SaberSpeak
Week of May 9, 2022
How to Submit News to SaberSpeak
We are happy to publish appropriate information in this newsletter. 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. To avoid confusion, if you are requesting publication of information on behalf of a group, please be sure you have coordinated with others in the group and that you are authorized to speak on their behalf. The school reserves the right to determine what content will be included. 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. Thank you for helping us keep mass emails to a minimum by remembering this deadline as you plan.
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
Hot Off The Press
PHOTOS NEEDED!
We are in need of Confirmation and First Communion photos for the yearbook! If you would like to share a photo (preferably of a group), please submit it to yearbook@st-hilary.org by May 13. Please understand that due to space limitations not all photos submitted can be included. Thank you!
WANT TO BE A ROOM MOM NEXT YEAR?
Room moms for 2022-2023 will be assigned after class lists are published in August. Let our Parents' Association Board know you are interested in being a room mom by signing up online! Click here to volunteer! Please contact Parents' Association Secretary Lindsey Yoder at TLM456@aol.com with questions.
SOCCER DRAFT CHANCE SALES EXTENDED THROUGH MAY 10
Due to the number of student absences, we are extending the sale of draft chances
for the Staff v. Students Soccer Game through next Tuesday, May 10!
DON'T MISS YOUR CHANCE!
Tuesday, May 10 is the last day to purchase chances to be drafted to play
in the Staff v. Students Soccer Rematch Game!
Cost: $1.00 each
Limit: 10
When: 8 am - 8:30 am
Where: Main Hall Outside Multi-Purpose Room
SCHOOL APPAREL EVENT MAY 11
Made2Wear and our Recycled Uniforms program will team up to host a school apparel event on Wednesday, May 11 from 2:30 to 4 pm and 5:30 to 7 pm in our Horning Hall gym. You are invited to bring your children to try on new and gently used school uniform, gym uniform, and spirit wear items. This will be especially important for current kindergarteners, who will be first-time uniform wearers in 2022-2023. New items may be purchased and gently used items may be taken free of charge. All items will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, with the next in-person school apparel opportunity being Friday, June 3, the last day of school, from 8:30 am to noon at the St. Hilary Spiritual Center. Please direct questions about the dress code to Mrs. Darcy Alexander, Assistant Principal, at dalexander@st-hilary.org.
JUNIOR HIGH DANCE MAY 13
What better way to finish off a school year than a junior high dance? 7th and 8th grade students are invited to attend this fun event on Friday, May 13 in Horning Hall. The cost of the dance is $5.00 per student and is payable in cash at the door. Students may dress up or down following St. Hilary Dress Code guidelines. The theme is America but students are welcome to dress in any school appropriate attire. Per our usual policy, we will hold student's cell phones for them during the dance so they can just enjoy each other's company. But wait - there's more. The Kona Ice truck will also be available to provide refreshments to the students! We hope to see you there!
CALENDAR CHANGES
We have made some changes to the calendar for two upcoming events.
- The Rosary has been moved from Tuesday, May 17 to Wednesday, May 18. It will be held at 1:45 pm in Horning Hall. The Church is unavailable due to Adoration.
- The staff vs. students soccer game has been moved from Wednesday, May 18 to Tuesday, May 17. It will be held at 1:30 pm on Yahner Field, weather permitting, or Horning Hall in case of rain. May 17 will be a dress down spirit day with students and staff wearing the red SHS shirts provided by Parents' Association for Catholic Schools Week. Students will need to bring a towel to sit on assuming the game will be on the field.
KEVIN NEFF VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT MAY 19
The annual Kevin Neff Volleyball Tournament will be held on Thursday, May 19 in Horning Hall. Students in grades 3-8 are invited to participate in this fun, non-competitive event. Information and permission slips were sent home by May 6. The donation for the tournament is $5.00 per student. Permission slips and donations should be returned no later than Friday, May 13 for students to be placed on a team. There will also be a concession stand available at the tournament. All proceeds from the student fee and the concession stand will benefit the Kevin Neff Scholarship Fund.
Teams will be made up of students from the same grade and each grade will play for 30 minutes. The game schedule and theme for each grade will be as follows:
3:15 P.M. - 3:45 P.M. Grade 3 (Animals)
3:55 P.M. - 4:25 P.M. Grade 4 (Ohio Teams)
4:35 P.M. - 5:05 P.M. Grade 5 (Just Woke Up/PJs)
5:15 P.M. - 5:45 P.M. Grade 6 (Neon)
5:55 P.M. - 6:25 P.M. Grade 7 (Day at the Beach)
6:35 P.M. - 7:05 P.M. Grade 8 (America)
LAST DAY JUNE 3 - NO AFTERNOON LATCHKEY
Students will be dismissed for the summer on June 3. 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! TRAFFIC FLOW CHANGES MAY 18-23!
