A Message from Mrs. Perrault, Principal
Dear Families,
Thank you so much for your incredible support of our school and the Martyr Marathon! We met our challenge and will have our earned day off on October 26th! A special thank-you to our Home & School Association for all their hard work, especially Alia Creason, who has coordinated the Martyr Marathon for several years. Sadly, this was her final year in this role as her youngest will be entering high school next fall. We are incredibly grateful for the time, dedication, and commitment she has given to make this event such a success!
Tomorrow, October 9, is a no-school day for students. Our teachers will be participating in professional development focused on Understanding Autism in Today’s Classroom, the Science of Reading, and the new Archdiocesan Science Standards and their alignment with the Next Generation Science Standards.
You will find a link in this newsletter to sign up for fall conferences. If the available times do not work for you, please reach out to your child’s teacher to make other arrangements. Our teachers value communication with families throughout the year. Please keep in mind that they are actively teaching and working with students during the school day and may not be able to respond to emails until after school hours.
I look forward to all of our upcoming fall events! Thank you for your continued partnership and support. We truly have a remarkable school community!
Thank you so much for your incredible support of our school and the Martyr Marathon! We met our challenge and will have our earned day off on October 26th! A special thank-you to our Home & School Association for all their hard work, especially Alia Creason, who has coordinated the Martyr Marathon for several years. Sadly, this was her final year in this role as her youngest will be entering high school next fall. We are incredibly grateful for the time, dedication, and commitment she has given to make this event such a success!
Tomorrow, October 9, is a no-school day for students. Our teachers will be participating in professional development focused on Understanding Autism in Today’s Classroom, the Science of Reading, and the new Archdiocesan Science Standards and their alignment with the Next Generation Science Standards.
You will find a link in this newsletter to sign up for fall conferences. If the available times do not work for you, please reach out to your child’s teacher to make other arrangements. Our teachers value communication with families throughout the year. Please keep in mind that they are actively teaching and working with students during the school day and may not be able to respond to emails until after school hours.
I look forward to all of our upcoming fall events! Thank you for your continued partnership and support. We truly have a remarkable school community!
United in Christ,
Mrs. Perrault
Administration Updates
Last week we announced our honorees who were selected by their teachers for living like St. Teresa of Calcutta, serving others and following the PRAY Model. Congratulations to all of our amazing students!
Early Childhood Honorees: (L to R)
James H., Ford K., Daley B., Beckett J.
James H., Ford K., Daley B., Beckett J.
K-8 Honorees: (L to R) Top Row: Rose L., Sam P., Camden M., Kendall B., Charlotte Z., Lakelyn N., Felicity L., Mya H.
Middle Row: Piper V., Kevin L., Charlotte G., Ellie R., Royal S., Leo C., Gracie S., Enzo O., Tommy R.
Front Row: Villa S., Tess L., Charlotte B., Brody L., Maggie G., Eloise L., Everett S., Jack N., Elliana S.
Middle Row: Piper V., Kevin L., Charlotte G., Ellie R., Royal S., Leo C., Gracie S., Enzo O., Tommy R.
Front Row: Villa S., Tess L., Charlotte B., Brody L., Maggie G., Eloise L., Everett S., Jack N., Elliana S.
Artist of the Month Honorees Announced!
It is time to announce new honorees for the Boden Reischl Artist of the Month! We've rounded up another great group of talented artists and are excited to share them with you! You may view their art displayed in the gallery outside the music room or online at school.stephen.org/art. Congratulations to our honorees!
Fall in Love with Reading
🍎🍂Share these cozy, wholesome reads with your child. Browse Fall funds from our Book Fair publisher, Ignatius Press. Every purchase supports our library!
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.Now Hiring: Teacher Associate
Kindergarten | Full time or Part timeWe are in search of a Teacher Associate for Mrs. Wolff's Kindergarten class. To apply, email Mr. Verraneault at g.verraneault@stephen.org.
Lost & Found
Our Lost & Found has many items that want to go home! Please visit the Lost & Found in the south breezeway. The south breezeway is unlocked even when school is not in session, so you may stop by anytime such as after weekend Masses or when you are here for games or practices.
Reminder: Download the SSM School App!
Families can download or update the St. Stephen School App for easy access to Weekly Announcements, Martyr Messenger, grades, lunch menu, signups and so much more! Be sure to allow notifications to get reminders from the school. Thank you to our Home & School Association for paying for the app every year so families can download it for FREE!Sports Club Updates
Congratulations to the Cross Country Team!
Congratulations to all the athletes who participated in our Developmental Program and Middle School Cross Country teams! Our runners gave it their all and finished the season with some of their best performances at the Mt. Michael meet on Oct. 3! A special congratulations to Rosie Lind, who finished 10th overall in the girls division, and Paul Mangenot, who finished 14th overall in the boys division!
We are so grateful for the perseverance, dedication, and sportsmanship shown by all our athletes throughout the season. What a great season of Cross Country!
Track & Field registration begins in January, with the season running from March through early May for students in grades 5–8. We hope to see many of our athletes back on the track!
Track & Field registration begins in January, with the season running from March through early May for students in grades 5–8. We hope to see many of our athletes back on the track!
Home & School Updates
Trunk-or-Treat
Join us for trick-or-treating, FREE hot cocoa, music, and voting on your favorite trunk! A food truck will be on campus for those that need to purchase dinner!
