Support Our Gator Nation

A vital aspect of our engagement with families comes from ongoing participation in activities that raise financial support for our students and the school, as well as serve others in the larger community. At SHS, this typically occurs at the institutional level through our yearly fundraising efforts, and through longer-term impact giving to the SHS endowment or capital campaigns. Embracing our mission as a community as well, there will often also be school-driven drives or collections that benefit various local agencies or charities, or respond to natural disasters or emergencies across the country and the world.

Consistent across efforts, our primary goal is always to achieve 100% participation, rather than any financial threshold. In this way, every member of our community - families, employees, leadership, etc. - have an active investment in the success of all our students.

SHS Annual Fund. Held in fall, the Annual Fund is the primary and most critical fundraising priority at SHS to meet immediate and emerging financial needs. In truth, the cost to educate a Sacred Heart student exceeds the cost of tuition. Each year, SHS is only able to bridge this critical financial “gap” through our Annual Fund campaign, which also provides support to all aspects of a Sacred Heart education. Every gift counts!

SHS Auction. Held in spring, the Auction is a cornerstone community event that raises critical support for programs and students through a silent, super-silent, and live auction event, as well as a “Fund-A-Need” effort for financial aid. For more than 40 years, we have gathered together for this pinnacle event, which is so much more than just a fundraiser; it is an event that encourages community spirit, connection, and pride!

Endowment is a school’s investment in its longevity and future generations. At SHS, having a thriving endowment ensures we will always have the necessary resources and reserves to fulfill our mission and retain, sustain, and expand all aspects of this distinctive Sacred Heart experience. A few examples of SHS’ working endowment funds that provide important financial support now, but are designed for perpetuity, include our many named student scholarships, academic program funds, the Barat College Access Fund, institutional priorities funds, and many others.

At times, SHS may initiate a major gift drive or large-scale campaign in order to raise significant funds for new capital projects, program support, and other identified institutional priorities and needs that have both long-term and wide-scale impact on the campus and student experience.

Our highly active parent/guardian booster clubs for both Gator sports and our fine arts programs provide tremendous support to SHS by enhancing the quality of the programs available, raising supplemental funds to support related activities and travel opportunities, and assisting the respective SHS departments (athletics, arts) with large events. Currently, there are three Booster Clubs operating: the SHP Fine Arts Boosters (GR 9-12), the LMS Athletics Boosters (GR 4-8), and the SHP Athletics Boosters (GR 9-12).

Each year, families may be asked to consider supporting the needs of our local community with various drives for food, clothing, etc. Among our more regular coordinated efforts are item donation requests toward the provision of holiday meals, Lenten giving, coldweather gear, personal hygiene kits, gently used bicycles, and other drives. Requests are usually posted via the weekly family newsletter, as well as in the grade-level or room parent communications.

On occasion, a student-driven campaign will be mounted to respond to an emerging or ongoing identified need in the greater community. Recent efforts have included drives to provide relief for victims of the war in Ukraine, a walkathon and swimathon to raise funds for the Diabetes Youth Foundation, and a community event to secure support for Sacred Heart Network schools that had been severely impacted by Hurricane Michael.

There are three additional ways families may choose to lend support for SHS programs and activities; a portion of each qualifying sale is donated back to the school.

Shop for SHS on Amazon - Use this special SHS link to access the shopping platform. Buy Gator Gear - Find themed items at the Gator Pit (SHP) or SHS Gator Gear Store (P-8). Mention “Sacred Heart” - Kepler’s Books and Honey Bear Christmas Trees donate a purchase percentage if you mention your child attends SHS.

Each year serving more than 800 families, close to 1,200 students, about 350 employees, and 50+ retired RSCJ, Sacred Heart is unquestionably a large and complex organization, situated on a campus about the size of a small college. For new folks, it can sometimes be a challenge to navigate all the new information, traditions, acronyms, places, and shorthand our community tends to use. It is our hope that this Family Guide booklet, along with the list of links and resources noted on these two pages, will help you orient and acclimate as quickly and easily as possible. So, welcome to GATOR NATION and to our SACRED HEART FAMILY - we are thrilled to have you join us!

A WHO’S WHO OF SHS *

- School Leadership - SHP or P-8

- Parents’ Associations Leadership Rosters - SHP or P-8

- Room Parent/Class Parent Rep Rosters - SHP or P-8

- Faculty & Staff Directory (Portal)

- SHS Families Directory (Portal)

DECODING SHS *

- SHSpeak - Acronyms, Shorthand, & Definitions - SHP or P-8

- Sacred Heart Traditions Explained

- SHS Annual Community Events & Activities: A Primer for New Families

- Map of the Sacred Heart Campus

* Please see electronic version of this SHS Family Guide for active. llinks

Key Resource Board Tiles - What’s On....?

SHS WEBSITE & TECH HELP

- Navigating the SHS Website & Portal

- Using Schoology

- Student Progress, Grades,  Assignments on Blackbaud

- Viewing/Contributing to Vidigami

Photo Sharing Site

ALL-SCHOOL RESOURCES, A-Z

- Student Attendance Reporting

Instructions & Contact Info

- Transportation Forms, Instructions

- Academic Year Calendar (PDF)

- Tuition Payment & Billing

- SHS Brand Logos & Style Guide

(Downloadable Graphics)

DIVISIONAL RESOURCES (SHP, P-8)

- Attendance Reporting Instructions &  Contact Info

- Parent-Student Handbooks

- Technology Use Policies & Handbook

- Cafeteria Info & Links

- Uniform & Textbook Ordering Links

- Student Retreats, Service, Activities

- Other Forms & Instructions

Key “Groups” - What’s In....?

PARENTS’ ASSOCIATION GROUPS

- Leadership Rosters & Contact Info

- Class Pages (SHP)

- PA Committee Activities & Opps

- Boosters Info (Arts, Sports)

- Forms, Signups, Resources

- Uniform & Gator Gear Exchange Info

SHS HEALTH & WELLNESS

- Topical Links, Information, Resources

- Campus Counselor Contacts

- Developmental Guides/Tips

- Tips: Talking with Teens & Children

ATHLETICS

- Commitment Forms, Requirements,  Policies (SHP, GR 4-8)

- LMS (GR 4-8) Athletics Handbook

- LMS (GR 4-8) Seasonal Practice Info

- Concussion Education & Resources

(SHP Required Course)

ARTS

- LMS (GR 4-8) Drama Handbook

- LMS Theatrical Production Audition

Information & Forms

- SHP Fine Arts Boosters Information

- P erforming A rts Calendar (LMS & SHP)

CAMPUS SAFETY & SECURITY

- Emergency Instructions, Plans, &  Resources

- Emergency/Crisis/Tip Reporting

Hotlines & Contact Info

- Visitor Campus Access & Safety

Measures

SHS MISSION, CULTURE, STRATEGY

- Reflections & Newsletters

- Guides to Cultural Events & Activities

- DEIA Committee Updates & Reports

- Newsletter Archive

SHP EXCHANGE PROGRAM

- Program Details, Locations, Deadlines

- SHS Family Hosting Opportunities

- Program Cost & Financial Aid

- Exchange Student Blogs & Photos

- Resources for Matched Students

- Resources for Traveling Students