St. Stephen Catholic School
January 25, 2024
Important updates in this week's Tidbits
Catholic Schools Week
PTCO General Board Meeting
Lenten Fish Fry
Yearbook Custom Pages and Recognition Ads Information
Bricks 4Kidz
Spirit Night for January
Volunteer Opportunities
Angels Invitation/Volunteer Sign-Up/Babysitting Information/Other Angel News
Principal's Points
Hello St. Stephen Families!
This Sunday marks the start of our week to celebrate Catholic Schools. We have a number of activities planned for our students and you will find all the details below in the schedule. The theme this year is Catholic Schools: United in Faith and Community and our activities are meant to show our connection to the community and dedication to service.
When you enroll a child in a Catholic school, you are not only sending them to a school where they will learn academics, you are making a choice to send your child to a place where they will be encouraged to live by Gospel values. You are also committing yourself as the parent to participate in a community that embraces these values. United in faith and community, we work together to guide the children on life's journey. During Catholic Schools Week, reflect on your involvement in our community. Are there other ways you can help us grow? How do you show others your school spirit and do you help your child have appreciation for the gift of a Catholic education that you have given them? Many say it takes a village to raise a child. In Catholic education, it takes a community to raise a child with the values and morals that will influence them throughout their lives.
Thank you to everyone who did participate in our collection of snacks and treats for First Responders. We were overwhelmed by your generosity. This was a perfect example of how we are a caring community working together to serve others. I am grateful for the support that many of you do give to our school through your time, talents, and treasures and I invite everyone to do the same.
Last week I wrote about Angels Among Us and I am including it again as the deadline to buy your tickets is drawing near. Please consider being part of our community at the Gala.
From last week:
As you know, new families are required to complete four of their twenty volunteer hours helping with our Angels Among Us Gala. There are still volunteer opportunities available but I would also like to offer another way to earn volunteer hours. This year's theme for Catholic Schools Week is United in Faith and Community. Angels Among Us is a great opportunity to meet school parents and community members as we unite to support our students. To encourage families to come out to this exciting event, each new parent in attendance will receive two volunteer hours. Because it's not only our new families we want to encourage to be united in our community, ALL parents in attendance at the event will receive two volunteer hours! If you were not able to donate to Supporting Excellence this year, the Angels Gala is another way you can help. For all families, the Angels Gala is a great opportunity to come together for a fun night united in community while supporting our students. I hope to see many of you there!
Peace,
Linda Umoh
Re-enrollment 2024-2025
(Click the links below)
Friday, January 26, is the last day to Opt Out of Continuous Enrollment. Please read the information below for more details.
Upcoming Events
January 22-26 - Winter i-Ready
January 25 - PTCO General Meeting
January 26 - Jean Day
January 26 - Middle School Social
January 27-February 2 - Catholic Schools Week
January 29-February 2 - Penny Wars
February 2 - Marvelous Mustang
February 2 - NOON Dismissal
February 5-9 - Smencil Sales
February 10 - Angels Among Us
February 10-11 - Holy Card Uniform Weekend
February 12 - Holy Card Free Dress
February 14 - Ash Wednesday
February 14 - Valentine Shirt and Jean Day
February 16 - End of Trimester II
February 18 - First Sunday of Lent
February 19 - NO SCHOOL
2024-25 School Calendar Dates
First Day of School August 12
Thanksgiving Break November 25 - 29
Christmas Break December 23 - January 3
Easter Break April 21 - 25
Catholic Schools Week
Jan. 27 - Feb. 2
Get ready to celebrate Catholic schools and show appreciation to everyone who makes it possible for our students to have the gift of a Catholic education. See the SCHEDULE for details.
Penny Wars
Jan.29-Feb. 2
The St. Stephen Chapter of the National Junior Honor Society is proud to announce the return of our yearly penny war during Catholic Schools week (January 29-February 2). Students can bring in pennies and bills to boost their class score and use silver coins to subtract from other classes. The bins will be available in the breezeway every morning from 7:30 AM-7:55 AM. The winning class or house will receive an ice cream party. Proceeds from this event will go to support our yearly service project and the San Jose Mission.
