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.

Tuesday was a special day. We celebrated Thomas Hammen and Sarah Pack, two SJCS alumni who are giving their lives to God. Thomas will be leaving for the St. Vincent DePaul seminary in Boynton Beach while Sarah is heading to the St. Kateri Tekakwitha Novitiate in Maryland. They were recognized at Mass where they were given statues of St. Joseph, blessed by Father Tim, and there was a reception after Mass. They also got to visit several classrooms and answer questions the students had. Please keep these two special young people in your prayers as they begin their vocations.

A very special thank you to the Matthews family for sponsoring the police officer at the Kindergarten Nursery Rhyme Olympics. 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 for your patience and understanding during our temporary closing for Hurricane Idalia. We have received word from the Superintendent that, since we have 181 school days in our calendar (public schools have 180), we will not need to make up the day missed on Wednesday.

Parents are reminded that SJCS is closed on Friday, September 1st for Teacher Professional Development. School is also closed on Monday, September 4th for Labor Day! Please note that the school office will NOT be open tomorrow, Friday, September 1.

On Wednesday, September 6th at 3:30 pm, St. Joseph Catholic Church will host an Altar Server training class for new servers. The training with Deacon George will be in the church and will last until 4:30 pm. 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 at Sunday Masses as well as our Wednesday school Masses. 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.

St. Joseph Church Children's Choir resumes on September 7, 2023. Meet at 3pm at the Parish Center Music Room. Ages 5- 14 welcome.

Special thanks to Mr. Greene and AAA Top Quality Asphalt for recently resurfacing and restriping our church and school parking lot. We thank them for their generosity and encourage families to consider them for future asphalt needs. Thank you!

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.

Our fall sports season kicks off today with our boys soccer competing at St. Paul's this afternoon. Our girls volleyball teams will play at Lakeland Christian School. Good luck, Eagles!

It was a great crowd at Cain's Snowballs last week! We hope you enjoyed it. Please watch or additional Spirit Nights at other eateries to be scheduled in the near future. Thanks to the PTO for coordinating.

Our kindergarteners enjoyed Nursery Rhyme Olympics, a culmination of their Nursery Rhyme Unit, last week. Thanks to all of the parents who came out to help. The event, as always was a huge success.

Our annual PTO Read A Thon fundraiser kicks off next Friday, September 8th. Watch for information within the next week.

Cool weather will be here before we know it! Order your school approved outerwear today! . These two items will be acceptable when it is cold outside. Depending on how cold it is, students may or may not be able to wear them in church on Mass days. Please use the order form above (there are copies available in the office). Payment is due at the time of the order. DEADLINE TO ORDER IS WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6. PAYMENT MUST BE MADE AT THE TIME YOU PLACE THE ORDER.

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