St. Stephen Catholic School
August 10, 2023
Important updates in this week's Tidbits
Back to School Night
Fall Ice Cream Fridays
Fall Picture Day
Spirit Wear Shop
Men's End of Summer Social
Ladies Tea
Cub Scout Meeting/Information
Principal's Points
Hello St. Stephen Families!
It is great to be back and I love seeing all the smiling faces in the morning as the children arrive at school. We had a beautiful Mass celebration with Fr. Josh yesterday and he gave a wonderful homily that connected to our theme this year, Lead Me, Lord! Fr. Josh told the students to remember the word ART in how we live our lives. God is the Author of our lives and he has a plan for each of us. Sometimes we try to write our own story but it may need Revision if we stray too far from God's plan. We must practice patience as we wait for God's plan to unfold and know that it may take Time.
If you are waiting on items from Risse Brothers, please be patient. They did just receive some items that are on backorder. If you ever need assistance, feel free to reach out to the store manager David Connelly. His email is davidc@rissebrothers.com.
I look forward to seeing everyone at Back-to-School Night on Wednesday, August 16 starting at 6:30 pm. This is an opportunity to learn more about what your child will be learning this year, classroom procedures, communicating with the teacher, and more. There will be two sessions, 6:30 and 7:15. This will allow you to visit more than one class if you have multiple children.
Remember that this weekend is Holy Card Uniform weekend. Have your child wear his uniform to Mass this weekend, receive a holy card from the priest, then show it to his teacher on Monday for a free dress day. Students will have also received their envelopes by then and should bring them to Mass with their donation or note about how they gave of their time and talent. They can also just include a prayer for someone in their envelope. Just a reminder that the children's envelopes do not count for Mass attendance. We still need the family envelope to be dropped in the basket to verify attendance. If you can make it to the 9:30 am Mass on Sunday, that Mass is our official Back-to-School Mass and I hope to see you there!
Peace,
Linda Umoh
Our first day of School was a great success! Students were welcomed by all three of our amazing priests as well as our new security officer, Officer John, who comes to us from Trademark Security. We are all very happy to have him here and he is getting to know all your children as he greets them every day with his smile. John has 11 years of experience providing executive protection and security at events, in corporations, and government facilities, and also for schools. He continues to update his knowledge with ongoing technical and active shooter training. Please join me in welcoming him to our school.
BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT
Wednesday, August 16, 2023
Two Sessions 6:30 and 7:15
Upcoming Events
August 12-13 Holy Card Uniform Weekend
August 13 - Back to School Mass 9:30 am
August 14 - Holy Card Free Dress
August 16 - Back to School Night 6:30 pm
August 17 - Student Fall Pictures
August 21-24 - Fall i-Ready Testing
August 25 - No School, Parish Retreat
August 28-31 - Fall Mustang Writes
September 1 - Jean Day
September 1 - Noon Dismissal
September 4 - No School, Labor Day
PikMyKid App Information
Welcome to another year with PikMyKid! For our new families, this is an app that you will use during afternoon carline. All new families must have this downloaded and be registered prior to the first day of school. Please click HERE to access videos and user guides and please reach out to the Assistant Principal, Mary Gurley at mgurley@sscsfl.org if you have any trouble getting set up.
Once the school year begins, please remember you must have your cartag visible during dismissal. If you are in need of a new one, please let Mrs. Gurley know.
Once the school year begins, please remember you must have your cartag visible during dismissal. If you are in need of a new one, please let Mrs. Gurley know.
Fall Ice Cream Fridays
I scream, you scream Ice Cream Fridays!!! If you have not filled out the form that was sent by email then please use the link below if you wish for your student(s) to participate in Fall Ice Cream Fridays. Please sign up on the link no later than Friday August 11th. There will be NO additions to the ice cream list after that date except for new students. The cost is $36 for the semester which will be billed through your FACTS account.
Note: For early dismissal Fridays or when there is no school, ice cream is given on Thursday.
