Eagle's Eye
August 3, 2023
Mission Statement
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.
orientation
- New to the school in any grade level
- Entering PreK 3
- Entering VPK (Prek 4)
- Entering Kindergarten
These meetings are for parents only. Children should not attend these orientation meetings. Thank you in advance for making other childcare arrangements for your child(ren).
summer homework
Middle school boot camp - required
navigating morning carline
- Carline is a Cellphone Free Zone. Drivers should never be on cellphones when in the carline.
- Cars typically start lining up throughout the Parish Center parking lot just before 7:30am.
- Remember that students should remain in their cars until morning carline staff is visible and has started emptying cars.
- The entire parking lot is a NO PASSING ZONE. Please do not ever pass cars in carline. This is for the safety of our students and teachers.
- Follow the directions of the staff in morning carline.
- It is best if students can exit you car on the right hand side (behind the passenger seat rather than the driver). This prevents the child (and staff) from having to cross in front of cars.
- Carline will back up! To help us avoid spilling out of the parking lot, please move up as close as you can to the car in front of you, leaving as little space as possible.
- When exiting the parking lot, form two lanes at the gate that exits onto Unity Way. Regardless of where you are heading when you leave SJCS, the best way to exit the parking lot is very often to turn left onto Unity Way and then cut over to First Street or go up to Havendale.
- Remember that there is no left turn from Unity Way on to Avenue M NW. WHPD will be in the area issuing tickets these first weeks of school.
- Patience! Remember that morning carline will be a well oiled machine, but it requires everyone to follow all procedures, and it will take time. We promise, it will get better.
Afternoon Carline
We are making some changes to afternoon carline. We need all parents to assist and follow all procedures to help increase efficiency. Failure to follow all steps may result in parents being asked to leave the parking lot and re-enter. So, take a few minutes to read this section carefully to avoid frustration in the future!
The gates will not open until 2:40pm daily for afternoon dismissal. Please do not arrive earlier than 2:40pm. If the gates aren't open, and you aren't able to get your car off of Hwy 17, you need to circle; please do not back the line up onto Hwy 17.
What time does dismissal begin?
It depends! If your child is in PreK through grade 5, dismissal begins at 2:55pm. If your child is in middle school (grade 6-8), dismissal is not until 3:10pm.
Do I need to do anything with the PikMyKid app?
YES!!! Immediately upon entering the parking lot, please "Announce" for all of your students using the PikMyKid app. This alerts your child that it is time to pack up his/her backpack and get ready to leave the classroom.
At what point does my child actually leave the classroom and head down to the parking lot? Your child does not leave his/her classroom until an administrator, using your number, calls for him/her. Mr. Reilly and Mrs. Insua will walk through the line, calling your number on your cartag. At this point, the app indicates that your child should go outside.
Why do I need to "Announce"? Can't the Administrator just alert my child to come out?
When skipping the "announce" step, the child doesn't have the appropriate amount of time to begin packing up and getting ready to head out. This will result in your child not being in the parking lot when you get to the front of the line and you being asked to exit the lot, circle the block and reenter. Both steps are critical to the efficiency of carline.
What happens if I am in the loading zone and my child is not in the parking lot yet?
If your child doesn't get into your car while you are in the loading zone, we will ask you to move your vehicle out of the loading zone making way for others. We will give you a few minutes to sit idle in the parking lot if it is taking your child a little bit longer to get to the parking lot. After a few minutes, you will be directed to leave the parking lot and re-enter.
What if I am parked and my child doesn't come within a few minutes?
We cannot have cars parked idle for more than a couple minutes. It causes backups and doesn't help the efficiency of the carline. Beginning this year, if you are parked for more than a couple minutes, you will be asked to leave carline and circle around and re-enter.
What if I have an elementary and middle school student, their dismissal times are different?
Parents should not enter the parking lot until their oldest child is dismissed. So, in the case where a parent has a student in middle school, please do not enter until 3:10pm. Your elementary aged student will be in his/her classroom with the teacher and several peers.
What if I am parked and an employee tells me that I must circle and re-enter the parking lot?
This is because your child isn't down from his/her classroom. This could be because (1) you didn't announce on the app upon entering the parking lot; (2) you arrived too early - before 3:10pm for families with a middle schooler; (3) your child is staying after for an activity; (4) your child is taking a bit longer than he/she should. In this case, parents must comply with the directions of the staff member. Exit the parking lot and circle back and re-enter.
