Eagle News

August 21, 2026

Note from the Principal

Thank you to the parents who have worked at home to make this beginning of school year so special for our students and very smooth for our faculty and staff. We take our partnership with parents very seriously, as we work to provide a strong, Christ-centered education for our students. It was reassuring to see the many parents who attended Back to School Night.

I want to thank you for following the STM policies outlined in the Parent-Student Handbook for 2026-2027. Parents, you have done an outstanding job of letting the school know through both emails, attendance@stmbr.org and your child's homeroom teacher, that your child will be absent or tardy that day.

All Kindergarten through 8th grade students are attending weekly Mass each Thursday at 8:45 a.m. Parents are welcome to attend and have their students sit with them in the parish section of the church.

Our 8th graders will be on retreat on Thursday, August 27. Please pray that God will touch their hearts and bring them closer in their relationship to Christ.

As we continue through the school year, please contact the school if you have any questions or concerns.

Ellen B. Lee, Interim Principal

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Tomorrow is the night! Tickets are still available for the Parish Auction. Join us for an unforgettable evening packed with casino games, incredible food, drinks, music, and thrilling live bidding. Grab your tickets now and support our church, school, and Early Learning Center! Stmbr.org/auction

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Policy Reminders

LABEL ALL ITEMS

UNIFORM LENGTH

SHOES AND SOCKS

CARPOOL

ABSENCES/TARDIES/SCHOOL START TIME

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Discover STM Band at Instrument Demo Night - August 25

Students in 5th–8th grade have the opportunity to join the St. Thomas More band program — no prior musical experience is required! Students will learn the fundamentals of their instrument from the beginning, and school-owned instruments are available at no cost to families.

  • 5th & 6th Grade: Morning Band meets before school from 7–7:40 a.m.
  • 7th & 8th Grade: Band can be taken during Enrichment or, if their schedule does not allow, students may join the morning group. Students are welcome to join at any experience level, even if they are new to band.

Students interested in joining the band are invited to Instrument Demo Night on Tuesday, August 25, at 5:30 p.m. in the St. Joseph Hall Commons.

Students will have the opportunity to meet Band Director Benjamin Buller, try out different instruments and discover which one may be the best fit for them. Parents will also have an opportunity to learn more about the program and ask questions.

Click here to RSVP for Instrument Demo Night.

Even if your child is only considering band, we encourage them to come and give it a try!

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Calling all students in grades 4–8!
Our Spotlight and Choir Clubs are back, offering students opportunities to explore the performing arts, build confidence, make friends, and share the unique gifts God has given them. Students can join one or BOTH clubs!

Spotlight Club | Grades 4–8: Explore acting, movement, stage presence, and all the elements that bring a production to life! Whether your student loves the stage or wants to try something new, Spotlight is a place to learn, create, and have fun. Click here to express interest in Spotlight: stmbr.org/spotlight

Choir Club | Grades 5–8: Students who love to sing can grow their vocal technique, musicianship, and ensemble skills while preparing music for performances throughout the year.

What about 4th grade? Our 4th grade singers will have their own choir ensemble during the school day through enrichment, with plenty of opportunities to perform and share their gifts alongside our full ensemble.

Interested in Choir Club? Sign up here: stmbr.org/choir

There is a place for every student to shine! Whether your student wants to sing with Choir, step into the Spotlight, or do a little bit of both, we can't wait to see the gifts they bring to our STM community.

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Blast Into Scouting - August 29

Interested in joining our STM Cub Scout pack this year? Cub Scouts is open to boys and girls in Kindergarten through 5th grade. Scouts is fun for the entire family!

The program focuses on building character, community, faith, and physical fitness through fun and challenging “Adventures” completed throughout the year.

Join us at the “Blast Into Scouting” welcome back event on Saturday, August 29 at 5 p.m. on the STM athletic field. A parent information meeting will be Tuesday, September 1, in the Activity Center.

If you’re unable to attend these events but are still interested in Scouts, please reach out to Michelle Fontenot atfontenotm@stmbr.org.

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Home and School Association Welcome Back Social - September 10

Parents, mark your calendars! Join STM’s Home & School Association for a Back to School Social on Thursday, September 10, from 5–7 p.m. at BRQ Seafood & Barbeque (10423 Jefferson Hwy., Baton Rouge, LA 70809).

Come enjoy some light appetizers, visit with fellow STM parents, and kick off the new school year together! This is a parents-only event and a great opportunity to connect with other members of our STM community.

Please click here to RSVP.

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Join us for More Mahjong at STM on Tuesday, September 15, from 6–8:30 p.m. in the gym! Gather your friends for a fun evening of Mahjong while supporting St. Thomas More Catholic School.

