delivered directly to the school and placed in your child's classroom before our Back to School Event.
2025-2026 Annual Calendar
Our annual calendar for the 2025-2026 school year is now available. Please note: the calendar is tentative and subject to change.
Be sure to subscribe to the Google Family Calendar to stay up to date with school events. Learn more here.
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. Families need to submit this even if their child attended one of our Early Childhood programs, as this is not a required form before Kindergarten.
- 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!
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.
School Mass Schedule
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.
Sports Club Updates
Micro Soccer Registration
Cross Country Registration
Home & School Updates
A Welcome Event for New Families: First Day Coffee - Hooray!
Family Facebook Groups
Home & School hosts grade level Facebook groups so that parents to have a forum to connect with each other. Search "SSM Class of ___" (use the year your student will graduate 8th grade) to join your grade level group!
New Family Mass
Sunday, August 17th | 10:30 AM
New families are invited to join us for Mass on Sunday, August 17th at 10:30 AM. Volunteers from Home & School will be in the Dining Room after Mass to greet families & answer questions. We hope you will join us as we come together United in Christ!
Back to School Event Volunteers Needed!
Wednesday Night Set-Up | Thursday Afternoon & Evening shifts
Spirit Wear Store Opening Soon!
Watch for an order link soon | Spirit wear can be worn on Martyr Mondays
Parish Updates
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Pray for three former SSM students as they go the Seminary!
St. Stephen the Martyr is blessed to have three seminarians from our parish. All three of these men attended St. Stephen the Martyr Catholic School! Please continue to pray for them as they discern God's will for their lives!
Tonight! Altar Server Training at 6 PM
Walk-ins welcome!
Don't miss our Parish Events this School Year!
Kick off the school year at our Tailgate!
Important Upcoming Dates
- August 10th: Final Summer Playdate for Early Childhood & Incoming Kinder Students, 11:35 AM - 12:35, School Playground
- August 14th: Back to School Night
- August 18th:
- First Day of School for K-8, TK (A-L)
- Noon dismissal
- August 19th:
- Noon dismissal
- First Day of School for TK (M-Z)
- August 20th: First Day of School for Pre-K
- August 25: First Day of School for Preschool classes
- August 27th: Picture Day