A Message from Mrs. Perrault, Principal

Dear Families,

We had a wonderful Catholic Schools Week! I am truly grateful for the gift of your children and for the trust you place in our school community. I know that choosing a Catholic education can be a financial sacrifice, and I hope you continue to see the joy of faith, community, and learning that your children bring to our school each day.

Congrats to our Catholic School Spelling Bee winners! Aubrey Pieper is unable to attend, so Melki Boko and Sarah Fernandes will represent our school on Saturday, February 7 at the Metro Catholic Schools Spelling Bee! Lots of prayers and best of luck!

Enrollment is now open for current families. I strongly encourage you to register as soon as possible, especially if you have a child entering Kindergarten, 4th grade, or 6th grade. We are at or near capacity in these grades if all current families re-enroll. Registration for new families will open on February 17th. At this time, we have several applications for Kindergarten and a few for 4th and 6th grades. Also, if you know your child WILL NOT be returning, let the school office know as soon as possible so we can remove them from our enrollment.

If you are unable to register due to a “block” on your account, please contact the business office to bring your tuition payments current for this year. You may email Amy Maroney at a.maroney@stephen.org for assistance.

Please continue to keep our staff, students, and families in your prayers. We extend special prayers to the Rocha family as they grieve the recent loss of Maximo Rocha, father of one of our students. If you would like to support the family during this difficult time, you may do so through the following link:
Helping Maximo's Children's Future

Thank you again for your continued partnership and support.

United in Christ,

Mrs. Perrault

In this issue of Martyr Messenger:

Admin Updates: New Admissions Video, Re-Enrollment Information, Financial Aid, Announcements, Dinner & Auction Sucker Pull, Now Hiring, Spelling Bee, Saint of the Month, Food Drive, Valentine's Day DDD, Circle of Grace
Sports Club Updates: Middle School Track Registration
Home & School Updates: Valentine's Day Celebrations, Used Uniform Sale for Second Semester, Upload Yearbook Photos, 8th Grade Scholarship, Middle School Dance Thank You
Parish Updates: Dinner & Auction Tickets on Sale, Lent Save the Dates, Runza Fundraiser Night, Fish Fry Fridays
Community Updates: Blood Drive at Skutt Catholic, Fundraiser for Music in Catholic Schools, Events at Duchesne, Marian

Administration Updates

New Admissions Video Promoting Our School

Thanks to our faculty, staff, families & students for sharing the joy of St. Stephen the Martyr Catholic School! Watch

Re-Enrollment for the 2026-2027 School Year

Re-enrollment is underway. You can also access your Re-enrollment packet(s) via the FACTS Family Portal or through the SSM School App.
Re-enroll & pay your enrollment fee before February 17th to ensure placement for the 26-27 school year. If you are enrolling your student in 1st, 4th, & 6th grades, please be aware that there may be a waitlist necessary in these grades. Enroll soon to secure your spot.
New students (ex. younger siblings of current students) need to first complete an application. You will be sent your enrollment packet for that child once the application is accepted. Go to school.stephen.org/admissions to apply. Current families receive priority admission.
If you have questions on how to complete your packet, please review the re-enrollment guide linked below. If you still have questions, please contact the School Office.

Enrollment Guide

Financial Aid Application

Families may apply for Financial Aid through FACTS. The deadline to submit financial aid applications is May 1. Before other types of Financial Aid are considered, families are asked to apply for aid through the Children's Scholarship Fund. Use the button below to learn more. Applications open on February 9th. Financial aid is also available through the Latino Scholarship Fund. For more information, contact bearellanes@archomaha.org.

Children's Scholarship Fund

Spring Conferences

We will dismiss at 11 AM on February 12th for Spring Conferences. There will be no school on February 13th and also no school Feb.16th for Teacher Professional Development.

Lost & Found

Please visit the Lost & Found to claim your lunch boxes, water bottles, sweatshirts, and missing uniform pieces! We have a myriad of items wanting to go home!

Progress Reports

Progress Reports will be sent via email to the email on file in FACTS on Friday, Feb. 6th.

3rd Grade Wax Museum

3rd Grade will host a Wax Museum on Feb. 12th from 8:30 - 11 AM in the Dining Room. Families are welcome to attend!

Food Drive Thank You

Many thanks to our school families your incredible generosity during the St. Stephen the Martyr Food Drive held during Catholic Schools Week. Your kindness and commitment to caring for our neighbors in the Omaha community truly reflect our call to serve others and live out our faith. We are deeply grateful for your support and the spirit of compassion you continue to share.

