SaberSpeak
Week of August 17, 2020
Welcome To SaberSpeak!
We are streamlining communication this year!
SaberSpeak is our new weekly mass email newsletter that will be sent every Monday school is in session, and on Tuesdays when there is a Monday holiday. On the first Monday each month, SaberSpeak will include a message from Mrs. Woodman. We hope you find this new format to be informative and user-friendly.
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.
A Message From Mrs. Woodman
Welcome to the 2020-2021 school year! I look forward to sharing this space with you each month, and wanted to take this opportunity to offer a few words as we prepare to begin what promises to be an unusual school year. In the midst of this pandemic we have been living with for most of 2020, I am reminded of several other words beginning with the letter P that we will all do well to keep in mind this school year.
First, patience. We appreciate your patience as we have navigated these uncharted waters since March, and as we undoubtedly will continue in this situation for months to come. Please know that in all we do and in every decision we make, we have the best interests of your child and every St. Hilary student at heart.
Second, perseverance. We are all probably tired of hearing the phrase, "We're all in this together!", but it's true. As unpleasant as all of this is, we know we are all going through the same things and we will eventually come out on the other side. We must persevere together and keep forging ahead until we get there.
Third, positivity. Now more than ever, we need to be cheerleaders for our school, for one another, and especially for our students. It is not an exaggeration when I say that your school team has been working tirelessly to make sure your children have the best possible opportunities to learn and grow in every way. Even when dark days may come, we need you to be positive in your interactions with your children and on social media. When the sun shines again, and it will, we all need to emerge from this experience intact. Your support is vital.
Fourth, politeness. We know there will be decisions we will have to make during the course of this year that not everyone will agree with. We know there will be questions that will arise as we move through this new normal together. We are here to answer your questions and address your concerns as best we can. All we ask is that you show us the same degree of politeness and respect when communicating with us as you would expect of us. We are all under great stress with this situation, and we will be able to work together much better if we start from a point of kindness and respect.
Fifth, politics. Obviously, this is a presidential election year. The political energy associated with any election year is at a heightened level due to current events in our world. While our teachers may discuss the election in factual terms as appropriate during lessons, we will not engage in political rhetoric related to COVID-19 or any other issue in our school. We ask that you support us in reinforcing this with your children.
Sixth, plans. With so many unknowns ahead of us, we encourage every family to have contingency plans for all aspects of this school year. Bus transportation may be affected. We may be forced to move in and out of distance learning at points during the year. Our Hot Lunch or Latchkey programs may not be able to operate at points during the year. If these things happen, you may need to have alternate plans for transportation, lunches or child care. Please be sure those plans are in the works now so you can be prepared.
Finally, pride. The 2020-2021 school year marks our 60th anniversary. As a St. Hilary School alumna, with fellow alumna Mrs. Alexander by my side as Assistant Principal, we cannot be any more proud of our school than we are at this moment. We believe this will be our time to shine, as we look forward to making this year, however unusual, one in which we rise to new challenges, set the bar even higher, and achieve like never before. We hope you and your children will share this sense of pride with us.
Thank you for entrusting your children to us. On behalf of the entire faculty and staff, we look forward to partnering with you to make this a successful school year!
Go Sabers!
Mrs. Woodman
Principal
Need To Know Now
Click here for 2020-2021 Back-to-School Forms to be completed now, with special attention to the Student COVID-19 Policy Acknowledgement and Assumption of Risk Form
Click here and here for important Back-to-School information, including new arrival and dismissal procedures, the Kindergarten opening schedule, and more
Click here for important information for families considering distance learning, and here for the agreement that must be signed and returned by August 24 in order to participate in distance learning
Click here for the School Faculty & Staff Directory
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 2020-2021 School Calendar, revised August 1
Click here for the 2020-2021 Dress Code
Click here for the 2020-2021 School Handbook and Amendments, including important health and safety information, school policies and procedures, and more
Hot Off The Press
SCHOOL YEARBOOKS
FUNDRAISERS
Acme Community Cash Back, Box Tops for Education, and Giant Eagle Apples for the Students all benefit our school every time you shop or purchase qualifying products. Please see below and click here for more information.
ACME RECEIPTS
We are collecting Acme receipts again this year! Please save your Acme receipts from August 6 through December 26, 2020. Send them to school at anytime to Attn: Jamie Malick; c/o Caleb Malick Room 113. Or 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 jamiemalick@hotmail.com.
ASBESTOS COMPLIANCE NOTICE
Federal law requires all schools to inspect their buildings for asbestos containing materials and to develop management plans for those materials found. Our school has completed this inspection/management plan and has submitted a copy to the Ohio Department of Health. This asbestos inspection/ management plan is available for review, by appointment, during regular business hours. Please know that we are making every effort to comply with all laws and regulations pertaining to asbestos and the safety of our children.
