Eagle News

December 15, 2023

Christmas Break and Preschool to 5th grade December 19 Dismissal

There is no school December 20 through January 3.

Tuesday, December 19 is our last school day before the Christmas holiday. Lunch will be served in the cafeteria at regularly scheduled times; students may bring lunch boxes from home or enjoy cafeteria lunch on this day. Students will also celebrate with class Christmas parties! Your child’s teacher will send more detailed information on these. December 19 is also an early dismissal day. Carpool will begin at 1 p.m. Please note there is no bus service or afternoon Extended Care on this day. If your child is in Preschool through 5th grade, please click here to indicate how your child is getting home on December 19 by completing this digital form.

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THANK YOU to all of the donors who have supported this year's Annual Fund with a financial gift! Please click here to view the list of donors.

There's still time to give!
In the Catholic tradition of stewardship, we invite you to prayerfully consider supporting the St. Thomas More Catholic School 2023-2024 Annual Fund. This year, our goal is to raise funds to support six areas:


WAYS TO GIVE


Please call the school office at 225-275-2820 if you need assistance. Your annual contribution is more than a gift; it is an investment in our students that will have a lasting impact. Thank you for your support!

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Carpool Procedures Reminder

To help ensure a safe, efficient, and courteous morning and afternoon carpool, please make note of our procedures and links to maps for each carpool. Thank you for your cooperation!

PRESCHOOL
‍For both morning and afternoon carpool, vehicles will line up on Sylvan Drive heading north (toward Sherbrook) and will turn into the carpool line through the gate between the Preschool building and Kindergarten building. To exit carpool, vehicles leave the drive by turning right onto Sherbrook.
Click here for the Preschool Carpool Map.

GRADES K-3: GYM CARPOOL
For both morning and afternoon carpool, vehicles will line up on Parkwood Drive heading west (toward Sherwood Forest Blvd.) and will curve south onto Dartmoor Drive. At the intersection of Dartmoor and Sherbrook, vehicles will proceed straight across Sherbrook and will immediately turn left into the school parking lot. Vehicles will form a line in front of the library and school office. Students will be called by a member of our team and will be assisted into the vehicles. To exit carpool, vehicles leave the parking lot in front of the gym, turning right onto Sherbrook.
Click here for the K-3 Carpool Map.

GRADES 4-8: CHURCH CARPOOL
Vehicles will approach the school on Goodwood Blvd. heading toward Sherwood Forest. Vehicles should form a line down Goodwood in the bike lane to allow non-carpool traffic to pass. Vehicles will proceed past the athletic field/playground and will turn right into the church parking lot. With the field to your right, drive toward the 5th and 6th grade building to drop off or pick up. To exit carpool, drive through the parking lot toward Goodwood Blvd. with the church on your right. While still in the parking lot, turn right and drive past the church before turning left to exit the parking lot onto Goodwood Blvd. going west.
Click here for the 4-8 Carpool Map.

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Winter Uniform Guidelines

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Red and Green Accessory Day - December 19

On Tuesday, December 19, all students are invited to wear red and green t-shirts in place of the uniform shirt or over the jumper, colored socks, ties, turtlenecks, bows, jewelry, beads, hats (not worn inside), scarves and sweatshirts.

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No EBR Bus Service Dates

There will be no EBR bus service on December 18-19 or January 4.

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Merry Christmas from STM Beginning Band!

Our Beginning Band musicians in grades 5 and 6 recorded a special Christmas message for you!
Click to hear our flutes and trombones.
Click to hear our clarinets and trumpets.

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January Lunch Menu

Click below to view the January lunch menu.

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STM Family Movie Night at Celebrity Theatres - January 15

Join us for STM Family Movie Night at Celebrity Theatres on Monday, January 15, 2024. For $20 per person, everyone will receive a box of popcorn, a small drink, and children will receive a 30-minute arcade card. Arcade cards are valid the night of the event and start as soon as they are swiped. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. and the movie, Toy Story, will begin at 5:30 p.m. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets must be purchased in advance. Please click here to purchase your tickets.

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Mission Day Message from Village Schools International

Through Mission Day, our school community raised $9,500 for Village Schools International. Please click here to read a letter from Steve Vinton, Director of Village Schools International, to learn how the money we raised will benefit this special organization.

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Nurse's Notes

WISHING YOU ALL A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HEALTHY NEW YEAR!

ATTENTION PRESCHOOL PARENTS:
If your child goes to the doctor to get immunizations, please send a copy of the updated immunization record to school. You will be notified if your child’s immunization record will be expiring soon or has recently expired. We are required to keep up to date immunization records on file at the school.

