A Message from Mrs. Perrault, Principal
Dear Families,
As we head into fall we look forward to the changing season, and all that it brings with it. This month as a Catholic community we also focus on “Respect for Life”. At St. Stephen the Martyr School, we honor this special month in many meaningful ways—through classroom discussions, prayer services, and daily reminders of our “PRAY” model, which calls us to reflect on the inherent value of every human life and to foster a culture that cherishes life in all its forms.
On October 17 at 2:30 p.m., we will hold a Respect for Life Prayer Service planned by our new Catholic Kindness Club, followed by a presentation from our Knights of Columbus. During this presentation, we will celebrate the winners of this year’s Pro-Life Essay and Art Contests. Parents are warmly invited to join us for this special event of prayer and recognition.
Teacher Communication Reminder
Our teachers take great care to communicate effectively with families. However, please remember that teachers are actively engaged with students during the school day and may not be able to respond to emails until after school hours.
If you send an email in the evening or over the weekend, please allow some time for a response—typically the next school day or on Monday. Our teachers, like all of us, have families and personal responsibilities outside their contracted hours. Your understanding and patience are greatly appreciated.
Thank you again to our Home and School and to all of our families who helped to make this year’s Martyr Marathon a success. Tomorrow we will celebrate our success at a final assembly. I am not sure exactly what they have in store for us, but I am sure it will be both messy and amazing!
Thank You
Thank you for being such an important part of our school community. Your partnership, support, and faith in our mission make a difference every single day.
United In Christ,
Mrs. Perrault
In this issue of Martyr Messenger:
- Admin Updates: Fall Conferences, Saint of the Month, School Advisory Board, Now Hiring, App Reminder, Lost & Found, Library Volunteers, High School Entrance Exam, Door Policy, Lands End Sale, Halloween Parties
- Men's Club Updates: Husker Watch Party
- Home & School Updates: Trunk or Treat, Goal Bags, Martyr Marathon Appreciation Social, Fall Family Event at Vala's, Safe Environment
- Parish Updates: Respect Life Month, Reminder from Parish Operations, Trivia Night, Father Dave's Book Study, Parish Retreat
Administration Updates
September Saint of the Month Honorees
Last week we announced our honorees who were selected by their teachers for living like St. Teresa of Calcutta, serving others and following the PRAY Model. Congratulations to all of our amazing students! In October, our students learn more about St. Therese of Lisieux and our teachers watch for students who reflect Jesus in small ways through their actions and showing kindness towards others.
Early Childhood Honorees: (L to R) Charlotte E., Isla B., Roman P.
Not pictured: Brynlee J.
K-8 Honorees: (L to R) Top Row: Luke R., Claire V., Sabrina V., Isabel S., Isabella G., Talan K., Sutton M., Nick F., Isabel E.,
Middle Row: Will L., Hailey H., Lizzie P., Serenity S., Lilly R. Emmett L., Orion R., Amelia S., Jordan P.
Bottom Row: Kennadi M., Emmy G., GraceLynn S., Ellie M., Elliana F., Aubrey W., Demi E., Stevie K., Harlow S.
Seeking School Advisory Board Members
Apply using the button below
We are currently seeking new members to join our School Advisory Board. This volunteer board plays a vital role in providing strategic insight and supporting initiatives that align with our school’s catholic mission. If you’re interested in sharing your time, talents, and perspective, we encourage you to apply!
Now Hiring: Kidzone Staff
Join our amazing Kidzone team! Shifts are Monday -Friday, 3:30- 6 PM. This is a great after- school job for highschoolers. Contact Cheryl at c.connolly@stephen.org to apply!
Reminder: Turn on notifications on the SSM School App!
Families can download or update the St. Stephen School App for easy access to Weekly Announcements, Martyr Messenger, grades, lunch menu, signups and so much more! Be sure to allow notifications to get reminders from the school. Thank you to our Home & School Association for paying for the app every year so families can download it for FREE!Lost & Found
Our Lost & Found has many items that want to go home! Please visit the Lost & Found in the south breezeway. The south breezeway is unlocked even when school is not in session, so you may stop by anytime such as after weekend Masses or when you are here for games or practices.
Library Volunteers
Miss Chu is looking for cheerful helpers to check out books and re-shelve them in our school library. This is a fun way to see your child or grandchild during the school day! Use the button below to sign up for a time slot.
Save the Date: High School Entrance Exams
Door Policy for Sport Practices
Reminder: For the safety of our athletes and school building, the East Doors near the gym will stay locked during practices.
- These doors may not be propped open.
- If your athlete will arrive late or leave early, please contact your coach.
