St. Stephen Catholic School
January 29, 2026
Important updates in this week's Tidbits
Re-enrollment Documents
Lollipop Bundles
Angels Among Us
Bricks4Kidz
Spirit Nights
Volunteer Opportunities
Principal's Points
Good Afternoon St. Stephen Families.
I would like to give a big shout out to our Catholic Schools Week Committee and all the volunteers who came to school today to share their vocations. The students enjoyed all the presentations and were wowed by the arrival of our Sheriff's department with motorcycles and the landing of the helicopter on the soccer field. There will be more excitement tomorrow when the students take on the faculty in volleyball.
On Monday we welcome performers from Tampa Catholic who will be here in the afternoon to present the play The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee for our students in grades 4-8. We look forward to and appreciate this opportunity.
Next week is the final week for students to buy Lollipop Bundles for Valentine's Day from Student Council and tomorrow ends the Penny Wars sponsored by National Junior Honor Society. Finally, Monday is the last day to bring in food for SVDP. Please see below for their list of most needed items.
Please continue to read Tidbits for more information and have a fantastic rest of your week.
Peace,
Linda Umoh
Re-enrollment Information for the
2026-27 School Year
Upcoming Events
Jan 20- Feb 2 SVDP Food Drive
January 25-30 Catholic Schools Week
January 26-30 Penny Wars
Jan 26-Feb 6 Student Council Valentine Sales/Lollipop Bundles
January 30 Jean Day
January 30 Marvelous Mustang
January 30 NOON Dismissal
February 7-8 Holy Card Uniform Weekend
February 9 Holy Card Free Dress
February 13 Valentine's Shirt and Jean Day
February 14 Angels Among Us Gala
February 16 NO SCHOOL/President's Day
February 17-20 Terra Nova Testing
February 18 Ash Wednesday
February 20 End of Trimester II
February 20 Spirit Raffle Kick Off
SVDP Can Food Drive Jan 20 - Feb 2
Students should drop off donations in their homeroom.
While all donations are appreciated, the SVDP Pantry has expressed a great need for the following items:
Granola Bars Cereal
Toilet Paper Syrup
Snack Food Jelly
Canned Meat
Please help those in need in our community by donating one or two cans of food. The St Vincent de Paul Pantry located on our parish campus services many families each week. Your donations make a difference and are another way to teach our children kindness.
SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION
School Year 26-27
Mark you calendars for Feb. 1. Step Up for Students applications for renewal and new students will be available on Sunday, February 1.
There are important changes to the documents required for all families applying for a 2026-27 scholarship.
- Proof of Residency must now include TWO different document types and be provided by either the primary or secondary guardian.
For a complete list of documents families may need when applying for their student(s), click here.
EVERYONE MUST REAPPLY!
Joke of the Week!
What do you call a snowman that tells tall tales?
See answer way below.
The FACTS Grant and Aid application setup for the 2026-2027 school year is complete. Applications and documents received after May 1, 2026 are considered late for initial consideration.
All Diocesan High Schools utilize the FACTS Grant & Aid Application in the determination of in-house tuition assistance and the Catholic School Tuition Aid Grant (CSTAG). Additionally, all elementary/middle school families are required to submit their financial documents via the FACTS Grant & Aid Application, unless your school is a "community eligible" school.
Note: Pricing for the 2026-2027 FACTS Grant & Aid Application Fee will remain the same at $38.00.
Resource for Families:
Diocesan aid is limited. Applications received after the initial consideration deadline of May 1, 2026 for the 2026-2027 school year will be subject to a reduced rate, provided that funds are still available. Appeals are to be made directly to the school.
Volunteer Sign Up for the Angels Gala
Voyage of the Hearts Angels Among Us Gala 2026
Need Babysitting For Angels?
Many parents have asked Angels to help with watching their children while they attend the Gala on 2/14. We recently began offering the service with a nominal charge and it was very well received. We are happy to announce sitting will be available again this year. It will be available to all SSCS students while parents attend the Gala. The children will be watched in our school building.
The nominal charge of $25 for the first child and $10 for each additional child is to compensate the school employees who have agreed to attend to the children. The child can be brought to the school office between 5:15 pm and 5:45 pm. Registration and the fun begins at 5:30 pm. Please feel free to bring water, snacks, a pillow, blanket etc.
Notify ngallagher@sscsfl.org if you plan on using the service.
Please come and enjoy the dinner, open bar, auction opportunities, music and dancing knowing your child is close by.
Use BOGO to get Volunteer Hours And Support the Angels Gala
A volunteer hour is valued at $50 and this is the amount you are charged for every hour not earned. Each school family is required to do 20 hours of volunteer time during the school year. BOGO can help you meet the 20-hour requirement. New families must have 4 of the 20 hours volunteering for the gala.
Angels Among Us will trade volunteer hours for your donation of wine (red, white, Prosecco, Champagne, Rioja). For bottle(s) valued at $45, one volunteer hour will be credited. Your out-of-pocket cost does not have to be $45 but the value of the donation must be at least $45. Thus, BOGO or store sales are great ways to spend less than $45 in exchange for one hour volunteer credit. Each bottle should have a value of no less than $15. Donations are accepted now through 2/1. Please plan on attending the gala fundraiser on 2/14 and join in Celebrating 26 years of Angels supporting SSCS.
Mustang Sports
Boys Basketball: The boys basketball teams had their first games of the season on Tuesday against St. Lawrence. The varsity lost 46-20, and they were led in scoring by Kellan B. with 11 points. The JV lost 21-4, and they were led in scoring by Jack R. and Liam D. with 2 points each. The games against Christ the King scheduled for yesterday were postponed due to the cold weather. The rescheduled date will be posted in Mustang sports when it's finalized. The Mustangs are back on the court today for their first home game of the season when they play Mother Teresa here in the FLC. The varsity plays at 4:15 pm and the JV at 5:15 pm. The basketball teams also host St. Joseph on Tuesday here in the FLC. Varsity at 4:15 pm and JV at 5:15 pm. Please see the Athletics webpage for the complete 2026 boys basketball schedule.
Girls varsity and JV track is the next girls sport and will start in early March. The season runs from early March until April 18. There are two running and relay meets and two field event meets. The dates for the meets are as follows.
Girls varsity and JV track is the next girls sport and will start in early March. The season runs from early March until April 18. There are two running and relay meets and two field event meets. The dates for the meets are as follows.
Running and Relay Meets-
Saturdays March 28 and April 18 at Tampa Catholic from 8:00-11:30 am.
Field Event Meets-
Tuesdays March 24 and April 14 at Christ the King from 4:00-5:45 pm.
Practice is usually Monday-Thursday from 3:00-4:30.
Girls in 5th-6th can participate on JV and girls in 7th-8th participate on varsity.
Parent volunteer, Jenn Daoud, will be coaching the team again this season.
Sign ups for girls track will be at the end of February.
Practice is usually Monday-Thursday from 3:00-4:30.
Girls in 5th-6th can participate on JV and girls in 7th-8th participate on varsity.
Parent volunteer, Jenn Daoud, will be coaching the team again this season.
Sign ups for girls track will be at the end of February.
GO MUSTANGS!
Coach Green
***Restrictions apply. The offer is valid on all new student enrollments at ALL Dance Quest locations when using Promo Code 2026DEAL. The $35 Registration Fee and $75 Performance Costume Deposit are due at the time of registration. The DQIStore.com Promotional code will be emailed after the promotion period has ended. The promotion code may not be exchanged for cash. Withdrawal from class may result in forfeiture of the promotion.***
Kiddos Lunches
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!
A snow-fake!
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.