SaberSpeak
Week of April 24, 2023
How to Submit News to SaberSpeak
Information to be considered for inclusion in the newsletter must be emailed to dsinopoli@st-hilary.org by 3:00 p.m. on Friday for the following week. Information must be relevant to the St. Hilary School or St. Hilary Parish community, and cannot promote a personal interest or a school other than our own. The school reserves the right to determine what content will be included.
Need To Know Now
Click here for the School Faculty & Staff Directory
Click here for information about our drop-off and pick-up procedures
Click here for the 2023-2024 School Calendar
Click here for the 2022-2023 School Calendar, revised August 15
Click here for the 2022-2023 Dress Code
Click here for the 2022-2023 School Handbook
Click here for the Parents as Partners Code of Conduct
Click here for the Daily Schedule
Click here for the Diocese of Cleveland Curriculum Guides
Hot Off The Press
AVAILABLE IN THE SCHOOL OFFICE
- Ohio Catholic Federal Credit Union Banking information
NO REVERE BUS APRIL 28
There will be no Revere busing for St. Hilary School students on April 28 due to Revere being closed on those days.
SUMMER SOLUTIONS BOOKS NOW AVAILABLE TO ORDER
Summer Solutions books are now available to order. These books are optional for families who would like to keep skills sharp over the summer. Click here for details.
2023-2024 SCHOOL SUPPLY LISTS
Our 2023-2024 School Supply Lists have been published. Again this year, parents have the option of shopping for supplies using the lists, or purchasing pre-packaged supply kits created from our lists. Please click here for complete information and see below for 1st Day School Supplies pre-packaged kit details.
See the flyer below for details.
The Main Event
The main event this week is the State Mock Trial Showcase for our Mock Trial Team! We wish them the best of luck as they compete on April 27!
School Resource Officer Meeting May 4
Plan Ahead
GOOGLE CALENDAR
Click here for the school Google calendar
- April 24-May13: MAP Testing Continues
- April 24: Grade 6 Tennis Field Trip 11:00 am-1:30 pm
- April 24: Cooking Club Qtr 4 Grp 2 3:15-4:15 pm
- April 25: Grade 8 to Maltz Museum
- April 25: Art Club 3:15-4:30 pm
- April 26: Grade 2 Jesus Day
- April 26: Mock Trial Meeting Grades 6-8 3:15-4:30 pm
- April 27: State Mock Trial Showcase
- April 29: Grade 8 Confirmation Practice 9:25 am
- April 30: Grade 8 Confirmation
- May 1: Room 110 Ice Cream Social 1:45 pm
- May 1: Cooking Club Qtr 4 Grp 1 3:15-4:15 pm
- May 2: Grade 7 HSPT Diagnostic Test for Students Who Registered 3:00-6:00 pm
- May 3: Room 106 Ice Cream Social 1:30 pm
- May 4: Grade 6 to Shrine
- May 4: New Fire Grades 6-8 3:15-4:30 pm
- May 4: Faculty/Staff Meeting 3:30-4:15 pm
- May 4: School Resource Officer Meeting 6:30 pm - Horning Hall
- May 5: Fourth Quarter Interim Reports
- May 8: Cooking Club Qtr 4 Grp 2 3:15-4:15 pm
- May 11: Kindergarten Parent Orientation 6:30 pm - Gathering Area
- May 12: Room 105 Year-end Picnic 1:45 pm - Pavilion/Playground
- May 12: Incoming Kindergarten Playdate 6:30 pm - Playground
- May 13: Grade 2 First Communion
Help Wanted
PARENTS' ASSOCIATION SEEKS VOLUNTEERS FOR 2023-2024
One of the best things about our school is the support of our many parent volunteers! Parents' Association is seeking volunteers to fill many positions for the 2023-2024 school year. To view the roles needed and sign up, please click here!
HOT LUNCH HELP NEEDED
Our Hot Lunch program is in need of parent and grandparent volunteers to fill open spots to ensure we can offer Hot Lunch every day. There are still a few spots open, especially on Tuesdays, as well as a few other various days. The shift is approximately 10:50 am to 1:10 pm. This is a great way to meet new friends and the kids love seeing you in the kitchen! If you can help, please email Hot Lunch Coordinator Becky Vieltorf at bvieltorf@st-hilary.org with your availability.
PLAYGROUND MONITORS NEEDED
Looking for a fun way to be involved at school, see your child during the school day, get some fresh air, and make some extra money? Consider being a playground monitor! Help is needed for the 2022-2023 school year in order to ensure that our students are properly supervised during recess. Monitors work just a couple of hours each day, so this is the perfect part-time job for those with limited time! If you are interested in learning more, please contact Cassie Samaan at csamaan@st-hilary.org.
SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS NEEDED
We are always in need of individuals to serve as substitute teachers. A summary of requirements would include the following: a bachelor's degree in any subject, Virtus training, a background check including fingerprinting, and a substitute teaching certificate. If you meet (or are able to complete) these requirements and are interested in being added to our pool of substitute teachers, please email a current resume to Miss Malick at smalick@st-hilary.org as soon as possible.
Growing Together in Faith
NEXT SCHOOL MASS APRIL 28
Our next school Mass will be this Friday, April 28 at 9:30 am planned by Grade 4. The 2022-2023 Liturgy Schedule can be found here. Masses are also posted on the school Google calendar. Upcoming Masses include May 5 planned by Grade 6, May 12 planned by Grade 1, May 19 planned by Grade 2 (May Crowning, Kevin Neff Scholarship, Grade 2 Processional), May 26 planned by Grade 7, and June 2 (8th Grade Farewell / Final School Mass) planned by Grade 8.
Space is limited, but parents may attend school Masses.
PRO-LIFE MEETING APRIL 24
The struggle to win hearts and minds for the unborn continues with a serious initiative in Ohio to make a permanent change to the state constitution, making abortion legal up to the point of birth wiping out all pro-life laws and making Ohio forever an abortion provider. Michigan and other states have already succeeded in this. You are invited to attend a meeting Mon, Apr 24 from 7:00-8:30 pm, SC meeting rooms to help prevent this from happening and to hear of other pro-life initiatives. Please RSVP with Randy Malick in the Parish Office. (rmalick@sthilarychurch.org). Additional information about this initiative can be found in the attachment below.
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL REGISTRATION IS UNDERWAY!
YOUTH VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Join us for Vacation Bible School June 11-14! This year St. Hilary VBS is a whole family faith-filled adventure as we learn more about the Mass! Mom and Dad, too, can share their faith with their kids and other adults! Children ages 4 years old through grade four can register as CAMPERS. Younger children can tag along with parents in a stroller with their older siblings to many of the stations that you can experience together. Families are encouraged to join even if they can only attend for one or two of the evenings due to sports and other activities.
VBS Schedule
+ Sunday, June 11: 2-7 pm (includes 5:30 pm Mass & dinner)
+ Monday-Wednesday, June 12-14: 6-8 pm
Registration opens April 7! For more information and to register, visit sthilarychurch.org/vbs.
Youth Volunteers needed! We invite students in grades 5 and up to volunteer with St. Hilary Vacation Bible School on Sunday June 11 through Wednesday June 14. Volunteers will help with crafts, snacks, music, skits and more. Families will rotate through VBS stations with help from adult station leaders and youth volunteers. Youth volunteers can sign up to help by clicking this link: https://forms.gle/oywDtm3tP3WqJ44K8. Please contact Maureen Capellas at mcapellas@sthilarychurch.org with questions.
ST. HILARY SCHOOL TRAVELING FAMILY PRAYER BOXES
Each homeroom classroom has a new traveling family prayer box that will be making its way to homes throughout the school year. Included in the box is a statue (Our Lady of Miracles, Holy Family, Sacred Heart of Jesus, or St. Joseph), four Rosaries, a guide to praying the Rosary, and an overview guide with additional information and prayers. Click below for a portion of the overview guide. Students will be bringing these boxes home to share with their families for one week, after which the boxes need to be returned to the homeroom teacher for the next family to enjoy. There is no need to sign up - teachers will simply send the boxes home with a different student each week. It is suggested that the statue be placed in a prominent area of the home, that maybe a small prayer corner be set up for the week, and that time be set aside during the week to pray the Rosary as a family. We hope you enjoy having the traveling prayer box in your home as a support of your family's Domestic Church through time spent together in prayer.
USE FORMED TO ENHANCE FAITH FORMATION
Make faith a priority and enhance your children's faith formation by using FORMED. Click below for complete instructions on how you can access this valuable tool for your family.
Student Life
SUMMER CAMP INFORMATION AVAILABLE IN THE SCHOOL OFFICE
Flyers for summer camps will be available in the office as they are received. The following are currently available for pick-up:
- Flyers for Archbishop Hoban summer camps (Grades 1-9)
- Flyers for St. Vincent-St. Mary summer camps & enrichment camps (Grades K-9)
- Flyers for Camp Invention (Grades K-6)
- Flyers for Perry-Mansfield Summer Dance and Theatre Programs (Grade 5-College)
- Flyers for St. Joseph Academy summer camps (Girls Grades 3-9)
- Flyers for Camp Christopher summer camp open houses
- Flyers for Xavier Summer Reading Enrichment programs (Age 4-College)
FAIRLAWN SAFETY TOWN REGISTRATION IS UNDERWAY
Registration for Fairlawn Safety Town is open. Children who will attend St. Hilary School can attend regardless of where they live. Click here to register.
