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.
March 6th, 2026
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17
Hello everyone!
The month of March has quite a few exciting events for both our students and St. Sebastian community! We have the monthly Java Drive, Dine & Donate at Marco's, First Reconciliation, and Penny Wars, in addition to all of the fun they have in their school days! This week, some of our students have been studying weather and this week has certainly brought an eclectic mix of weather conditions for them to observe!
Our Home & School is having another Java Drive coming up this week on March 10th! If you didn't get a chance to pick up some coffee, I highly recommend heading over there that morning. The coffee is amazing! We also have a dine & donate coming up on March 25 & 26 at Marco's Pizza! If you order from Marco's Pizza on those days, be sure to mention the word "STEM" and/or St. Sebastian STEM Academy and they will donate 20 percent of your order to our school! The students will be decorating boxes so that they can then get their pizzas in from Marco's when they order! We appreciate our Home & School for having these Java Drives, dine & donates, and everything else they do for our school!
Just a quick reminder that the time is upon us for you to register your students for the upcoming 26-27 school year. The next open registration date timeline runs from March 2nd - March 20th. If you have any questions, please call Ms. Lori. For the non-choice parents, please remember to still sign your students up! Please reach out to Ms. Lori with your plans for next year's enrollment!
The link for the application for Racine Parent Choice Program is here.
A couple of quick reminders!
-Please remember to pack your student's snack for the day.
-Students are only allowed to bring in clear water in their water bottles. Per policy, students may not have anything added to their water in their bottle.
-Please make sure that when you pick up your student that you wait until you are called by the teacher to collect your student from the class line.
As always, thank you all for being such a huge part of this school and we are eternally grateful for each and every one of you.
Have a great weekend!
Mr. T
March 10th - Java Drive - Bring your own cup if you would like
March 10th - Home & School Meeting - 6:00pm - The Lanes
March 13th - No School
March 16th - No School
March 17th - St. Patricks Day - wear green, no pajama's
March 19th - 1st Reconciliation - After Mass
March 23-27th - Penny Wars
March 25th & 26th - Marco's Pizza - Dine and Donate
March 27th - Popcorn Sale
April 2nd - Holy Thursday
April 2nd - Easter Egg Hunt after school.
April 3rd - April 12th - Easter Break
April 13th - Classes resume
April 18th - 9:00 - 12:00 1st Communion retreat - held at St. Lucy's
April 26th - Parish Breakfast
April 24th - Popcorn Sale
May 3rd - 1st Communion - St. Sebastian Parish - 9:30 - Mass
May 25th - Memorial Day - No School
May 29th - Popcorn Sale
June 4th - Popcorn Sale
June 5th - Last Day of School - 1/2 Day- Dismissal at 11:00
3K - This week our class used and experienced water in different ways. We began the week using water to paint banners for Read Across America week. Everyone did a wonderful job remembering water, paint, and then paper! We then used water and our PLTW pipette to give our seedlings the water that they need to grow. Later in the week, our class was so excited to see and play in the water vapor as it took the form of fog. Each student had fun sharing how they drove through it on their way to school! We ended our week by counting red and blue fish along with Dr. Seuss, while using some paper ovals and triangles to create our own fish.
4K- This week in 4k, students practiced counting and measuring. Students measured various items that are living and nonliving with linking cubes and paper clips. Students also checked on the flowers they planted in class to see if they started to sprout, so far about half of the cups in class have started!
5K- We began collecting daily weather information - temperature, wind direction & speed, precipitation, and sun conditions. We will be collecting this daily for 6 weeks. We will be discussing throughout the weeks any patterns we notice.
We conducted a brief experiment on Monday to observe the effect of the Sun on different Earth materials - soil, sand, and gravel. We placed the containers in direct sunlight and in continuous shade. Then, we took the temperatures at different times of the day. What did we notice about the temperatures of the various materials in the shade compared to the sun?
1st & 2nd Grade- Hello families! We have been exploring human homes inspired by nature. Students explored homes that are made with tires, bottles, in trees, and under the ground. This biomimicry (ideas from nature) is allowing the students to design their own ideal home that is inspired by nature. Students are also learning about plant cycles and moon cycles.
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The Home and School Association has created a survey regarding the need for an after school program for next year. Please take a moment and fill out this survey. Thank you.
https://forms.gle/AEWpr5cv1nqHwEMW9
We will begin having monthly popcorn sales. The sale will be held the last Friday of every month. We will hold our next sale on Friday March 27th, the cost is $1.00. I will be sending a note and envelope home in March for our last 4 sales of the year. This way you can fill out the form and send the money back to school in the envelope. They will receive their bag of popcorn at the end of the day.
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 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, March 10th 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.
