The High School of Saint Thomas More

Here's the most recent Diocesan Isolation Protocol for exposure to COVID-19. It continues to be updated as more information becomes available. https://5il.co/k2w6

Happy first Friday of school, Sabers! Congratulations to our students, staff, and parents for their hard work and dedication in making it through our first full week of instruction. We here at STM would also like to wish you a blessed feast day of Pope. St. Pius X! He and his papacy are a special gift to our Church, and to our very school, as we have a relic of his in our chapel, so know that when you are here, you can pray in his midst(!). He was especially devoted to the Holy Eucharist, and encouraged frequent reception of Our Lord at Mass, even insisting that children receive their First Holy Communion as soon as they reach the age of reason. Pope St. Pius X came from an impoverished upbringing, and throughout his life he maintained a zeal in caring for and affirming the dignity of the poor. So, let's ask for the specific intercession of this saintly friend in a special way today as we give thanks to God for his holy witness, and may we strive to see one another through God's loving and merciful gaze.

Good afternoon, Sabers! This is just a friendly reminder that if you have not done so already, your 2019-2020 yearbook may be picked up at the school's front office. If you have any questions regarding yearbooks, you may contact me, Miss Lyons, at elyons@hs-stm.org. Thank you!

Class outside? Yes, please!

All students need to be in Mass Attire to have their picture taken. These pictures will be for the school ID card. Seniors, this is the picture that will be part of the Class of 2021 class composite to be hung in the halls of STM. Picture order forms are to be given to the photographer, not to the school office. Orders may be placed on line after today. Details for online ordering will be given at a later time.

Good evening, Sabers! Just a friendly reminder that tomorrow, August 20, is school picture day. A couple of things to note: all students are to wear Mass attire. In-person students will be called down in alphabetical order during the morning class periods. Virtual Academy students should arrive at 8:00 a.m. to have their pictures taken first. These pictures will be used for the school ID card. Additionally, seniors, this is the picture that will be part of the Class of 2021 composite image that will be displayed in the halls of STM. Picture order forms will be available for pickup tomorrow, but are to be given to the photographer, not to the school office. Orders may also be placed online after tomorrow. Details for online ordering will be given at a later time. Thank you and have a great night! St. Thomas More, pray for us!

Mass looks different this year, but the same Jesus! The Family of St. Kateri has Mass today.

Welcome to our new faculty! Please find their brief bios here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1aJkYLr-cM1CvMkeaJd2C7Xi9hVma8C6-/view?usp=sharing

Hey Alumni! Update us on what's going on and see what your fellow alumni are up to. Share your stories here: https://forms.gle/LDjf3PBuL8uWHBUe7. We will post them on the alumni section of our website.

Science Olympiad: Explore the world of science and engineering. STM has had a Science Olympiad team for over 10 years and we want to continue the tradition. For those who participated last year, the events are the same for this year. There is a signup sheet posted in front of Mrs. Hege's classroom, please sign up and I will get you started. Our goals are always the same, let's have some fun and learn something at the same time. For more information, please contact Mr. John Vavrin, john.vavrin@yahoo.com or 217-552-3330.

Schedules for this week can be found here. https://5il.co/jewb Welcome back, Sabers!

Here is a link for our Back to School forms. Please note that there is a new form this year, a COVID-19 Waiver, which must be turned in by every student before entering the building. Students who do not have this turned in will not be allowed in the building. ​https://www.hs-stm.org/o/hs-stm/browse/154933​ We can't wait to see you all soon! Stay safe!

Good morning, Sabers! Just a reminder that your 2019-2020 school yearbooks have arrived and are available for pickup today from 9:00 a.m. to noon in front of the school. If you are unable to pick up your yearbook during this time, you may pick it up at any point during the first week of school from the front office. We do have a limited number of yearbooks for students to buy who haven't already purchased one. The cost is $55.00 and you will be able to take home your book that day. These copies will be sold on a first-come-first-serve basis. Copies of previous years' yearbooks will also be available for pickup throughout this time.There are a limited number of extra yearbooks from previous years as well, and they too are available for $55.00 on a first-come-first-serve basis. If you have any questions, or are unable to pick up your yearbook at that time, please contact the school office at 217.352.7210 and ask for Miss Lyons. Have a great day!

REMINDER: Service Hour Opportunities at STM [Both inside and outside] TODAY thru FRIDAY: 9am-3pm *Come for 1 hour, 2 hours, or more. Please contact Miss Collins and/or Mr. Mahoney via their email {kcollins@hs-stm.org & jmahoney@hs-stm.org} Inside: you may want to bring rubber gloves Outside: you may want to bring gardening gloves, trowel or old screwdriver, and water

Sister Mary Francis's ceremony for her Final Profession will be streamed live today at 10 am. This is essentially her wedding day! If you can join for the live feed, it can be found at: https://www.facebook.com/stmarysalton/ If you cannot join at 10 am, a video of the ceremony will be available on the St. Mary's Facebook page. God Bless Sister Mary Francis today (and everyday) as she celebrates such a momentous moment in her life! We love you Sister Mary Francis!

Service Hour Opportunities at STM [Both inside and outside] Thursday: 9am-3pm & Friday: 9am-3pm *Come for 1 hour, 2 hours, or more. Please contact Miss Collins and/or Mr. Mahoney via their email {kcollins@hs-stm.org & jmahoney@hs-stm.org} Inside: you may want to bring rubber gloves Outside: you may want to bring gardening gloves, trowel or old screwdriver, and water

Congress continues to work on COVID relief for students and schools. In the coming days, we expect legislation, which has the potential to provide hundreds of millions in tuition assistance to Illinois' private school children. That’s where we need your help. The School Choice Now Act would provide immediate and longer-term relief for private schools and the six million students they serve nationwide–220,000 of whom reside in Illinois. This vital legislation must be added to the upcoming round of COVID relief. Timing is of the essence, and it is critical that we collectively ask our Congressional leaders to include private schools in the HEROES Act. We need your voice, especially as economic conditions worsen and policy decisions become more difficult. Please click on the link below to make your voice known: https://p2a.co/XOn8flW Sincerely, Myles X Mendoza President, Empower Illinois

2020-21 School Supply List - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XifTMzt4PhIj-RJFK3okU93oCk1yLKxr/view?usp=sharing

Good morning, Sabers! We want to wish you all, but especially our principal Sister M. Bridget, a very happy feast day of St. Bridget of Sweden! St. Bridget was a very charitable woman, a devoted mother of eight, and wife to King Magnus II of Sweden. She was active in her faith from a young age, Our Crucified Lord even appeared to her in mystical visions multiple times throughout her life. Following her husband's death, she went on to found the Bridgettine order, which includes both religious sisters and brothers. Let's ask especially for her intercession today that we too might grow in a charitable spirit. Have a great day! St. Bridget of Sweden and St. Thomas More, pray for us!