Click here to read a Back to School message from Mrs. Ellen B. Lee.
Click here to download and print.
Attention 2nd grade families: Registration for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist preparation is open through August 15. Registration is $40 per child.
Please note: Preparing for these sacraments requires 1st grade religious education either in a Catholic school or Parish School of Religion. Sacramental preparation takes place in the parish in which the family is registered. Although, if you are not a parishioner at STM, your child may receive the sacraments with written permission from the pastor of your parish. In addition, a copy of the baptism certificate is needed if received outside of STM.
If you wish to register, but your child has not been baptized in the Catholic Church, contact Sarah Neau at neaus@stmbr.org for more information.
This night is intended for parents/guardians only. Parents will attend by grade level:
Thursday, August 13 at 5:30 p.m. - 5th-8th grade
Monday, August 17 at 5:30 p.m. - Preschool-4th grade
Click here to view and download the 2026-2027 academic calendar. It includes full days of school, holidays and parent/teacher conference days.
Click here and bookmark this site! We will post all of the latest back-to-school information here to help transition into the new school year.
Your child's homeroom class list will be emailed August 1.
Children on a bus route should receive a postcard mailed to your home address with the bus number, bus driver’s name and pickup time. If you have questions regarding bus routes, please call EBR Transportation at 225-226-3660.
St. Thomas More Catholic School is a community of believers that form one body in Christ. The school uniform is a means of communicating our unity and oneness. For the complete STM dress code, see pages 24-28 in the STM Parent-Student Handbook.
Our three uniform vendors are Inka's, School Time, or Young Fashions. Each vendor sells the same uniform pieces, but Inka's is the only vendor that sells the official STM sweatshirt and sweatpants.
On Mass days, out of respect for the celebration of the Holy Eucharist, girls must wear their jumpers, skirts, skorts, or long pants. Boys must wear long pants with the uniform shirt tucked in.
Sweatpants may be worn in place of the uniform bottoms from November through February. Inka's is the only uniform vendor that sells the official STM sweatshirts and sweatpants.
PE UNIFORMS: 5th - 8th Graders
Students in grades 5-8 wear the STM PE uniform. The PE uniform is a specific t-shirt and shorts that can be purchased at any of our three uniform vendors: Inka's, School Time, or Young Fashions. As our bodies change and grow, it was requested that a PE uniform be part of the class. Students change into these at the start of PE class, and it helps them to feel better for the rest of their day. Please contact the school office at 225-275-2820 if you have any questions.
SHOES
Tennis Shoes: Must be traditional low quarter (low cut) style with shoe laces. The shoe color must be navy blue, black, grey, white or any combination of those colors. The laces must be in the same color scheme (navy blue, black, grey, or white), solid, and traditionally tied. Characters, plaid, checkerboard patterns, lights, Velcro, zipper, skateboard style, slip-ons, and wheels are not allowed. PK students may wear Velcro shoes.
Leather Shoes: Solid navy blue, solid brown or solid black; no boots. (on P.E. days, tennis shoes should be worn.)
Socks: Socks must be visible, above the shoe and solid white with no logos. They cannot be below the shoe line.
BELTS
Preschool boys may wear pants with elastic waistband; no belt is required. Boys in Kindergarten through 8th grade should wear a black, navy, or brown belt. Magnetic belts are permitted.
BACKPACKS
Preschool and Kindergarten students use the blue STM tote bag provided by the school. Students in grades 1-8 use backpacks, which may have wheels and may have any colors, patterns, etc. consistent with school values.
With water fountains available to students throughout campus, water bottles are optional and must only contain water. Students may not bring tumbler-style cups with a straw opening to school. Students may bring water bottles with screw-on tops that provide a tight seal and are “no-spill.”
It is essential that students arrive on time to school so as not to miss important aspects of the school experience. If tardy, students may miss instruction, and their tardiness may interrupt the flow of the class and its routines.
When your child will be absent or tardy, email both attendance@stmbr.org and your child's homeroom teacher. Please provide the following: student name, grade, teacher, and reason for absenteeism or tardiness. This email may come any time prior to 7:30 a.m. Students arriving at school after 7:40 a.m. must report to the office for a tardy slip. For safety reasons, students must be accompanied by a parent or guardian when arriving late. After receiving a tardy slip, the student then reports to the homeroom teacher. If a child is tardy on a Mass day, he or she will wait in the office until Mass is over.
Students arriving at school after 7:40 a.m. must report to the office for a tardy slip. For their safety, students must be accompanied into the office by a parent or guardian when arriving late. After receiving a tardy slip, the student then reports to the homeroom teacher. If a child is tardy on a Mass day, he or she will wait in the office until Mass is over.
