St. Stephen Catholic School
May 8, 2025
Important updates in this week's Tidbits
Spring Concert May 9
Talent Show Auditions
Volunteer Opportunities
Spirit Nights
Cereal Drive
Summer Reading Program
Summer Sport Camps
Summer Camps
Principal's Points
Good Afternoon St. Stephen Families!
I would like to start by sending a big Thank You to our amazing PTCO, who has gone above and beyond in helping us celebrate Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week. Thank you also to all the parents who supported this event. Everyone has been extremely grateful for the appreciation we have received. The food, snacks, gifts, etc., have all been wonderful.
Congratulations to our second graders who received First Holy Communion last weekend. It is always beautiful to see their faces as they receive Christ for the first time. Thank you, Mrs. Nonnenkamp and Ms. Wizda, for preparing them for this very special occasion.
Today, I am sharing some good news about recent hires for the next school year. We have hired two teachers for our middle school. Mrs. Chrismarie Ruiz will be teaching 7th and 8th-grade math and science. Mrs. Ruiz comes with many years of experience teaching science at Bloomingdale High School. Mrs. Melissa Barone will be teaching 6th-grade ELA, Science, and both 6th and 7th-grade religion. Mrs. Barone has over twenty years of experience teaching in a Catholic Elementary school. We look forward to welcoming both to St. Stephen next year. We will also have a new Spanish teacher next year. Mrs. Heidorn will not return as she pursues other opportunities, and her replacement will be Mrs. Cordoba. Mrs. Cordoba has been with us as an instructional assistant for many years, but she has previous experience as a Spanish teacher for all grades. We look forward to working with Mrs. Cordoba in her new role. In addition, she will continue to be in first grade for part of her day.
Finally, I am very excited about our concert tomorrow night. I have heard some of the songs the students are creating and preparing to present to you, and I know it will be a fabulous experience.
Please continue to read all of Tidbits. There are only a few weeks left but much is happening.
Congratulations to our second graders who received First Holy Communion last weekend. It is always beautiful to see their faces as they receive Christ for the first time. Thank you, Mrs. Nonnenkamp and Ms. Wizda, for preparing them for this very special occasion.
Today, I am sharing some good news about recent hires for the next school year. We have hired two teachers for our middle school. Mrs. Chrismarie Ruiz will be teaching 7th and 8th-grade math and science. Mrs. Ruiz comes with many years of experience teaching science at Bloomingdale High School. Mrs. Melissa Barone will be teaching 6th-grade ELA, Science, and both 6th and 7th-grade religion. Mrs. Barone has over twenty years of experience teaching in a Catholic Elementary school. We look forward to welcoming both to St. Stephen next year. We will also have a new Spanish teacher next year. Mrs. Heidorn will not return as she pursues other opportunities, and her replacement will be Mrs. Cordoba. Mrs. Cordoba has been with us as an instructional assistant for many years, but she has previous experience as a Spanish teacher for all grades. We look forward to working with Mrs. Cordoba in her new role. In addition, she will continue to be in first grade for part of her day.
Finally, I am very excited about our concert tomorrow night. I have heard some of the songs the students are creating and preparing to present to you, and I know it will be a fabulous experience.
Please continue to read all of Tidbits. There are only a few weeks left but much is happening.
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
May 5-9 - Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week
May 9 - Marvelous Mustang (Apr/May)
May 9 - Spring Concert 6:30 pm
May 10-11 - Holy Card Uniform Weekend
May 12 - Holy Card Free Dress
May 12-13 - Spring i-Ready Testing (READING)
May 14-15 - Math Final Exams (Gr.8)
May 15 - NJHS Induction/School Council Inauguration 2 pm
May 19-20 - St. Augustine Trip (Gr.8)
May 21-22 - Math Finals (Gr. 6-7)
May 21 - Graduation Practice 1pm
May 21 - Sports Awards Evening Event
May 22 - 8th Grade Brunch 9:30 am
May 23 - Uniform Exchange
May 23 - Last Day of School for PK -Noon Dismissal for PK
May 23 - 8th Grade Graduation 4 pm
May 26 - NO SCHOOL
May 28 - Talent Show 1 pm
May 29 - Jean Day
May 29 - Report Card Day
May 29 - End of Year Event 12 pm
May 29 - Last Day of School NOON DISMISSAL
May 29 - NO EXTENDED DAY
Joke of the Week!
