St. Thomas More Cathedral School
PTO Newsletter - Vol. 117 - April 24, 2015
In This Issue
STM Staff for 2015-16 School Year
Race for Education Schedule
Auction Flash Sale: New Items Added
STM Focus Groups
PTO Board Open Positions for Next Year
April is Child Abuse Awareness Month
LABELS FOR EDUCATION and BOX TOPS Coordinator
Soccer Kicks and STM
Volunteer Hours/Volunteer Opportunities
Shoparoo
STM Student Directory
STM Calendar Button
Message from the PTO President
Happy Friday!
In case you missed the letter in yesterday's backpack mail, below is a very important message from Mrs. McCormack regarding STM staff for the 2015-16 school year.
Kassie Stewart
PTO President
Letter from Mrs. McCormack Re: 2015-16 Staff
Dear Parents,
As we enter the final quarter of this year, it is time to plan ahead and prepare for the 2015-16 school year. It is exciting that St. Thomas More Cathedral School's enrollment continues to grow. Staff rotations and additions have been made to accommodate this. We are pleased to announce the following staff for 2015-16:
Preschool:
Sarah Conrad
Robin Baney
We say goodbye to Miss Sarah Lombardo.
Kindergarten:
Taylor Burke
Mary Kate Newell
Emily Stocker
First:
Sally Newell
Kyle Lee
We say goodbye to Mrs. Diana Caskey.
Second:
Emily Fields
Liz Mullan
We welcome Mrs. Jodie Morgan who returns to STM.
Third:
Pat Coleman
Raylene Rozzi
Fourth:
Cathe Fonzi
Caitlin O'Neal
We welcome a full-time aide (candidate to be announced at a later date).
Fifth:
Malia Busekrus
Sarrina Wood
Sixth:
Kristin King
Nancy Meehan
Seventh:
Mary Fran Pierce
Ina Loughlin
Eighth:
Barbara Wilson
Art:
Debora Lockwood
Computer:
Melissa Pore (4th - 8th)
We say goodbye to Mrs. Stephanie Pellegrino (Pre-K - 3rd)
Interviews are on-going for Mrs. Pellegrino's replacement.
Library:
Mary Anne O'Rourke
Music:
Andrea Carr
PE:
Brenda Bauer
Spanish:
Maureen Arroyo (PreK - 3rd)
Carol Bonilla ( 4th - 8th)
STM Lives by Love,
Eleanor McCormack
Race for Education Schedule
The Race for Education is just around the corner on April 29! Below is the schedule for Race Day:
PK & K -- 8:15-9:15
1st and 2nd -- 9:20-10:20
3rd, 4th,& 5th -- 10:25-11:25
6th, 7th, & 8th -- 11:30-12:30
Race day main contact is Catherine Razzano (Ryall) at cathbu@aol.com. Email her for any questions about logistics.
There are still a few volunteer spots open for the event. Please go to our SignUp Genius to see what might work for you. www.SignUpGenius.com/go/9040D48AEA92EA64-volunteer1
You can also email or call Alison Lynn at alisonslynn@yahoo.com or Catherine Razzano (Ryall) at cathbu@aol.com.
STM Focus Groups - Letter from Mrs. McCormack
Dear Parents,
Last Fall, we asked for your help by completing a survey in support of the upcoming Design for Excellence (DFE) that will be conducted in the 2015-2016 school year. The DFE is a recertification process that is both an assessment of the current school curriculum, programs and staff and an assessment of plans to grow and improve our school.
Response to the survey was very positive with 184 or over 66% of school families responding with many providing additional comments. Thank you.
Based on the survey responses and comments, we are scheduling grade level group meetings, really Focus Groups, to gain more information and insights to help St. Thomas More Cathedral School grow and meet the needs of our students now and into the future. The groups will be facilitated and scheduled by grade groupings in an effort to gain the most insight from parents with students in these grades. Only Parents and the Focus Group facilitators will be in attendance.
