IRISH WEEKLY
February 27, 2026
Embedded Files
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 SCHOOL CALENDAR
At St. Vincent–St. Mary High School, our mission and Marianist charism call us to be thoughtful stewards of both our Catholic identity and our academic program. With that in mind, we will be adjusting our spring break starting with the 2026-2027 School Calendar to consistently align with the end of the third quarter, placing it within the first two weeks of March.
We will continue to honor Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Monday as days off, ensuring our community can fully observe the holiest days of our faith.
This adjustment supports several important academic priorities:
Stronger academic rhythm: Aligning spring break with the end of the third quarter creates a natural pause, improving instructional continuity and helping students and faculty return focused for the final quarter.
More stable event planning: A consistent break supports smoother scheduling for Kairos, theater performances, and other major spring programs, reducing overlap and stress.
Protected academic preparation: An early March break minimizes disruption to AP courses, Capstone timelines, and presentations, avoiding end-of-year calendar compression.
Better support for student-athletes: A standardized break reduces missed class time during spring sports travel.
This decision reflects long-term planning that prioritizes student formation, academic excellence, and faith. Thank you for your continued partnership in supporting our students.
SERVICE HOURS ARE DUE SOON!
All students should be sure their service hours are submitted and verified in MobileServe by the deadline: Seniors’ hours are due by April 1st, and hours for Freshmen, Sophomores and Juniors are due by May 1st. Please see the service hour requirements on the school website and the student handbook! Instructions for using MobileServe, along with service opportunities, can be found on the Service Hours page of Irish Weekly. If you have any questions or need help, please email Mrs. Cooper or stop by the Campus Ministry office.
IMPORTANT SCHOOL SCHEDULE UPDATE
Due to the snow day that occurred this past Monday, we are required to add an additional instructional day to our school calendar. Because the snow day was called at the last minute, students did not have the necessary materials at home to participate in a virtual learning day. As a result, a full make-up day is needed.
Please take note of the following updated schedule:
Monday, May 18 – Regular School Day (make-up instructional day)
Tuesday, May 19 – Friday, May 22 – Final Exams
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact administration.
Class of 2026 Senior Spotlights
Class of 2026 Senior Spotlights
It’s your time, seniors! ✨ Fill out this form to be featured on the @stvmclassof2026 Instagram page and the school’s social media channels. Let’s celebrate YOU and all you’ve accomplished!
Have questions? Reach out to Sophia Morabito, Marketing Coordinator, at smorabito@stvm.com.
We can’t wait to spotlight the Class of 2026! ☘️
2026-2027 CLASS SCHEDULING
******CCP English 2 Update: The only change to this course is that it may be taken in the senior year only. Both CCP English 1 and CCP English 2 will count as Dual Core credit.
Online registration in MyIrish is now open. Students and parents may log in to view teacher course recommendations, accept or decline recommendations, and select alternate courses as needed.
Instructions can be found here
Students must submit their course requests in MyIrish. Parents will receive a required task within MyIrish to review and approve their student’s course requests. If this task is not completed by Monday, March 2, the school will assume that the submitted course requests have parent approval.
Students have been provided a paper copy of their current academic record reflecting courses for which credit has been awarded at St. Vincent–St. Mary High School. Please note that Physical Education waivers are not entered until June. If you identify a discrepancy in your student’s academic record, please complete the designated Google Form.
The Program of Studies book is available at the following link: LINK
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 AP EXAM DATES
As we prepare for the upcoming AP Exams, please review the important dates below:
Thursday, March 12 – Deadline to submit any changes to AP Exam registrations or for 2nd Semester classes to register for the test.
Wednesday, April 1 – Remaining balance for all AP Exam fees is due to STVM.
ANGEL SCHOLARSHIP FUND APPLICATION
In the 25-26 academic year nearly $8.1 million were awarded to students. These scholarships are made possible through contributions to the Angel Scholarship Fund, a state tax-credit program. Every family that wishes to be considered for an award must complete an online application form.
Award Amount: Varies
Deadline: March 2, 2026
CAPSTONE REMINDER
ATTENTION SENIORS: Your Capstone Proposal, including details about your sponsor and shadowing plans, is due Monday, March 2, 2026. Please turn in your paperwork to your morning innovation teacher as your check-in for attendance.
For more details about Senior Capstone, please review the details in the Senior Updates tab in the Irish Weekly.
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION SCHOLARSHIP
The STVM Alumni Association is proud to once again offer scholarships to current junior students who are part of our legacy family. These scholarships will be applied toward senior year tuition at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School.
Important Details:
Deadline: Sunday, March 15, 2026
Requirements: Completed application and short essay
Notification: Recipients will be announced in May
Please note: Financial need is not a requirement
We are honored to recognize the families who continue the tradition of STVM across generations. Thank you for sharing your legacy and for carrying forward the pride and spirit of the Fighting Irish. Learn More
Please email scholarship application and essay by March 15, 2026 to alumni@stvm.com or drop off your application to the Alumni Office. Direct your completed application to the attention of Michelle Hlivko Schaeffer VM92.
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.
DANCE MARATHON
Less than a month until Dance Marathon 2026: Back to 2016! Support Akron Children’s Hospital while earning service hours by playing games, winning prizes, and, of course, dancing!
Earn 5 service hours with full participation and a $15 registration fee, or earn up to 8 service hours with an additional donation of $25 or more. Snacks and T-shirts are included. Contact Ms. Kastelic with questions.
READY FOR SHOWCASE 2026
We’re celebrating 40 years of STVM’s signature auction and gala! Showcase 2026 promises a fun, high-energy evening in support of tuition assistance, campus enhancements, and the programs that make our school special. Join us on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at House Three Thirty for great food, an open bar, live music, exciting auctions and raffles, and a night out with fellow STVM parents, alumni, and friends. Watch your mailbox for your invitation!
Get involved!
Tickets on sale here
Volunteer on the Showcase planning committee
Donate an auction item or experience for the silent or live auction
Purchase a 10K Raffle ticket for $100 - only 300 tickets will be sold.
Make a monetary donation to support the event
Connect us with a business that would be a great sponsor or advertiser. Check out the sponsor packages here.
Each of these plays an important role in making Showcase a success.
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
SPRING SPIRIT SIGN ORDERS
Parents’ Club has opened the spring sales window for yard signs for all sports, clubs and activities!! Order now for spring sports and Class of 2026 signs for your grad parties! Signs are $20 each (includes stake). For SENIORS ONLY, for just $2 more, get it personalized! Orders are open NOW through March 16. 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. Click here to order. Please email Nicole Ricchiuti if you have questions.
ART SUPPLIES FEE ADDED TO TUITION MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTS
Art fees ($30 per class) were been added to Tuition Management accounts last 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
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 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.
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.
Angel Scholarship Fund
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 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.
March 2: Spring Choral Concert
March 9: No School
March 10: Freshman Registration Night
March 11: ACT/IOWA Testing
March 11: Parents' Club Meeting
March 11: Junior Parent College Planning/Information Session
March 26-29: Spring Musical
April 2-12: Spring 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
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.
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.
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