What May flowers grow on faces?
See answer way below.
When Catholics follow the Church's teachings on social justice, their faith matures, needs are met, and God is honored. Our Spring Concert this year will present music that our music teacher, Jeff Daignault, and our classes wrote or developed to express this idea, and we hope that all the families and friends of St. Stephen will come to enjoy and be inspired by the work our children have done to be ready for this evening.
We just wanted to say thank you to the families that attended our family night!! And congrats to the 1st grade class for the most parent attendance!! They will be receiving a special treat soon from PTCO!
Talent Show Auditions
The SSCS Talent Show will be held this year in the FLC on Wednesday, May 28th at 1:00 PM . Auditions for the Talent Show will be held on Monday, May 5th, after school in Mrs. Stanley's classroom until 4:30 pm. If you would like to audition, please fill out the Google Form and submit it to Mrs. Stanley by Friday, May 2nd. Pick up after auditions will be at the Angel's Wing gate at 4:30. Any students left at 4:35 will be taken to Extended Day. Parents do not attend the auditions. Please bring any props or music you need to the audition or email your music to Mrs. Stanley at hstanley@sscsfl.org. I will need a digital copy of your music for you to perform. We have Amazon Music, so anything that can be found on Amazon Music can be easily pulled up and used. Thank you and we look forward to a successful talent show! Please email Mrs. Stanley if you have any questions.
Link to Google Form
Link to Google Form
Read About The Mustang Service Work Done in The Last Few Months
Thanks to teachers, parents and students for participating in and sharing their kindness activities
PK3 Needs
PK3 Needs large clean prescription bottles again. Please bring them to the office.
Also clean Pringle Cans
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:
Girls Track: The girls track team had the final events of their season last week with the second field event meet on Thursday and the second running and relay meet on Saturday at Tampa Catholic. All of the Mustangs did a great job representing St Stephen. Here are the team results and the Mustangs who finished in the top 8 of their event and earned points for the team. The varsity finished 4th for the second meet, and 4th overall for the season.
Francine A-4th 100 (14.31), T-6th High Jump (4'2"), 6th Long Jump (11'11")
Amelia B-5th 400 (1:14), 4th Discus (65'10")
Bella L-8th 400 (1:15), 3rd 800 (3:00), 3rd Mile (6:18)
Alannah M-8th High Jump (3'10"), 3rd Long Jump (12'9")
Apple M-7th Mile (7:15)
Maddie T-8th Long Jump (11'9")
Sofia S-8th Disc (57'6")
The JV finished tied for 9th and 9th overall for the season.
Aniela D-8th 800 (3:27)
Thank you to parent volunteer coach, Jenn Daoud, for coaching the girls team again this season. Coach Daoud is a great coach who inspires the student athletes on the track teams to always do their best, and continue to improve. She's a great asset and leader for our Mustang sports program.
Boys Flag Football: The Mustangs finished the regular season with a win, beating Corpus Christi, 27-0. Nathan C had two touchdown catches, one from Jameson D and the other from Kellan B. Kellan B threw for another touchdown to Evan K, and also had a rushing touchdown to finish with three total TD's for the game. Javier B had an interception for the defense to lead the shut out effort. The Mustangs played Villa Madonna in the quarterfinals and lost 27-6. QB Jameson D had a rushing TD for the lone Mustang score. Nathan C had an interception for the defense.Thank you to parent volunteer coach, Pat McRae for coaching the boys team this season, and for coaching the girls and boys teams the past seven years here at St Stephen. The student athletes and I truly appreciate his leadership, guidance, and commitment to the flag football players and program the past seven years.
