IRISH WEEKLY

December 20, 2024

Send questions to administration@stvm.com

Athletics

Counselor's Corner

Campus Ministry

Cafeteria

Previous Weeks

Blackbaud

Be sure to check the tabs in this newsletter for more detailed information. (PC browsers - tabs along the top, cell phone browsers - tabs in drop-down menu. Tabs are also repeated at the bottom of this newsletter.) Click on the Counselor's Corner for info. on:

Completing the recently released FAFSA form
FAFSA Workshop at UA on Jan. 11
Scholarship Opportunities

Wishing You a Safe & Merry Christmas

As we wrap up exam week, we want to take a moment to extend our heartfelt thanks to all of you for your hard work, dedication, and unwavering support. We know this week can be stressful, but together, we have persevered through another important milestone in the school year.

We recognize the effort that both our students and their families have put into preparing for exams, and we truly appreciate the commitment to excellence shown by everyone. With the holiday season upon us, we hope that you find time to rest, recharge, and enjoy the well-deserved break with family and loved ones.

On behalf of the entire administration, we wish you a joyful, peaceful holiday season. May it be filled with happiness and relaxation as we look forward to a successful and exciting new year ahead.

Thank you once again for your continued partnership. We are blessed to have such a supportive community at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School.

Christmas Blessings,

Dave Vitatoe, Erin Faetanini, Becky Busey & David Cochrane

Office Holiday Hours

During the Christmas Break the Office will operate on Holiday Hours:

12/23: 9AM - 3PM

12/24 - 12/26: CLOSED

12/27: 9AM - 3PM

12/30: 9AM - 3PM

12/31 - 1/1: CLOSED

1/2 - 1/3: 9AM - 3PM

Angel Scholarship Fund

This Ohio Scholarship Tax-Credit Program lets you “Turn taxes into Tuition” by directing your tax dollars to our St. Vincent-St. Mary High School Students. The money will be used for tuition assistance for those students with the greatest need. This will help STVM meet its fundraising goals and keep tuition affordable. You don't have to have a child attending STVM to be eligible. All Ohio taxpayers can participate.

Through the Angel Scholarship Fund, you can now contribute funds that will be used to provide tuition assistance for students to attend our Catholic schools, for which you may receive a 100% Ohio income tax credit of up to $750 ($1,500 if married filing jointly) against your 2024 state tax liability. In other words, the state of Ohio allows you to "spend" some of the state income taxes you must pay anyway to provide tuition assistance for students seeking an education in our Catholic schools. The Angel Scholarship Fund is a win-win-win for taxpayer donors, scholarship recipients, and our Catholic schools.

Click here to watch this short video which explains how easy it is to contribute to the Angel Scholarship Fund.

Click here to learn more and to make your gift.

Click here to read the FAQs.

Technology Department Updates

As we approach the end of the first semester, we’d like to inform you of our intention for the second semester in regards to the use of Chromebooks by students. Starting second semester, we will enforce the Technology and Chromebook Acceptable Use Policies more stringently. Please remember that students MUST bring their Chromebooks to school every day and they must be charged and ready to be used in class. Full details on the policies can be found HERE.

Student Formation: Consequences Deadlines

All detentions from the first semester must be served by January 13, 2025. Any unserved detentions after this date will result in suspension.

Detention schedules have been updated in Blackbaud. Please review your child's conduct records in Blackbaud to confirm the assigned dates and ensure all consequences are completed on time.

STVM Athletic Booster Club Casino Night

Join the STVM Athletic Boosters for Casino Night! All guests receive $400 in play money, food and drinks!

Saturday, January 11, 2025

St. George Orthodox Church | 3204 Ridgewood Rd; Fairlawn

$60 in advance | $70 at door | Reservations are requested

Doors Open 6:00 PM

Click here to purchase tickets

teacher/staff appreciation luncheon jan. 29

This year Parents' Club is combining our Christmas giving with Catholic Schools Week. We are excited to be hosting a catered luncheon on Jan. 29 to show our appreciation to our fantastic faculty and staff for everything they do for our students! In addition to a festive and fabulous lunch, we will once again provide gift cards for all faculty/staff. Thank you to the parents who have already asked how they can help! Stay tuned, a SignUp Genius for gift cards ($25 from anywhere) and for donations toward the luncheon costs will go out in January.

ADOPT-A-FAMILY THANKS

MANY THANKS to everyone who made a contribution to Parents' Club to help us fill in the remaining requests for Adopt-a-Family. Thanks to your generosity, Parents Club not only bought a few final items, we also donated $600 worth of gift cards to help bring Christmas gifts and blessings to these families. Your generosity filled our hearts with gratitude and Christmas spirit -- what a wonderful way to head into Christmas break!

Merry Christmas to the Irish Family!

2025 YearBook Orders

Please place you order online for the 2024-25 school year yearbook at yearbookordercenter.com.

Click here to learn more. STVM order number is 3108.

And senior parents - you can celebrate your student and express your love with a dedication - click here to learn more.

Goodyear High School STEM Career Day

The 2025 Goodyear High School STEM Career Day is coming up in February. Students will have the chance to explore career options in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, and network with STEM professionals to help guide their future career paths.

Event Highlights:

Date & Time: February 8, 2025 | 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Location: University of Akron
FREE for students!
Students can tour the University of Akron and receive professional mentoring.

Important Details:

Registration Deadline: January 10, 2025
Scholarships: Application deadline December 31, 2024
Rube Goldberg Competition: Learn more on our website
For more information, including FAQs and how to register, visit: stemcareerday.goodyear.com

Also, click here to check out their short video about the event to learn more!

Attention Seniors - Capstone Info

As part of your Capstone Experience, there are several key dates and requirements to keep in mind. Here’s a quick overview:

Capstone Experience Timeline: The Capstone can take place any time during the school year, but the dedicated week is May 5th – May 9th.
Shadowing Hours: Seniors are required to complete 25 hours of shadowing outside of STVM. You can complete these hours at multiple locations and are allowed to shadow outside of Ohio if desired.
Community Sponsor: Each senior is responsible for contacting and selecting a community sponsor for the Capstone. Your sponsor will help guide your experience. The proposal for your Capstone, including details about your shadowing, is due March 3rd.
Capstone Presentation: After completing the experience, seniors will return to STVM on Thursday, May 15th, to submit required assignments and deliver a presentation on their Capstone journey.

For complete details, the Capstone packet and proposal form are available in Blackbaud under Resources. Be sure to read through everything thoroughly before submitting your proposal.

Questions?
If you have any questions after reviewing the information, please contact Beth Dolan at bdolan@stvm.com.

Start planning now, and make the most of this exciting opportunity to explore your future career interests!

Snow Day Protocols and Reminders

When there is inclement weather requiring us to close school:

We will notify you via the One Call system, making automated phone calls
We will post to social media - Instagram and Facebook
We will notify local news outlets
We follow the Akron Public Schools for closings. As you know we are independent from them, and will still notify you separately, but when they close, we close.

ATTENDANCE REMINDERS

Parents: If your child is (1) not going to be in school, (2) going to be late to school or (3) leaving early from school, it is critical that you notify the school by calling the attendance line as soon as possible at 330-253-9116.

NEW and EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY: Students MUST sign OUT of the Attendance Office if they are leaving early from school.

Appointments with Administration

Brenda Palinkas is now available to schedule appointments for our Administration.
Principal: Erin Faetanini
Dean of Academics: Becky Busey
Dean of Students: David Cochrane
Please reach out to Brenda to schedule an appointment. Brenda can be reached at 330-253-9113, ext 254 or via email at BPalinkas@stvm.com.