To Guide. To Inspire. To Serve. |
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Eagle News - November 17, 2020 |
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News & Events
Church News
Nurse's Corner
Calendar
Cafeteria Menu
Helpful Links
Athletics
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Gym Renovation Work Has Begun! |
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GYM RENOVATIONS: Gym renovation work has begun! STM Maintenance Staff members have been removing the slats covering the windows. Additional work is planned for the following dates:
- Friday, November 20 - Wednesday, November 25: Removal of existing bleachers.
- Monday, November 30 - Friday, December 11: Removal of existing floor and installation of new floor.
- Friday, December 11 - Monday, December 21: "Curing" of the new floor; no activity allowed in Gym
We are hoping that the new bleachers arrive before Christmas with installation completed before we return to school on January 5. We'll keep you posted on our progress. Thanks again to everyone who participated in our Annual Fund to make this possible for our students!
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Mrs. Schade back from Maternity Leave: Admin Roles
As shared in previous communication, we are excited to have Mrs. Schade back on campus following her time at home with her newborn daughter Martha. We are also extremely grateful for Dr. Brandao's efforts to support our students, families, faculty, and admin team while Mrs. Schade was home.
With Mrs. Schade now back full-time, I am providing clarity on the roles of the admin team.
Mrs. McDaniel, Vice Principal (PreK3 - 3rd Grade)
Mrs. McDaniel oversees all aspects of school operations for grades PreK3 through 3rd Grade. She is responsible for curriculum, instruction, student support, discipline, schedule, events, operations, etc. for these grade levels. Parents of students in these grade levels should go to Mrs. McDaniel as their first point of contact after working with the child’s teacher.
Mrs. Schade, Assistant Principal (Grades 4-8 and Enrichment)
Mrs. Schade oversees all aspects of school operations for 4th through 8th Grade, as well as Enrichment. She is responsible for curriculum, instruction, student support, discipline, schedule, events, operations, etc. in these grade levels. Parents of students in these grade levels should go to Mrs. Schade as their first point of contact after working with the child’s teacher.
Dr. Brandao (Advancement and Mission Integration)
Fr. Michael sent out a letter on Monday, November 9 informing the community that he has asked Dr. Brandao to conduct a strategic planning initiative for the school as we plan for the future. Dr. Brandao will be focused on facilitating the strategic planning effort, as well as other mission advancement activities. Dr. Brandao will be available to the admin team and teachers for counsel and for some individual student support. Moving forward, Dr. Brandao will not be the point person for discipline as this will fall under Mrs. McDaniel, Mrs. Schade and Mr. Moscona.
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Help Us Grow the STM Family! |
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Do you have family or friends who are exploring school options for the 2021-2022 school year? We are scheduling tours of our campus at this time. Families can also request a personal tour during the school day!
Please share your STM experiences with your family and friends and refer them to the link below if they are ready to learn more about why you call STM home.
You are an integral part of building up our STM family for the new school year. Thank you for your partnership!
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Nominate Our School Advisory Board Members!
The St. Thomas More School Board serves as a group of advisors to the pastor and principal. Members are appointed by the pastor and serve three-year terms. We are inviting our families to submit nominations for new school board members and committee members.
If you would like to nominate someone to serve, please send the name of the nominee and why you think he/she would be a valuable member of the board to principal Brian Moscona via email at mosconab@stmbr.org.
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Let's Keep Our Kids Hydrated #BringAWaterBottle
Due to an increase in the number of requests for water cups or water bottles, we would like to remind you that students should come to school with a water bottle. Because of COVID concerns, we do not have access to the water fountains this year.
We appreciate your continued cooperation in helping us mitigate the health risks at school.
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Want to Participate in the Angel Tree Project?
STM, your generous hearts have supported the Angel Tree Project in this parish greatly! This year we will partner with Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Lake Charles. Angels will be available for picking in the Church November 28th & 29th as well as online. Angels can be picked online from November 16th – November 30th using the following link https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0448ADA72CABF85-weneed1.
Volunteers will be on hand before and after each Mass the weekend of November 28th and 29th to help you select your special Angel and to answer any questions you may have.