SPRING MUSICAL REHEARSAL CALENDAR
The rehearsal calendar for students involved in the Spring Musical can be found here.
HARRY POTTER CLUB UNDERWAY
Harry Potter Club will meet from 3:15-4:15 pm on May 25 for the final time.
COOKING CLUB UNDERWAY
Cooking Club will meet in the school kitchen on designated Mondays from 3:15 to 4:15 pm. Students and parents have received information for their particular sessions, with dates as follows:
Quarter 4, Group 1: May 1, 15 and 30
Quarter 4, Group 2: April 24, May 8, 22 and 30
MOCK TRIAL MEETS ON WEDNESDAYS
Mock Trial meetings for participating students will be held on Wednesdays from 3:15 to 4:30 pm in Room 111. Our Mock Trial team(s) will participate in the Middle School Mock Trial Showcase in Columbus on April 27.
OHIO CATHOLIC FEDERAL CREDIT UNION STUDENT BANKING
Ohio Catholic Federal Credit Union will be available for student banking from 8:00 to 8:20 am in the Multi-Purpose Room on the following date: May 17.
ART CLUB UNDERWAY
For students in grades 6-8 who have registered, Art Club will meet from 3:15 to 4:30 pm in the Art Room on the following dates: April 25, and May 23. Students should be picked up at 4:30 pm at the Latchkey/Art Room door.
NEW FIRE FOR GRADES 6-8
New Fire, our youth ministry program for students in grades 6-8, will meet twice a month during the school year! Students who would like to participate should meet Mr. Schechter in the main hall at 3:15 pm to walk to the meeting location. Students should be picked up at Yahner Field promptly at 4:30 pm.
Meetings will be held on the following dates: May 4 and 18. The group will continue to meet on Yahner Field as weather permits, but when weather is inclement / wintry, meetings will be held in the Spiritual Center and students should be picked up at the Spiritual Center doors adjacent to the parking lot.
NOTHING BUNDT CAKES BOOKS AND BUNDTS PROGRAM
Nothing Bundt Cakes in Fairlawn understands the importance of early literacy and is partnering with St. Hilary to encourage and reward young readers!
Their "Books and Bundts" Youth Reading Program is super simple, FREE, and delicious! They do most of the work for you! Please see the flyers below for parents detailing this exciting new program, and download your child's very own Reading Tracker. Students are encouraged to read 20 minutes (or more) per day. Caregivers will complete the Reading Tracker each day. At the end of the month, caregivers can bring their student and completed Reading Tracker to Nothing bundt Cakes and receive a FREE Bundtlet as well as a Reading Award Certificate!
Everything you need to get started is included here!
Reminders
ED CHOICE CALL TO ACTION
The Diocese of Cleveland has asked us to share the following information with our school community:
The "Parent Educational Freedom Act" is in Ohio’s Senate Education Committee, and now is the time to let your voice be heard. Use this link from the Catholic Conference of Ohio to contact your Ohio Senator: https://www.votervoice.net/OHCATHOLIC/Campaigns/101143/Respond.
Brief Summary:
- S.B. 11, the “Parent Educational Freedom Act,” calls for every Ohio student to be eligible for scholarships of $5,500 for grades K-8, and $7,500 for grades 9-12, to be used at any chartered non-public school that accepts the EdChoice scholarships.
- This enables the state’s education funding formula to support students where their parents want them to attend.
- All local taxes still stay with the local public district, even if they have fewer students to educate. The scholarships are funded only by the state’s share of the funding formula, which is supported by all of our taxes.
- The bill also increases the homeschooling expenses that a taxpayer can claim for an income tax credit from $250 to $2,000 a year.
See more information at https://www.votervoice.net/OHCATHOLIC/Campaigns/101143/Respond
NEW PARENTS' ASSOCIATION BOARD ANNOUNCED
Thank you to everyone who voted to formalize the election of our unopposed candidates to the Parents' Association Board. Our 2023-2024 Parent' Association Board will be:
Jasmin Denholm - President
Tara Reuscher - President-Elect
Hilary Buckeye - Vice-President
Katie Stahr - Treasurer
Amanda Kelley - Secretary
We are grateful for the service of our outgoing board members: Erin Klaus - President, Ashley Chicatelli - Vice-President, and Lindsey Yoder - Secretary, and thank them for their incredible support of our school!
