Religion

The Catholic Schools of the Archdiocese of Seattle participate in the mission of the Catholic Church and endeavor to lead students to a full and ever deepening realization of God's love for them.  St. Thomas More School is a community of faith in which the Christian message, the experience of community, worship and social concern are integrated in the total experience of each student.

St. Thomas More students learn to:

• Value prayer, celebrate the sacraments, and understand the liturgies throughout the church year.
• Become knowledgeable in Church doctrine and participate in the rich traditions of their faith.
• Know and revere the Bible and its teachings.
• Establish respectful relationships with all persons because they are children of God and are members of a Faith community.
• Be responsible stewards of all of God's creations.
• Reflect the values of the Gospel in their actions and words.
• Express their knowledge of the social teachings of the Church by serving others.

Even beyond the formal instruction in the Faith, it is expected that a religious view of life will be integrated into every aspect of the student's education.

Math

The Math curriculum was evaluated in 1998-1999 to meet the criteria established by the Washington State Commission on Student Learning.  New textbooks were adopted as a result of this review.  Students receive a comprehensive, balanced curriculum in all grades which allows them to be actively involved in the learning process, encouraging the development of mathematical thinkers with a broad range of skills.

The teachers ensure that the students make regular and routine use of technology and other tools to pursue mathematical investigations.  They provide the students with opportunities to use reasoning, analyze situations, predict results, draw conclusions, and verify results.

Students learn to communicate their knowledge of math in every day language.  They incorporate problem-solving techniques in other disciplines including real-life situations.  Our goal is to provide learning opportunities that will engage the students' interest while teaching them to connect various facets of math as a cohesive body of knowledge rather than separate facts or skills.

Science

The Science curriculum was reviewed and updated in 1996.  The focus at that time was to bring more elements of physical science into our program since we already had a strong life and earth science emphasis.  A variety of hands-on units such as "Matter and Magnets", "Pushes and Pulls", and "Light and Sound" were added to the science curriculum.

As part of the 7th and 8th grade curriculum, the students enjoy the use of our school science lab.  It is fully equipped with glassware, balances, microscopes, stereoscopes, Bunsen burners, sinks and lab work space.  The students have many opportunities to develop strong lab skills and learn the Scientific Method.  The students also run long-term science experiments using live animals through the Washington State Dairy Council.

As educators we encourage creative and innovative thinking by introducing new concepts in science.  It is our hope that the science curriculum will open new horizons to our students and give them a better understanding of the world in which they live.

Language Arts

The mission of the Language Arts curriculum of the Archdiocese of Seattle is to enable the students to comprehend, compose, and communicate using language conventions learned through reading, writing, listening, and speaking.

Students learn an appreciation of language and reading through programs developed specifically for each grade level.  Teachers create an atmosphere that values reading, writing, listening, and speaking as life-long processes.  The program is integrated throughout all subjects, enabling the students to acquire skills and strategies for reading comprehension in a variety of forms.

STMS adopted the Six Traits of Writing curriculum to enrich the Reading/Language Arts program at our school.  The students are taught skills and strategies for effective writing through a process of breaking down language into six primary areas.

As educators, the teachers strive to be role models and to be well informed on literacy practices.  They involve, educate and support parents in the literacy development of students, and encourage the parents to be models of effective literacy.

Social Studies

The Social Studies curriculum is currently being evaluated at both the school and Archdiocesan level.  The goal is to meet new bench marks set by the National Council for the Social Studies.  Part of this program includes the adoption of new text books.

Students are given a comprehensive curriculum to ensure they understand their place in the world, nation, state and their community.  This is accomplished by incorporating various aspects of Social Studies:  history, geography, economics and sociology within each discipline with age- appropriate skills.  This allows students to make predictions, draw conclusions and analyze situations in history and in current events.

