SaberSpeak
Week of September 20, 2021
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 the latest COVID-19 information
Click here for the 2021-2022 School Calendar, revised August 1
Click here for the 2021-2022 Dress Code
COVID-19 Central
UPDATE! MASK REQUIREMENT EXTENDED THROUGH OCTOBER 15
All St. Hilary School students and staff, regardless of vaccination status, will be required to continue to wear masks through October 15. Conditions will again be re-evaluated at the end of this four-week period. Please make sure your child has enough masks to wear a clean mask each day. During warm, humid weather, you may want to send several masks in case your child needs to change during the day. A spare mask should be kept in the student’s backpack at all times. Please make sure your child’s name is on each mask either with a Sharpie or with labeling tape that won’t wash or wear off. The school will provide a face shield for each student in grades K-2 and by individual request in other grades. It is the responsibility of parents to provide face masks. Lanyards will be available to help contain masks while eating or drinking.
DIOCESAN STATEMENT ON MASKS
On August 20, the Diocese of Cleveland issued a statement strongly recommending masks in its Catholic schools. Click here to read the statement.
DID YOU KNOW?...
- If there is a COVID-19 related situation in your household at any time, you must notify Mrs. Woodman ASAP at jwoodman@st-hilary.org to help determine next steps for your child. This includes your child being exposed, your child having symptoms, your child being tested, your child testing positive, a member of your household being exposed, a member of your household having symptoms, a member of your household being tested, or a member of your household testing positive. Your cooperation is imperative.
- Students who need to participate in distance learning while quarantining or isolating at home for five days or more must allow 24 hours for set-up , including preparation of materials that will be necessary to learn from home.
- Under the CDC guidelines, students exposed to COVID-19 in the classroom setting who consistently wear a mask at school do not need to quarantine.
IMPORTANT TIPS FOR RETURNING TO SCHOOL DURING COVID-19
Below are some tips for families as we return to school during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Things to have at home:
- Thermometer for daily temperature checks
- Working printer and paper in the event of distance learning
Things to bring each day:
- Individual snack (birthday and other treats must be factory sealed or from a bakery - nothing home made)
- Water bottle - disposable or refillable (we have bottle filler fountains)
- Extra mask(s)
What to wear to school:
- Gym uniform if gym day - students will stay in gym clothes all day
- Velcro shoes for kindergarteners / first graders if unable to tie shoes
Additional information can be found on our COVID-19 webpage and in our School Handbook COVID-19 Appendix.
Hot Off The Press
Please click here for the September issue of the Counseling Connection newsletter from our school counseling office.
SCHOOL ADVISORY COUNCIL MEMBERS VOTED IN
The votes are in and your new School Advisory Council members have been elected! Congratulations to the following school parents who have been elected to this leadership role: Matthew Eldred, Cassandra Hirsh, Debbie Jackson, Lindsey Tomaszewski, and Jennifer Towell. These new members will join Karl Higley and Lindsay Schroeter, who were the two remaining members of our School Board. The amount of interest in this new group was impressive, and we would like to thank each candidate who ran, especially several parents who are new to the school. As the current members' terms expire, we hope there will be continued interest in serving in this role and encourage parents to step up once again. We look forward to seeing what this group will do and keeping you updated on their work!
DRESS DOWN COUPON BOOKS FOR SALE THROUGH SEPTEMBER 27
Back by popular demand are our dress down coupon books that can be purchased and used any Monday-Thursday this school year! There is even something fun for kindergarteners who want to participate! Proceeds benefit the Parents' Association in supporting school needs. Please click here for details and a link to purchase. Don't delay - September 27 is the deadline to purchase this hot item!
The Main Event
Plan Ahead
GOOGLE CALENDAR
Click here for the school Google calendar
~ September 24: First Quarter Interim Reports
~ September 25: Grade 2 First Reconciliation Retreat 1:30 - 5:00 pm
~ September 30: Kindergarten to Ramseyer Farms
~ October 1: November Hot Lunch ordering begins
~ October 3: Grade 2 First Reconciliation Retreat 11:00 am - 2:30 pm
~ October 5: School Rosary 1:45 pm
~ October 8: No School for Students; Inservice Day for Teachers
~ October 14: School Picture Retake Day
Help Wanted
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 2021-2022 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.
FULL-TIME (1-9 pm) AND PART-TIME (12PM-5PM) CUSTODIAN/MAINTENANCE WORKER SOUGHT
St. Hilary Parish & School is currently seeking both a full time and a part-time custodial/maintenance worker to join our Maintenance Department. The ideal candidates are positive, reliable, and capable of maintaining an attractive, sanitary and safe facility for students, staff and public. Must demonstrate strong work ethic and possess effective written and verbal communication skills. Lastly, must possess the ability to work well with others and independently.
PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:
- Vacuuming, mopping, shampoo/spot clean carpets and furniture, washing windows.
- Removing trash in accordance with established procedures.
- Cleaning and disinfecting restrooms, locker rooms, cafeteria, classrooms and hallways.
