St. Stephen Catholic School
November 30, 2023
Important updates in this week's Tidbits
Wonderland Gift Shoppe
Christmas Concert
Spirit Night
St. Nicholas Breakfast
Volunteer Opportunities
Pre Angels Gala Silent Auction
Principal's Points
Hello St. Stephen Families!
As Advent begins, we step into a season of hope and preparation. This time holds deep meaning in our faith—a period of anticipation before Christmas, inviting reflection and connection to the true essence of the season.
We're excited to share this journey with you and your children. Join us in fostering values of kindness, generosity, and faith. Whether through family discussions, shared readings, or quiet moments of contemplation, let's prepare our hearts for the joyous celebration of Jesus' birth.
Throughout Advent, we'll have special events at school. This begins with our Wonderland Gift Shoppe next Monday through Thursday followed by the Advent retreat for students next Friday.
On another joyful note, I am pleased to share that Mrs. Umoh has undergone two successful knee surgeries and is in recovery. She is thankful for your prayers and asks that you continue to lift her up as she recuperates.
Again, we are blessed with the ability to share our faith with the children and experience the joy of Advent. Let's come together in prayer and reflection, united in the anticipation of our Savior's arrival.
Peace,
Mary Gurley
Upcoming Events
December 3 - First Sunday of Advent
December 4-7 - PTCO Wonderland Gift Shoppe
December 5 - 7th Grade Science Fair
December 8 - Immaculate Conception of the Blessed
December 8 - Advent Retreat
December 9-10 - Holy Card Uniform Weekend
December 10 - Second Sunday of Advent
December 11 - Holy Card Free Dress
December 12 - 6th Grade Science Fair
December 15 - Marvelous Mustangs
December 15 - Christmas Concert
December 15 - PTCO Christmas Event
December 17 - Third Sunday of Advent
December 18-19 - Math Mid-Term Exams(Grades 7&8)
December 20 - 8:30 am Mass with Bishop Parkes
December 22 - Christmas Shirt and Jean Day
December 22 - Middle School Brunch
December 22 - Noon Dismissal (12pm)/NO AFTERNOON EXTENDED DAY CARE
December 24 - Fourth Sunday of Advent/Christmas Eve
December 25 - Christmas Day
December 25-January 5 - Christmas Holiday Break/NO SCHOOL
January 1 - Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
January 6 - Epiphany
January 8 - Students Return to School
We will be placing digital and vinyl billboard ads on eight stands on major highways throughout the Diocese, including at least one in each of our five counties. Click here to view a Google map that indicates the billboard locations.
These billboards will be seen an average of 1,677,582 times weekly and over 4 weeks, 6,750,088 times. The campaign started November 27th and continues through December 24th. The ad directs people to visit MyCatholicMass.org where they can find a list of parishes and Mass Times. We will also be inviting people to Mass on Spirit FM 90.5 and via ads on Facebook and Instagram.
Items Needed for PreK3
PreK3 needs large cleaned prescription bottles. If you have any please drop them off at the Office.
Egg Cartons Needed
The Art Department is in need of plastic 18-Count Egg Cartons. If you have any please drop them off at the Office.
Attachment for the above letter Click Here.
Jingle and Mingle Volunteers Needed
We need volunteers to help set up, run the event, and cleanup.If you are able to help volunteer please Click Here.
To make our event spectacular, we are in need of BORROWING inflatables/lights/extension cords as well as Christmas trees and a chair/bench for Santa. Items can be dropped off 12/14 or morning of 12/15. If you have any items we can borrow, please Click Here.
Christmas Spirit Has Arrived
The school looks like it is almost Christmas. Our school Christmas trees and our beautiful Nativity remind us of the magic of the holiday season.
Thanks to the many elf parent volunteers who helped decorate. Also, a special hug to Karen Biase for the refresh on all the wreaths and the PTCO for supplying the new wreath decorations.
December, 2023
Knights of
Columbus
St. Nicholas Breakfast
The Knights of Columbus Council 14048 of St. Stephen Parish will be sponsoring a deliciuos breakfast in the Family Life Center Sunday, December 10, after the 7:30 am and 9:30 am Masses.
Breakfast will include scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes, French toast, fruit, and beverages.
AND.... We expect a visit from St. Nicholas himself!
Come join us for this special annual faith community event.
The Knights of Columbus are in need of volunteers to help set up and serve for this event. If you are interested, please contact the Parish Office or Ted Russell (813-727-4071 or tedruss147@aol.com).
Volunteers Needed- Can Work From Home
If you would like to contact local businesses to set up Spirit Events, please contact ngallagher@sscsfl.org. Volunteer hours will be given for your time.
