SaberSpeak
Week of February 8, 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 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
IMPORTANT UPDATE!
ST. HILARY SCHOOL STAFF COVID-19 VACCINE SERIES UNDERWAY!
As you have undoubtedly seen in the news, school employees in Summit County have begun to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. St. Hilary School has partnered with Summit County Public Health (SCPH) and the majority of our St. Hilary staff members received their first vaccine dose between February 5 and 7. Our second dose appointments have been scheduled between March 12 and 14, subject to vaccine availability at that time. March 15 is already a scheduled no school day for students, which should allow our staff to recover from after-effects of the second dose before school resumes on March 16.
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
Our main event this week is our virtual Spelling Bee on Wednesday, February 10. Good luck to all of our contestants!
Hot Off The Press
DROP-OFF CHANGES IN EFFECT
We have revamped our morning drop-off and temperature-taking procedures to address two problems that have arisen as the school year has progressed and the temperatures have gotten colder.
First, because the mornings have become more frigid, our thermometers are not reading students’ temperatures accurately. Temperatures will now be taken just inside the school doors, rather than at cars. Parents will be free to leave after dropping students off, and the clinic will call promptly if a fever is detected.
Second, we need to minimize staff handling students' belongings and assisting students out of cars. We will have one staff member on duty at each drop-off line. Three cars can unload at the same time once they have entered into the unloading zone. Students should grab their own backpacks and other items, get out of the cars quickly and head to the school entrance. The staff member monitoring the car line will assist only if it is absolutely necessary. Students should prepare to exit the car prior to entering the unloading zone (seatbelts, water bottles, backpacks, masks, goodbyes, etc.) This way, once the car enters the unloading zone, the student will only need to open the car door and get out.
Thank you for your cooperation with these new procedures that we hope will make our morning drop-off safer and more efficient for everyone!
VOLUNTEER POSITIONS OPEN
The St. Hilary Parents' Association is seeking nominations for several volunteer positions. Please see the Help Wanted section below for complete details.
ST. HILARY SOUPER BOWL DRESS DOWN DAY FEBRUARY 8
Thank you to everyone who participated in our Souper Bowl of Caring last week! Today is a dress down day for students who brought a can of soup to donate!
RED AND PINK DAY FEBRUARY 11
Next Thursday, February 11 will be a “Red and Pink Day” dress down day for all students!
CANDY GRAM SALES FEBRUARY 8, 9, 10; DELIVERY FEBRUARY 11
Give a treat to someone who is sweet! Candy grams are coming this week!!!
If your child would like to purchase a candy gram, please send $1 per candy gram Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday, February 8, 9 or 10, to your child’s home room teacher and the recipient will receive a sweet surprise on Thursday, February 11!!! If your child is younger and sending candy grams to multiple students, please send a list with each recipient’s name and home room/teacher, along with the money, in an envelope (exact change is appreciated if possible) so your child doesn’t forget who to purchase for. Students will be able to fill out the candy gram message cards before school starts in their home room, so please plan accordingly to allow time for this. Parents wishing to purchase a candy gram for a student, please email maneramaria@yahoo.com with your child or children’s first and last name and homeroom. Payment can be sent through Venmo (@Maria-Manera) or other options—just text Maria at 440-725-9412 for more information!
The 8th Grade Graduation Committee is sponsoring this sweet event and all proceeds will benefit their upcoming graduation events. Any questions please contact Marlinda Bonus at pab53170@aol.com or Maria Manera at maneramaria@yahoo.com.
Plan Ahead
GOOGLE CALENDAR
Click here for the school Google calendar
~ February 10: March Hot Lunch ordering ends
~ 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.
NOMINATIONS FOR 8TH GRADE CHAIR SOUGHT BY MARCH 1
Parents' Association is seeking nominations from current 7th grade parents to serve as the 8th Grade Graduation Chair for the Class of 2022. The chair (or co-chairs) will be responsible for planning the 8th grade graduation party and related items. Nominations may be submitted to Parents' Association Secretary Lindsey Yoder at TLM456@AOL.COM by March 1st. After nominations are received, a ballot will be sent to current 7th grade parents for a vote.
PARENTS' ASSOCIATION SEEKS NOMINATIONS FOR BOARD POSITIONS BY MARCH 1
The St. Hilary Parents' Association is seeking nomination for two positions on the Board that will become vacant at the end of the school year: President-Elect and Treasurer. Each position has a two-year term, with the President-Elect becoming President during the second year of the term. If you would like more information, or would like to nominate yourself or someone else, please email Parents' Association Secretary Lindsey Yoder at TLM456@AOL.COM by March 1st.
Here is a brief overview of each open position:
President Elect: The President - Elect shall assist the President with the President's duties and shall perform and discharge all of the duties of the President in the absence or inability of the President to serve. The President and President-Elect shall each serve a term of one (1) year. The President-Elect will automatically become the President in the year immediately following the end of he term as President-Elect.
Treasurer: The Treasurer shall: 1) Receive and have charge of all funds of the Association; 2) Maintain the Association’s bank accounts and investment accounts; 3) Pay all properly-authorized expenditures; 4) Prepare an annual budget and oversee the budget process; 5) Provide periodic financial reports of the Association to the Executive Board and to meetings of the Association; and 6) Otherwise perform the duties usually assigned to the office of Treasurer.
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 NEXT WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17
Our next school Mass will be NEXT WEDNESDAY, February 17 (Ash Wednesday) at 9:30 a.m. This school Mass will be planned by grade 6, 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 26 planned by Grade 2, March 5 planned by grade 1, March 19 planned by grade 3, and March 26 (Jane Klenotic Scholarship) planned by grade 2. There is no school on February 12 and March 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
MARCH HOT LUNCH ORDERING ENDS FEBRUARY 10
Hot Lunch ordering for March is now open. Orders must be placed and paid for online by February 10. Questions? Please contact Becky Vieltorf at bvieltorf@st-hilary.org.
NO COPLEY BUS TRANSPORTATION FEBRUARY 26
Copley will not be providing transportation on Friday, February 26. Students who ride the Copley buses will need alternate transportation arrangements on this date.
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!
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
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/