IRISH WEEKLY
April 3, 2026
April 3, 2026
Parents & Students - there are MANY time-sensitive items in the Irish Weekly - IN ALL SECTIONS! Please review all items and take note of due dates that are quickly approaching!
IRISH FAMILY CAR RAFFLE & EASTER BREAK CHALLENGE!
Any student who reaches their goal of 20 tickets sold by the time we return from Easter Break on Monday, April 13 will be entered to win:
Lunch for you and four friends at LeBron James’ new restaurant, Buckets, located inside House Three Thirty!
This is an awesome opportunity—and a great reason to keep sharing your link during the break. You all receive your Personalized Email with a link each Friday morning, for the Irish Family Car Raffle, generously sponsored by the VanDevere Automotive Family. This is a fun way for our community to come together, support STVM programs, and potentially win a brand-new 2026 Kia K4 or the cash equivalent.
You have until April 15th to sell your tickets! As a reminder, you're being asked to sell 20 tickets at $10 each. The Drawing will be at Showcase on April 18th!
Here is the general link to the Car Raffle!
Student Participation
Each student is asked to sell 20 tickets at $10 each. Please add a personal note and share your link via text or email with family and friends and on social media.
Ticket buyers can direct proceeds to specific programs, so students support the teams, clubs, and activities they care about most.
Student Incentives
20 tickets: Wear an STVM hoodie for the remainder of the raffle - 40 STUDENTS HAVE QUALIFIED!
40 tickets: $25 STVM Bookstore Gift Card - ONLY 4 STUDENTS HAVE QUALIFIED!
75 tickets: $50 Chipotle Gift Card
Top Seller Prizes
Overall Top Seller: $300 cash OR 25 seconds in the Cash Cube with $500
Top Seller in each other class: 15 seconds in the Cash Cube
Top Selling Class: Donut & Coffee Cart breakfast
THIS IS IMPORTANT: YOU CAN DIRECT YOUR TICKET SALES TO YOUR CLUB, SPORT OR ACTIVITY! This raffle helps supplement program funding and reduce additional fundraisers for student sports and activities, making a meaningful impact across STVM.
Make your donation before April 15th!
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 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 contribution 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.
LAST CALL FOR REGISTRATION
Attention Freshmen, Sophmores and Juniors! Everything is due by April 17. Any student not registered and PAID IN FULL will not have a schedule produced, No spots will be held for unpaid and unregistered students.
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.
STAFF UPDATES
Congratulations to Barb DeGrand, Director of Student Accounts, who will be retiring at the end of the school year after 25 years of service at STVM. We are so grateful for the many hats that Barb has worn, exemplifying our Marianist charism at its finest... saying "Yes" to God's call and doing so with integrity and grace. We are so happy for you, Barb, and can't wait to celebrate you later this spring!
SHOWCASE 2026: BACK TO THE 80S - GET READY TO CELEBRATE!
Last Chance for Showcase Tickets and Parent Incentive Entries
Today is the day! We are just weeks away from celebrating 40 years of Showcase, and excitement is building for this year’s Back to the 80s event. This high-energy evening brings together the STVM community for great music, lively auctions and raffles, and a memorable night out in support of our school.
Saturday, April 18, 2026
House Three Thirty
532 W Market St, Akron
Enjoy great food, an open bar, live music, and an electric atmosphere with fellow parents, alumni, and friends. Showcase is one of the best ways to support STVM while enjoying a fun and meaningful night together.
Today is your last chance to grab tickets! Don’t miss out—seats are almost gone, so be sure to secure yours before sales close tonight and join us for an unforgettable night celebrating 40 years of Showcase. Purchase here.
Current Parent Incentive | A Few Days Left to Enter
There is still a limited window to take part in the Current Parent Incentive and be entered to win a raffle package valued at $1,650.
For every $50 donation, item, or sponsorship, you will receive one entry to win:
$500 lunch credit with AVI
$500 to the Irish Outfitters Spirit Shop
$500 toward uniforms with Proforma
A season pass for two to an STVM athletic team
You have until Monday, April 6 to submit your donation and be included in the drawing, so now is the time to act. The more you contribute, the more chances you have to win.
Donations can be submitted online or by emailing your donation form.
Questions about donations or attending the event? Contact Michelle Hlivko Schaeffer VM92, Senior Director of Advancement and Alumni Engagement, at mschaeffer@stvm.com
PROM: NIGHT AT THE MET
On behalf of the STVM Student Council, it is our honor to announce the 2026 St. Vincent-St. Mary High School Prom: Night at the MET!
