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.
September 18th, 2026
“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” Romans 12:12
Hello Saint Families!
What a blessing it has been to see yet another week of wonderful growth in our students here at St. Sebastian STEM Academy. Our STAR results were extremely promising and you should be proud of your students for doing so well on their first STAR test of the year. There is always room for improvement, but our students did so well that we have to adjust some of our goals even higher! The STAR test is an excellent way of establishing a baseline to see where our students are and to identify where we can target specific help and support in their learning.
I just want to take a minute to shout out our wonderful volunteers for coming in and spending time with our students. St. Sebastian STEM Academy would not be what is today without the incredible crew of volunteers. From our Grandmas and Grandpas to Mr. Villalpando, we are absolutely blessed to have them as a part of our community.
As we look into the coming weeks, I would just remind you that the weather is changing, so please ensure that your student is dressed for the weather. Temperatures will drop and the rain will be plentiful in the coming week!
VIP Day has a date! Our Fall VIP Day will be on October 22. As per usual, each student is allowed two VIPs to attend with them. There will be a light breakfast in the gym, starting at drop off, followed by Mass together at 8:15am. More details will be announced in the coming weeks!
A couple of quick announcements!
If your student is going to be out, please call Ms. Lori or Mr. T to let us know. If you are changing your breakfast or lunch choice, please send Ms. Lori or Mr. T a message on ClassDojo before 7:00am. If your student is exhibiting symptoms like sore throat, vomiting, or fever, please call them out. They must be fever & vomit free for 24 hours before returning to school.
Please make sure that your student has a snack packed for every day of school. If your student is in ASC, please ensure there are two snacks packed and labelled properly.
Have a fantastic weekend!
Mr. T
K3 - On Tuesday, to prepare for our upcoming Art project, everyone put on their Engineering hats to "Explore" water. Mrs. Kolaske started by leading a discussion about water - How does it look and feel, and what does it do? Students answered with the words - it's rain, it's blue, and it's wet. Next, Mrs. Kolaske asked students what would happen if she placed a pink "person" into some water? A few students thought nothing would happen, others thought it would change colors, and one said it would get wet. Everyone was surprised when it "grew" and became larger, turning into a sponge filled with water. Students then went to their tables to try the experiment on their own. Squeezing the water out of their sponge boys and girls was definitely a hit! Thanks to Home and School, our class was introduced to new writing and drawing tablets during Centers this week. These LCD writing tablets are similar to an Etch A Sketch, but they are erased when the child pushes the garbage can delete button. This will help students prepare for using a tablet next year without any extra screen time while giving them another opportunity to improve their fine motor skills.
K4 - This week, in 4K, students continued learning about patterns. They would look at an AB pattern and determine which color came next. Then, the next pattern would change to an ABC and then to ABBA pattern. To wrap up the week, students would work with a partner and create their own patterns.
K5 -We have finished our first topic in Math! This week and next, we will be comparing numbers 0-5. We will tell whether one group is equal, greater than or less than another group by matching, using objects, drawings, and numbers to compare.
1st grade - This week we continue to learn about sounds, sound waves and light waves. Students learned about green screens and how people use them to present the weather. They also discovered how prisms work. Today students use binoculars to look around the earth and see different colors.
2nd & 3rd grade - We have finished our first topic in Math! This week and next, we will be comparing numbers 0-5. We will tell whether one group is equal, greater than or less than another group by matching, using objects, drawings, and numbers to compare.
We will begin having monthly popcorn sales. The sale will be held the last Friday of every month starting in September. Cost is $10.00 for the whole school year. Envelopes will be sent home in early September.
Here is the breakfast menu for September.
Here is the lunch menu for September.
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 K3 - 2nd grade. The students will get to pick either chocolate or white milk. Thank you.
Our lunches are all served as kid friendly as possible. For example, if the menu says Orange Chicken, everything will be served separately. Basically it will be served as chicken nuggets with the option of dipping it in the orange sauce. We 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 to let her know. 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 Tuesday, September 15th 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, and art. 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.