Year at a Glance

Year at a Glance
August
- First Day of School
- Back to School Pool Party: Hosted by the STMS Parent Association, this evening at the Munster Community Pool is open to our school students & their families
- Back to School Night: Parents meet their child's teacher/s
- Back to School Junior High Dance
September
- Blessed Mother’s Birthday Celebration
- Fall Sports Begin: Soccer, Cross Country and Girl’s Volleyball
- Callouts for Student Council and the Fall Musical
October
- Brews & Bites Adult Event: enjoy an evening of live music, delicious "bites" from area restuarants and adult beverages from the region's breweries
- Confirmation Commitment Mass for all 8th grade students preparing to be Confirmed
- Halloween Parties
- Junior High Halloween Dance
- Mother/Son Dance: Boys bring the special woman in their life (a.k.a. Mom) for dining and dancing
- Father/Daughter Dance: It's the girls' turn to bring Dad for a night of dancing and fun
- Fall Break
November
- Fall Musical: Over 140 STMS students participate in the annual fall musical as actors, stage/house crew and set designers. Past performances include: Alice in Wonderland, Jr.• Little Mermaid, Jr.• Aladdin, Jr.• Mulan, Jr.• Willy Wonka, Jr. & Music Man, Jr.
- Preschool/Pre-K Pumpkins & Pilgrims Party provides a free morning of fall fun for current and prospective youngsters
- Winter Sports Begin: Boys and Girls Basketball
- Holiday tournament play, as well as regular CYO season schedules begin
December
- Pizza With Santa: Santa Claus makes a visit to distribute presents & holiday cheer to STMS students in Preschool to 3rd Grade
- D.A.R.E. Graduation: 5th grade students graduate from this Munster Police Department-sponsored program of resisting abusive behaviors (Drug & Alcohol Resistance Education)
- Christmas Concerts: Enjoy the sounds of the season with holiday concerts presented by the STMS School Band and the student body
- Mass of the Toys: Donated toys are presented during Mass and sent to the prison in Michigan City to distribute to children of the incarcerated
- St. Nicholas Day: St. Nicholas visits our youngest students delivering candy treats and describing the good works that made him known and loved
- 8th Grade Confirmation Retreat: All parish students reflect and prepare for their upcoming Confirmation during this one-day in-house retreat
- St. Vincent de Paul Toy Drive: Toys are donated to area families in need from our school families
- Christmas Junior High Dance
- Kindergarten “Polar Express” Party: Don’t forget your ticket to climb aboard this imaginative train
- Christmas Parties: Holiday classroom parties start the beginning of Christmas vacation with fun and games
January
- Open House: The annual STMS Open House invites current and prospective families to see why Catholic education makes a difference
- Catholic Schools Week: A week dedicated to celebrating our Catholic faith. Students attend special Masses, participate in community service projects, send special “thanks” to those who help them and invite a favorite guest to lunch
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day: School is in session with special activities to honor MLK
February
- EagleFest: This fun family event open to the public is filled with games, activities and fun for kids of all ages
- First Reconciliation: Third grade students prepare for their first Confession
- Science Fair: Students present research projects based on their favorite educational subject complete with inquiry, report paper and display boards
- President Lincoln Visits: President Lincoln makes his annual trip to the kindergarten to tell the students about his extraordinary life
- Junior High Valentine’s Dance
- Daddy/Daughter Dance: The girl’s have a turn for a special night out with Dad
- Mardi Gras: Classroom parties offer one last chance to celebrate before Lent begins
- Boys Volleyball Begins
- Girl Scout and Boy Scout Sunday: Students involved in scouting at St. Thomas More take part in a Sunday Mass
March
- Living Stations: 8th Grade students enact the Stations of the Cross
- Talent Show: Students’ talents shine in this energetic event
- Disabilities Awareness Week: Students participate in activities during the week to understand those who face physical challenges
- Scholastic Book Fair: A week-long book bonanza in our library
- Spring Sport Begins: Co-ed Track & Field
April
- 8th Grade Confirmation: Bishop Hying celebrates this Sacrament
- Holy Thursday Chrism Mass: Newly confirmed 8th grade students attend and participate in this Mass at Holy Angels Cathedral
- China Day: The 7th grade China study unit concludes with a field trip to Chinatown
- Spring Choir Concert: Enjoy the melodious sounds of our school choir
May
- First Communion: Usually held on the first Saturday in May
- May Crowning: All third and eighth grade students participate
- National Junior Honor Society Induction: Junior High students who have achieved an “A” average and exemplify good character are inducted
- Spring Band Concert: A peppy spring program never disappoints!
- 8th Grade Athletic Banquet & 8th Grade Awards Banquet
- Junior High Dance: The traditional balloon drop bids farewell and signifies the last dance for our 8th grade students
- Field Day: The favorite day of the year; students form teams with multi-aged schoolmates for a day of games, fun and food
- Kindergarten Commencement & Pre-K Graduation Programs
- 8th Grade Baccalaureate Mass/Graduation: Farewell Graduates!
June
- Summer Band Begins
- 8th Grade Class Trip to Washington, D.C.: Students explore U.S. history
- St. Thomas More Parish Festival: Students, school parents & STMS staff volunteer to help our parish
- Vacation Bible School: Students attend an enriching faith-based summer program
July
- New Family Barbeque: All new families to STMS are matched with a current family and invited to an evening of fun