Please review the Prom Packet of materials linked below. Important details have also been outlined below:
Prom 2026 Guest Permissions Form
Prom Itinerary Acknowledgement 2026
When:
Saturday, April 25, 2026 | 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM
Where:
Portage Country Club
240 N. Portage Path, Akron, OH
Tickets:
$70.00 per person - dinner included.
Tickets can be purchased with cash or check in the Irish Outfitters Spirit Shop (with a signed permission form in hand) or online here
Tickets are available for purchase Friday, March 27 through Sunday, April 19
Students will need to use their Student ID Number to purchase tickets online
If students pay with check or cash, they will need to have a signed permission slip when purchasing tickets in Irish Outfitters Spririt Shop
Permission slips for Prom 2026 are due no later than April 22, 2026 at the end of the school day.
If you are bringing a guest, the Prom 2026 Guest Permission Form needs to be completed
Itinerary for Prom - April 25, 2026
6:30 PM: Doors open at Portage Country Club & Guests Begin to Arrive
7:00 PM: Dinner will be served, followed by dancing and dessert
All students attending prom are to be at Portage Country Club no later than 7:30 P.M.
In case of an emergency or an unusual circumstance that prohibits your child from being there on time, please call Portage Country Club at (330) 836-4994 and ask for Vince Glidden.
If a parent/guardian has not called before 7:30 P.M. the students will not be permitted into the dance and no refunds will be given.
9:30 PM: Prom ends
Working together, we can provide our students with a safe and memorable Prom. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at any time.
Sincerely,
The Student Council Faculty Advisors
Mrs. Gay | agay@stvm.com
Mr. Glidden | vglidden@stvm.com
Mrs. McCants | tmccants@stvm.com
Mrs. Young | cyoung@stvm.com
FRONT OFFICE EASTER BREAK HOURS
The Front Office Easter Break Hours will be as follows:
April 2: Close at 3PM
April 3-6: Closed
April 7-9: 9AM - 3PM
April 10: Closed
ACADEMIC AWARDS NIGHT
Academic Awards Night is Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. Invitations will be sent after Easter Break.
BLOOD DRIVE
St. Vincent–St. Mary High School is partnering with the American Red Cross to host an upcoming blood drive. Please consider joining this lifesaving mission by scheduling an appointment today!
Drive Details:
📅 Date: Friday, April 17, 2026
⏰ Time: 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
👉 Click here to make an appointment
The need for blood is constant—someone in the U.S. needs a unit of blood every 2–3 seconds, and most of us will need blood at some point in our lives. Your donation can make a real difference in our community.
Thank you for supporting the American Red Cross Blood Program!
VOLLEYBALL TAILGATE: APRIL 14TH
Calling all STVM families — join us on Tuesday, April 14, from 5:00-6:30 p.m. for a spring tailgate before the Fighting Irish Boys Volleyball Team takes on Firestone at the LeBron James Arena!
Enjoy FREE food (pizza, chips, drinks, cookies) and plenty of family fun, courtesy of the STVM Parents' Club! RSVP with last name and number of guests to parentsclub@stvm.com. Let’s go Irish! ☘️
FINE ARTS FESTIVAL
Celebrate the creativity of our Fighting Irish at the Fine Arts Festival on Friday, April 24, from 5:30–8 PM! Explore an impressive student art show beginning at 5:30 PM in the LRC and throughout the Language Arts hallways.
Enjoy an evening of performances starting with a theatre performance at 6 PM, followed by a choir concert at 6:30 PM. The night concludes with our Spring Band Concert at 7 PM in The LeBron James Arena.
Join us for a night of talent, expression, and the arts in action!
THE LEPRECHAUN NETWORK
INPUT NEEDED: The STVM Broadcasting Team is asking for community involvement with the student-run site, The Leprechaun Network. Check out the poll, quiz, and leave a note as the students work to share the stories of STVM from their perspectives.
NEW STORIES: Check out recent articles about the Staff vs Students Basketball game, the state wrestling tournament, the Irish Car Raffle, and the Origin of St. Patrick's Day!
2026 SUMMER CAMPS
The 2026 summer camp schedule and flyer is available and registration is open!
Click here to see the flyer.
Click here to register.
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.
IMPORTANT SCHOOL SCHEDULE UPDATE
Due to the late February snow day, 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.
DRESS CODE & FOURTH QUARTER EXPECTATIONS
Administration shared this message in an email within the last few weeks:
As we enter the Fourth Quarter, we want to take a moment to thank our families for your continued partnership in upholding the standards that make STVM such a special place. With that spirit in mind, we are writing to share that we will be raising dress code expectations school-wide beginning Tuesday, March 10, 2026, and we need your help at home.
