September 10, 2020
Important updates in this weeks Tidbits:

Own the Avenue
Decorating team needed
Mustang Pride
Food Drive
Spirit Store
Picture day
Birthday Free Dress Pass
1 items still needed on Amazon wish list
Principal Points
Good Afternoon St. Stephen families,

Thank you to all our families for your generosity! We collected $1138 for Hurricane Relief in the Diocese of Lake Charles. Your generosity will be very much appreciated by those affected by the hurricane.

This week we had our first Mass in the church with grades 6-8. It was wonderful being back in the church with the students participating in the Eucharist and we were able to social distance and stay in cohorts. Next week we will have Mass with grades 2-5.

As the weather continues to remain hot, particularly in the afternoon, we are beginning to transition into the Family Life Center for PE. Classes have been going outside for core classes but they are always in shaded areas. Recess is the same as it has always been and students are in the sun and shade depending on where they choose to play. Having PE outside has been the challenge. Depending on the size of the class, time of day, and temperature, Coach Green will be taking students into the FLC for PE.

I have heard concerns about mosquitoes. The county did spray in the area twice during the month of August. The last time was at my request and it took place on August 27. However, it remains an issue in certain areas and I have requested that our pest control company come out and help with mosquito control. I will keep you updated on the progress.

The work in Angel's Wing continues. The roof issue has been resolved, dehumidstats are being installed and the building will be cleaned. Our hope is to be back in the building in the next couple of weeks.

I would like to share some good news. We have hired a teacher for 6th grade and MS Math and Science. Her name is Dr. Terri Schmidt. She comes with years of middle school experience in Catholic and Christian schools and we are excited for her to share her knowledge in the area of science with our students. She will start at St. Stephen on Oct. 5. In the two week interim, I will be creating the lessons and grading work. We will have a substitute teacher for the classes but I will be managing all the work. Please contact me with any questions you have during that time.

Finally, tomorrow let us all remember one of the darkest days in our country and continue to pray for peace in our nation and in the world.

Peace and Blessings,

Linda Umoh
Own the Avenue
Own The Avenue is a SSCS weekly street sign posting to celebrate birthdays or other important events in your student's life. Signs are posted Monday-Friday during the school year. You select the week you want to display the street sign. Previously ordered street signs can be posted or you may order a new sign. The cost is $30 for an existing sign and $50 for a new sign. If you are interested in reserving a week for this school year, please go to Own the Avenue.
First Grade makes a garden for Ending Racism day!
After watching a movie about colors that were not getting along, the first grade class took the lessons learned about ending racism and planted a garden where all the colors are together.
Decorating Team Needed
Moving Together to Care for Creation is the 2020 Fun Run and will be held on 11/6.

A decorating team is needed to create a fun atmosphere at the Moving Stations. If you like decorating and can help out, please contact ngallagher@sscsfl.org.  
Show your Mustang Pride!
Stop by the office today and pick up your magnetic St. Stephen bumper sticker. The decal can be purchased for $6. This is a great way to donate to our schools programming while showing off your mustang pride!
Donate to the Can Food Drive
For 175 years, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul has provided person to person services to the most vulnerable in communities throughout the United States. Our school families generously support society's efforts by donating to can food drives during the school year. The drive helps students understand their Christian responsibility to help and care for others. Please be prepared to have your student(s) help with this noteworthy cause by taking to school cans of food to donate.

Each class will be collecting the cans the week of 9/21 for delivery to SVDP on 9/25.
  COMING SOON
ONLINE MUSTANG SPIRIT STORE

Mustang sweats, t-shirts, tumblers,
baseball caps, tote bags 
    Watch for more info in the coming weeks!

Picture day
Vernon Photography will be taking school pictures on Friday, September 11, 2020. Please send your student to school in their regular uniform, red polo, red dress, or plaid jumper for PK-5 and navy polo for middle school.

Due to COVID-19, we will be paperless. You WILL NOT receive an order form. We would encourage you to pay ONLINE with a credit card at www.VernonPhoto.com/Prepay
You can also access and download our order form here. If you cannot to go online, there are order forms in the school office for you to use. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Vernon Photography directly at: Support@vernonphoto.com

We have a new "OPT-IN" feature for Parents. Click here for information regarding school pictures.
  1. Know when Picture day is coming
  2. Get links to Online Payment & Order Form Download
  3. Get coupons for pictures
  4. Get information about your pictures should school close before they are delivered due to COVID-19
  5. Opt out at any time

On Picture Day:
  1. All of our photographers and assistants will be masked
  2. We will have hand sanitizer & a mirror available
  3. We will have "steps" located at 6' apart on the floor with directions for students as they prepare for photos
  4. We will do our best to stay as "touchless" as possible.
  5. In the event we need to assist a student, we will ask for permission to help them first.
Birthday Free Dress Pass
We are offering for the 2020/2021 school year the birthday free dress pass. The pass is $5, allowing your student to have free dress one day during the month of their birth. For those with Summer birthday, the pass may be used in May. If you would like to take advantage of this, please purchase these passes at the front office.
Amazon Wish List: Please donate to help keep our students safe - Only a few more items needed!
Thanks to the generosity of many of our school families, we have already met the need in several of our grades! We still have some books left to be purchased in the grades below. Thank you for being awesome, Mustang Families!



If you use Amazon Smile, the school will get a percentage of the cost of the book as a donation.

Great Family Resources
Click Here for: Free Audible books for children and teens.

Click Here for: Wide Open School is a free collection of the best online learning experiences for kids curated by the editors at Common Sense.

Click Here for: The ultimate list of resources for families with children!
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