September 2, 2021 Parent News

September 2, 2021

UPCOMING DATES

Fri, Sep 3

ODD Schedule

Sign-up deadline for the PSAT test for any sophomores and freshmen who would like to take the test. Cost is $25.

Athletic eligibility grade checks will begin on Fri, Sep 3, 2021, and study hall will begin the week of Sep 6, 2021.

Mon, Sep 6

NO SCHOOL

OFFICES CLOSED

Tue, Sep 7

EVEN SCHEDULE

Wed, Sep 8

ODD Schedule

Thu, Sep 9

EVEN Schedule

Fri, Sep 10

ODD Schedule

Saints Annual Appeal Kickoff and BBQ

Spirit Shop Open 5:00-8:00 PM

Back to School Student Mixer - After the Game

A LETTER FROM PRESIDENT SCHENCK

Dear Students and Parents,

The Saints’ spirit is alive! You can just feel it, and it’s been quite impressive. Thank you to our seniors who have demonstrated true devotion during our first All-School Mass and tremendous spirit at games. It has been infectious in our community. It has also been good to meet and talk to so many of you at the gift-gathering parties. Thank you for your support of Saint Thomas Aquinas…

CLICK HERE to read more...

FAITH OPPORTUNITIES

We are so grateful to have Fr. Ashmore as our Chaplin. Mass is held every morning at 7:20 and students have access to the Chapel for Adoration and Reconciliation during STA. Additionally, a decade of the Rosary is said following every school day. Finally, each morning at 8:00, we pray as a community and recite the following prayer:

Heavenly Father,

We praise you and give you thanks

for the blessings you have bestowed upon us;

keep us accordant with truth and active in charity

As exemplified by our Patron,

St. Thomas Aquinas.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen

Join us in prayer each morning - how wonderful to imagine our Aquinas community praying together wherever they may be.

Teens for Life DC Trip

Teens for Life is planning and preparing for the sign up for our Washington DC March for Life Trip in January 2022. The sign-up days will be Sept. 13-15, Teens for Life members can sign up on Mon. Sept. 13 and other students can sign up on Sept. 14-15. As we prepare for the trip, we are monitoring the COVID-19 activities and restrictions that may impact our trip. If you think your student might be interested, talk with them about it. We will have information and sign up materials available next week in Theology classes to bring home. More details next week in this newsletter, so stay tuned.

Questions contact Barb Loughman, Ryan Best, or Jennifer Jones.

ACADEMICS

Teacher Communication

Hopefully everyone is settling into the first semester. If your student is struggling at all, please have them contact their teachers to set up a time to talk and work through those struggles. If issues continue, we ask you follow the communication chain:

Step 1 -- Student talks with teacher and creates plan to get help.

Step 2 -- Student and parent communicate with teacher.

Step 3 -- Student and parent communicate with teacher and department head.

Step 4 -- Student and parent communicate with teacher, department head, and administrator.

PSAT Deadline

The deadline to sign up a freshman or sophomore for the PSAT is Friday.

The PSAT will be at 8 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 13. Students will not have their normal classes on that day. Seniors have the day off. Juniors are already signed up for the test automatically. Freshmen and sophomores can sign up here. Freshmen and sophomores who do not sign up have the day off. More information on the test is available for freshmen and sophomores.

The test typically ends at noon. More information will be sent to those who sign up.

September ACT

The academic wing of the building will be closed on Saturday morning, September 11, 2021 for ACT Testing.

October ACT

The deadline to sign-up for the October 23, 2021 ACT is Friday, Sep 17, 2021. Please do this as soon as possible to ensure a seat if you want to take it at Saint Thomas Aquinas High School.

Academic Resources

Several academic resources exist to help students who are struggling. Students may use STA period time to visit their teachers for tutoring, for visiting the Math Hub, or for one-on-one help in the Writing Lab. Students also have access to a room to make up quizzes and tests and can work with other students in study groups.

FROSH 101

New this year is an intentional program designed to help freshmen successfully make the transition into high school. Topics include academic success, healthy choices, getting involved, and executive functioning skills. This week the freshmen attended their first round of sessions and next week they will have their second round.

COLLEGE COUNSELING

CLICK HERE to read more...

STUDENT LIFE

Athletic Events are Open to all

Athletic Events are Open to all. Our only COVID specific requirement is for indoor events. All Spectators, Coaches and Non-Players must wear masks during games held in our gymnasiums.

Time to order Class Shirts

All students are invited to purchase a class shirt to be worn at Homecoming activities on Friday, Sept. 24th. (Shirts will be handed out by Class moderators at school on Thursday, Sept 23.) The link below will be open until Midnight on Sunday, Sept 12th.

B P Direct Marketing: Custom Promotional Products (bpdms.com)

This shirt is designed by students from each class and will serve as their official class shirt. Also, the profits from each of the shirts will be added to the individual class accounts and will be used as fundraising for the Canned Food Drive, which takes place in November.

STA vs SJA Football Game

Saint Thomas Aquinas High School Varsity Football vs. St. James Academy on 9/3/21 Info

Attached is information provided by St. James for the Friday night Varsity Football game that will be held at Bishop Miege High School at 7:00 PM.

CLICK HERE to read more...

NFHS Subscription

We wanted to let you know that we are setup to offer a Livestream subscription service for all athletic events held in our Saint Thomas Aquinas High School Main Gymnasium and also the Stadium. This may be helpful when you are unable to attend an event or for members of your extended or long distance friends and family.

Please see the attached flyer with specifics about cost and how to get setup.

Academic Eligibility for Student Athletes

All students participating in KSHSAA sponsored STA athletics/activities and/or an STA Club Sport(s) will be held to the following Academic Eligibility process:

CLICK HERE to read more…

Homecoming Dance

The Saint Thomas Aquinas High School Homecoming Dance will be held on Saturday 9/25/21 from 8:00-11:00 PM at Saint Thomas Aquinas High School.
This dance will be for Saint Thomas Aquinas High School Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors only. STA Freshmen Students are not allowed to attend
No outside dates/guests will be allowed due to COVID.

Job Postings

We are posting job openings from local companies and organizations that are looking for student workers. Please encourage your children to keep an eye on the bulletin boards in their hallways.

PARENT SPECIAL EVENTS