St. Stephen Catholic School
July 31, 2025
Important updates in this week's Tidbits
School Supply List
Spirit T-Shirt
Fall Ice Cream Sign Up
Extended Day Information and Form
New Family Welcome Meeting
Open House
Fall Picture Day
Angels Outreach
Spirit Store
Principal's Points
Good Afternoon St. Stephen Families. Welcome Back!
In my last Principal’s Points, I found myself wondering where the year had gone, and now, as summer winds down, I find myself asking the same question about these past few months. It feels like we blinked, and the summer flew by. I truly hope your family had a chance to rest, recharge, and make some wonderful memories together.
As we turn our hearts and minds towards a new school year, I want to warmly welcome everyone—especially our new families—back to our school community. The first day of school is quickly approaching, and I know many of you are already preparing uniforms, checking supply lists, and shifting back into school routines. As part of that preparation, please take a few moments to visit our website and carefully review the Parent/Student Handbook. For returning families, the highlighted sections mark changes or additions from last year, and I encourage you to read them closely. Additionally, the Diocese has updated the Parent Code of Conduct, and we ask all families to be mindful of those revisions.
A quick reminder: Tuition rates this year were assigned based on verified Mass attendance and parish affiliation. For new families, we’ll begin checking Mass attendance in September and make any necessary adjustments. If you are registered at St. Stephen Church, please remember that attendance is counted through the placement of your envelope in the collection basket at the 4:30 p.m. Saturday Mass or any Sunday Mass. If, on occasion, you attend a different church, we ask that you bring a bulletin to school with your family envelope number written at the top. While those instances should be rare, a few missed bulletins during the year because a church did not have a paper bulletin will not impact your record.
This summer was full of meaningful progress thanks to the generosity and support of our families. Our original fundraising plan was to complete upgrades to the Family Life Center kitchen. While we made it a full-service kitchen, we didn’t purchase all the originally planned equipment. After careful consideration, we recognized that preparing lunches on-site would require a dedicated space that could remain unused by other groups, something we simply don’t have at this time. Instead, we’re thrilled to announce a partnership with Kiddos, who will provide a lunch program on Tuesdays through Thursdays. We’re excited about this new chapter and know our students will benefit.
Here’s how the money you helped us raise last year, in addition to other school funds, was spent:
- Covered the cost of hurricane repairs. Unfortunately, our deductible exceeded the value of the damage, and insurance did not cover the repairs to the main building and Angel’s Wing.
- Removed four trees from the playground and one from the front of the school. Some roots were causing structural damage, and the front tree had sadly died.
- Purchased two retractable awnings to provide shade for our PK playground, now that the trees are gone.
- Invested in additional technology for our students and staff.
- Added to our Life Fund, earmarked for the future Middle School wing.
- Replaced two exterior doors and three original air conditioners in the main building. These were the last of the original air conditioners.
I also want to give a heartfelt thank you to Nicki Gallagher, Mr. Bosley, and the incredible team of alumni, students, and parents who gave their time and energy to complete special projects around our campus. From butterfly house repairs and church pew refurbishments to beautifying our breezeway garden and giving our rosary garden a fresh new look, you have made our school even more welcoming and beautiful.
Looking ahead, one of our goals for this year’s fundraising will be to bring more shade to our playground now that several trees have been removed. We’re exploring options and will finalize plans once students return, and we can better assess the areas of greatest need.
As we savor these final days of summer, please know how excited I am to welcome you all back. I look forward to seeing everyone at Open House next Friday. Let’s begin this new year together with hearts full of hope, joy, and purpose as we walk together as Disciples of Christ.
Peace,
Linda Umoh
Upcoming Events
August 8 - New Family Welcome 2:30pm
August 8 - Open House 3:00-4:00pm
August 11 - First Day of School
August 11 - NOON Dismissal ONLY PreK and Kindergarten
August 15 - Assumption of the blessed Virgin Mary
August 19 - Picture Day
August 19 - Back to School Night
August 25-29 - Fall i-Ready Math
August 29 - NOON Dismissal (12pm)
August 29 - Jean Day
September 1 - NO SCHOOL/Labor Day
September 2-5 - Fall i-Ready(Reading)
Open House
Please join us on Friday, August 8 from 3-4 pm for our Open House! This is an opportunity to meet your children's teachers and drop off school supplies. We are looking forward to seeing all our SSCS Families again!