Dress code will be checked during Morning Meeting each day. Students who are not in compliance will be asked to stay after Morning Meeting, and parents will be contacted to bring appropriate clothing to school before their student joins the school day. We appreciate your patience and cooperation in advance should that call come your way.
Shorts Return for Q4
Starting Monday, March 16, 2026, students may wear shorts again. Please note that shorts must be khaki (tan) only, in a traditional chino or golf style, with the correct inseam length (9" minimum for men, 7" minimum for women), and a belt must be worn. No jogger styles, cargo pockets, elastic waistbands, or drawstrings are permitted.
Additional Areas we will be Focusing on this Quarter
The STVM polo must be worn at all times (including under crew necks)
Only approved quarter-zips and approved crew necks may be worn
No jackets, hoodies, or non-approved team apparel during class hours
No athletic outerwear may be worn Monday-Thursday
Approved pants colors only (black, khaki, or grey), no leggings, jeans, or cargos.
Pants must have only the pockets found on a standard dress pant: front side pockets and rear welt pockets. Any additional pockets on the thighs, legs, or exterior of the pants are not permitted.
School-approved skorts at an appropriate length - no rolling
No backless shoes (including Uggs and Crocs)
Natural hair colors only, no nose piercings
No hats or head coverings can be worn indoors
For a full review of our dress code policy, please visit: STVM Dress Code Policy
The Fourth Quarter is a wonderful opportunity for our students to finish strong — academically, personally, and as a community. We ask that families take a few minutes this weekend to review these expectations with your student and help set them up for a great Tuesday morning. Doing the right thing, adhering to our school and community expectations, and holding ourselves to a high standard are values that extend far beyond our hallways, and we are grateful to have families who share that belief.
Thank you for helping us raise the bar at STVM. 🍀
IMPORTANT STUDENT DROP-OFF & PICK-UP PROCEDURE REMINDERS
For the safety of all students, please remember there are only two approved drop-off locations. Stopping on Smith Street or anywhere outside the designated zones puts students in danger.
Arrival Option 1 — Bottom of the Hill : Enter campus from Maple Street at the bottom of the hill. Follow the orange cones and arrows on the far right side of the parking lot to Walnut Street (between the school and the Cosgrove building). Students may exit at Door 6 on Walnut Street. Exiting: Please leave via Walnut Street to West Market Street, or via Bates Avenue near the football stadium. Do not circle back through Maple Street — students will be entering that lot for assigned parking.
Arrival Option 2 — Top of the Hill: Students may enter campus at Door 12 from Maple Street. Do not pull into the Bus Lane. Students must exit from the passenger side only.
Dropping off on Smith Street or outside the designated areas creates serious safety hazards for your child and others. These are the only approved options — no exceptions.
Officer Brown will be on-site this spring to remind families of proper procedures and to enforce safe drop-off and pick-up practices. Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our students safe!
UPPER PARKING LOTS ARE FOR STAFF & VISTORS ONLY
All of the Upper Parking Lots are reserved for Staff and Visitors only during school hours. Students are not permitted to park in any of the Upper Parking Lots during school hours. These lots include:
the large parking lot on the corner of Maple and Market
the parking lot next to the Arena, between Maple and Walnut
the parking lot in front of the Costigan
Students must park in their assigned spaces in the Student Parking Lot. If a student does not currently have a parking pass, one can be purchased through the Irish Outfitters Spirit Shop. Any student found parking in these areas will be subject to disciplinary action.
SERVICE HOURS ARE DUE SOON!
All students should be sure their service hours are submitted and verified in MobileServe by the following deadlines: Seniors’ hours were 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.
April 16: 7th Grade Visitation
April 23: Open House
Do you know a family or prospective student interested in STVM? Please share the following information with them!
7th Grade Visit: Register here Any 7th grader from Catholic, non-Catholic private and public schools are welcome! (Catholic school students only need to register if their school is NOT already attending).
Parents and guardians are also invited to a special information session during the 7th Grade Visit. Please share this link for more information.
Newsletters: Stay on top of the latest enrollment activities and events by joining our mailing lists!
Click here to join the mailing list for current 7th graders. Please note: registering for this list will automatically get students on the 8th grade list when they finish this school year.
Click here to join the mailing list for current 8th graders.
Shadow Days: 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.
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.
ATTN: Senior Parents! You can celebrate your student and express your love with a dedication; click here to learn more.
April 2-12: Spring Break
April 14: Volleyball Tailgate
April 15: Parents' Club Meeting
April 16: 7th Grade Visitation
April 17: Blood Drive
April 18: Showcase
April 19: Spring Choral Concert
April 24: Fine Arts Festival
April 25: Prom
April 30: Academic Awards
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.
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.
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.