Join us for our Fall Family Frolic at Vala's!
Volunteers needed to welcome families and serve s'mores below
Need a Night Out?
Come connect, unwind, and enjoy a fun night with fellow school parents! No RSVP necessary - we'll provide the apps!
The Results are in: You ROCKED Martyr Marathon!
Thank you to everyone who supported us and helped make this possible! We’re so grateful for your generosity, encouragement, and enthusiasm throughout this campaign. Because of YOU, we reached our goal—and now it’s time to celebrate! 🙌
Help us stuff Martyr Marathon Goal Bags!
We need help stuffing bags of prizes for our students! Use the links below to volunteer:
- 🎒 Goal Bags will be sent home with youngest/only child on Oct. 16t
- 🎉 Day Off: You've earned no school on October 26th
- 👧 Family Incentive Prizes: Coming soon!
Help us stuff Martyr Marathon Goal Bags!
We need help stuffing bags of prizes for our students! Use the links below to volunteer:
Halloween Celebrations
Wednesday, October 28th
- Morning Preschool & PreK (Gentile & Tabaka): Our parties will be together from 10 - 10:45 AM in the Parish Center. Students should come to school in costume (no accessories, please!). All parents are welcome to join our party!
- Afternoon Preschool & PreK (Gentile & Tabaka): Our parties will be together from 2:30 - 3:15 PM in the Parish Center. Students should come to school in costume (no accessories, please!). All parents are welcome to join our party!
- TK: Our party will be from 9:15 - 10:15 AM in the Parish Center. Students should come to school in costume (no accessories, please!). Please have your student wear a Dress Down Day outfit under their costume. All parents are welcome to join our party!
- Kindergarten - 4th Grade: Parties will be from 2:15 - 2:50 PM in classrooms. Parents/guardians should have received details via email from classroom coordinators. Only parents who have signed up via the Classroom Coordinators are allowed to attend. Following the parties, K-4th will participate in the Halloween Parade (see details below).
- 5th- 8th Grade Celebration
- 5th & 6th Grade students will celebrate Halloween with a field trip to Spare Time!
- 7th & 8th Grade students will celebrate Halloween with a field trip to the Amazing Pizza Machine!
- 5th - 8th graders may dress down on this day. Please do not wear costumes. (Follow Family Handbook Guidelines).
- Halloween Parade: All parents/families are invited to attend our outdoor costume parade (indoors if inclement weather). Students will parade with their class around the school. The parade will begin at 2:50 PM with Kindergarten followed by 1st - 4th grade. They will exit the north doors, head east around the school, and enter back into the school through the south doors. Our afternoon Preschool, PreK & TK classes will watch the parade but will not be walking in the parade. Normal dismissal begins at 3:10 PM.
- Costumes must align with our school values and should not be offensive, politically charged, gory, or against the teachings of the Catholic Church.
- Costume accessories should be left at home.
- Only Preschool, PreK & TK students (Gentile, Tabaka, Hoff/Ferrante & Foster) should come to school in costume. TK students should wear a Dress Down Day outfit that follows Family Handbook guidelines under their costume so they can remove their costume after the party.
- Kindergarten-4th Grade students can dress down in the morning, wearing anything that follows the guidelines in the Family Handbook. When it is time to put costumes on, students must put their costumes on over their dress-down outfits. They will not be allowed to change their clothing.
- 5th - 8th grade students get a Halloween Dress Down Day on Oct. 30th. They can wear Halloween colors or Halloween-themed t-shirts but they may not wear costumes.
Parish Updates
Quick Info: Upcoming Parish Events
- St. Stephen the Martyr Annual Appeal is underway. Thank you for supporting our school through our parish. Learn more here.
- Middle School Youth Group: Join us every Tuesday from 6:30 - 8 PM for time with friends, games, and time to grow as a Catholic. Learn more.
- Strategic Plan Sharing Night: Join us Thursday, Oct. 29th at 7 PM in the Parish Center as we share our parish's updated Strategic Plan. Learn more about where we're headed and and how you can be part of the mission.
- Trivia Night on Saturday, Nov. 14th: Register now for an SSM annual tradition, Trivia Night! Grab your friends, bring snacks, and join us for a fun evening of competition, laughter, and community! Register Here.
- The Meaning of the Catholic Mass Explained with Deacon Scott: Join Deacon Scott on Thursday, October 15th from 7-9 PM in the Parish Center to learn "why we do what we do" during Mass. Grow in your understanding and bring meaning to what you do on Sundays. Treats provided, all are welcome!
- Recognizing the Stranger Talk by Father Scott Hastings: Join us Sunday, Oct. 25th at noon in the Dining Room to hear Father Scott for an engaging talk on how our faith speaks to the immigration challenges facing our Nebraska neighbors today. RSVP here.
Community News
Play it Forward Fall Camp
Open House at Mercy
Important Upcoming Dates
- Oct. 9th: No School
- Oct. 16th: Quarter 1 Ends
- Trunk-or-Treat: 6:30 - 7:30 PM, South Parking Lot
- Oct. 21st:
- Picture Retake Day
- Report Cards
- Oct. 22nd: Fall Parent Teacher Conferences
- Oct. 23rd: No School
- Oct. 26th: Martyr Marathon Day Off - Thanks for supporting SSM!
- Fall Family Event at Valas
- Oct. 30th: Halloween Parties