February 2, 2023

Important updates in this week's Tidbits

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,

Happy Catholic Schools Week! We have enjoyed all the activities this week, and Culture Day was a great success. The idea for having a culture day originally came from one of our parents, Mrs. Silva, and we tried it on a small scale this year. Students were grazing on food from around the world all day and sharing their cultures. Thank you to everyone who shared your family's recipes. Tomorrow is the best day of all when we celebrate our most valuable treasures - our students! Thank you parents for entrusting them in our care and allowing us to educate them.

Have you reserved your seats for the Angels Among Us Gala yet? I look forward to an exciting night of Rock and Roll with good food, good music, and great company. Please go to our website for details, and I hope to see many of you there.

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

Peace,

Linda Umoh

Upcoming Events

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

February 21-March 10 - Terra Nova Testing

February 22 - Ash Wednesday

February 24 - Report Card Day

March 3 - 12pm Dismissal

PikMyKid Update

Parents are not required to check in their child(ren) through the PikMyKid App in the morning. This was something utilized for remote learning during Covid and is no longer necessary.

Also note, if your child is absent, do not use the PikMyKid App to notify us. Instead, Please use this LINK on our School Website.

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

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.

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!

Angel LIVE 2023

Angels is offering seven LIVE packages for your bid on 2/11. A preview can be seen using the below link. This is in addition to over 50 silent auction baskets that are available. There is still time to get your seat reservation. Don't miss the open bar, dinner, dancing, and fun!

Thanks to all who donated and helped make Angels 2023 amazing!

Click HERE to see the seven LIVE packages.

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.

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 team lost to Mother Teresa, 19-12. The Mustang touchdowns were scored on runs by Angelina S. and Monica R. Morgan C. had an interception for the defense. The Mustangs are back on the field today against local rival Nativity at Nativity at 4:00. The girls also play Tuesday against St. Lawrence here at St. Stephen at 4:00.

Boys Basketball: The boys varsity basketball team lost to Christ the King, 53-11, and the Mustangs were led in scoring by Johnnie B. with 5 points. The varsity got their first win of the season beating Mother Teresa, 42-25. They were led in scoring by Johnnie B. with 22 points and John Michael R. with 16 points. The varsity lost to Corpus Christi, 44-33. Johnnie B. had 17 points to lead the team. The Mustangs are back on the court today against Incarnation here at St. Stephen at 4:00. NO JV game.

The boys JV basketball team lost to Christ the King, 39-1, and the team was led in scoring by Robert V. with 1 point. The Mustangs played well but lost to Mother Teresa, 20-4, and they were led in scoring by Benjamin B. and Nathan C. with 2 points each. The JV got their first win of the season beating Corpus Christi, 27-8. The JV was led in scoring by Nathan C. with 12 points.

The boys basketball teams have games Tuesday against St. Joseph (varsity only) at St. Stephen at 4:00 and Wednesday against local rival Nativity at Nativity. Varsity at 4:00 and JV at 5:00.

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!

COVID 19 Decision Tree

Click here to review COVID 19 Decision Tree

Click here for Risse Brothers uniform store.

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!

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.

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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.