IRISH WEEKLY
February 6, 2026
February 6, 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.
RE-REGISTRATION FOR 2026-27 SCHOOL YEAR IS NOW OPEN
Re-registration for the 2026-27 school year is now open. Please see this email.
Then, please complete this FORM for MyIrish access issues or other IT questions. Send all other registration questions to registration@stvm.com.
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.
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.
There will be a virtual parent Q and A Meeting on Tuesday, February 10 at 7:30 PM. A link will be sent closer to the meeting date.
JUNIORS VIRTUAL PARENT MEETING
Click here for the presentation that was shared on Tuesday, February 3rd.
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:
February 7 | English
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.
Parents' Club invites STVM families to our Winter Tailgate tonight, Friday, Feb. 6 from 5:45-7:00 p.m. prior to the Varsity Boys Basketball Game v. Walsh (tipoff at 7:30 p.m.) Join us for food, soda/water and desserts in the Student Center, then cheer the Irish on to victory in the LBJ Arena! Tickets are only $5 per person or $10 per family. You may pay via Venmo (@stvm-parentsclub, please label it “Winter Tailgate”) or cash when you check in. (Note: game tickets must be purchased separately). Come early, we expect a big crowd! Let's GO, IRISH! ☘️
CCP REGISTRATION MEETING
The next meeting for students interested in registering for College Credit Plus (CCP) will be held on February 10, 2026 at 5 p.m. This is the second of two CCP meetings, and it is crucial for students and parents to attend. We will be presenting details and procedures for registering and securing funding. Please see the Counselor's Corner section for more information about CCP.
PARENTS' CLUB MEETING: FEB. 11, 5:45 PM
All parents/guardians are invited to join us for our next Parents' Club meeting on Weds, Feb. 11 at 5:45 p.m. Our guest speaker this month is Jennifer McElhaney, Dean of Curriculum & Instruction and Mathematics Teacher, aka “Mrs. Mac.” Don’t miss this chance to hear directly from one of our school administrators about the important work she does for us at STVM! Other topics for the meeting include the spring plant sale, spirit sign sales, and St. Patrick’s Day activities. Hope to see you there!
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.
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
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
CAPSTONE 2026
As part of the 2026 Capstone Experience for seniors, here are the key dates and requirements to keep in mind:
Capstone Experience Timeline Your Capstone can take place at any point during the school year, but the dedicated Capstone Week is May 4-8, 2026.
Shadowing Hours
Seniors are required to complete 25 hours of shadowing outside of STVM. Hours may be split between multiple locations, and you may shadow outside of Ohio if you choose.
Community Sponsor
Each senior must contact and secure a community sponsor who will help guide their Capstone Experience.
Capstone Proposal
Your Capstone Proposal, including details about your sponsor and shadowing plans, is due March 2, 2026.
Capstone Presentation
After completing the experience, seniors will return to STVM on Thursday, May 14, 2026, to submit all required assignments and present on their Capstone Experience.
For complete details, please see the Capstone packet and proposal form available in MyIrish (Blackb under Resources. Please review everything thoroughly before submitting your proposal.
Questions?
If you have any questions after reviewing the materials, 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!
Last week, the State of the School Address message from STVM President, Dave Vitatoe, was sent to our entire STVM community. Please be sure to take a look at this important message. Mr. Vitatoe wants to share that, as we begin a new year at St. Vincent-St. Mary, we are grateful for the strength of our traditions and excited for the momentum that is building across our school community. In this brief State of the School address, he reflects on where we are today and the encouraging direction in which STVM is moving. Click here to watch the video.
FOR FUTURE REFERENCE: STVM VIRTUAL INSTRUCTIONAL PLAN
Purpose: To maintain instructional continuity and meet state instructional-hour requirements by conducting meaningful virtual learning on inclement-weather days when in-person learning is not possible.
Notification: Snow day decision and/or Emergency School Closure with a transition to a virtual day will be announced by 6:30 a.m. via One Call, social media, and email.
Expectations:
Attendance: Students will check in via Google Classroom or email during their scheduled block. Attendance will be taken via participation in live sessions, submission of check-in forms, or turned-in assignments.
Participation: Students will complete follow-up assignments, readings, videos, or discussions as posted on Google Classroom.
Student support: Teachers will be available for extra help via email or Google Meet during the scheduled block. See Google Classroom for details.
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. 7: Wrestling Alumni Event
Feb 10: CCP Parent Info Night #2 (ODE Funding Application)
Feb. 11: Parents' Club Meeting
Feb. 11: Night of Adoration, Praise and Worship
Feb. 13: No School
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.