IRISH WEEKLY
March 7, 2025
March 7, 2025
Send questions to administration@stvm.com
Please be sure to check all the tabs - there are Senior Updates (new tab), Athletics, Campus Ministry and Counselor's Corner including updates on upcoming ACT and SAT dates.
The 2025-26 One Page School Calendar is now available and posted to the Website here. Please be aware, that this calendar is ALWAYS subject to change. We will continue to communicate changes via the Irish Weekly when changes occur.
Who is taking ACT Test?: Required for all Juniors
Who is taking the IOWA Test?: Required for all Freshman; Sophomores with IEPs; Sophomores who did not Pass the IOWA
Students should arrive at school by 8:00 AM.
Bring at least two #2 pencils and a calculator (not your cell phone - these will not be permitted); and calculators will not be provided.
Students will report to the Morning Meeting at 8:00 AM. After the Morning Meeting, students will report to their Mentor Groups.
Please eat a healthy breakfast and bring some healthy snacks for breaks during testing. The cafeteria will be open and serving light breakfast options / grab-and-go before testing. There is scheduled break time during the testing window for restroom breaks and for students to consume other snacks.
Students will be released around 12:30-1:30 depending on accommodation needs.
Public School Bussing will operate as normal. If students will be riding these buses, they will need to remain seated in the Student Center and bring homework or a book to read until it is time to leave.
STUDENTS WHO ARRIVE TO TESTING LATE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO TEST; YOUR STUDENT MUST ARRIVE TO SCHOOL ON TIME.
Student Council Returns for 2025-2026!
Parents! Students were sent this email today from Mr. Cochrane about the re-introduction of Student Council. As part of our strategic initiative to enhance student programming, we are excited to announce the return of Student Council for the 2025-2026 school year! Students can CLICK HERE to apply!
Important Reminder
Service hours are due by May 1, 2025 (April 1 for seniors). Please see the Campus Ministry tab for information about entering service hours.
STVM along with several other Catholic schools in our area, will supporting the HALO Foundation and disaster relief efforts in support of victims from Hurricane Helene. We will be collecting non-perishable food items March 3 - March 14, 2025.
Holly House - Soups, pasta, pasta sauce
Hawthorn House - Peanut butter, jams/jellies
Ash House - Hot and cold cereal, boxed milk
Oak House - Granola bars, canned meat, canned veggies
Thank you in advance for your support.
Showcase 2025: High Atop a Hill in Akron is only 3 weeks away! The event takes place on Saturday, March 29 at House Three Thirty. We would love to have you join us for this fun evening supporting STVM! Please purchase event tickets by Friday, March 14.
Want to win $10,000? Only 300 tickets are available for the 10K raffle. Purchase your raffle ticket today here to be entered into this popular raffle!
We are still seeking donation items. Please visit the Showcase site to learn more, donate, and/or buy tickets. Need an idea for an item to donate? Check out our Amazon Wishlist.
We have lots of great packages to bid on from vacation homes across the US to a VIP parking spot at school. Don’t miss out—buy your event tickets today before we sell out. Let’s make this year’s Showcase unforgettable!
STVM’s Dance Marathon Organization invites you to an exciting eight-hour event filled with games, prizes, food, and fundraising challenges—all in support of Akron Children's Hospital. Our goal is to raise $5,000 to help children and families in need, with every dollar staying right here in the Akron community.
📅 When: Saturday, March 22 | 12 PM – 8 PM
📍 Where: The Cosgrove Center at STVM
🔹 Sign-up Deadline: March 21 at 3 PM
👕 T-Shirt Guarantee: Register by March 14 to receive a commemorative Dance Marathon t-shirt!
Have questions? See Lola Hall or Mrs. Kastelic for more information.
Don’t miss this chance to make a difference—sign up today!
We will host a College Info/Junior Parent Information Night to share important information about the college application process. While this meeting is focused on junior parents/families, parents of younger students are welcome to attend. Students are also welcome to attend with their families. This session will also include information on admittance/denial factors, scholarship opportunities, and academic/leadership essentials for those interested in attending more selective colleges and/or pursuing highly competitive majors, programs, and scholarships.
Looking for a fun and engaging way to stay active while earning PE credit? Sign up for 2025 Summer Physical Education!
Important Details:
Dates: June 9-12 and June 16-19, 8am-4 pm
Participation is required each day for both weeks to receive credit
Open to all students in grades 9-12
Earn ¼ PE credit upon completion
Students must be physically able to participate fully throughout the entire course
It’s our favorite time of the year – let’s get this "PADDY" started! Our STVM families always go above and beyond in supporting our teachers and staff, and once again, we’re reaching out for your help to throw a successful St. Patrick’s Day Party, sponsored by Parents' Club, on Friday, March 14th!