- Set up and tear down for different events during school, in the evenings, and on weekends.
- Performing other duties as assigned.
A background check is required and will be completed if/when hired.
Please send or email resume to: Pedro Avalos II, St. Hilary Parish, 2750 West Market Street, Fairlawn, OH 44333 or pavalosii@st-hilary.org. If a resume is not available, applicants can also complete an application for employment at the Parish Office in the Spiritual Center.
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.
BAGS NEEDED FOR BLESSINGS IN A BACKPACK
Plastic grocery bags are needed for the Blessings in a Backpack program that provides weekend care packages of food for children in need. Students may bring bags to school and deposit them in the storage benches outside the clinic. Thank you!
SCAN AND SUBMIT RECEIPTS FOR "BOX TOP" PRODUCTS TO EARN MONEY FOR OUR SCHOOL
The Box Tops program has gone digital! Now it's even easier to support our school with your grocery purchases! Click here for details!
ACME RECEIPTS NEEDED TO EARN MONEY FOR OUR SCHOOL
We are collecting Acme receipts again this year! Please save your Acme receipts from August 5 through December 25, 2021. Send them into school anytime to Attn: Tara Reuscher; c/o Alex Reuscher Room 107. If you prefer, take a picture of your receipts (be sure to include the bottom portion of the receipt that includes the cash back amount) and email to tarareuscher@gmail.com.
CLASSROOM VOLUNTEER SIGN-UPS
There will be limited in-person volunteer opportunities this year, but sign-ups will be available via the classroom Sign-Up Genius. Watch for more information.
Growing Together in Faith
SCHOOL MASS THIS FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24
Our next school Mass for the 2021-2022 school year will be THIS FRIDAY, September 24 at 9:30 am. Grades 2, 4 and 6 will attend in person. The school Mass will be planned by grade 6, and will be live streamed and available to view at http://sthilarychurch.org/live/. You will be able to view all live streamed Masses through this site. A copy of this year’s liturgy schedule can be found in the Forms and Documents section under the Red Folder on the school website. Masses are also posted on the school Google calendar, with the grade level planning the Mass listed. Upcoming Masses are October 1 planned by grade 5 (grades 1, 5 and 7 will attend in person), October 15 planned by grade 4 (grades 2, 4 and 6 will attend in person), October 22 planned by grade 2 (grades 1, 5 and 7 will attend in person), and October 29 (All Saints Day observed) planned by grade 3 (grades K, 3 and 8 will attend in person). There is no school on October 8.
We will continue to celebrate Mass together each week and on holy days. Students will attend school Mass on a rotation with other select grade levels (not the whole school). Only parents / grandparents of the participating class may attend Mass in person, and must sit in the back of the Church away from students. THOSE ATTENDING SCHOOL MASSES MUST WEAR MASKS.
Masses will be live streamed and available for all to watch, and students not attending Mass in person will watch live streamed Mass from their classrooms. Eucharistic ministers will come to the classrooms to distribute Holy Communion. We will handle other religious services and events in a similar way.
JOIN US IN OUR APPEAL TO GOD TO CRUSH COVID - THIS FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24
Fr. Cameron and St. Hilary's Healing Waters Ministry invite you to pray with them on Friday, September 24, 7:30 pm-9:00 pm. Adore and praise God through song before the Blessed Sacrament and implore God to destroy COVID in all its forms. To conclude, pray the Healing Rosary for those afflicted with the virus and other infirmities.
SCHOOL ROSARY SERVICE OCTOBER 5
We will have a school Rosary service on October 5 at 1:45 pm. The service will be live streamed and available to view at http://sthilarychurch.org/live/.
Student Life
LAST CALL! STUDENT COUNCIL APPLICATIONS DUE MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 20 BY 3 PM
The Student Council Homeroom Representative election process is underway. Students in grades 3-8 are invited to run for election for this fun leadership opportunity!
The timeline for this year's election process is as follows:
Tuesday, 9/14 - Applications available at the table in the front of the office.
Monday, 9/20 - All applications due to the office no later than 3:00 P.M. No late applications will be accepted - no exceptions.
Monday, 9/20 through Friday, 9/24 - Candidates may put up one poster outside their homeroom classroom.
Friday, 9/24 - Elections will take place in the morning after announcements in each homeroom. Each candidate will dress up and give a speech that morning in their homeroom. Results will be announced at the end of the day.
Friday, 10/22 - Student Council officers and representatives will be inducted at the School Mass.
SCOUTING OPEN HOUSE OCTOBER 17
An open house for boys and girls grades 5 and up interested in scouting will be held October 17 at 7:30 pm at Faith Lutheran Church. Click the flyer below for details.
Reminders
Parents, we have communicated several times about safety during our morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up, but unsafe driving continues. We continue to witness near misses on a daily basis. Please help us keep your children safe on our campus. Please be sure every person dropping off and picking up your child is aware of these points, as well.
