From the Principal's Desk...
Greetings, St. Thomas families!
There is a lot of information to pass on today, so I’ll get right to it!
NWEAs This week we started NWEA testing. This universal assessment occurs three times a year: fall, winter, and spring. This assessment is designed to change based on students’ answers in order to place them in a certain range. We then know that students in that range are proficient in certain skills and which skills they need to work on next. This assessment helps us to know, as teachers, what students already know and what they need to learn. Our message to students is to do their best and “show what they know” so we can be better teachers. Students K-8 take reading and math and grades 3-8 also take language usage. These results will be sent home after each testing session (the first will be sent with quarter 1 report cards).
Exciting Partnership We are thrilled to share that we are partnering with the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) as an “Adopted School” under their Science, Technology, Engineering, Math, Aviation and Aerospace Education (STEM AVSED) Program. This will be an exciting opportunity for students to learn about aviation and perhaps take a field trip to an airport to get a behind-the-scenes tour. We are the second school in Maine to be provided this opportunity! We can’t wait to share more soon!
First Fabulous Friday This Friday is our first Fabulous Friday: wear school colors! To clarify, students can wear their hometown colors (Sanford/Wells=red, Massabesic=green, Kennebunk=blue) or St. Thomas colors. They may also wear a sports jersey and their bottoms must adhere to the “dress down day requirements” in our uniform code. Another note about uniform code … with cooler weather coming, please be sure that sweatshirts are plain (free from any writing, logos, images) or imprinted with St. Thomas’ logo.
Halloween With Halloween around the corner I wanted to provide you with the expectations now so you can plan ahead. On Friday, October 25th we will wear Halloween costumes for Fabulous Friday and have our Angels and Saints party that afternoon. This means that students will not wear costumes on October 31st. All costumes must be appropriate (no blood, weapons, evil themes, etc.) and no masks may be worn. In addition, the costume must permit the student to sit, stand, walk, and move freely without restricting them and/or others. If you have a question about your child’s costume, please contact his/her teacher. Thank you for helping to keep our culture caring and holy and our focus on All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.
Spanish After an unsuccessful teacher search, St. Thomas School reached out to other schools lacking a Spanish teacher for ideas. Other schools have successfully used a program with the Language Learning Network in which a teacher Zooms with the class for instruction. Please see the flyer below for more information and to meet our Spanish teacher abroad!
Specials Schedule Switch 9/30 & 10/4 We will be switching specials schedules on 9/30 and 10/4.
Monday, 9/30 will be a Friday schedule (PE specials) due to the Fun Run in the afternoon - wear PE uniforms.
Friday, 10/4 will be a Monday schedule (health or library specials) due to school pictures - dress clothes may be worn.
Have a delightful remainder of the week and weekend ahead!
In His joy,
Mrs. Angela Madigan
Principal
