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/pgAdRVB6F1pbCG2QA

We will have our final Spirit Night at Cain's and Morena's, which are right next door to each other, tonight, from 3:00-7:00 pm. Please join us!

Please mark your calendars to join us this coming Wednesday, May 29th for Mass at 8:15 am to celebrate our 8th grade graduates. Please use this link to sign up to attend the Baccalaureate Mass.

https://forms.gle/pgAdRVB6F1pbCG2QA

The graduation and awards ceremony will be on Wednesday, May 29th beginning at 6:00 p.m. in the Church. All are welcome!

Wednesday after Mass, our eighth grade students passed the Light of Leadership to the seventh grade.

Several students from the SJCS Class of 2020 were here earlier in the week to walk through the halls before their high school graduations. A special congratulations to the Winter Haven High School valedictorian and salutatorian, Colin Lopez and Allie Syx! #alwaysaneagle

Earlier this week, Mrs. Breen hosted our middle school science fair. It was a wonderful success and the students learned so much about the Scientific Process. Thank you Mrs. Breen, for guiding our students with their projects!

We will be in need of help setting up the Parish Center for the 8th grade graduation dinner on Tuesday, May 28th, right after morning drop off. If you are able to help, please call the school office to sign up. This will count toward the required 20 hours of service for each family.

The PreK end of the year program will be tomorrow at 10 am in the Church. Family members of students at St. Joseph Catholic School who would like to attend must preregister by 12pm on Thursday, May 23rd, 2024. Please use the Google Form link below to register.

https://forms.gle/QgMP8tH1g2pE7T1f9

We are excited for our Kindergartens to be completing the school year! The kindergarten graduation will be at 8:30 am in the church on Thursday, May 30th. To attend, please sign up on the Google Form. Attendees must preregister by 12pm on Wednesday, May 29th, 2024.

https://forms.gle/JnMdNJyZJej2e4pa8

We will have our end of the year awards program for grades K through 7 on Thursday, May 30th at 11:00 am in the Church. To attend, please fill out the Google Form on this link: https://forms.gle/E7ZjQp1ugi3YzRX28 by Wednesday, May 29th, at 12 pm.

There is no school on Monday, May 27th, in observance of Memorial Day.

The last day of school for the 2023-2024 school year is May 30th at 12 pm. There will be no aftercare on this day. Have a great summer!

Beginning tomorrow, summer homework for next year's kindergarten through 8th grade students will be posted on our school website. Also, the supply lists for next year will be posted there as well. Remember that you order school supplies from School Tool Box and they will be delivered right to your home! Here is the link for summer homework and school supply lists: https://stjosephwhschool.org/summer-resources

Please know that when planning classes for the upcoming academic year, special care is taken to ensure that each child is placed in an environment where they can thrive both academically and socially. The process involves careful consideration of each student’s individual needs, learning styles, and personality traits, as well as input from teachers who know the students well. Additionally, efforts are made to create balanced classrooms that promote a positive and effective learning atmosphere for all. Parents will be informed of their child's teacher assignment on July 23rd at the new school year packet pick up.

Congratulations on reaching this important milestone in your faith journey, second graders!

This is a special moment where you have come closer to Jesus by receiving Him in the Eucharist. May this sacrament fill you with joy, peace, and a deeper understanding of God's love for you.

All 6th graders need an immunization before 7th grade. Please make sure you turn in an updated DH 680 ( Florida Immunization Form ) as you get it ( if you haven’t already). If you have any questions, please email Mrs. Brown at sbrown@stjosephwhschool.org.

This past Wednesday, the 8th grade students Passed the Light to the 7th graders as the new leaders of the school for the 2024-2025 school year. This was a very special event as we begin our send off to the 8th graders and welcome our 7th graders as our new school leaders.

The May Crowning of Mary, the Mother of God, was a beautiful celebration! We honor Mary, the Mother of God, in the month of May.

We would like your input about the SJCS fundraisers we have each year. Please click the link for a short survey. We appreciate your feedback! https://forms.gle/PaeQYiJrFnhM2z5LA

As one of three Speech/Language Pathologists (SLP) providing services to the children at

SJCS, I’m eager to share some information about our profession during Better Speech and

Hearing month. Our training is extensive and expensive, requiring at least 6 years of schooling

followed by a 9 month fellowship. This profession is diverse, challenging and provides

opportunities to explore your personal interests and also make a decent living. If you have a

teenager who is undecided about their career choice, explore this profession since current

demand is solid and future demand is expected to increase.

The incidence of speech/language delays/disorders is about 10% in children and boys are twice

as likely as girls to have difficulties. Despite my many years as an SLP, I still enjoy my

interactions with children and the opportunity to help them say their sounds, assemble a

sentence or improve their vocabulary understanding and use. With intervention, many

speech/language difficulties can be overcome with the long term goal of effective

communication to ensure academic and personal success.

Finally, if you have any questions about the SLP profession or about your child’s

speech/language development or needs, don’t hesitate to contact me at

goodwind678@gmail.com.

Diana J. Goodwin, MA, CCC-SLP

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.

Congratulations to the new Room Parent chairs, Ruth Quintana and Cindy Martin. We are still looking for room parents for next year. Anyone interested in becoming a room parent (2024-25, grades PK3-8th), please contact the school office.

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!

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

We are looking for new PTO board members. If you are interested in helping out for the 2024-2025 school year, please call the school office.

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

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:

"As the Father loves me, so I also love you.
Remain in my love.
If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love,
just as I have kept my Father's commandments
and remain in his love.

"I have told you this so that my joy may be in you
and your joy might be complete.
This is my commandment: love one another as I love you.
No one has greater love than this,
to lay down one's life for one's friends.
You are my friends if you do what I command you.
I no longer call you slaves,
because a slave does not know what his master is doing.
I have called you friends,
because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father.
It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you
and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain,
so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you.
This I command you: love one another."

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