The tent and other supplies for our Celebration fundraiser will be delivered on May 18. This will impact our back parking lot. We will be relocating the red box and re-routing dismissal traffic from May 18 through May 23, when the tent and supplies are removed. Parking will be reduced on these days so parents (other than kindergarten families) are encouraged to use the pick-up line. Please see the map below to help visualize these changes. Everything will be back to normal on May 24! Thank you for your patience and cooperation during these few days!
The Main Event
Plan Ahead
GOOGLE CALENDAR
Click here for the school Google calendar
~ May 9: Talent Show Tryouts 3:30 pm (by appointment)
~ May 9 & 10: Soccer Game Chances Sold Before School - $1 each
~ May 10: Grades 4 & 5 to Hoban Revolutionary War Day
~ May 11: Grades 1 & 2 to Riviera Lanes
~ May 12: Talent Show 9:30 am
~ May 12: Grades 6-8 Youth Group 3:10 - 4:30 pm
~ May 12: Kindergarten Parent Orientation (2022-2023 K Class) 6:30 pm
~ May 13: Mass at 9:30 am will include Grade 2 processional, May Crowning, Kevin Neff Scholarship
~ May 13: Grade 2 Brunch following Mass, Dismissal following Brunch
~ May 13: Kindergarten Playdate (2022-2023 K Class) 1:30 pm on playground
~ May 13: Junior High Dance 7:00 - 9:00 pm in Horning Hall
~ May 15: Grade 7 Initial Confirmation Meeting at 6:45 pm in Church
~ May 16: Grade 6 to Shrine
~ May 16: Grade 7 to Top Golf 9:15 am - 12:45 pm
~ May 17: Dress Down Spirit Day - Wear Red SHS Shirts
~ May 17: Staff vs. Student Soccer Game at 1:30 pm
~ May 17: Student Council Officers Meeting 3:15 - 3:45 pm
~ May 18: Grade 3 to Stan Hywet 9:30 am - 1:00 pm
~ May 18: School Rosary at 1:45 pm in Horning Hall
~ May 18: Student Council Meeting 3:15 - 3:45 pm
~ May 20: No PE in Horning Hall / No access to Horning Hall
~ May 20: Room 101 Parent Picnic at 2:15 pm
~ May 21: Celebration 6:00 - 11:00 pm
Help Wanted
PLAYGROUND MONITORS NEEDED FOR 2022-2023
Looking for a fun way to be involved at school, see your child during the school day, get some fresh air, and make some extra money? Consider being a playground monitor! Help is needed for the 2022-2023 school year in order to ensure that our students are properly supervised during recess. Monitors work just a couple of hours each day, so this is the perfect part-time job for those with limited time! If you are interested in learning more, please contact Cassie Samaan at csamaan@st-hilary.org.
PARENTS' ASSOCIATION SEEKING VOLUNTEERS FOR 2022-2023
Part of what makes our school so great is the amazing efforts of our parent helpers. Please click the form below for a listing of various volunteer opportunities, and consider how you can help during the 2022-2023 school year. Please contact Parents' Association Secretary Lindsey Yoder at TLM456@aol.com with questions. Click here to volunteer!
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.
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!
Growing Together in Faith
SCHOOL MASS MAY 13
Our next school Mass for the 2021-2022 school year will be May 13 at 9:30 am planned by grade 2 (May Crowning, Grade 2 Processional, Kevin Neff Scholarship). All students will attend in person! School Masses are no longer being live streamed. 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. Upcoming Masses are May 20 planned by grade 7, May 27 planned by grade 8 (8th grade Farewell), and June 3 planned by grade 4.
We will continue to celebrate Mass together each week and on holy days. Space for parents and other guests is limited at school Masses.
SCHOOL ROSARY MAY 18 (NOTE DATE AND LOCATION CHANGE!)
We will have a school Rosary service on May 18 at 1:45 pm in Horning Hall.
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL IS BACK!
St. Hilary's Vacation Bible School is back this summer from June 12-15!
This year St. Hilary VBS is a whole family faith-filled desert adventure! 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.
