St. Stephen Catholic School
May 4, 2023
Important updates in this week's Tidbits
Step Up Scholarship Renewal Information
Talent Show Information
Cereal Drive
Spirit Night
Spring Concert Information
Vacation Summer Bible Study Signup
Robotics Summer Camp
Summer Sports Camps
Theatre Summer Camp
Nature's Classroom Summer Camp
Principal's Points
Good Afternoon St. Stephen Families,
Xenophobia is the fear of the unfamiliar. It is that fear that leads to most prejudices and one way to fight prejudice and discrimination is through education to dispel untruths and release us from fear.
In 2010, World Interfaith Harmony Week came about as a result of a United Nations resolution for a worldwide week of interfaith harmony. The message is to promote tolerance among followers of the three monotheistic faiths and all the world's religions. It also seeks to promote the common basis of "Love of God and Love of Neighbor" among religions to safeguard world peace. Its message invites everyone and excludes no one. It is a message that takes away fear.
In 2017, St. Stephen hosted the first Interfaith Day, bringing together 8th-grade students from Christian, Hebrew, and Islamic schools. On that day, students learned that we all trace our roots to Abraham, worship the same God, and share many of the same beliefs. Those shared beliefs bring us all together, and students came to understand that we are more alike than different, and we are all called by God to act with peace, justice, kindness, and love and help others do the same. That day was a celebration of our commonalities and differences. Students made new friends and developed a new respect for others who worship differently than they do. We continued this tradition until the arrival of COVID when this event was put on pause.
In February 2019, Pope Francis and Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of al-Azhar (leader in Sunni Islam) signed a historic declaration calling for peace between nations, religions, and races called the “Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together.” The document asks people of all faiths and cultures to spread the values of peace, justice, goodness, beauty, human fraternity, and coexistence. It attests that freedom is the right of every person and that life is a gift from God that should be treasured and protected. This document supports our mission to continue the tradition of Interfaith opportunities and I am happy to report that Interfaith Day is back!
Today, our brothers and sisters at Universal Academy have invited us to join them for the Fourth Annual Interfaith Day. Students will once again join Jewish and Muslim students for a day of discovery and new understanding. Please keep all these students in your prayers.
Thank you and have a wonderful rest of the week.
Peace,
Linda Umoh
Interfaith Day 2023
"World Interfaith Harmony Week celebrates the principles of tolerance and respect for the other that are deeply rooted in the world’s major religions. The observance is also a summons to solidarity in the face of those who spread misunderstanding and mistrust."
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
Message for World Interfaith Harmony Week
Upcoming Events
May 1 - 4 i-Ready Testing
May 1 - 4 Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week
May 3 May Crowning
May 5 No School
May 8 - 11 Spring Mustang Writes
May 10 - 11 Math Final Exam Grade 8
May 13 - 14 Holy Card Uniform Weekend
May 14 Mother's Day
May 15 Holy Card Free Dress Day
May 15 - 16 8th Grade Trip to St. Augustine
May 18 Graduation Brunch
May 19 Last Day of School for PreK/Noon Dismissal
May 19 8th Grade Graduation @ 6:30pm
May 22 - 23 Math Final Exam - Gr. 6 & 7
May 26 End of Year Celebration
May 26 Last Day of School/12pm (Noon) Dismissal - NO AFTERNOON EXTENDED DAY CARE
Step Up Scholarship Parents
An email was sent to you from Step Up to RENEW your students scholarship. Below is the example of the start of the email. Please Renew ASAP.
SSCS 2023 Talent Show
The SSCS Talent Show will be held in the FLC on Thursday, May 25th AT 1:00 PM. Auditions for the talent show will be held on Thursday, May 4th after school in Mrs. Stanley's classroom until 4:30 pm. If you would like to audition, please fill out the Google Form and submit it to Mrs. Stanley by Tuesday, May 2nd. Pick up after auditions will be at the Angel's Wing gate at 4:30. Please bring any props or music you need to the audition or email your music to Mrs. Stanley at hstanley@sscsfl.org. I will need a digital copy of your music for you to perform. Thank you and I look forward to a successful talent show! Please email me if you have any questions.
Click HERE for the Application Link.
Click HERE for the Application Link.
Cereal Drive
Middle School will be hosting a "Cereal Drive" from May 2 - May 9. All cereal donated will go to Feeding Tampa Bay. Donated cereal should be one of the healthy cereals such as Cheerios, Rice Chex, Mini Wheats, or Wheaties. After May 9 at a date to be determined, HR teachers will line up all the donated cereal boxes in the hall outside their classroom and create a domino line. The domino line will start in the Angel's Wing, go down the stairs, through the breezeway, and down the main building hallway all the way to the front office. Students will receive a lottery ticket for each box of cereal donated. The winner of the lottery will be the one to push the first box of cereal and start the "Cereal Dominoes." Students will receive one lottery ticket for EACH box of cereal they donate. So if they donate 5 boxes of cereal, they will receive 5 lottery tickets. Additionally, the homeroom class with the most cereal donated will win an ice cream party!
