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 will celebrate Mass on Tuesday, March 19th for the Feast of St. Joseph. Students will wear Mass uniforms on Tuesday this week. There will be no Mass on Wednesday. If you plan on attending, please sign up using the Google Form link below by Monday, March 18th.

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 Tuesday's 8:15 am Mass, March 19th.

https://forms.gle/UvXc7v9CAk1g63PV6

All who attended our annual fund raiser, the Taste of Achievement Gala, last weekend had a great time. We appreciate all the volunteers who helped plan, setup and cleanup as well as all the sponsors who helped make our event a success. Thank you to HydroScout, Knights of Columbus, MidFlorida, Dr. & Mrs. J.C. Alvarez, Ramierz/Dos Santos Family, Bopp and Tarver, Dr & Mrs. David Neal, Dr. & Mrs. Jamie Odom, Dr. Rick & Andy Honer, Greg & Tyra Hunt, Mr. & Mrs. Gary Moulton, Meadows-Hacker Wealth Management Group, Santa Fe Catholic High School, South State Bank, St. Joseph Catholic Church, People Technology, Adam & Brittaney Roe, Cappello Legal, Dr. & Mrs. Peter Verrill, Lakeland Toyota, Matt & Allison Beeman, Mike & Erin Robinson.

Our middle school A-Team competed this week in a two-day competition against other public and private schools from all across the county. They came in fifth overall!

In honor of Saint Hubert and Saint George, the 7th grade will be collecting toiletries from March 6th through April 5th to be donated to Catholic Charities. These toiletries will make a significant difference in the lives of those in need. We will be gathering items such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, shampoo, conditioner, and deodorant. You can donate either travel or full sized products. Providing these essential items can help individuals and families maintain their hygiene and dignity during challenging times. Donating is a great way to show compassion and support for others in your community. Please put your donations in the labeled boxes in the hallways. We appreciate your support of our service project.

Congratulations to Danian and Kaylee who won Awards of Distinction at this year's Polk County Tag Art contest!

Thank you so much for all the food items recently donated! The shelves at Catholic Charities continue to be empty and they need our help. Please help fill the shelves for those in need by having your child(ren) bring in canned goods and other food items (no glass) on We Feed Wednesday. Thank you for your help with this!

For the season of Lent, we will be participating in the Stations of the Cross each Friday morning at 8:15 am in the Church. If you would like to join us, please sign up on the Google Form link below by Thursday at 12 pm. This is the link for Friday, March 22nd.

https://forms.gle/5wgGivAkVJKToXoM7

Mrs. Insua will be leading Stations of the Cross in church at 5:30 pm on Friday, March 22nd and our MIddle School students will be volunteering as servers at the Fish Fry. Come join us!

Mark your Calendars
Spirit Day at Delectable Delights
March 8th anytime from 12pm-10pm.
245 W Central Ave, Unit 100

Five of our SJCS alumni are finalists for the Silver Garland awards. Nominees are Polk County high school seniors who have used their talent and skill in service to school and community. Colin Lopez has been nominated for Vocational Technology, Ricardo Murillo for Culinary, Ashley Fedderly for Athletics, Jayden Fedderly for Science, and Leo Martin for Aerospace. Congratulations to our alumni on being finalists. We are very proud of you!

Lent is the Church's primary penitential season in the liturgical year. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and lasts until the Mass of the Lord's Supper on Holy Thursday. The season has six Sundays: the final one, known as Passion (or Palm) Sunday, begins Holy Week. The origin of Lenten observances dates back to the fourth century or earlier. The length of the season reflects the forty days Christ spent praying and fasting in the desert (see Matthew 4: 1-11) and is a time of preparation for the great feast of Easter. Here are calendars and a link for some Lenten activities for your family https://www.crsricebowl.org/families.

With the onset of cold season, we are in desperate need of tissues. If you are able to donate some boxes, please drop them off at the school office. Every $10 spent counts for 1 hour of the 20 required volunteers hours.

Re-registration for current students ended on Friday January 26, 2024, for the 2024-2025 school year. New student registration is open and your returning child(ren)'s spot may not be guaranteed for the new school year without re-registration. The cost for registration is $350. If you have questions or concerns regarding enrollment please reach out to Mrs. Brown 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 Diocese of Orlando Office of Schools has let us know that the first day of the 2024-2025 school year will be Monday, August 12th, 2024.

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

Special thanks to the Gosnell family for sponsoring our deputy at Mass this week, and to the Monteagudo family for sponsoring the deputy at this week's Stations of the Cross.

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.

