St. Stephen Catholic School
August 28, 2025
Important updates in this week's Tidbits
Kiddo Lunches
Techie Kids Club
Bricks 4 Kidz
Dance Quest
Spirit Store
Angels Outreach
Youth Group Games
Principal's Points
Good Afternoon St. Stephen Families.
It is difficult to find words to describe how everyone is feeling today, but please know that we consider your children precious gifts that we will do everything we can to protect and keep safe. Today, the leaders of the parish and our security officer met to discuss our current security measures and any improvements we can make. I am grateful for Officer Bryan and the knowledge and experience he brings to the school and we appreciate his suggestions. These are the changes and additions we are making to our current protocols:
- For school Masses, Officer Bryan will remain present inside the church while everyone is entering the church. At 8:30 am, all exterior church doors will lock except for the main entrance. Once they are locked, Officer Bryan will go outside and remain outside the main entrance for the duration of the Mass. This will allow him to see everyone who enters the church.
- We will have a school staff member assigned to watch the side doors of the church during Mass to ensure they are not opened if someone knocks. There will be a sign directing people to the front entrance once Mass has started.
- We will extend our school emergency drills to the church and practice what to do in there in case of fire, an intruder, etc.
- We are researching quality walkie talkies to provide each classroom and key personnel with one. Please know that this is an unexpected expense and once we have a quote, I may be reaching out to parents to ask for help in funding this purchase.
While this is not a change, we are reminded of the importance for us all to be vigilant at all times. We continue to pray for the victims and families in Minnesota during this very difficult time.
Tomorrow is our first jean day. The spirit shirts have not arrived; therefore, students may wear jean pants or shorts (no more than 2 inches above their knee) with any spirit shirts or their PE shirt. Students also have the option of wearing their PE shorts. Please refer to the handbook for all uniform rules for jean day. Tomorrow is also a noon dismissal. If a student is staying for Extended Day, please be sure they bring a lunch.
Have a wonderful rest of your week and enjoy the long weekend.
Peace,
Linda Umoh
Upcoming Events
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)
September 13-14 - Holy Card Uniform Weekend
September 15 - Holy Card Free Dress
September 16 - PTCO General Meeting 6:30pm
September 19 - Marvelous Mustang(Aug/Sept) at 8am
September 22-26 - Book Fair
September 23 & 24 - Donuts w/Grownups @7am
September 25 - Book Fair Family Event 3pm
September 26 - Jean Day
September 26 - NOON Dismissal (12pm)
September 26 - Grandparents/Grandfriends Day 8am
Kiddos Lunches
Ordering is now open, and lunch service begins on: Tuesday, August 26th 2025
Joke of the Week!
Why are locksmiths open on Labor Day?
See answer way below.
Office of Catholic Schools/Strategic Planning Process
The Office of Catholic Schools is beginning a strategic planning process to look toward the future of Catholic education in the Diocese of Saint Petersburg. We will be conducting listening sessions in each of the nine pastoral regions of the diocese throughout the month of September. These sessions are open to the public.
If you wish to attend, please use this link or the QR code to select your meeting date and location site (Deanery/School). All meetings are 7:00-9:00 pm. Registration closes 3 days in advance of each session date. For more information or questions, please contact the Office of Catholic Schools and Centers at 727-347-5539 or emailocsc@dosp.org.
Bibles
The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Atrium is looking for bibles in different languages. If you have one and would like to donate it, please bring it to the office. Thank you!
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
The St. Stephen coed soccer and girls volleyball teams have a couple of weeks of practice before the games and matches start.
The girls volleyball teams have their first match on Tuesday, September 9, vs Villa Madonna, here at St. Stephen in the FLC. The varsity match starts at 4:00 pm and the JV at 5:15 pm.
The soccer team has its first game on Thursday, September 11, vs St. Joseph, here at St. Stephen at 4:15 pm.
Please see the school website under Athletics for the complete 2025 girls volleyball and coed soccer schedules.
Please see the school website under Athletics for the complete 2025 girls volleyball and coed soccer schedules.
All student-athletes must have the two Diocesan required sports forms completed in full. The FHSAA sports physical (new updated version), the Diocesan consent form, and the $75 sports fee, must be turned in to the office or Coach Green, to be eligible to participate in the matches/games. The $75 sports fee is per sport. The sports forms are available on the school website under Athletics and Forms.
Coach Green is looking for parent volunteer coaches for sports that start in January.
Any parent interested in coaching girls flag football or boys basketball should contact Coach Green for more info. ggreen@sscsfl.org
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!
They are key workers.
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!
You can join our Mustang News team each morning at 7:50 as we stream live on YouTube to begin the day with prayers, the pledge of allegiance, and news. Subscribe to our channel here.
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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.