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1 Dear Parents and Guardians, Here is your January 11, 2018 edition of the Bengal News. In service to youth Mr. Gary D. Davis Principal Visit our school website at UPCOMING SCHOOL EVENTS 11 th - End of the 2 nd Quarter & 1 st Semester 13 th - 8 th grade Catholic High School Placement Exams 14 th - Youth Choir to sing at 10:30 a.m. Mass 15 th - Martin Luther King Day No School Teacher In-Service - Home & School Meeting in the Library 7:00 p.m. Earn PPP Hours by attending! 18 th - WINGS Meeting - 2 nd Quarter Report Cards Sent Home and Available on Sycamore 19 th - Signed Report Cards Due Back to School ATTACHED - Bengal News - Consortium Dual Language Press Release - Knights of Columbus Pancake Feed Flyer - Creighton Prep Loyola Scholars Parent Letter for the parents of 5 th Grade Boys - Action Motion Volleyball Camp Flyer and Medical Release STM ON KMTV 3 Jennifer Griswold from KMTV 3 visited our school today to visit the Media Center and interview Mr. Davis and the Archdiocesan Latino School Enrollment Director Beatriz Arellanes for their feature called In the Classroom. The program will discuss the many successes our school and Consortium Schools are experiencing. They plan to run the feature on Thursday, January 18 th for the 4:00 and 6:00 p.m. newscasts and then will post it online. ADDITIONAL SCHOOL UPDATES Over Christmas Break we had additional updates at our school and church. In the hallway on the first floor we have added the new STM student picture taken and organized by Jayme and Michelle Arlen. The Arlen s also arranged for the magnets of the picture that students went home with before break. Additionally, our church has a new song hymn board purchased through funds made available from the sale of Jim Nailon and our Youth Choir s Christmas CD.

2 STM ATHLETICS CONCESSIONS, ADMISSIONS, SCOREBOARD SIGN UP STM Athletics is needing some help with concessions, admissions or scoreboard. A scoreboard tutorial can be given to those who would like one. If you know of any high school or 8th grade students who need community/service hours, please direct them our way, or they can Jamie Grzebielski at jamiejo123@hotmail.com. Any families are welcome to help out to receive PPP Hours, just follow the link to sign up. Thank you so much to those families who've gone above & beyond their required shifts & hours, STM Athletics would not be without all the volunteers doing so much for our athletes! KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS PANCAKE FEED The STM Knights of Columbus will be holding their annual Pancake Breakfast to kick off Catholic Schools Week on Sunday, January 28th from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in the school cafeteria. This year instead of a set amount for meals they are trying a free will offering. All proceeds will go towards our Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program. SCRIP SALES WINNERS Congratulations to Mrs. Moss s Kindergarten class for winning the Scrip Pizza Contest for purchasing the most Scrip Cards in November and December. The following classes received a classroom treat for their participation in the contest: 3B-Mrs. Kimsey, 4B-Miss Wessling, 6A-Mrs. Bjorling, and each of our Preschool classrooms. The teacher with the highest percentage of students participating in the contest was our 4 th Grade teacher Ms. Wessling. She will receive a $50 gift card. Thank you to all who participated. WINGS NEWS Happy New Year to you all! If you have been cleaning out those closets making room for your new items, WINGS has a place for you to take them! You are invited to attend an accessories exchange in the STM Social Hall on Thursday, January 18 th. January's meeting provides us an opportunity to exchange items for free. All remaining items will be donated to the Stephen's Center. Items to consider bringing include clothing, jewelry, scarves, hats, shoes, purses, books, movies or home decor that you no longer want or need so that someone else can enjoy them. Please bring all items to the STM Social Hall starting at 6:30 p.m. Enjoy free refreshments as you browse. At 8:00 p.m. any item you selected for yourself is yours to take. If you have nothing to share a recommended $5.00 donation will allow you to search and take items home. Looking forward to seeing you on January 18 th at 6:30! If you have any questions, please contact Mary Ann Kaipust at *Please note, if you are in need of Parent Participation hours WINGS meetings will earn you one hour for every one you attend :) CREIGHTON PREP LOYOLA SCHOLARS NEWS BY REV. NATHAN WENDT Dear Parent/Guardian, I am pleased to announce the opening of the Loyola Scholars nomination season for 5th grade males. Loyola Scholars is sponsored by Creighton Preparatory School, Omaha s Catholic Jesuit college preparatory high school since Loyola Scholars is a supplemental year-round, three year academic and leadership achievement program serving middle school 6th - 8th grade males in the Omaha metro area who are academically talented, have leadership potential, and whose households have significant financial need - lacking the ability to afford an average Catholic high school tuition of $9,000.00/yr. Loyola Scholars are prepared to be accepted and earn a full tuition Heider Family Loyola Scholarship for Creighton Prep, as well as merit and need-based awards at other top Omaha area college preparatory high schools. By nurturing gifts of the mind and spirit, Loyola Scholars strives to form young men of Faith, Scholarship, Leadership, and Service, ready for a college preparatory education.