Angel gift cards should be returned to the tree wrapped by December 6th. Please make sure your gift card reflects the amount of money that is available on the card.
If you have any questions regarding the STM Angel Tree Project or want to find out how you can help, please contact Crystal Hebert at 225-400-5326 or Lisa Johnson at 225-802-3222.
May God Bless you for sharing with the less fortunate this Christmas season!
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Register for Extended Care
Families must register their students in advance for the Extended Care Program in order to attend at any time. Students should not attend Extended Care if they are not registered, even if they are going home with other students.
You may click the link below to sign up for the Extended Care Program!
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It's the Most Wonderful Time of Year...
...to re-read the uniform handbook guidelines on outerwear :)
TLDR: Students may wear navy outerwear with the STM logo.
Navy + Logo = A+
● All sweatshirts should be navy STM sweatshirts. No other sweatshirts are permitted. STM sweatshirts can be purchased online through the STM Spirit Shop, which will be open periodically throughout the school year.
● All fleece jackets should be STM fleece. No other fleece jackets are permitted. STM fleece jackets can be purchased from all three uniform vendors.
● All jackets should be STM jackets. No other jackets are permitted. STM jackets can be purchased from all three uniform vendors.
● Heavy winter coats of any color are permitted when needed due to extreme cold and may be worn over STM outerwear. These winter coats may be worn to and from school, as well as during recess. Winter coats may not be worn inside.
● Gloves, scarves, and winter hats of any color may be worn to and from school when needed due to extreme cold, as well as during recess. These items may not be worn inside.
● Our vendors have expanded navy outerwear options with the new logo, including coats, jackets, sweaters, vests, etc. (Outwear with the former logo will be allowed through the 2020-2021 school year.)
● Logo should be white and gold monogram/embroidery
● Outerwear should be navy blue with the STM logo. STM letter jackets are also available.
● Students may wear STM logo sweatpants in lieu of uniform shorts, pants, or skirt with the regular school uniform on any day other than a Mass day from November through February.
● Regular uniform with the sweatpants includes shirt, sweatshirt, socks, tights, and shoes.
Regarding Sweatpants for Pre-K and Kindergarten
The official STM logo sweatpants only go down to a Youth XS, so preschool and kindergarten students may wear solid navy sweatpants with a uniform top.
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The Search Begins for a New Principal!
St. Thomas More Catholic school seeks a joyful, faith-filled, dynamic, and visionary leader to serve as principal of our parish school, beginning in the summer of 2021. STM has a rich history of success in the Baton Rouge community, and the parish has experienced revitalization in the past several years. We seek a leader who will continue the positive momentum for our community as we move STM forward.
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Order Picture Retakes
If your student took picture retakes, they are available for order now. You can email contact@barberitophotographers.com if you did not receive your link to order.
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Calling Class of 2020! Yearbook Signing Party December 2
We will have a yearbook signing party for the class of 2020 on December 2 from 5:30 to 6:30 P.M. Please R.S.V.P. TootieL@stmbr.org.
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3rd and 4th Grade Attend Mass on Wednesday
As a reminder, our 3rd and 4th grade students will attend mass on Wednesday, November 18.
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2nd Grade Celebrates First Reconciliation on Wednesday
Throughout the month of November, we have prayed the Act of Contrition at the end of each day to encourage our little ones as they prepare to make this next step in their faith journey. Let us keep our 2nd graders in our prayers this week as they make their First Reconciliation on Wednesday.
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FREE Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner for Students
Don't forget that FREE breakfast, lunch, and dinner is available for your students through the SNAP program for the remainder of the year. Please take advantage of this great opportunity!
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Thanksgiving Break Begins on Monday!
Thanksgiving Break is coming up soon! As a reminder, we will not have school next week, November 23-27.
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Carpool Reminders
Please use carpool etiquette and do not park or stop in the driveways of our neighbors. Thank you for your cooperation!
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Box Tops, Amazon Smile, and Community Coffee!
Help our Eagles earn additional funds from corporate rewards programs!
The Box Tops for Education program is changing the way we can earn cash for our school and some of you HAVE ALREADY GOTTEN STARTED!
First things First—head to the app store on your smartphone or tablet and download the new Box Tops App.
