April 28, 2022

Important updates in this week's Tidbits:


Book & Game Exchange
PTCO Uniform Closet
Summer Camp
Mustang Sports
Principal's Points
Good Afternoon St. Stephen Families,

This week, your child may have come home and told you about a religion test he/she took at school. As part of a pilot program in the Diocese, our students in grades 2-8 completed the ARK (Assessment of Religious Knowledge and Beliefs) test. Teachers and administrators also took the test. This assessment is not for a grade. Instead it will be used to assess how well our students know their faith and gives us insight into their beliefs about the Catholic faith. The results will be used to help plan our curriculum for next year.  

Next week is Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week. This year in particular, I am very grateful for all the hard work that everyone has put into making this a successful school year for our students. There have been many challenges, but also many joys and successes. I also wish to thank the parents who have helped us bring back many of our events and traditions that were put on hold for the past two years. Please remember to thank your child's teacher next week for all that they do. 

Peace,

Linda Umoh
Upcoming Events
April 29 - Jean Day
May 2-6 Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week
May 4-5 iReady Testing
May 6 - Marvelous Mustang
May 6 - Noon Dismissal
May 7-8 Holy Card Weekend
May 9 - Free Dress/Holy Card
May 10 - 4th Grade Field Trip
May 13 - 1st Grade Field Trip
Important Dates For The Upcoming School Year
August 8 - 1st Day of School
August 31 - No School and All church/school retreat
Nov. 21-25 Thanksgiving Holiday (Monday and Tuesday are hurricane make-up days if needed.)
Dec. 22 - Jan. 3, 2023, Christmas Holiday
April 7 - 14 Easter Holiday
May 26 - Last Day of School
Calling all 22-23 students! We are busy preparing for our next school year's theme and spirit shirts. Please fill out this form to indicate your child's t-shirt size for their 22-23 spirit shirt. Fill out one form for each child who will be attending SSCS for the 22-23 school year. Thank you! https://forms.gle/1axXgQxRfidp8AQR9
Risse Brothers 10% Off In Store Sale is coming this June! Click here for more details.
PTCO USED UNIFORM SALE
Friday, May 13th from 2-4pm

On Friday, May 13 from 2-4pm the "Uniform Closet" will be set up in the Maker Space room. Families are encouraged to take advantage of upcycling uniforms as it is friendly for the environment, and your wallet!! Bring in gently used uniforms for exchange or purchase gently used items. All uniform items other than PE uniforms (i.e. pants, skirts, polos, jackets, jumpers, etc) will be sold for $5.00 per item. PE shorts and t-shirts remain at $2.00 per item. We appreciate your continued support of the PTCO Uniform Closet!
Attention SSCS PARENTS 
Our Book & Game Exchange Is Coming!

Do you have books and games in your personal libraries and closets that are no longer an interest to your child? Then bring them into school Monday May 9 through Thursday May 12.

Here is how it will work: 
Your child will have an opportunity to shop the book exchange on Friday May 13 from noon - 4:PM. 
If you make a donation! Your children will have credit for their selected items.
If you choose not to make a donation, shop the exchange for $1 per book and/or game.  

To receive credit for your donations please check in with Karen at the front desk. There will be a cart to collect your items.

To volunteer at the Book & Game Exchange please click here.


Important UPDATED information for Scholarships

Families with a student benefiting from the following scholarship programs for the 2021-22 school year now MUST complete the “Intent to Continue” process (previously referred to as the “renewal” application) to secure their student’s scholarship for the 2022-23 school year NOW:
  • Florida Tax Credit Scholarship (FTC)
  • Family Empowerment Scholarship for Educational Options (FES-EO)
  • Family Empowerment Scholarship for Unique Abilities (FES-UA)
  • McKay Scholarship

(Applications for new families will be available in the near future.)

THIS IS A SIMPLE PROCESS: Step Up For Students families, including 2021-22 McKay families, are being notified via email that it is time to complete their “Intent to Continue.” If you experience delays using their system, please try again at a later time, as they are experiencing heavy traffic on their website. If you have any further question regarding SUFS, please contact Flo Pesquera at fpesquera@sscsfl.org.
School Lunch Program
Interest Survey

Are you interested in bringing a lunch program back to SSCS for the 2022-2023 school year? Give us your feedback by filling out this form: School Lunch Program Interest Survey.
SAVE THE DATE: June 13-17, 2022
St. Stephen Catholic Church
2022 Vacation Bible School

This Catholic VBS called Birthday Blast is an exciting PRO-LIFE-themed program where kids will learn to DISCOVER, RESPECT, PROTECT, SERVE, and CELEBRATE life. This program instills an awareness of God's amazing creation and the beauty and dignity of the human person. Kids will receive life-giving lessons on what it means to be a child of God.
Coach Green is excited to continue the tradition of summer basketball and volleyball camp here at St. Stephen Catholic School. Summer basketball camp will be from July 11-15 and summer volleyball camp will be from July 18-22.

and


If you are interested in registering for basketball camp click on the following form https://forms.gle/7TGkDYfuDrui84sJ6.

If you are interested in registering for volleyball camp click on the following form https://forms.gle/3PFrXx4uPJ2bbNVz7.
MUSTANG SPORTS
BOYS BASKETBALL:  The boys varsity basketball team lost to St Lawrence, 41-21. The Mustangs were led in scoring by John S and John Michael R with 6 points each. The Mustangs finished the regular season with a record of 2 wins and 5 losses and the 6th seed for the playoffs. The quarterfinals are on Tuesday. The Mustang opponent and game site are to be determined.

The boys JV basketball team lost to St Lawrence, 48-8 to end the season. The Mustangs were led in scoring by Hunter A with 6 points. Thank you to St Stephen alumni Brayden Mc and Jacob L for coaching the boys JV team this season. Good season Mustangs.

Coach Green is hosting the St Stephen sports camps again this summer in the FLC. Basketball camp is July 11-15 and Volleyball Camp is July 18-22. Basketball camp is 9:00-3:00 and volleyball camp is 9:00-1:00. Students and parishioners who will be in 3rd-8th grade for the 2022-23 school year are eligible to attend. Both camps are $150 and include a camp shirt. See Tidbits for more info and registration details.

GO MUSTANGS
Coach Green     
Everyone needs to be updated with their safe environment 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 atext. 1100. Click the link here for information regarding fingerprints. Click here for more information on safe environment.
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.
Summer Adventures Await At Our Lady Of Good Counsel Camp in Floral City.

This is a co-ed overnight camp that is owned and operated by the Catholic Diocese of St. Petersburg. All children 7 to 15 years of age are invited to attend the camp's 75th summer! One and two-week sessions are currently offered at affordable prices. All information is available on the camp website at www.goodcounselcamp.org or by emailing the camp director at info@goodcounselcamp.org. Please click here for the application form.
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.
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