SaberSpeak
Week of May 29, 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
NO SCHOOL MAY 29
There will be no school Monday, May 29 in observance of Memorial Day.
LEMON "AID" DAY MAY 30
The Lemonade War Lemon “Aid” Day!
Sixth grade is making lemonade out of lemons! Our Saber Six students are currently reading The Lemonade War by Jacqueline Davies - a funny story about sibling rivalry, math magic and business techniques. This story has “stirred-up” a positive can-do attitude with our sixth graders. They, too, would like to take on a special lemon “aid” challenge amongst themselves in order to raise money and create global awareness for the non-profit organization Water For South Sudan.
Earlier this year, the students read A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park. This historical fiction book is based on the true story of Salva Dut, a “Lost Boy” of Sudan. Water for South Sudan was founded by Salva after his long journey to escape Sudan during their civil war. His organization raises money to drill wells of fresh clean water to this suffering war torn country.
Sixth grade would like to take this not so great situation and turn it into something for the good - turn lemons to lemon “aid”. This friendly lemon “aid” competition will take place on Tuesday, May 30 during recess. Each sixth grade team has been challenged to “stir up” the best tasting lemonade. Each team will have samples available for taste testing. Students who would like to participate should bring $1.00 to school that day. $1.00= 4 samples to try plus one vote.
The money raised will be donated to Salva Dut's Water for South Sudan. What a sweet way to “squeeze the day” and lemon “aid” the struggling citizens of South Sudan!
CLAIM LOST AND FOUND ITEMS MAY 30-JUNE 5
Our Lost and Found bins will be cleaned out for the final time this school year and items displayed on tables in the main hallway May 30 through June 5. Please remind your child to check here for any missing items. Items not claimed by June 5 will be donated to charity.
ACADEMIC CHALLENGE FUNDRAISER MAY 31
The Academic Challenge Team will host a fundraiser Wednesday, May 31, from 6:00 to 7:45 pm in the Multipurpose Room. Two groups of 4-6 adults (or high school age young adults) will compete against each other in a trivia/general academic knowledge/current events/pop culture contest. Team members will be acting as judges, scorekeepers, and question readers! Each match is about 15-20 minutes long. The fee to participate is $5.00. Please contact Mr. Abucejo at jabucejo@st-hilary.org to participate or for more information. Hope to see you there!
OPTIONAL SRO DONATIONS REQUESTED BY JUNE 1
Many have expressed interest in donating toward the cost of our School Resource Officer (SRO) for the 2023-2024 school year. At this time, we ask that if you or someone you know would like to donate, please do so by June 1 so that we can determine the balance we need to offset. You can donate by way of a check payable to St. Hilary Parish. Please note “SRO” in the memo section. Checks can be mailed or dropped off to Trey Baker, St. Hilary Parish Business Manager. No donations will be publicly acknowledged. If you wish further anonymity, please either indicate to Trey that you do not wish to receive personal acknowledgment or submit a bank check without your name on it.
The balance remaining after donations received by June 1 will be divided among all families and assessed as a per student fee billed in August. It is our hope that if donations are substantial enough, we can reduce the 2023-2024 fee below the $200 per child per year amount to which most agreed. Please note that, as this will be an ongoing annual expense, donations to this cause can be made at any time, but our hope is to frontload the 2023-2024 school year expense with as many donations as possible before determining and assessing the fee. In addition, we will, of course, continue to apply for all grant funding available to us.
PAY BALANCES BY JUNE 2
Please make sure any outstanding tuition and Latchkey balances are paid by June 2. Digital Academy accounts for families with unpaid balances will be locked and there will be no access to final report cards. If you have questions or concerns, please contact Trey Baker, Business Manager, at jbaker@sthilarychurch.org.
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.
NO REVERE BUSING JUNE 7 AND 8
There will be no bus service for Revere bus riders on June 7 and 8. Please make sure your child has alternate transportation arrangements on these days.
BACKPACK COLLECTION FOR PETER MAURIN CENTER JUNE 7
Students are invited to donate new or gently used backpacks for the Peter Maurin Center on June 7. Students who would like to donate will be called to the main hallway at 2:30 pm to drop off their backpacks for collection. Please make sure used backpacks are clean and all items are removed. Thank you!