Amazon Smile is another rewards program. Simply go to smile.amazon.com. Click the menu icon in the top left of the screen. Scroll to the bottom and select Your Amazon Smile. Choose your charity as St. Thomas More School. When shopping, go to smile.amazon.com and order away. The rest is automated!
We are also still collecting Community Coffee Labels.
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St. Thomas More Church News |
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Guidelines for Mass Attendance
We love seeing our parishioners back in the church! If you are coming to STM for Mass, please remember:
- church opens 30 minutes before Mass
- an usher will seat you (weekends) - in a marked pews only
- wear a mask - for the entire Mass
- bring a small hand sanitizer
- maintain 6' social distance from anyone not in your household
- no gloves, please
We do encourage those at high risk for severe illness from Covid-19 to stay home and watch Sunday Mass LIVE at 10 am (or any time afterwards).
The Sunday Mass obligation continues to be dispensed for all Catholics indefinitely.
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A Word from Nurse Rochelle
YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
With the increase in COVID cases in our area, it is up to each and every one of us to do our part to keep our school open. Last week, we had an increase in the number of students that had to be placed in quarantine due to COVID exposure outside of school. Please help us by keeping students at home if they have ANY symptoms of illness or if they have been exposed to anyone with COVID. The CDC defines close contact/ exposure as within 6 feet for a cumulative of 15 minutes with someone who is diagnosed with COVID-19 within 48 hours of the symptom onset.
If anyone in your household is suspected of having COVID, has pending COVID test results, or tests positive for COVID, the entire family should quarantine. If you have any questions about if or how long you should quarantine, please call Nurse Rochelle at (225) 272-3072 or email her at: rochelle@stmbr.org.
A question that I am often asked: If someone at my house was exposed to COVID and is in quarantine, does everyone in the house have to quarantine?
The answer is no, the other household members do NOT have to quarantine UNLESS:
1. They were also directly exposed (within 6 feet for 15 minutes),
OR
2. The quarantined family member becomes symptomatic, and then he/she should be tested.
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Important Dates for October
November 19 - 3rd & 4th Grade Mass
November 19 - 4th Grade Retreat
November 23-27 - Thanksgiving Holiday
November 25 - 6-8 Basketball registration deadline
November 29 - First Sunday of Advent
December 3 - First Grade Retreat
November 29 - First Sunday of Advent
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FREE Grab & Go Breakfast Monthly Menu
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Boys Basketball for Grades 6-8 Begins January 2021
From Athletic Director Ryan Empson
I am excited that the diocese has allowed the resumption of middle school athletics after January 1, 2021. We will begin with boys basketball, grades 6-8, at the varsity and junior varsity levels. If your child is interested in playing basketball, please click on the following link to register, registration link.
Registration will close on Wednesday, November 25, 2020 at midnight. Tryouts will be held once school resumes in January, and they will last for 3 days. Information on those tryout dates and times will be emailed out to registered students closer to Christmas. All boys interested in playing basketball must have a completed and signed LHSAA physical, signed concussion form, and emergency contact form on file with STM before participating in tryouts or practices. Please send all paperwork to the school to the attention of Athletic Director Ryan Empson. Information on game schedules will be communicated at a later date.
If for some reason the season cannot be played due to COVID-19, full refunds will be issued. The diocese has a team meeting to establish gameday safety and disinfection protocols, as well as the possibility of fan attendance. Please be patient with us and the diocese as we work together to make athletics safe and successful during this pandemic.
Tennis Grades 3-5 at The Legacy
Due to increasing interest from STM parents, the Legacy will be adding 3rd-5th grade tennis clinics to our schedule. This is not an officially sanctioned STM sport.
If you are interested the pricing is as follows (must pre pay to guarantee enrollment:
participation 1 time a week, $10/members, $15 guests (total $30 members, $45 guests)
participation 2 times a week, $15 members, $20 guests (total $45 members, $60/guests)
We will limit the number of enrollment initially to 16 kids per session, if we find the need for more pros or more sessions, we will add more.
Thanks,
The Legacy
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11400 Sherbrook Drive / Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70815 / (225) 275-2820 |
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