A Message from Mrs. Perrault, Principal

Dear Families,

We are back in the swing of things, and September is going to fly by! I look forward to seeing you at Curriculum Night and then celebrating our school and amazing community at the Martyr Marathon. Please keep bringing in donations and getting those pledges! Be sure to watch for the fun events we have planned in the weeks ahead.

A special thank-you to our Home and School Committee, who work tirelessly to make this event such a success. They truly “Rock It”! The Martyr Marathon is our only school fundraiser, and we hope to meet—and even exceed—our goal. Thank you for your continued support and generosity!

Sometimes you might wonder, “What are our teachers doing when our children are at home and they still have to be at school?” On Tuesday, our staff spent the day together, beginning with small-group Faith Formation sessions. During these sessions, teachers spend time together away from campus, sharing prayer, reflection, and conversation. It is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about one another while also focusing on what truly makes a difference—God.

That afternoon, we participated in professional development focused on IXL, led by one of our amazing teachers, Dr. Valasek. Mrs. Delaney reviewed Tier One interventions and the MTSS process. We also discussed Culturize and what it means to be a champion for our students. It was a meaningful and productive day and a wonderful reminder of how fortunate we are to have a staff who truly cares about our students and our entire school community!

Once again, I sincerely feel blessed to be leading our school. This is my ninth year, and I wouldn’t choose to be anywhere else. Thank you for partnering with us and for helping us live out our mission and vision each and every day!

United in Christ,

Mrs. Perrault

In this issue of Martyr Messenger:

Admin Updates: Curriculum Night, Upcoming Safety Drills, Now Hiring Kindergarten Grade TA, School Picture Retakes, Visiting our School, Sacrament Meetings, 2 PM Dismissal, Volunteer in the Library, Saint of the Month
Home & School Updates: Martyr Marathon Information + Volunteer, Fall Family Frolic, Dues & Contributions, Yearbook, Volunteer Positions, Trunk-or-Treat
Men's Club Updates: Checks Delivered, Join Our First Meeting
Sports Club Updates: Micro Soccer, Cross Country, Spirit Wear
Parish Updates: Family Prayer & Pizza, Middle School Youth Group, Pancake Breakfast, New Men's Group, Altar Server Training

Administration Updates

Curriculum Night: Tonight!

TONIGHT | 5:30 - 7:30PM | 1st - 8th Grade
This event informs families of the curriculum covered in our classrooms. It is not a conference to discuss individual student needs/concerns.

Get tips on how you can support your child's learning at home
Students do not attend curriculum night - just parents/guardians
Curriculum Night is for 1st - 8th Grade only (No Early Childhood)
Teachers will provide presentations on their curriculum three times throughout the night:
- 5:30-6:10 PM
- 6:15-6:50 PM
- 6:55- 7:30 PM

Click here to view our school map and locate the classrooms indicated below.

1st: Mrs. Fitch's Room (109)
2nd: Mrs. O'Leary's Room (119)
3rd: Mrs. Mancilla's Room (219)
4th: Your child's classroom
5th and 6th Grade: Parents should choose one of the below times and meet in Mrs. McClanathan’s classroom #202. 5th & 6th grade teachers will be present and have time to talk during all three sessions.
7th and 8th Grade: Parents should choose one of the below times and meet in Mrs. Koubsky’s classroom #210. 7th & 8th grade teachers will be present and have time to talk during all three sessions.
Specials Presentation: Ms. Trevett (Art), Miss Chu, Mrs. Smith (Music), Mrs. Tucksen (Music), Mrs. Verraneault (PE), Mrs. Johnson (PE), Mrs. Pennings (Technology) and Mrs. Luth (Spanish) will provide an overview of Specials curriculum and classes. This session will be held in Ms. Trevett’s Art Room #113.
Technology Presentation: Mrs. Pennings (Technology Specialist) created a presentation of information on FACTS/Google Classroom/ and "Being Safe" online. Please use the button below to view it.
Resource & TEAM Presentation: Mr. Daymut (Counselor), Mrs. Delaney (Counselor & Interventionist), Mrs. Schweers & Mrs. Ryan will share information about student services. This session will be held the Library #106

Thank you for taking advantage of this opportunity that our faculty & staff have prepared equip you to support your child's learning!

