A Message from Mrs. Perrault, Principal
Dear Families,
Happy New Year! The school is bustling with joy and energy this week as students return from Christmas break. January is an exciting time at St. Stephen the Martyr School, as preparations are underway for Catholic Schools Week and our Open House. Please be sure to review the Google Calendar and school announcements so you don’t miss these important events.
This also means it is almost time to enroll for the 2025-2026 school year. Enrollment for our current families will open on Monday, January 26th at noon. All new families will begin enrolling on February 17th. It is important to enroll before February 17th to ensure a spot (some classes are full, and some are very close to full.) Details for enrolling will be sent out before enrollment opens.
We offer special prayers this week for our eighth graders who will be taking the Catholic High School Placement Exam. Our teachers have prepared them well over the years, and we pray that our students approach the exam with calm hearts, surrendering any anxiety to God.
We are also delighted to welcome four new families and six new students to our school community. We are confident they will quickly experience the joy, faith, and sense of belonging that define St. Stephen the Martyr School.
As we begin this new year, let us move forward together with enthusiasm and a renewed commitment to partnership—praying together, engaging actively in your child’s education, maintaining open lines of communication, and coming together through school and parish activities. United in Christ, we continue to ignite the joy of faith, community, and learning.
Happy New Year!
Mrs. Perrault
In this issue of Martyr Messenger:
- Admin Updates: Re-Enrollment Coming Soon, Volunteer at the Library, Volunteer at Open House, Catholic Schools Week, Submit Your Nominations for Educator of the Year, First Communion Mini-Retreat, Report Cards, Cold Weather Reminders, Inclement Weather Policy, Parent Reminders, Confirmation Sponsor Event Date Change,
- Sports Club Updates: CYSL Spring Soccer Registration, Middle School Track Registration
- Home & School Updates: Upcoming Home & School Meeting, Musical Information, Middle School Dance, Silent Auction Gift Basket Ask, Upload Yearbook Photos, Used Uniform Sale for Second Semester
- Parish Updates: Dinner & Auction Tickets on Sale, Lenten Talk Series with Father Dave, Adoration Sign-Up, Free Throw Contest
- Community Updates: Italian Feast, Art Classes with Mrs. Webster, Events at Duchesne, Events at Creighton Prep, Dance Clinic at Mercy High, SuperNovas Tickets Coming Soon
Administration Updates
Volunteer at Open House
Our Open House is scheduled for Sunday, January 25th from 9 AM - noon. Our amazing school families are our best ambassadors! Please volunteer for a time slot to give tours and help with setup. All tour guides will be given all the information necessary to answer questions. Thank you for your generosity!
Catholic Schools Week
Catholic Schools Week will be January 25th - January 31st. Our teachers have many fun activities scheduled to celebrate who we are as a Catholic School. Information about themes, activities, and dress down days is available on our website using the button below.
Report Cards
Report Cards will be sent home with your student tomorrow. If you have any questions or concerns, please email your student's teacher(s). Thank you for a great semester!
Cold Weather Recess Reminders
Please ensure your student is appropriately dressed for the weather. We will have outdoor recess as long as the actual or the "feels like" wind chill temperature is 10 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. Please send students to school with labeled jackets, hats, gloves/mittens, etc. When there is snow to play in, students may bring snow pants/bibs and boots, but they must wear shoes while inside. Please make sure these items are labeled. Sending them in a labeled plastic bag can be helpful for keeping their items together and provide easy storage should they get wet at recess.
Inclement Weather Policy
As colder weather settles in, it is a good time to review our inclement weather policy. St. Stephen the Martyr Catholic School (SSM) observes the school closing policies of the Millard Public Schools (MPS) and/or Omaha Catholic Schools (OCS). When school is canceled, SSM will send families an email (using the “Correspondence” email(s) the family has on file in FACTS). If either district calls off school due to inclement weather, SSM will be closed. If MPS or OCS calls a late start, SSM will issue our own weather announcement via email by 6:15 AM based on weather conditions impacting our school. SSM will either close school for the entire day or begin school at 10 AM. If MPS or OCS announces a remote learning day in lieu of a snow day, school and Kidzone will be canceled. The full policy can be found on page 26 of the Family Handbook.
Parent Reminders
- School Dismissal Policy: Effective immediately: We will switch dismissal times for second semester. A-L will dismiss at 3:25 PM. Students with last names M-Z will dismiss at 3:20 PM. *Note: Please pick your child up at dismissal time. For the safety of our students, please do not allow your child to stay on school grounds, especially the playground, unsupervised. If you are running late, please call the School Office so a staff member can supervise your child.
- Parking Lot Reminder: Please be courteous and respect the "No Parking" spaces, the handicapped spaces, loading zones, and signs from Dinner and Auction. You will be asked to move your vehicle if you choose to park in a No Parking Zone, please understand and be respectful if asked to move.
Confirmation Sponsor Encounter Date Change
Jan. 30th from 6:30 - 8 PM
OR
Jan. 31st from 9:30 - 11:30 AM
Confirmation Sponsors are asked to join Candidates for a short, mini-retreat filled with snacks, fun activities, as well as a little one-on-one time for our final stretch of preparation.
Due to a scheduling conflict, new dates for this event are Friday Jan. 30th or Saturday, Jan. 31st.
