St. Stephen Catholic School
February 29, 2024
Important updates in this week's Tidbits
St. Vincent DePaul Lenten Food Drive
March Madness Raffle
Rice Bowls
Lenten Fish Fry
Spirit Night
Yearbook Custom Pages and Recognition Ads Information
Volunteer Opportunities
Principal's Points
Hello St. Stephen Families!
Who is ready for some March Madness?!! The Kick-off for our Spring Spirit Raffle is tomorrow. Read all of Tidbits for more details. This is your final opportunity to complete your fundraising commitment of $200. The best part is that each raffle ticket is an opportunity to win $2000!
Congratulations to our two Tidbits Hidden Message winners. One parent has already won a $50 gift card to Risse Brothers and a student received Free Dress last Friday because her mom was the first to read Tidbits last week and find my hidden message. It pays to read Tidbits. You never know what you might win.
Please review the Uniform policy in the Handbook. It is important to check socks (no logos), shoes (all black but may have a white sole), skort length (no more than 2 inches above the knee), limited jewelry, no make-up, hair length and styles, etc. We appreciate you help in making sure all students are following the policy.
Finally, you should have received an email from Mrs. Gurley regarding Carline and PikMyKid. Please be sure you always have your car tags, are announcing on the app when you arrive (if you pick up in the main school parking lot), and ensure that others who may be picking up for you know the procedures. All this helps to move our carline along faster, more efficiently, and ensures safety of the children.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Peace,
Linda Umoh
Re-enrollment 2024-2025
(Click the links below)
Upcoming Events
February 20-March 7 - Terra Nova Testing
March 1 - Marvelous Mustang
March 1 - NOON Dismissal
March 1 - Parent/Teacher Conferences
March 1-21 - Spirit Raffle
March 3 - Third Sunday of Lent
March 10 - Fourth Sunday of Lent
March 9-10 - Holy Card Uniform Weekend
March 11 - NO SCHOOL
March 12 - Holy Card Free Dress
March 13-15 - Nature's Classroom
March 15 - Green Shirt and Jean Day
March 17 - Fifth Sunday of Lent
March 19 - Spring Picture Day
March 22 - Living Stations at the Church
March 24 - Palm Sunday
March 28 - Holy Thursday
March 28 - Living Stations
March 28 - NOON Dismissal
March 28 - NO AFTERNOON EXTENDED DAY CARE
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
March Madness Spring Raffle will kick off this Friday March 1st with a Pep Rally in the FLC at 11:30am. Parents are welcome to join!! The Pep Rally will be followed by Noon Dismissal.
Weekly Prize Drawings starting at $300, up to the grand prize drawing of $2,000
1 ticket - $10
3 tickets - $25
13 Tickets - $100
This year there will be 4 drawings for your chance to win.
1st Drawing: March 8th - $300
2nd Drawing: March 15th - $300
3rd Drawing: March 18th – Mystery Amount
Final Drawing: March 21st at the Dads vs Students Basketball Game - $2,000
Winners will be drawn during the SSCS Morning show on Facebook Live on 3/8, 3/15, 3/18 and live on 3/21 during our Dads vs Students Basketball game in FLC at 3:15pm
This is your last opportunity to contribute to your required annual $200 commitment to the school this year!
So, get your tickets starting tomorrow!!
Tickets will be available starting Friday March 1st. Please visit the School Website to purchase your tickets!
We hope you can join us Friday at our Pep Rally!!
March Madness Volunteers Needed
SSCS PTCO is looking for parent volunteers for the March Madness events! Click the link below to sign up for events such as the Pep Rally, Fish Fry, Slam Dunk Competition, and the Dad vs Student Basketball Game! Enjoy the fun and earn volunteer hours at the same time!
Angels Among Us 2024 exceeded their fundraising goal because of everyone who volunteered their time, donated wine and gifts, purchased a seat reservation, attended and supported the gala, contributed to the class basket, or helped with a class craft. It was a labor of love for so many ! Applause to our PTCO Room Moms for their amazing efforts with class crafts that raised over $1200 and class baskets that raised over $8000. Please check out the school website to see the gala program, our sponsors, photos and so much more......
The Tradition of Angels Among Us Continues
CHEERS To 2025
Save 2/15/2025 to Join in Celebrating 25 Years
Items Needed for PreK3
PreK3 needs large cleaned prescription bottles. If you have any please drop them off at the Office.
PTCO NOMINATIONS ARE COMING SOON!
It is time once again to be thinking about running for a position on the PTCO Executive Board for the 2024-25 School Year. Please consider what you or someone you know can contribute to the St. Stephen PTCO and nominate yourself or someone else (with their permission) for one of the open positions.
