January 27, 2022

Important updates in this week's Tidbits:

Catholic Schools Week
Re-Enrollment
Author Visit
Angels Gala
Mustang Sports

Principal's Points
Good Afternoon St. Stephen Families,

Please be sure you are reading your emails about automatic re-enrollment which takes place on February 1. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact me.

Keep reading for more news about what is happening at St. Stephen and enjoy the pictures below from our 100th day of school!

Peace,

Linda Umoh

Upcoming Events

Jan. 28 - Jean Day/ Marvelous Mustang
Jan. 30 - Feb. 4 - Catholic Schools Week/SVDP Food Drive
Feb. 4 - Noon Dismissal
Feb. 11 - No School
Feb. 12 - Angels Among Us Gala
Feb. 12 - 13 Holy Card/Uniform Weekend
Feb. 14 - Jean Day/Valentine's T-Shirt Day
Feb. 15 - Holy Card Free Dress Day
Feb. 16 - Focus 11
Feb. 18 - End of Trimester 2
Feb. 21 - No School
Feb. 22 - 25 - Tera Nova Testing
Feb. 25 - Report Card Day
Automatic re-enrollment is almost here!

Your spot for the 2022-23 school year will be saved. Students currently in grades PK3 – 7th will be automatically re-enrolled on Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022.
 
The $275 Registration Fee (per family) will be billed to your FACTS account on Feb 1. This non-refundable fee is due by Feb. 11, payable through FACTS. For those set up for autopay, it will process automatically. 
 
If you plan to register a sibling next school year, it is critical that you let us know by Jan. 28, 2022. You may do so by completing the Sibling Form. Siblings will have priority if space is available.
 
Any family not intending on returning should contact Mrs. Pesquera in the office no later than Friday, Jan. 28 at fpesquera@sscsfl.org
Scholarships for Private School Children

Be among the first to know when applications for scholarships for the 2022-23 school year will be accepted. Go to scholarship interest for 2022-2023 and complete the form to receive updates. Click here or on the flyer for more information about the scholarships available, including those for military families.
AUTHOR VISIT - FEB. 15
Author, Kentrell Martin, will be coming to speak to students in grades PreK - 3rd on February 15. Click here to watch a video and learn more about this award-winning author. You may also pre-order his books.
IT'S ALMOST HERE!
GET YOUR SEAT RESERVATIONS NOW!
Angels Babysitter Sign-Up Information 

Need a babysitter so you can attend the Angels event? Click here to sign up.


 
 Angel Volunteer Hours Available
Angels is in need of two volunteers to move baskets, decorations, etc from the Middle School to the FLC. Some items might be heavy but a hand truck and carts are available.
This will be done on Thursday evening, February 10th starting at 9 PM. It is estimated volunteers will be needed for about 2 hours. If you are interested in this volunteer opportunity, please contact ngallagher@sscsfl.org.
   Wine Donations Still Needed
All new families are required to do 4 of their 20 volunteer hours with Angels Among Us. 4 hours equals $200 as each volunteer hour is valued at $50. Purchase wine valued at $160
(a savings of $10 an hour) and your 4 hours will be credited, or check the Angel volunteer sign up for any unfilled times still available. All donations are appreciated. Please contact ngallagher@sscsfl.org with any questions.
    Ever Dream of Sailing Tampa Bay?

Thanks to the generosity of the Barkley Family, Angels is offering to the highest bidder, a day of fun sailing on beautiful Tampa Bay. This exciting adventure is only one of the Live Auction packages that will be available on 2/12 for your bid. If you prefer to stay grounded, First Grade parents have donated all you need to experience The Best of Tampa. Seat Reservations are available on the school website. Child Care is also available for SSCS students only. Please contact ngallagher@sscsfl.org with any questions.
We are blessed with the BEST teachers! During Catholic Schools Week, we want to show how much we appreciate them! PTCO has a special luncheon planned for them on Tuesday, February 1. Help us show our teachers just how much you care by giving them some of your time!

Click here to sign up and volunteer on our sign-up genius. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D44ACA928A6F85-catholic
What a perfect way to get in your volunteer hours! 
It's Catholic Schools Week!
Don't miss out on all the fun things planned. Click here for all your Catholic Schools Week information. On Monday, please don't forget to bring in canned goods for SVDP.
MUSTANG SPORTS
The boy's flag football team has practiced this week and will have practice most of next week. The Mustang's first game is next Thursday, February 3 against St Peter Claver here at St Stephen at 4:00. See the Athletics page on the school website for the complete 2022 boys flag football schedule.   

