From your Principal...
Dear STM Families,

With yet another weather related closure to start our Spring Semester, we found it necessary to make adjustments to the school calendar.  These changes are necessary in order for us to maintain our end of school year on June 1st. Changes are:  
  • March 29, 2018 - dismissal at 3:00pm (previously planned for 11:00am)
  • May 11, 2018 will no longer be a school holiday and we will have a full day of school.
This week on Thursday we will host the Archdiocesan Middle School Science Fair on campus. We are excited to once again host this event.  Participants will be on campus the afternoon prior setting up their entry and all day on the 25th. Please help us welcome our visitors to STM.  

Next week is National Catholic Schools Week. Show your school spirit by encouraging your children to wear their STM uniform to Mass this Sunday, 1/28. We will kick off the week with the Sugar Land Skeeters Reading Program assembly on Monday for students in PreK - 5th grade. Special guest will be Swatson, the Skeeters mascot. A reading incentive program will be distributed to our students with the possibility of earning 2 tickets to a Skeeters game. Remind your student to share with you the details. Make plans to stop by our Book Fair in the Library. Details and times are listed in the Library News below. Mrs. Fontenot is in need of volunteers to help. Round off the week by joining us for our Open House on Wednesday, January 31st.

Congratulations to the  National Geography Bee Winners from our Middle School students:
1st Place - Dylan Dominey
2nd Place - Joey Montroy
3rd Place- Matthew Marsh
Honorable mentions
Amber Alvarez, Kennedy Parker & Ally Martinez

First Semester Report Cards will be emailed to families in good financial standing with the school on Friday afternoon. Again, a current email address must be in Renweb in order to receive your child's Reports Card.
 
Reminder as we approach the application deadline date of February 9th, those families that will be applying for financial assistance for the 2018-2019 school year, please see the attached form for important information regarding the steps to apply and deadline dates. These dates  must be followed in order to be considered for aid. 

Things to Know
Yours in Christ,
 
Kristen Thome                                      
Principal                                                
Church News...
CALL FOR NEW ALTAR SERVERS
If you are in the 4th grade or up, we will be having a training class on Monday, January 29th from 6:30-8:30pm.  The training will be done in the Church.  A parent must accompany their child to this training and stay during the training. Please refer to the Parish Website -Ministries Tab-Liturgical Ministries Tab to the Altar Servers Tab, there you will see the Altar Server Guidelines & Requirements as well as the Altar Server Test.  Please review these documents and KNOW them prior to the meeting. The test will be given at the start of the session, so do not be late! Any current Altar Servers are welcome to attend this class as a refresher if you would like.  If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Melody at the STM School or me, Deacon John, at [email protected].
Steps For Students...
Steps for Students is 5K run/walk and is a fundraising event for our school.  Participating schools keep 100% of the funds they raise.  We have many fun activities planned from now until race day on Saturday, February 17, 2018 . Early registration ends on January 31st.  As of February 1st, registration fee will increase.  Sign up today and join in the fun!

Our wonderful faculty leaders are working hard to offer a variety of ways to support this fundraiser, in addition to joining us on race day! Students can earn raffle tickets by participating in the fun activities planned.   Please see this brochure for details .  

Don't forget to get family and friends to sponsor  you at the walk.  We have many incentives in place for a variety of sponsorship levels. Check out all the fun and exciting details  here.   

After all,  breakfast is the most important meal of the day .... and what a delicious start to the day!  Please join us for our   First Annual Pancakes with Dad on Tuesday, January 30, 2018 . Not only will dad and child make special memories, you will also benefit our Steps for Students fundraiser.  Please see flyer  for all the delicious details! 
This and That...
Before the Christmas Break our student body was blessed by the performance of our 7th grade student as they performed the Nativity of Our Lord play.  We now have DVD's available for those who would like to purchase. Please see the attached flyer for details.

Softball is coming back to STM!  The Developmental Girls Team fun is open to girls in grades . Please let us know your child's interest by filling out and returning the attached   form .

Last call for yearbook ads. All ads must be in by January 31st in order to meet the yearbook deadline. 
Programs & Events...
Thank you to our wonderful, supportive parents for helping to make our girls basketball tournament a huge success.  A good time was had by all teams and families that participated. We could not have done this without your support. Thank you! 

is a great and easy way to support STM! Simply by visiting Smile.Amazon and shopping like you usually would, STM will receive a portion of your eligible purchases when you select ST. Thomas More as your charity. What a great way to support our school by doing what you already plan to do! Please see details  here.

Cold weather is upon us! Order your new STM hoodie and gear  here .

Don't forget to celebrate your child's special day.  Click here for our   Birthday in Lights  order form!
PTO News...
The PTO will host a used uniform sale this Sunday, January 28th from 10:00am - 1:00pm in the Scout House.  Come check out available pieces especially with the current situation with Parker Uniform.  Additional details available  here.
Our PAWS Print...

Parents are leaving their  PAWS Prints all over STM !

Many thanks to our PAWS volunteers who transformed Prinster Hall into a winter wonderland for this years "SnowBall", STM's annual 8th grade Winter Dance. There were banners, snowflakes, garland and lights, along with great music from our own DJ Coach Mouton. It was a great evening for our students. Please take a look through some of the photos, this is a fun project for our volunteers and is open to any PAWS parent. If interested, make a note for yourself to join us next January!

PAWS will be holding a Second-Semester Sign-Up event in February. Check back here in next weeks Newsletter for specific information on date/time and location. Volunteering for PAWS events is a fun way to get involved in STM and support your students. We have many second semester events including Steps4Students, the Gala, Field Day and Graduation. We are looking forward to working together to make these events reflect the strength and spirit of our STM community

All STM parents are members of the PAWS community, check your email for announcements and information on how to get involved and support our school!!
Coming up at STM...
Wednesday, 1/24
  • 4:30 - C/JV/V Boys Basketball game @ St. Francis de Sales
  • 4:00pm - 6:00pm C/JV Girls Basketball Practice  
Thursday, 1/25
  • 3:10pm - 4:00pm Art Club 
  • 3:20pm - 4:30pm Speech 
  • 3:30pm - 5:30pm - JV/Varsity Boys Basketball Practice 
  • 4:00pm - 6:00pm C/JV Girls Basketball Practice 
Friday, 1/26
  • 8:15am All School Mass 
  • 4:00pm - 6:00pm C/JV Girls Basketball Practice
  • Report Cards Distributed  
Saturday, 1/27
  • C Team Girls Basketball Tournament @ St. Francis Episcopal
    • Coach will communicate game time
  • Strake Jesuit Shootout - Varsity Boys
    • 4:00pm vs Presbyterian 
Sunday, 1/28 - Catholic Schools Week Begins
  • Wear your STM uniform to Mass
  • Book Fair - School Library
  • 10:00am - 1:00pm Used Uniform Sale - Scout House 
Monday, 1/29
  • Book Fair - School Library 
  • 3:30pm - 4:00pm  Chess Club
Tuesday, 1/30- Spirit Day 
  • Book Fair - School Library
  • 3:30pm - 4:00pm Beta Club Tutoring