ORDER YEARBOOKS BY JUNE 2
Ordering is underway for our 2022-2023 school yearbook! This beautiful full-color book is available in a soft cover format for $30 or a hard cover format for $35. All ordering must be done directly through Lifetouch at ybpay.lifetouch.com. The order code is 3685723. The deadline to order is June 2, 2023. Please keep a record of your order - the school has no access to or record of orders.
NEW ATHLETIC DIRECTOR TO START JULY 1
When the current fiscal year ends this summer, Kelly Kennedy will step down as the St. Hilary Athletic Association Athletic Director. Kelly has served the St. Hilary Parish and School community in this role for five years and we thank her for her dedicated service to our children. Effective July 1, Lauren Palumbo will take on the role of Athletic Director, in addition to her current position as the school's physical education teacher. Lauren has already been working alongside Kelly to ensure a smooth transition of supervision for our CYO sports programs. Please help us welcome Lauren as she expands her service to our children in this new way.
SAVE THE DATE! GRANDPARENTS' (AND GRAND FRIENDS!) DAY RETURNS OCTOBER 6!
After several years without this event, we are excited to bring back Grandparents' Day on Friday, October 6, 2023! Save the date now and watch for information in August as we prepare to welcome grandparents / grand friends to spend this special morning with our students at school!
SCHOOL CALENDAR AND COMMUNICATION
Please be sure you are checking the school Google calendar and reading our communications. Considerable care and effort goes into furnishing you with thorough and up-to-date details you need for every aspect of school life, and most of your questions can be answered by carefully reading the information shared with you, without the need to take up your time emailing or calling the school. We also suggest you add events to your personal calendar the first time you see them and set alerts in your phone if needed, rather than relying on reminders. Your cooperation in using the resources we provide is greatly appreciated!
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS SHINE IN NATION'S REPORT CARD!
Archives
TRAFFIC REMINDER
As you come to the school for drop-off and pick-up, please be courteous to our surrounding neighbors and be sure you are not blocking their streets and driveways. Please be especially kind to those attempting to leave or enter their driveways. Thank you!
SAFETY UPDATE FOR PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS
1. Please remember that we are a cell phone-free campus. This means that your cell phone should not be in your hand, much less in use. You cannot pay attention to pedestrians and traffic if you are talking or texting on your phone.
2. Please also remember that your three options to drop off a student in the morning are as follows:
- Pull up in the drop-off line on the parking lot side of the building and drop your child off.
- Pull up in the drop-off line on Moorfield Road and drop your child off.
- Park your car and walk your child to the building using our marked cross walk.
Dropping off in any other areas, including in front of the church, at the fire hydrant island in the parking lot, and all other undesignated drop-off areas is not permitted.
3. Finally, please be attentive to your speed on and around our campus. Speeding will not be tolerated.
Your cooperation with these matters to keep everyone on our campus safe is appreciated.
FAMILY VACATIONS DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR
Parents, we know the cold, dark days of winter make us all long for sunshine, but please keep the following policy from pages 3 and 4 of our School Handbook in mind as you plan vacations:
FAMILY VACATIONS
Vacations taken during school days are strongly discouraged and are not considered excused absences. However, if vacations are taken, parents should give the school office and homeroom teacher written notification of the child’s impending absence. After the vacation the student should set up an appointment with the teacher to obtain all make-up work. Teachers are not obligated to prepare or assign any work prior to the vacation. Students are responsible for the mastery of material presented during their absence and are expected to check for assignments on Digital Academy.
POLICY WHEN VISITING THE SCHOOL
Parents, please remember that when you visit the school or walk your child to the doors in the morning, you may not simply walk to a classroom or elsewhere in the building. Please check in at the office (or with staff on duty during drop-off) before proceeding anywhere in the building. You may be asked to simply leave items at the office. Please also remember to never hold the door open or let anyone into the building after you. Thank you for respecting our policy and helping to keep our school safe!
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT ATTENDANCE AND SCHOOL MESSAGING!
- If your child is absent, BY LAW, you MUST notify the school. To report an absence, you may either call 330-867-8720, ext. 350 or email attendance@st-hilary.org. Both options are available 24/7.
- Please note that you will never receive a text message or email through Digital Academy's mass communication system about attendance or anything else pertaining specifically to your particular child. If there is a concern, you will receive a personal phone call or email from a teacher, administrator or other staff member. Text messages and emails are sent through Digital Academy's mass communication system only to groups of people, not to individual parents. If you receive a mass communication message that does not pertain to you, please simply disregard it.