Academic Awards from last year
Before School Care
aftercare
The cost for aftercare this year is $4.50 per hour. Families are billed weekly. SJCS will not provide a snack. If parents wish to send an extra snack with their child, you may. Aftercare staff will give students a chance to eat his/her snack (brought from home) around 4pm.
altar server training
On Saturday, August 5th at 10 am, St. Joseph Catholic Church will host an Altar Server training class for current and new servers. The training will be in the church. This ministry seeks to encourage the youth of our parish to fully engage in our faith through their service to the Church as altar servers. Serving at the altar gives youth a hands-on, personal experience of God's work in the liturgy. Requirements are that the children have received their First Communion. Children over the age of 14 will need to complete the Safe Environment Training and Fingerprinting. Please contact the Church office, 863-294-3144, with any questions.
Thank you
Lunches
birthday celebrations
Maschio's Food Allergy Management Program
Technology Acceptable Use Policy
Uniform Sales
Saturday, August 5th from 9am-12pm
*Remember that all students in grades 4 through 8 will need to purchase a new Mass uniform. This is a full new uniform that has never been sold at SJCS before. Please make plans to bring your student with you during one of our uniform sale dates so that he/she can try on the uniform before purchase.
uniform questions answered
All boys in grades 4-8 should wear khaki pants from Sir Walter. When ordering online, please select flat front pants.
May boys in grades 4 and 5 wear khaki shorts?
No. While boys in fourth and fifth grade will wear khaki pants on Mass days, Khaki shorts are reserved for middle school students.
Are girls in grades 4-8 allowed to wear the old Mass skirt on days other than Mass days?
Yes. If girls in grades 4-8 would like to wear the old Mass skirt on non-Mass days, that is acceptable. *Remember that the skirt must be no shorter than 3 inches above the bend in the back of the knee. The Mass skirt should only be worn with white polo (not blue, red or grey). The new Mass skirt must be worn on Mass days.
Are hoodies acceptable?
We are phasing out the hoodies. If you previously purchased a hoodie, your child may wear it on Non Mass days, when the high temperature is below 80 degrees outside. We are not selling hoodies moving forward. Further, hoodies will not be acceptable in future school years.
When can my child wear a Booster shirt?
Booster shirts may be worn with PE shorts on PE days. They can also be worn on dress down days, of course.
Are we still honoring Throwback Thursday?
No. Booster shirts may be worn with PE shorts on PE days. Booster shirts are no longer acceptable on Thursdays with uniform bottoms.
Can my child's black shoe on Mass day have a white sole?
No, all students must be in a solid black shoe on Mass days. Laces must also be black. The only exception is in the case of a boat shoe.
What hair accessories may my daughter wear?
Hair accessories (headbands, bows, ponytail holders, etc.) must match the uniform. Therefore, colors such as white, blue, and grey are acceptable. Scarfs and bandanas may not be worn.
What is the rule for haircuts for my child?
Hair for boys and girls must be natural color; it may not have highlights or be dyed. Boys' hair must be above the eyebrow and collar. Further, boys may not have mohawks or any designs shaved into their heads.
When can I purchase uniforms for cool weather?
We will have additional uniform sale dates later in the Fall, before the cool weather hits. Also, you can always order uniform items online from Sir Walter directly.
Do I need to purchase a Mass uniform for my child if he/she has PE on Mass days?
Yes. All students in Kindergarten through Grade 8 must be in Mass uniforms on Mass days (Wednesdays). If your child has PE on Wednesdays, your child's homeroom teacher will guide you in what works best for that particular age group.
Do parents have to wear something specific when going on field trips with the class?
Yes. While it was encouraged last year, it will be enforced this year. All parents going on a field trip with the class must wear a SJCS shirt. You can purchase a polo shirt from Sir Walter or our Booster club has a variety of tshirt options.
Uniform Sale Volunteers
Fingerprint Process for volunteers
The steps for being fingerprint cleared are as follows:
Resources
St. Joseph Prayer
St. Joseph Catholic School
Principal: Mrs. Haas
Assistant Principal: Mr. Reilly
Assistant Principal: Mrs. Insua
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