A Message from Mrs. Perrault, Principal

Dear Families,

We are off and running! I am so excited to share this school year with you and your children, and I look forward to a year filled with faith and joy. Please know that you are always welcome to reach out to me or to Mr. Verraneault with any questions or concerns. If your question relates specifically to your child’s classroom, I encourage you to first connect with their teacher, who will be happy to help.

Thank you for choosing SSM—we are truly blessed to have you as part of our school family. I know this is going to be a wonderful year!

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

Curriculum Night: Thursday, Sept. 4th

This event informs families of the curriculum covered in our classrooms. It is not a conference to discuss individual student needs/concerns.

Get tips on how you can support your child's learning at home
Students do not attend curriculum night - just parents/guardians
Curriculum Night is for TK - 8th Grade only (No Preschool/PreK)

Note: Kindergarten teachers will not have a Curriculum meeting as this information was covered at the Kinder Parent Meeting in July. Kinder families, however, are invited to attend the Technology presentation, Specials presentation, and/or the Resource & TEAM presentation.

Click here to view our school map and locate the classrooms indicated below.

TK: Mrs. Foster's Room

1st: Mrs. Fitch's Room 109

2nd: Mrs. O'Leary's Room (119)

3rd: Your child's classroom

4th: Mrs. Jenson's Room (216)

5th and 6th Grade: Parents should choose one of the below times and meet in Mrs. Coffey’s classroom #202. All 5th & 6th grade teachers will be present and have time to talk during all three sessions.

5:30-6:10 PM
6:15-6:50 PM
6:55- 7:30 PM

7th and 8th Grade: Parents should choose one of the below times and meet in Mrs. Peetz’s classroom #210. All 7th & 8th grade teachers will be present and have time to talk during all three sessions.

5:30-6:10 PM
6:15-6:50 PM
6:55- 7:30 PM

Technology Presentation: Mrs. Pennings (Technology Specialist) created a presentation of information on FACTS/Google Classroom/ and "Being Safe" online. Please use the button below to view it.

Specials Presentation: Ms. Suto (Art), Miss Chu, Mrs. Smith (Music), Mrs. Tucksen (Music), Mrs. Verraneault (PE), Mrs. Johnson (PE), and Mrs. Luth (Spanish) will provide an overview of Specials curriculum and classes. This session will be held in Ms. Suto’s Art Room #113.

5:30-6:10 PM
6:15-6:50 PM
6:55-7:30 PM

Resource & TEAM Presentation: Mr. Daymut (Counselor), Mrs. Delaney (Counselor & Interventionist), Mrs. Schweers & Mrs. Ryan will share information about student services. This session will be held the Library #106.

5:45-6:10 PM
6:20-6:50 PM
7:00-7:25 PM

Thank you for taking advantage of this opportunity that our faculty & staff have prepared equip you to support your child's learning!

Technology Presentation

Family Handbook Ackowledgement Form

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).

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.

Review Handbook

Uniform Reminders

We love seeing our students in the new uniform options! Thank you for your support in keeping our dress code consistent and appropriate for a Catholic School.

Some reminders:

Drawstring pants & joggers are not allowed.
Hoodie sweatshirt with logo should be worn by 6-8 graders only.
Blue polos cannot be worn with blue uniform bottoms. They may only be worn with plaid or khaki options.
Skirts, skorts, and shorts must meet the school’s length guidelines. Items that are too short will not be permitted. Please reference the Family Handbook pg. 44 for further information.
- "Length of jumpers, skirts and skorts, and shorts: knee length to 3-inches above the knee– If a skirt is determined to be shorter than this, a new skirt will need to be purchased or the school may provide a skirt that follows the guidelines."
Martyr Mondays will begin Monday, Sept. 8th and continue most Mondays throughout the school year. On these days, students can wear an SSM Spirit top. Students will wear uniform bottoms, socks and shoes. Spirit wear would include items purchased through the 8th grade fundraiser, SSM Sports Club, SSM Activities such as VBS, Martyr Marathon, or Summer Camps.

Uniform Details

Free and Reduced Lunch

School families may apply for Free and Reduced Price School Meals through the National School Lunch Program. More information on this process can be found on page 16 of the Family Handbook.

Martyr Mondays

Beginning in September, most Mondays throughout the school year will be “Martyr Mondays”. On these days, students can wear a “spirit” sweatshirt/T-shirt purchased through the 44 8th-grade fundraiser or another approved SSM spirit top (including Martyr Marathon t-shirts, SSM camp shirts, SSM jerseys, VBS shirts, etc...)

25-26 Sacrament Dates

Please pray for our students as they prepare to receive the sacraments!

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. Reminder: Because our Church becomes an extension of our School when students are present, our Church doors are locked from 8:20 - 9:15 AM when school is in session on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Upcoming Fire Drill

We will have a Fire Drill at 9:30 AM on Wednesday, September 3rd. Please reinforce messages they will receive in the classroom about the importance of following Safety Procedures. Thank you!

