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 4th, 2026
“Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4
Hello everyone!
We completed our first full week and boy, am I proud of all of the students! They are all getting back in the swing of things and doing great things in their classrooms. We were so proud of them for how well they did in this week's Mass!
Please be aware that as the school year starts, so do the colds, coughs, and flu! Please be mindful if your student has any symptoms like a fever, cough, sore throat, or upset stomach, as we want to ensure the wellbeing of our students and staff. If you notice that your child may have a sore throat or fever, please call them out to avoid the spread of any illness or bug.
STAR testing season is upon us! Students in 5K, 1st, and 2nd/3rd grade will be taking STAR testing this upcoming week. 5K students will be tested early literacy skills, while 1st-3rd grades will be testing on math & reading skills. Please try to ensure that your student is present so they do not miss testing. I'm sure that our students will do wonderfully!
A few quick announcements!
The window for St. Sebastian Spirit Wear Store goes through September 11th. The link can be accessed here. To enter the store, type the code "STSEB26". Check out all of the cool things they have to offer!
St. Sebastian STEM Academy will be hosting a safeguarding class for families interested in being safe guarded on Wednesday September 9th at 5:30pm. The safeguarding class, upon its completion, allows its participants to be in the school for volunteering opportunities, field trips, room mom activities, after school care work, etc. I highly recommend signing up! All of the information needed to create an account and sign up for the date can be found in the Safe Environment Training/Volunteer Needs section of our newsletter.
If your student is going to be out, please call Ms. Lori to let her know, as she does attendance. If you are changing your breakfast or lunch choice, please send Ms. Lori 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.
If you plan on changing your student's breakfast or lunch selection, please let Ms. Lori know, so that she can make the proper adjustments for counts.
If you have changed your email or phone number, please reach out to Ms. Lori with those updates so that she can update your records!
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 and we will see you Tuesday!
Mr. T
Here is a link to all of our
More important dates in the link.
September 8th - Home and School Meeting 6:00 - The Lanes
September 18th- Los Mariachis Dine & Donate 4:00-9:00pm
K3 - This year in our classroom we are focusing on a smaller version of the Engineering Design Process: 1 - Explore, 2 - Create, and 3 - Improve. Over the first few weeks of school we will be exploring our school, church, classroom, and God's world around us. During Centers a few students used manipulatives to create a house, train, rollercoaster, and a city. Each student also used a paper plate, paint brush, and yellow paint to create a sun; reminding each one of us that God wants our light to shine every day just like the sun!
K4 - This week in 4K, we celebrated Skyscrapers. September 3rd is National Skyscraper Day, so this week we read a story about an owl and rabbit who kept building their houses taller and taller until they were all the way in space. Then, the class looked at real pictures of some of the tallest skyscrapers in the world, like Burj Kahlifa, the One World Trade Center, and the Willis Tower. To wrap up, students used different building toys like Legos and Jenga blocks to see how tall they could build a tower with them.
K5 - This week we are learning to count, represent, draw, and write numbers 1-5.
1st grade - We have had a very busy week. This week we are working on a project called, "Saving Fred". Fred is a worm (gummy) that was on an adventure on his boat and he fell off his boat. The goal is for your student to put his life preserver on (gummy lifesavers) without using their hands. They get to use paper clips instead. This is a great team building activity for our classroom. Students are working together and creating a plan on how to save Fred.
2nd & 3rd grade - Our class is off to a wonderful year learning about Habitats around the world and what animals live within those Habitats. This past week we learned about the Polar Region, the Desert, the Ocean, Rainforest and Wetlands. Once this Unit is completed our class will then take what we learned and turn it into a class book. Fun things are happening in 2/3 grade. :)
Are you looking for more than just a job? At Siena Catholic Schools of Racine, we believe that education is a vocation. We are seeking dedicated, passionate professionals to join our community of faith and academic excellence for the 2026-27 school year.
Our seven schools are vibrant communities where we integrate faith into every aspect of learning, helping students become who God created them to be. Join us!
Visit tinyurl.com/sienacareers
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 August.
Here is the lunch menu for August.
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 8th 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.
