SaberSpeak
Week of February 1, 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.
Principal's Message
Moving further into the second half of our school year, we continue to live out our theme, Answer God's Call... Change The World. As we celebrate Black History Month this month, answering God's call to change the world is especially meaningful as our students will be doing grade-level-appropriate reading, research and projects on the topic of Black history and learning about the people who have helped to shape our country and world. We look forward to learning together about the past and instilling hope for the future. In the words of our National Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman, "For there is always light, if only we're brave enough to see it, if only we're brave enough to be it."
Our students continue to be light to others in many ways. Please see the "Hot Off The Press" section below for information about our participation in the Souper Bowl of Caring for just one example. This year, with COVID-19 still very much a part of our lives, we have had to simplify our annual Catholic Schools Week service projects, but at the same time this gave us an opportunity to serve local nursing home residents who have been so terribly affected by the pandemic. Many of our classes made Valentine's Day cards, decorated and laminated placemats, and produced other spirit-lifting creations to be distributed at area nursing homes. We look forward to returning to broader service projects next year, but are also grateful for the chance to be able to support local seniors in this way. We also look forward to hosting all of you at our Catholic Schools Week Open House next year, a tradition that was greatly missed this year. Although we were not able to gather to celebrate our wonderful school, we thank you for embracing Catholic education and partnering with us to provide the very best for your children.
This week, we will begin registering new students by appointment and conclude re-registration of current students for the 2021-2022 school year. The deadline to re-register returning students online is February 5. Instructions for applying to receive tuition assistance were emailed on January 4 and can also be found on the school website. Applications must be submitted online through FACTS by March 1.
Students in grades K-8 have completed our second round of MAP testing. As with everything, we scaled back testing to include only math and reading in this progress-based assessment. Our final MAP testing will take place in April and May. CAT testing for grades 1, 3, 5, and 7 will take place February 16-26. Thank you for avoiding scheduling appointments during testing.
We are grateful for the planning efforts of our Parents' Association and the support all of you have shown for our mini-fundraisers. Our Dress Down Day Coupon books were a hit, and our patronage of Casa Del Rio on January 25 was nothing short of overwhelming. We look forward to another successful fundraising event this evening at Dewey's Pizza where we will eat pizza to raise dough for our school! Funds raised from these mini-fundraisers will be combined with our annual spring fundraising efforts. Although we will not be able to hold our traditional Celebration event again this year, we look forward to partnering with you in other fun ways to raise money for our next very exciting and important school project... stay tuned for more information about that! We are so grateful for all of your continued support of our school and all that we do together.
We look forward to working with you to make this a successful second semester. Please do not hesitate to contact us if we can be of assistance.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Woodman
Principal
Need To Know Now
Click here for help with Gradelink
Click here for the School Faculty & Staff Directory
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, updates due to COVID-19, and more
COVID-19 Updates
OHIO DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ISSUES STAY SAFE OHIO PROTOCOL
On December 10, the Ohio Department of Health issued the Stay Safe Ohio Protocol to help limit the spread of COVID-19 during the holiday season and through the end of the year. The complete list of safety protocols can be found at the end of this section. As a reminder, the decisions each of us make have a great impact on our ability to continue to be able to offer an in-person learning option. We appreciate your support and cooperation.
TRAVEL ADVISORY STATES
As we clarified in our August 28 SaberSpeak Special Edition, we are requiring students to self-quarantine for 14 days after visiting states that have a 15% or more COVID-19 positivity rate.
As of December 2, Ohio has now been added to the group of states with 15% or more COVID-19 positivity. Technically, this means that if your family will be traveling from Ohio to another state, you should quarantine for two weeks prior to travel. We also realize you may think that because Ohio is now in the 15%+ COVID-19 positivity group it does not matter if your family travels to another 15%+ COVID-19 positivity state. However, quarantining after travel to one of these states will still be required as an additional line of defense for our school.
Again, this is an extra precaution and we know this could impact travel plans. If your children are learning in-person, we are asking you to respect this decision and plan accordingly. Students who are required to quarantine after traveling to a state (or country) with a 15% or higher COVID-19 positivity rate will be required to distance learn for the 14 days.
Click here for the current list and map of Travel Advisory states.
ST. HILARY SCHOOL PARTICIPATING IN SCPH REPORTING PROGRAM
As the autumn season gets underway, preparations for the upcoming influenza season have begun. The 2020-2021 flu season is unique, since widespread community transmission of COVID-19 continues in Summit County and Ohio. Summit County Public Health (SCPH) has begun another season of community influenza surveillance. St. Hilary School will be participating in this program. Surveillance will run from early October until early May or longer if influenza is still a concern. With the ongoing concerns about COVID-19, influenza and their impacts on public health, surveillance remains vital. Data shared provides important information about COVID-19 and influenza trends and peaks of activity in Summit County to our school and to the community. As a school reporting partner, St. Hilary School will submit student absence numbers (for any reason) on a weekly basis. This data will also be aggregated with other school attendance data. No data specific to a particular student or to our school will be shared publicly, nor will our school be identified as a reporting partner. We hope that our participation in this program will help to strengthen our partnership with SCPH during this time of heightened public health concerns.
