School Information

St. Thomas More School is the ministry devoted to the spiritual and academic development of the parish children in grades kindergarten through grade eight. St. Thomas More School is accredited through the Ohio Catholic School Accrediting Association (OCSAA) and follows the prescribed course of study provided by the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. Our school partners with parents to provide each child with a nurturing learning environment. In addition to academic achievement, the school strives to develop Catholic values and a sense of commitment to the service of God, Church and neighbor.

Among private schools, the student: teacher ratio of 18:1 at St. Thomas More is the lowest in the area. Additional certified instructors complement the instructional program, providing classes in art, music, computer, and physical education. Instructional music (band) and Spanish are provided as educational options after school. Remedial reading and math instruction, as well as speech therapy, help students meet their full educational potential. These enrichment programs and special support services culminate in an atmosphere that promotes academic excellence, spiritual growth and the development of social skills. Our teachers take a personal interest in each individual child and make great effort to meet specific learning needs.

The school offers students a wide variety of enrichment, extracurricular and athletic activities to suit their diverse interests, develop leadership and social values and to strengthen our community including the following:

·         Student Council

·         School Musical Productions

·         Choir

·         Instrumental Music (Band)

·         Spanish

·         Yearbook and School Newspaper

·         Drama Club

·         The Stock Market Game

·         Olympic Day

·         Eighth Grade Class Trip to Washington, D.C.

·         Junior High Day of Renewal

·         Basketball

·         Volleyball

·         Tiger Cubs, Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts

·         Daisies, Brownies, Junior Girl Scouts

The school encourages parents to get involved and has many opportunities for parents to do so, including PTO, Boosters, and many volunteer positions. St. Thomas More is one of the few private schools in the Cincinnati area to provide “Edline”-a secure website that parents can visit to check on school events, news and activities as well as their own child’s academic progress.

For more information on what St. Thomas More School has to offer, or to arrange a personal tour, please call the school office at 753-2540, or email principal@sttm.org.

School Education Committee: The STM Education Committee serves as an advisor to the school administration. Fr. Bill Wagner, Pastor; Peg Fischer, Principal; Joe Evans, President; Kris Bartel, Dena Desrosiers, Amy Dugan, Michelle Lamping, Maggie O’Brien, and Jolene Schoettelkotte-Esz.

Contact: Peg Fischer, Principal, 513-753-2540 or at principal@sttm.org

Important Links: St. Thomas More School

Archdiocese of Cincinnati Catholic Schools

Purpose: The STM PTO promotes the welfare of the students in our school; advances the interests of the school as a “Christ centered” educational institution, creates and fosters a spirit of cooperation among parents, students and parish; and encourages active participation by the members in school affairs.

Information: The PTO Board is elected annually. Officers consist of President, Vice-President, Ways & Means; Vice-President Family Involvement; and Secretary & Treasurer. Membership includes all parents, guardians, teachers and parish members interested in the purpose of the organization and upholding Catholics principles.

PTO conducts many fundraisers throughout the year which generate many “extras” for the children including new library materials, computer lab, and field trips. The largest fundraiser is the Scrips Program in which gift certificates are purchased at face value with a percentage of the sale from the merchant going to the PTO. "PTO conducts many fundraisers throughout the year which generate provide many “extras” for the children including new library materials, computer lab, and field trips. The largest fundraiser is the Scrips Program in which gift certificates are purchased at face value with a percentage of the sale from the merchant going to the PTO." Your may order scrips by completing and clicking on the Scrips Order Form. You can email it to Lori Knight .

PTO hosts numerous receptions for many school-sponsored events. These events include new family orientation breakfast, Catholic Schools Week, teacher appreciation and the Buddy Family Program in which each new school family is assigned to a seasoned “buddy family” to assist them throughout the school year answering questions, attending events together, etc.tc "PTO hosts numerous receptions for many school-sponsored events. These events include new family orientation breakfast, Catholic schools week, teacher appreciation and the Buddy Family Program in which each new school family is assigned to a seasoned “buddy family” to assist them through out the school year answering questions, attending events together, etc."

Contacts: (Click on name to email if underlined)

President.......................................................Robyn Yates................. 513-943-4242

Vice-President Way & Mean ……................Gwen Farwick.................513-732-2485

Vice-President Family Involvement……........Doreen Noble..................513-732-3998

Secretary...……………...........................……Beth Farr….................513-753-4353

Treasurer………………………………..... Lori Knight........….........513-752-0178

Faculty Representative………….........…….Linda Ralston……........ 513-688-3615

Support our PTO Fundraising effort to raise funds for the next phase of our new Playground!

Click here for a donor form!

We welcome returning and especially new families to St. Thomas More School! We are by far the parochial school of quality and choice in the West Clermont-Union Township-Amelia area. Please call our office for more information at 513-753-2542. We will be happy to assist you!

