A Message from Mrs. Perrault, Principal
Dear Families,
It is always exciting to prepare for Advent and Christmas. Students and staff alike enjoy seeing the Christmas tree in the commons, which will once again be decorated with ornaments made in each classroom. Tomorrow, our students will gather for an Advent Prayer Service at 2 PM in the church. This is a perfect and meaningful way to begin the season. It is a beautiful reminder for all of us to refocus our hearts on what this time of year is truly about.
On Tuesday evening, our second graders received the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the very first time. Please join me in thanking our priests, second-grade teachers, and Religious Education staff for their dedication in helping our children prepare for this special day.
The next two weeks will be filled with many special activities. Teachers and students will be busy as they finish out the semester and prepare for Christmas break. Make sure you check the Google calendar, read staff emails, and review the Martyr Messenger for upcoming events. We don’t want you to miss anything!
Wishing you all a blessed Advent,
Mrs. Perrault
In this issue of Martyr Messenger:
- Admin Updates: Advent Prayer Service & Nativity Play, 2 PM Dismissal, Lost & Found Reminder, Music Program, Thank You for your Veterans Day Donations, SSM News, Christmas Colors Dress Down Day, Talent Show, Educator of the Year, Saint of the Month, Book Fair, Food Pantry & Diaper Drive Thank Yous
- Sports Club Updates: Turkey Trot Thank You
- Home & School Updates: Breakfast in Bethlehem, Musical Registration Open, Santa Shoppe Volunteers, Teacher Gift Program, Student Directory, Upload Yearbook Photos
- Parish Updates: Angel Tree Project, Visit from the Archbishop, Christmas Mass Times, Family Prayer & Pizza
Administration Updates
Advent Prayer Service & Nativity Play
Tomorrow | 2 PM | Worship Space
Our 5th and 6th graders invite you to attend their Advent Prayer Service and a Nativity Play, which will take place in the Worship Space on Friday, December 5, at 2 PM. Guests are welcome.
Our sixth graders will lead the Advent Prayer Service, with both 5th and 6th grade students offering beautiful music. Immediately following the service, the 5th graders will present the Nativity Play, accompanied in song by both grades. Guests are welcome to join us in the Worship Space.
Our sixth graders will lead the Advent Prayer Service, with both 5th and 6th grade students offering beautiful music. Immediately following the service, the 5th graders will present the Nativity Play, accompanied in song by both grades. Guests are welcome to join us in the Worship Space.
Upcoming 2 PM Dismissal on Dec. 10th
We will dismiss early for Staff Professional Development this Wednesday, Dec. 10th. Dismissal times are as follows:
- Preschool & PreK Morning Classes: 8 - 10:15 AM, Afternoon Classes: 11:30 AM - 1:45 PM
- TK & Kidzone: 1:50 PM
- K – 8th Grade: 2 PM
Lost & Found Reminder
Please claim your missing items in our Lost & Found! The shelves are filled with many coats, water bottles, lunch boxes and many school sweatshirts! You may retrieve these items anytime in the south breezeway, including weekends around Mass times. *Items not claimed by the end of the semester (Dec. 17th) will be donated.*
Upcoming 3rd-4th Grade Music Program
Thursday, Dec. 11th at 2 PM & 6 PM
The 3rd & 4th grade Christmas Program will be performed on Thursday, Dec. 11th at 2 PM and 6 PM! Families are invited to join us for one or both performances. Students will wear uniforms for the afternoon performance and dress up in the evening. Performers should report to their homerooms before the evening performance by 5:45 PM. All 3rd-4th graders are expected to perform at both concerts – please contact Mrs. Tucksen at j.tucksen@stephen.org if your student will be absent from a performance. Thank you and we look forward to singing for you!
Guidelines for 6 PM Concert Attire:
Guidelines for 6 PM Concert Attire:
- Ladies: Skirts, dresses, or slacks, nice tops with covered shoulders
- Gentlemen: Khakis, slacks, or uniform pants, and a polo, sweater, or dress shirt
- Notes: Uniforms are fine too, but no jeans/jeggings, T-shirts, sportswear, or Crocs. Students should leave any jackets or bags with a parent for the performance as they will not be returning to their classrooms afterward.
Thank you from the Corp. Page Foundation
Thank you to the students who donated to the Corporal Daegan Page Foundation on our Veterans Day Dress Down Day. We donated $1,092 to support veterans. Thank you for your generosity and please continue to pray for our veterans!
Watch Now! New Edition of SSM News
Students created a new episode of SSM News before the Thanksgiving Break. New episodes are distributed to teachers and staff for students to view in the classroom.
Thanks to Mrs. Pennings for teaching our students technical and performance-related media skills, and great job to our students!