The Main Event
JUST ADDED TO BACK-TO-SCHOOL NIGHT FOR DISTANCE LEARNERS: Families electing to participate in distance learning for at least the first quarter may pick up instructional materials during our Back-to-School Night on August 20 between 5 pm and 8 pm. If you need to pick up materials, please park in the back parking lot and walk to the Pavilion where materials will be ready for you. In order to respect social distancing, only one person/family at a time, please. Additional information about distance learning and much more will be coming very soon.
Plan Ahead
GOOGLE CALENDAR
Click here for the school Google calendar
~ August 20: Back-to-School Night, 5 to 8 PM
~ August 24: First Day of School
~ August 27: Full Day Kindergarten Begins
~ September 1: October Hot Lunch ordering begins; Room Mom Meeting via Zoom;
Grade 2 Jesus Day
~ September 2: School Picture Day
~ September 2: Curriculum Night - Grades 6-8 - VIRTUAL
~ September 3: Faculty/Staff Meeting; Curriculum Night - Grades K-5 - VIRTUAL
~ September 4: No School - Accreditation Inservice Day
~ September 7: No School - Labor 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 2020-2021 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 Playground Supervisor Laura Pszonowsky at laurakay54@gmail.com or 330-289-9678.
SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS NEEDED
We have a great need for individuals to serve as substitute teachers this school year. 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.
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 from teachers when school begins.
Growing Together in Faith
FIRST SCHOOL MASS NEXT FRIDAY, AUGUST 28
Our first school Mass for the 2020-2021 school year will be NEXT FRIDAY, August 28 at 9:30 a.m. The school Mass will be planned by our faculty, and will be live streamed and available to view at http://sthilarychurch.org/live/. 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.
We will continue to celebrate Mass together each week and on holy days. Each grade level (1-8) will plan several Masses as usual, but only the grade level planning the Mass will attend in person. Parents and grandparents of participants may attend but must sit in the back of the Church away from students. 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.
Student Life
VIRTUAL PROGRAMMING
Afterschool Enrichment Solutions, our Chess Club and Engineering Club provider, is offering some virtual programs for students, covering six subjects throughout the week. Students may benefit from the social, engaging and fun lessons. Please click the links below for more information.
Click for more information and to register for Virtual All Access Pass!
Reminders
ROOM MOM MEETING SEPTEMBER 1 VIA ZOOM
There will be a meeting for all Room Moms on September 1 at 10:00 a.m. via Zoom. Room Moms for each classroom have been notified.
SCHOOL PICTURE DAY SEPTEMBER 2
Click here to read about important changes to note, including new online ordering and photos for distance learners.
CURRICULUM NIGHTS SEPTEMBER 2 & 3 - VIRTUAL STYLE
Please join us for our VIRTUAL Curriculum Nights on Wednesday, September 2 for grades 6-8, and Thursday, September 3 for grades K-5. Click here for more information.
NEW STUDENT CHECK-IN WEEK SEPTEMBER 8-11- VIRTUAL STYLE
By suggestion of some of our new families in past years, we will again offer “New Student Check-in Week” the week of September 8-11. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, these will be offered in a virtual format. Each teacher will schedule time during this week to meet virtually with parents and students new to the school to address any questions or concerns about classroom procedures and general adjustment to a new school setting. Teachers will provide information about the New Student Check-in Week for their specific classrooms as school begins.
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.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT MEDIA RELEASE FORM
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation, we will be using live streaming as a tool to gather together as a school community in situations where we will not be able to have large in-person events: when we want to gather our community for prayer, for events where parents would normally be invited, and as a way to connect our community. When a student appears in a live stream, we will not identify the student by his or her full name so as to protect his or her identity. Any live stream with students on camera will only be viewable live and will not be recorded or available after the live stream is over. This will be to more readily ensure that the live image does not stay as something that can be downloaded. A live stream will simply be a way to “attend” as the event occurs, not to view it later.
For our weekly school Masses and any other live streamed events, only students whose parents have given consent on the Media Release form on Gradelink will be able to participate and appear on camera. To be clear, that means that if you do not give us permission to have your child participate as part of live streamed events, he or she will be unable to participate as a singer or reader at school Masses and other religious services, and unable to participate in school assemblies and academic contests, parades, and any other events we may choose to live stream. This would be done not to exclude any student, but to respect parents’ wishes. Similarly, if you have consented on this form, you now need to understand the additional implications of your consent for your child if he or she participates in an event that is live streamed.
IMPORTANT! Whatever choice of consent or lack of consent you have indicated on the Media Release form on Gradelink will apply to live streamed events as indicated above, unless we hear otherwise from you. You may change your consent at any time, even during the school year and even for only a particular event, by emailing Mrs. Smith at msmith@st-hilary.org.
About Us
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/