Eagle's Eye

January 12, 2023

Mission Statement

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.

welcome Father raju and father saji

We are excited to welcome two new priests to St. Joseph Catholic Church and School. Father Saji and Father Raju toured our campus this morning and had an opportunity to visit a few classrooms. We look forward to having both Father Saji and Father Raju as a part of our community and pray for them as they transition to Winter Haven.

mass reflections

Today the Bible said, Jesus did three main things. Preach and teach, heal the sick, and pray. Jesus went around a couple countries and would preach and teach all around each one. Jesus will go around the countries and into their houses and heal the unhealthy. Jesus will go in the countries, going to houses, and was very popular. But every day he would take time to still talk to God. Kolten grade 4


In the homily, the priest talked about how maybe one day when you leave the school, we might not go to church or pray or stay Catholics. So it's good to get into the habit of praying every day I learned that even when you're not scheduled to go to church you should. Sienna grade 4


In the family from today's mass, Father said three important things. One thing is that Jesus, would preach and teach, heal the sick, and prayed. For prayed, he always found a quiet place to pray. For heal the sick, he scared away demons, healed fevers, and more. He would teach and preach about who God is and other things. JoJo Grade 4

No School Monday

Please remember SJCS will be closed on Monday, January 16th in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day! Enjoy the long weekend with your families.

Thank You for Sponsoring Our Police Officer

Special thanks to the Galvez family for sponsoring our police officer this week! If you would like to sponsor an off duty Winter Haven Police Officer for an upcoming school Mass, please contact Miss Summer at sdehaven@stjosephwhschool.org to schedule. The cost is $135 per three hours.

congratulations mrs. freeland

Congratulations to first grade teacher, Mrs. Freeland who recently received her Master of Education in Exceptional Student Education from Southeastern University. Thank you, Mrs. Freeland and Congratulations.

reregistration for 2023-2024

It's time to secure your child's spot at St. Joseph Catholic School for the coming 2023-2024 school year! All current families should have received a link on Monday, January 9th to reregister. There are two steps to confirm that your child will be returning in the Fall:


1. Using the link provided, complete the online application. This must be done by Friday, January 27th at 3pm.


2. Watch for the registration fee of $250 per child to be scheduled for payment via FACTs on January 27th. This will automatically be charged to your FACTs account with scheduled payment for 1/27. If you do not intend to return, or need to request a payment plan to cover the registration fee, please email Mrs. Brown at sbrown@stjosephwhschool.org and expect an email reply. We can only confirm that your email was received if you receive a reply from Mrs. Brown.

Parent Volunteer hours and reregistration

  • To be considered "in good standing," all families must contribute (and log) 20 volunteer hours in Renweb. Only those students whose parents have contributed the full 20 hours will be accepted. Those parents who still need to contribute their hours may be placed on provisional acceptance pending the completion of the 20 volunteer hours. Please remember that volunteer hours are an expectation of all families of students at SJCS.

pto general meeting

All parents are asked to make plans to attend the PTO General Meeting at 6pm on Tuesday, January 17th in the Parish Center. Mrs. Haas will be presenting the tuition and fees for the coming school year, as well as discussing scholarship opportunities. Additionally, our PTO board will be highlighting upcoming events on campus. Remember that attending PTO Meetings counts for service hours for parents. *Children should not attend. The meeting will last less than an hour.

new students for 2023-2024

We are now accepting applications for new students to SJCS for the coming school year. By beginning the application process next week, it will allow families the opportunity to collect and submit all necessary paperwork before the 1st of February, when we will begin accepting new students.


If you know of anyone considering SJCS for their child next year, please encourage them to apply beginning on Monday. Applications will be considered on a first come, first served basis.

Big picture

SJCS School Spelling Bee

Congratulations to all our 5th-8th grade school spelling bee contestants who recently competed! Congratulations to our winner from the 5th-6th grade competition, Issa and the second place contestant, Camila. Also congratulations to our 6th-8th grade winner, Sophia and our second place contestant, Gabriel!

Nun Run

We are looking forward to our inaugural Nun Run on January 21. Please be sure to use the discount code SJCS20 when registering. We hope you will consider joining us. The class with the highest participation will receive an ice cream party.
Big picture
Big picture
Big picture
Big picture

Calendar Changes

Please note that we have made a change to the school calendar! Parent Teacher Conferences, originally scheduled for April 13 and 14 have been rescheduled for April 19 and 20.


*April 13 and 14 will be a full, regular school day.

*School will dismiss at 2pm on Wednesday, April 19. Parent Teacher Conferences will be held from 2:30pm-6pm.

*School will dismiss at 2pm on Thursday, April 20. Parent Teacher Conferences will be held from 2:30pm-3:30pm.

family movie night

Mark your calendar and make plans to join us on Friday, January 27th for Family Movie Night. We will be showing Encanto on the soccer field beginning at 6pm. This is always a fun night for the whole family. More information to be coming soon. Hope to see you there.

Catholic Schools Week

Big picture
Big picture

catholic schools week masses

As is customary, students will read and carry up the gifts at all parish Masses on January 28 and 29th. If your child(ren) is interested in reading at one of the parish Masses that weekend, please email Mrs. Haas at thaas@stjosephwhschool.org.

First Communion Meeting

There will be a required First Communion parent and child sacramental preparation meeting on Monday, January 23 6:30-7:30pm in the Parish Center.
Big picture

Gospel Reading this Sunday

John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward him and said,
"Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.
He is the one of whom I said,
'A man is coming after me who ranks ahead of me
because he existed before me.'
I did not know him,
but the reason why I came baptizing with water
was that he might be made known to Israel."
John testified further, saying,
"I saw the Spirit come down like a dove from heaven
and remain upon him.
I did not know him,
but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me,
'On whomever you see the Spirit come down and remain,
he is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.'

Now I have seen and testified that he is the Son of God."

- Jn 1:29-34

Resources

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.

St. Joseph Prayer

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.

St. Joseph Catholic School

Principal: Mrs. Haas

Assistant Principal: Mr. Reilly

Assistant Principal: Mrs. Insua

Canonical Administrator: Fr. Tim LaBo

Superintendent: Mr. Fortier