STM Blog
Welcome to Saint Thomas More Catholic School’s blog, your family’s resource for parenting tips, faith inspiration, and behind-the-scenes life at our school!
Mindful Moments during Transitions
When things just seem different, when transitions arise, and/or when our literal daylight is lessened, we can experience a wide variety of feelings. Prayer and mindfulness allow us to connect with the consistent and eternal presence of God, who invites us again and again to answer Jesus’s calling.
When we pray or take a mindful moment during times when we feel like we don’t need it, we actually build a practice or habit that arises when we do need it! We work to be able to notice the differences between circumstances outside our control and feelings within our control.
So, for today’s practice,
- sit upright, not uptight, and notice your breath.
- Take a few “regular” breaths, then exaggerate your exhale on 5 breaths.
- Lastly, as your breath returns to normal, say to yourself, “paying attention to all these surprises,” and, as you exhale, say to yourself, “God’s love is around me in all shapes and sizes.” Do this for 5 breaths.
Thank you for practicing with me and enjoy every moment that arises right now.
Saint Thomas More Catholic School voted Best Private School in Decatur, GA!
The votes are in! Saint Thomas More Catholic School is the winner of “Best Private School” in the Best of Decatur contest hosted by Atlanta Best Media's My Decatur magazine!
After compiling thousands of readers' votes to determine Decatur's best institutions, My Decatur magazine named Saint Thomas More Catholic School the Best Private School in Decatur!
According to Private School Review, for the 2024-25 school year, there are 32 private schools serving students in Decatur, GA. Thank you to all those who voted with love for Saint Thomas More Catholic School!
Check out our award in My Decatur Magazine - Best of 2024 Winners.
Saint Thomas More Catholic School is a Pre-K4 through 8th grade private Catholic school in its 74th year of living its mission as a “joyful learning community reaching out to the world as the hands of Christ.” Learn more about our school here.
Live the Little Way of St. Thérèse this month
St. Thérèse of Lisieux (October 1) discovered that even the smallest acts, when done with great love, bring joy to God and help us grow in holiness — even something as simple as picking up a thread from the ground. This month, consider encouraging children to “pick up” any of these small, loving threads together.
- Rise and shine. When your alarm goes off, rise up immediately with purpose and offer your day to God.
- Honor His name. Whenever you hear the name of God or Jesus, bow your head in respect. Let it be a simple reminder of His presence in your life.
- Be a thoughtful listener. Resist the urge to interrupt when someone’s speaking, and show you’re fully engaged by making eye contact. Your attentiveness can be a quiet
act of love. - Commit to what you do. St. Josemaría Escrivá said it best, “Do what you ought, and put yourself into what you are doing.” Whether it’s a big task or a small one, give it your full attention and effort.
- Spread kindness daily. Start small, like offering someone else the best piece of a treat before taking one for yourself.
- Embrace gratitude. Thank God each day for what you have, even when life feels difficult. Gratitude, even in hard times, is a courageous and beautiful act of love.
Saint Thomas More Catholic School earns Cognia STEM Certification!
Saint Thomas More Catholic School is pleased to announce that it has earned Cognia® STEM Certification from Cognia! Cognia is a nonprofit organization that provides quality assurance for schools, school districts, and education service providers.
“Certification as conferred by the Cognia Global Commission provides Saint Thomas More Catholic School a nationally recognized mark of quality for our school,” shared Principal Shaun Bland. “We’re so excited to have earned this recognition, symbolizing our commitment to foster innovation, critical thinking, and experiential learning for all of our students.”
To earn Cognia STEM Certification, a school must submit to an internal and external review. Earning certification from the Cognia Global Commission means that the school meets Cognia Performance Standards and maintains a commitment to continuous improvement. Schools in good standing will hold their certification for a six-year term.
About Cognia
Cognia is a global, nonprofit improvement organization dedicated to helping institutions and other education providers grow learners, teachers, and leaders. Cognia offers accreditation and certification, assessment, and improvement services within a framework of continuous improvement. Serving 40,000 public and private institutions from early learning through high school in more than 90 countries, Cognia brings a global perspective to advancing teaching and learning. Parents and interested community members can learn more about Cognia at cognia.org.
Back-to-School Routine Tips
Hello STM families!
I hope you have all had a fun and relaxing summer. I wanted to share a few tips as we get ready to start our new school year in a few short weeks!
- Start introducing school routines two weeks before the beginning of the new academic year. Easing into earlier bed and waking times makes for a much smoother first few days. We all know that well rested children are happier and ready to learn!
- To ease any back-to-school jitters, make sure to include your student in all of the preparations for the new year. For example, let them be an active shopper for their school supply list. Having them take responsibility for crossing items off the list can give a child an appropriate sense of control in a new situation. This can lead to more confidence when facing the normal worries of entering a new classroom and meeting teachers/peers.
- Another thing to remember is to take the time to listen to your child. Let them talk to you about the excitement or fears they have about returning to school. Allowing your student to express their feelings will help them work through whatever is causing the expected back-to-school worries.
I look forward to greeting you all on the first day of school!
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