St. Stephen Catholic School
February 16, 2023
Important updates in this week's Tidbits
CSTAG Application in FACTS
Ash Wednesday - Rice Bowls
Lenten Pizza Fridays
Lenten Fish Fry
Volunteer Opportunities
Personlize Yearbook
Spirit Night
Principal's Points
Good afternoon St. Stephen Families,
This is an exciting time of year when so many good things are happening. Our 8th graders are beginning to hear from the high schools this week, and we have already learned of our first scholarship winner. Congrats to Johnnie on receiving the Pope Francis scholarship to Tampa Catholic! He has been designated a Tampa Catholic Scholar – the highest distinction for exemplary students entering Tampa Catholic High School. We are very proud of Johnnie and all our 8th graders!
Our third and fourth-grade students attended the State Fair this week, and Aneila took 1st Place in best of show in the Arts category. Congratulations Anelia!
Tuesday begins Terra Nova testing for students in grades 2-8. This is the standardized test that we use to measure progress from year to year. It is very important that students are well-rested, have a good breakfast, and arrive on time. Tardy students should have a book to read and will remain in the front office until the end of that day's testing.
This morning, you should have received an email with the link to complete the School Culture Survey. Please complete the survey by Feb. 27. Your opinion matters and the information helps us celebrate our successes and understand ways to improve. You may also access the survey from here.
Due to Terra Nova testing next week, we have moved Marvelous Mustang to Friday, March 3.
Remember to read Tidbits every week to keep up-to-date on happenings at school.
Peace,
Linda Umoh
Key dates for the
2023-24 School Year
Aug. 9
First day of school
Nov. 20-24
Thanksgiving Break
Dec. 25 - Jan. 5
Christmas Break
Mar. 29 - Apr. 5
Easter Break
May 24
Last Day of School
Angels Among Us Gala
was a
Rock and Roll Success!
Thank you to everyone who made our Angels Gala a great success, from the volunteers who made it happen to everyone who generously supported the event. The event raised $105,000 for the school! This amount includes the $68,900 that was given during the Open Ask. The Open Ask takes place after all items are auctioned, and we ask those in attendance to give to the school without receiving anything in return. I am so very grateful for everyone's generosity. If you could not attend the event and would like to contribute to the Open Ask, please contact Nicki Gallagher at ngallaher@sscsfl.org or send in a check made payable to SSCS. This money will be used to renovate the Angel's Wing over the summer. Please see my email sent this morning for details about our summer project and how you can help. The money raised that night is about 1/3 of the funds needed to complete the project, and we need everyone's help. Please consider donating to this year's Open Ask.
God Bless
Linda Umoh
Upcoming Events
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
February 26 - First Day of Lent
March 3 - Marvelous Mustang
March 3 - 12pm Dismissal
March 5 - Second Day of Lent
March 6 - Spirit Raffle Fundraiser Begins
March 11-12 - Holy Card Uniform Weekend
March 12 - Third Day of Lent
March 13-14 - No School
March 15 - Holy Card Free Dress Day
March 17 - Jean Day/Green Shirt
March 19 - Fourth Day of Lent
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 below.
Ash Wednesday - Rice Bowls
Please join us for Mass next week as we celebrate Ash Wednesday. Students will receive their Catholic Relief Services Rice Bowls on Tuesday, February 21, 2023. You can read more about the program below in the attachment. Teachers will be doing activities throughout Lent to help the students understand the importance of helping others. Students should be putting money from their allowance or money they earn doing chores into the rice bowls. We ask Students to return the bowls no later than Monday, April 3, 2023.
Thank you for encouraging them to live our faith.
Click the attachment below to know the information about the inside servers.
What A Night
Angels 2023 was a dance party like no other. Elvis paid a personal visit and several other rock stars made appearances. There were poodle skirts, lots of leather, punk hair and the best rock bands of several decades represented on our very own rock star's shirts.
Enjoy the photos below!
Enjoy the photos below!
Thank You Amazing Volunteers
It takes many hands to make Angels a success. The theme may change each year, but the amazing volunteers are consistently the backbone of the event. Our wonderful parents help in so many ways with set up, break down, donations, building props, taking photos, and the list goes on and on. Each and every parent who helped contributed to the success of Angels 2023. Words of thanks do not seem adequate to express how much we appreciate our parent Angel volunteers.
Please check with Karen Biase in the office to verify your credited time for hours worked and/or wine donations.
As a special thank you to all our parents, if you are the first person to email Mrs. Umoh with the words "gift card," you will receive a $50 gift card to Risse Brothers. ONLY the winner will receive a reply, which must be received by 11:59 pm on Feb. 16. Email lumoh@sscsfl.org
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.
SSCS families:
It’s time to personalize your yearbook!
Remember, each student will receive a yearbook.
You DO NOT need to purchase a yearbook through Treering unless you would like an additional copy. See the directions below.
Mustang Sports
MUSTANG SPORTS:Girls Flag Football: The Mustangs beat Villa Madonna, 7-0. The touchdown was scored on a run by QB Angelina S. Angelina S. and Morgan C. both had interceptions to lead the defensive shutout. The girls finished the regular season with a record of 4 wins and 2 losses and the 3rd seed for the playoffs which starts on Tuesday, February 28. The Mustangs will host their quarterfinal matchup here at St. Stephen at 4:00pm with the opponent still to be determined.
Boys Basketball: The boys basketball teams have two games left in the regular season. The Mustangs are back on the court today against St. Lawrence at St. Stephen. Varsity plays at 4:00pm and JV at 5:00pm. They also host local rival Nativity on Tuesday in the FLC. Varsity at 4:00pm and JV at 5:00pm. The varsity playoffs are the week of February 27-March 4. The Mustangs opponent and gym site will be finalized this week and will be posted in next week's Tidbits sports.
St Stephen students should not be attending school sports games/matches without adult supervision. Any student attending a sports game after school must have a parent or adult with them. Students cannot be dropped off for the game/match and then picked up later.
Field Day 2023 is 6 weeks away on Wednesday, April 5. K-4 will participate in the morning from 9:30-11:00am and 5-8 will attend in the afternoon from 1:00-2:30pm. There will be activity stations and other fun things for the students. If any parents still need service hours or you would like to volunteer at Field Day please contact Coach Green as soon as possible. Parents can earn two volunteer hours per session. Coach Green will need help supervising the classes for the K-4 session. The 8th graders supervise the activity stations for the younger classes. Help is needed running the activity stations and supervising the classes for the 5th-8th group. Please contact Coach Green if you are interested in volunteering at Field Day 2023. Thank you.
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.
Summer Camp
Nature's Classroom Institute.
Summer is right around the corner, and Nature's Classroom is excited to announce that they are officially launching an NCI Summer Camp for ages 10-14.
Campers will splash, explore, and learn through hands-on experiences for a full week, June 12th- June 16th, 2023, at their Brooksville site. Details, prices, etc., can be found at: https://www.discovernci.org/florida-summer-camp
For questions, reach out to:
Britta Wood
Education Director-Florida
Nature’s Classroom Institute
682.804.2483
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 below 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 below 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.
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.
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 below to review the COVID 19 Decision Tree
Safe Environment Training and Fingerprints
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 below regarding fingerprints. Click for the live link here. Click below 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.