St. Thomas More Cathedral School

STM PTO Newsletter: September 30 2023

Included in this newsletter:

1. Message from the President

2. 8th Grade Confirmation Retreat

3. Bishop’s Annual Disability Awareness Mass – 10/8/2023

4. Oktoberfest

5. Race for Education

6. STM Morning with Santa

7. Volunteer Opportunities and Virtus Training (moves down)

8. Save the Dates

9. Drop off and Pick up procedures with STM dismissal link

10. Uniforms

11. STM PTO Board

Message from the President

Hey everyone! Sorry for the delay in getting the news out this week.

Getting the word out: Now on to the more pressing things – making sure everyone gets the news. I mean there important things happening over here at STM! These kids are making moves and we want to make sure we have all calendars and logistics lined up to support our students. I have asked our wonderful PTO Volunteer Coordinator, Amy, to send over a list of families in PTO Office and voila – 2023/2024 families are ready to hear all the news.

October PTO Meeting: 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 hybrid virtual option so that you can follow along at home.

Virtual: Google Meet - https://meet.google.com/phn-eeip-kvn
In Person location: School Library

Restaurant Night: Additionally, we raised over $500 for STM from our Lebanese Taverna fundraiser! Thanks for participating!

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

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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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Bishop’s Annual Disability Awareness Mass – 10/8/2023

Bishop’s Annual Disability Awareness Mass set for Sunday, October 8, 2023, at 10:30 am at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 5121 Woodland Way, Annandale, VA 22003.

(A community reception will be held at McGivney Hall immediately following Mass.)

This yearly event supports disability awareness for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and showcases the need for us to provide opportunities for them to reach their full potential through inclusive education and meaningful employment throughout the Catholic Diocese of Arlington.

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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!

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

We're a quarter of the way to raising our Race for Education goal of $85,000! 100% of the funds raised will be directed towards the replacement of three exterior doors (two on Thomas St. and Door #2); the first phase of classroom door replacement; and continued support for faculty holiday bonuses. For more details, see the Race for Education Flyer.

A few reminders:

If you activate your family's Pledgestar account between September 16-30, you'll be eligible for the Ruthie's All Day $25 gift card drawing!
There are still a few volunteer slots available for the race, including music mix creator, 1st/2nd grade photographer, and STM School Store table!
Come cheer on your runner(s) at the Race for Education! See below for grade blocks:

Pre-K & K: 9:00-9:45
1st & 2nd: 10:00-10:45
3rd, 4th, & 5th: 11:00-11:45
6th, 7th, & 8th: 12:00-12:45

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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

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.