St. Sebastian STEM Academy is a Catholic School community that models Jesus’s love, faith, kindness and compassion toward each other while working together to solve problems in order to make a difference in our community and world.
January 9th, 2026
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13
Hello everyone!
What a fantastic first week back! We are so happy to have the students back after not seeing them for a couple of weeks! The students did so well and we're immensely proud of them.
January is going to be a busy month here at St. Sebastian STEM Academy, with STAR and Heggerty testing starting next week for 1st/2nd grade and 5K respectively. The semester ends on January 16th, with the new semester starting the 20th. We also have guest speakers coming in during Catholic Schools Week! We are honored to have a guest speaker coming in from PQ on January 26th to talk about how glass is made! We're also proud to announce that TMJ4's Brendan Johnson will be visiting January 27th to talk about meteorology with an appearance from the Storm Chaser vehicle as well!
We're beyond excited to be back in action here at St. Sebastian, and January is shaping up to be an incredible month of opportunities for our wonderful students.
Have a great weekend!
Mr. T
January 14th - First Communion parent meeting - St. Lucy's - 6:00pm
Catholic Schools Week - 1/25 - 1/31
Stuff the Bus - Begins Janary 26th - February 3rd.
January 15th - Texas Roundhouse Fundraiser, 4:00 - 9:00pm.
January 19th - No School
February 3rd - Open House, 5:00 - 7:00
February 6th - No School - Note change of date
February 27th - No School for Elementary Schools
March 13th - No School
March 16th - No School
March 19th - 1st Reconciliation - After Mass
April 3rd - April 12 - Easter Break
April 13th - Classes resume
May 3rd - 1st Communion - St. Sebastian Parish - 9:30 - Mass
May 25th - Memorial Day - No School
June 5th - Last Day of School - 1/2 Day- Dismissal at 11:00
3K - This week, after reviewing shapes, we used a triangle, square, markers, and glue to create our own 2D houses. Some students added rectangular doors, circular and square windows, and in a few cases, people and pets. The next day everyone decorated their very own 3D gingerbread house, which allowed us the chance to discuss the differences from the house they made the day before. We also added some new vehicles to our classroom that students need to build before they can drive them around. As a part of PLTW, 3K continued talking about healthy foods this week. Winnie the Pooh taught us that our tummies may make noises when we are hungry, while Clifford and his friends learned that eating too much can make us have "Tummy Troubles".
4K- This week 4k started talking about animals. We even took a virtual field trip to the zoo. The class thought of things they wanted to learn about animals and we wrote down our questions so we can find answers. We also started talking about living and nonliving things. We learned that humans, trees, flowers, and animals are all living.
5K- We are nearing the end of this semester's PLTW unit. This week we worked with our partner(s) to design, build, and test a "push or pull". There were good lessons learned on sharing ideas, cooperation, and teamwork. It was a fun "hands on" activity! Today, we began presenting to the class our final designs.
1st & 2nd Grade- We have been learning about giraffes and their adaptations. In particular how the top of their heads have ossicones and not horns. Throughout the school year we will be tracking a giraffe name, Liban in West Africa. The class will be able to see the migration pattern of this giraffe and any other adventures.
We are blessed to welcome a new President and Vice President of the St. Sebastian STEM Academy Home & School association. Please join us in welcoming President Andy Havron and Vice President Jessica Ley. Andy's letter can be read here, and Jessica's letter can be read here.
We are beyond thankful for the blessing of having Mr. Justin Mendez as our previous H&S President. Justin, we cannot thank you enough for everything you did for St. Sebastian STEM Academy. Your passion and dedication for our students, staff, and community truly helped make St. Sebastian STEM Academy what it is today.
We are holding an election for a new Home & School Secretary! The candidates for this election are Mrs. Laura Brown & Mrs. Danielle Fellion. Laura's letter can be found here, and Danielle's letter can be found here.
The ballot for this secretarial election is linked here. Please vote by Monday January 12 by 3:00pm!
Attached here is more information if you are interested in joing. Sounds like a fun time.
Please join us for a good time.
Here is the breakfast menu.
Here is the lunch menu.
Please try and stick to the meals that you signed up for. You will be charged for what you signed up for unless you notify us the day before for breakfast or the morning of for lunch. At the beginning of each month, I will send you 2 copies of the breakfast and lunch menu. One is to return to school, and the other is for you to keep at home. If you need a copy of your child's menu, please let me know and I will get one to you.