Mark your calendars. Our Back to School Night will be Tuesday, August 19, beginning at 6:30 pm. This event is for parents only (children may not attend) and is an opportunity to hear from the teachers and to learn about the year ahead. Please make every effort to attend this valuable discussion.
Joke of the Week!
Knock-knock.
Who’s there?
Justin
Justin who?
Justin
Justin who?
See answer way below.
Spirit T-Shirt 25-26
Our theme this year is "Disciples of Christ", and every child in the school will get a spirit t-shirt. We are preparing our order for this year and need to know your child's t-shirt size for their 25-26 spirit t-shirt. Please fill out one form for every child no later than August 11th.
Fall Ice Cream Fridays
I scream, you scream, Ice Cream Fridays!!! If you have not filled out the form that was sent by email then please use the link below if you wish for your student(s) to participate in Fall Ice Cream Fridays. Please sign up on the link below no later than Tuesday, August 12, 2025 . There will be NO additions to the ice cream list after that date except for new students. The cost is $27 for the semester which will be billed through your FACTS account.
Note: There will NOT be Ice Cream Fridays on half days or NO School Days. Since there is a lunch program it will be difficult to change the Friday Ice Cream.
Spirit Wear Shop Opens
The link below will take you to the SSCS Spirit Wear Store.
The store will be open 8/1 and close on 8/24. All proceeds will help the PTCO fund activities for the students during the school year. The Spirit Wear purchased through this link is for weekend wear and only allowed to be worn in school on specific school days. The clothing purchased through this link is not part of our school uniform but can be worn to school on days considered Free Dress Pass Days and Jean Days. The weekly school newsletter sent out on Thursday and the school calendar will note when there is a Jean Day or a Free Dress Pass Day. The school handbook also provides info regarding uniforms and Spirit Wear. Delivery will be approximately one month after the close of the store. The info you need regarding purchasing Spirit Wear should be included in the link. If you have any questions, please reach out to ngallagher@sscsfl.org.
Click Here for the Spirit Store
Extended Day Information
If your student will be using Extended Day Care for School Year 2025-26 please read the information below. Also please fill out the Google Form if you plan on wanting to be billed monthly or the yearly rate plan.
PikMyKid
We use the PikMyKid App for school dismissal. Please click the link to view the PikMyKid 101 Flyer, which contains pertinent information on how to get setup in PMK and what to do when you arrive on campus for pickup, as well as important updates for all families.
Link to the Flyer
Link to the Flyer
Fall Picture Day
Vernon Photography will be taking school pictures on Tuesday, August 19, 2025. Every student will be photographed. More details will be in next week's Tidbits.
What is Angels Outreach?
Angels Among Us expanded its outreach last year in Celebration of their gala fundraiser’s 25th year. In August of 2024, Angels Outreach was formed to increase and assist with the availability of service projects. AO’s objective is to impact the SSCS Community and beyond as our students and their families support initiatives focused on caring for all of God’s creations.
Students and parents participated in various service projects last year including preparing and selling dog treats as a fundraiser for a Tampa animal shelter, collecting stuffed animals for children in the local missions, organizing and collecting canned food for SVDP, designing and planting an Angels Garden near Middle School. With the beginning of the new school year, AO looks forward to helping teachers with their class service projects while also offering students new and worthwhile ways to contribute their time and talents to help others.
Angels Outreach Mission Statement- Guide students to intentionally live their faith through their everyday actions. Students learn how to be a good friend, utilize their talents to their full potential, keep a positive attitude, express gratitude. and practice their faith daily.
Mustang Sports
GO MUSTANGS!
Coach Green
Homeroom Moms
Homeroom moms now have dedicated email addresses. Add them to your contact list and check your junk mailboxes to be sure you do not miss any important classroom information!
Emails for HomeRoom Moms
Answer to the Joke!
Just in time for the first day of school.
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.