COVID-19 DASHBOARD
We have added a COVID-19 Dashboard to our school website to report up-to-the-minute positive case data for students and staff members. Click here for our COVID-19 Dashboard.
Click here for all of our COVID-19 information
The Main Event
This week's main event is the deadline to re-register returning students, on Friday, February 5. Click here if you need a refresher on what to do to make sure your child is included in our planning for next year!
Hot Off The Press
LET'S TACKLE HUNGER!
ST. HILARY SOUPER BOWL OF CARING FEBRUARY 1-5, DRESS DOWN DAY FEBRUARY 8
St. Hilary School will be participating in the 2021 Souper Bowl of Caring as a National School of Caring February 1-5. Students may bring in cans of soup during this week. Donations should be taken to homerooms. With each can donated, the donor may “vote” for the team he/she believes will win the big game. Students who bring at least one can of soup may dress down on Monday, February 8. All donations will be given to the Blessed Trinity Food Pantry in Akron to assist those in need.
Souper Bowl of Caring uses the energy around football's biggest celebration to mobilize and inspire youth to tackle hunger across the country. Students develop a stronger sense of connection to their communities as they collect food or raise money for hunger-relief charities that provide food and resources for their neighbors in need, while showing caring and compassion for others. We will report our total collection to Souper Bowl of Caring so our students and school become part of the national efforts. Through this experience, our students learn the power of working together to make a difference in the lives of others.
OHIO CATHOLIC FEDERAL CREDIT UNION NOW ACCEPTING SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS
In keeping with its commitment to support Catholic education, Ohio Catholic Federal Credit Union will be awarding students at Catholic elementary and high schools scholarships for the 2021- 2022 academic year. Ohio Catholic Federal Credit Union has committed to giving away $25,000 in Catholic school scholarships in 2021.
In order to apply for a scholarship, applicants must be a member of Ohio Catholic Federal Credit Union with a minimum balance of $50.00 or a current loan, currently attend a Catholic elementary school or high school in Ohio, and be willing to submit proof of income if chosen as a finalist. All families with students enrolled in Catholic schools are eligible for membership with Ohio Catholic FCU and membership can easily be established by calling 888-696-4462.
Online applications can be accessed at http://www.ohiocatholicfcu.com/scholarships beginning February 1, 2021, until March 15, 2021. The scholarship funds will be sent directly to the Catholic school in the name of the family awarded the funds no later than mid-August.
Please note that applications will not be accepted once the application period closes. Additionally, incomplete applications will not be considered. Once a scholarship application has been submitted, the applicant cannot change or alter any information on the form.
Questions regarding the application process can be directed to Dean Robinson,
Catholic Outreach Coordinator, at (216) 478-0065 or drobinson@ohiocatholicfcu.com
Plan Ahead
GOOGLE CALENDAR
Click here for the school Google calendar
~ February 1-10: March Hot Lunch ordering
~ February 5: Re-registration ends for returning students
~ February 10: Spelling Bee at 1:15 pm
~ February 12: No School - Inservice Day
~ February 15: No School - Presidents' Day
~ February 16 - 26: CAT Testing for Grades 1, 3, 5, and 7
~ February 17: Ash Wednesday (Mass today; no Mass February 19)
~ February 19: Third Quarter Interim Reports
Help Wanted
Opportunities to help will be listed here as they arise.
FUNDRAISING COMMITTEE FORMING - VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Parents' Association is assembling a Fundraising Committee to help generate funds for our school. Duties of committee members will include such things as helping to organize a coupon book fundraiser and possibly other small fundraisers, organizing items for auction, and assisting with a spring fundraiser. Volunteers are sought to work together, share ideas and divide tasks to keep things simple and manageable for all. If you are interested, please contact Parents' Association President Lisa Crane at lisamariesmu@aol.com.
Growing Together in Faith
NEXT SCHOOL MASS THIS FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5
Our next school Mass will be THIS FRIDAY, February 5 at 9:30 a.m. This school Mass will be planned by grade 3, and will be live streamed and available to view at http://sthilarychurch.org/live/.
**PLEASE NOTE: Our live page has been updated. School Masses are available for viewing on the Watch Live Mass page. You will simply see a window on the page - not a link. Other events will still be viewed live by clicking a link as you have in the past.
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 school Masses are February 17 (Ash Wednesday) planned by grade 6 and February 26 planned by Grade 2. There is no school on February 12 and no school Mass on February 19.
