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Dear new STM family member,
Welcome to St. Thomas More School (STM), where wonderful events and activities happen all the time—and welcome to The More You Know, which helps ensure you don’t miss out on any of them.
The More You Know gives you the information you need to help you fully participate in the STM community. We think new STM families will find it especially helpful, but we’re betting that there’s a lot here for veterans as well.
We hope you find The More You Know valuable and we welcome your comments/suggestions on ways to make it better.
Accelerated Reader
All Saints Day Mass
Auction
Book Character Day
Book Fair
Carpool
Catholic Schools Week
Christmas Sing-A-Long
Cub Scouts
Eighth Grade Bake Sale
Eighth Grade-Kindergarden Buddies
Eighth Grade Musical
Eighth Grade Retreat
Field Days
First Holy Communion
First Friday Mass
Gardening Angels
Girl Scouts
Golf Tournament
Grandparents' Mass
Holiday Celebrations
Kindergarden Celebration
Lenten Retreat
Life Skills
Living Rosary
Lunch with Your Child
Magazine Sale
Meet the Teachers
More Award
More Festival
Mother's Day Mass
Parent Work Days
Pet Blessing
Recycling
Sally Foster Sale
Talent Show
Teacher Appreciation Lunches
Vendor Rebates
Volunteer Opportunities
Accelerated Reader is a software program that allows students to take tests on books they have read. The student accumulates points to obtain different certificate levels and point clubs. Twice a year, students are recognized at an award ceremony. Students may take tests as often as they like. Each time they pass a test, they can enter a drawing for the Accelerated Reader of the Week. The winner receives an out-of-uniform day and his/her picture on the AR Bulletin Board outside the media center. We also open the media center in the summer once a week so children can take tests as they read books on their summer reading lists.
The program is ongoing from kindergarten to eighth grade, but students must be able to read independently to take an Accelerated Reader test. We are proud of our STM Accelerated Readers.
On All Saints’ Day, Nov. 1, the entire school attends morning mass. All third grade students, plus one representative from each class, dress as saints and process into the church. Parents are encouraged to attend this colorful event.
The biggest fund-raiser of the year, the auction is an entertaining evening filled with food, fun, music, and, of course, an auction.
There are loads of opportunities to help with this event, from planning the party to soliciting businesses for donations. We also ask families to provide items to be auctioned. Use your imagination here--you can donate anything from a homemade batch of cookies delivered upon request, to a gift certificate for dinner at a local restaurant or a weekend stay in your cabin! The auction is usually held in April.
In mid-October, all of the children and teachers select characters from books to dress up as for this lively event.
Your children should wear their costumes to school, so make sure the costumes are comfortable. They usually take off the props after the parade.
Plan to join us in Mulhern Hall at 9 a.m. for a school wide parade. You won’t want to miss this one…and don’t forget your camera!
The Book Fair is held at STM during National Children’s Book Week each November. STM usually offers Scholastic Books for sale. The fair opens after Sunday Masses and throughout the week for students and their parents. The Book Fair concludes on Friday with Book Character Day.
To coincide with Book Fair week, we offer parents/family the opportunity to help with the purchase of new books for the Media Center. With a $15 donation, a parent/child can become a Library Angel. Angels can select a book and honor a family member or teacher with a dedication on a bookplate. Your child will be the first student to check out the new book from the Media Center. This program, along with our profits from the Book Fair, enables us to add new books each year.
If your child commutes to school, you’ll probably find yourself in the carpool!
• In the morning, cars come around near the gym in a line (follow the cones).
• A safety patrol opens the door, lets your child out and sends you off with a “have a nice day.”
• If you need to park, simply let your child out as always. Then, when you reach the crosswalk and the traffic director, signal to turn. A teacher will then direct you to park.
• The carpool number is that piece of paper with the big number on it that comes in your initial information package. You only get one carpool number. It stays with your child for the entire time he/she is enrolled at STM.
• You—or whomever you may send in your stead—must display your carpool number(s) and class name(s) for the safety volunteers. Parent volunteers record this information and turn it in to the office.
• Following the volunteers’ directions, park facing west.
• If you have to come to school at or near dismissal time, please park along the fence or as if you are going to carpool. Make sure your number is clearly visible before you leave the car.
• When carpool starts, cell phone conversations should stop! The volunteers and children need your full attention.