Christmas Colors Dress Down Day
Students may dress in festive attire for the first day of Santa Shoppe. Thanks to our Home & School Association for putting on this fun opportunity for our students every year!
Register to Audition for the Talent Show!
Deadline to register: Dec. 12th
Our talented students will have a chance to showcase yet again their amazing gifts! All 3rd-8th graders may audition with up to six students per act. All acts should be 2 min and 30 seconds or less. Selected acts will attend a final rehearsal on Wednesday, January 21, 2026. Great ideas include singing, playing instruments, dancing, skits, magic acts, acrobatics, and unusual stunts/tricks. All acts should be appropriate in every way, including language and costumes if applicable. No lip-syncing or improvisation. Use the button below to register by Friday, Dec. 12th.
Submit Your Nominations for 'Educator of the Year'
Do you know an educator or administrator who has made a significant impact at our school? Nominate them for the prestigious honor of being named the 2026 Educator/Administrator of the Year! Anyone can nominate an educator – students, families, school board members, colleagues, etc. Please submit nominations by Jan 31, 2026.
Saint of the Month Honorees Announced
Our Saint of the Month for November was St. Cecelia, known for her love of God and others. Honorees were chosen for showing love to those around them. Congratulations to our students! The December Saint of the Month is St. Stephen. Honorees will be chosen for showing mercy and patience with others.
(L to R): Top Row: Dani T., Lily C., Kylynn H., Samantha P., Rosie L., Eva G., Taggart O., Joe B., Caiden K.
Middle Row: Olivia T., Ana J., Matt L., Leah M., Charlotte M., Brock L., Max M., John P., Clara E.,
Bottom Row: Brooks G., Eleanor J., Mila W., Willow K., Millie G., Will N., Alex R., Aspen G.
Not Pictured: Olivia D.
(L to R): Lenny L., Lyla N., Luke P., Ella W.
Book Fair Coming Next Week! Shop our Online Book Fair Now!
Our Book Fair is December 8th-12th and it is the perfect time to kindle young readers' mind to explore some books! Students will be able to shop in the fair before or after school with adult supervision. Middle schoolers (6th-8th grade) can shop on their own. Students 5th grade and under may shop with a middle school sibling.
December 8: 7:30 – 7:55 AM, 3:20 – 3:55 PM
December 9: 7:30 – 7:55 AM, 3:20 – 3:55 PM
December 10: 7:30 –7:55 AM, 2 –2:30 PM
December 11: 7:30 – 7:55 AM, 3:20 – 3:55 PM, *5 – 5:50 PM, *6:45 – 7:10 PM
*Music Program at 6 PM
*Music Program at 6 PM
December 12: 7:30 – 7:55 AM, 3:20 – 3:55 PM
We still need volunteers to assist us with the Book Fair! Please use the link below to sign up for a time slot. Volunteers will receive 20% for their purchases. Volunteers must be Safe Environment Trained.
Thank you from the St. Stephen the Martyr Food Pantry
St. Stephen the Martyr’s Pantry is full and ready for the holiday season thanks to the incredible generosity of our school families. Your kindness has been a true blessing to those we serve, and we are deeply grateful for the abundance shared through this year’s Food Drive. Wishing you and your loved ones a beautiful, grace-filled Christmas season. God bless you. “I thank God, whom I serve… as I remember you in my prayers.”
— 2 Timothy 1:3
Thank you for a Successful Diaper Drive!
On behalf of the Council of Catholic Women and the Respect Life Committee, thank you for your love, support, and prayers in building a culture of life within our parish—especially during Respect Life Month. Through your generosity during our Diaper Drive, we collected over 14,000 diapers (surpassing our 12,000-diaper goal!) and nearly $1,900 in monetary donations. Your gifts were shared with EPS, Catholic Charities, Bethlehem House, Mater Filius, Guiding Grace, and Juan Diego Center.
Sports Club Updates
Thanks to all who joined us for our Turkey Trot!
Thanks to all who joined us for the SSM Turkey Trot! We had a great morning enjoying moving our bodies and each others company. If you are interested in getting information on future SSM Run Club events, email kateharr@rocketmail.com.
Home & School Updates
Breakfast in Bethlehem: This Sunday!
Register Now for Alice in Wonderland, Jr.!
Don't be late for a very important date! This year’s SSM Middle School Musical is Alice in Wonderland—and you’re invited to tumble down the rabbit hole with us! Participation in the Musical is a wonderful opportunity for our students! From acting to set design, backstage management and lighting, our students shine, learn and grow!
- Participation is open to 1st-8th graders. All participants will be given a role.
- We ask that parents volunteer to help supervise a minimum of two rehearsals. A SignUp Genius will be sent in January.
- SAVE THE DATE for a parent meeting on January 8th.
