January 26, 2023


Important updates in this week's Tidbits


Re-Enrollment


CSTAG Application in FACTS


Catholic Schools Week


Penny Wars


Gala Information


Bricks 4 Kidz Information/Signup


Girls with Confidence



Principal's Points

Good afternoon St. Stephen Families,


Thank you for choosing St. Stephen and allowing us to help your child grow academically and spiritually. Continuous enrollment is in effect, and all students PK3-7th grade will be automatically re-enrolled for the 23-24 school year on Feb. 1. An email was sent to all families in those grades on Tuesday, Jan. 17, with information on tuition rates, financial aid, siblings, and opting out. If you are registered at a Catholic parish other than St. Stephen, you will also need to submit a new Parish Verification form to maintain your tuition rate. Please be sure to read all the documents and let me know if you have any questions.


Catholic Schools Week begins on Sunday! Please have your child wear their uniform or spirit shirt to Mass this weekend in celebration of Catholic education.


I hope to see many of you tonight at the PTCO meeting. The refreshments are always tasty, the meetings are informative, and you can WIN 2 TICKETS TO THE ANGEL'S GALA.


Remember to read Tidbits every week to keep up-to-date on happenings at school.


Peace,


Linda Umoh

Upcoming Events

January 27 - Jean Day

January 27 - Last day to Opt out of Continuous Enrollment

January 27 - 7:50am Marvelous Mustang

January 29-February 3 - Catholic Schools Week

January 30 - February 3 - Penny Wars

February 3 - Schoolwide Spelling Bee

February 3 -12 pm Dismissal

February 11- Angels Among Us Gala

February 11-12 Holy Card Uniform Weekend

February 13 - Holy Card Free Dress Day

February 14 - Jean Day Valentine Shirt

February 16 - End of Trimester II

February 17 - No School

February 20 - No School

There is now a Notary onsight now for school related items such as overnight field trips. Please contact gleung@sscsfl.org

DEADLINE TO OPT OUT IS JAN. 27

AUTOMATIC RE-ENROLLMENT IS HERE! 


Click here to learn more about opting out and adding a sibling. See Principal's Points and the email sent to all families in grades PK-7 on Tuesday, Jan. 17.

FACTS (CSTAG/Heart to Heart) Applications

2023-2024 School Year


The FACTS Application for financial assistance from the school and Diocese is open for the 2023-2024 school year. Applications and documents must be received no later than April 30, 2023, for initial consideration. Please log into your FACTS account to complete the application.


Important note: Diocesan aid is limited. Applications received after the initial consideration deadline of April 30, 2023, for the 23-24 school year maybe be subject to a reduced rate. 


For information regarding all financial assistance opportunities, please click here.

Catholic Schools Week

Jan. 29 - Feb. 3

Get ready to celebrate Catholic schools and show appreciation to everyone who makes it possible for our students to have the gift of a Catholic education. See the schedule for details.

Culture Day is February 1, 2023

Please click here for more information.

PENNY WARS

Jan. 30 - Feb. 3


National Junior Honor Society is sponsoring a Penny War during Catholic Schools Week. Funds raised will support their service project to San Jose Mission. Their goal is also to repaint the lines on the outdoor basketball court. Students bring in pennies to earn points for their class and silver/paper money to reduce points for other classes. The winning class gets an ice cream party. Let the games begin!

Please use the link below to submit questions or comments for the upcoming PTCO GENERAL MEETING that is being held on Thursday, January 26th. This form can be used to submit regardless if you are able to attend in person or not. We encourage you to submit!

Questions/Comment Form

Two weeks remaining to HELP!!!


Angels is coming quickly. Seat Reservations available on the school website as well as donations of various kinds ( gift cards, boxes of chocolate, candles, gift sets etc.) are accepted in the school office.

All new families are required to have 4 volunteer hours done with Angels. Wine valued at a minimum of $15 a bottle will be credited to your volunteer hour commitment. If you have any questions, please contact Nicki in the school office. 


Need Babysitting for Angels?


