St. Thomas More Cathedral School

STM PTO Newsletter: September 1, 2023

Included in this newsletter:

Message from the President
Drop off and Pick Up procedures with STM dismissal form link.
PTO Volunteer Opportunities
Race for Education
STM Band
Fall Enrichment Program Registration
CYO Tennis
CYO Running Royals (Cross Country)
Save the Dates
Uniforms
2023/2024 PTO Board

Message from the President

We did it. The kids are back at school and everyone looks happy (well maybe except my 6th grader) and having a blast! The school grounds look amazing with fresh paint in the parent lobby and the amazing new gate by the library! Maybe I am just glad to get my kids back into a stable schedule but honestly I love seeing my STM community. Please remember that Monday is a holiday and school IS NOT in session (trust me, Tuesday will be here soon enough). Let's toast to the end of summer and the real rollercoaster dip into school and fall.

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

I hope to meet a lot of you virtually on September 5 @ 6:30 pm at the next PTO meeting. Here is the link to the meeting - https://meet.google.com/gph-gppo-bvc

- Kristen

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Drop Off

Just a gentle reminder (I'm looking at my own spouse) that we need to model patience during the first few weeks of drop and pick up. With construction and the exponential activity in the Cathedral parking lot, it is going to be BUSY.

So let's together breathe in and out, grip the wheel, and say a silent prayer for patience. Seriously.

Students will be together on the blacktop between 7:40am and 8am during arrival and enter the building with their teacher and classmates after the Pledge of Allegiance. At dismissal, all students will be led to the parking lot at 3:15pm. There will be first pick-up and then second unofficial "dismissal" around 3:25.

Ensure you read the full PDF of procedures if this is your first time - plenty of people will be there to help and guide you.

If you need to change how your children are picked up, please use this dismissal form by 2:30 pm.

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, including field trips*

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RACE FOR EDUCATION OFF TO A GREAT START

The Race for Education is in full swing! As we've shared, this year we are raising money to enhance school security and support the amazing work of our teachers through holiday bonuses. We surpassed the $1,000 mark before turning the calendar page to September, so we're excited about the weeks ahead.

Next week we'll be sharing more about volunteer opportunities and t-shirts for the kids, but the main focus for the holiday weekend is activating your family's Pledgestar page!

Be an early bird and activate by September 15 to be eligible for a drawing for a $50 Starbucks card!

To activate your Pledgestar page, click here.

For more on the Race for Education, click here.

Interested in Joining the STM Band?

Lessons are held during the school day on Mondays and will be taught by Band Director, Barry Ward. Mr. Ward will be demonstrating instruments to students during the school day on September 8th, or your child can also visit bit.ly/STMBand to listen to the different types of instruments. STM Band Night is on September 11th from 6:45-8:30pm in the STM gym. This meeting is mandatory for new students. Lessons start on September 18th.

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Enrichment Programs

Registration for Fall enrichment classes opens September 12 @ 9:00 AM through September 19 @ 11:59 PM. Details are in the attached flyer and here:

https://bc-arl-stthomasmore.jumbula.com/#/home

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CYO Tennis

Fall CYO Tennis is here and we're ready to get rolling

Registration link:

https://reg.sportspilot.com/106558/leagues

Cost - $20 - payable via FACTS or Check to STM CYO Sports

Important Dates

September 10 - Teams due to NVJCYO
September 17 - First Sunday of matches
November 12 - Last day of matches if needed

Practices at Thomas Jefferson Center (3501 2nd St S, Arlington, VA 22204)

Mondays 600 - 730
Thursdays 600 - 730

Matches – 6 Sundays followed by one or two weekends of playoffs

Sunday afternoons at 1:00 or 3:00 pm at Fairfax County High and Middle Schools.

Teams

Wimbledon I: Grades 3/4 Beginner/Advanced Beginner (3 doubles)
Wimbledon II: Grades 4/5 Advanced Beginner (3 singles/2 doubles)
U.S. Open I: Grades 6 / /7 Beginner/Advanced Beginner (3 singles/2 doubles)
U.S. Open II: Grades 7/8 Intermediate/Advanced (3 singles/2 doubles)

We may split one or two of the teams if we get enough players.

For more information please reach out to me at:

stm.cyo.commish@gmail.com

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CYO Running Royals

Love to run! Join CYO Running Royals!

Signup in Sportspilot is Live!

https://reg.sportspilot.com/106558/leagues (https://reg.sportspilot.com/106558/leagues)

Registration is $25.

All students grades 2nd-8th are welcome to register via sports pilot.

***Please note if your child is in 2nd grade parents MUST be present during all practices and meets.

Students participating in 2nd grade will not be allowed to compete in the championship meet but will be allowed to run in the two developmental meets.

September 30, NVJCYO Cross Country Meet 1
October 14, NVJCYO Cross Country Meet 2
November 4, NVJCYO Cross Country Championship Meet

Practices will start after Labor Day and take place three days a week at the following times and locations:

Wednesdays Bluemont 5:30-6:30pm
Fridays Bluemont and 5:30-6:30pm
Sundays Wakefield 5:00-6:30pm

Registration will close early September so please register asap.

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SAVE THE DATES

STM Calendar

September 4, 2023: Labor Day Holiday
September 5, 2023: STM Individual Picture Day - you should have received an email
September 5, 2023: PTO September Meeting
September 8, 2023: Chick-Fil-A Lunch for subscribers
September 11th – Mandatory Band Night Meeting for Parents in the gym, from 6:45-8:30pm
September 13, 2023: Back to School Night @ 7 pm
September 14, 2023: Room Parent Orientation @ 7 pm
September 15, 2023: Chick-Fil-A Lunch for subscribers
September 17, 2023: CYO Tennis Matches begin
September 18th – Band lessons start (must be registered and must have instrument and book)
September 20, 2023: Parent Wine and Cheese Mixer (everyone is invited) @ 5 pm
September 22, 2023: Chick-Fil-A Lunch for subscribers
September 27, 2023: Meet the Principals Coffee @ 8:15 am
September 29, 2023: Chick-Fil-A Lunch for subscribers
September 30, NVJCYO Cross Country Meet 1

***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.