3 Nominees for Loyola Scholars must meet the following criteria: * Currently enrolled 5th grade male. * Household demonstrates significant financial need (Free and Reduced Lunch qualifier is a good indicator) * Demonstrates good to strong academic ability in class and on standardized tests (based on 4th & 5th grade report cards and testing). * Possesses motivation, desire for academic achievement, and shows leadership potential. * From a family committed to the goal of college preparatory education and faith-centered child development. Application packets for Loyola Scholars go out by mail soon after nominations are received. All nominations and information provided is kept confidential. The three year (6th, 7th, 8th grade) Loyola Scholars experience consists of: Loyola Summer Institute: Four-week program of academic day sessions at Creighton Prep begins the summer before 6th grade and concludes the summer before 8th grade. Loyola Saturday Institute: 10 Saturday Fall Sessions and 10 Saturday Spring Sessions at Creighton Prep begin in 6th grade and conclude in 8th grade. If you are interested in Loyola Scholars for your 5th grade student, and think he meets the criteria, help him become a candidate: Ask your student s elementary school principal, teacher, counselor, pastor or director of religious education, or employee of another educational community based organization to nominate him. Encourage your student to work hard in school and achieve high grades in 5th grade. Learn more about Loyola Scholars and Creighton Prep, Deadline for nomination is March 12, 2018 Nomination Form: Please contact me with any questions, or about whether your student qualifies for Loyola Scholars. Sincerely, Fr. Nathan Wendt, S.J. Loyola Scholars, Director Assistant to the President (m) (v) nwend@creighton.prep.edu MORE DI GRAS NEWS More Di Gras is one of St. Thomas More s biggest fundraiser for the church and school. It s a fun filled evening with a dinner, and silent auction, followed by dancing to the band On the Fritz. We need your help with our classroom baskets. Each grade was assigned a Theme. We are asking to you to bring items to fill the basket or make a monetary donation of at least $10. The basket coordinators can purchase items they still need to make the most of the baskets. Money may be brought in to your child s teacher. These themed baskets are a HUGE hit for bidders, so we really need every student s family to participate. We will start collecting items when student s return from break. This year s More Di Gras will be held on March 24 th, More information will follow at a later date. Ask around ~ It s a GREAT time!! Get your friends and get a table together! Get a new parent to join your table!! If you or your company has items they could donate for the silent auction let us know!! We are looking for gift certificates, airline miles, corporate donations, hotels rooms, golf, the list is endless!! Thanks in advance for all your support!! If you have questions contact Dawn Sledge or Leslie in the school office!! Themes for this year s More di Gras Baskets are: PreK / PreSchool - BAKERS DOZEN 5 TH GRADE PITMASTER BBQ Kindergarten - FAMILY FUN NIGHT 6 TH GRADE SUMMER FUN 1 ST GRADE THAT S AMORE 7 TH GRADE GOLF, GOLF, GOLF 2 ND GRADE SHINE THAT CAR 8 TH GRADE LET S TAILGATE 3 RD GRADE FIESTA 4 TH GRADE GARDEN PARTY

4 MUSIC IN CATHOLIC SCHOOLS BENEFIT MCS Music in Catholic Schools Benefit Dance & Silent Auction will be Friday, Feb 2, 2018, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish Center 5419 N 114th St. Dancing 7:30-10:30 p.m.; Free Dance Lessons 6:15-7:15 p.m. Silent Auction, beverages, and desserts available Music by the NWS Swingtones Tickets at the Door: Adults- $15; Seniors and Students -$10 Funds raised will enable financially needy students the participate in the program. SPORTS CLUB CONCESSIONS SIGN UP Volunteers are needed to assist with concessions, admissions, and scoreboard for our basketball season which is underway. Easy PPP hours! All parents who have students participating in sports are asked to sign up to help with basketball concessions. Please sign up at: STM MEMORY BOOK The Yearbook is a monumental task and cannot be done alone. Therefore, we have added new features this year to ensure that everyone can have a part of making this yearbook amazing. 1. Image Share uploading process, as in the past your photos to bengalmemories@gmail.com and we will upload them for you. 3. Add the Replay It app from the App Store or Google Play. Search St. Thomas More Omaha and enter the Secure Passcode you received at Parent Teacher Conferences. If you need the passcode please bengalmemories@gmail.com and we will send it to you. We are excited to take on the role of your 2017/2018 Yearbook Coordinators and taking part in documenting your child s memories here at STM. The better we work together, the better this yearbook will be! Katie Upah & Michelle Arlen LOLIPOPS! The 8th grade students will continue selling delicious gourmet lollipops every Thursday after school for $1.00 each. The sales will help the 8th grade students fund their 8th grade events throughout the year.

