1. Message from the President
2. In the Classroom and Academic Reminders
3. Volunteer Corner
4. Lunch Information
5. Fundraising Events
6. Save the Dates
7. Reference Information

Hey everyone!

Highlight of the Week: Volunteerism and Faith in Action

As the words in the Letter of James state, faith without work is an ineffective approach to life. As we move toward our final weeks of 2023, please reflect on ways you can provide a moveable sign of faith in your daily life. I was really impressed at the massive effort to communicate what part each class played in building the parish Christmas boxes. I want to say thank you for everyone’s participation to drop off goods for those in need. While it seems small, small blocks add up, and we make progress together.

PTO Business

• Meeting: December 5
• PTO Volunteer Office Hours: December 6

Interesting Facts to share with your students.

• Feast of Christ the King – as a convert, I always like to dig deep on the history of our church so in reflecting on the Mass readings for Sunday, I found the most interesting origin story of the upcoming solemnity: Pope Pius XI instituted the feast of Christ the King in 1925 in response to fascism, secularism, and other forces that rejected Christ. Pius urged people to remember that everything belonged to the risen Jesus, and so individuals and governments must subject themselves to Christ. Pius wanted the annual celebration of Christ’s kingship to help Catholics reject anything that opposed Christ’s reign (link).

• November is Black Catholic History Month – Check out the Arlington Catholic Herald AND Catholic University for resources to discuss the contributions of African American Saints and Venerated Individuals have made in America.

• Rivals’ Weekend in College Football – you made it through turkey and family…time for football! I wanted to pass along a fun article about some of the most historic football rivalry games. Whatever side you pick (War Eagle to my other Auburn family here at STM) – Tuesday, November 28, 2023, will bring us back to the singular goal of educating the kids.

Contact:

• If you have questions, please feel free to email me at stmptopresident@gmail.com - do not hesitate to ask.
• If you have information to here in this space, please email me by Wednesday afternoon every week.

• Have a great weekend and see you all on Tuesday

- Kristen

For my 8th parental units:

• High School Placement Test (8am to 10am) Nov. 30, 2023

Thank you for participating and Mrs. LaBarge and Mrs. Thomas let us know that the school Dress Down Day (DDD) in Wednesday, December 13, 2023.

Please refer the note that Mrs. LaBarge sent that students must be dressed appropriately ("winter uniform"), including no shorts, and tights if wearing a dress. Please refer to the student handbook for DDD attire or reach out to the STM front office with your questions. This goes for all "winter uniform" dress down days.

Many thanks to the STM Administration and Teachers for making sure this school-wide event continues throughout the renovation of the Cathedral.

Schedule of the Event:

• 4:30 pm Grades 1&2 sing (4:00 pm arrival in the gym)
• 5:00 pm Grades 3&4 sing (4:30 pm arrival; meet at Door 2)
• 5:30 pm Grades 5,6,7 sing (5:00 pm arrival; meet at Door 2)
• 7:00 pm Grade 8 Nativity Play with 4th-8th Grade Youth Choir (6:15 pm arrival in the gym)

We're thrilled to announce that our PTO website is officially live, and the response has been incredible! Over half of our families have already registered, which has unlocked their access to volunteer opportunities, the student directory, event information, and details about upcoming PTO meetings. It's your one-stop shop for staying connected.

Visit our website and register for an account at https://stmpto.membershiptoolkit.com!

If you have questions, please contact Amy, our PTO Volunteer Coordinator at stm.pto.volunteers@gmail.com.

On Wednesday, December 6, 2023, let's gather at 6:30 pm for some time to discuss volunteer opportunities in the final weeks of 2023 AND what is on deck for 2024. Don't get anxious because we can easily huddle at again in January if you miss this go round (also - email me, I will make time to get you the answers you need).

Currently, we have needs for the following roles:

1. *Recess Monitors - signups are on Membership Toolkit; and
2. *Lunch helpers because little hands need help opening lunch boxes and yogurt squeeze tubes.
3. Breakfast with Santa

*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.