Meetings will begin at 7:00 p.m. in Lee Hall (School Gym)
· Tuesday, May 12 – Grades 5,6,7 and 8
· Wednesday, May 20 – Grades 2,3 and 4
· Tuesday, May 26 – Pre-K, Kindergarten and Grade 1
If you are unable to attend your child’s grade group meeting, you may attend another session. However, please note that the focus of the meeting will be the grades listed on the date scheduled.
In the Fall, we will share the focus group feedback and action plans with parents
Thank you for your continuing support of St. Thomas More Cathedral School.
Regards,
Eleanor McCormack
Auction Flash Sale: Great Bargains...New Items Added!
Thank you to everyone who came out to support STM through our auction last Saturday night! If you love a bargain, we have just a few items left over that are now available for sale in the school front office. These are "first come first serve" so be sure to pick it up today if you are interested! Check out the list below....
Catalog # 104: Have a budding musician in your house? Help your child hone the craft at summer camp at Contemporary Keyboard Studios in Fairfax. This gift certificate offers $40 off the summer camp of your choice. Must be redeemed by August 24, 2015.
Price: $15.00 (Value $40)
Catalog #126: Studio Theatre is Washington’s premier venue for contemporary theatre. Studio produces the work of today’s greatest writers, augmented by occasional productions of modern classics. Enjoy two tickets
to your choice of “Jumpers for Goalposts” or “Mary-Kate Olsen is in Love.”
Price: $40.00 (Value $120)
Catalog #143: How about the Cello? No room for a piano but want your child to learn classical music? The cello is perfect! Three hours of lessons (three 1-hour lessons or four 45-minute lessons) include one month rental of 1/8th -3/4 size cello. New students only, any level for children ages 4-13 Parent/legal guardian must attend lessons and agree to the terms and conditions of the cello rental and return the cello in the same condition.
Price: $80.00 (Value $420)
Catalog #314, #329, #332 (three available): Two-week session at Camp Twin Creeks. Get the full camp experience at Camp Twin Creeks, in Marlinton, WV. Certificate is good for any two-week session, subject to availability. Session 1 (June 21-July 4), Session 2 (July 5th – 18th), Session 3 (July 19th – August 1), or Session 4
(August 2 – 15th). CHILDREN 7-12 ONLY, NEW FAMILIES ONLY, ONE CHILD PER FAMILY.
Price: $1,500.00 each (Value $2,700)
Catalog #318: This package from Jeff Lubin Portrait Photography Studio Includes pre-portrait consultation, photography session and custom made 11 × 14 imperial portrait. Not valid on weekends. Up to 8 people in the photo.
Price: $250.00 (Value $1,400)
Catalog #434: Washington Family Magazine is the Washington metro area’s largest parenting magazine reaching more than 60,000 moms monthly. They will design a 1/4 page color ad for your business to run in one monthly issue. Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to reach thousands of new customers for your business!
Price: $250.00 (Value $759)
Catalog #501: 5 free classes at Sun & Moon Yoga Studios. Expires March 2016
Price: $100 (Value $200)
Catalog #503: $75 for Tippi Toes. Can be used towards Fun, Energetic dance classes for boys & girls 18M-12Y, Birthday Party Package, or Princess Dance Camp (3-7Y)
Price: $40 (Value $75)
Catalog #517: One Month Unlimited Classes at Local Motion Studio
Price: $50 (Value $120)
NEW ITEMS THIS WEEK:
Marymount University
One 3-Credit Undergraduate or Graduate Course to be taken between August 2015 and May 2016. Valued at $2,730 for an undergraduate course and $2,775 for a graduate course.
Sale Price: $500
One Hour Customized Massage from Massage Heights (Bradlee/Idylwood locations only) Value $50.
Sale Price $25
One session at Camp Cody.