Many parents have asked Angels to help with watching their children while they attend the Gala. We began offering the service last year with a nominal charge and it was very well received. We are happy to announce sitting will be available again this year for the 2/11 Rock n Roll Party in the FLC. It will be available to all SSCS students while parents attend the Gala. The children will be watched in our school building.

The nominal charge of $25 for the first child and $10 for each additional child is to compensate the school employees who have agreed to attend to the children. The child can be brought to the school office between 5:15 and 5:45 on 2/11. The party begins at 5:30. Please feel free to bring water, snacks, a pillow, blanket etc. 

Notify ngallagher@sscsfl.org if you plan on using the service and send a check or cash to the front office in an envelope marked for sitting services.

Please come and enjoy the dinner, open bar, auction opportunities, music and dancing knowing your child is close by.

Seat Reservations and Sponsorships are available on the school website.

Only Two Weeks Away

Angels Among Us 2023  


Thank you to all room moms and parents for their donations to class baskets. This year, the baskets far exceeded prior years in creativity and size.

Please join us on 2/11 and enjoy the bidding wars. It is so much fun, win or lose! In addition to our silent auction, you can purchase a small black box for $25. Only 40 boxes will be sold and one lucky winner will have the box with a 1/2 carat diamond heart necklace. You could be the winner of the Heads or Tails game and start planning your trip to Disney World for a weekend of fun ( package donated by PRE K4).  

The music will Rock the FLC and the conversation is sure to be lively. Don't miss the party of the year. Seat reservations available on the school website. Wine and other donations continue to be accepted in the school office.

Thanks again to all who are working so hard to make this an Angels to remember.


Angels "LIVE" Offers A Week in Marco Island

Thanks to the generosity of the Gorey Family, a lucky guest will enjoy a week at Marco Island. Relax and enjoy a week at Marco Island Gem, offering two-bedrooms, two full baths on the 18th floor of South Seas Towers. With a 50’ wrap around terrace providing Southern, Eastern and Northern views, bask in the serenity that Marco Island can only bring! 

Marco Island Gem, located directly on the beach, is steps away from amenities which includes a large, beautiful swimming pool amongst shaded tiki huts. A fitness center, book library, parking garage and more. 

Angel reservations are now available on the school website.

A Visit that Made Everyone Smile 


The Angel 2023 puppy visited the school on Tuesday. Her foster Mom tells us she is truly an Angel. Sleeps through the night, enjoys her crate and really loves children. Our puppy is looking for her forever home. Please meet her on 2/11 while enjoying the Rock n Roll Dance Party.


St. Stephen Catholic Church


Fish Fry Coming Soon 2/24


Watch For Volunteer Opportunities

Job Opportunity - Extended Day Staff


We are in need of an additional extended day staff member. The hours are roughly 2 to 6 pm. Please contact Mary Gurley at mgurley@sscsfl.org if you are interested.

Mustang Sports

Girls Flag Football:  The girls flag football season got off to a great start on Tuesday. The Mustangs beat Corpus Christi, 28-6. Quarterback Angelina S. had two touchdown runs and a touchdown pass to Karina S. Monica R. also had a touchdown run and an interception on defense. The Mustangs are back on the field today with a game at Christ the King at 4:00. They also have games next week on Wednesday at Mother Teresa (4:15) and Thursday at Nativity.  


Boys Basketball:  The boys varsity basketball team lost to Villa Madonna, 50-32, and they were led in scoring by Johnnie B. with 15 points and John Michael R. with 11 points. The JV lost to Villa Madonna, 32-5, and they were led in scoring by Nathan C. with 3 points.

The Mustangs are back on the court today with a home game in the FLC against Christ the King. Varsity plays at 4:00 and the JV at 5:00. They also have games Tuesday at Mother Teresa (4:15), Wednesday at home against Corpus Christi (4:15/5:15), and Thursday against Incarnation (varsity only). 



GO MUSTANGS!


Coach Green

PTCO Mustang Book Exchange


The Mustang Book Exchange will be held on Friday, 3/31 from 1 to 3:15 in the East Hall. You are welcome to bring into the school office the books you would like to donate and you will receive a credit that can be used the day of the book exchange. Both students and parents are welcome to visit the exchange on 3/31. If your child does not have a credit, they can purchase a donated book for 25 cents. 

