St. Stephen Catholic School
March 27, 2025
Important updates in this week's Tidbits
March Madness Spirit Raffle
PTCO Board Nominations
Volunteer Opportunities
Scholarship Renewal Begins February 1st
Summer Reading Program
Summer Camps
Principal's Points
Good Afternoon St. Stephen Families!
It's the final countdown! Last day to purchase raffle tickets for the winning prize of $2000! Sales will end this afternoon and the winning ticket will be drawn at the end of the basketball game at approximately 4:00 pm. Good luck everyone and a big thank you to PTCO for heading up this event. We are almost at our goal so keep buying those raffle tickets.
Our PTCO has done a great job this year with events and raising money for the school. If you would like to be a part of this next year and bring your talents and ideas to the group, we would love for you to throw you name in the hat. Being a part of PTCO gives you the opportunity to be an integral part of your child's school community, work with great parents, and make new friendships. Below is more information regarding the positions and the election process. The flyer below says the due date is March 28th, however, since we were closed last week, I am extending the deadline to next Friday, April 4th, to allow everyone more time to reflect on this opportunity.
Lastly, please remember that animals are not allowed on the property unless prior permission is given for a presentation or in-school field trip. If you bring your dog to school to pick up your child or to watch a sports game, they must remain in your vehicle. This is a parish and diocesan policy that is in place for everyone's safety, including your pet. Thank you for understanding.
Peace,
Linda Umoh
2025-26 SCHOOL YEAR DATES
First Day of School August 11 Spring Break March 16-20
Thanksgiving Break Nov. 24-28 Easter April 3-6
Christmas Break Dec. 22 - Jan. 2 Last Day of School May 28
Upcoming Events
March 27 - Dads vs Varsity Basketball Game 3pm
March 28 - Marvelous Mustangs
March 31-April 7 - SVDP Food Drive
April 2-4 - Natures Classroom 7th Grade
April 10 - Field Day
April 11 - Book Exchange
April 11 - Rice Bowls Due
April 11 - Living Stations 7pm
April 12-13 - Holy Card Uniform Weekend
April 14 - Holy Card Free Dress
April 15 - PTCO General Meeting 6pm
April 17 - Holy Thursday
April 17 - Living Stations 10:30am
April 17 - Living Stations 10:30am
April 17 - Noon Dismissal
April 17 - NO EXTENDED DAY
April 18 - Good Friday
April 18-22 - Easter Break/NO SCHOOL
March Madness Video Click on the Picture below
Joke of the Week!
Why is everyone so tired on April 1?
An Act of Kindness
The St. Vincent de Paul Ministry needs our help to care for those in need in our community. Angels Outreach will be collecting canned food donations from each class through April 7. Please allow your student(s) to select one or two cans of food to donate.
"Go to the poor: you will find God” St. Vincent de Paul
"Go to the poor: you will find God” St. Vincent de Paul
Rice Bowls
Rice Bowls
As students continue their Lenten journey, hopefully they are reminded to practice almsgiving, prayer, and fasting (from things like sweets and electronics). They can practice almsgiving by donating part of their allowance or money earned from chores to the Catholic Relief Services rice bowls they brought home on Ash Wednesday.
Rice bowls are due back at school by April 11.
Thank you for encouraging your child to live our faith.
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.
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.
BrainTracks Presentation and Wednesday Presentations
In case you missed last weeks Wednesday BrainTracks Presentation, you can access it here, Presentation. Then use this Passcode W%6JfVQf when opening it up.
Or you can join Wednesdays Presentation, below describes the presentation and the link for the Wednesday Presentations.
Mustang Sports
MUSTANG SPORTS:
Boys varsity flag football tryouts were held this week. The team has been selected and the Mustangs will have a week of practice before the games start on Wednesday, April 9.
Girls JV and varsity track practice started this week. The Mustangs have a couple weeks of practice before the first running and relay meet on Saturday, April 12, at Tampa Catholic, from 8:00-11:30 am.
Please see the Athletics webpage for the complete boys flag football schedule and the girls track season meet info.
Please see the Field Day 2025 flyer in Tidbits for all of the field day details. Field Day is in two weeks on Thursday, April 10. There is also a SignUp Genius link for parents and families that would like to help out at Field Day and that may still be looking for volunteer opportunities. Two volunteer hours can be earned at each session.
All of the dates for St Stephen summer sports camps have been finalized.
Soccer Camp (Elementary K-4) June 23-27 from 9:00-12:00 $150
Soccer Camp (Middle School (5-8) July 7-11 from 9:00-12:00 $150
Basketball Camp (Grades 3-8) July 14-18 from 9:00-3:00 $175
Volleyball Camp (Grades 3-8) July 21-25 from 9:00-1:00 $150
The St. Stephen summer sports camps info sheets and registration links will be available in next week's Tidbits.
GO MUSTANGS!
Coach Green
PK3 Needs
PK3 Needs large clean prescription bottles again. Please bring them to the office.
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS COUNCIL 14084
Knights of Columbus Council 14084 invite all men of St. Stephen parish to Cor meetings. The name “Cor” is inspired by Saint John Henry Newman’s words, “Consume my heart (“cor”) with that burning fire with which Your Heart is ever inflamed.”
COR offers an opportunity for parish men to increase their heart to heart relationship with Jesus Christ through a brotherhood committed to prayer, formation, fraternity and the mission of evangelization for their families and communities. All meetings include prayer and open discussion while exploring and embracing the rich teachings and traditions of the Catholic Church.
Meetings are held every third Wednesday of the month from 7:15 to 8:30 PM in the Saint Stephens Room inside the Church.
Summer Reading Skills Program
The University of South Florida Office of Corporate Training and Professional Education will be offering a series of summer reading skills programs taught by instructors from the Institute of Reading Development. The programs start for 4-year-olds entering Kindergarten and go up to students entering the 12th grade and College. Families can choose between classes offered in Brandon at St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church or on campus at the University of South Florida in Tampa.
Students entering Middle School, this program will expand vocabulary and learn note-taking, test-taking strategies, leading to better exam scores and higher grades.
For more information,call 1-800-499-8557 or visit https://readingprograms.org/usf. Click HERE for the Flyer or the flyer can also be found outside the school office.
Answer to the Joke!
Because they just finished a 31-day March.
Homeroom Mom Emails
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.