Please check out the SignUp Genius link and consider donating items for the Teacher St. Patrick’s Day celebration. All donations should be turned in to the front office by Thursday, March 13th. Venmo donations (@STVM-ParentsClub) are always welcomed and appreciated! Thank you in advance, Irish families. YOU SHAMROCK!!!
This will be an informational session to assist parents with the OH/ID Funding portion of the College Credit Plus Requirements for their students to participate in the CCP Program for the 2025-26 Academic Year.
Additionally, we are encouraging ALL parents of current and future freshman Classes of 2028 and 2029 to attend this meeting. STVM will transition to having all students take CCP speech because this class is required for both high school and college graduation credits. This move will also free up space on students' schedules, allowing them to explore other course offerings during their time at STVM.
An email was sent on Thursday, February 13, 2025 outlining the registration steps, which can be found here.
All Forms and the Registration payments are due by March 15, 2025. Please do not email paperwork to the school. You or your student can drop off paperwork at the front office during business hours (7:30am-3:30pm) and 5:00pm-7:00pm every Tuesday and Thursday in February. Staff will answer any questions during those hours as well.
Having Blackbaud issues or have questions regarding paperwork? Email us at registration@stvm.com.
The Angel Fund scholarship application is now open. Families must complete FACTS and have their 2024 tax information available to complete the application. Please be aware that the Angel Fund Scholarship is provided by donors who gave donations through the Catholic Community Foundation, and funds are limited. Scholarships are available for new and returning students, but by law, priority is given to students with financial needs. Deadline to apply is March 15th, 2025.
Join us for a summer of fun, learning, and adventure! With 15 exciting camps in athletics, academics, and the arts, there’s something for everyone. Don’t miss out—register today before spots fill up!
Please plan to join us for the next Parents' Club Meeting on Weds., March 12 @ 5:45 PM in the LRC (library). Your input is always welcome!
Please order online for the 2024-25 school yearbook at yearbookordercenter.com.
Click here to learn more. STVM order number is 3108.
Senior Parents – Now is the time to place your Senior Congratulations orders! Celebrate your student and make their senior year extra special with a dedication. Upload your picture(s) and a heartfelt message for your senior today! Click here to learn more.
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 2024 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.
When there is inclement weather requiring us to close school:
We will notify you via the One Call system, making automated phone calls
We will post to social media - Instagram and Facebook
We will notify local news outlets
We follow the Akron Public Schools for closings. As you know, we are independent from them and will notify you separately, but when they close, we close.
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.
NEW and EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY: Students MUST sign OUT of the Attendance Office if they leave school early.
Brenda Palinkas is now available to schedule appointments for our Administration.
Principal: Erin Faetanini
Dean of Academics: Becky Busey
Dean of Students: David Cochrane
Please reach out to Brenda to schedule an appointment. Brenda can be reached at 330-253-9113, ext 254, or via email at BPalinkas@stvm.com.
STVM is hosting its annual 7th Grade Visitation Day on March 20, 2025. Most Catholic grade schools in Summit County are scheduled to attend. If you have a student in 7th grade at a local public or non-Catholic private school and he/she would like to attend, please click here to register:
For more information, email enrollment@stvm.com
IMPORTANT DATES
March 7: No School | End of 3rd Quarter Records Day
March 11: ACT/ IOWA Testing Day (no longer a Late Start Day)
March 11: CCP OH/ID Funding Night | 6:30 PM
March 14: St. Patrick's Day Pep Rally | 2:30 PM
March 17: St. Patrick's Day | No School
March 18: Class of 2029 Registration Night 6:00 - 8:00 PM
March 20: 7th Grade Visitation | No School (9:00 AM - 1:00 PM)
March 25: College Info./Junior Parent Night | 6:30 PM
March 29: Showcase
April 2: Open House | 6-8 PM
April 3-4, 6: Spring Musical
April 4: Memorial Mass | 1:30 PM
April 9: Late Start | 9:00 AM
April 11-12: Spring Musical
April 17: Early Release
April 18-27: Spring Break
April 30: Awards Night | 6:30 PM
May 2: Seniors Last Day
May 19-22: Exams
May 19: Baccalaureate
May 20: Graduation
May 22: Last Day Students
May 23: Teacher Records Day
IMPORTANT ENROLLMENT EVENTS
March 18: Incoming Freshman (Class of 2029) Registration Night
March 20: 7th Grade Visitation Day
April 2: Spring Open House, 6-8 pm
April 6: Chicago Teen the Musical Youth Matinee
April 12: High School Placement Test Prep Course for 7th graders
May 10: High School Placement Test Prep Course for 7th graders
May 15: Transfer and 8th-grade applications closed
May 17: High School Placement Test for 7th graders
June 26: High School Placement Test for 7th graders promoting to 8th grade