St. Joseph Catholic School fosters a diverse community of disciples empowered through a rigorous and inclusive Catholic education rooted in Gospel values and service to others.

When I heard Father Tim’s homily, I thought of how God watches us. God watches over us every day and knows when we shouldn't be doing something. We should be doing everything as everyone is watching because God is always watching. It takes practice to be able to have self-control over our actions. We know that it is important to live our lives faithfully, happily, and with kindness, but doing that takes practice. It takes time to be able to have the self-control we need to live a happy, faithful life. It is possible with the strength God has given us to continue to live with kindness not just for ourselves but for others too. God wants us to have kindness.

Aubrey, 7B

In Father Tim’s homily, he said that we should always do the right thing, even when no one is watching. If we do something bad and think we got away with it, eventually we will get caught. Even when we think someone is not looking there will always be someone looking and when we get caught we should be willing to take whatever consequence they find is right. We can choose if we want to do the right or wrong thing but the Gospels say that we should try to be like Jesus and always do the right thing. However, this takes lots of practice; all the time and every day.

Hayden, 7B

Please remember that SJCS will dismiss at 2pm on Thursday, November 2nd for Teacher Professional Development.

Please remember that SJCS will dismiss at 2pm on Friday, November 3rd for our Fall Fest. Parents will need to park and come into the building to pick up their child(ren). There is NO AFTERCARE on the day of the Fall Fest. Please keep in mind that parking will be challenging. Make plans to arrive early.

With the onset of cold and flu season, we are rapidly going through our supplies of tissues. If you would like to donate these, please drop them off at the office or send them with your child. Remember that every $10 of donations counts as 1 service hour of the required 20 service hours per family.

Halloween is Tuesday, October 31st. Teachers are coordinating Halloween treats with Room Parents. Please do not send in candy, goody bags, etc. unless requested by your Room Parent for your child's class.

The deadline to order poinsettias has been extended to tomorrow, Friday, October 27th.

To order online: https://sjcswh.ejoinme.org/Poinsettia

Poinsettias will be available for pick up on campus on Tuesday, November 28th. Please reach out to Mrs. Burns at missyburns14@gmail.com with questions or to help out.

Please remember that an adult must be present at Fall Fest at all times with students. No students may be dropped off without a parent or guardian.

Fall Fest is just a little more than a week away! The last day to order tickets online is tomorrow, Friday, October 27th. You will not want to wait in line to purchase tickets for food, games, or raffles. Get your tickets now by clicking on the link below. Options include:

• Wristband for $30. The wristband will give your child unlimited use of games or inflatables. This does not include purchasing food or bakery items. Wristbands will be $35 on the day of the Fall Fest.
• Class Basket Tickets $1 each. Classes will create raffle baskets. Buy your chances for $1.
• Food and Game Tickets $1 each. We only use tickets the day of the Fall Fest. We will have a table where you can purchase tickets the day of the event, but you are encouraged to preorder some to avoid waiting in line.
• 50/50 tickets are $1 each and can be prepurchased.
• Egg Rolls! There are a limited number of egg rolls being sold. We will run out. A dozen egg rolls cost $18. Order your egg rolls today! Thank you to the Vietnamese community for donating these scrumptious egg rolls!
• Finally, we are looking for sponsors to help offset the cost of the inflatables and other rentals. if you are interested, you can donate using the QR code.
• Use the QR code below to order tickets or use the link below: https://sjcswh.ejoinme.org/fallfest2023

Are you still looking for ways to earn your 2 service hours required for Fall Fest? Parents are invited to purchase prizes for Fall Fest. Check out the Amazon Wishlist below. Remember that parents earn 1 service hour for every $10 spent in donations to the school, when the school requests items.

*Please note that items that you purchase from this wishlist will be sent directly to our prize coordinator. You should document your donation as a service hour in Renweb (see the Resources section below for information about how to log hours).

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3BOTCOVE5YLSV?ref=cm_sw_em_r_un_un_zXiOGcYsDH8mw

I know it's hard to think about what your child is going to have for lunch next Friday, November 3, the day of the Fall Fest, but I need you to! Maschio's is providing boxed lunches on this day. These lunches MUST be preordered, and orders are due TODAY. Using the order form below, please indicate your child's lunch choice and return it to school as soon as possible. Can't print the form? Call the school office and one of the ladies in the office will be happy to take your order over the phone.

