November 12, 2020
Important updates in this weeks Tidbits:

Christmas Card Contest
Join Amazon Smile
Principal's Coffee Upcoming Topics
New! Monthly ESE Blog
Principal's Points
Good Afternoon St. Stephen Families,

We are sending Tidbits out a day early this week due to the unpredictability of the weather. School will be closed tomorrow due to Tropical Storm Eta.

Thank you all for making our Move Together event a total success!! We reached our goals and I appreciate how everyone supported the event. I want to give special thanks to the volunteers who came out that day and especially to the core group who worked the evening before and in the early morning the day of the event: Mandy M, Sandra G, Darren G, Carmen R, Jacquelyn M, Erin B., Brad, and Nicki G. We also want to thank Publix for donating the fruit, parents who donated crackers, lanyards, water, games, etc., St. Joseph's Children's Wellness and Safety Center, and teachers for helping to promote the event. Finally, a big shout out to the DJ, Roberto M, for spinning awesome tunes all day long! Because we reached our goals, animals are being adopted and class incentives will take place on Nov. 20.

Congratulations to our October Marvelous Mustangs!

Harper in PK Lily - 4th grade
Nolan in Kindergarten Taylor - 5th grade
Hadrian -1st grade Angelina - 6th grade
Albert - 2nd grade John - 7th grade
Jonah - 3A Alexzah - 8th grade
Gabby - 3B Addisyn - FLP
Landon A. - world lang. Audrey S. - PE
Karly L. - art Maria V. - Technology

Please read all of Tidbits as there is much exciting news being shared. As always, thank you all for your continued support.

Peace and Blessings,

Linda Umoh
Up and Coming
Nov. 16 - Christmas Card designs due
Nov. 17 - Last Day of the 1st Trimester
Nov. 20 - Jean Day
Nov. 20 - Noon Dismissal & Parent-Teacher Conferences
Nov. 24 - Report Cards Sent Home Electronically
Nov. 25-26 - Thanksgiving Holiday
Dec. 4 - All School Advent Retreat - Noon dismissal

For all event details please see SSCS Event Descriptions

Start your Christmas Shopping early. The Spirit Store will open once again on Saturday, Nov. 14. Please use the link below to place your order.

SPIRIT STORE
The 2020 SSCS Christmas Card Contest is Here!
Calling all student artists:
All students are invited to participate in the annual SSCS Christmas Card Contest. Card designs should reflect the seasons of Advent or Christmas and the birth of our Lord. Students should use a plain white 8 1/2 x 11 sheet of paper. The winning design will be printed on Christmas cards sent out by the school to individuals and schools throughout the Diocese. The student will also receive a set of 25 cards with their design to send to family and friends. All submissions should be students' original artwork and should include the student name and grade written on the back in pencil. Designs must be submitted to the front office by Monday, November 16th, 2020. Drawings sent in after that date/time will not be considered.
Angels Among Us 2021
Plan on joining in our Celebration of Family and Friends on February 13th.

Seat reservations for the Valentine Gala will be available in late December. Donations can be made anytime by contacting ngallagher@sscsfl.org. If you own a business, please consider donating a gift certificate that can be used as a prize or in our silent auction. If you have a collectible that you have grown tired of, please pass it on to Angels. Donated bottles or wine or spirits make for great prizes at the Gala..
Angels appreciates the support of school families and friends of the community.
Special thanks to Home Room Parents for helping with class crafts and class basket donations.
Black Friday is coming! 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 before you do all of your holiday shopping!
Here's how:
1. Visit 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

4. Start shopping!

5. Add a bookmark for smile.amazon.com to make it even easier to return and start your shopping at AmazonSmile
Check Your Child's Mask!
Does it fit?
Help us keep each other safe by ensuring your child's mask fits well. If the mask falls off their nose or slides down to their chin, try an adjustable mask. The CDC has listed five criteria to keep in mind when choosing a mask:
  • Face masks should fit snugly and comfortably
  • They must be secured with ties or ear loops
  • They should comprise multiple fabric layers
  • You should be able to breathe without restriction while wearing the face mask
  • You should be able to wash the face masks without causing damage or losing the face mask’s shape
FLP Families, We Want You to be a Part of the Yearbook!
FLP students and families, we want you to be part of our yearbook! Submit pictures of your FLP student this year using ReplayIt here:
See this flyer for more information.

Yearbook Recognition Ads
Yearbook recognition ads are a great way for parents, families, and friends to commemorate your student's achievements and important milestones. For more information on how to purchase your ad in theyear book please see the Yearbook Recognition flyer

Volunteers needed for the Care for Creation Committee
Volunteers are needed for our Care for Creation Green School Committee. If you have any expertise in this area we would be delighted if you could assist us. Committee meetings will be virtual.

If you have an interest in joining this team, please contact Mrs. Robles with your availability and area of expertise.
Thank You for Moving Together to Care for Creation!
Thank you to all our families for helping us reach our goal!

Because we had such outstanding participation, we raised approximately $9,800! To continue our support of caring for creation, SSCS will be adopting the following animals, each assigned to a class through a random drawing: a tiger (kindergarten), an Emperor penguin (3A), a loggerhead turtle (6th), and a blue whale (8th) through the World Wildlife Foundation.
A New Monthly Blog answering the most frequent questions about Exceptional Student Education.
Mrs. Stencel will be sharing each month about some of the most frequent questions she receives from parents. This week, Mrs. Stencel talks about accommodations including what they are and what they are not. To contact Mrs. Stencel about any questions you might have regarding your child or about our ESE program, email her at jstencel@sscsfl.org.
Principal's Coffee Schedule
Join us on Facebook Live once a month for an in-depth discussion with Mrs. Umoh and Mrs. Robles. See the schedule of topics here. Submit a question to be answered at the next event here.

Our next Live date is coming up on November 18th at 8:30 AM. Our topic will be "Getting the Most Out of Parent-Teacher Conferences, and How to Help Your Child Succeed Academically."

Public Library Haal Pass
The Haal Pass allows our students to access public library resources with just their student ID number and Pin. Students will use their student ID number (from FACTS) and their password of 4321 to log into the HCPLC.org site. This allows them to check out physical copies of books as well as digital books, audiobooks, and any other materials available from the public library. Students can also use this account to check out ebooks on Overdrive or Libby, the digital reader programs used by the public library.
SSCS Library Access
Students can now check out books from our school library! Students can sign into our library catalog using Destiny Discover and put books on hold. Books will be delivered to their classrooms after being checked out. Flexible learning students can have their books picked up at the front office.
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