View Technology Presentation

Upcoming Safety Drills

Teachers discuss with children that this drill is for very rare situations in which we need an added layer of protection for the safety of our students and staff within our own building.
Students are trained to move away from sight and maintain silence.
Teachers are trained to lock classroom doors, turn lights off, move out of sight, maintain silence, not unlock/open doors except to first responders, and take roll call of students.
During the drill, K-8 students can expect that administration will be walking halls and verifying that doors are locked and teachers do not open the door when someone approaches.

Evacuation Drill: Friday, Sept. 11th (pending weather), 10 AM

Evacuation drills are practiced for an emergency situation (i.e. a gas leak) when students and staff need to leave the St. Stephen campus.
Our evacuation location is YMCA - Armbrust.
Our evacuation route is down the south drive, west on 'V' street to the crosswalk to cross 168th street; north on 168th Street sidewalk to the YMCA.
For the drill, we will practice our evacuation route but will stop before crossing 168th Street.

Severe Weather Drill: Monday, Sept. 14th, 2 PM

Students will proceed to designated area in the school silently and remain until all clear is given.

Now Hiring: Teacher Associate for Kindergarten

We are in search of a Teacher Associate for Mrs. Wolff's Kindergarten class. To apply, email Mr. Verraneault at g.verraneault@stephen.org.

Picture Retake Day + School Picture Orders

Retake Day: Wed., October 21st
Families are welcome to order school pictures online using the button below. This replaces the paper order form that was sent home with your student.

Order Here

Upcoming 2 PM Dismissal

We will dismiss at 2 PM on Wednesday, Sept. 16th for a Teacher Meeting. There are several of these early dismissal days throughout the school year. Please see the Annual Calendar or the Google Family Calendar for future dates. Thank you for understanding!

Visiting Our School

Friendly reminder that every visitor to the school must check in at the School Office before proceeding. This includes parents/guardians.

Office staff will assist in delivering items or contacting students.
Parents are not be allowed to wait in the School Commons before and/or after school.
Parents are highly encouraged to allow their students to proceed to their classrooms unassisted by the parent.

Student safety is our priority. Thank you for understanding!

Sacrament Meeting Reminder

Families preparing for either First Communion or Confirmation this year, please mark your calendars!

Confirmation Parent/Child Meeting will be Monday, Sept. 21 at 7 PM in the Dining Room. Eighth graders should attend with a parent/guardian.
First Reconciliation Parent Meeting will be Monday, Sept. 28 at 7 PM in the Dining Room. This is an info meeting for parents only.

Saint of the Month

This month, we will begin our Saint of the Month Award! Each month, we will award students who exhibit the characteristics of the monthly Saint. This month, we will strive to build up qualities exhibited by St. Teresa of Calcutta.

Volunteer in the Library

Miss Chu is seeking volunteers to assist during library time for our younger students in Kindergarten through 2nd Grade. Volunteers help students check out books and assist with reshelving. Volunteers must be Safe Environment Trained. This is a great opportunity for grandparents and parents to see their student during the school day! Use the button to volunteer.

Volunteer Here

Home & School Updates

We're off to a rock n' roll start to our 2026 Martyr Marathon Fundraiser!

Thank you for your support of Martyr Marathon! We’ve raised $18,290 so far. Help us reach our $100,000 goal and earn a day off school on October 26.

Next week, we’re building momentum for the big race with a week of fun! Each day next week leading up to Martyr Marathon, students will have fun, themed activities to enjoy. Be sure to check the app daily for details on what’s happening—you won’t want to miss out!