DROPPING OFF LUNCHES
If you need to drop off a lunch for a student, please come to the main door and ring the buzzer. You will be directed to take the lunch to the counter under the windows near the milk coolers in the lunch room. Please remind your child now that that is where a lunch will be waiting if you ever need to drop one off.
POLICY ON SPORTS PRACTICES WHEN SCHOOL IS CLOSED
When school is closed due to inclement weather or another unforeseen reason, regularly scheduled sports practices are also canceled. Optional open gym may be held later in the day if weather conditions improve, and coaches will communicate as necessary.
SCHEDULING EVENTS & REQUESTING EVENT SET-UPS
- To schedule an event anywhere on our campus, you must first contact Joan Heegan in the Parish office. Joan handles all facility scheduling. She can be reached at jheegan@sthilarychurch.org, or 330-867-1055, ext. 200.
- After your event is scheduled, you must request a set-up for your event.
- New set-up forms have been printed and can be found in the Parish and School offices. Please destroy any old set-up forms.
- Please fill out the proper form and submit it to Joan at the Parish office. (In some cases, Joan will offer to complete the form for you when you schedule your event.)
- After Joan has checked to confirm that your event is in the system, she will turn your form over to Pedro Avalos for set-up.
- If you have any questions about this, please contact Joan directly.
IMPORTANT REMINDERS ABOUT PLAYGROUND SAFETY
Dear Parents,
Football season is well underway, colder weather is upon us, and it is time for a few reminders to help keep all students safe at recess and when using the playground outside of school hours. Mr. Conner has been making his way to classrooms and groups of students on the playground to discuss these reminders with them. Your cooperation in reinforcing these safety rules at home will help us to maintain consistency in playground expectations.
First, we know excitement is in the air as football season is in high gear. However, tackle football is not permitted during recess or on our playground afterschool.
Second, with winter weather around the corner, students are reminded that picking up snow and throwing snow are not permitted at any time anywhere on our campus.
Finally, to recap our reminder in August and per our school handbook, families using the playground outside of school hours are expected to follow the same rules in effect during the school day. Children must be actively supervised by an adult who is present on the playground - not waiting in a car - at all times. We ask that you be respectful of our equipment and the rules we follow at school during the day. Running up the slide is not permitted, and older students are not permitted on the bridge.
We appreciate your support in these matters to help ensure student safety and prevent confusion as students toggle between play during school hours and play outside of school hours.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Woodman
Principal
Mr. Conner
Director of Social Emotional Wellness
SCHOOL HANDBOOK HIGHLIGHTS
The complete family handbook for 2022-2023 is available here on the school website.
Please take note of the following policies/procedures:
We will revert to our original 24-hour-symptom-free policy for students returning to school following an illness. This means that a full 24 hours must elapse from the last symptom, not 24 hours from when the symptoms began, before a student may return to school.
Our absence policy has been updated to reflect greater detail about how absences will be addressed. Please note that parents of students absent 20 or more days per semester will be required to have a conference with administration. Please refer to page 3 of the school handbook for details.
Families using the playground outside of school hours are expected to follow the same rules in effect during the school day. Children must be actively supervised by an adult who is present on the playground - not waiting in a car - at all times. We ask that you be respectful of our equipment and the rules we follow at school during the day. Running up the slide is not permitted, and older students are not permitted on the bridge. Your cooperation in following these rules will help us to maintain consistency in playground expectations.
School rules also apply to the Latchkey program, as this program is an extension of the school day. Please refer to page 18 of the handbook.
PARENTS AS PARTNERS CODE OF CONDUCT
We have implemented a new Parents as Partners Code of Conduct that will guide all actions and interactions in our school community. You can read the Parents as Partners Code of Conduct here. All parents will be expected to abide by this code. The code has been established to foster the partnership between parents and the school, as well as among parents themselves, and is grounded in respectful actions and interactions that align with our school mission. Please note that behavior that undermines our mission will not be tolerated and violations of the code may cause a family to be removed from the school. We trust that all of you will be true partners with us and with each other so that none of you will find yourselves in that situation.
LATCHKEY REGISTRATION AVAILABLE IN DIGITAL ACADEMY
St. Hilary School Latchkey (before- and after-school care) registration is available in Digital Academy. The option to register will appear on your dashboard when you log in. If you do not plan to use Latchkey and want to remove the form from your dashboard, you can click the form and then click the “No Latchkey” option. Please keep in mind that if your needs may change in the future, you may want to keep the form visible just in case.
You can also access the form directly here.
Only credit card and ACH payments can be accepted - no checks or cash.