Sale Price $1900
Open PTO Board Positions for Next Year
We are nearing the end of the terms for three current PTO board officers. The following positions will need to be filled for next year:
- Vice President
- Treasurer
- Secretary
If interested, please contact PTO President, Kassie Steward at kassie.stewart2000@gmail.com.
Here are the position descriptions of the PTO board officers for your reference (from the STM PTO bylaws):
Section 1. The President shall preside at the meetings of this Organization and of it’s PTO Board, appoint the chairperson of committees with the approval of the PTO Board, sign orders on the Treasurer for the payment of bills, and perform such other duties as are incumbent of the office. The President ex officio is a member of all committees except for the Nominating Committee.
Section 2. The Vice-President, in the absence of the President, shall perform all the duties of the President and such other duties as are assigned to the office.
Section 3. The Secretary shall keep the minutes all Organization meetings and meetings of the PTO Board; shall keep a list of all members of the Organization; shall notify members of their appointment on committees; and discharge such duties as are incumbent upon this office.
Section 4. The Treasurer shall receive all dues and other monies of the Organization; shall keep an accurate account of same; and shall pay bills upon the written order of the President, or as directed by the President with the approval of the majority of the PTO Board. In performance of these duties, the Treasurer shall comply with current Church directives regarding the receipt, accounting and disbursing of monies, and the controls applied thereto, as provided by the rector, or his designee.
Section 5. The At-Large Officers of the PTO Board shall participate as voting members thereof, shall serve as spokespersons for the general PTO membership and perform other duties and functions as necessary to facilitate the operation of the PTO Board and the goals of the Organization as a whole.
April is Child Abuse Awareness Month
As a NEIGHBOR and COMMUNITY MEMBER, take notice when a child or family is struggling. Try to:
- Smile and praise the child or parent— acknowledge that parenting is a tough but rewarding job.
- Offer to listen to a parent or spend time with a child.
- Connect with kids by volunteering.
- Create opportunities in your community for families to build new connections in safe, supportive environments.
- Invite the SCAN Speakers Bureau to talk to your community group about child abuse prevention
- Plant a pinwheel garden
All adults have a responsibility to connect with the children in our communities.
How will you connect with a child today? For more information, visit www.scanva.org/kidsneedconnections
#kidsneedconnections
Looking for a New LABELS FOR EDUCATION and BOX TOPS Coordinator
The next contest will run from May 1st thru June 1st and Mickey and Cristina will help get you started and show you how it is done.
Please step up and help this program continue, as its proceeds help us order gym and art supplies that are always in need! To volunteer, or if you have questions, please contact Mickey mickeyinva@gmail.com and Cristina mario2cristina@hotmail.com
Soccer Kicks and STM
Soccer Kicks is a soccer specialty store dedicated to soccer fanatics. We specialize in shoes, apparel and all types of soccer equipment.
We are located at:
6019 Wilson Blvd.
Arlington, VA 22205
703-533-1667
We are excited to offer a 15% discount to all STM students! So come visit Soccer Kicks where Faith, Family, and Fitness is our Goal! Simply mention STM for your discount.
Please Log Your Volunteer Hours!
Thank you to the countless families who have stepped up to volunteer at the school this year. We really appreciate you!
If you have put in hours of service to date, please be sure to log them via the web site in a timely manner If you have any questions about how many hours you have remaining currently, please email Nicole Mayer at seibelfamily4@gmail.com. We will be sending out balance due notices with your volunteer status to date.
Ways to Earn Volunteer Hours
- Friday Pizza Lunch - assist with pizza lunch or the Market Table (the kids are thrilled to see you there!)
- Race for Education
- Goods & Monetary Contribution - contributions to PTO events are valued at $15/service hour
St. Thomas More Cathedral School
Email: kassiestewart2000@gmail.com
Website: www.stmschool.org
Location: 105 N Thomas St, Arlington, VA, United States
Phone: 703.528.6781