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.

The priest talked about how the saints reflected the beatitudes. He also talked about how if you have done something bad but you feel bad and turn yourself to God then you can still become a saint. Anyone can become a saint. Saints were just ordinary people like us. The priest asked, “if the saints who were normal people like us could be a saint then why can't we?” Marie 4A

Today was All Saints Day and we, as 4th graders, got to dress up as a saint. Today Father gave an awesome homily here is what he said to us today in mass. “St. Augustine said if he/she can become a saint why can’t you and I become saints? Saints are simple and ordinary people who are in God’s kingdom.” We should only pray to Jesus because we ask Mary and the saints to pray for us. The saints are very important. Seth 4B

The homily was about the communion of saints and how they represented the beatitudes but one of the things that really caught my attention was when he said something that Saint Augustine said. He said “if other people can become saints then why can’t you and me become saints too?” My opinion on that saying is that it’s absolutely correct. I also heard him say that the saints are praying and interceding for us and to pray to Jesus and Mary. Riley 4A

Father Raju told about the “Communion of the Saints” from the Apostles Creed, he also said saints are ordinary and simple people like us but in God’s world both now and forever. Another thing Father Raju told us is that “saints reflect the Gospels and virtues. He also said that we need them in our life so we can pray to them so they can pray to God. Raju also said that we pray to Jesus, then Mary, then to the angels and saints to pray to God. Nico 4B

Please remember that SJCS will dismiss at 2pm today, November 2nd, for Teacher Professional Development.

SJCS will dismiss at 2pm on Friday, November 3rd for our Fall Fest. Parents will need to park and come into the building to pick up their child(ren). There is NO AFTERCARE on the day of the Fall Fest. Please be aware that there will be many people on campus at this time, and parking will be limited. Allow plenty of time to find parking and get to your child's homeroom classroom to pick up him/her by 2:15 pm. If your child is being picked up by another parent, please notify the homeroom teacher via email.

Tomorrow, Friday, November 3, students may pay $1 to dress in orange as we continue the SJCS tradition of supporting Cystic Fibrosis Awareness in memory of Carrie and Neil Haas

Welcome to Deputy Serrato who will be our full time on campus School Resource Deputy! We are excited to enter this partnership with the Sherriff's Office! Deputy Serrato has worked for the Polk County Sheriff's Department for eight years, and has five years experience as a School Resource Deputy. If he looks familiar, it's because he is the father of one of our kindergarten students and has been an active volunteer here on campus.

Special thanks to the Tran family for sponsoring our deputy for Mass this week!

Thank you very much to Leo Martin! His Eagle Scout project was to build a Gaga Ball pit for our students. The students have loved playing this game in the gym, and will love it even more by being able to play it everyday at recess. We appreciate all your hard work Leo, to make this a reality for our students!

There will be a room parent meeting next Tuesday, November 7th, at 8 am, after student drop off. There will be a Sweets with Santa meeting directly after that at approximately 8:20 a.m. All are welcome!

Please remember that an adult must be present at Fall Fest at all times with students. No students may be dropped off without a parent or guardian.

If you are volunteering for the first shift at 2 pm, please be sure to be on time. Your student(s) will be brought to you at the booth you are volunteering that day so you do not need to go inside the school to pick them up.

Egg roll orders can be picked up in the parish center tomorrow. We will have a list of all who ordered the egg rolls.

Did your child get too much candy trick or treating? Consider donating all leftover Halloween candy to be used as prizes. We prefer to not have chocolate as it will melt. Halloween candy can be dropped off in the school office any time between now and Friday, Nov. 3.

Are you still looking for ways to earn your 2 service hours required for Fall Fest? Parents are invited to purchase prizes for Fall Fest. Check out the Amazon Wishlist below. Remember that parents earn 1 service hour for every $10 spent in donations to the school, when the school requests items.