The company that best fits our needs is My Hot Lunch Box. Unfortunately, their timeline to be up and running may not be until late January. I will do my best to move that up as much as possible, but they are taking on several new schools along with STM. Please continue to loop in on daily lunch logistics and until then, please arrange for your student's lunch.

This first few months of school have zoomed by! That being said, it is time to get ready for Pizza Lunch. Registration will open November 28 thru December 19.

• For a single slice = $120
• For a Double slice = $135

This year, PTO will not be providing beverages to students – it is both cost saving and waste management issue (imagine hundreds of mini water bottles). If your student desires water or a juice box, please plan to pack that Friday morning.

Your support of the KOC annual Christmas Card fundraisers is what allows us to offer scholarships and support to both STM Parish, School, and our diocese. More details to come in the coming week via STM Blast and this space!

On December 6th STM will get 20% of proceeds from any orders online & in store that day!

Link to order: https://www.nothingbundtcakes.com/all-products/?location=0299&fulfillment=12/6/2023

• Please specify "St. Thomas More School" in order notes.

If the school can raise $500, we will petition for a DDD or DDD adjacent event (crazy socks or accessories) with Mrs. LaBarge.

STM Breakfast with Santa:
REGISTRATION IS CLOSED
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.

VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED!
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

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

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.

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

Save the date and mark your calendars for STM's biggest night of fun and fundraising! The 2024 Spring Auction will be held on Saturday, March 16 at the Knights of Columbus in Arlington.

Planning is underway and we are currently forming this year's committee of volunteers. If you are interested in joining the auction committee, please email stmschoolauction@gmail.com or contact one of the event co-chairs:

Elizabeth Doherty (elizabeth.santadonato@gmail.com);

Mimi Kifle (wegek@hotmail.com); or

Allison Nicholson (allisonbnicholson@gmail.com).

STM (School) Calendar

• November 28: Pizza Lunch Registration Opens (Tentative)
• November 29: Middle School House Meeting
• November 30: High School Placement Test
• November 30: Nativity Play Rehearsal
• December 1: Chick Fil A Lunch
• December 1: Report Cards Released
• December 5: PTO Meeting
• December 6: December Birthday Dress Down Day
• December 6: Volunteer Office Hours
• December 6: Nothing Bundt Cake Fundraiser
• December 7: Nativity Play Rehearsal
• December 8: Feast of the Immaculate Conception
• December 8: Chick Fil A Lunch
• December 11: Nativity Play Rehearsa
• December 13: Taco Bamba DDD
• December 14: Nativity Play Rehearsal
• December 14: Parent University
• December 15: 8th Grade Field Trip
• December 15: Kindergarten Christmas Play
• December 15: Chick Fil A Lunch
• December 16: Breakfast with Santa (Registration Closed)
• December 18: Nativity Play Dress Rehearsal
• December 19: Nativity Play in Lee Hall - the STM Blast had detailed schedule listing by grade.
• December 20: Pre-K Christmas Sing Along
• December 20: Early Dismissal (no extended day)
• December 21: Christmas Break
• January 2: PTO Meeting (tentative)
• January 3: Classes Resume

STM Parish Events

• 12/3 - Young Adult Brunch after 11:15am mass
• 12/9 - Advent Morning of Reflection after 9am mass;
• 12/9 - Parents Night Out (6 - 9pm) in STM Cafeteria
• 12/17 – Sacred Music for Advent and Christmas (4:30pm at St. James Catholic Church in Falls Church, 905 Park Avenue, Falls Church) featuring Cathedral and Youth Choir from STM. Livestream will be available here.
• Please see here for a list of Mass Times and Confessions during Christmas at the Cathedral. For more information about upcoming events at the Parish, see here.

***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.

Remember the phrase “It takes a village”? Let’s remember that when I say that you are not alone. Feel free to email, use STM Parent FB, or your Room Parent to find answers. We are here to support our little humans and each other.

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.

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