St. Thomas More Cathedral School

STM PTO Newsletter: September 22, 2023

Included in this newsletter:

1. Message from the President
2. Coffee with the Principals
3. Lebanese Taverna
4. 8th Grade Confirmation Retreat
5. Oktoberfest
6. Race for Education
7. STM Morning with Santa
8. Volunteer Opportunities and Virtus Training (moves down)
9. Save the Dates
10. Drop off and Pick up procedures with STM dismissal link
11. Uniforms
12. STM PTO Board

Message from the President

Hey everyone!

We are really starting to get into the swing of things! Pick and Drop offs look seamless! Teachers are getting the students excited about particular subjects (from social studies to religion - the conversations are interesting). And, the One Book, One School selection is really a treat!

I want to let you know that we have a busy few weeks coming up through the first week of November. Don't worry between the Blast and here - we got you covered. Don't forget to join us at the October Board Meeting - Tuesday, October 3 @ 6:30 pm in the school library. We are going to try a virtual option so that you can follow along at home. I will post more details next week.

If you have events to be included here, please let me know by Wednesday of each week.

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Coffee with the Principals

Please join us for our 1st Coffee and Chat with the Principals. This is an informal meeting that will allow us to talk, share ideas and get to know each other.

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Lebanese Taverna - September 27, 2023

What? I don’t have cook dinner for my very picky children on September 27, 2023! That’s right! You do not. We have partnered with Lebanese Taverna to have our very first STM Restaurant Night of the school year.

You will need to order by 5 pm 9/26/2023 to have your order, a portion of the proceeds will be heading back to STM to benefit our students, and did I mention you do not have to cook?

For available offerings and place your family’s order, please see this link.

Many thanks to our Restaurant Chair, Robin for this!

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Updated Date: 8th Grade Confirmation Retreat (Chaperones Needed)

Our Confirmation Candidates and Current 8th grade students are going on a field trip as their Confirmation retreat on October 4, and we need four chaperones. The event is from 8am-3pm. Drop off to pickup. Transportation and lunch are included. Location is San Damiano retreat center in White Post, VA.

Sign Up Link: https://tools.ptoffice.com/Signups/Confirmation_Retreat

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Oktoberfest 2023

Join us for the Cathedral of St. Thomas More Annual Parish and School Oktoberfest on Saturday, October 14, 2023 from 6:00 – 8:00 pm. Let’s come together to enjoy fellowship, delicious food, rides, music, corn hole and much more!

There is a suggested donation to attend the event of $20 per family, you can give more or less – our goal is to ensure the event is accessible to the whole community and is subsidized by the PTO and Parish. Registration closes on October 6, 2023.

Prost!

Race for Education: Pledgestar Activation, Starbucks Drawing, Volunteer Opportunities, and More!

We've had an incredible week! We're closing in on $20,000. The race-day t-shirts, sponsored by VCO Orthodontics, are on order. We've got dozens of volunteers signed up. We held our first Pledgestar drawing (congrats, Katie Capilongo!) and have another in the works for those who activate by 9/30. Suffice it to say, we are on a roll, STM! Keep up the amazing work!

Click below for Race for Education links:

Race for Education Overview & Checklist

Pledgestar (Activate by 9/30 for a chance to win a $25 Ruthie's All Day gift card!)

Volunteer Slots

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STM Morning with Santa

MARK YOUR CALENDARS! Guess what, folks? We are bringing Morning with Santa back! But hold onto your jingle bells because this is a one-year-only special treat! Get ready to dust off those festive jammies and join us on a sleigh-ride of fun on Saturday, December 16, from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM!

What's in store, you ask? Well, it's going to be a morning like no other, with Mrs. Claus herself making a delightful appearance, mouthwatering donuts and steaming hot chocolate, crafty adventures, and the chance to snap some pictures with the man in red, Santa Claus!

Stay tuned, because more fabulous details are coming your way soon. (Please note that there will be no Country Christmas this year) For questions, contact Rosalinda Wolfe-Bertling

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VIRTUS Training

We keep talking about volunteering but let’s take a few steps back and talk about how to get to volunteer during school hours. Want to sling some slices of pizza or attend an amazing field trip as a chaperone? You will need VIRTUS Training and an account with the Diocesan Office of Child Protection.

There is an application, background check, and training you must complete but once you are done - volunteering is more accessible. Each parent/guardian must be VIRTUS compliant in order to volunteer within the school. Please reach out to the STM Office for further information.

PTO Volunteer Opportunities

I would not be a good PTO board member if I didn’t advocate for leaders within our school community. Currently, we have needs for the following roles:

STM Auction Chair (s) – the biggest event and fundraiser of the school year, this is your chance to organize the biggest party. More information to follow soon!
STM Fund Liaison – a new position where a parent or group of parents meet with Parish staff to begin the ramp up of fundraising through the Parish.

*As a reminder, all volunteers must be VIRTUS trained to volunteer at school events during school hours, including field trips*

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SAVE THE DATES

STM Calendar

Wed. 9/27 – Meet the Principals Coffee (8:15am)
Wed. 9/27 - Lebanese Taverna Restaurant Night
Sat. 9/30 - Running Royals Meet 1
Tue. 10/3 – PTO Meeting (6:30pm in person and virtual option)
Wed. 10/4 – Confirmation Retreat
Fri. 10/6 – Early Dismissal – No Extended Day Available
Mon. 10/9 – No School – Columbus Day
Sat. 10/14 – Running Royals Meet 2
Sat. 10/14 – Oktoberfest
Wed. 10/18 – Individual Photo Makeup Day
Wed. 10/25 – Race for Education (more information about registration available at https://pledgestar.com/stthomasmore/)
Fri. 10/27 – Trunk or Treat (5 – 8pm)
Mon. 10/30 – STM Golf Tournament
Sat. 11/4 – Running Royals Championship Meet
Sat. 12/16 - Morning with Santa

***Note: PTO Board Meetings (beginning in September)– anyone is welcome to attend AND you receive 1 hour of volunteer participation time for attendance. Plus you know all the details (usually the first Tuesday of every month). We will work on a mix of in person and hybrid meetings so that you all can participate.