5 DOWN THE ROAD DATES - Some Dates / Events May Be Subject to Change: JANUARY 23 rd - 1 st Grade Fontenelle Forest Field Trip 24 th - STM Night at Lansky s 50 th & L Sts. 4:00 9:00 p.m. 25 th - 8 th Grade Field Trip to Lincoln to attend the School Choice Rally at the Capitol in Lincoln 26 th - Principal for the Day / Bethlehem House Representative Drawing 28 th - Knights of Columbus Pancake Breakfast 8:30 a.m. 12:00 p.m. 28 th Feb. 2 nd - Catholic Schools Week Sunday, Jan. 28 th - Knights of Columbus Pancake Breakfast 8:30 a.m. 12:00 p.m. Monday, Jan. 29 th Tuesday, January 30 th Wednesday, January 31 st Catholic Schools - Mass - Catholic Schools Week Class Hallway Bulletin Boards - Teacher Switch - All School Living Rosary in the Church 2:15 p.m. - Fr. Hunke PK 1 st Grade Read Aloud 2:15 p.m. Succeed - Principal for the Day - Students may wear their favorite sports team clothing - 2 nd & 3 rd Grade Team Bee in the Cafeteria 9:30 a.m. - 4 th 8 th Grade Spelling Bee Finals in the Cafeteria 1:30 p.m. Learn - Students to wear their favorite Thinking Cap - Students to make cards / letters for their families thanking them for providing them with a Catholic Education - All School Family Luncheon 11:00 11:45 a.m. & 12:00 12:45 p.m. in the Cafeteria and Gym - Class Brain Challenges Thursday, February 1 st Lead Thursday, February 1 st - Lead Students to wear clothing or bring an item that is representative of their - Students to wear clothing or bring favorite an item book that character is representative Students of will their discuss favorite their book character character with their Students buddy during the Read and Feed - Class Adoration in the Church - 8 th Grade Mass at St. Cecelia s Cathedral Our School to be represented by Cole Askren who will be our banner carrier and Kevin Lugang who will be reading Petitions at the Mass - Buddy Class Read and Feed 1:00 p.m. - Ping Pong Doubles Tournament Finals & Student Champ vs. Faculty Champ in the Gym 2:45 p.m. Friday, February 2 nd Serve - Mass - Class Representatives to help load donations for Bethlehem House. - Spirit Day - Students may change into Spirit Shirts and jeans after Mass to show school spirit. Students are asked to bring one paper good (paper towels, napkins, paper plates, tissue, plastic forks, spoons or knives) for donation to the Festival. - 8 th Grade vs. Faculty & Staff Volleyball Game 2:00 3:00 p.m. - Black Out Family Dance / Community Night in the Gym 6:00 9:00 p.m. Wear your favorite Black Out outfit. All Families Are Welcome!

6 FEBRUARY 5 th - Men s Club Meeting in the Cafeteria 7:00 p.m. Earn PPP Hours by attending! 9 th - 7 th and 8 th Grade Book Bowl at St. Vincent de Paul 10 th - Metro Spelling Bee at St. Mary s Bellevue 11 th - Youth Choir to sing at the 10:30 a.m. Mass 12 th - Student Registration for the School Year for current families - School Registration to be completed on Sycamore. - At least one $100 per student registration fee to be paid at school - Update your FACTS account 13 th - NO SCHOOL MASS - Students to bring two cans of food for the Festival to wear school appropriate Valentine s Day / Mardi Gras themed clothes and colors - Valentine s / Mar di Gras Classroom Parties 2:00 3:00 p.m. - New Kindergarten Student Parent Meeting and Registration in the Cafeteria 6:30 p.m. 14 th - Ash Wednesday Mass 8:15 a.m. - PK / PS Fontenelle Forest visit 15 th - NO SCHOOL - K 8 Parent / Teacher Conferences 12:00 4:00 p.m. and 5:00 8:00 p.m. - Computers and assistance to be available for Registration in the Media Center during conferences 16 th - NO SCHOOL - Beginning of period when in-coming 7 th Grade and Kindergarten students can have their physical which is required for the School Year 18 th - PK 8 Open House 12:30 2:00 p.m. Tell your friends and neighbors! 19 th - NO SCHOOL Teacher School of Faith In-Service - Home and School Meeting in the Library / Media Center 7:00 p.m. 20 th - Open Enrollment for all grades for the School Year begins 22 nd - 7 th Grade Fontenelle Forest Field Trip 23 rd - New Kindergarten Student Round-Up for the In-Coming Students 8:30 10:30 a.m. & 12:30 2:30 p.m. - No School for current Kindergarten Students 24 th - 2 nd Grade First Communion Retreat at St. Thomas More 8:00 11:30 a.m. 28 th - STM Night at Lansky s 50 th & L Sts. 5:00 9:00 p.m. FURTHER DOWN THE ROAD DATES: March 18 th - First Communion in the Church 2:00 p.m. March 21 st - Children s Scholarship Application Assistance for Latino Families 8:00-10:00 a.m., 2:00-4:00 p.m. and 5:00-7:00 p.m. March 24 th - More di Gras Dinner and Dance April 21 st - 8 th Grade Confirmation celebrated by Archbishop Elden Francis Curtiss 5:00 p.m.