St. Stephen Catholic School
February 6, 2025
Important updates in this week's Tidbits
Volunteer Opportunities
Spirit Night
Scholarship Renewal Begins February 1st
Smencils Sales
Altar Server Training
Youth Choir Sign-up
Angels 25th Gala Information & Volunteer Sign-Up
Afterschool Programs
Homeroom Mom Emails
Principal's Points
Good Afternoon St. Stephen Families!
And the winners are......
- 2nd grade for having the best Matching Monday outfits. (The class had an ice cream Sunday party yesterday.)
- 6th grade for having the highest parent attendance at the last PTCO meeting. (The class played kickball yesterday with Mrs. Gurley and Mr. Brozak during their extra recess.)
- St. Jude House for winning the Penny Wars. (Prize TBD)
- SSCS for having the Best Students!!
Last Friday, when everyone went home early, the teachers took part in a professional development from BrainTracks on Executive Function Skills. These are skills students need to begin a task, stay focused, and complete it in a timely manner. Having these skills allow students to be organized and to manage their time and emotions. The presenter gave our teachers some great information to help motivate students to be pro-active in their learning. As part of our agreement with this presenter, they are also providing a parent training in Executive Function. It will be help via a Zoom meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 19 at 6:30 pm. There are details below. You can learn more about the company at https://www.braintracks.com/ . Please plan to join in to learn more about helping your child develop these skills at home.
Helping your children to develop organizational skills can also help us keep the school day running smoothly by ensuring your child has everything they need before leaving home! Lunches, water bottles, homework, and other essentials should all be packed the night before or double-checked in the morning. This helps minimize classroom disruptions and ensures your child is fully prepared for the day ahead. Please understand that we cannot guarantee items dropped off at the office will be delivered to the classroom. There is not always someone available to make the delivery and we do not call students out of class to pick up items. We understand the occasional emergency, but it has become a daily occurrence. Thank you for your cooperation and for helping us create a great learning environment for all!
It's hard to believe, but Terra Nova testing week is almost here. Please start talking to your students about this and how they should try their best to show off what they know. Reliable data is important for making curriculum decisions and meeting the needs of our students. Click on the link below to learn more about this assessment.
Please continue to read all of Tidbits to learn about upcoming events and volunteer opportunities.
Peace,
Linda Umoh
Upcoming Events
February 3-11 - Smencil Sales
February 6 - 7th Grade Science Fair
February 7 - 6th Grade Science Fair
February 8-9 - Holy Card Uniform Weekend
February 10 - Holy Card Free Dress
February 14 - Valentine Shirt and Jean Day
February 15 - Angels Among Us Gala
February 17 - NO SCHOOL
February 18-28 - Terra Nova Testing
February 21 - End of Trimester II
February 27 - Report Card Day
Joke of the week
What happened when the wheel was invented?
See answer below.
PTCO would like to give a special thank you to Joanna McLaughlin our Spirit Night Chair! She was able to schedule the first Spirit Night this Chick Fil A location has ever hosted. Let's represent St. Stephen and show our Mustang spirit!
SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION
School Year 25-26
Step Up for Students applications for renewal and new students will be available on Saturday, February 1. EVERYONE MUST REAPPLY!
Here is some helpful information to be aware of, including a new step that families will need to complete this year:
- Application checklist: For a list of documents that may be needed when a family applies, please click here.
- Priority deadline: To ensure renewing students receive priority for the Private School Scholarship and the Unique Abilities Scholarship, families must submit their application by Wednesday, April 30. After this date, all students will be processed as "new students" due to legislative changes for this year.
- New step for families: Once a student is found eligible, the family will be asked to "Accept" or "Decline" the scholarship. Once accepted, the student's status will be updated to "Awarded." Please monitor your email for future updates about enrollment.
- Once you receive your AWARD ID Number, please send the number(s) to Gail Leung at gleung@sscsfl.org.
- Step Up is here to help: In addition to our regular hours, our team(Step Up) will be available to assist families this weekend from 9 am to 5 pm ET.
Make sure to keep an eye on your email and Step Ups social media for updates. If you haven't followed Step Up, please do so now so you can have the latest news.
Volunteer Opportunity
February Mass count is coming up, a sign-up genius link is below. This is an opportunity to earn school volunteer hours.
Angels Class Crafts
Thank you 4th grade for the meaningful photo of your hands forming hearts. A beautiful remembrance of friendship among classmates.
PK4 went way beyond expectations with this adorable picnic table. It is sure to help Angels reach their fundraising goal.
Angels Seat Reservations Available Now - Gala Information
Thank you to parents who have purchased seat reservations for the Gala. Your support of Angels is most appreciated. There is still time to go to the school website and reserve seats or select a sponsorship. We are excited that our 25th gala will be a sensational party full of surprises.
This year, we are pleased our dinner will include fish paella. Once your seats have been reserved, please notify ngallagher@sscsfl.org if you or your guests are not able to eat fish, and our caterer will gladly serve you or your guest(s) Pasta Primavera. Feel free to call the school office with any questions regarding the gala, donations, sponsorships or child care.
For Seat Reservations for the 2/15 gala, please go to the school website or use link below
Link for Reservations
Angels 25th Gala
Need Babysitting for Angels?
Many parents have asked Angels to help with watching their children while they attend the Gala on 2/15. 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. Registration and the fun 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.
Please come and enjoy the dinner, open bar, auction opportunities, music and dancing knowing your child is close by.
YEARBOOK - Custom Pages and Recognition Ads
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 has their first game on Wednesday, against St. Joseph, here at St. Stephen at 4:00pm.
The boys basketball teams open their season on Wednesday, with an away game against Mother Teresa at Mother Teresa. The varsity plays at 4:15pm and the JV at 5:15pm.
The complete girls flag football and boys basketball game schedules are posted on the school webpage under the Athletics.
GO MUSTANGS
Coach Green
The boys basketball teams open their season on Wednesday, with an away game against Mother Teresa at Mother Teresa. The varsity plays at 4:15pm and the JV at 5:15pm.
The complete girls flag football and boys basketball game schedules are posted on the school webpage under the Athletics.
GO MUSTANGS
Coach Green
Homeroom Mom Emails
ANSWER to the Joke of the Week:
It caused a revolution!
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.