A Message from Mrs. Perrault, Principal
Dear Families,
Happy Summer! I hope you are all settling into your summer schedules and enjoying special time with your families. We have been busy in the office preparing for the upcoming school year, and we are thrilled that you have chosen to be part of our incredible community.
A special welcome to the new families joining us for the 2026–2027 school year. We are so excited to have you at St. Stephen the Martyr Catholic School!
Our Home & School Association has planned several wonderful summer activities, including a Used Uniform Sale and Summer Playdates for our youngest students. Additional details are included below, and we hope to see many of you there.
We will send another Martyr Messenger in mid-July. Please know that you are all in my prayers this summer. I hope your break is filled with meaningful family time, prayer, rest, and relaxation.
United in Christ,
Mrs. Perrault
In this issue of Martyr Messenger:
- Admin Updates: Summer Office Hours, Medication Pickup, Seeking Subs, 7th Grade Physicals, FACTS Tuition Payment, School Advisory Board, Annual Calendar, Early Childhood Openings, Kindergarten Experience Days, Kindergarten Documents, Order New Uniforms
- Home & School Updates: Used Uniform Sale, Summer Playdates, Save the Date for Back to School
- Summer Camps with SSM Teachers: PreK & TK Camp
- Sports Club Updates: CYSL Soccer Registration Open Now, Summer Run Club
- Parish Updates: Farewell Father Matthew, Middle School Youth Group
Administration Updates
Welcome, New Members of the School Advisory Board
(L to R) Back Row: Greg Verraneault, Patrick Cooley, Scott Sanderson, Jeremy Belsky, Charles Cooper, Father Dave
Front Row: Julie Perrault, Melissa Fischer, Frannie Schneider, Nicole Paus, Jennifer Ross
Front Row: Julie Perrault, Melissa Fischer, Frannie Schneider, Nicole Paus, Jennifer Ross
SAB Members who have finished their term: Missy Adam, Amanda Trieber, and Kelli Herstein (not pictured)
Annual Calendar for the 26-27 School Year
Use the button below to review the schedule for next school year! Also available in the app.Afternoon Preschool & PreK Openings
We have a few openings in our Afternoon Preschool (3+) & PreK (4+) classes. Visit stephen.org/preschool.
We're still learning this summer!
Some of our teachers are making the most of their summer by continuing to grow professionally and strengthen their instructional practices. Several staff members are participating in an 8-week Literacy Workshop that fulfills Nebraska’s Science of Reading training requirements and supports effective, research-based literacy instruction. In addition, several teachers attended the HEROES (Helping to Elevate Reading Outcomes for Every Student) Conference in Kearney, where they gained new strategies and ideas to support student success. We are incredibly grateful for educators who choose to invest their time and energy into professional growth, even during their time off. Thank you for your dedication to our students!
Summer Office Hours
Our summer office hours are Monday-Thursday, 8:30 AM-11:30 AM. Please note that we sometimes have meetings outside of the school office. It is always best to call before you head up to school. Emails or voice messages received while we are out of the office will be returned as quickly as possible!Medication Pick-Up
If your student has medication in the school office, a parent or guardian must stop in to pick it up during our summer office hours, which are Monday through Thursday from 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM. There are still many meds to be picked up - please stop by!Seeking Substitute Teachers for the 26-27 School Year
Did you know? You do not need to have a teaching degree to become a substitute teacher. All college graduates are eligible. Please contact Greg Verraneault to be added to our sub list or to learn how to obtain certification.
Kindergarten Experience Days
Enrolled incoming kindergartners will get to see our classrooms, meet their teachers and their future classmates, and get a taste of what kindergarten is all about! Register below and watch for more information coming soon!
Kindergarten Documents Needed
Incoming Kindergarteners must have the following documents on file in the office to start school in August:- Birth certificate – original to photocopy (according to state law, students cannot attend school until this is received)
- Baptismal certificate—if your child was baptized at SSM, no need to submit a certificate
- Physical Exam/Immunization documentation for all Kindergarteners
- Dental information (date of most recent exam, no paperwork required from dentist)
- Vision Evaluation for all Kindergarteners (this is part of the kindergarten physical)
- Preschool report card
7th Grade Physicals
The Nebraska School Law requires all students entering 7th grade to have a physical examination by a physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner within six months prior to the entrance of school.A dental examination is recommended at this time. We do not require a specific form to be submitted as the physician’s office will provide a printout of the appointment details and immunizations. See the below PDF for more details.
FACTS Tuition Payment Reminder
For families who use the 10-month payment plan for tuition:- 2025/2026 tuition auto-payments are now complete unless you have an unpaid balance.
- 2026/2027 tuition auto-payments will begin in July.
- Your first (or only) payment will be auto-deducted in July.
- The second payment for those who selected the two-time payment plan will be auto-deducted in January 2027.
Home & School Updates
Help Us Make the 26-27 School Year Amazing!
Use the button below to review volunteer opportunities
Summer Playdates
First Playdate: Sunday, June 28th following 10:30 AM Mass
Used Uniform Sale
Volunteer Now!Incoming 8th graders now welcome to volunteer to fulfill service hours
Our yearly Used Uniform Sale will be on Sunday, July 26th.
- 20% of sale proceeds go directly to the SSM Home & School Association.
- Items to be sold at the Used Uniform Sale may be dropped off in the south breezeway before July 25th. No late items will be accepted!
- Be sure to clearly label your items with your family name using masking tape. Items not marked or marked unclearly will be considered donations.
- Volunteers shop early! Use the button below to sign up. NEW: 8th graders may sign up for volunteer hours!
- A check will be issued with each family's proceeds in the fall, less the 20% for Home & School. Proceeds under $5 will be considered donations.
- Questions? Contact Amanda Sitter or Libby Guenther.
Sports Club Updates
Register Now! Fall CYSL Soccer Registration Open
Cross Country Summer Training Has Begun!
Morning summer training sessions at Lake Zorinsky are open to all athletes interested in building strength and endurance for the fall Middle School (grades 6-8) Cross Country season, as well as our Running Development Program for incoming grades 1–5. Join the SSM Discord channel to view the training schedule and, for middle school runners, log miles with teammates to stay motivated throughout the summer.For more information, please contact Kate Harr, XC Coordinator, at Kateharr@rocketmail.com. Fall Cross Country registration will open in mid-July. Watch for more details coming soon!
Summer Opportunities at SSM
Incoming PreK & TK Summer Camp
Mrs. Kerrie Tabaka & Mrs. Carrie Gentile
Parish Updates
Join us to say Goodbye to Father Matthew
Join us all summer! Middle School Youth Group
Incoming 6th-8th graders welcome!
Important Upcoming Dates
- June 28: First Summer Playdate
- July 2 & 3: School Office Closed
- July 6: Fall CYSL Soccer Registration Deadline
- July 15th: Second Summer Playdate