IRISH WEEKLY
February 13, 2026
February 13, 2026
Plus be sure to check out all the pages linked at the top - Athletics, Counselor's Corner, Campus Ministry and Service Hours. There are also NEW time-sensitive scholarship and college visit opportunities in the Counselor's Corner this week.
2026-2027 CLASS SCHEDULING
Preparation for the 2026–2027 school year is underway, with teachers completing course recommendations and students learning about scheduling updates during Innovation Blocks.
The week of 2/17, students will review graduation requirements and meet with teachers to discuss course recommendations and next steps. Course Request Worksheets will go home so families can review recommendations together and discuss final course selections.
Online registration in MyIrish opens Friday, February 20. Students will submit their course requests in MyIrish, and parents will receive a required task in MyIrish to review and approve their student’s course requests. If this task is not completed by Monday, March 2, we will assume the course requests submitted in MyIrish have parent approval.
All course requests, parent acknowledgement, and enrollment paperwork are due by Monday, March 2. Support will be available during the optional Registration Night for current students on February 24, 5:00 - 6:00 PM.
If you have problems accessing MyIrish or other IT questions, please complete this FORM.
IMPORTANT UPDATE FROM STVM
This email was sent to all STVM parents and students this morning regarding former student Roman Delgado.
The STVM crisis team has been in communication over the long weekend. Counselors will be on hand on Tuesday for any student needing services. In addition, our Campus Ministry Office will be available to support students pastorally.
PLEASE DO NOT FORGET TO REGISTER!!
Current Freshman, Sophomores and Juniors - you need to re-register for next year! Please see this email. It's critical that you re-register and complete all the necessary paperwork!
If you have problems accessing MyIrish or other IT questions, please complete this FORM. Send all other registration questions to registration@stvm.com.
ART SUPPLIES FEE ADDED TO TUITION MANAGEMENT ACCOUNT THIS WEEK
Art fees ($30 per class) have been added to Tuition Management accounts this week. The fee replaces the practice of families purchasing their own art supplies at a higher cost. It is further beneficial for students to have consistent supplies at the start of class. Students have received information regarding this fee during their art classes and payments are currently due. Payments can be made through your Tuition Management account, cash or checks can be given to the front office or online credit cards on Hometown ticketing.
If you have any questions, please contact Barb DeGrand at bdegrand@stvm.com
SHOWCASE 2026
BACK TO THE '80s
Showcase 2026 marks the 40th anniversary of STVM’s signature auction and gala, a beloved tradition that brings our community together in support of tuition assistance, campus enhancements, and the school’s overall operating needs. This milestone celebration will take place on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at House Three Thirty in Akron, and will feature an evening of great food, an open bar, live music, silent and live auctions, raffles, and plenty of fun with fellow STVM parents, alumni, and friends. Tickets will be on sale soon, so mark your calendar and make plans to attend!
How Can You Help?
There are many ways to get involved with Showcase 2026. Parents are encouraged to volunteer on the event planning committee or donate an item or experience for our silent and live auctions. Both play an important role in making Showcase a success.
Know a business that would be a great fit to be featured as a Showcase sponsor or advertiser? Sponsorship and advertising opportunities are available and help make this milestone event possible. Learn more.
Questions about donations, volunteering, or sponsorship opportunities? Contact Michelle Hlivko Schaeffer VM92, Senior Director of Advancement and Alumni Engagement, at mschaeffer@stvm.com.
ACT PREP COURSE AND TEST DATE
Registration for the ACT Prep Course is now closed. Students who completed the Google form prior to Tuesday morning (2/3) are confirmed in the course. They will receive an email confirmation from Mrs. Conway for each session they are registered for with arrival instructions as well as supply and payment reminders. Please email Mrs. Conway with any questions at jconway@stvm.com
As a reminder for registered students, the following are the session topics and dates:
Feb 21 | Math
Feb 28 | Reading
March 7 | Science
All juniors (Class of 2027) will take the ACT at school on March 11, 2026. This test is required by the State of Ohio. There is no cost for this test, and scores can be used for college admissions next fall. Students will set up accounts prior to the testing date. If your student already has an ACT account, please make sure they have that information on hand on March 11 so that they can log in.
FAMILY AND MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION IS NOW OPEN
The St. Vincent-St. Mary High School Foundation Family & Memorial Scholarship application for returning students for the 2026-2027 school year is now available on the STVM website. Family & Memorial Scholarships, which are provided through the generosity of our donors and the STVM HS Foundation, are a valuable source of tuition assistance. Students should apply for any State of Ohio scholarships for which they are eligible (EdChoice-traditional and Expansion, JPSN, or Autism) and the FACTS application to be eligible to receive a Family & Memorial Scholarship. Students who are currently receiving a Family & Memorial Scholarship must reapply every year. The deadline for applications is Monday, March 2, 2026. Visit the Financial Aid and Scholarship Info section at STVM.com for instructions to complete the Family & Memorial Scholarship application and the required FACTS Financial Aid application. Click here
NEW SENIOR PRIVILEGE MODEL COMING FOR STVM CLASS OF 2027
Beginning with the Class of 2027, St. Vincent–St. Mary High School will launch a Senior Privilege Model that allows eligible seniors the opportunity to be scheduled for a free block during the school day.
