More News - your STM weekly insights into discovering More

More News
(The newsletter formerly known as Family Flyer)
Hello STM Community - 

Welcome to Advent, a season of hope-filled anticipation for the coming of Christ, Minnesotans True North Star!  As we celebrate this season and as Christmas fast approaches, we are reminded to slow down and enjoy the feeling of expectation in the air. 

Your children will help us do just that at the Christmas concerts on the December calendar and through their generosity in events such as the Toy Drive. We look forward to seeing you all there and celebrating this wonderful time of year together as a community! Thank you for your support of St. Thomas More. 

Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam,

James Olsen
Advancement Director


Things to look for in this week's newsletter:
  • First Friday Coffee - please join us tomorrow AM in the cafeteria after drop-off!
  • Thank you note from Archbishop Hebda to STM
  • Fund-A-Need Corner
  • IRA Rollover Charitable Contribution Information
  • Swim Team Sign Ups
  • Ski Club Sign Ups

     
P.S. - If you are still contemplating giving to a charitable organization before the end of the year for tax purposes, please consider a tax-deductible gift to St. Thomas More Catholic School in your end of the year giving. Each gift helps ignite a lifetime of learning.
Friday, Dec. 2
8:15AM - 9AM
First Friday Coffee - Cafeteria

Dec. 5 - Dec. 9
Usborne Book Fair -  School Library

Saturday, Dec. 10
11AM - 1:30PM
Toy Drive Giveaway Event - Auditorium

Monday, Dec. 12
6:30PM
Band/Choir Christmas Concert (Auditorium)

Thursday, Dec. 15
6:00PM
Preschool Christmas Concert (Cafeteria)
6:45PM
K-5 Christmas Concert (Auditorium)


"Thank You" STM Students and Staff from Archbishop Hebda

Archbishop Hebda sent a note this past week expressing how much he loved the art and the notes  sent to him after the Mass of the Holy Spirit in October,  and that he very much looks forward to visiting our school in the future.

Great work STM Students and Staff!
'Tis the season to Fund-A-Need!

Each school year brings its own unique financial challenges and we want to be transparent about such needs as the arise. With your help, we can continue to give our children the experience they have come to expect in such a supportive and nurturing community. 

Thank you in advance for your consideration and your generosity! 

Needs:

1) Lockers for the Preschool (80 lockers ~ $8,000)
The Fire Marshall came and inspected the preschool in preparations for expansion and due to the combustibility of our current cubbies for our preschoolers, determined that we need new metal lockers for our little tykes. Your support in helping our preschoolers keep all of their gear (especially in winter) in one place will go a long way to making our preschool staff's holiday season and year!

2) Help increase the Marketing Budget ($10,000)
Did you like our new billboard? Are you excited to get the word out about STM and help drum up interest for the coming Catholic Schools Week Open House? If so, Mr. Olsen needs your assistance. With a limited budget, it is difficult to extend our school's reach to where it needs to be. Each newspaper Ad costs an average of $600. Each Billboard costs about $1,200 for a four week run. Postcards for an open house can range from $1,500-$3,000. A new video highlighting STM for the website, Youtube, etc. will cost around $3,000. STM has been historically poor at telling its story to the community that surrounds us. Help Mr. Olsen change that trend and help him have the resources to do so. 
STM in the Catholic Spirit

Operation Decoration for our troops both here and abroad produced some great art and team building opportunities among the Houses....as well as PR!

The Catholic Spirit highlighted the event on it's Facebook page  this past week and it was on the first page inside of the print version. The picture features 1st grader Eve Wachlarowicz and 8th grader Maddie Maher. Great photo you two!


Interested in the Swim Team?      

The STM swim team will begin practice January 3rd.  Please fill out a yellow registration form and return it to the office if your child is interested in being on the swim team.

Click  here  to download a registration form

Usborne Book Fair

Our Usborne Book Fair will be happening next week.  Stop by to get your holiday shopping done and help St. Thomas More earn free books!  

We will once again host "Read and Feed" on TUESDAY 12/6 and THURSDAY 12/8.  Be sure to join your child for lunch and shopping!  Get stocked up for winter break and travel!  Students will have an opportunity to make wish lists during their library time next week.