FIELD DAY JUNE 8 - VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Field Day will take place on Thursday, June 8, and volunteers are needed! If you can't volunteer in person the day of the event, please consider donating Oreo cookies for field day lunch. If you would like to volunteer or donate cookies to help make this day a success please complete the volunteer form HERE. Questions? Please email Mrs. Palumbo at lpalumbo@st-hilary.org. Thank you!
SCHOOL APPAREL EVENT JUNE 8
Made2Wear (new school apparel) and our Recycled Uniforms Program (gently used school apparel) will hold a school apparel event June 8 from 8:30 am to Noon in the Spiritual Center Meeting Rooms. Please stop by!
SCHOOL DISMISSED FOR SUMMER JUNE 8
Students will be dismissed for the summer on June 8. Please note that there is no afternoon Latchkey on the last day of school.
LAST DAY JUNE 8 - NO AFTERNOON LATCHKEY
Students will be dismissed for the summer on June 8. This will be a full day of school with dismissal at the regular time. All buses will run, but there will be no afternoon Latchkey. Please make sure your child has a ride home at dismissal time.
IMPORTANT UPDATES FROM THE CLINIC
- By the end of this school year: If your child has medication, an Epi-pen, etc. stored or administered in the clinic, please be sure to stop by on or before the last day of school (June 8) to pick these items up. Any medication not claimed by dismissal on the last day will be discarded.
- Before the start of next school year: If your child will need medication, an Epi-pen, etc. stored or administered in the clinic NEXT YEAR, please make arrangements to complete the necessary paperwork BEFORE the start of the school year (i.e., schedule physician visits over the summer) and bring COMPLETED AND SIGNED FORMS to school on the first day. It is important that the clinic has these forms on file from the first day of school in order to legally store and administer medication. Please do not wait until school starts to complete these forms and have them signed by a physician. Forms will be available in Digital Academy in August. NEW PAPERWORK FOR MEDICATION, WHETHER PRESCRIPTION OR OVER-THE-COUNTER, IS REQUIRED EVERY SCHOOL YEAR... SO EVEN IF YOU FILLED OUT FORMS FOR THIS SCHOOL YEAR, WE MUST HAVE NEW PAPERWORK FOR NEXT SCHOOL YEAR.
SCHOOL OFFICE CLOSES JUNE 16 / SUMMER HOURS / COMMUNICATION
The school office will close for the summer on June 16. The office will reopen August 14. Please remember that we will be on summer break during this time and may not immediately respond to calls and emails - especially during the month of July. Your patience is appreciated. Assistance with enrollment for new students is available throughout the summer by emailing dsinopoli@st-hilary.org.
2023-2024 LUNCH ORDERING BEGINS AUGUST 1
The first round of lunch ordering for the 2023-2024 school year will begin August 1 in Digital Academy. Please watch for more information this summer.
CLASS LISTS TO BE PUBLISHED AUGUST 14
2023-2024 class lists will be published on August 14. Please watch for information later in the summer about accessing class lists.
The Main Event
The main event this week is our 8th grade class graduation on June 2! Please keep our 8th graders in your prayers as we send them off to high school!
Plan Ahead
GOOGLE CALENDAR
Click here for the school Google calendar
- May 29: Memorial Day - No School
- May 30: Grade 8 Graduation Practice 1:00-3:00 pm
- May 30: Lemon "Aid" During Recess
- May 30: Cooking Club Qtr 4 Grp 1 & 2 3:15-4:15 pm
- May 30-June 5: Claim Lost and Found Items
- May 31: Grade 3 to Stan Hywet 9:30 am-1:30 pm
- May 31: Grade 8 Clap-Out 2:30 pm
- May 31: Grade 8 Pool Party 3:30 pm
- May 31: Academic Challenge Fundraiser 6:00 pm
- June 1: Grade 8 to Cedar Point
- June 1: Grade 7 Final Exams
- June 2: Grade 8 Breakfast in Classrooms
- June 2: Grade 8 Farewell Mass / Grades K-7 Final Mass
- June 2: Grade 8 High School Awards 11:00 am - Church
- June 2: Grade 8 Lunch / Celebration 11:30 am - Horning Hall
- June 2: Room 207 Recorder Program 2:20-2:35 pm - Music Room
- June 2: Grade 8 Graduation 5:30 pm
- June 5: Grade 7 Final Exams
- June 5: Room 205 Recorder Program 11:10-11:35 am - Music Room
- June 5: Room 206 Recorder Program 2:20-2:35 pm - Music Room
- June 6: Grade 7 Final Exams
- June 6: Room 101 Awards 11:00 am - Spiritual Center
- June 7: Backpack Collection for Peter Maurin Center
- June 8: Last Day for Students
- June 8: Field Day / Dress Down Day
- June 8: School Apparel Event 8:30 am-12:00 pm - Spiritual Center
- June 9: Last Day for Staff
- June 16: School Office Closes for Summer
Help Wanted
PLAYGROUND MONITORS NEEDED FOR 2023-2024
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 2023-2024 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 Lindsey Yoder at lyoder@st-hilary.org.