This model recognizes two important realities of the senior year experience. First, many seniors earn sufficient credits to graduate and do not require a full eight-course schedule. Second, senior coursework is often more rigorous and demanding, while students are simultaneously navigating college applications, internships, service commitments, and post-secondary planning. Providing structured flexibility honors these responsibilities while reinforcing accountability and maturity.
How the Senior Privilege Model Works:
Seniors may opt into a senior privilege during the course selection process and will be assigned a free block in their schedule.
Seniors may not select or request a specific free block.
Parents/guardians may choose whether their student is permitted to leave campus during the free block or must remain on campus—this decision is entirely at parent discretion.
If the students wishes to leave campus during their free block and the parent agrees to allow this, A permission slip and senior privilege contract must be signed in person by both the parent/guardian and student.
Senior privilege is contingent upon students maintaining good academic standing and positive behavior.
Privileges may be revoked or temporarily suspended due to violations of the senior privilege policy and/or school rules.
Clear guidelines and expectations for senior privilege will be published over the summer and will be thoroughly reviewed with rising seniors prior to the start of the 2026–2027 school year.
This initiative reflects STVM’s commitment to supporting student growth, responsibility, and readiness for life beyond high school—while maintaining the high expectations that define our community. We look forward to partnering with families as we roll out this opportunity for our seniors.
A Virtual Parent Meeting about Senior Privilege was held this past week. Click here to see the presentation that was discussed.
TECHNOLOGY REMINDERS FOR PARENTS
As a reminder, St. Vincent–St. Mary High School does not permit the use of Meta (or other smart) glasses on campus. In addition, smart watches and personal electronic devices, including laptops and iPads, are not allowed for student use during the school day unless explicitly approved for instructional purposes.
We appreciate your partnership in helping students remain focused, engaged, and present in our learning community. Thank you for your continued support.
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 student attending STVM to be eligible. All Ohio taxpayers can participate.
How does it work? Make a donation to Angel Scholarship Fund, for which you may receive a 100% Ohio income tax credit of up to $750 ($1,500 if married filing jointly) against your 2025 state tax liability. These funds will be used to provide tuition assistance for Catholic school students, and you can direct the funds specifically to STVM. In other words, the state of Ohio allows you to "spend" some of the state income taxes (that you must pay anyway) to provide tuition assistance for STVM students. 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 explaining 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.
THE LEPRECHAUN NETWORK
IS LIVE!
The STVM Broadcasting Team is actively publishing on the new student-run site, The Leprechaun Network. Thanks to the Educator Initiative Grant Program from the GAR Foundation, STVM students in the journalism classes can publish their stories while developing journalistic ethics and digital literacy skills. We welcome the entire STVM community to enjoy the voices of our students as they share their stories of STVM from their unique perspectives.
2025-26 Yearbooks
For this school year, yearbooks can be ordered anytime through the Yearbook Order Center by searching for St. Vincent-St. Mary or entering school code #3108.
Please note: The price will increase in January, so be sure to purchase your copy of To the Heights now!
ATTN: Senior Parents! You can celebrate your student and express your love with a dedication; click here to learn more.
Feb. 16: No School
Feb. 24: Optional Academic Advising & Course Selection Night (Rising 10th-12th)
March 2: Spring Choral Concert
March 9: No School
ATTENDANCE REMINDERS
Parents: If your student 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.
Students MUST SIGN OUT of the Attendance Office if they leave school early.
It is important that you call us first thing in the morning if you are planning to pick up your student during the day so that we can ensure they will be excused from class and ready to be picked up when you arrive. You may leave a message on the attendance line with this information. As a reminder, please refer to the Student/Parent Handbook for Absence Policy and required documentation.
ABSENCE REMINDERS
Please be mindful of the school policy regarding vacations and travel.
ABSENCES FOR OTHER REASONS
Absence for other reasons (vacations, family events, or participation in non-school sanctioned events) is discouraged by the school. However, in cases where the parent determines the necessity of this type of absence, the parent must notify the attendance secretary and the student must notify their classroom teachers a minimum of two weeks prior to the absence. A telephone call is required to the attendance secretary the first day of the absence at 330-253-9113 prior to 9 a.m. in order to verify that you are going forward with your travel plans.
Feb. 12: Acceptance letters emailed and welcome box delivery.
Feb. 15: Transfer applications open
April 16: Seventh Grade Visit
A limited number of shadow dates are available this winter/spring. Interested families should check www.stvm.com/enrollment or email enrollment@stvm.com for more information.