You can also shop on-line at www.KellysUsborne.com and choose St. Thomas More book fair at check out!

The Toy Drive is in full swing and we need your support!
 
We need new or gently-used Toys for children 0 to 12 years old, gifts for TEENS and Christmas decorations for their homes.
 
For the last 10 consecutive years, through the  Toy Give Away Event.  The Saint Thomas More Community has provided toys and Christmas decorations to low income children and their families.
 
Spread the Spirit of Giving as we help the less fortunate. Bring your donations to the office at the school.
 
Follow this link to sign up to help with either set up on Friday, December 9 or help with the Toy Giveaway Event on Saturday, December 10th.
 
Thanks again for your support of this annual event for our community.
 
If you have any questions, feel free to contact Myriam Grady at 
m [email protected] or Kathleen Murray at [email protected]
 
Thanks!
 
Myriam and Kathleen

3rd Graders put on their engineering caps

Simple Machine Demonstrations (AKA - The Great Fruit Snack Challenge) were a huge success today! Way to go 3rd graders!

For more pictures, please visit our
IRA Charitable Rollover Giving

The Popular IRA Charitable Rollover is now permanently available for those who are 70 1/2 or older (supportive grandparents and/or graduates of St. Luke's or IHM). This allows one to support the school without including this distribution as taxable income. 


To make a charitable rollover and qualify for tax relief: 

  • Distributions can only be made from traditional Individual Retirement Accounts or Roth IRAs
  • The IRA owner must be 70 1/2
  • The distribution must be paid directly from the IRA custodian to the school
  • The maximum distribution cannot exceed $100,000 per year
***We ALWAYS recommend that you seek professional advice in these kinds of financial matters. However, if you have any questions or are interested in pursuing such charity, please contact James Olsen in our Advancement Department, 651-224-4836***

Buying gifts on Amazon for Christmas and the Holidays? 

Don't forget to use Amazon Smile and choose STM as your charitable organization!
  • Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to the charitable organization of your choice.
  • AmazonSmile is the same Amazon you know. Same products, same prices, same service.
  • Support your charitable organization by starting your shopping at smile.amazon.com
     
Buying gift cards for gifts this Holiday season? Use Scrips!


Benefits of Scrip Fundraising
  • No extra time, money, or energy spent.
  • No selling unwanted products to your family and friends.
  • Earnings add up quickly- families can earn $1,000 or more per year.
  • It's a great budgeting tool, and it fits with every financial situation.
  • We offer over 700 retailers, so you can use scrip for practically anything.
    • Delta
    • SAMs Club
    • Walmart
    • Amazon
    • Many More!!!
  • Online ordering lets families buy and use eCards whenever they want.
  • The funds you earn are immediately accessible.
  • It's habit forming- you'll want to use scrip all year long.
Enroll today and use STM's enrollment code: 54CA9F9D1549

Adult Men's Morning Basketball

For those of you adult men (18+) who enjoy shooting hoops, there is interest in getting together for a weekly early morning men's basketball game on Friday mornings at 6:30AM. 

If interested, please email Mr. Pryor at [email protected]
Calling all Adult Athletes...

It's time again for Adult Volleyball!  Don't let winter turn you into a couch potato.  Get a "work out" and enjoy some friendly competition.
We play Wednesday evenings from 7:00 to 8:30 PM starting October 26th, 2016. 

All members of our community, 18 and older, are welcome to join us in the school gymnasium for exercise and some laughs!  

All athletes are welcome; from beginners to the well-conditioned!  Any questions can be directed to Carol Ney ( [email protected]

Volunteers Needed

Our Advancement Director, James Olsen, needs volunteers with knowledge in the following areas:
                • Marketing
                • Branding
                • Development/Fundraising
                • Video Production
                • Print/Publishing
                • Graphic Design
                • Database Management
                • Archiving (Photos/Docs)
If you are willing to help or know of others with skills and interests in these areas, please reach out to James Olsen at [email protected] - thank you!
St. Thomas More Catholic School | 1065 Summit Avenue  St. Paul, MN 55105 
651.224.4836 | [email protected] 
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