If you have questions about the Latchkey program, please email latchkey@st-hilary.org. If you have questions about Latchkey billing or payments, please contact Lou Camerato, Business Manager, at lcamerato@sthilarychurch.org until September 30, or Trey Baker, Business Manager, at jbaker@sthilarychurch.org beginning October 1.
ARRIVAL AND PICK-UP TIME REMINDER
Please remember that students may not be dropped off earlier than 8:00 am unless they are using our fee-based Latchkey before-school care program. Please also remember that students not picked up by 3:15 pm will be taken to our fee-based Latchkey after-school care program. These policies do not apply to bus riders.
DIGITAL ACADEMY WEEKLY SATURDAY EMAILS
Digital Academy will be sending weekly emails on Saturdays to each parent with information about their child. Please be sure to open these emails and access the information they contain.
SCHOOL COMMUNICATION
Mass emails containing school news will be sent on Monday mornings when school is in session. Information to be included in these emails must be emailed to dsinopoli@st-hilary.org by 3:00 p.m. on Friday for the following Monday.
DROPPING OFF AND PICKING UP ITEMS
The drop-off and pick-up bins are located on the Moorfield Road side of the building to allow 24/7 access. If a lunch or other forgotten item needs to be dropped off to a student in a time-sensitive manner, please call the school office at 330-867-8720 or ring the bell at the Moorfield entrance door, let the secretaries know what you are dropping off and for whom, and leave the item – clearly labeled with the student’s name and room number or teacher – in the drop-off bin. A staff member will retrieve the item and get it to the student. Items you may need to pick up can be left for you in the pick-up bin.
DROP-OFF AND PICK-UP REMINDERS
Dear Parents,
Thank you for helping us get off to a great start with the new school year! With a few days under our belts, we want to clarify some important things about morning drop-off and afternoon dismissal.
MORNING DROP-OFF
Students may not be dropped off before 8 am unless they are attending our fee-based Latchkey program. Otherwise, supervision is not available. Students who continue to be dropped off before 8 am will be sent to Latchkey and parents will be charged accordingly.
AFTERNOON DISMISSAL
We are still fine-tuning our afternoon dismissal. Here are a few reminders:
Dismissal times:
2:55 pm - Kindergarteners and siblings
3:00 pm - Last names A-M
3:05 pm - Last names N-Z
Our dismissal plan only works if parents follow the rules. Please adhere to your designated time frame. No child will be left unattended, so there is no need to be first in line and cause a back-up if your last name falls in the second half of the alphabet.
Please do not leave car lengths of space in the line, also causing a back-up.
If you do not want to wait in the pick-up line, you can enter from Blue Ribbon Drive, park in the back lot, and meet your child(ren) in the Red Box (red square painted on asphalt).
Per the Fairlawn Police Department, our dismissal traffic cannot back up onto West Market Street. If you are unable to enter the line and enter our driveway, you must go around the block and enter the line only when you are able to enter the driveway.
Those turning right into the driveway, please be courteous to those turning left into the driveway. If the entire driveway is filled to West Market Street with those turning right, those who need to turn left have no opportunity to do so even when they have the turn arrow.
Cutting through the Citizens Bank parking lot to enter the pick-up line is not only prohibited, it is rude to your fellow parents and will not be tolerated.
Students are being trained to walk to the front of the line and enter cars at the furthest point forward in order to keep traffic moving. You may see your child(ren) on the sidewalk, but we ask that you keep pulling forward to keep the traffic flowing. Your cooperation with this and with instructions of our staff members on duty who are working to keep your children safe is greatly appreciated.
Please remember that there is Adoration in the Church on Wednesdays, so there will likely be additional traffic and people walking through the parking lot on those days.
You can also help us help you! Remind your child(ren) how they are being picked up each day. Students should come straight out of the school building (not stopping to talk to friends and teachers along the way) and walk to their pick-up area. Students should be paying attention and listening to the staff members on duty. Students should not have their cell phones out (unless given permission by a staff member) per our student handbook guidelines. Additionally, students should not be eating while waiting on the sidewalk.
We appreciate your help and support! We know the pick-up line can be more efficient, and following these guidelines can help everyone have a safer and less stressful experience at the end of the school day! Thank you!
ARRIVAL, DISMISSAL, LATCHKEY, AND BUSING
PLEASE SHARE ALL OF THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION WITH CAREGIVERS!
Please note: We are a cell phone-free campus during drop-off and pick-up. For the safety of the children, please refrain from using your phone during this time.
ARRIVAL
- Students not attending morning Latchkey should arrive no earlier than 8:00 a.m. Families using Latchkey pay for this service. Supervision for all other students is not available until 8:00 am.