It's been a great week celebrating being drug free! Don't forget that tomorrow is a $1 dress down day for breast cancer awareness.

On Thursday, November 16th, our school will be participating in the Great American Teach In. This annual event is held nationwide to celebrate American Education week. Members of the community are invited into the school to share information with students about their career or hobby. It is also an opportunity for students to see where education can take them. We are in need of volunteers to come and speak to our students in kindergarten through 8th grade. We are looking for the following career areas to share with students:

Health care (medical and dental)

Animal care

Cooking/Baking

Law Enforcement

Musicians

Horticulture

Engineering

News/Meteorology

Scientists

Any other career

Please click the link below to fill out an interest form.

https://forms.gle/J9nHAprsm2pebEx99

With the holidays around the corner, our Catholic Charities Food Pantry needs our help to stock the shelves. This collection is in addition to the items students are encouraged to bring to Mass on Wednesdays. The items listed below are collected throughout the week in the classrooms. We will track the number of items collected in each class. The class with the highest total number of items in prek, primary (K-2), intermediate (3-5) and middle school (6-8) will receive a special treat.

Week of October 30: Boxes of Instant Mashed Potatoes

Week of November 5: Boxes of Rice (no bags please)

Week of November 12: Jars of Peanut Butter

Week of November 26: Soup

Week of December 3: Cans of Tuna/Canned Meat

Week of December 10: Cereal/Oatmeal

Please join us for Mass on Wednesday, November 1st. The 4th grade students will be hosting Mass and processing into the Church in their saint costumes. Parents and parishioners are invited to view the 4th graders' Saint Wax Museum immediately after Mass.

Our new chess team, led by Mrs. Reece, recently attended a county-wide competition. The students did well and look forward to their next competition! Good luck, Eagles!

As our girls volleyball and boys soccer seasons wind down, we are beginning to prepare for our boys and girls basketball seasons. All students in grades 5-8 are invited to play on our basketball teams. Requirements are as follows:

• Parents must have attended a sports meeting with Mrs. Haas.
• Coach Edwards has permission slips that must be completed and returned to the front office.
• Families will be charged $50 sports fee on FACTs account.
• Parents must join the respective Band app to receive notification from coaches about practices and games. (see below)

Practices have started so sign your child up soon to play.

The date of our Taste of Achievement Gala has been changed. Please make a note on your calendar that the Gala will be held on Saturday, March 2nd. You will not want to miss it. Save the date and make plans to join us.

This section of the Eagle's Eye will remain in every edition of our newsletter. It will contain links to information that parents may need from time to time. When parents have questions, we urge you to check this section for possible links that could get you the information that you need.

• School Calendar
• Lunch Menus
• Maschio's Birthday Order Form
• Registering for a lunch account
• PikMyKid User Guide (English)
• PikMyKid User Guide (Spanish)
• Fingerprinting/Safe Environment Certification Instructions
• Fingerprinting/Safe Environment Certification
• Uniform Company
• Technology Responsible Use Policy for Students
• Parent Student Handbook
• Attendance Policy
• Accessing Facts Family Portal
• Family Portal Login
• Logging Service Hours: Parents and students can now enter and view their own service hours. You can use your app to view the hours, however, you have to use the web version to enter new hours. go to FACTS Family Portal. The district code is STJC-FL. Once logged in, click on the Family option in the menu on the left side. At the top of the screen, select the family member who will be adding the service hours. Click on the Add option on the right side of the screen in the Service Hours box. Fill out the information and click Save.

O Blessed Joseph, faithful guardian of my Redeemer, Jesus Christ, protector of Mary, the virgin Mother of God, I choose you this day to be my special patron and advocate and I firmly resolve to honor you all the days of my life. Therefore, I humbly ask you to receive me as your client, to instruct me in every doubt, to comfort me in every affliction, to obtain for me and for all the knowledge and love of the Heart of Jesus, and finally to defend and protect me at the hour of my death. Amen.

Interim Principal: Mrs. Insua

Assistant Principal: Mr. Reilly

Canonical Administrator: Fr. Tim LaBo

Superintendent: Mr. Fortier

Email: thaas@stjosephwhschool.org
Website: stjosephwhschool.org
Location: 535 Avenue M Northwest, Winter Haven, FL, USA
Phone: 863-293-3311