There will be no Parents Club Newsletter next week as the

school offices will be closed for Thanksgiving Break.

November 18, 2024

The Five Days of Christmas for Students

Our students are looking forward to our annual celebration of the Five Days of Christmas during the week of December 9th-13th. Each day will have a different dress theme and treat for the kids. The week will end with a visit from Santa and a blessing over the students before exams the following week.

This year we are looking for one or more parents to support each day. The supporters would be asked to work with our parents club chairs to provide financial contributions toward the supplies for each day. This is a great opportunity for parents who think they may prefer the buyout option for parent service hours. A donation of $400 would complete all ten hours or any other donation would be credited at one hour per $40.

Please contact parents club chairs Michelle Custodio P '25

or Ivy Willing P '28 to learn more about support opportunities.

End of semester exams are scheduled for December 16th through 19th. We have made a few changes this year, so please look at the document carefully. 



• Exams have been scheduled by CLASS PERIOD. So, if the schedule says Period A, students will go to their period A classroom and take their exam with their period A teacher. 
• Please note that there are some courses that do not have exams during exam week; these are listed on the document. Your student does not need to be present at school during class periods without exams. So, for example, there are no exams for lunch. If your student has lunch period D, he or she may go home after their period C exam is complete. 
• We have also adjusted the start and end times of exams. Please make note of the new times so that your student is present and ready when exams are to begin. 
• Finally, students who are absent MUST have a doctor’s note in order to be rescheduled to take a missed exam. Please refer to the handbook page 6, 7 and 8. Administration will schedule make-up exams.

You can anticipate more information about exams in the coming weeks. Semester exams are an important measure of what students know and are able to do, and the results help guide our teachers in improving their instructional practices. Thank you for your continued commitment to academic excellence as we go through this process! 

Parent Service Hour Opportunities

The opportunities listed in this section can help you fulfill your

 requirement 10 hours of service. Sign up today to get involved!

Cross & Shield Gala

Join the 2025 Cross & Shield Gala Committee!

We’re seeking dedicated parents to be a member of our Gala committee as the Program Ads Chair for the upcoming Gala. Position Highlights:

• Program Ads Chair: Take charge of program ads, which help highlight our school community while generating revenue. This role is perfect for someone organized and creative who enjoys working with local businesses and families.

If you’re ready to make a lasting impact at Tampa Catholic, consider stepping up as a Chair. We’re excited to welcome passionate and engaged parents like you to our team. Let’s make this year’s Gala unforgettable—together!

Please email Courtney Frisch if you are interested in helping

or have additional questions.

Faculty and Staff Christmas Luncheon Support

Your parents club planning committee is hard at work getting ready for our annual faculty and staff Christmas luncheon on December 20th. We can use some help decorating the day before then setting up, serving and cleaning up on the day of the luncheon.

Please consider signing up for one of the shifts on X2VOL to help make this an unforgettable event for our teachers and staff.

You can also make a donation by purchasing from this Amazon Registry.

If interested, please contact Meghan Dickerson.

Campus Ministry's Charitable Christmas

Mr. Mulligan and the Campus Ministry team are working on Charitable Christmas, an event where they will have a prayer service to begin the Advent season then process the cafeteria to work on a project for a charity. Purchasing items from their Sign-up Genius will ensure the success of the evening.

Donate Gift Cards for Faculty and Staff

Black Friday gift card bonuses and promotions are around the corner and it's a great time to purchase some to donate to our annual collection for the faculty and staff luncheon. Our goal is to provide one $25 gift card to each member of our team.

Please consider donating a $25 gift card by December 13th to one of these teacher and staff favorites: Target, Starbucks, Carrabbas, Chic-Fil-A, Dunkin Donuts, Panera, AMC Movies, Outback, Amazon, Visa, American Express, etc.

Please email Missy Vivino if you are able to assist. Enter your gift card donations & receipts in X2VOL for parent service hours.

Donation and Support Opportunities

The opportunities listed here are outreach opportunities that, while NOT counting toward parent service hours, are greatly appreciated contributions to our community.

Annual Toy Drive

Our 5th annual Blanket and Toy Drive is underway to help families of the agricultural communities in Hillsborough and Polk counties.

Please consider donating new toys from ages 1-7 to help spread a little joy this Christmas.

Donations can be dropped off in room 203 from Nov 18-Dec 11.

