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.

In Father Tim's homily today, he told us that we can share the Good News about the Kingdom of God. He told us that in the Kingdom of God, the poor people will have everything they wanted, the persecuted would not be talked bad about. Jesus called the twelve disciples to share the Good News, and they went everywhere sharing the Good News. When we share the Good News, people get what they never had. -Jianna 5B

This week's homily was about how we need to spread the Good News. Father Tim talked about how his mom was a reporter and sometimes would share good news of bad. He asked his mom whey she liked doing it. She said it was because she liked sharing news especially good news. We need to be more like his mother and share news, but not just any, the Good News about God's kingdom. -Daschel 5B

A very special thank you to the Lombard family for sponsoring the police officer at Mass this week. Family sponsors cover the $135 cost for our off duty Winter Haven Police Officer to be present on our campus during school Mass or other special events. The sponsoring family also receives 13.5 volunteer hours (as families earn 1 hour for every $10 when requested by the school). A special thank you to all families who have already scheduled a sponsorship of a police officer. If you are interested in sponsoring a police officer, please reach out to Ms. Summer at sdehaven@stjosephwhschool.org.

Thank you so much for your generous support of our Read A Thon fundraiser! We surpassed our goal. The funds raised at this year's Read A Thon will be set aside for the purchase of new air conditioners to replace our chiller. We look forward to celebrating the success of our Read A Thon on Tuesday, October 3rd.

Thanks to all the families who came out to Tijuana Flats for SJCS Spirit Night earlier this week! It is always fun when families and staff come together socially outside of school. If you missed it, make plans to join us for our next Spirit Night on October 26th at Beef O'Brady's in Winter Haven.

Our students will participate in prayer through a Living Rosary on Friday, October 6th at 8:15am in our church. Students should wear Mass uniforms on Friday, October 6th. Parents and parishioners are invited to join us for the Living Rosary. Hope to see you there.

Cool weather is around the corner, or so they say! We will be holding a New and Used Uniform Sale during conferences on Wednesday, October 4th from 2pm until 6pm in the parish center. This is your opportunity to pick out and try on long pants, sweatshirts, etc for those cooler days. If you aren't able to attend this sale, you will need to order items online through Sir Walter.

It is hard to believe that we are already approaching the halfway point of the first trimester. Parent Teacher Conferences for parents of all students at SJCS will be held Wednesday, October 4th and Thursday, October 5th. During these conferences, parents will receive their child's midterm progress report for the first trimester.

By now, you should've received a link from your child's teacher. Middle school parents, it was in the grade level newsletter that was sent out electronically on Sept. 21. If you don't have a link, please email your child's homeroom teacher.

At least one parent from each family is required to attend a Mandatory PTO Meeting on Tuesday, October 10th at 6pm in the church. This meeting will last one hour. We will offer free babysitting for students enrolled at SJCS. Please make plans to attend this important meeting. Students whose parents do not attend this meeting will lose the privilege of using school issued devices (chromebooks or iPads) at school.

Fall Fest is just a little more than a month away! Fall Fest is our largest attended events of the school year! You will not want to wait in line to purchase tickets for food, games, or raffles. Get your tickets now by clicking on the QR code 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.
• 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

The SJCS Fall Fest is traditionally a favorite event among our students. All ages and grade levels look forward to this day each year. Plans are well underway, and we can use your help. If you are interested in helping on the Fall Fest Planning Committee, please join us for a meeting on Tuesday, October 3rd in the parish center immediately following the Room Parent Meeting. You are welcome to sit in on the Room Parent meeting, but the Fall Fest meeting will likely begin around 8:15am. Hope to see you there! Parents in attendance earn service hours for this organizational planning meeting.

Mr. Art is beginning an afterschool art class for middle school students. If students are interested, they need to see Mr. Art to get a registration form. The cost is free. Art class will meet on Tuesday afternoons from 3 - 4:30pm.

Happy Birthday to the following staff members who celebrated their birthdays in September:

Mrs. Ousley

Ms. Main

Mrs. Reece

Ms. Gandolff

Mr. Borras

Mrs. Tanner

If you wish for your child to receive the sacraments of Baptism and/or First Communion at St. Joseph Catholic Church, please watch for information about registering in future editions of the Eagle's Eye. Also, please save the date for a Sacramental Preparation Orientation meeting for parents on Sunday, October 1st at 9:45am in English and 11:30am in Spanish. More information will be forthcoming.

Come out and cheer on our Volleyball, Soccer and Cross Country teams next week.

On Monday, October 2nd, SJCS hosts Grace in Soccer (4:15 and 5:15) and Volleyball (4:30 and 5:30).

On Tuesday, October 3rd, our boys Soccer teams will play at home at 4:30 and 5:30.

On Thursday, October 5th, our Cross Country team will participate in a meet at Jewett!

Good luck, Eagles!

We are looking for another employee to add to our Aftercare Team. Candidates must be 18 years old and have completed high school. If interested, please email Mr. Reilly at jreilly@stjosephwhschool.org.

St. Joseph Catholic Church is currently seeking an individual to fill the role of Director of Religious Education. To learn more and apply, please visit the Diocese of Orlando website of job postings. https://www.orlandodiocese.org/ministries-offices/human-resources/career-opportunities/

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.

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