- When dropping off on the parking lot side of the building, please STOP BEFORE THE CROSS WALK in order to leave the cross walk clear for pedestrians crossing from the lot to the building. Please DO NOT STOP ON THE CROSS WALK to drop off. PLEASE DO NOT ENTER THE CROSS WALK WHILE PEOPLE ARE STILL CROSSING!
- 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 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 - especially masks, which are available in the office. Adults on duty will assist.
- Please DO NOT PUT YOUR CAR IN PARK AND GET OUT OF YOUR 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.
- If you are walking a student from the parking lot to the building, PLEASE CROSS ONLY AT THE MARKED CROSS WALK. Many parents and children are walking from other areas into the stream of traffic, creating a dangerous situation.
- Please DRIVE SLOWLY on our campus at all times.
- We are a CELL-PHONE FREE CAMPUS during drop-off and pick-up. Please refrain from using your phone during these few minutes.
DAILY LOGISTICS TO NOTE
- If your child will be absent, tardy or picked up early for any reason, please call the school office at 330-867-8720 to report this. You may speak with a secretary during school hours or leave a message on the attendance line 24/7. Absences must be reported to the school office by 9:30 am on the day of the absence. We are required by law to follow up with families who do not do so. You may also notify teachers and Latchkey as a courtesy. It is not necessary to email other school staff.
- 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 48 hours (2 days) without fever reducing medication OR they have a negative COVID-19 test (must provide test results) OR they have a note from the attending physician stating that symptoms are not the result of COVID-19. There is no incentive to come to school when ill. The perfect attendance award has been eliminated. The policy on excessive absence will be reviewed and applied on a case-by-case basis during the duration of COVID-19.
- The drop off bins have been relocated to 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.
- Parents and visitors will have very limited access to the school building and every effort will be made to conduct business in a contact-free / virtual manner when possible. Masks are required for all visitors, regardless of vaccination status.
MASKS REQUIRED AT SCHOOL MASSES
Parents and grandparents of students participating in school Masses may attend Mass in person. Masks are required at all school Masses regardless of vaccination status. Thank you for your cooperation.
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS GOLF OUTING SEPTEMBER 27
Come Golf with the St. Hilary Knights of Columbus at Firestone Country Club on September 27!
Please join us for a fun day of golf at the beautiful Firestone Country Club North Course. The event starts with lunch then moves into golf (includes a golf cart) and ends with a sit-down dinner, awards ceremony and silent auction. We will be playing a scrambles format which means that the best ball from your foursome is used each time you hit or putt. This keeps your team competitive while making for a fun and relaxing event. Sign-up as a foursome or as a single player. We will put single players together to create a foursome.
The cost is $250 per player or $1000 for a foursome. Sign-up on our website at: https://one.bidpal.net/sthilarykofcgolf/welcome. Lunch and sign-in run from 11:30 – 1:00 with golf beginning at 1:30 PM on September 27. All proceeds from the event will be donated to local charities including St. Hilary School and Parish.
For questions call Bernie Geary at 330-285-6837.
LAST CALL!
ONLY 15 CRYSTAL COMMEMORATIVES LEFT!
ONLY 15 Crystal Commemoratives are remaining to fill the window in the Horning Hall alcove! There are 5 – 12" x 6" crystals available for $5,000 each and 10 – 6" x 6" crystals available for $2,500 each. Crystals can be paid for over 5 years. These beautiful etched glass panels are a great way to honor a special person or occasion or memorialize your family's name as part of the St. Hilary community. Crystals are going fast so don't miss your opportunity to be a part of this lasting legacy. Contact St. Hilary Parish Foundation Development Director Diane Sarkis at 330-608-4787 d.sarkis@sthilaryfoundation.org for more information.
FUNDRAISERS
Acme Community Cash Back and Box Tops for Education benefit our school every time you shop or purchase qualifying products. Please click here for more information.
VERIFY & UPDATE ONE CALL NOW INFORMATION VIA SELF-UPDATE PORTAL
As the new year begins, please make sure we have your current telephone number(s) and email address(es) in our One Call Now database. Doing so will ensure you receive the latest mass email updates, as well as phone calls in the event of snow days or school emergencies.
New families: Please make sure you have returned the yellow One Call Now form contained in your child’s acceptance packet so your One Call Now account can be set up.
Returning families and new families who have returned yellow One Call Now forms: Please click the My School button at the top right corner of the school website, login, and click the One Call Now link to be directed to our new One Call Now Self-Update Portal. Click the green SIGN UP button as a first-time user to create your login for the secure portal. Users will be able to view only their own information. Follow the prompts to verify and update your information as needed. Please retain your login information so you can return to the portal and simply login to make any necessary future updates.
Please contact Mrs. Smith at msmith@st-hilary.org with questions.
Archives
Click here for 2021-2022 Back-to-School Forms to be completed now
Click here for information about our drop-off and pick-up procedures (note exception for Kindergarteners as shown on opening schedule)
Click here for the 2021-2022 School Handbook and Amendments, including important health and safety information, school policies and procedures, and more
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/