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.
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
LAST SCHOOL MASS JUNE 2
Our next school Mass will be this Friday, June 2 at 9:30 am planned by Grade 8. This will be our last Mass for the school year (8th Grade Farewell / Final School Mass). The 2022-2023 Liturgy Schedule can be found here. Masses are also posted on the school Google calendar.
Space is limited, but parents may attend school Masses.
“I’VE BEEN WONDERING ABOUT BECOMING CATHOLIC …Hmmm”
If you have ever considered the possibility of becoming Catholic, you are invited to find out more this summer through “Inquiry”, five gatherings on Wed eve, 7:00-8:30 pm, to discuss various topics about Catholic teaching. It is a "no strings attached" time to ask any Qs before deciding to come into the formal process (“RCIA”) this the fall. This is especially relevant for those whose child is going through a sacramental year, like Gr. 2 (or 8) but is open to all. The dates for Inquiry are June 21 & 28, July 12 & 19, and Aug 2. Please RSVP with Randy Malick in the parish office right away so he can give you the resource we use in advance: rmalick@sthilarychurch.org #209. Click below for additional information.
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 is open!
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
FALL SPORTS REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!
REGISTER BY JUNE 19 TO AVOID LATE FEE
$50 LATE FEE FOR REGISTRATION AFTER JUNE 19 THROUGH JULY 24 FINAL DEADLINE
CYO Fall Sports Registration is now OPEN. Early registration ends June 19. Late registration will be available until July 24, but will incur a $50 late fee per player. Fall practices may begin July 24 with competitions beginning on August 26.
Cheer Co-ed Grades 1-8 $70
Cross Country Boys and Girls Grades 1-8 $90
Flag Football Co-ed Grades 1-4 $125
Soccer Boys and Girls 2-8 $105 (plus purchase of a uniform kit)
Volleyball Girls Grades 2-8 $120
Volleyball HS Girls Grades 9-12 $120 (Registration closes August 11 with no late fee, competitions begin September 9)
Athletes will need to complete the following forms to participate in CYO Sports
1. Preparticipation Form - Please have your medical professional complete and scan and return to sthilaryathleticregistrar@gmail.com .
2. Emergency Medical Authorization Form - Please return to your coach.
3. Watch Lindsey's Law Video , complete form, and return to your coach.
Interested in Coaching? You will need to meet the following qualifications to coach a CYO team.
1. Coaches Development Program - $35
2. Virtus Training-Protecting God’s Children
3. Background Check and Fingerprinting can be done at Virtus Training or by contacting Jan Giles at the parish office - $40
5. Complete a Volunteer Application - contact Lauren Palumbo to obtain an application.
6. Attend a Fall Sports Coaches Meeting on either July 19th, August 1st, or August 3rd locations and times TBD.
Questions? Contact Lauren Palumbo, Athletic Director
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)
- Flyers for St. Ignatius Summer Math Enrichment Course
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.
COOKING CLUB WINDING DOWN
Cooking Club will meet in the school kitchen on May 30 from 3:15 to 4:15 pm for both Quarter 4 both for the final time.
As we head toward the end of the school year, many families express interest in keeping skills sharp with summer tutoring. We have compiled a list of resources for you here. Please contact providers directly, not the school office.
