Oktoberfest 2023
Due to the weather forecast on Saturday, October 14, 2023, Fr. Posey has decided to change the date of Oktoberfest to Sunday, October 15, 2023, from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm.
The Oktoberfest Team jumped into action and was able to confirm that the bounce house vendor and DJ were available for Sunday afternoon. Chris and Sandi O’Connor are prepared to fire up the grills and our Knights are working hard to have the refreshments cold and ready for all of us on Sunday afternoon!
Please do not forget that the Knights will be collecting canned goods for St. Lucy Project this weekend. We hope you can join us on Sunday, October 15 from 3:00 to 5:00 pm. If you are unable to and would like a refund, please click the link below. Your refund will be processed through Faith Direct in 7 – 10 business days. Refund
If you have volunteered for the event, you will receive an email shortly for with the updated times of arrival. If you can no longer volunteer, please update your service time accordingly through the Sign Up Genius. If you can help on Sunday, use the link below to sign up. Link to Sign Up Genius
As of today, we have sold $1,200.00 in Raffle Tickets – so the winner will take home at least $600.00! The other $600.00 will go to benefit the St. Lucy Project. If you have not purchased your raffle ticket and would like to do so, click the link below. Purchase Raffle Tickets
Looking forward to seeing you on Sunday! Prost!
- Oktoberfest Team
RACE FOR EDUCATION: RACING FOR SAFETY & SECURITY
Doors are First Line of Defense in Ensuring a Safe, Secure STM Community
Safety and security are the top priorities of this year’s Race for Education. While none of us wants to think about worst case scenarios, it is vital that we plan for them, which is why we are raising funds to replace three exterior doors and begin the replacement of interior doors with structures that have the latest security advances. These doors are our first line of defense in ensuring that our community remains safe and secure.
In addition to these goals, we are also fundraising to provide holiday bonuses for our teachers. They are the ones who are charged with keeping our children safe, calm, and supported in good times and in the event of emergencies, so we want to support them. We have raised over $45,000, but we need you to help us go the distance.
Incentives
As the race draws near, we’re rolling out the following incentives:
- Every class that raises $2,500 or more will receive a DRESS DOWN DAY!
- The top fundraising class per grade will receive a DONUT PARTY!
- If we hit our $85,000 goal, the entire school will receive a DRESS DOWN DAY!
And for parents:
- Activate Pledgestar between October 1-15 and you’ll be eligible for the $20 Dunkin Donuts gift card drawing!
How to Donate
If you haven’t already activated your Pledgestar page, which will allow you to send fundraising requests to family and friends, please consider doing so by clicking here.
If you would prefer not to send requests to family and friends but you would still like to donate, you can do so through this St. Thomas More Community Support link.
PTO Office is transitioning to Membership Toolkit
We're thrilled to share some exciting news with you all! The STM PTO is in the process of transitioning to a brand-new, user-friendly website powered by Membership Toolkit. The driving force behind this change is that our old website has reached its end of life, and it's time for a fresh start.
Our new website will primarily serve as a hub for the student directory and volunteer sign-ups, making it easier than ever for you to stay connected and involved. Room parents will also be using this site for email distribution to their classrooms.
Soon, you'll receive an email with a simple sign-up link for the new website. Please keep an eye on your inbox in the coming days.
We want to assure you that your contact information has already been successfully migrated from the old system to the new one. However, the transfer of volunteer hours may take a little more time, as we are dedicated to ensuring the accuracy of all data. We will keep all existing sign ups on PTOffice open through October and will only allow new volunteer sign ups through Membership Toolkit starting in November.
Your patience and support during this transition are greatly appreciated. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to stm.pto.volunteers@gmail.com.
Trunk or Treat 2023!
Hey – so do you have your trunk ideas ready?
Here is the Pre-Order form for The Italian place for Trunk or Treat. There will be no walk up and order food served at the event.
Trunk or Treat is back for its 4th annual gathering! Get ready for some spooky fun on October 27, 2023 from 5 to 7:30 pm in the STM parking lot. Please note this is a RAIN or SHINE event.
There will be face painters, balloon artists and a strolling magician! We also will have an obstacle course bounce house. Pre-order dinner (details to follow) and enjoy some Captain Cookie treats while "trunk" or treating with your kids.
General rules:
- Space is LIMITED for this event. If you did not reserve your admission to this event, you will not be permitted to participate.
- Each Trunk ticket is $10.
- Walk-in tickets are $5 each or $20 for a family.
- Tickets will be distributed in your oldest child’s backpack on October 25, 2023; check in will be at the school gate similar to dismissal procedures.
- Walk-in admissions will be permitted to enter the parking lot once all the cars are parked and the school gates are closed.
- The event last year had approximately 350 children attending, so car/“Trunk” admissions should have enough treats for that many children.
- Cars may begin parking in the designated “Trunk” spots at 4:40 pm. The School gates will close at 5 pm and will not reopen until 7:30 pm.
- If your car is parked in a “Trunk” spot during the event, you will not be able to leave the event early. If you cannot stay for the entirety of your timed entry, you should not park your car in a designated “Trunk” spot.
- STM Teachers/ Staff admitted FREE, BUT YOU STILL NEED TO REGISTER WHILE SPACE IS AVAILABLE!
Tickets can be purchased here (updated link will bill you via FACTS).
Royal Open Golf Tournament
Fund the Back Nine and Volunteer!
The STM Royal Open has sponsorship opportunities remaining! Help us Fund the Back Nine with $500 hole sponsorships ($250 family).
Does your child’s coach or piano teacher want some great PR? Do you want to shout out to a beloved family member, or teacher? All donations are TAX DEDUCTIBLE.
Volunteers needed! Sign Up using this link.
STM Breakfast with Santa
STM Breakfast with Santa
We're excited to remind you that our much-anticipated Breakfast with Santa is only two months away! Join us on Saturday, December 16, from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM for a morning of festive fun. Registration for this event will open right after our Oktoberfest celebration. However, it's important to note that space is limited, and once we hit capacity, registration will close.
As part of this magical experience, we're providing you with the opportunity to capture cherished moments with Santa himself. These photo slots are in high demand and tend to fill up quickly due to limited availability. Please note that the links to sign up for pictures with Santa will be provided separately from the registration link for the event.
We will need volunteers to ensure the success of this event. Keep an eye out for the volunteer sign-up links, which will be available in November. (Please note that there will be no Country Christmas this year) For questions, contact Rosalinda Wolfe-Bertling.
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.
SAVE THE DATES
- Sat. 10/14 – Running Royals Meet 2
- Sun. 10/15 – 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
- Tue. 11/7 - November PTO Meeting (Note - we may need to change this as this is Election Day and Civic Duty is core value so I want to make sure everyone has time to handle that).
- 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.
Updated Drop Off and Pickup
If you need to change how your children are picked up, please use this dismissal form by 2:30 pm. Please see the displays below about how to dropoff and pick up the students. If you have family or friends - please send this to them.
Uniforms and Supplies
Retail locations to purchase new uniforms can found here:
1. Flynn & O’Hara (650-19 Main St, Fairfax, VA 22031)
2. Robcyns (3660 King Street, Alexandria VA 22302)
3. Land’s End (Preferred School Number: 900077975) - PE Uniforms Only