Mustang Sports
MUSTANG SPORTS:
Girls Basketball: The girls varsity basketball team lost to St. Lawrence, 41-10 and were led in scoring by Anelisse S. with 8 points. The girls JV basketball team beat St. Lawrence, 14-6, and were led in scoring by Ronette L. and Christina F. with 4 points each. The JV is undefeated, 6-0. The JV is back on the court Monday with a home against Incarnation here in the FLC at 4:15 pm. No varsity game. Both teams play their last regular season game on Tuesday against Corpus Christi at Corpus Christi. Varsity plays at 4:00 pm and the JV at 5:00 pm. The JV playoffs start next Thursday with the opponent and game site still to be determined. The semifinal and championship games are on Saturday, December 9, at Nativity. The varsity playoffs are December 11-15.
Boys Track: The boys track team has the second field event meet today at Christ the King at 4:00 pm. The second and final running and relay meet is Saturday at Jesuit from 1:30-5:00 pm. The results from the second meet will be posted in next week's Mustang sports. The varsity results from meet 1 of the boys that finished in the top 8 of their event were not in the last Tidbits.
Here are those results:
John Michael Ruiz-1st 100 (12.50), 1st 400 (59.53), 2nd Long Jump (14'1"), and T-6th High Jump (4'2")
John Michael Ruiz-1st 100 (12.50), 1st 400 (59.53), 2nd Long Jump (14'1"), and T-6th High Jump (4'2")
Ethan D'Angelo-T-7th 200 (29.15)4x100 relay-5th (1:01)
Boys JV basketball tryouts are Wednesday, December 13, and Thursday, December 14, from 3:00-5:30 pm. Boys in 5th-6th grade interested in trying out should sign up with Coach Green at PE or lunch. Boys JV basketball season runs January-February and is a 3-4 day a week commitment.
Boys varsity basketball tryouts are Wednesday, December 20, from 3:00-5:30 pm. Boys in 7th-8th grade interested in trying out should sign up with Coach Green at PE or lunch. Boys varsity basketball season runs January through the first week of March and is a 3-4 day a week commitment.
Girls varsity flag football tryouts are Tuesday, December 19, and Wednesday, December 20, from 3:00-5:30 pm. Girls in 6th-8th grade interested in trying out should sign up with Coach Green at PE or lunch.
Girls flag football season runs January through the first week of March and is a 3-4 day a week commitment.
GO MUSTANGS!
Coach Green
The Knights of Columbus Basketball Free Throw Challenge
Date: Wednesday, December 13th 2023
Time: 11:00 am to 12:35 pm
Location: FLC Gym
The Knights of Columbus Council 14084 invites ALL Boys and Girls, Ages 9 to 14 at St. Stephen School to come out and participate in the 2023 Basketball Free Throw Challenge.
Students will complete the free throw challenge in the FLC during their lunch and recess time. Parents must sign the event Entry Form before students can participate in the event. Entry Forms will be distributed from the school Office to each homeroom teacher or the attached form is below. Entry Forms can be turned in to the school office before the event on December 13th, or students can bring the signed form to the competition on the day of the event.
God Bless!!
Your points of contact are:
Anthony Basilicato Ted Russell
813-235-5582 813-727-4071
St. Stephen Basket
Bidding Starts at $100
Surprise Your Mustang with a Message Sign on "Own the Avenue"
Great for Birthdays, Congratulations, Job Well Done, Thank you, Proud of You
Easy to do.... use link below or call the school office with any questions
Own The Avenue is a year-round fundraiser for the PTCO and gives you a great way to give your child a shout out for the school community to see! Birthdays, achievements, any positive vibes and kudos are welcome, and they certainly make your student feel special!!
The sign is located on the corner of our school parking lot and will be viewed and celebrated for the entire week. A PTCO member will be responsible for putting up the sign and after the week is done, the sign will be sent home with your student for yours to keep or to reuse for a future week!
In a nutshell here’s how it works:
If you have an existing sign, the cost is $30 for the week. If we need to order a new sign, the cost is $50 for the week. Please make payments through the school’s front office. To sign up, please use the following link and more details will follow. Please note, new signs take up to 2 weeks to process and receive from our vendor. If you have additional questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to Nicole Rodriguez at nicrodriguez0722@gmail.com. Thank you in advance for your support!
IMPORTANT: Please note, this is a yearly fundraiser that is on a first come, first served basis (via SignUpGenius). For example, if you purchase a sign this year for a specific week 9-17-23 thru 9-23-23, that same week is not guaranteed to you for future years. It is required that you sign up each school year if you
wish to participate.
POSTER CONTEST
The Knights of Columbus are offering all students from K through 8th grades an opportunity to enter their annual Christmas Poster contest. Please see the fact sheet and entry form below. All entries (student name on back) must be submitted to the school office no later than 12/15.
Carl Alerta with the Knights visited with our students to talk about the Poster Contest.
Time To Clean Your Closets
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.
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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.