- Our tardy bell rings and homeroom period begins at 8:25 a.m. Students arriving after 8:25 am will be marked tardy.
- Students will report directly to classrooms upon arrival.
- Please help your child prepare for the school day in a stress-free manner by ensuring that he or she arrives at school by 8:25 a.m. each day.
Traffic Safety Logistics for Morning Arrival:
On Both Sides:
- When pulling forward, please make sure you are looking forward and that the path in front of and around your vehicle is clear before moving the vehicle.
- Please pull up to the sign at the end of the drop-off area. This allows more cars to stop between the two signs. Three to four cars can fit in the drop-off zone. All cars that fit within the zone between the signs may unload at the same time to help keep the lines moving.
- Please make sure students are ready to exit the car when they arrive. Seatbelts need to be unfastened, backpacks need to be loaded and zipped, masks and winter gear need to be ready, and last minute discussions about the day need to be handled before the point where students need to exit so as not to hold up the line.
- Please do not put your car in park and get out of the car in the drop off lines. If your child needs assistance getting out of a car seat or unbuckling, please park in the lot, help your child get out, and walk him or her to the building.
- Please be sure your child is completely clear of your car before pulling away. Water bottles are often dropped and may roll under cars. Please instruct your child not to reach under the car or run back to the car for a forgotten item. Adults on duty will assist.
- Please remember that students should never get out of the driver's side of the car and cross in front of the car during morning drop-off. There have been tragic accidents resulting from this practice and we want to make sure all of our children are safe. If your child is unable to get out of the passenger side in the car line, please park and walk him or her to the building.
On The Moorfield Road Side:
- Please do not pull around stopped cars when they are dropping off students. Occasionally, a driver may need to exit from the non-curb side, and passing creates a dangerous situation.
On The Parking Lot Side:
- Please do not pull up to areas other than the designated car line to drop off. If you do not want to wait in the line, you may park in the lot and walk your child to the building.
- Please do not pull beyond the sign at the end of the drop-off area or stop on the cross walk to drop off. Please keep the crosswalk clear for pedestrians.
DISMISSAL
- We will follow a staggered dismissal schedule:
- 2:55 pm - Kindergarten students and their siblings
- 3:00 pm - Non-Kindergarten Last names A-M
- 3:05 pm - Non-Kindergarten Last names N-Z
- Students will not be released until their designated time, so it is important that you make every effort to arrive as close to that time as possible, rather than lining up far in advance. We also ask for your cooperation in picking up your child on time, or calling the office in advance if you will be a few minutes late.
- If you prefer not to go through the car line, you may park in the far back parking lot and stand in the red “box” painted on the parking lot where you can safely reunite with your child.
- All kindergarteners and siblings will be walked to the red "box" by school staff rather than being picked up at the car line.
- Students should go directly to their car or bus – no loitering.
LATCHKEY
- Morning Latchkey will be available beginning at 6:50 a.m. Students being dropped off for morning Latchkey will be dropped off at the Art Room Door.
- Afternoon Latchkey will be available until 6:00 p.m. Students being picked up from evening Latchkey will be picked up at the Art Room Door.
BUSING
Four districts provide bus transportation for our students who reside in those districts: Copley-Fairlawn, Highland, Revere, and Woodridge. We anticipate that these districts will provide transportation for St. Hilary School students barring driver shortages. In that case, there is the potential that bus transportation for St. Hilary School students who ride the affected district’s bus may be lost. We encourage all families to have an alternate transportation plan in place. For more information, you may contact the transportation departments listed below:
Copley-Fairlawn: 330-664-4820
Highland: 330-239-1901, ext. 1235
Revere: 330-523-3118 or 3119
Woodridge: 330-928-6312
Please also visit our Bus Transportation page on the school website.
COVID-19, ILLNESS/ABSENCE AND MEDICATION
COVID-19 POLICIES
CURRENT GUIDANCE:
On August 11, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated its guidance on how people can protect themselves and others from COVID-19, what actions to take if exposed to COVID-19, and what actions to take if you have symptoms or test positive with the virus.
As a result, on August 12, ODH also updated its guidance for Ohio K-12 schools and recommended the CDC’s general guidance to best protect Ohio’s students in the school setting.
- First, because contact tracing and case investigation has shifted to focus on high-risk environments, such as long-term care facilities and healthcare settings, ODH is no longer recommending the Mask to Stay, Test to Play quarantine alternative for schools.
- Instead, ODH recommends schools follow general isolation procedures from the CDC for confirmed cases. If students or staff feel sick or suspect they might have COVID-19, they should stay home and take a rapid test. If positive, students and staff should stay home from school for at least 5 days and longer if necessary until fever-free for 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medication) and symptoms are improving. Additionally, after isolation ends, students and staff should continue to take precautions as they resume normal activities by wearing a mask for 5 days (or after two negative tests 48 hours apart).