Not only will your kids have a great time but parents will, too! Adults can join in fellowship with other adults and learn ways to raise your children in the Catholic faith!
- No need for a babysitter! Bring your younger children and have them tag along in the fun as well!
- The session on Sunday includes dinner (and adult beverages, too!)
- What's better than an ice cream social the whole family can enjoy!
- All families will receive a wonderful resource and book "Keep Your Kids Catholic".
- Invite your friends with children to join in the fun with you!
VBS Schedule:
- Sunday, June 12: 2-7 pm (this session includes Mass and dinner)
- Monday-Wednesday, June 12, 13 & 14: 6-8 pm
Click here to register: https://vbspro.events/p/events/sthilary2022.
Volunteers Needed!
VBS is only possible with the help of volunteers of all ages.
This includes:
- YOUTH, from those entering 5th grade through eighth grade
- HIGH SCHOOL TEENS (earn service hour credit), COLLEGE STUDENTS and YOUNG ADULTS
- EMPTY NESTERS, RETIREES and ALL ADULTS with or without children or grandchildren of your own attending as campers are needed in each of our program areas. We can find something for everyone to do to participate in the THREE days of VBS.
To volunteer, select "Volunteer Registration” when visiting: https://vbspro.events/p/events/sthilary2022.
SEE THE FLYER BELOW FOR COMPLETE VBS DETAILS!
Called to be Christ to Others
PLEASE PRAY FOR...
Student Life
FAIRLAWN SAFETY TOWN NOW REGISTERING
The Fairlawn Police Department will once again sponsor its Safety Town program this summer. Click here for complete details and to register.
SUMMER CAMP INFO
Summer is around the corner, and that means it will soon be time to register for summer camps! Information about camps will be available in the school office as it is received. At this time, information is available for:
Archbishop Hoban Summer Camps, including Academic Readiness Camp
University of Akron "Multiply Your Options" Engineering Day Camp for Middle School Girls
St. Vincent-St. Mary Summer Camps
St. Vincent de Paul Basketball Camp
CAMP CHRISTOPHER SUMMER CAMP REGISTRATION NOW OPEN
Please visit www.campchris.org for information and to register for summer camp at Camp Christopher.
YOUTH MINISTRY UPDATE
"New Fire", our youth ministry program for grades 6-8, is underway! Details are as follows:
Participating students need to meet at 3:10 pm in the main hall by the new school office. Mr. Schechter or Fr. Cameron will walk students over to the Spiritual Center.
Parents, please park in the lot and walk to the sidewalk outside the parish office to pick your child up promptly at 4:30 pm.
Meetings will take place every other week on the following dates:
5/12, 5/26
Questions? Please contact Mr. Schechter at mschechter@sthilarychurch.org.
Reminders
NEW ANGEL SCHOLARSHIP OFFERS WIN-WIN-WIN OPPORTUNITY!
The new Angel Scholarship established by the Catholic Community Foundation offers a win-win-win opportunity for taxpayers, scholarship recipients, and our school! Click here to learn how you can turn your taxes into tuition!
2022-2023 CALENDAR PUBLISHED
Our 2022-2023 school calendar has been approved by the Diocese of Cleveland and is published on our school website. Click here to view the calendar.
MASK TO STAY, TEST TO PLAY IS STILL IN EFFECT!
Parents, as you have undoubtedly heard, COVID is on the rise again in Ohio, and we are seeing some increased activity that mirrors this in our school community. As a reminder, we are continuing to follow the Mask to Stay / Test to Play guidelines that were issued on January 26. These guidelines serve as a baseline starting point for K-12 schools, with the freedom for schools to expand upon them.
In summary:
ISOLATION FOLLOWING POSITIVE TEST: Students and staff who test positive for COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status, must isolate for 5 full days from the date of their positive test. If asymptomatic on day 5, these individuals may return to school on day 6 from the positive test and must wear a mask at all times for 5 days upon return.
QUARANTINE FOLLOWING EXPOSURE REGARDLESS OF VACCINATION STATUS OR LOCATION / NATURE OF EXPOSURE: Asymptomatic students and staff who are exposed to a COVID-19 positive individual, regardless of vaccination status or location / nature of exposure, may return to school immediately without needing to quarantine. These individuals must wear a mask at all times for 10 days upon return. These individuals should complete a proctored test on the 5th day following exposure and may remain at school if the test result is negative.
As has always been the case, if a member of your household tests positive, you must notify the school.