Upcoming Safe Environment Training

All adult volunteers who work with and around young people are required to be Safe Environment Trained in the Archdiocese of Omaha. There will be a Safe Environment Training on Sept. 24th from 6:30 - 8:30 in the Dining Room. Please sign up at omaha.cmgconnect.org.

Sports Club Updates

Micro Soccer Registration: Aug 29th Deadline

Register Here

Home & School Updates

Home & School First Meeting TONIGHT!

Thursday, Aug. 28th | 6 PM | Parish Center

Martyr Marathon Kickoff

The Martyr Marathon kickoff assembly will be held this Friday, August 29th. Fundraising starts after dismissal, more information will be in the Martyr Marathon packet in your child's Friday folder (Youngest child's folder)

Learn More

Dues and Contributions Form

There is still time to complete the Home & School dues and contributions form! Your dues help us to continue to support our teachers and your students in so many different ways throughout the year!

In addition to paying your dues, you can contribute to several other giving opportunities including the Teacher Christmas Gift Fund, Teacher Appreciation, Teacher Hospitality, and much more!

Thank you for supporting your school through your Home & School Dues. Your donations, time, and talent really do make a difference!

Dues Form

Sign up for Yearbook Club!

Submit Photos

Home & School Open Positions: Classroom Coordinators Still Needed for this school year!

We are so thankful for all of our volunteers! Our school is better because of all of the amazing and generous parents we have that share their gifts of time and talent!

The following classrooms are still in need of a classroom coordinator to coordinate fun activities throughout the year such as holiday parties and teacher birthdays.

3 Day AM - need 1
(Mrs. Gentile)
3 Day PM - need 1
(Mrs. Gentile)
TK - needs 2
2nd grade - needs 1
4th grade - needs 3
6th grade - needs 2
8th grade - needs 5

Use the button below to volunteer. Thank you for your generosity with your time & talent for our students!

Sign Up to Volunteer

Fall Family Event

Adult Night Out

Parish Updates

Parish Strategic Plan: Join our Mission!

Review our Ministry Guide to learn how you can get involved!

Strategic Plan

Ministry Guide

Family Prayer & Pizza

4 PM Rosary followed by pizza in the Dining Room

Knights of Columbus Golf Outing

Bid online for Silent Auction Items

Bid Online

Upcoming Safe Environment Training

Sign up at omaha.cmgconnect.org

Come & See Event for Dinner & Auction

September 4th | Stop by during Curriculum Night!

Middle School Ministry

Our Parish Middle School Ministry, CATCHING FIRE, will launch a youth group program in early 2026 and is looking for volunteers to join the core leadership team! If you are feeling the call to action with our Middle Schoolers, let's talk! No matter what your level of interest is, no matter what your skill set, no matter what your availability might be --- let's talk! Please contact Mike Kennedy, Coordinator of Middle School Ministry at m.kennedy@stephen.org or (402) 861-4509.

Email Mike

Community Updates

Spirit Wear: Order Now!

Spirit wear can be worn on Martyr Mondays

Order Now

Art Classes with Mrs. Webster

Former SSM Art teacher Mrs. Webster (Cowman) is offering classes at 402 Lesson Studio at Lakeside

Browse Available Classes

Duchesne Academy’s Harvest Party

September 26th

Fall into fun at Duchesne Academy’s Harvest Party! 8^thgrade girls are invited to experience the fun of hayrack rides, bounce houses, and our students’ haunted hallways. It's the perfect way to kick off autumn with friends, meet our amazing students, and get into the spooky spirit! A beloved tradition for Duchesne students and middle schoolers for over 10 years!

Visit duchesneacademy.org/admissions to register for this event and other middle school events this fall. For questions, contact Maggie Vazquez at mvazquez@duchesneacademy.org.

Upcoming Mercy Events

Mini Monarch Volleyball Night

📅 Wednesday, September 11 (Free for Students!)
📍 Mercy High School
🏐 Varsity Volleyball vs. Plattsmouth
⏰Arrive at 6:30 p.m. (Game starts at 7:00 p.m.)
🔗 Sign Up: https://www.mercyhigh.org/admissions/events

Mini Monarch Softball Night
📅 Sunday, September 22 (Free for Students!)
📍 Crown/Wager Fields – Ralston
🥎 Varsity Softball vs. Ashland-Greenwood
⏰Arrive at 6:00 p.m. (Game starts at 6:30 p.m.)
🔗 Sign Up: https://www.mercyhigh.org/admissions/events

Important Upcoming Dates

August 28th: Kickoff Home & School Meeting, 6 PM, Parish Center
August 29th: Martyr Marathon Kickoff Assembly
Sept. 1st-2nd: No School
Sept. 4th: Curriculum Night
Sept. 8th: First Martyr Monday

Update Your Contact Information

To ensure you receive these emails, please keep your FACTS Family Portal updated with your correct email. If you have questions, please contact the school office at: school@stephen.org or (402) 896-0754. Martyr Messenger newsletters are archived for one school year at school.stephen.org/martyr-messenger. Enrolled families are required to have one adult designated to receive correspondence emails. To remove yourself from the emails, please click 'unsubscribe' below. Thank you!