December 13, 2024
Send questions to administration@stvm.com
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
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.
Date: Friday, December 13
Time: 4-6:30 PM
Location: STVM LRC
Bring your Chromebook, notes, and books and join your classmates to get ready for exams. $2 will help cover the cost of snacks and drinks. To make sure we order enough food, RSVP here
View and download the schedule here or see below.
Exam Reminders:
Get lots of sleep each night
Eat a good protein-rich breakfast
Arrive a few minutes early so you are awake and ready
Communicate with your teachers if you need something specific.
Bring a healthy snack on days when you have back-to-back exams
WEAR YOUR SCHOOL UNIFORM
Date: Saturday, December 14
Time: 9:15-10:15 AM
Location: St. Hilary Church
We are looking for 50-60 students to represent STVM in service as an Honor Guard at the celebration of Life Mass for our beloved Coach Gerry Faust (grandfather of Emilie VM25)
Ladies will wear their plaid skirts or Khaki slacks. Men will wear Khaki pants. Letterman jackets are preferred as students will be standing outside. Students will stand in honor as guests arrive from 9:30 AM until about 10:15 AM at which time, students may attend to liturgy or leave. Service hours will be given.
Join us for an unforgettable performance this weekend! December 12–15 in The Leprechaun Theatre. Tickets are $15—secure yours today. Scan the QR code or click here to purchase your tickets. Don’t miss this classic brought to life by our talented cast!
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.
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.
If you missed your chance to sign up to help provide gifts for the families STVM is "adopting" for this Christmas, have no fear -- Parents' Club is here! Parents' Club will be purchasing gift cards and a few last items to fill in the gaps to make sure each member of each family feels the Irish love and blessings. If you'd like to donate toward the cause, please send your donation to the Parents Club Venmo (@stvm-parentsclub), write "Adopt a Family" in the message, and let our secret shoppers take care of the rest! Donations accepted through Sunday, Dec. 15. Thank you!
The Parents’ Club sells yard signs for all sports, clubs and activities!! NEW: Class of 2025 signs for your grad parties! PLUS we have fun ones like Irish Merger💍☘️ Alumni 🎓☘️ Green and Gold 💚💛 and more!!! Just $20 per sign (includes stake) and -- SENIORS ONLY: for just $2 more, get it personalized! Orders open NOW through DEC. 15. You will be notified when your sign is ready to be picked up in the Bookstore. Venmo (@stvm-parentsclub@stvm-parentsclub), check (payable to STVM Parents’ Club), and cash accepted for payment. To order visit: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1371dvb7EhyURN-lSJ25FBc_KXFXOwad5kw3XgTYWGXQ/edit
We did it! Thanks to the incredible generosity of our entire Irish community, we have overwhelmingly exceeded our goal of $150,000 for #weGIVECatholic!
As of today, $186,260 has been raised from 301 donors, all benefiting the Fund for STVM. Together, we are building a bright future for the STVM community! Your support means the world to us, and we are deeply grateful for each and every one of you who contributed.
A special congratulations to Jim Schneider, who made the final donation at 11:59:51 PM last night and won 2 tickets to Showcase 2025!
If you missed donating on Dec. 3, you can still donate online on our website.
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
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.
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!
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!
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.
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.
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.
IMPORTANT DATES
December 13-15: Fall Play | Twelfth Night
December 16-19: Semester Exams/ End of the 2nd Quarter
December 18: Christmas Concert
December 20 - January 3: Christmas Break
January 6: Return from Christmas Break | Beginning of Quarter 3
January 9: 9AM Late Start * NEW
January 13-16 - Basketball Spirit Week
January 15: 9AM Late Start
January 17: No School
January 19-22 - Kairos Retreat
January 20: No School | MLK
January 24 - Founders Mass/ Red Cross Blood Drive
January 26-31 - Catholic Schools Week
IMPORTANT ENROLLMENT EVENTS
December 14: HSPT for 8th Graders (accommodations)
January 2: 8th Grade High School Application Available
January 10: 8th Grade High School Application Deadline
February 5: 8th Grade Acceptance Letters Postmarked
March 20: 7th Grade Visitation Day
April 2: Open House