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, February 7th. Soaring Eagle and Acts of Kindness recognitions immediately after Mass on this day.

https://forms.gle/5zhg6N2Db5EmmSKeA

New student registration is open and your child(ren)'s spot may not be guaranteed for the new school year without re-registration. The cost for re-registration is $350. If you did not receive the email link for re registration, you will need to contact Mrs. Brown in the front office by email at sbrown@stjosephwhschool.org

If you are planning to register your child in VPK at SJCS for the 2024-2025 school-year, you will need to apply for a Certificate of Eligibility. You can do this on the Early Learning Coalition website by clicking on the following link and following the directions.

https://elcpolk.org/families/voluntary-prekindergarten-education-program/how-to-apply-for-vpk/

Applying for VPK is a two-part process and your application is not considered complete until we receive BOTH of the following items:

1. Registration Packet (from SJCS)

2. Certificate of Eligibility (from The Early Learning Coalition)

If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Brown, Enrollment Specialist: sbrown@stjosephwhschool.org

The Dioceses of Orlando has let us know that the first day of the 2024-2025 school year will be Monday, August 12th, 2024.

Since 1974, National Catholic Schools Week is the annual celebration of Catholic education in the United States. It starts the last Sunday in January and runs all week, which in 2024 is January 28 – February 3. The theme for National Catholic Schools Week 2024 is “Catholic Schools: United in Faith and Community.”

We are collecting gas gift cards for Thomas Hammen's seminary and Sarah Pack's orders to help them continue their mission work. Please consider donating a gift card. The dollar dress down day on Thursday, February 1st will be for purchasing gift cards.

Our largest annual fund raiser is back this year with an evening of food, fun, dancing, and both live and silent auctions. The Taste of Achievement Gala will take place in the school gym on March 2, 2024. To purchase sponsorships and tickets, scan the QR or click on this link: https://sjcswh.ejoinme.org/2024gala

We are in need of live auction items for the Taste of Achievement Gala such as vacation homes, experiences, tickets, etc. Please contact Katie Collany at katie@collany.com to donate.

Were you "over blessed" this year with more gifts that you can imagine? If you are looking to "rehome" gifts that you may have multiples of or just can't use, the Gala Committee would love to have those donations! They are also in need of any extra baskets or containers for making the Gala baskets. Any donations can be sent to the office.

We had two of our students participated in the All-State Ensembles held in Tampa.

Daschel James was chosen out of over 1000 students that auditioned to perform with the All-State Orff Ensemble. They worked with a world-renowned conductor for 2 days alongside students from all over Florida. Congratulations, Daschel!

Ali Palmer had to pass a written theory, sightsinging and vocal quality test in order to be chosen to sing with the All-State Middle School Treble Chorus. The All-State Middle School Treble Chorus rehearsed with students from all over the state and performed at the Tampa Convention Center.

Congratulations, Ali!

There will be a required cross training of all current Altar Servers on Tuesday , February 20th, after school from 3:10 to 4:00 p.m. in the Church. We would like everyone to be able to carry the Cross and know how to handle the incense and carry the boat at the Masses.

Coming up, we have Easter Time and Confirmation which will require the use of incense and boat at every Mass until Pentecost. Ms. Richer will plan a schedule for this part of the Liturgical year and will need all servers knowing the positions.

Thank you for your service for the Masses. We could not do without your help. Thank you to the parents for your service also in getting your children to Mass 15 minutes before Mass begins.

Shirley Roberts

Catechist/Sacristan

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.

Applications are NOT yet available for the 2024-25 school year for the following programs:

• Florida Tax Credit Scholarship / Family Empowerment Scholarship for Educational Options
  (including Transportation and the Personalized Education Program)
• Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities

If your student is currently benefiting from one of these programs, please continue to monitor your email. More information will be shared next month.

https://www.stepupforstudents.org/scholarships/private-and-transportation/?utm_source=Private+School+Facebook+Apply+English&utm_medium=Facebook+English&utm_id=Private+School+Facebook+Apply+English

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

Coming to the Daddy Daughter Dance? We want your song requests! Email your requests to Ms. Keown at rkeown@stjosephwhschool.org. Can't wait to see you there.

Special thanks to the Burns family for sponsoring our deputy at Grandparents Day Mass this week, and the Neel family for sponsoring our deputy at our Family Picnic.

Please continue to scan your receipts so we can earn funds from Box Tops for our school. Our next goal is to earn $300. 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.

Then they came to Capernaum,
and on the sabbath Jesus entered the synagogue and taught.
The people were astonished at his teaching,
for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes.
In their synagogue was a man with an unclean spirit;
he cried out, "What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth?
Have you come to destroy us?
I know who you are—the Holy One of God!"
Jesus rebuked him and said,
"Quiet! Come out of him!"
The unclean spirit convulsed him and with a loud cry came out of him.
All were amazed and asked one another,
"What is this?
A new teaching with authority.
He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey him."

His fame spread everywhere throughout the whole region of Galilee.

Mk 1:21-28

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