Encouraging the students to interpret their knowledge of Social Studies, then incorporate it into their every day life is the goal of our program.  In today's world, it is not enough for children to have an awareness of their local community.  They must learn to be world thinkers.  As technology brings other countries closer to our children, they must be prepared to meet that challenge with knowledge and understanding.

Computers

Teachers: Mrs. Jill Hetzler and
Mr. Glen Bradburn

he primary focus of the Computer Curriculum is to facilitate a comprehensive learning program enabling each student to acquire skills pertaining to computers and technology.  

St. Thomas More maintains a state-of-the-art computer lab that facilitates the teaching of 30+ students at a time.  Our instructor is knowledgeable in current technology, and internet access is available to the students.  

Focus areas include computer literacy, word processing skills, social and ethical awareness, and computer career awareness.  The students are encouraged to use technology to enhance their educational endeavors.  They are provided with the skills necessary to use technology effectively throughout high school, college, and in daily adult life.  

Highlights of this program include PowerPoint presentations and the monthly school newspaper.

Multi-Sensory
Learning & Tutoring

St. Thomas More offers a small group Multi-Sensory Learning (M.S.L.) Tutoring Program for grades 1 - 8.  This program is for qualifying students who are experiencing difficulty acquiring language-based skills and are unable to reach their academic potential.  

These classes are taught five days a week in small groups of eight or less students and serve as their language arts program.  It provides a sequential and simultaneous auditory, visual, and kinesthetic approach to learning.  

Reading comprehension, handwriting, phonemic awareness, decoding, spelling, grammar, written self-expression (Six trait writing), note taking, speech writing, and thinking skills are taught at the appropriate grade levels.

Music

Teacher: Mrs. Anne McNamara

The primary focus of the Music Program is to teach children to love and appreciate music of all kinds.  This is accomplished by playing instruments, singing, listening, improvising, moving and dancing to music. 

In the primary grades, students learn to match pitch, find the beat and sight-sing notes on the music staff by using hand signs.  

The intermediate classes build on these concepts by learning to read music.  They learn to play the recorder to learn absolute pitch and rhythm names.  

The Middle School takes a more intellectual approach to music appreciation.  They are encouraged to stretch themselves musically by listening to and learning about a variety of styles of music from different cultures and time periods.  

Throughout our school year, the students are taught the role of music in the Mass.  They help organize and participate in our Holy Day celebrations.

Physical Education

Teacher: Mr. Tim Feeney

The Physical Education Program aims to provide children with the opportunity to develop and maintain a level of physical fitness to fit with their own individual needs.  It provides an understanding of how to maintain fitness for a lifetime of activity.  Each child is taught to become competent in body management, develop a positive self image and be exposed to a variety of activities.  The students learn to work together as a community and support each other through fitness, wellness, sports and games.  Each year STMS participates in the North Deanery Track Meet.  Grades 1 through 3 meet at St. Mary Magdalene School and the 4th through 8th graders meet at the Everett Memorial Stadium.

Library

Teacher: Mrs. Jill Hetzler

The mission of the Catholic Library Resource Program is to help students and teachers effectively use information to develop the Christian values within the whole person.  

STM's state-of-the-art library provides information and reading material for our students and faculty in an environment that is conducive to learning.  

The librarian is responsible for selecting, maintaining, and circulating materials in a way that the students will be motivated to use the resources.  

A current knowledge of the curriculum within each grade is maintained to meet the needs of each student, along with informational resources in a full range of formats and topic areas.  

The storytelling corner provides a special atmosphere.

Speech

Teacher: Mrs. Patty Grady

The Speech Program is an integral part of the curriculum at STMS.  

Each year, a tournament is held for all students in Kindergarten through 8th grade.  

In addition, students in grades 6th - 8th are invited to participate in the Seattle Prep and Blanchet High School tournaments sponsored for students within the Archdiocese.  

As a result of these programs, our students not only feel prepared for High School, but can also speak with ease in front of their peers and larger groups within the community.  

The self-confidence provided by this program benefits our students throughout their lives.