More on the Way - August 20, 2017

Happy 35th STM!

This week we celebrate our 35th Anniversary with a special mass and blessing of the school with our Chancellor, Fr. Michael Russo and Chaplain, Fr. Joe Breaux. We thank our alumni, current and past parents, faculty, students and friends for making St. Thomas More Catholic High School the great school that it is today. Here's to 35 more!

Feasibility Study Listening Sessions

Thank you to those who participated in our Master Site Plan, Feasibility Study Listening Sessions. Our goal is to keep everyone informed, so watch for other opportunities for input in the next few weeks. Please click here for more information about the Feasibility Study.

Solar Eclipse Safety First

The solar eclipse is occurring on Monday, August 21 and the safety of our students is of the utmost importance. Louisiana will only experience a partial eclipse. In an effort to keep our students informed about the importance of safety during the solar eclipse, we shared the following information with your child:

Eye injury is a real possibility! You should not look directly at the sun. If you stare at the sun without protection, you may experience damage to your retina (the tissue at the back of your eye) called "solar retinopathy." This damage can occur without any sensation of pain, since the retina does not have pain receptors. The injury can be temporary or permanent.
We will not experience full totality, so there will never be a point during the eclipse event in Louisiana where viewing with the naked eye is permissible.
If you choose to eat lunch outside, you are responsible for your safety. Polarized sun glasses WILL NOT be sufficient for viewing. Only official, ISO certified solar glasses can be used. Your science teachers will share more information with you regarding eye safety and how to use a pinhole projector for viewing.

If you are interested in more information, you may visit the American Astrological Society's website:

https://eclipse.aas.org/eye-safety

Parental Release form for School Nurse

As referenced in the August 17 email from Amanda Faucheux, STM Nurse, a Parental Release form must be completed for over the counter medications to be administered at school. Please have your child visit Mrs. Faucheux for a Parental Release form for prescription medications. Any prescriptions that need to be taken at school must be brought in by a parent.

Kairos is an intensive 3 day, 2 night voluntary retreat held at the beautiful Maryhill Renewal Center in Pineville, LA. Planned and led by the S.A.L.T. Team, this retreat is held for STM juniors and seniors wishing to grow deeper in their relationships with God, themselves, their peers, and their parents. Kairos has proven to be a rewarding experience where students come to see themselves as connected to God and others, especially through the sacrament of the Eucharist. Kairos is offered 4 times a year with the first retreat on September 16 - 18. Registration forms may be downloaded here.

Quest is an overnight voluntary retreat for STM freshmen and sophomores and only offered once a year. Held at beautiful Dry Creek Baptist Center in Dry Creek, La., Quest has been an awesome weekend for building new friendships, rekindling old, and bonding as a class. Quest, led by our senior Quest team, is the largest retreat put on by STM Campus Ministry designed to introduce and invite teenagers to a personal relationship with Jesus. Quest is best described as high energy and "off the hook" fun! Retreat dates are September 30 - October 1 and registration forms may be downloaded here.