September 9, 2021

Important updates in this week's Tidbits:

COVID-19 Reminders
Making Waves
K of C Soccer Challenge
Mustang Sports
Spirit Night

Principal's Points
Good Afternoon St. Stephen Families,

Mrs. Umoh is out of town today and tomorrow, so I have the privilege of writing today's Principal's Points. I will be filling in if anyone needs to contact administration while she is gone.

Now that we are into the month of September, we begin to look around hopefully for signs of Fall. In Florida, that means a slight lowering of temperatures and a rare cooler morning with lower humidity. We watch our northern neighbors jealously as they bring out their sweaters and jackets, and we long for a cold front. Yet in just a few short months, we will be the envy of many of those same people as we bask in the sunshine while they bundle up in the cold.

God wants us to appreciate what he has given us even when we don't feel like it. As with the weather, it is often after they are gone that we realize the blessings God had placed in our lives. Our faculty and staff participated in a virtual retreat this past week, and this was a reminder of the many blessings he has given me over the years as I enjoyed the fellowship of my colleagues at various retreats. Because of COVID, we were not able to meet together in person at the retreat center as we had planned, and while in other years I might have grumbled and complained at having to take a day off of work to go to a retreat, this truly brought home how much of a blessing those times were for me. How can we try to recognize the blessings we have in our lives today? How can we teach that to our children? Perhaps take a moment to tell someone in your life how much you appreciate them this week.

This weekend is Uniform Weekend at church. Make sure your child wears their school uniform to receive a holy card and they can have free-dress on Monday if they bring the card to school with them.

In just a few short weeks, we will be setting up for our Fall book fair. We are excited to host an in-person bookfair for the first time in over a year and a half! Look for the sign-up link below to volunteer. This is a wonderful and fun way to get in your volunteer hours.
Have a wonderful week!

Blessings,

Gina Robles
COVID-19 REMINDERS

These are some Covid-19 Protocol reminders:

  • If your child is not feeling well in the morning (upset stomach, sore throat, headache, etc.), please keep them home (even if they do not have a fever), monitor their symptoms, and contact their doctor if the symptoms do not improve.

  • If your child comes to school and complains of any of these or other symptoms, parents will be called to pick up their child, contact your child's doctor, and/or get a Covid-19 test. Students will not be able to return to school unless they have a doctor's note or negative test result.

Please know that we do understand this can be challenging, but these are necessary precautions to prevent the spread of Covid-19 in our school. We are required to follow the guidance of the CDC and the Diocese of St. Petersburg. We ask for your understanding and patience.
Upcoming Events
Sept. 11-12 - Uniform Weekend at Church
Sept. 13 - Holy Card Free Dress Day
Sept. 18 - St. Vincent DePaul Tea
Sept. 21 - Spirit Night
Sept 24 - Jean Day
Sept 27-Oct 1 Book Fair
MUSTANG SPORTS
The St Stephen girls volleyball and coed soccer teams had tryouts this week and the teams have been selected. The Mustangs have a couple of weeks of practice before soccer games and volleyball matches start at the end of September.  Student-athletes participating on the soccer and volleyball teams must have the two Diocesan required sports forms...FHSAA physical form and Diocesan consent form...and the $65 sports fee turned in to the office or Coach Green before the games and matches start to be eligible to participate in the matches/games. The required forms are available on the school website under Athletics-forms. They must be completed in full. More info coming soon on Mustang game and match schedules.

Please contact Coach Green if you have any questions about the sports programs. 

GO MUSTANGS
Coach Green

Black Friday is coming!
Join Amazon Smile and help
support SSCS!
It's simple to give money back to SSCS when you shop on Amazon, and now is the perfect time to sign up before you do all of your holiday shopping!
Here's how:
1. Visit https://smile.amazon.com
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3. Choose a charitable organization to receive donations, or search for the charity of your choice.
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Attention All Future Scouters!
Scouting is a great way to build friendships and learn skills that last a lifetime in a fun and exciting environment filled with adventure! Our adventures include camping, canoeing, hiking, and community service projects all done while learning to keep ourselves physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.
 
Cub Scout Pack 610 is open to boys and girls grades K-5 and meets Thursday evenings at 6:30 pm in the Family Life Center. For more information, please contact Raymond Negron at scouts@negronarana.com.
 
For middle school and high school ages, Boys Troop 610 and Girls Troop 610 offer programs of character development and values-based leadership training, preparing youth for life ahead. Both groups meet on Thursday evenings at 7 pm in the Family Life Center.  For more information on the Boys Troop, please contact boy_scouts@ststephencatholic.org

For more information on the Girls Troop, please contact Kayla Cotton at kaylacotton@hotmail.com.
 
We invite you to join us at our next meeting and we look forward to welcoming you!
The American Frontier Book Fair
How can reading about the American Frontier teach us about Caring For Creation?
Find out by volunteering for our book fair! It is a great way to get those volunteer hours. We will start setting up on Friday, Sept 24th, and the fair runs Monday, Sept 27th through October 1st. Parents, we really need your help to make this a great book fair. Please click on the link below and consider signing up now!


Annual Knights of Columbus
Soccer Challenge Announcement
Date: Saturday, Sept 11, 2021
Time: 9:30 am to 11:30am
Place: St. Stephen Soccer Field

The Knights Council 14084 again invites “ALL boys and girls ages 9-14” to come out and participate in the 2021 Soccer Free Kick Challenge. Parents can pick up the participation form from the School Office or click here for the form. Please return it no later than Wednesday, September 8 to the School Office. This allows time to complete the certificates and set up rosters. Forms may also be downloaded from the school or parish website.
 
The challenge is a “free kick” from 12 yards. 3 practice kicks and 15 attempts to score 5 points (center), 10 points (bottom corners), or 20 points (top corners). In the event of a tie in the same age group, there will be free kicks from 15 yards, 3 shots each until we have a winner.
There will be water and snacks available during the event.
 
** Note: The District Challenge is scheduled for October 9, 2021 (9:30 am-1130am), at our St. Stephen Soccer Field.
 
During this challenging time, it is also requested that each participant have a mask on but may remove it during their time at the line. All judges will wear masks and we also ask that the 6-foot social distancing practice remain unless you are together with immediate family members during the event. Chairs and tents may be brought if you choose. We will also have hand sanitizer available.
 
After both council and district challenges are complete we will also have an opportunity for pictures. We warmly welcome you to this year’s event and hope to see a good turnout from each age group boys and girls!

Parking: Parents may park along the road in the grass across from the field or in the school parking lot area for the event.
 
Any questions or concerns contact:
Ed Veronick
KOC 14084 Community Program Director
813-652-7686
 Nominate the 2022 Angel

For the past three years, Angels Among Us has awarded extraordinary parishioners the Angel Award at the annual Angels Among Us Gala.
The gala, which is our major fundraiser, will be held in the Family Life Center on February 12.  Please nominate a school parent, school employee, or parishioner who selflessly gives their time to elevate Christian values in our community by using this form, Click here for attachment. The nominee's time and energy should provide a change in ways that supports and helps the lives of others, with empathy and compassion. The person nominated must be a parishioner of St Stephen Catholic Church. Angel Awards in the past have been presented to Caryl Nolan, Kit Moretuzzo, Mark Lovejoy, Steve and Luann LaVarta, Jan Goldonowicz, and Marty Diebold.  
Please plan to attend the Gala to support our school and join in the Celebration of the 2022 Angel. Seat Reservations for the Gala will be available in December. Donations and Sponsorships are gladly accepted in the school office.
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