September 6, 2017
Strive to be more
Dear Parents,
 

Yesterday, the preschool students arrived for their first educational adventures in St. Thomas More Cathedral School. It feels wonderful to have all STM students back in the building for a new year.

Thank you for encouraging your children to dig into piggy banks or complete chores around the house in order to bring a dollar into school for the Hurricane Harvey collection.  STM students were able to give Fr. Rippy over $600 towards this relief effort. We continue to pray for all those affected by this disaster. 

On Friday, we celebrate the birthday of the Mary, the mother of Jesus. I invite you to come to the 10:00am liturgy and join the students in prayer and song.  

God Bless,

Eleanor McCormack
NEWS FROM THE STM LIBRARIAN

Tomorrow, September 7, STM will kick off the fourth annual One School, One Book program. Thanks to the PTO, every family in the school will receive a copy of The Trumpet of the Swan by E.B. White. We ask that you read this book with your child. This national program is designed to: 
  • Create a shared reading experience within a single elementary school community
  • Encourage deep, attentive, and personally gratifying listening habits in students 
  • Build vocabulary, create background knowledge
  • Provide a reading role model
  • Plant the desire to become a life-long reader. 
The STM teachers have planned lessons and activities to accompany the book for the next month. We ask that you find time to read aloud nightly and have a good time with a good book. Any questions? Please email Mrs. O'Rourke  morourke@stmschool.org 
STM ALTAR SERVERS
Parents - If your child is interested in being an altar server at STM, please return this permission form by THIS FRIDAY, September 8th ! The first practice is Saturday, September 9th.   If your child cannot make one of the practices, please contact  Fr. Christensen at  frcc @cathedralstm.org
     HOMEWORK HOUR 
 
We are pleased to announce that the STM Homework Hour monitored by Mrs. Malia Busekrus, STM 5 th grade teacher, will be offered again this school year.  The STM Homework Hour is an after-school homework assistance program for students in grades 4 through 8.  Daily sessions are designed to provide your student with an opportunity to ask questions, seek clarification, and receive teacher guidance on homework.  These meetings are not intended to be tutoring sessions. One-on-one tutoring session can be arranged separately with other STM teachers.  
 
Hour-long homework assistance sessions are offered Mondays through Thursdays in Room 13 from 3:20 to 4:20pm.  The cost for this service is $15.00 per daily session per student and will be charged to your FACTS account.  These fees are non-refundable and will be charged even if your student misses the session due to absence or illness. Students need to be picked up from Room 13 by 4:20pm or they will be checked into the Extended Day program.  To register, please complete this form and return to school by Friday, September 8th.  
STM FOOD DRIVE FOR AFAC

STM Junior Troop #57 will be collecting nonperishable items for Arlington Food Assistance Center.  The items most in need are listed in the flyer below.  Click here to learn more about the Arlington Food Assistance Center. 


 
 
Calling all singers!

Do you love to sing? Are you looking for a place to make music with your friends?
Join the St. Thomas More Youth Choir!
Choir is open to all students in 3rd through 8th grade
Join us for our first rehearsal on 
Thursday, September 7 in Room 1
  • We rehearse every Thursday afternoon from 3:15 to 4:20
  • We sing at two parish Masses a month
STM BAND PROGRAM

St. Thomas More Band Parents' Meeting and Registration
Thursday, September 7th
 
The Start of Band - 2017
 
Band Parent Meeting and Registration on 
Thursday, Sept. 7th
Open registration at 6:45 P.M. / Band Parent Meeting at 7:00
 
There will be a general meeting for the 4th - 8th grade band parents (students may come) tomorrow, Thursday, Sept. 7th,  and the meeting will begin with details about our program and advice to students and parents.  The second half of the meeting will be directed to beginner parents and students, band registration, and renting an instrument (Music and Arts).  An initial payment by check will be due for the 1st quarter with the signed Tuition Agreement.  Returning parent(s) are asked to be at the meeting if possible.
   
Upcoming for the band: 2017 - 2018
Thursday, September 7th - Parents Meeting and Registration
Thursday, September 14th - Starting day for all band students
May - High Note Music Festival in Lancaster Pa./ Hershey Park
 
Thank you everyone for the support.
Barry Ward
WELCOME!

The Cathedral Parish extends a warm welcome to returning and new STM School families.  If you are new to the Cathedral, you can find a wealth of information about parish life, ministries, organizations, and service opportunities on our website.  On Sundays, there is coffee and donuts in Burke Hall. We look forward to meeting you! Our hope is that newcomers to our faith community soon find a "home" here and will become registered parishioners. To promote a sense of belonging, we communicate regularly with the parish community. Registered parishioners receive all parish communications, announcements of parish programs and events, and Catholic Herald.  The Cathedral Connection, our e-newsletter, goes out on a weekly basis to those who provide an email address. We offer sacramental preparation and extensive faith formation programs for children, teens, and adults.
 
Please feel free to join us on Sunday (or Saturday) to learn about our parish family.   If you would like to become a member, click here  
Save the Date
Sunday, Sep 17, 2017
STM Knights of Columbus
PANCAKE BREAKFAST          
 
Pancake Breakfasts are Back -  Starting September 17.
The Knights of Columbus are hosting a Pancake Breakfast in Burke Hall following the 8:30am, 9:45am and 11:00am Masses on Sunday, September 17.   Please join your fellow parishioners for a great breakfast of Pancakes, Eggs, Sausage and Rolls.
ST. THOMAS MORE TENNIS TEAM

The St. Thomas More CYO tennis season is just around the corner.  If your child is in 3rd - 8th grade and is interested in playing tennis on the 
St. Thomas More tennis team this season, please contact Lee Plaza -  LPlaza@ksfmlaw.com .  Please use "Tennis" in the subject line and let me know the child's name, grade and skill level (beginner, intermediate, advanced).  We hope to start practices ASAP, so please don't delay in getting on my email list.  All parents from last year's team will automatically be sent the information for this upcoming season.   Practices will be one evening a week for an hour and a half and tennis matches are Sunday afternoons beginning on September 17 and through October 29 (with November 5 as a back-up date).  I'm also sad to say that Coach Carlos has moved out of the area, so depending on participation level, I may need one or two 3 rd  or 4 th  grade parents to step up to help with the younger kids.
Please let us know if your child has an interest in playing as soon as possible and whether you are able to help coach at practices and/or weekend matches.  We're looking forward to a great season!  
Thank you.


   
 
BLAST SUBMISSIONS
STM Blast items must be submitted to eblast@stmschool.org by noon on Monday  in order to be included in that week's edition.   All submissions must be in print-ready form.  Items received after this deadline will be held until the following issue.  Thank you for your cooperation.
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Issue: 4
In This Issue
Upcoming Events

Thursday September 7
STM Band Support Group Meeting
Lee Hall/Gym
6:oopm 

Thursday September 7
STM Band
Registration & Mtg
STM Lee Hall/Gym
7:00pm

Monday September 11
Back to School Night
for 2nd, 3rd, 4th
Lee Hall/Gym
7:00pm

Tuesday September 12
Back to School Night
for PreK, K, 1st
Lee Hall/Gym
7:00pm

Wednesday Sep 13
Parent Meeting for Confirmation 
Burke Hall
6:45pm


Save the Date . .
Monday, October 23
Confirmation at 7pm
Cathedral of STM
Confirmandi and Sponsors gather at 6:15pm
"STM Will Turn the World"