 PTCO Now Offers Scrip

 

   Help PTCO earn cash back from gift card purchases.


     A simple and easy way to purchase gift cards!


How does it work?


Use the Raise Right App to buy an electronic or physical gift card for hundreds of stores! The school receives a percentage of the gift card purchase! Click HERE for more information about the program. 


Many of your favorite stores and restaurants are included – Target, Walmart, Publix, Outback, Panera, and more!


Going shopping? Buy an electronic gift card for the approximate amount and use it at the check-out line! Click HERE for more information about ecards. 

 

To get started today, review the RaiseRight Enrollment using the link below and if you have questions, please contact ngallagher@sscsf.org

 

Thank you for your continued support of SSCS! We hope you find this to be an easy way to make a difference for our school.

Raise Right Enrollment


Please watch the video below to see how easy it is to purchase scrip from Raise Right.

Easy way to support the PTCO and get your Holiday Gift Cards


VIDEO for purchasing scrip from Raise Right


Alumni Updates


Attention: Current School families who have children that are SSCS Alumni



Please help us follow the success of our former students. Kindly share with us updates on how your SSCS graduate is doing in school, in their profession or in pursuing their dreams. We want to be able to congratulate our alumni when they achieve amazing 

things and wish them well when they venture into something new and exciting.

      A few lines providing name, year graduated from SSCS and update should be sent to ngallagher@sscsfl.org






Please join us for BINGO nights!
Click here for Risse Brothers uniform store.
Own the Avenue
2022-2023

We still have one date available!

04/30/23. Please sign-up using link below. 

Own The Avenue is a year-round fundraiser for the PTCO and gives you a great way to give your child a shout out for the school community to see! Birthdays, achievements, any positive vibes and kudos are welcome, and they certainly make your student feel special!


The sign is located on the corner of our school parking lot and will be viewed and celebrated for the entire week. A PTCO member will be responsible for putting up the sign, and after the week is done the sign will be sent home with your student for you to keep or to reuse for another week in the future!

How it works:


If you have an existing sign, the cost is $30 for the week. If we need to order a new sign, the cost is $50 for the week. Please make payments through the school's front office.


To sign up, please use the link below and more details will follow. Please note, new signs take up to 2 weeks to process and receive from our vendor. If you have additional questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to Maria Ayala at own.the.avenue.sscs@gmail.com.

 

Thank you in advance for your support!


IMPORTANT: Please note, this is a yearly fundraiser that is on a first come, first served basis (via

SignUpGenius). For example, if you purchase a sign this year for a specific week 9-4-22 thru 9-10-22, that same week is not guaranteed to you for future years. It is required that you sign up each school year if you wish to participate.



Sign-Up Genius Own the Avenue

Everyone needs updated safe environment training and fingerprints in order to volunteer in the school or to chaperone a field trip. Safe environment and fingerprints are good for 5 years. Attached below are the instructions on how to get your safe environment certificate and to have your fingerprints done. If you have any questions please contact Karen Biase at kbiase@sscsfl.org or call the front office at ext. 1100. Click the link for information here regarding fingerprints. Click for the live link here. Click here for more information on safe environment and click here for the link.

Check out our
Mustang News morning show!
You can join our Mustang News team each morning at 7:50 as we stream live on YouTube to begin the day with prayers, the pledge of allegiance, and news. Subscribe to our channel here.
Join Amazon Smile and help
support SSCS!
It's simple to give money back to SSCS when you shop on Amazon, and now is the perfect time to sign up!
Here's how:
1. Visit https://smile.amazon.com
2. Sign in with your Amazon.com credentials.
3. Choose a charitable organization to receive donations, or search for the charity of your choice.
4. Select your charity.
5. Start shopping!
6. Add a bookmark https://smile.amazon.com make it even easier to return and start your shopping at AmazonSmile.
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Mission Statement
St. Stephen Catholic School is devoted to inspiring students to achieve their full academic potential while demonstrating a desire to continue Jesus' mission by applying Catholic morals, beliefs, values, and practices in their everyday lives. We are committed to motivating students to sustain a lifelong love of learning.