IRISH WEEKLY
December 5, 2025
December 5, 2025
Plus be sure to check out all the pages linked at the top - Athletics, Counselor's Corner, Campus Ministry and Service Hours. There is new scholarship info in the Counselor's Corner and valuable info on Marianist LIFE, Kairos and more in the Campus Ministry Section.
On Monday, December 15, STVM will hold a special Exam Week Study Day designed to help students prepare for their upcoming finals. Throughout the day, students will follow a shortened schedule that allows them to visit every teacher, ask questions, review material, and receive extra support before exams begin.
The day will open with Morning Meeting and an Advent Prayer Service, followed by eight abbreviated academic blocks, each 29 minutes long. Students will have the opportunity to check in with all of their teachers, clarify expectations, and make final preparations for a strong finish to the semester. We will have our regular two Lunch schedule and dismissal will remain at 3:00 PM. This is a mandatory day.
This structured study day is an important opportunity for students to organize their materials, seek help where needed, and build confidence heading into exam week. We appreciate your support in encouraging students to use this time well and come to school prepared with their study materials and questions.
COCOA & CRAM
Date: Monday, December 15
Time: 3-6 PM
Location: Student Center/LRC
Bring your Chromebook, notes, books and join your classmates to get ready for exams.
STAFFING UPDATE
Please help us in celebrating Ms. Kathy Brunn! Ms. Brunn, an Intervention Specialist at STVM, will be retiring at the end of this school year. While her dedication to our students and expertise in the classroom will be missed, we couldn't be happier for her and all the new adventures time will afford her. Congratulations Kathy!
The Next Marianist LIFE Night is next week, Dec. 10, 2025 in the LRC at 6 p.m.! Parents wishing to help out with the meal ministry can access the SignUp here.
All outstanding work that teachers are allowing students to submit must be turned in by 3 p.m. on Friday, December 12. Any assignments or tests not completed by that date will receive a grade of 0 for the quarter.
The 2nd Semester schedule change window will be open from December 3–10, 2025.
Schedule change forms will be available beginning December 3 outside Mrs. Sanor’s office. Forms must include signatures from the teacher, parent, and administration.
Please note that not all schedule change requests can be honored due to class sizes and other factors.
A $50 Schedule Change Fee is required and must be paid in the Bookstore prior to approval. Checks may be made payable to STVM.
Fall semester exams will be held December 16-19, 2025. Click here for the exam schedule and details.
Exam Study Sessions will be offered in the following ways:
in classes the week of December 8
"Cocoa and Cram" - student-organized study tables. Details to be announced December 5
Staff office hours and study sessions from 7:30 a.m. the week of December 15. Watch for more specific details next week.
Special all-school review and study sessions on December 15. Watch for details next week.
**Semester grade point averages will be comprised of 45% 1st quarter grade, 45% 2nd quarter grade, and 10% final exam grade.
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!
Adopt-A-Family Information
Gift collection are underway and the final date to turn in gifts is Friday, December 12th.
Thank you to all students, staff, and families for your generosity and spirit of service. Together, we’re making Christmas special for 12 families who would otherwise go without.
This is a beautiful, faithful STVM tradition that has been going strong for nearly 40 years — let’s make this one of our best yet!
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.
SHOWCASE 2026
BACK TO THE '80s
Save the Date for Showcase 2026!
Now in its 40th year, Showcase is STVM's largest fundraiser and annual auction with proceeds supporting tuition assistance, campus improvements, and operating needs. This milestone event will be held on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at House Three Thirty in Akron. Join us for an evening of great food, open bar, music, auctions, raffles, and the wonderful company of the Irish family all in support of our students.
Get Involved!
We would love your help in making Showcase a success, and we have volunteer opportunities for every schedule and skill set. Click here for the SignUp Genius with descriptions of volunteer needs and options to sign up.
Please reach out to Michelle Schaeffer, Senior Director of Advancement and Alumni Engagement, at mschaeffer@stvm.com to be added to the volunteer email list or if you have any questions.
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.
The Ski & Snowboard Club is gearing up for another exciting season on the slopes!
Local Outings: Boston Mills
(Wednesdays – 1/7, 1/14, 1/21, 1/28, 2/4)
Join us after school for five fun evenings of skiing and snowboarding under the lights!
Time: After school–8 p.m.
Transportation: STVM bus (to resort only) or self-drive
Cost:
Slope Days Program (lessons, rentals, lift tickets): $350 + $125 Club Fee
Club Only (own gear/pass): $125 Club Fee
Please pay online here or bring cash/checks to Ms. Schaeffer in the Front Office.
If you are interested in the Slope Days Program, please visit the site for lessons
Group Code: BMSTV5WED
Please enter code in the "Special Conditions" field during the purchasing process.
Destination Trip: Snowshoe, WV
(Feb. 26–Mar. 1, 2026)
Hit the mountain for a weekend getaway packed with skiing, snowboarding, and fun!
Cost: $800 + $125 Club Fee (includes lodging, lift tickets, dinner, and transportation)
Intermediate and above ski/snowboard experience only.
Dec. 8: Winter Choral Concert
Dec 11: Band Concert
Dec 16 - 19: Semester Exams
Dec 20 - Jan 5: Christmas Break
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
With the holiday travel season approaching, 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.
Dec. 9: Boys Basketball Youth Night | 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 17: Wrestling Youth Night | 7 p.m.