In addition, it is recommended that schools continue to work closely with their local health departments to monitor community spread and make decisions about the best measures to protect students and staff based on what is happening in their communities.
REPORTING:
Like all schools, St. Hilary School is no longer required to contact trace or report positive individual cases to SCPH, but we are still required to seek guidance in the case of cluster cases. Parents still need to state that a student has tested positive for COVID-19 if applicable as the reason for an absence when reporting the student absent on the attendance line. If you have a COVID-19 situation in your household, please contact school administration or nurses to help determine next steps for your child.
Jennifer Woodman, Principal - jwoodman@st-hilary.org
Darcy Alexander, Assistant Principal - dalexander@st-hilary.org
Julie Bauman, School Nurse - jbauman@st-hilary.org
Abby Laughlin, School Nurse - alaughlin@st-hilary.org
MASKING:
Masking is optional at this time and we will follow the updated guidance issued August 11-12 by the CDC and ODH, and expected to be adopted by SCPH. However, students may be asked to wear masks in the school clinic at the discretion of the school nurses, if there is an outbreak within the school, or in other limited situations as warranted. Please click here for CDC guidance for individuals exposed to COVID-19.
All four school districts that provide busing for St. Hilary School students have communicated to us that students are no longer required to wear masks on their buses, but may do so if they choose. In some cases, drivers may continue to wear masks. Please note that in relation to school field trips involving buses, while students will not be required to wear masks on the buses, we will respect the mask policy of the field trip location during our time there.
All students, staff, and parents are expected to respect the masking decisions an individual or family chooses.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
We continue to be mindful of social distancing where appropriate, proper hand washing, sanitizing of highly touched areas, and symptom monitoring at home. Students are encouraged to bring water bottles to school. These may be refilled at our bottle filler stations.
SCHOOL RESPONSE SUBJECT TO CHANGE:
The CDC has stated that COVID-19 community levels and public health prevention strategies can be increased when communities are experiencing more severe conditions and decreased when things are more stable. Our school response will continue to follow the guidance we are given as conditions change and if more restrictive measures are warranted. For more information and resources to monitor community spread, read more about the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Community Levels here.
REPORTING AN ABSENCE, TARDY OR EARLY PICK-UP
If your child will be absent, tardy or picked up early for any reason, please contact the school office. We have two options:
- Call our school attendance line at 330-867-8720, ext. 350 and leave a message 24/7, or
- Email attendance@st-hilary.org. Although not necessary, you may also notify your child's teacher and Latchkey as a courtesy. Please do not email other school staff regarding absences, as our dedicated attendance email inbox is checked each morning, but other emails may not be immediately received.
- Whether calling or emailing, please state your child's name, grade, and the reason for the absence, tardy or early pick-up, including specific symptoms if due to an illness. Absences must be reported to the school office by 10:00 am on the day of the absence. We are required by law to follow up with families who do not do so.
- If a student needs to be picked up for an appointment or is ill and being picked up to go home, please pull up to the Moorfield Road door, call the school office at 330-867-8720, and your child will be signed out with your permission and released to your car under staff supervision.
- Students who are ill may not return to school until they are symptom free for a full 24 hours without fever reducing medication. There is no perfect attendance award or other incentive to come to school when ill.
- Please contact teachers directly regarding requests for homework; however, please understand that requests may not be able to be filled until the next day if the teacher does not see your request until late in the day. Thank you for understanding that our teachers' first priority during the day is teaching.
MEDICAL CONDITIONS / MEDICATION AT SCHOOL
If your child has a medical condition or will need medication, an Epi-pen, etc. stored or administered in the clinic this school year, please be sure to complete the necessary forms (see below). NEW FORMS FOR MEDICATION, WHETHER PRESCRIPTION OR OVER-THE-COUNTER, ARE REQUIRED EVERY SCHOOL YEAR... SO EVEN IF YOU FILLED OUT FORMS FOR LAST SCHOOL YEAR, WE MUST HAVE NEW FORMS FOR THIS SCHOOL YEAR.
About Us
The Admission Policy of St. Hilary School is in accordance with the student acceptance regulations of the Diocese of Cleveland. St. Hilary School admits qualified students of any gender, race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship, tuition assistance programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.
Email: dsinopoli@st-hilary.org
Website: www.st-hilaryschool.org
Location: 645 Moorfield Road, Fairlawn, OH, USA
Phone: 330-867-8720
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StHilarySchoolFairlawnOhio/