As Jesus passed by he saw a man blind from birth.
His disciples asked him,
“Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents,
that he was born blind?”
Jesus answered,
“Neither he nor his parents sinned;
it is so that the works of God might be made visible through him.
We have to do the works of the one who sent me while it is day.
Night is coming when no one can work.
While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”
When he had said this, he spat on the ground
and made clay with the saliva,
and smeared the clay on his eyes,
and said to him,
“Go wash in the Pool of Siloam” —which means Sent—.
So he went and washed, and came back able to see.

His neighbors and those who had seen him earlier as a beggar said,
“Isn’t this the one who used to sit and beg?”
Some said, “It is, “
but others said, “No, he just looks like him.”
He said, “I am.”
So they said to him, “How were your eyes opened?”
He replied,
“The man called Jesus made clay and anointed my eyes
and told me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash.’
So I went there and washed and was able to see.”
And they said to him, “Where is he?”
He said, “I don’t know.”

They brought the one who was once blind to the Pharisees.
Now Jesus had made clay and opened his eyes on a sabbath.
So then the Pharisees also asked him how he was able to see.
He said to them,
“He put clay on my eyes, and I washed, and now I can see.”
So some of the Pharisees said,
“This man is not from God,
because he does not keep the sabbath.”
But others said,
“How can a sinful man do such signs?”
And there was a division among them.
So they said to the blind man again,
“What do you have to say about him,
since he opened your eyes?”
He said, “He is a prophet.”

Now the Jews did not believe
that he had been blind and gained his sight
until they summoned the parents of the one who had gained his sight.
They asked them,
“Is this your son, who you say was born blind?
How does he now see?”
His parents answered and said,
“We know that this is our son and that he was born blind.
We do not know how he sees now,
nor do we know who opened his eyes.
Ask him, he is of age;
he can speak for himself.”
His parents said this because they were afraid
of the Jews, for the Jews had already agreed
that if anyone acknowledged him as the Christ,
he would be expelled from the synagogue.
For this reason his parents said,
“He is of age; question him.”

So a second time they called the man who had been blind
and said to him, “Give God the praise!
We know that this man is a sinner.”
He replied,
“If he is a sinner, I do not know.
One thing I do know is that I was blind and now I see.”
So they said to him,
“What did he do to you?
How did he open your eyes?”
He answered them,
“I told you already and you did not listen.
Why do you want to hear it again?
Do you want to become his disciples, too?”
They ridiculed him and said,
“You are that man’s disciple;
we are disciples of Moses!
We know that God spoke to Moses,
but we do not know where this one is from.”
The man answered and said to them,
“This is what is so amazing,
that you do not know where he is from, yet he opened my eyes.
We know that God does not listen to sinners,
but if one is devout and does his will, he listens to him.
It is unheard of that anyone ever opened the eyes of a person born blind.
If this man were not from God,
he would not be able to do anything.”
They answered and said to him,
“You were born totally in sin,
and are you trying to teach us?”
Then they threw him out.

When Jesus heard that they had thrown him out,
he found him and said, Do you believe in the Son of Man?”
He answered and said,
“Who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?”
Jesus said to him,
“You have seen him,
the one speaking with you is he.”
He said,
“I do believe, Lord,” and he worshiped him.
Then Jesus said,
“I came into this world for judgment,
so that those who do not see might see,
and those who do see might become blind.”

Some of the Pharisees who were with him heard this
and said to him, “Surely we are not also blind, are we?”
Jesus said to them,
“If you were blind, you would have no sin;
but now you are saying, ‘We see,’ so your sin remains.

OR:

Jn 9:1, 6-9, 13-17, 34-38

As Jesus passed by he saw a man blind from birth.
He spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva,
and smeared the clay on his eyes,
and said to him,
“Go wash in the Pool of Siloam” — which means Sent —.
So he went and washed, and came back able to see.

His neighbors and those who had seen him earlier as a beggar said,
“Isn’t this the one who used to sit and beg?”
Some said, “It is, “
but others said, “No, he just looks like him.”
He said, “I am.”

They brought the one who was once blind to the Pharisees.
Now Jesus had made clay and opened his eyes on a sabbath.
So then the Pharisees also asked him how he was able to see.
He said to them,
“He put clay on my eyes, and I washed, and now I can see.”
So some of the Pharisees said,
“This man is not from God,
because he does not keep the sabbath.”
But others said,
“How can a sinful man do such signs?”
And there was a division among them.
So they said to the blind man again,
“What do you have to say about him,
since he opened your eyes?”
He said, “He is a prophet.”

They answered and said to him,
“You were born totally in sin,
and are you trying to teach us?”
Then they threw him out.

When Jesus heard that they had thrown him out,
he found him and said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?”
He answered and said,
“Who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?”
Jesus said to him,
“You have seen him, and
the one speaking with you is he.”
He said,
“I do believe, Lord,” and he worshiped him.

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