Sign up Link
Fall Picture Day
Spirit Wear Shop Open
The link below will take you to the SSCS Spirit Wear Store.
The store will be open 7/30 at 8AM through 8/20 at midnight.. All proceeds will help the PTCO fund activities for the students during the school year. The Spirit Wear purchased through this link is for weekend wear and only allowed to be worn in school on specific school days. The clothing purchased through this link is not part of our school uniform but can be worn to school on days considered Free Dress Pass Days and Jean Days. The weekly school newsletter(Tidbits) sent out on Thursday and the school calendar will note when there is a Jean Day or a Free Dress Pass Day. The school handbook also provides info regarding uniforms and Spirit Wear.
The info you need regarding purchasing Spirit Wear should be included in the link. If you have any questions, please reach out to ngallagher@sscsfl.org.
GOT GAMES?
Extended care is in need of games for all grades thru middle school. If you have these items and no longer need them, the children and staff in extended care would be very grateful for the donation. Please be sure the items donated are clean and have all the necessary pieces. You can drop off your games at the school office anytime. If your student brings in the donated item, please be sure it is marked for the school office.
Mustang Sports
MUSTANG SPORTS:
The first school sports of the year are girls JV and varsity volleyball and coed varsity soccer. Girls JV volleyball is for girls in fifth and sixth grade and varsity volleyball is for girls in 7th-8th grade. Coed varsity soccer is for boys and girls in 6th-8th grade.
Girls volleyball season runs from August 14-October 6. Volunteer, Vic Pistone, is coaching varsity and Coach Green is coaching JV. Participating on the volleyball teams is a 3-5 day per week commitment.
Girls volleyball season runs from August 14-October 6. Volunteer, Vic Pistone, is coaching varsity and Coach Green is coaching JV. Participating on the volleyball teams is a 3-5 day per week commitment.
Girls Volleyball Tryouts
Varsity-Monday August 14 and Tuesday August 15 from 3:00-5:30
JV-Wednesday August 16 from 3:00-5:30
Girls interested in trying out should sign up with Coach Green at PE/Health or lunch by Friday, August 11.
Coed soccer season runs from August 14-October 13. Parent volunteer, Coach Sean Heaberlin, is coaching the team this season. This is his first year coaching the Mustang soccer team. Boys and girls in 6th-8th grade are eligible to try out. Participating on the soccer team is a 3-4 day per week commitment.
Coed Soccer Tryouts
Monday August 14 3:00-4:30 and Tuesday August 15 3:00-5:30
Students interested in trying out should sign up with Coach Green at PE/Health or lunch by Friday, August 11.
All student athletes must complete and turn in to the office the Diocesan and school required sports forms before being eligible to play in the games/matches. Student athletes can practice without the forms being turned in. The physical form must be completed in full, dated, and signed by a Doctor/Physician. The FHSAA sports physical form was updated and this updated version must be used and completed. The physical form and the Diocesan consent form are available on the school website under Athletics>Forms. There is a $75 sports fee per sport. There will be a parent meeting at the beginning of each sports season to discuss all of the team requirements and procedures.
Student-athletes have their eligibility checked every Monday morning during each season. Student-athletes must maintain a 70 or above for class grades and at least a 3 for ATL to be eligible to practice and/or play in games for that week of eligibility. Please see the parent-student handbook for the complete eligibility policy.
St. Stephen participates in the Hillsborough Catholic Youth Sports League (HCYSL) with nine other Catholic schools from Hillsborough County. Girls sports are JV & varsity volleyball, JV & varsity basketball, varsity flag football, and JV & varsity track. Boys sports are coed soccer, JV & varsity track, JV & varsity basketball, and varsity flag football. The time frame for each sport is listed under the tab for that sport on the Athletics webpage.
The complete 2023 girls volleyball and coed soccer schedules are posted on the Athletics webpage.
Go Mustangs!
Coach Green
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 .
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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.