- Coaches may prop open only the southeast gym door (which leads straight into the gym), never the east doors that open into the school hallway. You may also knock on that southeast gym door, and the coach will hear you.
Questions? Contact Corey Guenther at coreyguenther34@gmail.com.
Uniform Savings at Land's End
Use code: Explore25
Halloween Celebrations
Wednesday, October 29th
- Morning Preschool & PreK (Gentile & Tabaka): Our parties will be together from 10 - 10:45 AM in the Parish Center. Students should come to school in costume (no accessories, please!). All parents are welcome to join our party!
- Afternoon Preschool & PreK (Gentile & Tabaka): Our parties will be together from 2:30-3:15 PM in the Parish Center. Students should come to school in costume (no accessories, please!). All parents are welcome to join our party!
Friday, October 31st:
- TK: Our party will be from 9-10 AM in the Parish Center. Students should come to school in costume (no accessories, please!). Please have your student wear a Dress Down Day outfit under their costume. All parents are welcome to join our party!
- Kindergarten - 4th Grade: Parties will be from 2:15 - 2:50 PM in classrooms. Parents/guardians should have received details via email from classroom coordinators. Only parents who have signed up via the Classroom Coordinators are allowed to attend. Following the parties, K-4th will participate in the Halloween Parade (see details below).
- 5th- 8th Grade Celebration
- 5th & 6th Grade students will celebrate Halloween with a field trip to Spare Time!
- 7th & 8th Grade students will celebrate Halloween with a field trip to the Amazing Pizza Machine!
- 5th - 8th graders may dress down on this day (follow Family Handbook Guidelines).
- Halloween Parade: All parents/families are invited to attend our outdoor costume parade (indoors if inclement weather). Students will parade with their class around the school. The parade will begin at 2:50 PM with Kindergarten followed by 1st - 4th grade. They will exit the north doors, head east around the school, and enter back into the school through the south doors. Our afternoon Preschool, PreK & TK classes will watch the parade but will not be walking in the parade. Normal dismissal begins at 3:10 PM.
Halloween Dress Code & Costume Guidelines for ALL Students
- Costumes must align with our school values and should not be offensive, politically charged, gory, or against the teachings of the Catholic Church.
- Costume accessories should be left at home.
- Only Preschool, PreK & TK students (Gentile, Tabaka, Hoff & Foster) should come to school in costume. TK students should wear a Dress Down Day outfit that follows Family Handbook guidelines under their costume so they can remove their costume after the party.
- Kindergarten-4th Grade students can dress down in the morning, wearing anything that follows the guidelines in the Family Handbook. When it is time to put costumes on, students must put their costumes on over their dress-down outfits. They will not be allowed to change their clothing.
- 5th - 8th grade students get a Halloween Dress Down Day on Oct. 31st. They can wear Halloween colors or Halloween-themed t-shirts but they may not wear costumes.
Men's Club Updates
Husker Watch Party: Friday, Oct. 17th
We're getting together for the Nebraska v. Minnesota game! The Annual Trunk-or-Treat will be in the South Parking Lot from 6-7 PM. Then, head to the field for the game at 7 PM! The Cheese Life Food Truck will be in the South Parking Lot from 6-8 PM to cover dinner. Feel free to bring lawn chairs, blankets, snacks, and beverages, etc...to watch the game!
Home & School Updates
We Need More Trunks or No Treats!
Join us for a SPOOKTACULAR time Oct. 17th
We have *many* kids signed up to attend our Trunk-or-Treat event and very few trunks! We need YOU to make this a great event for our school & parish family! Please sign up to host a trunk, serve hot cocoa, donate candy, or help with setup/cleanup.
- Trunk-or-Treating for the kids!
- Free Hot Chocolate
- The Cheese Life Food Truck will be in the south parking lot from 6-8 PM
- DJ and Dancing
- Learn all about the event here.
We still need your help: Join us TONIGHT to stuff Martyr Marathon Goal Bags!
- Goal bags will go home with your students tomorrow, October 10th.
- We need help to stuff Goal Bags on Oct. 9th from 6-9 PM in the Dining Room. Sign up to volunteer here.
- If you enjoyed Martyr Marathon, consider joining the team! We have positions available to fit your time and talents. Reach out to the Martyr Marathon Committee. We value new ideas, community, commitment, leadership, and hard work.
🎉NEW: Martyr Marathon Volunteer Appreciation Social 🎉
Fall Family Event at Vala's: Oct. 27th
Join us for s'more fun together!
Complete Safe Environment Training to Volunteer at Our School!