- Rehearsals start the week of Monday, Jan 6th, and the adventure leads to magical performances in April!
- Tech week is MANDATORY for all students (April 13th - 15th, 2026).
- School performance: Thursday, April 16th, 2026.
- General Audience performances are the evenings of Friday, April 17th and Saturday, April 18th, 2026 (presence is mandatory for all).
- Questions? Contact Jenny and Nicole at ssm.musical1@gmail.com
Follow the White Rabbit and join us for an unforgettable journey through Wonderland!
Ho! Ho! Ho! We need Elves for Santa Shoppe
Dec. 15th & 16th
Get ready, Christmas Elves! Santa Shoppe is scheduled for Monday, December 15th & Tuesday, December 16th! Santa Shoppe is open to K-8 grade students. Watch for information coming home soon! Our Preschool, Pre-K, and TK students will not be shopping. They will have a special visit from Santa in their classrooms!
Monday Shoppers:
Monday Shoppers:
- Kinder: Perez (KA) & Schrage (KC)
- All of 1st Grade: Fitch (1A), Heidrick (1B), & Gorup (1C)
- All of 2nd Grade: Gill (2A), O'Leary (2B), & Michaelsen (2C)
- All of 3rd Grade: Mancilla (3A), Lowry (3B), & Niehaus (3C)
- All of 5th Grade: Roche (5A), Coffey (5B), & Bolton (5C)
- All of 6th Grade: Pestel (6A), Bonar (6B), & Bolton (5C)
- 7th Grade: Peetz (7A), & Mabeus (7C)
Tuesday Shoppers:
- Kindergarten: O'Brien (KB)
- All of 4th Grade: Haack (4A), Hermann (4B), & Jensen (4C)
- 7th Grade: Codina (7B)
- All of 8th Grade: Harvey (8A), Koubsky (8B), & Brown (8C)
*Please note: this schedule is subject to change.
Volunteers & Donations Needed
We need YOUR help to make Santa Shoppe festive! Please save the date and consider volunteering to help set up, wrap gifts, help our younger students shop, facilitate activities for non-shoppers, or tear down the event! Note that if you'd like to volunteer during your student's class, the sign-up will include shopping times. Volunteers who sign up for two or more shifts will be entered into a drawing to win a $50 Amazon gift card!
Volunteers & Donations Needed
We need YOUR help to make Santa Shoppe festive! Please save the date and consider volunteering to help set up, wrap gifts, help our younger students shop, facilitate activities for non-shoppers, or tear down the event! Note that if you'd like to volunteer during your student's class, the sign-up will include shopping times. Volunteers who sign up for two or more shifts will be entered into a drawing to win a $50 Amazon gift card!
Christmas Gift Program for Teachers & Staff
We will again offer all SSM school families the opportunity to participate in the annual Teacher/Staff Christmas Gift Program. Consider each of the wonderful teachers and school staff members who interact with your child throughout the year. Then consider the time and number of gifts it would take to individually thank all of those teachers and staff members.
Participation in the Christmas Gift Program saves you time and money during the hectic holiday season! Donations are used to give a gift to each of St. Stephen the Martyr teachers and staff members who share in the daily education and care of your child.
This program is optional, of course. However, we ask you to please give serious consideration to participating. The Christmas Gift Program has been a huge success in the past and we look forward to continuing the tradition this year and showing our teachers and staff members how much they’re appreciated by our school families! Give Online using the button below. Donations will be collected through Wednesday, December 10th.
Upload Photos for the 25-26 Yearbook
Yearbook is collecting photos of school year memories! Please upload your photos of three or more school students to be included in the Yearbook using the links below.
Parish Updates
Last Weekend for Angel Tree Project
Join us for a Visit from the Archbishop
Seeking Decor for Dinner & Auction
Our Soirée Rosé Decorations Committee needs your empty wine and champagne bottles! With holiday festivities underway, please bring your bottles to Catiana in the Parish Center before you toss them. Every bottle helps us create beautiful décor for our Dinner & Auction—sip, celebrate, and send them our way!
Christmas Mass Times
Family Prayer & Pizza
Important Upcoming Dates
- Dec. 5th: Advent Prayer Service & Nativity Play
- Kindergarten to Rose Theater
- Dec. 7th: Breakfast in Bethlehem, Dining Room following the 9 Am & 10:30 AM Masses
- Dec. 8th: Feast of the Immaculate Conception
- All School Mass
- Dec. 10th: 2 PM Dismissal
- Dec. 11th: Music Program for Grades 3 & 4: 2 PM & 6 PM in the Gym
- Dec. 15th: Santa Shoppe
- Christmas Colors Dress Down Day
- Christmas Colors Dress Down Day
- Dec. 16th: Santa Shoppe
- Dec. 17th: 3rd Grade to Luminarium