St. Thomas More Cathedral School

1. MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
2. PTO Membership Toolkit
3. NOVEMBER PTO MEETING (VIRTUAL)
4. TACO TUESDAY AT TACO BAMBA
5. STM GIRL SCOUTS
6. BREAKFAST WITH SANTA
7. STM HIGH SCHOOL VISITS AND HIGH SCHOOL PLACEMENT TEST
8. LIBRARY VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
9. STM BAND ORNAMENTS
10. STM AUCTION – SAVE THE DATE!
11. UPCOMING EVENTS
12. VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES AND VIRTUS TRAINING
13. WINTER UNIFORM TIME!
14. STM 2023 – 2024 PTO EXECUTIVE BOARD

How is it November? How? Part of me is excited because Christmas is rapidly approaching (cue Buddy the Elf’s screaming about Santa or Mariah’s “All I Want for Christmas” on a repeat). Part of it is bittersweet because wow, time went by fast.

We have a lot going on for the next few weeks and months. Please keep an eye on this space, we are going to make sure we are getting everything out to you all. Next week, we have:

• Winter Uniform Begins Monday, November 6th
• 8th Grade Confirmation is the evening of November 6
• November 7, 2023, 6:30 PM - PTO November Meeting – all virtual so join us!
• November 7, 2023, - STM Taco Night @ Taco Bamba
• November 9-10 - Parent – teacher conferences.
• Thursday has an early dismissal with extended day and Friday is a school holiday for the students.

See? A lot going on folks! Also don’t forget to fall back…I know I know. Give yourself some grace, ply those kids with donuts (the apple cider ones so kind of healthy) and we will get through all of this together.

We're excited to introduce our new PTO website, which now allows for volunteer sign-ups, access to the family directory and a hub for overall PTO information!

Invitations to join the website and create an account were sent out to all the email addresses on record this week. Please check your email for your invitation today! Reminders will be sent next week for anyone who has not signed up yet.

Please check out the new website here: https://stmpto.membershiptoolkit.com

We are covering October’s events, what’s next for fundraising and events. Log on and join us for an hour meeting. Note that attendance does equate to 1 hour of the PTO volunteer hours. So, grab a taco, stay for the topics, and get all the information going on with our school community.

We will post the link via FB page and email blast.

Get ready for an amazing taco Tuesday! We have partnered with Taco Bamba (https://www.tacobamba.com) for an in restaurant or a to go catering order fundraiser event.

• It will be at the locations Ballston & Shirlington on November 7, 2023.
• Use Online Coupon Code: “STMPTO” or when you go into the store, just tell the cashier that they are part of the St Thomas More Fundraiser.

This code and donation also applies to any gift card sales on that day!

Before we all start crying - our babies, I mean 8th graders are heading off to High School next year. Crazy Right? I wanted to share some of the schools that are accepting applications and planning to visit STM in the coming weeks:

• High School Visit - Visitation and Gonzaga Nov. 16, 2023
  
• High School Placement Test (8am to 10am) Nov. 30, 2023

Come help at the library! We have stacks of new books, and I need help cataloging them! Come Wednesday, November 8 at 1:00 pm to learn how. I am seeking 2-3 very interested parents! After the initial training, volunteers will be scheduled to help on Wednesdays (when the volunteers are able to help) at either 8:15 am or 1:00 pm on a weekly basis.

In addition, the annual Book Fair is around the corner! It's a big project that needs a lot of personnel. Helping at the register is the main need, 8 am - 6 pm, Monday - Thursday during the last week of January.

Interested in helping at either or BOTH? Please email Mrs. Pacheco at spacheco@stmschool.org.

REGISTRATION IS CLOSED - VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED!
Wow, we are truly astonished by the overwhelming interest in the event! Our Breakfast with Santa event filled up faster than we could have ever imagined! We're genuinely sorry to those who were hoping to secure a spot but missed out this time.

We would like to express our gratitude to Harris Teeter for partnering with our school by providing a food donation for this event. We are incredibly thankful for their support.

Your volunteering spirit is the key to making this event a fantastic success, so sign up today!

Volunteers are needed for setup Friday night (12/15) before the event and during the event (12/16) (VIRTUS TRAINED NOT REQUIRED) SIGN UP HERE TO VOLUNTEER

Do you happen to own an Elf costume? If you do, please consider signing up for the volunteer slot to don your costume at the event, as it will surely delight the STM children!

Thank you for your continued support! If you have any questions, please contact Rosalinda Wolfe-Bertling at rosalinda.ortega@gmail.com

Order your commemorative St. Thomas More 2023-2024 Christmas ornaments for $15/ea. Available in two designs, these high-quality boxed, ceramic ornaments make the perfect gift for the STM student, parent, alumni in your life.

Ornaments sold out last year, so don’t miss out! ORDER TODAY

March 16, 2024, is the day to party! I heard some amazing things about what is in store for you. I am super excited to share.

If you are interested in joining the planning of the auction, give us a shout. There are lots to do to pull off the party of the year.

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:

1. Recess Monitors - signups are on Membership Toolkit

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

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.

STM Calendar

• Sat. 11/4 – Running Royals Championship Meet
  
• Mon 11/6 - WINTER UNIFORM Begins (see Handbook and links to uniform shops below)
• Mon 11/6 - 8th Grade Confirmation
• Tue. 11/7 - November PTO Meeting (Virtual - Google Link to be posted next week and via Facebook Parents Page)
• Tue. 11/7 - Taco Tuesday @ Taco Bamba
• Sat. 12/16 - Breakfast 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.

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

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.

STM Handbook

President - Kristen Wright

President-Elect - Katie Burch

Secretary - Allison Rabin

Treasurer - Hannah Maloney

Vice President of Fundraising - Wege (Mimi) Kifle

Vice President of Events - Sara Harrington

At-Large CYO - Cesar Enriquez

At-Large PK -8th - Genevieve Kelly

At-Large DI - Jennifer McIntyre

At- Large Room Parent - Allison Nicholson

Email: stmptopresident@gmail.com
Website: https://www.stmschool.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=1649633&type=d&pREC_ID=1792214
Location: 105 North Thomas Street, Arlington, VA, USA
Phone: 703-528-6781