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.
SCHOOL YEAR THEME PRAYER AND SONG
Please click the images below for our prayer and song for this school year, exemplifying our school theme, "Answer God's Call...Change The World"! These will be handy as you join us virtually for school Masses.
Student Life
CAA REC BASEBALL / SOFTBALL / T-BALL REGISTRATION NOW OPEN
Rec ball through the Copley-Fairlawn Athletic Association (CAA) is open to all kids from ages 5/6 up to age 14. Any Copley-area youth who are interested in playing rec baseball, softball or T-ball through CAA, please click this link for more information, including how to register:
WABL REGISTRATION NOW OPEN
West Akron Baseball & Softball League has opened its registration for the upcoming season. Please click the flyer below for more information.
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
DEWEY'S PIZZA FUNDRAISER FEBRUARY 1
Dewey's Pizza invites you to "eat pizza to raise dough" on February 1, with 20% of sales being donated to our school. Please click the flyer below for complete details.
MARCH HOT LUNCH ORDERING OPENS FEBRUARY 1
Hot Lunch ordering for March will open February 1. Orders must be placed and paid for online by February 10. Questions? Please contact Becky Vieltorf at bvieltorf@st-hilary.org.
GRADE LEVEL TRANSITION MENTORS NEEDED BY MARCH 1
Because moving from one grade level to the next comes with some uncertainty as well as excitement, we offer a grade level transition mentoring program to help bridge the gap as families transition from year to year. Through this program, a list of parent volunteers who agree to serve as resources to be contacted with general questions or concerns about a particular grade level is published each spring. It is time now to update the Grade Level Transition Mentors list for the 2021-2022 school year. If you are willing to be available to field questions fellow parents might have about the grade level your child will soon finish – kindergarten through grade eight – please consider volunteering, as we can continue this program only with your help. Your commitment is as simple as adding your name to our list and being available to answer occasional questions over the summer or next school year. To volunteer, please email dsinopoli@st-hilary.org by March 1 with your name and grade levels you are willing to represent. Thank you!
POSTURAL SCREENING FOR GRADES 5, 6 AND 7
A postural screening program will be conducted by our school nurses for students in grades 5, 6 and 7 to help identify children with curvature of the spine (scoliosis) or other possible spinal problems. Spinal variations have been detected in 10 out of every 100 children and 2 out of these 10 have required active treatment. The purpose of the screening program at our school is to recognize the problem at its earliest stages so that the need for treatment can be determined. The procedure is a simple one in which a trained examiner inspects the student's posture as he or she stands and bends forward. If a postural problem is suspected, the parent will be notified. If your child is currently under active treatment for a postural problem, or if you object to your child being examined in such a screening, please provide written notice as soon as possible. If you have any questions about the screening, please call the school clinic at 330-867-8720, ext. 3, or email Mrs. Hammersmith at chammersmith@st-hilary.org or Mrs. Laughlin at alaughlin@st-hilary.org.
ORDER 2021-2022 YEARBOOKS NOW!
Don't miss your chance to capture this unique school year with our beautiful, full-color 2020-2021 yearbook! Online ordering is now open. Visit www.ybpay.lifetouch.com and enter Yearbook ID Code 3685721 to order. Soft cover books cost $25; hard cover books cost $30. The deadline to order is May 21, 2021. Yearbooks may be ordered online only - please do not send checks to the school. Please keep a record of your order, as the school has no access to orders placed and no record of who has ordered and who has not. Books will be delivered to students next fall.
SHS CAR WINDOW STICKERS FOR SALE
Help us celebrate St. Hilary School during this 60th anniversary year and beyond by displaying one of our new SHS window stickers on your car window! The 4" x 5" stickers feature a white background with red SHS lettering and 3 crossed sabers. (See photo below.) To purchase a sticker, please send $5 (cash or check payable to St. Hilary School) to the office in an envelope marked "Window Sticker" with your child's name and room number. Your sticker will be sent home to you in the same envelope.
OUTERWEAR REMINDER
Please remember that only approved school uniform sweaters, sweatshirts and quarter-zip pullovers may be worn in classrooms during the school day.
MASKS AVAILABLE THROUGH ONLINE STORE
Is your child in need of additional masks for this school year? Don't forget that you can order our very own SABERS spirit masks through our online school uniform store!
FUNDRAISERS
The Acme Community Cash Back program and Box Tops for Education 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.
Archives
Click here for 2020-2021 Back-to-School Forms, with special attention to the Student COVID-19 Policy Acknowledgement and Assumption of Risk Form
Click here for important information for families considering distance learning, and here for the agreement that must be signed and returned in order to participate in distance learning
Click here for information about our drop-off and pick-up procedures (note exception for Kindergarteners as shown on opening schedule)
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 and loan 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/