Congrats to SSCS Alumni being inducted into NHS at Riverview HS
From Left to Right: Angel R., Daniela J., and Aubrey C.
SPRING CONCERT INFORMATION
Date: Friday, May 12th, 2023
Time: 6:30 pm. Please have Students ARRIVE no later than 6:00 pm.
Time: 6:30 pm. Please have Students ARRIVE no later than 6:00 pm.
Where: FLC
Dress Code (students) : All black, black & white or all white. Students are allowed to accessorize their outfits with other colors.
Example, for boys can be a tie, pocket square, vest… etc. Girls can wear floral print dresses or blouses as long as the canvas are black or white.
Grades that will be performing: 4th - 8th
Concert theme: Music selections from broadway musical “the sound of music” among others.
*Special performance lead by the St. Stephen’s Catholic School vocal ensemble (select students from 5th - 8th )
Registration Now Open!
St. Stephen Catholic Church
Vacation Bible School -
Date: June 12-16, 2023
Vacation Bible School -
Date: June 12-16, 2023
Time: 9:30 – 12:30 pm
·Location: Family Life Center
Graduating High School Seniors - College Scholarship
Mustang Sports
MUSTANG SPORTS:
Girls Track: The girls wrapped up the track season Saturday with the second running and relay meet at Tampa Catholic. All of the Mustang runners did a great job. The varsity placed 7th overall while the JV tied for 3rd overall. Here are the girls who placed in the top 8 of their event and scored points for the team. JV -Alannah M. 4th 100(15.46) & 6th 400(1:23), Sofia R. 5th 400(1:22) & 5th 200(34.15), Francine A. 8th 100(16.18), Gabby H. 4th 200(34.06), Ronette L. 5th 100(15.92), Arianna G. 8th 800(3:35), 4x100 Relay Team 1 3rd(1:06), 4x100 Relay Team 2 4th(1:07), 4x200 Relay 7th(2:32), and 4x400 Relay 3rd(6:06).
Varsity -Kaylee C. 3rd 400(1:10), Karly L. 5th 200(30.40), Alexis J. 4th 400(1:11) & 1st 800(3:01), Angelina S. 5th 400(1:12) & 7th 100(15:12), 4x100 Relay 6th(1:02), and 4x400 Relay 2nd (5:18).
The second field event meet was on April 22. Here are the Mustangs that placed in the top 8 of their event.
JV -Alannah M. 4th Long Jump(11'4"), Sofia R. T6th Long Jump(11'), and Francine A. T6th Long Jump (11')
Varsity -Kaylee C. 7th High Jump(3'10")
Good season Mustangs.
Varsity -Kaylee C. 3rd 400(1:10), Karly L. 5th 200(30.40), Alexis J. 4th 400(1:11) & 1st 800(3:01), Angelina S. 5th 400(1:12) & 7th 100(15:12), 4x100 Relay 6th(1:02), and 4x400 Relay 2nd (5:18).
The second field event meet was on April 22. Here are the Mustangs that placed in the top 8 of their event.
JV -Alannah M. 4th Long Jump(11'4"), Sofia R. T6th Long Jump(11'), and Francine A. T6th Long Jump (11')
Varsity -Kaylee C. 7th High Jump(3'10")
Good season Mustangs.
Thank you to parent volunteer Coach Jenn Daoud for doing such a great job coaching the girls this season.
Boys Flag Football:The boys flag football team lost in the quarterfinals to Nativity, 19-7. Wide receiver Steven M. had a long touchdown catch and run from QB John Michael R. for the lone Mustang touchdown. The football season is over. Thank you to parent volunteer Pat M., and Mr. Eddie for coaching the team this season.
The Sports Banquet is next Wednesday, May 10 from 5:00-6:30. All student athletes and their families are invited to attend and celebrate the 2022-23 Mustang sports year. Pizza, cake, and refreshments will be provided. Please return your RSVP to the office by tomorrow, Friday, May 5.
Thank you.
Please see the St. Stephen sports summer camp info and registration in Tidbits if interested in attending basketball, volleyball, or soccer camp in July.
Go Mustangs!
Coach Green
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 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 here 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 here 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
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 here 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. For the safe environment click here for the live 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.
Like Us on Facebook and
Follow Us on Instagram
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.