Student Life
What is it like being a student at St. Thomas More School? Browse the information below and we're sure you'll find that a typical day is anything but typical.
Residential Life Philosophy and Curriculum for 2010-2011
Mission:
The goal of the Residential Life Program at St. Thomas More School is to further the total mission of the school by facilitating intellectual, social and personal growth. This will be achieved through the utilization of structured student/faculty interaction and educational programs in the residential setting.
The Residential Life Curriculum is taught in all dorms and promotes safety, tolerance, and respect for diverse human experience and expression. It provides an open forum in which students and faculty learn from one another as they discuss moral issues and dilemmas that may challenge them in their own lives and that of the STM community.
The Residential Life Curriculum in 2008 - 2009 focused on two themes: Healthy Communities and Healthy Minds. In 2009 – 2010, the Residential Life Curriculum focused on the themes of “Respect for…” and “Commitment to…”. In 2010 – 2011, the focus will be on “Growing Community” and “Growing Self.” These themes will be conveyed regularly through dorm floor meetings and advisor group sessions, and they will be re-enforced with special programs and speakers.
Frequently, individual dorm floors will gather for special meals to solidify unity. End of the year cookouts / feasts are also a yearly tradition for each dorm floor.
In addition to the Residential Life Curriculum, the school hosts numerous cultural activities throughout the year. Past events have included cultural music assemblies, Black History Month celebrations, to name a few. In 2007 – 2008, the school participated in a cultural retreat in conjunction with the Mashantucket-Pequot Tribe. In 2008, the school established the Distinguished Speaker Series. That year, Dr. Henry Lee and Congressman Joe Courtenay visited campus and spoke to our community.
To enhance community life, the chaplain conducts weekly dorm Masses. These Masses are designed to be held in a more intimate setting and offer the smaller dorm-floor communities a chance to interact.
Every winter, the school brings to campus Freedom from Chemical Dependency, an agency that conducts sessions on decision making and substance use. All eighth graders participate in an eight-week decision making program. In addition, the entire campus is invited to speak with the representatives about their own questions or concerns.
This comprehensive Residential Life Curriculum is an ongoing effort by the school to expose students to a wide range of topics and create a positive atmosphere that fosters intellectual, social and personal growth.
