St. Stephen Catholic School
September 11, 2025
Important updates in this week's Tidbits
PTCO General Meeting
Spirit Night
Sacrament Preparations
Grandparents/Grandfriends Day Google Form
Book Fair
Bricks 4 Kidz
Dance Quest
Kiddo Lunches
Volunteer Opportunities
Men's Club Golf Scramble
Angels Outreach
Principal's Points
Good Afternoon St. Stephen Families.
My heart is heavy this week as we hear once again of violence in our world. The recent shootings of Charlie Kirk and at Annunciation Catholic Church, along with so many other acts of violence we see and hear about, remind us of how deeply our world is in need of healing, peace, and God’s love. As a Catholic school community, we are called to be people of hope and prayer. Jesus reminds us, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” (Matthew 5:9) At school, we will continue to nurture peace in our classrooms, on the playground, and in our relationships with one another. And as a community, we keep in prayer all those who have been affected by violence, that they may know God’s comfort and mercy.
Please join us next Tuesday for our first General PTCO meeting at 6:30 pm in the Family Life Center (see below for more details). I will be talking about school security and will take questions that evening. I may not have all the answers, but I am happy to listen to your concerns, thoughts, suggestions, etc. and will do my best to get the answers. If your child seems more anxious or has a need to talk about recent events, we ask that you speak to them at home and reassure them that everyone here will always do their best to keep them safe. If needed, you can also reach out to our school counselor, Kate Neal, and she can also have a conversation with your child.
Please join me in praying for peace in our homes, our country, and our world. May we each find small ways to be instruments of God’s peace each day.
Peace,
Linda Umoh
Upcoming Events
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
October 6-16 - Boo Gram Sales
October 9 - Picture Retake/Cap and Gown
October 11-12 - Holy Card Uniform Weekend
October 13 - Holy Card Free Dress
October 17 - NO SCHOOL
Please join us for
Grandparents & Grandfriends Day
Friday, September 26, 2025
Family Life Center
8:00 a.m.
Grandparents and Grandfriends of PreK- 8th grade students are welcome to spend the morning at our school. We will begin our morning in the Family Life Center with a presentation by each of the classes. After the presentations, students will return to class where Grandparents/friends can join the younger students for a snack and may take all their students to the Book Fair. They are also welcome to spend some time in the classrooms and join the students for an activity.
When entering the school buildings, all guests should be signed in and have a visitor’s badge. We will have sign-in stations available inside the FLC. Any grandparent/friend who arrives after the presentations in the FLC will need to come to the school front office to sign in. While it is a half-day of school, students may be dismissed early. Grandparents and Grandfriends may sign out the student in the classroom, if the Google Form below has been completed. If their name is not on the checkout list, they will need to go to the office without the student to sign out. Once the front office verifies the Grandparent or Grandfriend, then we will call the student down to the office.
Visits to the Book Fair will be as follows:
- Middle School Students without younger siblings.
- PreK-K students will go next. If they have older siblings, they should pick them up and go together.
- Grades 1-2 students will go next. If they have older siblings, they should pick them up and go together.
- Third through fifth grade students will go last. If they have older siblings, they can pick them up and go together.
While we understand that not all students will have grandparents/friends to attend, we ask that this day be for Grandparents/friends only. Parents will have the opportunity to attend the Book Fair with their children on either Tuesday or Wednesday morning donuts with grownups or on Thursday afternoon during the Family Event.
Grandparents/Grandfriends Day
Attendance and Sign Out Form
Please complete the form for Grandparents/Grandfriends who will be attending on September 26, 2025. If your child will be leaving with the Grandparent/friend, please list their full name. If you have multiple students please submit the form below for each student by September 23, 2025.
PK3 need cleaned empty 16 oz Jiff Peanut Butter Jars.
Kiddos Lunches
Joke of the Week!
What are the trees favorite autumn song?
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!
Are You Creative?
Angels Among Us need a few parents with a creative side to help with projects for the gala. If you have the time and have experience with any type of design or sculpture, please reach out to ngallagher@sscsfl.org
Puppy Wanted
The Angels Gala Fundraiser is looking for a generous donation of a puppy to be featured at our event on February 15th. This adorable addition will be a highlight of our silent auction, helping us reach our 2026 fundraising goal. All breeds and sizes considered.
A puppy can be a strong draw for attendees at a fundraising event, creating excitement and potentially increasing donations. If your family currently has a dog that will be having pups in the next few months, please consider donating a puppy.
Contact info: Vylam at vylamli@hotmail.com
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
Girls Volleyball: The girls volleyball teams had their first match of the season on Tuesday against Villa Madonna. The varsity won their match two games to one, and the JV lost two games to one. The Mustangs are back on the court today with a match against Mother Teresa at Mother Teresa. The varsity plays at 4:15 pm and the JV at 5:15 pm.
Coed Soccer: The coed soccer team has their first game of the season today against St. Joseph, here at St. Stephen, at 4:15 pm. The Mustangs also play on Tuesday against Villa Madonna here at St. Stephen at 4:00 pm.
Please see the school website under the Athletics page for the complete 2025 girls volleyball and coed soccer schedules.
Coach Green is looking for parent volunteer coaches for girls flag football that starts in January. If you are interested in coaching please reach out to Coach Green at ggreen@sscsfl.org
Coed Soccer: The coed soccer team has their first game of the season today against St. Joseph, here at St. Stephen, at 4:15 pm. The Mustangs also play on Tuesday against Villa Madonna here at St. Stephen at 4:00 pm.
Please see the school website under the Athletics page for the complete 2025 girls volleyball and coed soccer schedules.
Coach Green is looking for parent volunteer coaches for girls flag football that starts in January. If you are interested in coaching please reach out to Coach Green at 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!
Don't Stop Beleafing!
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.