CARPOOL SIGNS
Preschool and Kindergarten families: You will receive your child's carpool sign at Meet and Greet.
Returning families in grades 1-8: On the first day of carpool, please use your carpool signs from last year if you still have them. New carpool signs will be distributed on your child's first day of school.
New and returning families in grades 1-8 without signs: On the first day of school, please write your child's name in large, bold letters on a sheet of paper and display in your windshield. New carpool signs will be distributed on your child's first day of school.
CARPOOL TIMES
Morning carpool: Begins at 7:15 a.m.
All students must be on campus promptly by 7:40 a.m. Morning assembly follows carpool every morning. Students not present at morning assembly are considered tardy.
Dismissal and afternoon carpool: 2:55 to 3:15 p.m.
Students who are not picked up in afternoon carpool by 3:15 p.m. will be sent to Extended Care as a drop-in. If a student is not previously registered for Extended Care and is sent by the office (due to the office closing), the parent must register the child at that time and pay a fee. Please contact Mrs. Candyce Mannen with any questions about Extended Care.
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-2: 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-2 Carpool Map.
GRADES 3-8: 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 3-8 Carpool Map.
For all information about STM's breakfast and lunch program, please click here to visit the Child Nutrition Program website. Here, you will find:
Allergies Form
If your child has a food allergy, please have your child's physician complete the diet prescription form and return to STM cafeteria manager Kimberly Bell or Nurse Rochelle as soon as possible. Please note that your child's previous allergy form expires on September 8, 202. All allergy forms must be signed by a licensed physician and renewed each school year.If your child has a milk allergy, apple juice will be given to substitute milk.If your child has a dairy allergy, he or she will NOT receive milk, cheese, or pizza.
Parents/guardians who would like to be substitute teachers and/or sub for Nurse Rochelle, please click here for the application.
Click here to order your child's prepackaged school supplies for the 2025-2026 school year through School Tool Box. If you ordered your child's supply box by June 14, your child's supplies will be delivered to STM and distributed on the first day of school. If you ordered after June 14, supplies will be delivered to your home.
If you prefer to purchase your child's school supplies separately, please click here for grade-level supply lists.
We are thrilled to share some exciting news with you – we have once again made it to the VOTING ROUND of the prestigious Baton Rouge Parents Magazine Family Favorites contest! This achievement would not have been possible without your unwavering support of the STM community. We are truly honored and grateful for YOU!
Now, we need your help to claim the title of Reader's Choice and secure the number one spot in Family Favorites. Your vote can make a significant difference in our journey towards this recognition.
Here's how! Click here to go to our voting page, click "Select All," and "Cast Vote."
Please note that voting is open until August 15, so we encourage you to vote daily to maximize our chances of winning. Thank you once again for your continued support and for voting for STM in Family Favorites!
Click here for Extended Care fees, details, and to register.
Students who are not picked up in afternoon carpool will be sent to Extended Care as a drop-in. If a student is not previously registered for Extended Care and is sent by the office (due to the office closing), the parent must register the child at that time and pay a fee. If your child is going home with another child in Extended Care, your child also must be registered. Please contact Mrs. Candyce Mannen with any questions about Extended Care.
Students entering grades 1 through 8 have summer reading requirements. Click here for the summer reading list for your the grade level your child is entering in 2025-2026.
Students in 3rd-6th grade are required to test on their two summer reading books. The last testing date before school begins is Wednesday, July 29 from 4 to 6 p.m. in the STM Library. Students may only test on one book on this date. Students also may test on their books when we return to school in August. Please email Sara Wisdom at wisdoms@stmbr.org if you have any questions.
Helping Your Child Remember What They Read: Supporting reading at home doesn’t have to be complicated! Click here for a few simple strategies you can use to help your child remember key details from their summer reading.
We have athletic programs for all students to enjoy. We believe that athletics teach students valuable lessons in sportsmanship, leadership, teamwork, and competition. Even better, STM has a proud tradition, making it even more fun to pull for your child’s team. Our teams include boys basketball, girls basketball, intramural basketball, cheerleading, cross country, football, girls volleyball, swimming, tennis, and track and field.
All student-athletes in grades 3-8 must submit a completed athletic packet to participate in STM Athletics. Click here to download the STM athletic packet.
If you have any questions about the STM Athletics Program, please contact Athletic Director Ali Buchart at bucharta@stmbr.org
At STM, we’re blessed to have a full-time nurse, whom students are allowed to visit when they are not feeling well, to take doctor-prescribed medication, or if they hurt themselves on campus.