In addition, our 48-hours symptom-free policy remains in effect. As a reminder, this means that your child cannot return to school until a full 48 hours have passed from the last evidence of symptoms, NOT from the start of symptoms. We are seeing many cases of a gastro-intestinal bug at school. Please be especially mindful at home so that we are not spreading germs and causing others to become sick.
Your cooperation in helping us to complete these last few weeks of school safely and in good health is greatly appreciated!
PLAYGROUND USE AFTER SCHOOL
As the weather improves and children may want to play on the playground after school, please remember that they must be supervised by an adult 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. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE PLAYGROUND WILL BE CLOSED AFTER SCHOOL MAY 18-23 DUE TO CELEBRATION TENT SET-UP.
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 3) 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 be sure 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 can be found here. 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.
PLEASE PAY LATCHKEY BALANCES ASAP
As the school year winds down, please make sure your Latchkey balances are paid ASAP. Thank you for your attention to this matter!
MAY CROWNING MASS MAY 13
We will hold our May Crowning ceremony during the May 13 school Mass. Also at this Mass, second graders will be part of the processional and the Kevin Neff Scholarship will be awarded.
GRADE 2 EARLY DISMISSAL MAY 13
Second graders will be dismissed early for the day following their First Communion Brunch on May 13.
GRADE 7 INITIAL CONFIRMATION MEETING MAY 15
An initial meeting for all seventh graders wishing to be confirmed in eighth grade and their parents will be held May 15 from 6:45 to 8:30 pm in the Church. please contact Jeannie Hohlefelder, Director of Faith Formation for Children, at jhohlefelder@st-hilarychurch.org with questions.
OHIO CATHOLIC FEDERAL CREDIT UNION STUDENT BANKING PROGRAM RETURNS TO ST. HILARY MAY 25
The Ohio Catholic Federal Credit Union Student Banking Program will return to St. Hilary School one more time this school year: May 25. An OCFCU representative will be available in the Multi-Purpose Room from 8:00 to 8:30 am for any students wishing to open a new account or make transactions in an existing account. For more information, contact our school’s banking representative at Ohio Catholic FCU: T.J. Dotson, Branch Community Manager, at 216-478-0064. You can also watch this video for a more informative presentation.
ORDER 2021-2022 YEARBOOKS BY MAY 27
Ordering is now open for our 2021-2022 school yearbook! This beautiful full-color book is available in a soft cover format for $25 or a hard cover format for $30. All ordering must be done directly through Lifetouch at ybpay.lifetouch.com. The order code is 3685722. The deadline to order is May 27, 2022. Please keep a record of your order - the school has no access to or record of orders.
GRADE 8 EARLY DISMISSAL MAY 27 & 31
Eighth graders will be dismissed early for the day following their awards ceremony on May 27 (12:00 pm) and following their clap out on May 31 (11:00 am).
NO SCHOOL MAY 30
There will be no school on Monday, May 30 in observance of Memorial Day.
YEAR-END DRESS-UP AND DRESS-DOWN DAYS
SPIRIT DRESS-DOWN DAY MAY 18 FOR GRADES K-8
FAREWELL MASS MAY 27 - DRESS-UP DAY FOR GRADE 8
FIELD DAY JUNE 2 - DRESS-DOWN DAY FOR GRADES K-7
FINAL MASS JUNE 3 - DRESS-UP DAY FOR GRADES K-7
We will have a school-wide spirit dress-down day on May 18. Students may wear the red St. Hilary shirts provided by Parents' Association during Catholic Schools Week.
We will bid farewell to our eighth graders at our Farewell Mass on May 27. May 27 is a dress-up day for Grade 8.
Students in Grades K-7 will participate in Field Day on June 2. Students may dress down for Field Day. Please watch for more information about Field Day to come soon!
The last day of school (June 3) will be a dress up day. We will have our final school Mass that day for Grades K-7.