Another option is to purchase from the amazon wishlist. Be sure to select Tampa Catholic for the delivery address and it will be delivered right to school.

For more information please contact Señora Barragan.

Packing Material Collection for Gala Baskets

As we head into the holiday season and packages start arriving, we ask for your help collecting packing materials for our Gala baskets! Items like bubble wrap, styrofoam, and other fillers (see photo for reference) are invaluable for safely arranging our baskets. Please save these materials as you unpack and bring them to the school in the new year. Your contributions make a big difference in creating beautiful baskets for our Gala. 

Any questions, please contact the Gala Procurement Chair, Jana Jenkins.

Learn more and sign-up to serve using your X2VOL parent account.

Girls Varsity Soccer - Press Box, Admission Gate, Concessions

Wednesday, 12/4

Boys Varsity Soccer - Press Box, Admission Gate, Concessions

Tuesday, 11/19

Friday, 11/22

Athletics Parking -

Friday, 11/22

Girls Varsity Basketball - Admission Gate & Concessions

Thursday, 11/21

Friday, 11/22

All School Mass - Set-up & Breakdown

Monday, 12/9

Monday, 1/30

Thursday, 2/13

Sign up on X2VOL or send questions to Missy Vivino.

Class Parent Representatives can help you with questions that do not necessarily need the attention of a member of TC's staff, faculty or administration: Do parents attend the games? How do I add hours to X2VOL? Where do you park for a school day meeting or event?

Junior Class Representative Michelle Wolfinger and Senior Class Representative Mirna Nieves speak Spanish and are happy to communicate via phone, text or email.

La representante de la clase del tercer año, Michelle Wolfinger y la representante de la clase del cuarto año, Mirna Nieves ambas pueden comunicarse por teléfono, mensaje de texto o correo electrónico en el idioma español. 

Please contact Missy Vivino if you have any questions

LEADERSHIP

Chairpersons are working to coordinate the events and opportunities and are the main point of contact for interest in helping with any event or opportunity. General members are essential in supporting the events through in person volunteering and donations. 

Please contact Missy Vivino if you have any questions

EVENTS

Events are great opportunity to earn service hours, be part of the Crusader Family, enrich the TC community and encourage pride in our students through our dedication and service to their school.

For more information on any event, please send an email to the chair or co-chair or contact Missy Vivino.

Crusader Parent Involvement hours are tracked in X2VOL. X2VOL will allow you to join a pre-defined opportunity or to add a personal project, to upload your receipts and to keep track of your parent hours.

• Each family will have one account for tracking parent service hours. This account will be established when you enter TC and will follow you through to your youngest Crusader's graduation. There is no need to create a new account each year.

• All hours performed on behalf of Crusader Parent Involvement hours should be tracked in that parent account. The parent account and opportunities are separate from the student account and opportunities.

• As stated on page 36 of the Parent/Student Handbook, Crusader Parent Involvement hours must be performed to directly benefit Tampa Catholic High School. Working for three hours at a non-profit organization will not earn parent service hour credit, but acting as a chaperone to TC students working at a non-profit as requested by a TC faculty or staff member will earn parent service hours. Writing a check to a specific team or TC organization will not earn parent service hours, but providing a meal to a specific TC team or organization will earn parent service hours once the X2VOL entry is completed with a receipt attached.

• Authorized donations of items will be credited at a rate of one hour per $40 spent on donations. A receipt must be attached to X2VOL in order to be credited for a donation.

• All opportunities during the school day or involving direct contact with the students require a valid Safe Environment Certification and background check.

• All parent service hours are due on or before April 7, 2025.

Questions regarding parent X2VOL accounts

and activity may be directed to Missy Vivino.

Jesus was a leader. He displayed leadership par excellence and a defining part of Christ’s modeling for us was servant leadership. As our Lord was about to enter into his Passion, he washed the feet of his Apostles, communicating that ownership of authentic leadership should be coupled with humility and a desire to will the good of others. How can we actively “will the good of others” in our daily life? Perhaps by making a cup of coffee for your spouse as they rush through the morning routine. Maybe join a committee here at TC, dedicating your time and talents to our community. Consider picking up a holiday shift with your kids at local a nonprofit you are passionate about. Servant leadership can be demonstrated in so many different ways and all of it glorifies our gracious God.

If you have a submission you would like to see in the Crusader Parents

Club Newsletter, please share with Allison Munden.