Enjoy wine, drinks, and charcuterie boxes from Boards and Bites, along with a few raffle items available throughout the evening.

Players must bring a 2026 National Mah Jongg League card. We recommend that participants have completed at least one Mahjong lesson and be familiar with the basics of the game before attending.

Table registration will open first at $280 per table. Any remaining seats will be available for individual registration beginning September 2.

Need tiles? No problem! Select the “Set My Table” add-on for $40, and we’ll have a set of tiles ready for your table.

Space is limited, so click here to register early! Registration closes September 9.

Sponsorship Opportunity:
Support More Mahjong at STM as an event sponsor for $500. For more information, please contact Sara Wisdom at wisdoms@stmbr.org.

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If you have any questions about the STM Athletics Program, please contact Athletic Director Ali B. Pierson at piersona@stmbr.org

Marc Fournet Named First Inductee into the STM Athletics Hall of Fame

For more than four decades, Marc Fournet helped shape STM Athletics, building programs, traditions, and relationships that continue to impact our school community today. As the first inductee into the STM Athletics Hall of Fame, his legacy is one of leadership, character, sportsmanship, and a deep commitment to our students. Click here to read about Marc Fournet’s remarkable 43-year legacy at STM.

The St. Thomas More Athletic Hall of Fame celebrates individuals whose involvement in STM Athletics has helped shape the program and its traditions. Honorees are remembered not only for their accomplishments, but also for the example they set through leadership, integrity, sportsmanship, faith, and service. Members of the STM community and the general public are invited to recommend deserving individuals for consideration.

Click here to learn about the nomination process and to nominate a Student-Athlete, Coach, or Contributor/Distinguished Volunteer for future induction.

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Nurse's Notes

BEAT THE HEAT! Here are some tips to prevent heat related illness:

IMMUNIZATION RECORDS NEEDED: If Nurse Rochelle has contacted you by email or phone and asked to turn in an updated immunization record for your student(s), please send it as soon as possible. These records must be on file for every student at the beginning of August. If you have not been contacted then you can assume that the record we have on file for your student is up to date.

PRESCHOOL PARENTS: Immunization records for PK may expire throughout the school year. You will be notified when your child’s record is nearing expiration so that you can make an appointment with your doctor. If you go to an appointment and receive vaccinations, please obtain an updated immunization record and send a copy to school.

Immunization records can be copied and sent to school in an envelope to Nurse Rochelle’s attention, scanned and emailed to rochelle@stmbr.org (photos do not print well), faxed to 225-275-0376, or dropped off at the front office.

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Men's Club 2026 Greg Brown Golf Tournament - October 19

Join us for the 2026 Greg Brown Golf Tournament on Monday, October 19, 2026, at Greystone Country Club.

The tournament is named in memory of Greg Brown, one of the original founders of the STM Men’s Club in 2006 and the driving force behind its first golf tournament in 2007. Greg served as Men’s Club president in 2009 and played an important role in the club’s early growth and traditions. Following his passing from cancer in 2013, the tournament was renamed in his honor in recognition of his lasting impact on the STM Men’s Club.

Our sponsors are the driving force behind this event. Sponsorship opportunities give businesses and organizations valuable exposure while supporting STM Men’s Club and its mission of Men Doing More. Sponsorship packages range from $150 to $5,000.

Individual golfers may register for $150, and team registration is $500. Each player receives a round of golf, tournament shirt, hat, swag bag, and dinner.

Click here for more information and to purchase your tickets.

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Church News

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Save the Dates

SCHOOL MASS: Thursdays at 8:45 a.m. when school is in session. Exceptions: December 8 is the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary and a Holy Day of Obligation, therefore Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, December 8 rather than Thursday, December 10. There is no Mass on October 8 or February 4.

AUGUST 22: STM Parish Auction
- 6:30 p.m. (Adults only)

SEPTEMBER 7: Labor Day - no school

SEPTEMBER 10: Home & School Association Welcome Back Social - 5-7 p.m. at BRQ (Adults only)

SEPTEMBER 15: More Mahjong - 6-8:30 p.m. (Adults only)

SEPTEMBER 18: Parent-Teacher Conferences for 1st-5th grade. There is no school on this day for these grade levels.

SEPTEMBER 19: K-8 Mother & Son Tailgate - 1-3 p.m., STM Athletic Field

SEPTEMBER 21: Parent-Teacher Conferences for 6th-8th grade. There is no school on this day for these grade levels.

SEPTEMBER 28: Monday Night Football - 5:30 p.m.

OCTOBER 9: Parent-Teacher Conferences for Preschool and Kindergarten. There is no school on this day for these grade levels.

OCTOBER 16-19: Fall Break - no school

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.