The following guidelines from our school handbook will apply for dress-up days:
Dress Code for Dress Up Days:
Permitted:
- Modest and appropriate attire
- Dress pants or shorts (quarters 1 and 4 only for shorts, modest cargo pockets permitted for pants and shorts) and collared shirts for boys
- Dresses, skirts, dress pants, dress shorts, or dress rompers (quarters 1 and 4 only for shorts, modest cargo pockets permitted for pants and shorts), collared shirts, or blouses for girls
- Dresses and skirts must be of a modest length not to exceed the height of a soda ca n from the middle of the knee. Rompers and shorts must come down to fingertip length on the thigh
- Sleeveless dresses or tops with a sweater, shrug, or cover up
- Open-toed sandals with a back or strap around the heel
Not Permitted:
- Tennis shoes (except for Kindergarten students) or sandals with no back
- Uncovered shoulders
The following guidelines from our school handbook will apply for dress-down days (specific information will be provided for Field Day):
Dress Code for Dress Down Days:
Permitted:
- Modest and appropriate relaxed attire
- Tennis shoes, jeans, shorts and t-shirts for boys
- Tennis shoes, jeans, shorts, t-shirts, dresses, skirts, athletic shorts and rompers for girls
- “Ripped” jeans are permitted as long as rips are small and at or below the knee
- Dresses and skirts must be of a modest length not to exceed the height of a soda can from the middle of the knee. Shorts or rompers must come down to fingertip length on the thigh.
- Tank tops only when worn with sweaters, shrugs, or cover ups
- Open-toed sandals or crocs with a back or strap around the heel
Not Permitted:
- Crop tops and low-rise jeans or shorts
- Uncovered shoulders, including “cold shoulder” styles
- Sandals with no strap or back, clogs, or heels exceeding 1½ inches
- Hats (unless worn on a designated hat day)
- Leggings
SCHOOL OFFICE SUMMER HOURS
The school office will close for the summer on June 10 at noon. The office will re-open for the 2022-2023 school year on August 15 at 9:00 am. Assistance with enrollment for new students is available throughout the summer by emailing dsinopoli@st-hilary.org.
2022-2023 SCHOOL SUPPLIES
ORDER KITS BY JULY 1
Our school supply lists for 2022-2023 have been published. Click here to view the lists and shop on your own. Or, take advantage of our 1st Day School Supplies service. Through our continuing partnership, 1st Day School Supplies is going to help our parents and teachers get the exact supplies needed for next school year. 1st Day School Supplies is convenient, easy and hassle free! Plus, they have guaranteed competitive prices on the highest quality brands including the germ fighting brands like Purell and Clorox. So, why not purchase school supplies from the comfort of your home? You can make your purchase beginning right now, through July 1! Click here to get started.
ALMOST SOLD OUT! DON'T MISS OUT!
ONLY 6 CRYSTAL COMMEMORATIVES LEFT!
ONLY 6 Crystal Commemoratives are remaining to fill the window in the Horning Hall alcove! All of the 12" x 12" and 12" X 6" crystals are SOLD OUT! There are only 6 – 6" x 6" crystals remaining available for $2,500 each. Crystals can be paid for over 5 years. These beautiful etched glass panels support the St. Hilary School Endowment Fund and 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.
MORNING DROP-OFF REMINDERS
On Both Sides:
- Please pull up to the sign at the end of the drop-off area. This allows more cars to stop between the two signs. All cars that fit within the zone between the signs may unload at the same time.
- 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 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. Please keep the crosswalk clear for pedestrians.
A FEW REMINDERS - PLEASE SHARE THIS INFORMATION WITH CAREGIVERS
For the safety of the children, please take a moment to read these reminders. Thank you!
- We are a cell phone-free campus during drop-off and pick-up. For the safety of our children, please refrain from using your phone during these few minutes.
- 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.
- 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.
- Three to four cars can fit in the drop-off zone. All cars in the drop-off zone can unload at the same time to help keep the lines moving.
- 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 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.
ATTENDANCE EMAIL ADDRESS NOW AVAILABLE
We now have two options for reporting student absences:
- Call our school attendance line at 330-867-8720, ext. 350, or
- Email attendance@st-hilary.org. Although not necessary, you may also email your child's teacher 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, including specific symptoms if due to an illness. If the school has not been notified of the absence by 10 am by either call or email, a call will be made to parents.
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.
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.
FUNDRAISERS
Box Tops for Education benefits our school every time you 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.