The Sports Awards Night is Wednesday, May 21, in the FLC from 5:00-7:00. We will celebrate all of the student athletes, coaches, and their accomplishments for the 2024-25 Mustang sports year. All student athletes and their families should have received a flyer and RSVP. Pizza, cake and refreshments will be provided to the student athletes, coaches, and their immediate families. Food will be served starting at 5:00 and the awards will start at 5:30. Please return the RSVP to the front office by Friday, May 16, so we have an accurate count of attendees, for the pizza and cake orders.
Thank you.
Please see the info in Tidbits about registering for the St Stephen summer sports camps. Soccer, basketball, and volleyball camps will be offered here on campus this summer.
Coach Green
Francine A-4th 100 (14.31), T-6th High Jump (4'2"), 6th Long Jump (11'11")
Amelia B-5th 400 (1:14), 4th Discus (65'10")
Bella L-8th 400 (1:15), 3rd 800 (3:00), 3rd Mile (6:18)
Alannah M-8th High Jump (3'10"), 3rd Long Jump (12'9")
Apple M-7th Mile (7:15)
Maddie T-8th Long Jump (11'9")
Sofia S-8th Disc (57'6")
The JV finished tied for 9th and 9th overall for the season.
Aniela D-8th 800 (3:27)
Thank you to parent volunteer coach, Jenn Daoud, for coaching the girls team again this season. Coach Daoud is a great coach who inspires the student athletes on the track teams to always do their best, and continue to improve. She's a great asset and leader for our Mustang sports program.
Boys Flag Football: The Mustangs finished the regular season with a win, beating Corpus Christi, 27-0. Nathan C had two touchdown catches, one from Jameson D and the other from Kellan B. Kellan B threw for another touchdown to Evan K, and also had a rushing touchdown to finish with three total TD's for the game. Javier B had an interception for the defense to lead the shut out effort. The Mustangs played Villa Madonna in the quarterfinals and lost 27-6. QB Jameson D had a rushing TD for the lone Mustang score. Nathan C had an interception for the defense.Thank you to parent volunteer coach, Pat McRae for coaching the boys team this season, and for coaching the girls and boys teams the past seven years here at St Stephen. The student athletes and I truly appreciate his leadership, guidance, and commitment to the flag football players and program the past seven years.
The Sports Awards Night is Wednesday, May 21, in the FLC from 5:00-7:00. We will celebrate all of the student athletes, coaches, and their accomplishments for the 2024-25 Mustang sports year. All student athletes and their families should have received a flyer and RSVP. Pizza, cake and refreshments will be provided to the student athletes, coaches, and their immediate families. Food will be served starting at 5:00 and the awards will start at 5:30. Please return the RSVP to the front office by Friday, May 16, so we have an accurate count of attendees, for the pizza and cake orders.
Thank you.
Please see the info in Tidbits about registering for the St Stephen summer sports camps. Soccer, basketball, and volleyball camps will be offered here on campus this summer.
Coach Green
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.
Young Adult Ministry at SSCC
St. Stephen Parish Community welcomes young adults ages, 18-35 to participate in community, worship, and fellowship. This ministry invites young adults in the area to come together to pray, make connections, and grow in their faith with one another.
For more information about all Young Adult Ministry has to offer, please contact the Faith Formation Office at 813-671-4434 or Stephanie Gallegos at the Parish Office, 813-689-4900.
We offer a Young Adults Bible Study on Monday evenings beginning at 7:15 PM at the Faith Formation Office. To Register please contact Rene Bonetti at the Faith Formation Office at rene@ststephencatholic.org.
We are always looking for Adult Core Team members to minister to the youth of our parish! Do you feel called to help bring teens closer to Christ? Join Core Team!
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!
Tulips (Two-lips).
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.