ATTENTION FIFTH GRADE PARENTS:
State law requires that students entering 6th grade receive booster shots after turning 11-years-old. These vaccines include: Tdap and Meningococcal. Please make an appointment with your health care provider after your child’s 11th birthday. Shot records can be faxed, emailed, or sent in an envelope to school. Our fax number is (225) 275-0376; Nurse Rochelle's email address is rochelle@stmbr.org. Shot records for entering 6th graders are due by JULY 15, 2024. If your child will not be 11-years-old before starting 6th grade, please email me and make an appointment for shots the week following his/her birthday.

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Home & School Scoop

Teacher Favorites: Sending a “Thank You” to your child’s teachers for all the love, care, and dedication that they put into teaching your child can be easy! Whether you need ideas for Christmas, Teacher Appreciation Week or an unexpected treat, we have your child’s teacher favorites! Click here to view the list. For questions about teacher favorites, contact Home & School Faculty Board Member Sara Wisdom at wisdoms@stmbr.org.

Community Coffee Cash for Schools: Please continue collecting Proofs of Purchase from all your Community Coffee products. Funds collected go directly to STM teachers for their classrooms! Save your own Proofs of Purchase, plus consider posting this easy ask flyer at you or your family’s places of work or your STM family-owned local places of business. Send Proofs of Purchase to your child’s homeroom teacher or the front office – whichever is easier! For questions about Community Coffee Cash for Schools, contact chairs Colleen Bryant and/or Beth Morgan.

Home & School is a home-school partnership involving collaborative working relationships between families and schools and we look forward to working with you! Go to stmbr.org/hsa23 for information about STM Home and School events and committees, and to sign up as a volunteer. Please note that to take advantage of these volunteer opportunities you must be Child Protection Certified.

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STM Church News

BAMBINELLI SUNDAY:  Bambinelli Sunday, the Third Sunday of Advent, is this weekend! Bring the baby Jesus from your nativity for a special blessing this weekend at all Masses. If you are joining us for the 8 or the 10 a.m. Mass this Sunday, make plans to enjoy Fellowship Sunday afterwards. There will be tasty treats, a creche scene photo opportunity, and Advent crafts for kids. We will welcome recently registered parishioners at this fellowship. All are welcome!

TWO OBLIGATIONS FOR MASSES AT CHRISTMAS TIME:  This year is unique in that the Fourth Sunday of Advent and Christmas Eve fall on the same day; this happens about every six or seven years, although a leap year might render a longer interval. According to the law of the Church, which is based on divine law, Catholics are required to participate in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass on Sundays and on other days of precept, which we know as holy days of obligation. Christmas is a day of precept, whose obligation is never lifted, the same Sunday. Therefore, all Catholics must attend Mass the weekend of December 23/24 for the Fourth Sunday of Advent and also for the Solemnity of Christmas on December 24/25. If you choose, you may attend a Christmas Vigil Mass for your Sunday of Advent obligation and attend Mass on Christmas ay – the readings and prayers do not necessarily need to match the day whose obligation you are fulfilling.

STM ADVENT/CHRISTMAS MASS SCHEDULE:  Celebrate Advent and Christmas at St. Thomas More. The Mass schedule is as follows:
• Fourth Sunday of Advent Masses: Saturday, December 23 at 4:30 p.m. and Sunday, December 24 at 8 a.m.
• The Nativity of the Lord - Christmas Masses:  Sunday, December 24 at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m., and Monday, December 25 at 9 a.m.

MERRY CHRISTMAS: Fr. Michael and the staff of St. Thomas More Church wish our school families a joyous Christmas and a New Year filled with peace and happiness.

CHURCH OFFICE HOLIDAY SCHEDULE: The church office will be closed for the holiday on the following dates: December 25, 26, 28, 29, and January 1.

MARY, MOTHER OF GOD: The Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God is not a holy day of obligation in 2024, but all are encouraged to start the New Year off with Mass in honor of our Blessed Mother, who in her “yes” to God brought our Savior into the world to redeem us. Join us for Mass on Monday, January 1, 2024, at 8 a.m.

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Save the Dates


DECEMBER 17: Bambinelli Sunday

DECEMBER 18-19: No EBR bus service

DECEMBER 19:
Red and Green Accessory Day
• Early dismissal - Carpool begins at 1 p.m.
• No afternoon Extended Care
• End of Q2

DECEMBER 20 - JANUARY 3:
Christmas holiday break

JANUARY 1: Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God (Not a holy day of obligation in 2024)

JANUARY 4: No EBR bus service

JANUARY 9: Q2 report cards posted

JANUARY 10: Wonderful Wednesday

JANUARY 15:
• STM Family Movie Night at Celebrity Theatres - Baton Rouge 10
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - No school on this day

MARCH 9:
Dad & Daughter Dance - Grades K-8

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Our Mission Statement
St. Thomas More Catholic School is committed to continuing a legacy of excellence in religious and academic education in a nurturing environment that fosters self-discipline.