• The school office is closed during carpool, from 2:55 p.m.-3:30 p.m.
For one week, usually at the end of January or early February, Catholic schools all across the country celebrate the Catholic school mission. STM marks the occasion with an eighth grade Archdiocesan Mass and the Grandparents Mass.
It’s also the time when STM invites prospective students and their parents to visit the school and consider enrolling. Admission applications are provided to those who attend the Information Night. Parents are needed to help with the prospective student Information Night and to assist in conducting tours of the school.
During the Christmas season, the entire school gathers to sing Christmas carols. The Middle School bands also perform. The sing-along is usually held in the morning on the last day of school before the Christmas holiday break. Parents are invited to participate. This is a great way to kick off the holiday break!
A closing Advent ceremony is held in the church immediately following the sing-a-long.
Each class is responsible for providing Christmas gifts for a needy child. They prepare for Christmas through this and other Advent projects.
Cub Scouts is the Boy Scouts of America program for boys in the first through fifth grade. A home- and neighborhood-centered program, scouting teaches boys to respect home, country, God and others.
Cub Scout Pack 551 is sponsored by St. Thomas More Church. Each pack comprises several dens, which set their own meeting times and places.
Parents can help by serving as Den Leaders, or supporting Den Leaders in a variety of ways—from keeping track of advancement records and helping with den meeting activities, to bringing snacks or serving as part of a telephone tree. Scouts are always interested in hearing from parents who have careers or hobbies of interest to the boys.
After fifth grade, Cub Scouts may move on to Boy Scouts. Currently there is not a Boy Scout troop at STM, but there are at least three troops nearby. Refer to the More News Scouts section for information on start up dates in the early fall.
In January, the entire eighth grade participates in a three-day offsite retreat to reflect on their experiences at STM and to focus on the journey ahead of them. “The miracle of the bake sale” funds this retreat.
In early November, all STM students bring home “promise slips” for baked goods. Students may ask parents, grandparents or neighbors to promise to bake cakes, pies, brownies, etc. for the sale. Promise slips are attached to the baked goods delivered by students/parents to the Middle school on Saturday morning before Thanksgiving. As an incentive, the class that provides the most baked goods gets treated to a pizza party with the eighth grade after Christmas. In return for the help, eighth graders pray during their retreat for all who baked goods for the sale.
Eighth graders are required to bake a minimum of ten items; they also work shifts during the sale as clerks. The sale takes place before and after the weekend masses. The Bake Sale normally earns an amazing $5,000-$6,000 for the retreat. So… Save your best recipes for use in the eighth grade bake sale and tell all your friends and neighbors where to go to purchase fresh-baked goods for the Thanksgiving holiday!
One of the most endearing STM school traditions is the Eighth Grade/Kindergarten Buddy program. Students look forward to participating as buddies from the time they are wee ones. At the beginning of each school year, eighth graders select (or are assigned) a kindergarten student that they escort to First Friday Masses and enjoy other special times with during the year. STM Buddies and their charges form a “mutual admiration society,” in which each learns from the other. While there is no parental involvement required, you might want to remind your kindergartner to remember his/her buddy’s birthday or present him/her with a small gift at Christmas or year-end.
In 1989, STM began offering an eighth grade spring musical production. The STM stage has hosted productions ranging from such classics as Peter Pan and The Wizard of Oz to original works. While the eighth grade stars in the show, sixth and seventh graders cut their theatrical teeth as set artists, designers and musicians. The eighth grade musical dress rehearsal is always performed for the student body during the day, but STM families can also buy tickets for an evening performance. You won’t want to miss this show!
We can always use extra hands with the myriad of projects involved with this production. Much of this work is done during Encore classes.
The Eighth Grade Retreat is held each January during the week before the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday weekend. A life-changing event for many students, this retreat began almost 30 years ago. The goal is for eighth graders to connect with God and pray about what God wants them to do after leaving the safety of STM. In the process, the students also grow closer to each other. A chartered bus takes the eighth grade and faculty representatives to a 1,300-acre, Catholic retreat at Blessed Trinity, Alabama, near Phenix City.
On these special days, each grade competes in a variety of events. All students wear shorts, sneakers and special colored tee shirts. The schedule is published in the More News and there will always be rain dates. Parents are encouraged to come, help out and cheer on their children. Watch the More News for details.