We’re so grateful for all our wonderful volunteers—and did you know grandparents can volunteer too? Whether you’re helping at a special event or assisting students in the library, there’s a place for you to get involved. Thank you for helping make our school community strong!
Upcoming Safe Environment Training:
- Oct. 11 at St. Patrick's in Elkhorn at 9 AM
- Oct. 13 at Christ the King at 4 PM
- Oct. 20 at St. Patrick's Elkhorn at 9 AM
To learn more, visit omaha.cmgconnect.org.
Parish Updates
Respect Life Month Activities
Students can bring diaper donations to the School Commons. Donations will be distributed to local pregnancy help centers.
Reminder from the Director of Parish Operations
We love seeing our Parish Center full of life, but we’ve had a growing issue with unsupervised children in the GPC. This has led to safety hazards, injury, and disruptions during work.
Please remember: this is a shared, multi-use space, often with older visitors, staff, and individuals picking up food pantry orders. It is not a play area, and unsupervised children may put themselves or others at risk.
We kindly ask that all children in the GPC be closely supervised at all times to help us keep the space safe, respectful, and welcoming for everyone. Questions? Contact Erin Finken at e.finken@stephen.org.
Register Now: Trivia Night 2025
Join Father Dave's Fall Book Study
Thursdays | Oct. 23 - Nov. 20 | 7 PM
Register for the 2025 Parish Retreat
Community Updates
Play It Forward Fall Sports Camp
Save the Date: Catholic High School Open House
Duchesne Academy’s 8th Grade Service Event
8th grade girls are invited to Duchesne Academy for an evening of service. Participants will create tie blankets, reflect on the meaning of giving back, and learn from our students and Campus Ministry about Goal 3 of Sacred Heart education. Earn 3 service hours toward your confirmation requirement—or simply come to share in the spirit of the season!
Friday, November 21st 2025
6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Duchesne Academy
3601 Burt Street, Omaha, NE 68131
Please enter through the Performing Arts Entrance via the student parking lot on the corner of 36th and California Street. For more information, please contact Maggie Vazquez, Admissions Event Coordinator, at 402-558-3800 or mvazquez@duchesneacademy.org
Friday, November 21st 2025
6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Duchesne Academy
3601 Burt Street, Omaha, NE 68131
Please enter through the Performing Arts Entrance via the student parking lot on the corner of 36th and California Street. For more information, please contact Maggie Vazquez, Admissions Event Coordinator, at 402-558-3800 or mvazquez@duchesneacademy.org
Events for Middle Schoolers at Creighton Prep
We hope to have you join us for future Jr. Jay events. See below for upcoming dates and visit opportunities with Creighton Prep!
- Shadow Days
- Dates open through spring for 7th and 8th grade boys
- Campus Tours
- Open to 7th and 8th grade families
- Open House
- Sunday, November 2
- Tour times from 11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.
- Open to 5th-8th grade families
- Info Nights
- Open to 7th and 8th grade families
- Trick-or-Treat
- Monday, October 27 from 5-7 p.m.
- Open to K-8 prospective and alumni families
Upcoming Mercy Events
Girls Night In: Oct 18th, 6-8 PM
For current 7th & 8th grade girls, this fun evening includes DIY stations and wax-hand creations, Photo ops, games, and a neon dance party, Fashion show, Sticker water-bottle and makeup-bag creations, Slipper decorating and charm bracelet making, Lemonade refresher station, Pizza, snow cones, and more! Sign up here.
Upcoming Marian Event
- Discover Marian Parent Coffee: Parents are invited to come learn about Marian and ask questions to administrators. All sessions are from 8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. Click Here to Register for one of the following dates: Thursday, Oct. 23rd | Friday, Dec. 5th.
- Catch the Marian spirit by attending a home athletic event. Girls in 6th-8th grade get free admission to all home games. Use your athletic pass or wear your middle school jersey/shirt or a Marian t-shirt for free admission - no preregistration required. Volleyball Fan Night takes place Oct. 14 when the Crusaders take on Elkhorn South. Stop by the recruitment table to get a concessions voucher, Marian swag and enter the raffle.
NEST529 College Savings Plan
Nebraska taxpayers may be eligible for an annual $10,000 state income deduction. NEST 529 funds are flexible and can be used at private and public two-year or four-year technical, trade, vocational, graduate, or professional schools. Learn more using the button below.
Important Upcoming Dates
- Oct. 17th: Trunk-or-Treat + Men's Club Husker Watch Party
- Oct. 23rd: Fall Conferences, No School
- Oct. 24th: No School
- Oct. 27: No School
- Fall Family Event at Vala's
- Fall Family Event at Vala's