Eagle's Eye

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.

We are welcoming family members of students at SJCS to school Mass. We have worked closely with the Polk County Sheriff's Office to identify appropriate protocols to allow those with ties to SJCS to join us for school Mass. We need everyone's full compliance in these protocols as we strive to maintain a high level of safety for our students and staff.

• All persons choosing to attend school Mass must first be cleared through our Raptor system, such is the requirement for all volunteers and visitors coming to SJCS.
• All persons choosing to attend school Mass must preregister by 12pm the previous school day using the Google Form provided by SJCS.
• For those individuals who have not been cleared through Raptor (using their driver's license), a photo of the driver's license must be provided to the school office via email no later than 12pm the previous school day. Please note that in this case, the individual must ALSO complete the Google Form.
• All persons choosing to attend school Mass must arrive between 7:55 am and 8:05 am and be checked in through the back church doors in courtyard by the Parish Center. The church doors on the Avenue M side will be locked and no admittance will be given to anyone attempting to enter on that side. Guests will sit in designated areas and must exit the church when directed by administration. Further, upon exiting the church, it is understood that guests will proceed directly to their cars and not congregate outside of the church/school.

• Once Mass begins, we will not open doors to visitors for the safety of our students.

This is the Google Form sign up link for Wednesday's 8:15 am Mass.

https://forms.gle/QxBjWJXeHEmkeWpy8

Since May is the month of Mary, the middle school students will be leading our school in a Living Rosary on Friday, May 3rd at 8:15 pm in the church. Family members of students at St. Joseph Catholic School who would like to attend the Living Rosary on May 3rd must preregister by 12pm on Thursday, May 2nd, 2024. https://forms.gle/2pc93Fg5pxFjyhNq5

In the Wednesday Mass, the first reading explains to us that Barnabas and Saul were sent on a mission. It also talks about how special we are because of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit makes us special by giving us gifts, and with these gifts, we should help others and do good things. In this way, we will show appreciation to the Holy Spirit and God. And finally, it states how to radiate Jesus’ teachings.

Hailey, 6th grade

Today during Mass, the first reading states that Saul and Barnabas were sent on a mission. They were empowered by the Holy Spirit to go out and fulfill this mission. We should all do the same by accepting God’s grace and love to go out and share God’s power. In the Gospel, Jesus said that we should go out and share the love and knowledge that Jesus gave us. We should share our goodness, kindness, peace, love, and joy in this world of darkness.

Aidon, 8th grade

Today Father talked about how Jesus has a relationship with God the Father. Jesus leads our lives to the light of holiness. We should thank God for all he has done for us in our relationship with him. He also talked about how the Holy Spirit is always with us. The Holy Spirit was present when the Gospels were written. The Holy Spirit invokes our wisdom and propels us to be the best we can possibly be. We should thank God for the Holy Spirit guiding us to live a life of happiness.

Ali, 8th grade

Thursday is a 12 pm dismissal for students. Aftercare is available. Remember that there will be no lunches served by Mashios that day so if your child(ren) will be staying for Aftercare, please ensure they have a lunch.

Dr. Erika Wikstrom has accepted the position of Secretary of Education and Superintendent of Education. Dr. Wikstrom has over 20 years of experience in education and has been in the Diocese of Orlando as a teacher, director, and principal. We welcome her as our new Superintendent!

Congratulations to our latest Acts of Kindness winners: Serena, Nickmar, Alexa, Luis, Bianca, Aubrey, Raeylynn, Cash, and Deanna!

Congratulations to our latest Soaring Eagles: Deanna, Sophia, Oscar, Alaia, Ryder, Victoria, Emma, Carter, Alanna, Addison, Milly, Araceli, Fritz, Julian, Maley, and Khloe!

We are excited for our SJCS spirit week coming next week, April 29th-May 3rd ! Here are the activities for the week as chosen by the 8th grade student service council.

Monday-Wear your favorite color

Tuesday- 1960’s dress dress down

Wednesday-Wear your favorite shoes to school (no heels, crocs, flipflops, etc.)

Thursday-Mathlete/Athlete attire

Friday-Show your school spirit with School Spirit Wear

**all dress down days must follow dress down day guidelines, including shoes

Students in grades 5-8 who would like to work on art pieces after school can do so with Mr. Art on Tuesdays, from 3:00-4:30 pm. Students can be picked up in the parish center parking lot at 4:30 pm or go to aftercare. There is no cost for after school art class.

Please join us for the next room parent meeting on Tuesday, May 7th at 8:15 am in the parish center. Anyone interested in becoming a room parent for the next school year, (2024-25, grades PK3-8th), is invited to attend this meeting to find out more.

Here are a few of the room parent responsibilities:

• Communicate by email with the teacher and other parents in the class
• Help facilitate teacher requests (help with class parties, field trips, etc.)
• Help coordinate donations for Fall Fest and Gala fundraiser baskets
• Help plan teacher and aid birthday celebrations
• ...and many more things that help make our school GREAT!

We look forward to seeing you there. Please reach out to Cindy Martin (863) 207-0749, Ruth Quintana (267) 231-5366 or Tyra Hunt (863) 286-1525 with any questions.

Each spring, the Polk County Elementary Music Educators Association takes the opportunity to showcase outstanding students from music programs across the county. This event features a Boy Choir, Girl Choir and Orff Ensemble. Clinicians are brought from across the state to work with students in these ensembles. Students that participated in this event attended several rehearsals and had a concert at Florida Southern College on Tuesday, April 23.