🎵 MONDAY | Rock the Request
Got a song you NEED to hear on race day? Teachers will have Song Request Tickets during class for students to submit their song request. Requests will not be taken on race day.

🎶 TUESDAY | Hit Me With Your Best Guess
Classes will tackle 10 music themed questions. The winning class in K–2, 3–5 and 6–8 earns a Dress Down Day!

🥫 WEDNESDAY | Jam the Pantry
Help stock the food pantry! Bring nonperishable food, hygiene items or cleaning supplies to the Gathering Space. No glass, please.

🎨 THURSDAY | Tattoo the Teacher
Starting at 7:40 a.m. in the East Parking Lot, choose a temporary tattoo, a teacher or staff member, and where they have to wear it!
Small $1 | Medium $5 | Large $10 They’ll rock their tattoos all day! Doors will not open until 8:00am

Donate Now

Learn More

Volunteer for Martyr Marathon

If you're volunteering on Race Day, there will be a meeting on Thursday September 17th from 7:30 - 8 PM in the school Cafeteria. Come by to pick up your t-shirt and get important details. Immediately following, we’ll be stuffing popcorn bags, so stay and join in if you can! **Please note: Volunteers must be Safe Environment Trained.**

Volunteer at Martyr Marathon

Pre & Post Event Volunteers

8th Grade Volunteers

Early Childhood Martyr Marathon Dance Parties

Preschool & PreK: Wednesday, Sept. 23rd
TK: Thursday, Sept. 17th

In lieu of doing the full walk with the "big kids", Early Childhood will have Dance Parties just for them! More details of all the fun coming soon!

Volunteer for Early Childhood

Permission Slip

Permission Slips will be sent home in Friday folders this week. Please fill out and return asap! If you need another copy, you may download it below.

Permission Slip

Thanks to all our Corporate Sponsors!

Save the Date for our Fall Family Frolic!

Volunteers Needed

Save the Date! Trunk-or-Treat will be Friday, October 16th

Details, volunteer signups, and rsvp will be shared later. For now, mark your calendar and plan to join your community for a night of sweet and spooky fun!

Help Us Make the 26-27 School Year Amazing!

We are still in need of multiple important volunteer roles to help make this school year wonderful for our students & families! Examples include Yearbook, Trunk-or-Treat & Easter Egg Hunt, Fall Family Frolic, and New Family Care, among others.

Review Volunteer Positions

Love Being Creative? Help Keep Our Yearbook Tradition Alive! 📚

We're looking for one or two volunteers to help take over our Yearbook Committee, and we'd love to find someone who enjoys creativity, organization, and working behind the scenes to create something special for our students and families.

This is a great opportunity for anyone who:

Enjoys design, layouts, and storytelling through photos
Has an eye for detail and organization
Likes collaborating with school staff, Pyles Photography, and Scholastic
Wants to help preserve memories and create a keepsake that students will treasure for years to come

No prior yearbook experience is required! The yearbook is created using a user-friendly software platform, and our current committee chairs are ready to help train and support the new volunteers to ensure a smooth transition. Want to volunteer? Contact ssmhomeandschool@gmail.com.

Dues & Contributions

Please support our Home & School Association by paying your dues and contributions! You can complete the form now online using the button below. Your dues help us to continue to support our teachers and your students in so many different ways throughout the year!

Dues Form

Parish Updates

Family Prayer & Pizza

Sept. 20th | 4 PM | Rosary + Dinner

Middle School Youth Group

Join us to meet our new Youth Minister, Andrea Turner!

Pancake Breakfast: Sunday, Sept. 20th

7:30 AM - Noon

Children's Choir

First Practice: Thurs., Sept 17 at 6 PM

Students in grades K-8 are welcome to join our children's choir! Please join us for our first practice on Thursday, September 17th from 6-6:45 PM in the Worship Space. The Children's Choir sings at the last Saturday of each month at 5 PM Mass. If you are interested in having your child join, please email p.bonkiewicz@stephen.org.