Unfortunately, we didn't have enough girls sign up for varsity basketball this season. However, we did have enough interest in a JV basketball team. A couple of 5th-grade parents have volunteered to coach the team. Mrs. Colby Burroughs and Mrs. Angela McAleavey both have coaching and playing experience. I'm super excited to have them coaching the JV girls this season. Practices will start next week. Games will start the week of February 9. The JV game schedule will be finalized soon and posted to the school website under Athletics.  

GO MUSTANGS
Coach Green

This year we are working with TreeRing to give each child a personalized yearbook experience.

Each student has the opportunity to create 2 free custom pages for their yearbook. This gives your student the chance to memorialize their best moments, memories, and photos from throughout the year. These pages will only be printed in your student's unique copy of the yearbook.  

If you would like to give your student special recognition, you also have the option to purchase an ad. This is a great way to tell your student(s) how proud you are and also support our school. These ads will appear in every single copy of the yearbook and are an excellent way to celebrate your student. 

Please note, the school will provide each student with their own yearbook. You DO NOT need to purchase a yearbook unless you would like an additional copy.



Annual Knights of Columbus Basketball Free Throw Challenge

Date: Saturday, February 5, 2022

Time: 9:30am to 1pm

Place: St. Stephen Family Life Center Gym

The Knights Council 14084 invites ALL boys and girls ages 9-14 to come out and participate in the 2022 Basketball Free Throw Challenge. This year we will hold the Council and District Challenge on the same day. Parents please pick up the participation form from the School Office or download it here and print it yourself. Please turn in your form no later than Wednesday, February 2 to the School Office. This allows time to complete the certificates and set up rosters. 
The challenge is from the free-throw line for 12-14-year-old participants, two main center baskets, and 12 yards away for 9-11-year-old participants from the 4 side baskets. Each participant will have 3 practice throws and 15 attempts to score. In the event of a tie in the same age group, there will be free 5 free throws until there is a winner. There will be water and snacks available during the event. 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: Park in the front of the Family Life Center and check-in at the table at the front entry. Any questions/concerns contact Ed Veronick, KOC 14084 Community Program Director at
Club Mustang (Aftercare) is looking for parents who would like to volunteer after school to earn their volunteer hours for an hour or two a day. Responsibilities would include hanging out with a great group of middle school students in our media center and taking them outside to have some fun after a long day of school. If you are available for a day or on a regular basis, please contact the school office for more information.
Everyone needs to be updated with their safe environment 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 below 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 atext. 1100. Click the link here for information regarding fingerprints. Click here for more information on safe environment.
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.
HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS EVENT

February 26th in the Family Life Center
Doors open at 1:30
Speaker from 2:00-3:30
Join us for mass at 4:30

Hosted by: The Columbiettes, The Community for Women and Respect Life Ministry
This is a parish event. There will be adult content but is teen-appropriate.
 
RESERVATIONS ARE SUGGESTED cfw@ststephencatholic.org
 
Human Trafficking: Test Your Knowledge
Do You Know??
**What is Human Trafficking?
**Who are the victims? The Traffickers?
**What types of human trafficking can be found in the United States?
**Who takes advantage of the '"products" provided by human trafficking?
 
Speaker: Sister Renetta Graff SND, home parish, Espiritu Santo, Safety Harbor
S.O.S. Human Trafficking Program has the approval of the Diocese with the knowledge of 
Sabrina Burton Schultz, Director of Life, Justice, and Advocacy 
Summer Adventures Await At Our Lady Of Good Counsel Camp in Floral City.

This is a co-ed overnight camp that is owned and operated by the Catholic Diocese of St. Petersburg. All children 7 to 15 years of age are invited to attend the camp's 75th summer! One and two-week sessions are currently offered at affordable prices. All information is available on the camp website at www.goodcounselcamp.org or by emailing the camp director at info@goodcounselcamp.org. Please click here for the application form.
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!
Here's how:
1. Visit https://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.
5. Start shopping!
6. Add a bookmark https://smile.amazon.com make it even easier to return and start your shopping at AmazonSmile.
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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.
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