*Please note that items that you purchase from this wishlist will be sent directly to our prize coordinator. You should document your donation as a service hour in Renweb (see the Resources section below for information about how to log hours).

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3BOTCOVE5YLSV?ref=cm_sw_em_r_un_un_zXiOGcYsDH8mw

On Tuesday, November 7th at 3:10 pm, St. Joseph Catholic Church will host an Altar Server training class. The training with Deacon George will be in the church and will last until 4:10 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

The end of the First Trimester is tomorrow, Friday, November 3rd. Please check your child(ren)'s grades on Renweb and encourage them to complete any missing assignments. Report cards will be emailed to parents on Thursday, November 9th.

On Thursday, November 16th, our school will be participating in the Great American Teach In. This annual event is held nationwide to celebrate American Education week. Members of the community are invited into the school to share information with students about their career or hobby. It is also an opportunity for students to see where education can take them. We are in need of volunteers to come and speak to our students in kindergarten through 8th grade. We are looking for the following career areas to share with students:

Health care (medical and dental)

Animal care

Cooking/Baking

Law Enforcement

Musicians

Horticulture

Engineering

News/Meteorology

Scientists

Any other career

Please click the link below to fill out an interest form.

https://forms.gle/J9nHAprsm2pebEx99

With the holidays around the corner, our Catholic Charities Food Pantry needs our help to stock the shelves. This collection is in addition to the items students are encouraged to bring to Mass on Wednesdays. The items listed below are collected throughout the week in the classrooms. We will track the number of items collected in each class. The class with the highest total number of items in prek, primary (K-2), intermediate (3-5) and middle school (6-8) will receive a special treat.

Week of October 30: Boxes of Instant Mashed Potatoes

Week of November 5: Boxes of Rice (no bags please)

Week of November 12: Jars of Peanut Butter

Week of November 26: Soup

Week of December 3: Cans of Tuna/Canned Meat

Week of December 10: Cereal/Oatmeal

The 4th grade students did a wonderful job hosting Mass and processing into the Church in their saint costumes. Students, parents and parishioners enjoyed the 4th graders' Saint Wax Museum. Thank you, 4th grade, for helping us learn more about the saints!

Thank you to all those who entered the Pumpkin Decorating Contest. Congratulations to our winners: Rylee, Margo, and Carson!

Thank you to all the parents who came out to decorate their vehicles for Trunk or Treat!

We will have a meeting for girls interested in cheerleading on Monday, November 6th, outside the gym from 3:30-4:00 to discuss the practices and obligations.

As our girls volleyball and boys soccer seasons wind down, we are beginning to prepare for our boys and girls basketball seasons. All students in grades 5-8 are invited to play on our basketball teams. Requirements are as follows:

• Parents must have attended a sports meeting with Mrs. Haas.
• Coach Edwards has permission slips that must be completed and returned to the front office.
• Families will be charged $50 sports fee on FACTs account.
• Parents must join the respective Band app to receive notification from coaches about practices and games. (see below)

Practices have started so sign your child up soon to play.

The date of our Taste of Achievement Gala has been changed. Please make a note on your calendar that the Gala will be held on Saturday, March 2nd. You will not want to miss it. Save the date and make plans to join us.

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 spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying,
"The scribes and the Pharisees
have taken their seat on the chair of Moses.
Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you,
but do not follow their example.
For they preach but they do not practice.
They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry
and lay them on people's shoulders,
but they will not lift a finger to move them.
All their works are performed to be seen.
They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels.
They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues,
greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation 'Rabbi.'
As for you, do not be called 'Rabbi.'
You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers.
Call no one on earth your father;
you have but one Father in heaven.
Do not be called 'Master';
you have but one master, the Christ.
The greatest among you must be your servant.
Whoever exalts himself will be humbled;
but whoever humbles himself will be exalted." MT 23:1-12

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.

Interim Principal: Mrs. Insua

Assistant Principal: Mr. Reilly

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