Updated Immunization Records Needed: Parents of incoming Preschool - 8th grade students that have outdated or missing immunization records on file at school have been notified. Updated records are due now! If your child is up-to-date on vaccines, then we just need an updated official copy of the immunization record. It can be scanned and emailed to rochelle@stmbr.org, faxed to 225-275-0376, mailed or dropped off to the front office. Nurse Rochelle will be calling parents in late July to check on any outstanding records.
Medication Drop-Off: If your child takes medication at school, you can drop off the medication and the paperwork directly to Nurse Rochelle in her office on the first day of school. She is also happy to make appointments the week before school starts with any parents that would like to drop off early or that would like to meet to discuss any medical concerns before the start of school. New physician orders are required for each school year for medication. The required medication paperwork is available to download below, or you can contact Nurse Rochelle at rochelle@stmbr.org.
Has anything changed medically for your child since last school year? This is just a reminder to notify Nurse Rochelle if your child has had any changes in his/her medical history since last school year. Any new food allergies, diagnosis of a new chronic condition such as asthma, etc. are important for us to keep students safe while in our care. Thank you for partnering with us to keep your children healthy at school!
DOWNLOAD MEDICAL FORMS:
CAPS (Compass Abuse Prevention Services)
St. Thomas More must provide a safe environment for children and youth. We hold ALL adults who work with minors to a code of conduct that is Christ-centered and professional. The CAPS program implemented by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Baton Rouge requires us to evaluate the background of all paid personnel and volunteers whose duties include ongoing, unsupervised contact with minors.
Anyone who wants to volunteer at St. Thomas More must be in compliance with this policy. ALL requirements must be met in order to volunteer:
Throughout the school year, Home and School asks parents to help on campus for various events. Volunteering your time is a great way to support our STM community, meet other parents, and get a glimpse into your child’s life at school. We know work schedules can be tough to schedule around, so we offer opportunities that you can work into your schedule. The excitement on your child’s face when they see their mom or dad at school will make you so glad you did!
Click here for information about STM Home and School events and committees. To let us know you are interested in volunteering, please click here to fill out the interest form for 2025-2026..
Please note that to take advantage of these volunteer opportunities you must be Child Protection Certified. Go to stmbr.org/volunteer for more information.
HOME AND SCHOOL ASSOCIATION EXECUTIVE BOARD
BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION: Use the Box Tops app to scan your store receipt, find participating products and instantly add cash to STM's earnings online. From playground equipment to technology to library books, STM can use this money to help our teachers and students get the supplies they need. See how at btfe.com.
Join us in supporting the mission of St. Thomas More! As we prepare for this year’s auction, we invite you to take part in a joyful evening that directly supports our Church, School, and Early Learning Center.
You're invited to the 2025 STM Parish Auction on Saturday, August 23 at 6:30 p.m. in the STM Gym. Tickets are $75 per person - cocktail attire. This must-not-miss event will feature a live and silent auction (bidding online), delicious food by Drakes Catering, beautiful decor by August Events and live music by Sugar Shaker. Visit stmbr.org/auction for more information and to purchase tickets.
AUCTION T-SHIRTS: Order your 2025 STM Auction T-shirts by July 30 at stmbr.org/auction. Students can wear the T-shirt to school with uniform bottoms on Friday, August 22.
Thank you — your contributions truly make a lasting difference!
JULY 22: Summer Reading Testing for grades 3-6 - 4 to 6 p.m. in STM Library
JULY 25: Summer Youth Gathering - 5th-8th grade
AUGUST 7
• Preschool and Kindergarten Meet-and-Greet
• First day of school for grades 1-8
AUGUST 8: First full day of school for Preschool and Kindergarten
AUGUST 9-10: Blessing of the Backpacks - After all Masses at STM Church
AUGUST 13: Wonderful Wednesday - Students are invited to wear the STM navy spirit shirt with uniform bottoms.
AUGUST 14: Back to School Night for grades 5-8 - 5:30 p.m. (Adults only)
AUGUST 15: Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary - Holy Day of Obligation and K-8 Mass
AUGUST 18: Back to School Night for grades PK3-4 - 5:30 p.m. (Adults only)
AUGUST 23: STM Parish Auction - 6:30 p.m. (Adults only)
AUGUST 26: 5th and 6th Grade Beginning Band Instrument Demo Night - 5:30 p.m.
Office of Child and Youth Protection
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline offers free, confidential 24/7 support for mental health, substance use, and more. Text or call 988.
Louisiana988.org includes additional resources, including online chat.
St. Thomas More Catholic School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at its schools. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, athletic, and other school administered programs.
