Eagle's Eye
November 11, 2021
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.
mass reflections
Below are some reflections from last Friday's mass, as told by our sixth graders.
In the homily, Father Tim told us of care, as we are supposed to be caring and have love for others. We have to learn how to show love, care and affection. We should learn to care for others and yourself. - Leah
What I think of Father Tim's words is that it's ok to care for others and to show people that you're here for them, also to care about God and to live by God's word and to treat others with kindness and dignity. - Amari
On Friday, Father Tim told us how God wants us to care for the dignity of others. For example, you can give a homeless man some change. Overall, you have to care for the Kingdom of God.
-Victor
5K
service project - we need your help!
St. Gemma Galgani Book Box Service Project
In honor of St. Gemma Galgani, the patron saint of students and 6A’s adopted saint, Mrs. Holland is coordinating a service project where students are turning recycled computer boxes into interactive story boxes that will be donated to preschools and special needs classes in our community. These boxes will also contain a QR code with a 6th grade student reading the book, bringing these books alive for the children reading them.
Please consider helping by donating one or more books from the wishlist below to help our students continue to serve their community!
Wishlist Link: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1AUMAGLB3OC0A?ref_=wl_share
book Fair
Volunteers are needed! If you are able to volunteer at the Book Fair, please email Ms. Sligar at bsligar@stjosephwhschool.org. We are grateful for all of our parent volunteers. Volunteers must be cleared through the Diocesan fingerprint office.
For those interested in purchasing books at the Book Fair, there is a new cashless option for making purchases. We will still collect cash, check (made out to SJCS) or credit card. For information about Scholastic's eWallet, please see below:
Create a Book Fair eWallet by
• Go to our Book Fair homepage: https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bookfairs/cptoolkit/homepage.do?method=homepage&url=stjosephcatholicschool32
Click on eWallet “GET STARTED” and then “Create eWallet”
E-Wallet Video 1 ½ min.
https://players.brightcove.net/1543299976/Eyj59PHsg_default/index.html?videoId=5831064261001
covid vaccines for students
They will be back on Thursday, November 18th from 4pm until 8pm in the Parish Center to administer free COVID vaccines to those interested age 5 years and up. The Diocese of Orlando is coordinating this with Health Hero and opens it to anyone in our area, students and non-students. They have scheduled subsequent days for the booster shots.
mask policy update
The infection rates in Polk County thankfully continues to decline. We started the school year with a 26.49% positivity rate and last week Polk County was under 3%. Currently, families have the choice to opt out of masks when students are sitting at their desks or outside.
As of Friday, November 12th, we are moving to a full school day opt out option for students and staff.
- For those students whose parents have already indicated that they have permission to not wear their masks, you don't need to do anything other than communicate with your child that he/she does not need to wear a mask at school.
- If you haven't emailed Mrs. Haas that your child has permission to not wear a mask, and you would like to give your child that opportunity, please email Mrs. Haas at thaas@stjosephwhschool.org.
Please note that administration reserves the right to remove the mask opt out option and require masks at any time, without notice. Therefore, we are asking that all students have a mask in their backpacks at all times, should that occur. Some reasons for a change in the opt out policy could include an increase in cases within the school/grade/class, exposure, etc.
We continue to pray for the end of the pandemic and for those who are still being infected. If your child has gotten the COVID vaccine please submit a copy of the vaccination card to the front office.
Fall Fest
thanksgiving food drive
Week of Nov. 8: Jars of Spaghetti Sauce (no glass please)
Week of Nov. 15: Rice (Bag or Box)
New Air Conditioners!
report cards
Calendar Change
poinsettias
Poinsettias will be available for pick up on Tuesday, November 30th from 2pm-4pm in room #2 (across the street near the church office). If you ordered a poinsettia, please make plans to pick it up between 2 and 4 on the 30th.
field trips
incidental billing
Our school currently uses the Incidental Billing feature in FACTs management. This allows us to bill for things like field trips and student activities by class. We are also billing for extended care through FACTs as well. This does not affect your tuition account at all.
If you use before or aftercare you may be familiar with this feature already. If your class is ordering lunch, or attending a field trip, you will be billed for the cost instead of having to send the funds into the office with your student, or making a special trip to the school to pay. If you have auto pay set up on your incidental billing account you do not have to do anything else. If you have questions about incidental expenses please call Mrs. Brown in the school office or by email at sbrown@stjosephwhschool.org
Now Hiring
Middle School Musical
The spring musical is back! This year’s musical is Once Upon a Mattress: Youth Edition which tells the REAL story of the Princess and the Pea! The musical is open to all students in grades 6-8. Students interested in auditioning for the musical should plan to attend the informational meeting on Tuesday, November 16th from 3:30-4:15 in Ms. McGillin’s room.
sweets with santa committee forming
sweets with santa
booster order deadline tomorrow
advent service project
amazon smile
Cool weather uniforms
If you need long pants or other cool weather uniforms, please contact the school office to place an order.
out with the old.....
St. Joseph Prayer
St. Joseph Catholic School
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