Kindergarten always has field day by itself because their activities are especially planned for them. Eighth graders assist and take the students to the different activities.
Students at STM School and Parish prepare for First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion throughout the second grade school year.There are preparatory and informational parent meetings prior to the students receiving the sacraments. The second grade teachers will give notice of such meetings.
First Reconciliation takes place the beginning of Lent each school year. There is a retreat held on a Saturday prior to the students’ first reconciliation.
First Holy Communion takes place the first Saturday of every May for second grade. A breakfast reception, hosted by first grade parents, follows for all parents, relatives and friends of the First Communicants. This is a lovely event that you won’t want to miss.
Non-Catholic students are included in all religion classes and encouraged to attend the First Holy Communion Mass to support their classmates. They do not, however, receive the sacraments.
First Friday Mass is held on the first Friday of every month. Each grade takes a turn leading the Mass, doing the readings and singing the songs. The students take great pride in being such a pivotal part of the Mass. Parents of students in the grade hosting Mass that month are encouraged to come. Mass is generally at 8:50 a.m. and parents sit in the back of church.
Have you run out of places to garden in your yard? Become a gardening angel and help maintain the flower beds and landscaping at STM!
The Gardening Angels meet regularly to tend to plant, prune, water and do other projects on the church and school grounds. It’s a wonderful way to meet fellow gardeners and to beautify our campus at the same time. You don’t need to be a seasoned gardener to join—we provide lots of guidance and directions. You can learn as you grow!
The Pike’s rebate program provides many of our plants, so please be sure to save your receipts and turn them in.
Girl Scouts are very active at STM. Individual troops are involved in service projects, camping and other exciting events throughout the year.
Girl Scouts at STM offer participation for grades K-8. Parent volunteers are needed in leadership positions. Your career, your hobby and your history all offer enlightenment to our growing girls.
New troops are formed each year in the fall. Look for announcements about Girl Scout Information Night in the More News.
We hold an annual golf tournament at a local country club. Parents, friends, relatives and parishioners sign up as foursomes or individuals to play in this 18-hole tournament.
There are prizes, contests of skill and accuracy and even a golfers’ silent auction! The day wraps up with a dinner; families and friends are welcome to join in for good food and fun. It’s a great way to spend the day and raise money for the school at the same time.
We can always use help from golfers and non-golfers to organize and run the event.
Grandparents and other senior friends play an important role in our children’s lives. In recognition of this, eighth graders and kindergarteners invite these special people to attend a Grandparents Mass and brunch on the Friday of Catholic Schools Week, which is in late January or early February. Please note that only grandparents or senior friends of the eighth grade students and kindergarteners are invited – parents and others should refrain from attending this Mass.
Kindergarten buddies are invited to meet their eighth grade buddies’ grandparents and entertain them with a song. Eighth grade and kindergarten parents should help to make sure grandparents or senior friends are invited in time to attend this special event.
Eighth grade parents will be reminded of this event during orientation.
Classroom parties are for the children. Although parents make them possible by coming to help out, there generally isn’t enough space to accommodate all parents at all parties. So parents usually sign-up to help with specific parties at “Meet the Teacher Night,” which is held at the beginning of the year. Room parents are responsible for organizing and planning the events, which consist of any of the following, at the discretion of the teachers:
• Halloween parties are held in the classroom.
• No costumes allowed. It is a low-key and non-scary event.
• Parents help out with a snack and possible games or projects.
• Primary and intermediate grades participate.
• The activities are social studies-related.
• Kindergarten classes participate.
• One kindergarten class dresses as Native Americans, the other as Pilgrims. They taste traditional Thanksgiving foods, play Native American games and sing Thanksgiving songs,
• Parents are needed to help with the activities and provide food for the feast.
• All grades participate in this celebration.
• The children have an early morning party in their classrooms, for which parents supply the treats and, if applicable, any activity.
• The classes all attend morning Mass and participate in the sing-a-long in Mulhern Hall. Parents are welcome to attend the sing-a-long.
• The celebration is social studies related. The children in kindergarten through second grade study China and may celebrate Chinese New Year.
• The classes make and eat Chinese food. They also listen to Chinese stories, write Chinese characters and learn about the Chinese zodiac.
• Parent helpers supply and prepare Chinese dishes and help with activities at the feast.
