November 19, 2020
Important updates in this weeks Tidbits:

Christmas Card Contest Winner
Spirit Store
Evening with Santa
Gingerbread Holiday Shop
Join Amazon Smile
ESE Blog

Thanksgiving Holiday - Nov. 25 - 27

Principal's Points
Good Afternoon St. Stephen Families,

As we come closer to the end of 2020, we begin to look back on a very difficult year but we also need to remember all the things we can be thankful for. I am very thankful for the community that I work in. I am thankful for the teachers and staff who do their best everyday to educate and enrich the lives of your children. I am thankful for the parents, grandparents, and families that support our school and have chosen a Catholic education for their children. I am thankful the leadership in the parish, the volunteers, the Diocese personnel, all who help to make my job easier and help support school in many different ways. I wish everyone a very Blessed and Happy Thanksgiving.

Just a reminder, we are in school next week on Monday and Tuesday. This year our Thanksgiving break will be Wednesday through Friday only due to the last start of school.

Please read the letter (Spanish version) from the Superintendent, Christopher Pastura, regarding an update on Covid and holiday plans.

Please read all of Tidbits as there is much exciting news being shared. As always, thank you all for your continued support.

Peace and Blessings,

Linda Umoh
Up and Coming
Nov. 20 - Jean Day
Nov. 20 - Noon Dismissal & Parent-Teacher Conferences
Nov. 24 - Report Cards Sent Home Electronically
Nov. 25-26 - Thanksgiving Holiday
Dec. 4 - All School Advent Retreat - Noon dismissal
Dec. 7-11 - Gingerbread Holiday Shop
Dec. 11 - Evening with Santa

For all event details please see SSCS Event Descriptions

Start your Christmas Shopping early. The Spirit Store will open once again on Saturday, Nov. 14. Please use the link below to place your order. Orders must be placed by Nov. 22 and are guaranteed to arrive before Christmas.

SPIRIT STORE
The 2020 SSCS Christmas Card Contest Winner!
I want to thank all the students who participated this year. We had many wonderful designs and choosing a winner was not easy. The winner is Jamie in 8th grade for creating this beautiful design for our Christmas Card.




PTCO Gingerbread Holiday Shop
Dec. 7 - 11
The PTCO has been working hard to keep our tradition of a Christmas gift shopping experience for the students in-house, while making it a contactless and safe experience. Budget envelopes will be sent home the week before the shop opens, so parents may help students decide whom to purchase gifts for and how much to spend. Volunteers are needed so please click on the signup genius link for more information on volunteer opportunities and to sign up.

We also have an opportunity for our Flexible Learning Students to participate and shop online 11/30/2020 through 12/6/2020. Please keep a lookout for more detailed information to follow. 

More details coming soon about this fun tradition (formerly known as Santa Shop)!

An Evening with Santa
Friday, Dec. 11

Spend time with Santa and join us for some holiday fun on Friday evening, Dec. 11. There will be holiday music, a photo opp with Santa, and a take-home craft. See the flyer for details.

We also need help with this event. Please sign up to volunteer.
Angels Among Us 2021
HELP YOUR CLASS SUPPORT ANGELS AMONG US

Room moms have requested $5 toward a class craft and $5 toward a class basket for the upcoming Angel Valentine Gala on Feb. 13. If you have not yet donated, please send in this small donation to help your class support Angels Among Us 2021. For donation information, please contact ngallagher@sscsfl.org

Seat Reservations will be available on the school website in early January.

SAVE THE DATE - FEBRUARY 13, 2021
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 smile.amazon.com

2. Sign in with your Amazon.com credentials

3. Choose a charitable organization to receive donations, or search for the charity of your choice

4. Select your charity

4. Start shopping!

5. Add a bookmark for smile.amazon.com to make it even easier to return and start your shopping at AmazonSmile

Check Your Child's Mask!
Does it fit?
Help us keep each other safe by ensuring your child's mask fits well. If the mask falls off their nose or slides down to their chin, try an adjustable mask. The CDC has listed five criteria to keep in mind when choosing a mask:
  • Face masks should fit snugly and comfortably
  • They must be secured with ties or ear loops
  • They should comprise multiple fabric layers
  • You should be able to breathe without restriction while wearing the face mask
  • You should be able to wash the face masks without causing damage or losing the face mask’s shape
FLP Families, We Want You to be a Part of the Yearbook!
FLP students and families, we want you to be part of our yearbook! Submit pictures of your FLP student this year using ReplayIt here:
See this flyer for more information.

Yearbook Recognition Ads
Yearbook recognition ads are a great way for parents, families, and friends to commemorate your student's achievements and important milestones. For more information on how to purchase your ad in theyear book please see the Yearbook Recognition flyer

Volunteers needed for the Care for Creation Committee
Volunteers are needed for our Care for Creation Green School Committee. If you have any expertise in this area we would be delighted if you could assist us. Committee meetings will be virtual.

If you have an interest in joining this team, please contact Mrs. Robles with your availability and area of expertise.
A New Monthly Blog answering the most frequent questions about Exceptional Student Education.
Mrs. Stencel will be sharing each month about some of the most frequent questions she receives from parents. This week, Mrs. Stencel talks about accommodations including what they are and what they are not. To contact Mrs. Stencel about any questions you might have regarding your child or about our ESE program, email her at jstencel@sscsfl.org.

Principal's Coffee Schedule
Join us on Facebook Live once a month for an in-depth discussion with Mrs. Umoh and Mrs. Robles. See the schedule of topics here. Submit a question to be answered at the next event here.

Public Library Haal Pass
The Haal Pass allows our students to access public library resources with just their student ID number and Pin. Students will use their student ID number (from FACTS) and their password of 4321 to log into the HCPLC.org site. This allows them to check out physical copies of books as well as digital books, audiobooks, and any other materials available from the public library. Students can also use this account to check out ebooks on Overdrive or Libby, the digital reader programs used by the public library.
SSCS Library Access
Students can now check out books from our school library! Students can sign into our library catalog using Destiny Discover and put books on hold. Books will be delivered to their classrooms after being checked out. Flexible learning students can have their books picked up at the front office.

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