REMINDER: "TEACHER REQUESTS" NOT PERMITTED
As student registration for 2022-2023 approaches, we are beginning to receive questions about "teacher requests". Please be reminded of the following information that was announced August 1:
► "TEACHER REQUESTS" COME TO AN END
Under previous leadership, information began to be published at re-registration time each year to clarify the manner and deadline to make concerns known regarding class placement that may affect student learning needs. Such concerns were to be communicated in writing to teachers by March 1 each year. Over the years, parents began to interpret this yearly notification as an invitation to request particular teachers for students. As leadership changed and we moved together through the COVID pandemic, every attempt was made to accommodate families' needs when special requests were made due to the challenging times we were all experiencing. However, we have been inundated with requests for months, continuing into the summer, and we simply cannot continue to accommodate requests if we are to achieve properly balanced classes. While some concerns shared have been valid, requests have been coming in for reasons such as "I've heard great things about teacher X", or "All my other children had teacher X", or, in many cases, for no reason at all. Requests have been received not just from parents, but from aunts, grandparents and other well-meaning relatives and friends. Therefore, as we return to normal, we also need to end what was never intended to be license for parents to request particular teachers for their children. In other words, "teacher requests" have come to an end.
► KEEP LINES OF COMMUNICATION OPEN
Instead, we encourage every parent to have open and ongoing dialogue with his or her child's teacher about the child's needs beginning at the start of the school year. Things that can and should be shared with teachers include concerns about the child's learning or social-emotional well-being, as well as changes in the family situation, illness in the family, and similar matters. We want to clarify that this dialogue should be between the teacher and the parent, not other family members or friends. In reality, children spend more time interacting with their teachers and classmates than with their own parents during the school year, so our teachers get to know your children quite well. Teachers are generally very good judges of your children's personalities, learning styles / needs, peer relationships, and more, and they work hard to make sure all of those factors are considered when placing students in classes for each subsequent year. If you have kept the lines of communication open with your child's teacher throughout the school year, there should be no doubt in the teacher's mind about which placement will be best for your child for the coming year. Teachers begin creating classes in the spring; hence, the previously communicated March 1 deadline. Please do not wait until the spring to begin a conversation with your child's teacher about a situation you feel may impact your child's learning.
► MANY FACTORS AFFECT CLASS PLACEMENT
We realize how important it is to you that your child be placed in a classroom setting that will be the best fit for him or her. This is our priority as well, as it is for each of the more than 500 students we educate each year. When class lists are created, your child is one piece of a much larger puzzle with many factors that must be considered to ensure the best placement for every child. These dynamics control which students can be together, which students should not be together, and which students need to be with which teachers. There are a myriad of reasons behind each and every decision that goes into creating each class. We are blessed to have three classes in every grade level, which allows us greater leeway in creating balanced classes that aim to foster the spiritual, academic and social-emotional growth of every student. Additionally, our administration monitors the "big picture" to ensure that every angle is considered as classes are created. However, it has been challenging for us to work around the overwhelming number of requests while still weighing every other factor that must be considered in creating classes that work for every student and teacher. We need you to trust us, as educators, to do our jobs and make the best possible decisions for your children.
► EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES
We understand that there may be times when extenuating circumstances create a situation for your family that you did not expect and that may significantly affect your child's learning needs. Please share that with us if it happens, and we will do our best to work with you.
COVID-19 Central
UPDATE! NEW COVID-19 REPORTING GUIDELINES IN EFFECT MARCH 14
As COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in Ohio and across the nation dramatically drop, the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) is updating systems to monitor COVID-19 community spread in alignment with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This will include a shift from daily reporting of cases, hospitalizations, and vaccinations to the public at: https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/home to weekly reporting on Thursdays beginning the week of March 14.
In addition, ODH is easing requirements for case reporting by K-12 schools effective immediately. Summit County Public Health (SCPH) has adopted these new guidelines, which St. Hilary School will follow, as well.
Schools will no longer be required to:
Maintain a COVID-19 reporting system for parents to report positive COVID-19 cases.
At St. Hilary School, this means that, effective immediately, parents will no longer be required to complete our COVID-19 reporting form in the event a student tests positive. However, 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.
Have a designated COVID-19 coordinator for the district.
Notify parents of positive COVID-19 cases among staff, students, or coaches.
At St. Hilary School, this means that, effective immediately, we will discontinue our weekly COVID-19 update emails. Our COVID-19 information page and COVID-19 Dashboard will remain live on our school website through the end of this school year, but will be deactivated in June.
Report positive cases of COVID-19 to their local health department unless the school tests a student for COVID-19 and the result is positive.
At St. Hilary School, this means that, effective immediately, student and staff COVID-19 cases reported to us will no longer be our responsibility to report to SCPH.