The positions are:
President Social/Hospitality Coordinator
Vice President Fundraising Coordinator
Secretary School Life Coordinator
Treasurer
In order to run for President, you must be a current PTCO Board member. Please contact Nicki Gallagher at ngallagher@sscsfl.org for more information or check out the By-Laws on the PTCO page on our school website https://www.sscsfl.org/ptco Nomination forms will be available in Tidbits in the next few weeks.
Rice Bowls
Your child recently brought home a CRS Rice Bowl to practice almsgiving during Lent. These rice bowls raise funds for families in poor and underdeveloped countries. The students have been learning in their classrooms about the countries CRS has chosen to receive the funds this year. The rice bowls are due March 22. May this Lenten season be a time of growth in our faith as we practice more praying, fasting, and almsgiving.
Yearbook Custom pages and Recognition Ads available.
Please see below.
Mustang Sports
MUSTANG SPORTS:
Girls Flag Football: The Mustangs beat Villa Madonna, 34-0, in the quarterfinals. Morgan C. had three touchdowns, one interception return, one rushing and one receiving. Megan A. and Anelisse S. had a TD catch. The defensive shutout was led by six interceptions. Amelia B. had two, and Anelisse S., Morgan C., Apple M., and Leah M. each had one. The Mustangs played yesterday in the semifinals against Mother Teresa and the result will be in next week's sports. The championship game is today at 4:15 pm.
Boys Basketball: The varsity lost in the quarterfinals to St. Lawrence, 43-30, and they were led in scoring by John Michael R. with 21 points. The JV also lost in the quarterfinals to St. Lawrence, 33-4, and they were led in scoring by Justyn L. and Kellan B. with 2 points each. The boys basketball season is over.
Girls track season starts Tuesday, March 12, from 3:00-4:30 pm. Girls in 5th-8th grade interested in participating should sign up with Coach Green by Friday, March 8. Girls can sign up at lunch or PE/Health class. Parent volunteer, Jenn Daoud, will be coaching the team again this season. She coached the girls team for the last few years. Practices each week will be Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 3:00-4:30 pm. Practice the first week will be Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 3:00-4:30 pm.
The meet dates are as follows:
Thursday, April 11-Field Event Meet 1 at Christ the King at 4:30 pm
Thursday, April 18-Field Event Meet 2 at To Be Determined at 4:30 pm
Saturday, April 20-Running & Relay Meet 1 at Tampa Catholic at 8:00am
Saturday, April 27-Running & Relay Meet 2 at Tampa Catholic at 8:00am
Boys flag football tryouts are next week on Tuesday, March 5, and Wednesday, March 6, from 3:00-5:30 pm. Students trying out are expected to attend both days. Boys in grades 6-8 are eligible to try out and those interested in trying out should sign up with Coach Green by Monday, March 4. Players should wear cleats for tryouts if possible. The boys flag football season runs from March 5 through the first week of May, and is a 3-4 day per week commitment.
Field Day 2024 is Thursday, April 18. Grades K-4 will participate in the morning from 9:30-11:00 am and grades 5-8 will attend in the afternoon from 1:00-2:30 pm. There will be fun activity stations and an obstacle course bounce house for the students. If any parents/families 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 needs help supervising the classes for the grade K-4 session. The 8th graders supervise the activity stations for the younger classes. Help is needed running the activity stations and supervising classes for the 5th-8th group in the afternoon. Please contact Coach Green if you are interested in volunteering at Field Day 2024. Thank you.
GO MUSTANGS
Coach Green
Thursday, April 11-Field Event Meet 1 at Christ the King at 4:30 pm
Thursday, April 18-Field Event Meet 2 at To Be Determined at 4:30 pm
Saturday, April 20-Running & Relay Meet 1 at Tampa Catholic at 8:00am
Saturday, April 27-Running & Relay Meet 2 at Tampa Catholic at 8:00am
Boys flag football tryouts are next week on Tuesday, March 5, and Wednesday, March 6, from 3:00-5:30 pm. Students trying out are expected to attend both days. Boys in grades 6-8 are eligible to try out and those interested in trying out should sign up with Coach Green by Monday, March 4. Players should wear cleats for tryouts if possible. The boys flag football season runs from March 5 through the first week of May, and is a 3-4 day per week commitment.
Field Day 2024 is Thursday, April 18. Grades K-4 will participate in the morning from 9:30-11:00 am and grades 5-8 will attend in the afternoon from 1:00-2:30 pm. There will be fun activity stations and an obstacle course bounce house for the students. If any parents/families 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 needs help supervising the classes for the grade K-4 session. The 8th graders supervise the activity stations for the younger classes. Help is needed running the activity stations and supervising classes for the 5th-8th group in the afternoon. Please contact Coach Green if you are interested in volunteering at Field Day 2024. Thank you.
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.
Please Note: February Bingo has been cancelled due to church activities. March Bingo has been changed to March 12, 2024.
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!
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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.