- If a sponsor is unable to attend, the student may invite another adult to accompany them.
- Please note that this encounter does NOT replace the mandatory Confirmation Retreat which will be held later in the spring.
- This opportunity will be offered twice; choose which time best fits your schedule.
Sports Club Updates
Register Now for Spring CYSL Soccer
Register Now for Track & Field
Home & School Updates
Save the Date for the next Home & School Meeting
School Musical: Alice in Wonderland, Jr.!
Parent Meeting: TONIGHT at 7 PM in the Dining Room
- A welcome email was sent out to everyone that registered with access to the BAND app. The schedule and other information will be sent via the BAND app, but the Google spreadsheet with the rehearsal schedule is also available on the app & on our website.
- Reminder: Design workshop starts on Saturday and the rest of practices start on Monday.
- Registration will close January 11th.
Save the Date for our Middle School Dance
Parent volunteers are needed. Sign up using the button below!
Silent Auction Gift Baskets Supporting 8th Grade Trip to Washington D.C.
The 8th grade students need our help creating baskets for their silent auction at the Spaghetti Dinner this weekend! We invite you to sign up to help put together a basket, or to provide one yourself. Thank you for your assistance!
Martyr Marathon Prizes are Here!
We’re excited to send home Martyr Marathon Family Prizes this Friday! Prizes will be distributed to your oldest or only student. Thank you for your incredible support of Martyr Marathon—our school community truly is second to none!
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.
Shop the Used Uniform Sale
Need a few more uniforms to get through the end of the year? Visit the Uniform Closet in the Parish Center. This is a self-service uniform sale, available all school-year whenever the GPC is open. The GPC doors are unlocked Monday-Friday, 8-3:30 with the clothing racks located in the conference room closet. Browse the racks, pick your uniform pieces, and pay by OSV using the posted QR code.
Prices: Polo shirts - $3, Jumpers - $15, Plaid Skirts/Skorts - $12, Navy Skorts - $8, Shorts and Pants - $5, Leggings/Tights - $2, Uniform Sweatshirts - $5, Spirit Wear - $3
Questions? Please contact: Amanda Sitter (amanda.r.reese@gmail.com) or Libby Guenther (guentherel81@gmail.com)
Prices: Polo shirts - $3, Jumpers - $15, Plaid Skirts/Skorts - $12, Navy Skorts - $8, Shorts and Pants - $5, Leggings/Tights - $2, Uniform Sweatshirts - $5, Spirit Wear - $3
Questions? Please contact: Amanda Sitter (amanda.r.reese@gmail.com) or Libby Guenther (guentherel81@gmail.com)
Parish Updates
You're Invited to the Soiree Rose Dinner & Auction!
NEW! Join Father Dave for a Lenten Journey Through the Mysteries of Easter
5 Talk Series | FREE | Thursday Nights from Feb. 26th - March 26th
Spend time with Jesus in Adoration
Make a New Year's Resolution that will change your life!
Free Throw Contest
Jan. 9 | Register at the door
Community Updates
Omaha Travel Club Fundraiser for 8th Grade D.C. Trip
Upcoming Events at Duchesne Academy
7th Grade Practice Exam
The 7th grade exam is an excellent opportunity to practice taking the HSPT. Parents are invited to stay for an informational meeting from 12:15 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. with Duchesne administrators and current students.
Saturday, January 17, 2026
12:00pm -3:15 pm
12:00pm -3:15 pm
5th – 8th Future Cardinal Fan Night
5th – 8th grade girls are invited to join the Duchesne Varsity basketball team, coaches, and DASH fans in cheering the Cardinals on to victory at a Duchesne home game! Be our guest for a fun evening of live action, snacks, and meet with students who are involved in winter sports at Duchesne Academy.
Thursday, January 15, 2026
Varsity Game at 6:00pm
We look forward to you joining us in the stands. GO CARDINALS!
Dinner and a Show
Duchesne Academy's Arts Department invites all 6th, 7th, and 8th grade girls to our dinner and a show event. Join our staff and students for a pre-theater dinner, followed by a performance of "Six". This special evening offers a unique glimpse into our performing arts at Duchesne Academy.
Friday, February 27th, 2026
Dinner at 6:30pm and show starting at 7:00m
Dinner at 6:30pm and show starting at 7:00m
Dance Clinic at Mercy High
Events at Creighton Prep
Taking the 8th Grade Scholarship & Entrance Exam with Prep
- Saturday, January 10
- Learn more & register at CreightonPrep.org/Apply
- Your application is your test registration!
Taking the 6th & 7th Grade Pre-Entrance Exam
- Saturday, January 24
- Learn more & register at CreightonPrep.org/Pretest
- A great opportunity to practice for the exam you'll take as an 8th grade applicant!
Art Classes with Mrs. Webster
Important Upcoming Dates
- Jan. 9th: Report Cards
- CYSL Soccer Registration Deadline
- Jan. 10th: 8th Grade Italian Feast, 5 PM, Dining Room
- Jan. 16th: No School
- Jan. 19th: No School
- Jan. 25th: Open House
- Jan. 26th: Enrollment Opens at noon
- Jan. 26th-30th Catholic Schools Week
- Jan. 30th: 11 AM Dismissal