Quarantine and isolation measures, as outlined in the Mask to Stay, Test to Play
https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/static/responsible/schools/k-12-schools-quarantine-alternative.pdf protocol for K-12 schools, will remain in effect. Mask to Stay, Test to Play supports in-person learning by allowing any student exposed to COVID-19, but not symptomatic or COVID-19 positive, to remain in school while appropriately and consistently wearing a mask.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, we will continue to monitor conditions and follow the latest guidance as necessary. For more information and resources to monitor community spread, read more about the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Community Levels https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/science/community-levels.html.
We appreciate your continued cooperation and support throughout this pandemic situation.
*****
MARCH 1 COVID PROTOCOL UPDATE
The CDC has made significant updates to its masking recommendations. We have also received guidance from Summit County Public Health indicating that it is adopting these updates in Summit County. The CDC is now recommending varying degrees of masking based on the level – high, medium or low – of COVID-19 activity in a particular community. With this updated guidance, the CDC will now only recommend universal school masking in communities at the high level. Summit County’s community level is currently rated low for COVID-19. You can search current levels for other counties across the United States here.
Some of the updates released by the CDC directly impact our school community.
First, the CDC has issued updated guidance that no longer recommends universal indoor mask wearing in K-12 schools and early education settings in areas with a low or medium COVID-19 Community Level. While we moved to strongly recommending, but not requiring, masks on February 7, we did have some exceptions in place, including wearing masks at school Mass. In light of the new CDC guidelines, Bishop Malesic has communicated to priests in the Diocese of Cleveland that signs may be removed from churches regarding the request to wear masks and that the mandate requiring masks to be worn during the distribution of Holy Communion is lifted. Therefore, beginning with our March 11 Mass, masks will no longer be required to be worn at school Masses and prayer services. We will also no longer require masks to be worn during school assemblies, or when individuals are working in close proximity one-on-one or in small groups. Students may be asked to wear masks in the school clinic at the discretion of the school nurses.
Second, the CDC also made updates to the requirements for masking on school buses and vans. Under the new guidelines, school systems at their discretion may choose to require that people wear masks on buses or vans. You can find more information about this here. Four public school districts provide bus transportation for St. Hilary School students: Copley-Fairlawn, Highland, Revere, and Woodridge. At this time, all four districts 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.
The CDC has stated that with this new guidance, 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. As has been the case for the past two years, our school response will continue to follow the guidance we are given as conditions change. We appreciate your continued patience and cooperation as this situation evolves, and are hopeful that we are headed in a positive direction with this latest, less restrictive guidance.
*****
NEW MASK, ISOLATION AND QUARANTINE GUIDELINES EFFECTIVE FEBRUARY 7
Effective February 7, the following policies will be in effect:
MASK POLICY
We have previously stated that we would continue to monitor conditions surrounding COVID-19 to determine when a less-restrictive mask policy could be put in place at our school. With the surge in COVID-19 cases appearing to be on the decline in our area, the number of pediatric and school-associated cases dropping, the number of cases in our school community having dramatically decreased since December, all families who would like to have their children ages 5 and up fully vaccinated now having had the opportunity to do so, and the guidance for the general public and schools in particular regarding isolation and quarantine having changed yet again, we believe it is time to scale back our mask protocols. Effective February 7, we will strongly recommend, but not require, masks, with certain exceptions.
We thank you for your patience and cooperation as we have systematically and regularly evaluated data to make the best possible decisions in order to preserve a safe in-person learning experience for our students and staff. Our mask policy is the only protocol among many layers of protection against COVID-19 that is being reduced at this time. We continue to strongly recommend masks, and as Catholic school leaders, we expect that there will be no stigma attached to any individual’s choice to mask or not. We will also continue to maintain distancing, sanitizing, hand washing, symptom monitoring, temperature checking, and symptom-free return-to-school protocols, at least through the remainder of this school year.
We want to be clear that this decision is being made solely by us as the parish and school administration based on the facts and data available at this time. While we thank those who have taken the time to share their views with us on the topic, please know that our information and guidance comes directly from the Centers for Disease Control, the Ohio Department of Health, Summit County Public Health, and the Diocese of Cleveland.
Effective February 7, masks will be strongly recommended, but not required, for students, staff, volunteers, and visitors, regardless of vaccination status.
However, masks will be required of students, staff, volunteers, and visitors, regardless of vaccination status, in the following situations:
When riding buses to and from school or for field trips (the mask policy of the field trip location will be followed while off-site);
At school Mass or prayer services;
At all-school assemblies;
In the school clinic as necessary;
In settings, situations and school spaces when individuals are working in close proximity one-on-one or in small groups; and
If there is an outbreak in a classroom or the school.