St. Joseph Catholic School had the following students participate in the Elementary Showcase:

Girls’ Choir

Bridget Dunnick

Sienna Rovira

Boys’ Choir

Luke Martin

Samuel Fernandez Sallent

Neil Clark

Orff Ensemble

Daschel James

Emma Miller

To celebrate Earth Day, third graders had a virtual author visit with award –winning author Jennifer Swanson, who has authored over 50 nonfiction books for children. She presented her book Footprints Across the Planet which teaches the powerful impact everyone and everything has on the planet. Every third grader received a signed copy of the book as a keepsake. They also make our own “footprints” on the planet by walking over to the Lake Silver pavilion to enjoy a pizza lunch in the great outdoors.

Please ensure that your student has a water bottle when he/she stays for aftercare. It can be one that is refillable. With the hot weather, students need to stay hydrated.

Please help make Teacher Appreciation Week special for our teachers! To help and provide supplies for teacher appreciation week, please click the links below. Every $10 equals 1 hour of the required 20 service hours for the year for your family.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F45ABA62EA3F4C25-49019281-sjcs

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2MDVJSSTZ7MKK?ref=cm_sw_em_r_un_un_6kgqp7meU5Xm4

The Polk County Catholic Schools Fine Arts Show was recenlty held at Santa Fe Catholic High School. Please join us on Facebook from April 24-28 for the People's Choice Award.

Visit www.facebook.com/PolkCountyCatholicSchools to select your favorite piece(s) of art. The winner will be announced the afternoon of April 26th.

With the onset of warmer weather, we go through several bottles of water daily in an effort to keep our afternoon carline staff hydrated. We are accepting donations of cases of water bottles in the school office. Remember you earn 1 service hour for every $10 worth of items donated. You can drop donations in the office. Thank you for your consideration.

Student lunches that are dropped off at the office need to arrive by 11 am. This gives the office time to notify the student and teacher that there is a lunch waiting before the class goes over to the Parish Center at their lunchtime.

Step up for Students applications are now open for the 2024/2025 school year, Please see below some helpful videos that will guide you through the process depending on which scholarship you have. Please remember Mrs. Brown will need your AWARD id when your student gets awarded a scholarship. You can email her that number at sbrown@stjosephwhschool.org or bring a copy of that into the front office.

1. FES-Unique Abilities RENEWAL ENGLISH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOb58I0HJSQ
2. FES-Unique Abilities RENEWAL SPANISH https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gPWNQWYFV0
3. FTC, FES-EO (Private School), FTCPEP (homeschool) RENEWAL ENGLISH https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KdWOtv2mEA
4. FTC, FES-EO (Private School), FTCPEP (homeschool) RENEWAL SPANISH https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTgjPJFumW8
5. NEW APPLICATION FES-Unique Abilities ENGLISH https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJOZctJKaqA
6. NEW APPLICATION FES-Unique Abilities SPANISH https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljJrXTP6Xxs
7. NEW APPLICATION FTC. FES-EO (private school) FTC PEP (homeschool) ENGLISH https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEC3r9hEYkc
8. NEW APPLICATION FTC, FES-EO (private school), FTC PEP (homeschool) SPANISH https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vx3oakG-awE

The tuition rates for the 2024-2025 school year have changed.

Tuition: $9,400 (K-8)

Technology: $350

Registration: $250/$350

PreK 3: $4,000 (7:30am-11:50am)

VPK Wrap Around: $3,150 (11:50am – 3:30pm)

• After school care: $4.50 per hour

• Before school care: $2.50 per family per day

• Graduation fee: $125 per eighth grader

With the tution total of $9750 and assuming that the scholarship amount will stay the same for the next school year, below is the out of pocket expense per child.

$9750 Tuition

K-3 $1817 out of pocket based on this year’s scholarship

4-8 $2444 out of pocket based on this year’s scholarship

Please contact the school office with any questions.

We are beginning to work on the calendar for the coming school year. Here are some key dates for you to put on your calendar:

August 12: First Day of School for all students

November 25-29: Thanksgiving Break

December 23 - January 3: Christmas Break

January 6: School Resumes

February 18 - 28: Terra Nova Testing for grades 2-8

March 17 - 21: Spring Break

April 18 - 23: Easter Break

May 29: Last day of school

* A full calendar will be shared this summer.

Absences (Including Early Dismissals)

• 10 absences, the parent receives an automatic email notifying them of the number of absences accumulated thus far and reminding them of the policy.

• 15 absences without documentation, the parent will either receive communication or be required to attend a meeting with a school administrator; the student could be placed on attendance probation.

• At the 19th absence, school administration will evaluate the documentation provided and determine if the student can remain at St. Joseph Catholic School.

Tardies

• 10 tardies, the parent receives an automatic email notifying them of the number of tardies accumulated thus far and reminding them of the policy.

• 15 tardies without documentation, the parent will either receive communication or be required to attend a meeting with a school administrator; the student will be placed on attendance probation.

• At the 19th tardy, school administration will evaluate the documentation provided and determine if the student can remain at St. Joseph Catholic School

Thank you to the Burns family for sponsoring the deputy at this week's Mass!

Please continue to scan your receipts so we can earn funds from Box Tops for our school. Our next goal is to earn $500. Students will have another dress down day once we reach this goal.

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.

Jesus said to his disciples:
"I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower.
He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit,
and every one that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit.
You are already pruned because of the word that I spoke to you.
Remain in me, as I remain in you.
Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own
unless it remains on the vine,
so neither can you unless you remain in me.
I am the vine, you are the branches.
Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit,
because without me you can do nothing.
Anyone who does not remain in me
will be thrown out like a branch and wither;
people will gather them and throw them into a fire
and they will be burned.
If you remain in me and my words remain in you,
ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you.
By this is my Father glorified,
that you bear much fruit and become my disciples."

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. Insua

Assistant Principal: Mr. Reilly

Canonical Administrator: Fr. Tim LaBo

Superintendent: Mr. Fortier

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