STA Weekly Update

Happy New Year to all of you and your loved ones! We are thrilled to be back in school and ready to hit the ground running for a busy and exciting month of January.

We are pleased to announce that our WASC accreditation introductory visit will take place on January 17th. This visit will help us prepare for the full accreditation visit scheduled for February 11th to 13th.

As a school community, we will come together for the 3rd Grade-led Family Mass on January 26th. This special event will kick off a day filled with important activities.

We are also eagerly preparing for our Open House event on January 26th. Please invite potential families to join us. Remember, if you refer a new family to our school, you can earn a referral reward! You’ll receive $400 for referring one student or $600 for two or more students.

Additionally, our STA Science Fair will be held on the same day as the Open House, January 26th. We encourage you to explore the classrooms and enjoy our students’ impressive projects. Both teachers and students are working diligently to showcase their knowledge and enthusiasm for scientific exploration through models, experiments, and presentations.

We will end the month on a high note with our Gala event on January 31st. This promises to be a night full of fun and joy as we come together to celebrate and raise funds to support the education of all our students.

Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to sharing these wonderful moments with you!

Dear STA Families,

As we prioritize the health and well-being of our students and staff, we kindly remind you to keep your children home if they are feeling unwell or displaying symptoms of illness. This helps prevent the spread of sickness and ensures a safe learning environment for everyone.

Thank you for your cooperation and commitment to our school community's health.

We would like to thank you all for participating in our Christmas Bulletin Board Decoration Contest.

7th grade was selected as the winner for this year's contest! The office will schedule a day with Mr. Mendez for the students to have an Ice-cream party!

Dear St. Thomas Aquinas School Families,

As part of our ongoing commitment to the safety and well-being of our students, staff, and community, we are excited to announce the creation of an Emergency and Safety Committee. This initiative will focus on enhancing preparedness for emergencies and supporting daily operations such as lunch and recess supervision.

Purpose of the Committee:

1. Emergency Preparedness:

   • Develop and review emergency response plans.
   • Assist with drills and ensure protocols are followed.
   • Support coordination during real emergencies.

2. Daily Assistance:

• Provide additional supervision during lunch and recess to ensure a safe and positive environment.
• Act as a resource for maintaining order and addressing minor incidents.

Who Can Join?

We welcome parents, guardians, grandparents and community members who are passionate about creating a safe and supportive school environment. No prior experience is necessary—just a willingness to help and work collaboratively. We do need you to have livescan through the archdiocese and complete the appropriate interacting with children safety training (Virtus).

How to Get Involved:

If you’re interested in joining the committee, please register in the following Google Form https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScn996vqV1YtHuxo7MK_BpQeBB8oNWHyMDqgWtwufmWdnBsKA/viewform?usp=sf_link

A brief orientation and training will be provided for all volunteers.

Your involvement can make a significant difference in ensuring our school remains a safe and nurturing place for all. Thank you in advance for your time, energy, and dedication to our students.

Together, we can strengthen our community and create a safer tomorrow!

Gentle reminder that we will not offer after school clubs this week.

After school care will be offered from 3:00 to 6:00 pm.

We will have our third coffee with the principal on Wednesday, 1/8/25, at 6:30 pm over Zoom.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://la-archdiocese.zoom.us/j/5897232327?pwd=hGJDBPoa0avpCDA9GaZspT81syDkGf.1

Meeting ID: 589 723 2327
Passcode: sta

Please join us on this open forum, where you can provide feedback and recommendations.

Please use the following link to find PTO minutes: https://ptosta.com/

PTO meeting will be held on Thursday 1/9/25 at 6:00 pm.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://la-archdiocese.zoom.us/j/5897232327?pwd=hGJDBPoa0avpCDA9GaZspT81syDkGf.1

Meeting ID: 589 723 2327
Passcode: sta

Please ensure that your student(s) wear the correct uniform for mass days.

• 1/9/25
• 1/16/25
• 1/23/25
• 1/30/25

The school will be closed on January 17th because the faculty will be working on the final touches of our accreditation document. Please plan care for your child accordingly.

In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy and contributions to justice, equality, and peace, St. Thomas Aquinas School will be closed on Monday, January 20, 2024.

This day serves as an opportunity to reflect on Dr. King's impactful work and to inspire our students to live out the values of kindness, service, and unity in their daily lives.

Classes will resume on Tuesday, January 21, 2024, as scheduled.

Thank you for your continued support and dedication to fostering a school community grounded in faith and excellence.

Please RSVP for Gala attendance or sign up for donations. Getting a final attendance number helps us finalize dinner plates, drinks, and seating arrangements. Click on the link below.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0E4BA9AC2EAAFA7-54245401-winter

We warmly invite all parents, guardians, and loved ones to join us for a special 3rd Grade Family Mass on 1/26/25 at 11:30 am in the church.

This is a wonderful opportunity to come together as a faith community and celebrate the spiritual growth of our 3rd-grade students. Your presence and prayers will make this event even more meaningful.

We hope to see you there!

Join us for the St. Thomas Aquinas School Open House! 🏫✨

Discover our vibrant community, meet our dedicated teachers, and explore the faith-filled, academically driven environment we offer. Whether you're looking for a nurturing place for your little ones or a challenging curriculum for middle schoolers, STA is the place to be!

📅 Date: 1/26/25

⏰ Time: 12:00pm- 2:30pm

📍 Location: St. Thomas Aquinas School

We can’t wait to welcome you and share what makes STA special! 💙✝️

#STAOpenHouse #FaithAndEducation

🌟 Join Us for the St. Thomas Aquinas Science Fair! 🔬🚀

Get ready to be amazed by the creativity and innovation of our young scientists! Explore hands-on projects, engaging experiments, and groundbreaking ideas—all showcasing the brilliance of our STA students.

📅 Date: 1/26/24

⏰ Time: 12:30-2:30

📍 Location: St. Thomas Aquinas School

Come support our students and experience the wonders of science in action! 🧪✨

#STAScienceFair #FutureScientists #STEM

Winter raffle tickets were sent home with students on Monday, 12/16/24.

They are due to the office on Wednesday, 1/29/25

No school on Friday, 1/31/25, in preparation for our Winter Gala event.

We are thrilled to invite you to our annual Winter Gala, a magical evening filled with community, celebration, and fun!

📅 Date: 1/31/25

🕒 Time: 7:00 pm

📍 Location: Pasadena Masonic Temple (200 S Euclid Ave, Pasadena, CA 91101).

Theme: Winter Wonderland

Dress code: Professional/ Cocktail attire.

The Winter Gala is an excellent opportunity to unite and support our school while enjoying a night of fine dining, music, and fellowship. Proceeds from this event will directly benefit our students and school programs.

✨ Event Highlights:

Delicious catered dinner

Live DJ and entertainment

Exciting fundraiser opportunity

We encourage you to RSVP early to secure your spot! Please watch for the newsletter in the first week of January.

We look forward to celebrating with you at this festive event. Your participation helps make a difference in our students' lives!

Basketball jerseys for the season have been ordered. We are waiting for their arrival.

Schedules are out.

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