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 11th, 2026
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” Romans 15:13
Hello Saint Families!
We have had a wonderful week here at St. Sebastian STEM Academy! Each class is doing great work, and the students are adjusting well to the new year. It has been an absolute blessing to see how the students are acclimating to their new grades! It sounds like the students are enjoying being back at school!
The students finished up their STAR testing this week. We look forward to seeing the results so we can make sure that our students are getting the specific support that they need to grow academically. Thankfully, technology cooperated with us and there were no large hurdles to clear!
One quick important announcement: if you plan on using After School Care, even if sparingly or in case of emergency, please fill out the registration form for your student(s). Once that is complete, you can utilize the ASC when you need it! If you know what days in the coming week you will need ASC, we ask that you use the calendar forms and send them back with your student. We plan on sending these home early in the week, so that they can be returned to school with the students. If you have to make changes to your student's ASC status, please let their teacher and/or Mrs. Smrekar know. Ms. Lori and I can also field messages if need be. We ask that you let us know as soon as you can so that we can relay the information and update that day's ASC roster.
A few quick announcements!
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!
Mr. T
Here is a link to all of our
More important dates in the link.
September 15th - Home and School Meeting 6:00 - The Lanes
September 18th- Los Mariachis Dine & Donate 4:00-9:00pm
K3 - This week our class continued to focus on the first two steps of the Engineering Design Process: 1 - Explore and 2 - Create. During Stem time at the end of our day on Wednesday, students used playdough to create different shapes. A few students even counted them as they cut them out! During Religion we explored our Prayer Corner and created a chart showing how tall each student is today, so that we are able to observe throughout the year how much "Closer to God" we grow.
K4 - This week, in 4k, we had fun with teddy bear counters. The class first listened to a story about sorting and counting bears. Students would then take a bear out of a basket and as a class we would sort them by color. On another day we made patterns with the bears. To end the week we used different building materials in class to make homes for the bears.
K5 - This week in Math, students learned the concept of zero (none) and continued to practice counting, drawing, reading, and writing the numbers 0 - 5.
1st grade - This week the 1st grade students are starting a Science Unit about Sound and Light. We are focusing on high and low sound, loud and soft sounds. We are exploring our own sounds that we can produce with voice. Along with how certain items are made that produce sounds. like bells for children's bicycles.
2nd & 3rd grade - 2nd/3rd graders are continuing to learn about different habitats around the world, this week we have learned about the Mountain region and Savanna. By Friday we will have finished the habitats and started to classify the different types of animals. Students also picked the animal they are going to be researching. Wild time in class!!
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 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.