We will continue to monitor conditions and may make changes to the mask policy as warranted.
Please make sure your child has enough masks to wear a clean mask each day. A spare mask should be kept in the student’s backpack at all times.
CONTACT TRACING AND REPORTING
In order to operate with our new mask policy, and to protect all students and staff, especially our most vulnerable students and staff, we will continue to contact trace and notify families of exposure.
In order to assist us in tracking and contact tracing, if your child tests positive or is exposed to a positive individual, you will be asked to complete this form immediately upon learning of the positive test result or exposure. You must still contact Mrs. Woodman immediately at jwoodman@st-hilary.org, as well. Please click here for easy access to our COVID-19 reporting form.
We will continue to report the total number of student and staff COVID-19-positive cases for the week each Friday. We will no longer break down the cases by grade level as affected families are notified individually. Please click here to view our COVID-19 Dashboard.
ISOLATION, QUARANTINE AND SYMPTOM-FREE POLICY
In relation to isolation and quarantine, we will follow the revised Mask to Stay / Test to Play guidelines issued on January 26. These guidelines serve as a baseline starting point for K-12 schools, with the freedom for schools to expand upon them. Our only deviation from these guidelines is that we will require, not recommend, students who have been exposed to COVID-19 to be tested on the 5th day following exposure. In summary:
ISOLATION FOLLOWING POSITIVE TEST: Students and staff who test positive for COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status, must isolate for 5 full days from the date of their positive test. If asymptomatic on day 5, these individuals may return to school on day 6 from the positive test and must wear a mask at all times for 5 days upon return.
QUARANTINE FOLLOWING EXPOSURE REGARDLESS OF VACCINATION STATUS OR LOCATION / NATURE OF EXPOSURE: Students and staff who are exposed to a COVID-19 positive individual, regardless of vaccination status or location / nature of exposure, may return to school immediately without needing to quarantine. These individuals must wear a mask at all times for 10 days upon return. These individuals must also complete a proctored test on the 5th day following exposure and may remain at school if the test result is negative.
In addition, our 48-hours symptom-free policy remains in effect. As a reminder, this means that your child cannot return to school until a full 48 hours have passed from the last evidence of symptoms, NOT from the start of symptoms. We realize this may be inconvenient, but it has prevented COVID-19 spread in our building on numerous occasions and with the lessening of other protocols, we need to keep this policy in place at this time.
We will continue to offer distance learning in COVID-19-related situations as approved by administration only.
In a few short weeks, we will mark the two-year anniversary of the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, we have evolved along with the situation, and believe there is no longer a need to continue the COVID-19 Task Force. While we are grateful for the service of the task force members during the past two years, we have not met with the task force since November 8, 2021. Therefore, the task force has been disbanded effective January 31, 2022.
As we move into this new phase of the pandemic and our school response to it, we are aware that our families fall into a variety of situations. Please be mindful that others’ circumstances may differ from those of you or your children, and remember that kindness and respectfulness must be maintained in all interactions with children or adults in our school community. We appreciate your cooperation in talking with your children about this at home to ensure that a Catholic, Christian environment prevails in our school each day.
As always, if you have questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us.
Sincerely,
Fr. Steve Brunovsky
Pastor
Jennifer Woodman
Principal
*****
COVID-19 TEST KITS & DRIVE-THRU TESTING AVAILABLE
In light of the recent increase in COVID-19 activity in our school community, we want to remind you that we have a limited supply of proctored "at-home" COVID-19 test kits available in our school clinic. Kits can be obtained by contacting either of our school nurses, Mrs. Bauman at jbauman@st-hilary.org or Mrs. Laughlin at alaughlin@st-hilary.org. Additionally, test kits are available through Summit County Public Health, which is currently offering up to 4 kits per request. Local public libraries in Summit County also have test kits available on a call-ahead basis. Finally, Akron Children's Hospital is offering drive-thru COVID-19 testing by appointment. Click here to learn more.
STUDENTS MOVING TO DISTANCE LEARNING OVER THE WEEKEND
Parents, if you contact us between Friday evening and Monday morning with news that will require your child to move to distance learning, please understand that materials will not be ready to make this change until 3:30 pm on Tuesday. Thank you for your understanding of the time needed for teachers to prepare materials while also teaching classes.
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.
Archives
Click here for 2021-2022 Back-to-School Forms
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/