• Bringing Valentine’s Day cards and treats for friends is optional, although most children participate. Check with the teacher before you send in candy.
• If children bring Valentines, they must bring one for each child in the in the class.
• Parents supply a snack and possibly an activity, although trading Valentines is often event enough in itself.
• During Lent, the classes in kindergarten through third grade have treats and exchange cards, but it is not called a party.
• The celebration is social studies and religion related.
• The kindergarten classes make shoebox floats and have a parade through the Middle School’s lunch period, throwing beads, candy and doubloons.
• All other grades celebrate except first and second and most of the time a king’s cake is involved.
• Parents are needed to supply the beads, candy, doubloons and cakes. Parents are also needed to help with the parties held in the classrooms.
• The celebration is social studies and religion related.
• Only the kindergarten classes participate as they study Italy and St. Joseph. They go to church to pray to St. Joseph and have an Italian Feast.
• Parents are needed to help with the feast and celebration.
• The celebration is social studies-related.
• Kindergarten and intermediate grades participate.
• The children learn about Mexico, eat Mexican food, sing Mexican songs, dance Mexican dances and break a piñata.
• Parents are needed to help with the food and celebration.
On the last day of school for kindergarten, a celebration is held. It is not called a graduation in case there are children who will be returning to kindergarten again in the fall. The celebration starts in the church with prayers, songs and reminiscing. It moves to Mulhern Hall for a reception afterwards. The kindergarten staff does the work and the PTO pays for the celebration.
Don’t forget to bring your camera for pictures after church!
One day during Lent, the entire school spends a day preparing for Easter. Each year, the focus is different. In years past the students have learned about Passover, had a Sedar meal and taken a closer look at all the objects on the altar used during Mass. Parent volunteers are usually needed to help with this event.
Our life skills, guidance and counseling program is structured around four goals:
1. Learning to Live-Personal and social skills
2. Learning to Learn-Academic skills
3. Learning to Love-Recognizing Christ’s presence in each of us
4. Learning to Make a Living-Exploring careers and vocations for the future
Our guidance counselor works on age-appropriate aspects of the four goals with each class on a weekly basis. Topics include understanding feelings and emotions; moral decision making; study skills; stress management; health issues and conflict resolution.
Additionally, our guidance counselor has numerous resources (books, videotapes, etc.) for STM parents to borrow on a multitude of parenting issues.
The Rosary comes to life when students represent the beads on the Rosary. The whole school attends and everyone prays the Rosary together. This usually occurs in October.
Parents are welcome to attend the Rosary. Look for a notice in the More News.
Parents are welcome to have lunch with their child in the school cafeteria. As with any other school visit, parents must sign in at the school office and obtain a visitor’s sticker before entering school grounds. Parents are encouraged to confirm the scheduled lunch period for their child’s class in advance. Lunches may be brought from home or hot lunches may be purchased (in advance via the school lunch program) for both parent and child.
The STM PTO’s annual magazine sale helps raise money to support special school projects. It kicks off following the Sally Foster sale.
Please consider ordering a magazine or renewing one you currently get through our magazine sales drive. Parents can help by soliciting orders, checking and tabulating the orders and helping to distribute prizes.
At the beginning of the school year, parent will have an opportunity to meet with teachers in the classroom. The teachers cover the curriculum and classroom rules and are available to answer any questions.
The teachers post numerous sign-up sheets for parents to volunteer as room parents, classroom readers and assistants for various parties throughout the year.
It’s an important meeting that no parent—new or veteran—should miss!
Students in grades 5 through 8 who demonstrate Christian service to others in the broader community can earn a More Award. At 100 hours of service, a gold letter “M” is awarded to the student to be worn on the school sweater or sweatshirt. For each additional 50 hours, the student receives a gold star to be attached to the letter “M.”
Hours must serve the broader community. Acceptable service activities include: The Hager House, St. Vincent de Paul, Ronald McDonald House, Nicholas House, shelters, soup kitchens, animal shelters, nursing/assisted living homes, walks sponsored by a specific charity or cause (e.g. Relay for Life), and reading to hospitalized children
The annual More Festival brings together the STM community--students, parents, faculty, priests, parishioners and neighbors--for fun and fellowship. The day begins with a fun run; other activities include children’s games, arts and crafts, pony rides, an International exhibit, entertainment, and a chicken dinner. There’s something for everyone, and it’s easy for the whole family to have a great time inexpensively. Volunteers from both the church and the school help to plan, organize, set up and clean up, and students from each grade, along with STM Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts, work colorful booths for their assigned activities. Volunteer opportunities are announced in the More News and in the church bulletin several weeks in advance. Proceeds benefit the community, but the real benefit comes from sharing the day with other STM families.