New this year is the option for Chocolate milk at lunch only for grades K5 - 2nd grade. The students will get to pick either chocolate or white milk. Thank you.
Our lunches are all served kid friendly, if it says Orange Chicken, everything will be served in separate sections. So basically it is chicken nuggets unless they choose to dip it in the orange sauce. Hope this helps.
- Ms. Lori
How do I add money to my child’s lunch account? You can submit payments to your school office secretary or through https://sienacatholic.familyportal.cloud/ .
How do I apply for free and reduced lunch? https://sienacatholic.familyportal.cloud/
Family Portal website: sienacatholic.familyportal.cloud
Family Portal FAQs and instructions: PDF here
Family Portal video instructions link: https://videos.cdn.spotlightr.com/watch/gallery/Mjk4NQ==
I have a friend who is interested in enrolling. Who should I call? Please call 262-812-0155 or email admissions@sienacatholicschools.org. Se habla Español.
Check to see if your address is correct in Meal Magic and PowerSchool!
What are the best ways to communicate with my child’s teachers, principal, etc.? Our elementary school uses Class Dojo, as well as weekly newsletters, emails, and texts. Please make it a habit to check your email!
If I need contact information for my school. We’ve got you!
St. Sebastian STEM Academy, 262-425-0009
Dr. Trudy Giasi, Siena Chief Academic Officer
Jordan Thoennes, Principal
Lori Prideaux, Secretary
If Your Child Is Sick
If you will be checking out your child early on a school day, please call Ms. Lori at the school office or Dojo her. Thank you.
Please report your sick child to the main office 262-425-0009 before 7:45 a.m. Also, please remember that the school day starts at 7:25 a.m. If you are running late, please bring your child through the main doors and sign them in at the main office. If your child comes to school after 7:45, breakfast will be over. Thank you!
Just a reminder that your child needs to be 24 hrs. fever and/or vomit free before they can return to school.
Emergency School Closure Protocol
Please share this information with anyone who is dropping-off or picking-up your student. Here is a video that explains our drop-off and pick-up procedures. Here is map that shows a visual and here are written directions. Our school hours are from 7:25-2:25. Drop off starts at 7:05. Students who are not picked up by 2:35 will be brought to the office and will need to be picked up from the front of the school.
Home and School will meet Monday, January 5th at 6:00PM at the Lanes on Hwy. 20.
Please complete this form for our Home and School Directory if you have not already done so. This will help us keep you informed throughout the year and help make this the best year for our students.
Feel free to reach out with any questions.
Home & School Introduction
Stay Connected
We are in need of volunteers! Our areas of need include lunch, recess, mass, music, art, and physical education. We are also looking for monthly speakers to talk about their STEM-related careers. If you are interested in volunteering please call us at 262-425-0009 or email Lori Prideaux at lprideaux@sienacatholicschools.org.
In order to volunteer in our building or at any school events you need to have a background check and have completed the Safe Environment Training. There are many options available online in our area. If you do not remember if you have had this training in the past please reach out to me and I can look you up in our system. Please share this with anyone you know that is interested in volunteering at the school. I highly recommend doing this if you plan on being involved in any school events.
Here are the directions to sign up:
Create a new account
Choose volunteer
Choose your location as St. Sebastian STEM Academy
Once logged in, complete the curriculum called "Initial Training for Clergy, Volunteers and Employees"
Complete the curriculum and RSVP for an in person training session.
Once class is complete the background check will run and once that is back and clear, you will be certified and can start volunteering.
Upcoming Classes- https://www.archmil.org/offices/safeguarding/Safeguarding-Events.htm
How to make an account-
https://www.archmil.org/ArchMil/Resources/SAFE/CathMutual/Safe_Environment_Program_instructions.pdf
If you are interested in subbing for Siena Catholic Schools, please look at the attached flyer. We would love to see you in our school.
Here's what's new at St. Sebastian Catholic Church!
Mass times at St. Sebastians
Thursday, 8:15 am with students
Saturday, 4:30 pm
Sunday, 9:30 am
There is still time. If you want to be Catholic, if you have not been baptized, received your First Communion, or want to be Confirmed, contact our Faith Formation Minister Eric Antrim at eantrim@stlucychurch.org or text him at 262-498-9028.
Growing your knowledge
Our churches have some great ways to learn more about your faith. If you are looking for something new to grow in your faith life, contact Eric Antrim to learn about the many learning opportunities.