With gratitude and prayers,

St. Stephen the Martyr Food Pantry

Support the Dinner & Auction through a Sucker Pull

Sucker Pull will be located in the School Commons on Feb. 9th | Students can bring cash to participate | Participate for your chance to win prizes!

Now Hiring! Teachers & Subs

Valentine's Celebration Day Dress Down Day

Wednesday, Feb. 11th

Saint of the Month Honorees Announced

Our January Saint of the Month was St. Thomas Aquinas, Doctor of the Church. Students were chosen who exhibited respect toward God and others. Congratulations to our January Saint of the Month Honorees!

(L to R) Early Childhood Honorees: Faith H., Emmy S., Maeve L., Vivian G.

(L to R) K - 8 Honorees

Top Row: Charlie O., Harper M., McKenna A., Finn S., Samantha W., Madeleine C., Charlotte Z., Jada E.

Middle Row: Mya H., Bastian S., Austin T., Sophie R., Archie S., Camden V., Cece C., Claire W., Emme M.

Bottom Row: Rosemary C., Fulton D., Zach T., Walter E., Zoe O., Hannah L., Eloise L., Olivia D., Beau R.

Not pictured: Maya W.

Circle of Grace Curriculum

Over the next several weeks, our elementary and middle school counselors will begin teaching The Circle of Grace. For families new to our school or unfamiliar with the program, a letter is attached explaining its purpose and how it helps keep students safe. Please don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns—our contact information is included in the attachment. More information is provided using the below button.

COG Info

Stations of the Cross

Sports Club Updates

Register Now for Track & Field

Register Now

Home & School Updates

Valentine's Celebrations

Wednesday, February 11th

Planning is underway for our upcoming Valentine's Day celebrations. Preschool, Pre-K & Kindergarten - 4th Grade Class parties will be Wednesday, February 11th. TK will celebrate Thursday, February 12th. Grades 5-8 will celebrate with Field Trips on Feb. 11th. Here is the celebration schedule:

Red/Pink/White Dress Down Day for Everyone!
Preschool & PreK AM Party: 10 - 10:50 AM in the GPC
Preschool & PreK PM Party: 2:30 - 3:15 PM in the GPC
TK Party: Feb. 12th 9:45 - 10:45 AM in GPC
K-4th Grade Parties: 2:15 - 3 PM in classrooms
5th & 6th grade: Amazing Pizza Machine
7th & 8th grade to Spare Time

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)

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.

8th Grade Scholarship Essay Contest

On Monday, March 2nd, we will hold our 8th grade scholarship essay contest for students who will attend a local Catholic High School. Two $1,000 and two $500 scholarships will be awarded to the four students who score the highest on the essay. If your child is interested in applying for the scholarship, watch for more information coming soon!

Middle School Dance

Thank you to everyone who attended the Middle School Dance this past weekend! We hope you had a great time and made lots of fun memories.

Photo Booth Pictures

Parish Updates

You're Invited to the Soiree Rose Dinner & Auction!

Purchase Tickets

Lent Begins Feb. 18th

Schedule Feb. 17th as a "No Cooking" Night!

Get ready for Fish Fry Fridays!

Community Updates

Blood Drive at Skutt Catholic on Feb. 10th

Help Skutt Catholic set a state record! The team of teens has the goal of getting 300 donors for their upcoming Blood Drive.

Details:

8 AM—12:30 PM at Skutt Catholic High School
Must be 16 years old to donate (parent permission is required for those below age 16)
Make an appointment by scanning the QR code
Donors will be put into a raffle to win various prizes
Donors will receive a $20 e-gift card to the merchant of their choice

Use the button below to make your appointment now!

Make Your Appointment

Support Music in Catholic Schools at their Annual Benefit Dance - Tomorrow!

Upcoming Events at Marian

Upcoming Events at Duchesne Academy

Dinner and a Show | Friday, February 27th | 6:30 PM

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.

Registration is required for this event, and spots are filling quickly. Register at https://www.duchesneacademy.org/admissions/admissions-events. For more information, please contact Maggie Vazquez, Admissions Event Coordinator, at 402-558-3800 or mvazquez@duchesneacademy.org.

Important Upcoming Dates

Feb. 6th: Progress Reports
Feb. 11th: Valentine's Celebrations + Field Trips & Dress Down Day
Feb. 12th: 11 AM Dismissal
- TK Valentine Celebration
- 3rd Grade Wax Museum
Feb 13th: No School
Feb. 14th: Dinner & Auction
- Purchase Tickets Here
Feb. 16th: No School
Feb. 17th: Re-enrollment Deadline

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!