Colleen Clemens
216-857-0126
Summer and/or year-round
Math/Language Arts Grades 3-6
Mary Collins
Summer/Year-Round Tutoring
Kindergarten - 4th Grade
Susie Conley
Summer tutoring on Tuesdays at her home in Medina
Grades K-4, math and reading
Chris Dougherty
Summer and/or year-round tutoring
Math (Middle School/Junior High)
Megan Fearon
Summer tutoring
Any area except 7th and 8th math
(Teaching experience K-8)
Kathleen Gibson
440-382-1917
Summer tutoring
Elementary math through algebra
Alecia Huston
330-858-1262
Year-round tutoring
All subjects K-8
Mary Kase
330-666-0228 / 330-819-4960
marykase@gmail.com
Personalized tutoring
Joyce Shorter
330-329-7235
Grades 1-4
Math and English, but will assist with all subjects if needed
Year-round
Gia Sickels
Summer Tutoring
All subjects for incoming K and rising 1st grade
(See flyer below)
Michele Sollenberger
330-329-7871
Summer only and year-round tutoring
3rd - 9th grade, All subjects
Laine Vereecken
330.329.0761
Summer tutoring
K-3 (going into 4th in the fall)
Language Arts. Spelling, reading fluency, comprehension.
Wilson Dyslexia Practitioner (The child does not need a diagnosis for this program to work. It’s for struggling readers and spellers 2 grade+)
Math K-2. Fact fluency practice.
Shannon Walsh
Summer tutoring for students entering grades K-2
Reading and/or Math
(See flyer below)
Reminders
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.
RECYCLED UNIFORMS REMINDER
Recycled uniforms can be placed in the bins outside the school office any time. They will be organized and available to be passed on at the Uniform Event on June 8 from 8:30 am-Noon.
CONFIRMATION AND FIRST COMMUNION PHOTOS NEEDED
We are in need of Confirmation and First Communion photos (preferably of groups of students) for the yearbook. Please submit photos to yearbook@st-hilary.org by May 22 to be considered for inclusion. Thank you!
LIBRARY WINDING DOWN FOR 2022-2023 SCHOOL YEAR
The library is winding down for the school year so that inventory of books can begin. May 19 was the last day for students to check out books. Please check at home and in cars, and have students check bedrooms, sports bags, backpacks, etc. for any school library books. Please be sure all library books are turned in as soon as possible. While we have continued waiving fines this school year, if books have been lost they must be replaced. We will be sending out “Missing Book” notices beginning next week. If a book has been lost, a bill for the cost of replacement will be sent home with your child. However, if your child eventually finds the book, the fine will be refunded!
In addition, we are hoping to build our collection of “Strategy games” suck as checkers, chess, Scrabble, Banana-grams, and Battleship. If you happen to have a game at home you are not using and would like to donate it to the library, we would love to give it a new home! Thank you for your help!
INVESTING IN OUR FUTURE
Thank you to everyone who helped to kick off the Investing In Our Future: A Campaign To Support Our Educators initiative in such an incredibly successful way during the Raise the Paddle segment of the evening at Celebration 2023! Through your generosity that evening and in the weeks that have followed, just under $93,000 was raised to bolster the fund that will help to keep the salaries of our teachers and educational staff competitive and allow us to retain and recruit top educators. A committee is being formed, and St. Hilary School parent Brianne Alaburda is the chairperson spearheading ongoing fundraising for this campaign. If you are interested in supporting this initiative, please contact Brianne at 330-770-8207 or briannealaburda@hotmail.com.
This joint effort between St. Hilary School and the St. Hilary Parish Foundation is just one of many ways the Foundation supports the St. Hilary community. Donor support is vital to continue to make the Foundation a viable entity and enable it to fund Parish and School needs well into the future. To learn more or donate, please visit https://www.sthilaryfoundation.org/ or call Diane Sarkis, Development Director, at 330-608-4787 or d.sarkis@sthilaryfoundation.org.
CELEBRATION WRAP-UP
The final numbers are in, and Celebration 2023 was a huge success, netting just over $120,000 to underwrite the needs of our school for 2023-2024! We are grateful for the generosity of all of our donors, sponsors, advertisers, and all of you - parents, grandparents, staff members, and friends - who dug deep into your wallets to help raise money for our school. Special thanks to our co-chairs, Mike and Catherine Leonakis and their committee for all of the hard work that went into making the event successful. As we previously shared, we will earmark the funds raised at Celebration for many items that could be considered a teacher’s “dream package”: instructional materials, supplemental learning resources, professional development, field trips and other enrichment for students, teacher supplies, special programming, online instructional licenses and programs, and much more! Please watch for the Parents' Association funding ballot to be emailed soon! Thank you for your support!
DID YOU MISS ANNIE?
Did you miss our very own junior high production of Annie? You can catch it here! Enjoy!
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.
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 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/