The first Friday in May is dedicated to our mothers here at STM. Fifth grade students are responsible for preparing for this Mass and invite their mothers to attend. A light brunch is held afterward.If a student’s mother cannot attend, another relative (aunt, grandmother, etc.) may come in her place. Faculty or staff may also be asked to stand in as a mother for a student. The May Crowning of Mary is usually done following Mass.
Each family at STM is required to provide five hours of service to the school.
There are several workdays each year, including one right before school starts and one before Catholic Schools Week in January. The specific days, times and childcare availability are announced in the More News.
Service projects range from cleaning classrooms to planting trees, so bring your gardening gloves/tools and cleaning supplies so you’ll be prepared for whatever’s on the list. Parents who cannot contribute their time are required to contribute $50.
In October, on the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi, the fourth graders of STM are invited to bring their pets (provided that they are leashed or held) to an afternoon ceremony in which the STM priests give them a special blessing. Parents should plan to attend the ceremony and bring the pet to school and home again afterward.
All students attend this outdoor ceremony and those who are not in fourth grade are welcome to bring photographs of their pets.
STM recycles for a variety of reasons: To preserve the environment, to make money and to save money!
There are several key “recycling” initiatives at STM, including:
• Classroom prize baskets--Tired of tripping over all those fast food kid meal toys and goody bag gorp? Send them to the teachers and they’ll use them for treasure boxes.
• Aluminum cans—There’s a large container in the parking lot into which you can toss your aluminum cans for recycling. Please remove the tabs and send them to your child’s classroom.
Sally Foster Gift Wrap is one of our most important annual fundraising events. The event kicks off the first week of school.
A wide selection of wrapping paper and other holiday articles are available through the STM student body. It’s a fun and exciting fundraiser for all students and parents. Parents are encouraged to volunteer with checking and tabulating the orders.
Sally Foster Gift Wrap helps the PTO support STM financially beyond its tuition-based budget.
We have a talent show every other year, which is open to students in kindergarten through eighth grade. Students who wish to participate must sign up and audition to get into the show. Information is provided in the More News prior to auditions.
Everyone is welcome to attend the talent show! You won’t want to miss this amazing showcase of talent.
Used Uniform Sale
Several times each year, at some of the PTO meetings and parent workdays, you can buy and sell used STM uniforms. This is a great way to build your child’s wardrobe at a bargain and can be a nice way to turn those jumpers and shorts that don’t fit anymore into cash.
Look for information in the More News to find out when the sales will be held. You won’t want to miss out!
Once a month, usually on a Thursday, parent volunteers bring in food for the teachers. There is usually a specific theme for each luncheon. There will be a volunteer sign-up sheet during Information Night at the beginning of the school year and sign up sheets come home in the first few issues of the More News. You can help cook, provide drinks or just make a donation to help with the cost of providing these luncheons.
This is wonderful way for parents to show teachers how much we appreciate all the things they do!
Earn cash for STM by cutting off the specially marked hot pink labels on boxes from more than 300 General Mills products and sending them into the school office in an envelope labeled “Box Tops.” STM redeems them for cash.
Save your Pike's Family Nurseries original sales receipts and send them into the office. STM redeems them for credits toward plants and other landscaping materials.
Earn money for STM every time you shop at Kroger or Publix. Get a card from the office or at a PTO meeting and have the cashier swipe it every time you go to the grocery store. STM gets a percentage of your expenditures
Parent volunteers are an important part of the educational program at STM. You, your children and our teachers benefit from parental involvement at school.
Parents who volunteer on a regular basis must complete a two-hour orientation program in early September, as required by the Atlanta Archdiocese. Our school counselor provides the program. Upon completion, your name is added to a list of certified school volunteers. This orientation does include background screenings. Volunteers always work under the direction of STM school personnel. Regular volunteers are generally not assigned to their own children’s classroom or grade level.
STM needs volunteers on a regular basis for holiday celebrations, field trips, help in the school office, cafeteria and clinic and on the playground.
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