SSCS Puravida Bracelets
Puravida bracelets will be sold at the PTCO general meeting on 1/25. They are in the school colors with a cross charm and are approved to wear as part of the school uniform.
The bracelets will be sold for $16 each, cash or credit card . All proceeds will help the PTCO continue to do amazing things for our students and teachers.
Angels Among Us Invitation 2024
COME TO ANGELS
You will have the opportunity to bid on over 50 baskets ranging from opening bids of $30 to a Harry Potter First Grade Basket worth over $500. There is a basket in every price level and for everyone's interest. Baseball, soccer, golf, football, volleyball and basketball! Wine, candles, tickets to all kinds of museums and children's attractions. Angels offer it all! All the proceeds benefit the students of our amazing school!
Treat your valentine to an evening of fun, dancing and dinner. Seat reservations available on school website.
Angels Gala Volunteers Needed - Click the Link
Angels 2024 Volunteer Sign-up
Please Click Here for the attached answers to Frequently Asked Questions about the Gala.
A Home for Holiday Gifts
If holiday giving left you with gifts that are “just not you”,Angels could find the perfect home for them. Please donate any unwanted gifts, or new and unused items for the Angels auction baskets. Angels can always find a place for donated coffee, pool items, coolers, sports memorabilia, wine glasses, decorative decor, tea pots, glasses, candles, coffee cups, and gift cards. The Angels team can find a place for almost any item donated. Angels is also in need of baskets and always accepts donations of wine for volunteer hours.
If you have any questions regarding items that could be good for our silent and live auctions, please feel to contact ngallagher@sscsfl.org.
Thanks to all our very generous parents for supporting Angels Among Us each year.
Need Babysitting for Angels?
Many parents have asked Angels to help with watching their children while they attend the Gala. We recently began offering the service with a nominal charge and it was very well received. We are happy to announce sitting will be available again this year. It will be available to all SSCS students while parents attend the Gala. The children will be watched in our school building.
The nominal charge of $25 for the first child and $10 for each additional child is to compensate the school employees who have agreed to attend to the children. The child can be brought to the school office between 5:15 pm and 5:45 pm on 2/11. The party begins at 5:30 pm. Please feel free to bring water, snacks, a pillow, blanket etc.
Notify ngallagher@sscsfl.org if you plan on using the service and send a check or cash to the front office in an envelope marked for sitting services.
Please come and enjoy the dinner, open bar, auction opportunities, music and dancing knowing your child is close by.
Seat Reservations and Sponsorships are NOW available on the school website.
Yearbook Custom pages and Recognition Ads available.
Please see below.
Items Needed for PreK3
PreK3 needs large cleaned prescription bottles. If you have any please drop them off at the Office.
Mustang Sports
MUSTANG SPORTS:
This is the last week of just practice for the girls flag football and boys basketball teams before games start next week.The girls flag football team hosts two games here at St. Stephen. The Mustangs play on Tuesday against Christ the King at 4:15 pm and on Thursday against Corpus Christi at 4:00 pm.
The boys basketball teams host Villa Madonna on Tuesday here in the FLC, and they travel to play Christ the King on Thursday. The varsity games start at 4:00 pm and the JV at 5:00 pm.
The complete girls flag football and boys basketball game schedules are available on the school website under Athletics.
GO MUSTANGS
Coach Green
The boys basketball teams host Villa Madonna on Tuesday here in the FLC, and they travel to play Christ the King on Thursday. The varsity games start at 4:00 pm and the JV at 5:00 pm.
The complete girls flag football and boys basketball game schedules are available on the school website under Athletics.
GO MUSTANGS
Coach Green
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
Information about OWN THE AVENUE CLICK HERE
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.
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
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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.