Just click on the forms you need, complete and save the information, and send them to our school by email to principal@sttm.org, or fax them to (513)-753-2554. If you can't open the forms, please click on the Adobe Reader button and download the software:

New Student Registration Form 2008-2009

Returning Family Registration Form 2008-2009

Non-Custodial Parent Information Form Student Transfer Form

Release of School Records Form

Tuition Management Services (TMS) contract form 2008-2009

PSAS Financial Aide Form 2008-2009

List of Archdiocese of Cincinnati School Codes for PSAS

GENERAL POLICY

No student may register for school year 2008-9 unless all tuition payments for school year 2007-8 are current to Tuition Management Systems.

FEES SCHOOL YEAR 2008-2009

REGISTRATION FEES (In-Parish and Out-of-Parish)

A family who registers students in both grade school and kindergarten will pay $300.00 in fees.

DEFINITIONS

“In-Parish” is defined as a registered family of St. Thomas More Parish who regularly attends Sunday Mass at our parish as measured by the use of Sunday envelopes dropped in the collection basket. Beginning with school year 2009-2010, each family will be required to attend Sunday Mass at St. Thomas More at least 27 times during 2008 and contribute a minimum of $10 a week or $520 a year in order to continue to receive in parish tuition as noted by the use of the Sunday envelope deposited during the Offertory.

“Out-of-Parish” is defined as any school family who is not registered as members of St. Thomas More Parish, including non-Catholic families. Families will have their status changed from “In-Parish” to “Out-of-Parish” status for school year 2009-2010 based upon not meeting the Sunday Mass attendance and contribution standards during 2008.

FEE PAYMENT SCHEDULE

Registration fees are payable at the time of the registration. A school registration will not be valid until the registration fee has been paid in full and all arrangements have been made for tuition payments.

Tuition may be paid in full at time of registration or by July 15, 2008, (Option A) or through a 10-month payment plan (Option B) through Tuition Management Systems.

Option A – Payment in Full

A family may elect to pay the tuition in full at the time of registration or in three installments no later than Tuesday, July 15, 2008. The registration fee is due at the time of registration. Families will be invoiced for payment. All payments are to be made through the Finance Office.

St. Thomas More will accept a check for the full amount due, or up to three installments before July 15, 2008, or charge any amount (registration and tuition fees) on a valid Visa, MasterCard, or American Express credit card. If a credit card is used for payment, a 3% processing charge will be added to the total amount charged to cover the processing fees incurred.

Option B - Payment Over 10 Months

Families may elect to pay the tuition due over a period of ten months. The registration fee is due in full at the time of the registration by check or valid credit card (plus a 3% processing fee). Families may elect to make a down payment on the total amount due and finance the balance.

All families who elect the payment plan must complete all required sections of the St. Thomas More Payment Plan Enrollment Form from Tuition Management Services. Sections 1, 2, 3, and 4 must be completed in full. If choosing to pay using your checking or savings account, please attach a voided check. (Use a voided deposit slip for savings accounts). The Finance Office will complete the final amount due and a copy will be mailed to the family with the acceptance letter in March. A Payer’s Signature is always required. If you need additional copies of the TMS form, you may download if off the Internet at: http://www.sttm.org/school_information.htm#School_Financial_Forms_for_2008-9. The ten-month Tuition Management System payments begin in July 2008 and are completed in April 2009.

Families are to select one of two monthly payment dates: the 5^th or the 20^th of each month (Section 2).

A $35 one time Tuition Management Systems processing fee is applicable and an interest rate of 5% will be added to the total balance due. The monthly payment will be the total amount due, plus 5% interest, and the $35 processing fee divided by ten months.

Monthly payments may be made each month from a designated checking or savings account (a voided check or savings deposit slip is required). The family may also choose to charge their monthly payment on Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover with an additional 3.0% processing fee added to amount due.

Any checking, savings account, or credit card transaction returned due to insufficient funds, inadequate credit limit, or use of an invalid card, will be reported to St. Thomas More as delinquent. Each return for insufficient funds or low credit limit will be liable to pay all in bank and late fees in addition to the tuition. The family will have 14 days to correct the problem and bring the account into a current status including payment of all fees.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

Tuition aid is provided based upon the parish’s ability to do so to families who are active members of the parish and who meet income requirements. A Tuition Aid application (PSAS) must be completed and submitted by April 16, 2008 as directed with a copy of the family's 2007 federal income tax return. The aid application is then processed and a recommendation provided by late May to the pastor. Families wishing to apply for aid should do so at the time of registration. Registration will not be completed until all financial arrangements have been made. TMS contracts will not be processed until a financial aid decision has been rendered. PSAS applications must be picked up from the Business Manager in the Finance Office. Only those truly in need will be considered for assistance.

REFUNDS

OTHER

Registrations of existing students for the coming year are due in school office no later than Wednesday, February 13, 2008.

A $100 late fee will be charged for registrations submitted after February 29, 2008.

Once registration is completed, all questions or concerns related to fees, tuition or payments should be directed to the Finance Office; 513-753-2543.

Kindergarten All Day	$3,995
Kindergarten 1/2 Day	$2,160
In Parish One Child	$2,625
In Parish Two Children	$4,950
In Parish Three Children	$7,000
In Parish Four Children	$8,200
Out of Parish	$3,995