News from York Catholic Middle & High School

Parent Edition

October 7, 2021

Please click below to carefully review the Diocese of Harrisburg/York Catholic Middle & High School COVID-19 Health & Safety Plan 2021-22. As COVID-19 guidelines evolve, our school will continue to adapt to the recommendations issued by federal, state, Diocesan, and local entities for our area. Any changes will be communicated through the weekly Irish Eye e-newsletter.

COVID-19 Health & Safety Plan 2021-22

School Calendar Reminders

We will have an 11:30 AM dismissal on Friday, October 8, while our teachers attend an In-Service. Buses will adjust their schedules for the earlier pickup time and we ask parents to also pick-up by 11:30 AM.

School is closed Monday, October 11, in observance of Columbus Day. The office is also closed.

Diocesan Vision Survey

Earlier this week, you received an email that contained a letter from Mr. Dan Breen, Secretary for Education and Superintendent of Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Harrisburg. He is requesting that anyone with ties to York Catholic Middle or High School complete a survey to help guide the Diocese’s strategic vision for Catholic schools in a process called, “Christ Before Me: A Strategic Vision for Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Harrisburg.”

The overall goal is to establish the concepts and direction needed to set a strategic vision to secure the future of our schools. Partnering with the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA), they are collecting a rich array of data, and seeking input from stakeholders through interviews with representative small groups, and through online surveys.

The Diocese is asking that an adult (parent or guardian) of every household complete the following survey found at this link:

https://nationalcatholicedu.iad1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8xf3grsSmyTimTY

Please take 10 minutes of your time to complete your survey by October 18. Please have only one person per household complete the survey. If you have children in multiple schools, please complete one survey for each school. Be sure to select the appropriate affiliation to York Catholic: Pastor, Parent of Current Student at York Catholic, Alumni, Board Member, Other.

Students in grades 7-12 will also be asked to complete a similar, student-friendly survey during the school day next week. No names of students are requested in this survey, and no personal information is requested. The survey information will be available to us at the Diocesan level and to your child’s school as well. If, for any reason, you would prefer your child not take part in this survey, please email info@yorkcatholic.org to let York Catholic know by October 8.

YC Christmas Cash

In order to maintain the lowest tuition fee possible, each family is asked to participate in 2 fundraisers per year (actual cost per pupil is over $10,500.00).

The YC Christmas Cash Calendars will be sold from October 8-29 for $25 each. Each calendar purchased will have a four-digit number and will enter the buyer in a daily drawing for the month of December. Each day of December has a different payout assigned. When we pull a purchaser’s calendar number on a specific date in December, they will win the amount noted on that date (we are not using PA Lottery numbers). Every purchaser has 31 chances to win, coordinating with the 31 days of the month. Winners will be posted on the YC website, www.yorkcatholic.org, and will be notified by email. The winner does not need to be present to win. Winning raffle amounts will be mailed weekly.

All orders will be placed online at http://weblink.donorperfect.com/ycchristmascash2021 beginning tomorrow, October 8. Numbered calendars labeled with the purchaser's name will be sent home to the selling family for distribution after November 1. Detailed information about the raffle and prizes was mailed to your home this week; please check your mailbox.

If you have any questions about the YC Christmas Cash calendar raffle, please contact Mrs. Gick at sgick@yorkcatholic.org or 717-846-8871 x317.

Thank you in advance for making this a successful fall fundraiser!

Click here for your chance at YC Christmas Cash

York Catholic Fund

Did You Know? York Catholic's annual operating budget is only partially covered by tuition. More specifically, the tuition that each family pays for their child to attend YC only covers 71% of the cost of that education. To help fund that “tuition gap,” York Catholic relies heavily on gifts to our York Catholic Fund. Gifts to the YC Fund allow each and every student to benefit from small class sizes, dedicated faculty, a diverse student population, and student enrichment programs. Gifts also support exciting professional development opportunities for our teachers, keeping them at the forefront of education. Please consider making a gift to the YC Fund today!

Click here to Support the York Catholic Fund

Looking for a Tax Break?

York Catholic is excited to share some information with you that is sure to change how you view paying your state and federal taxes each year!

If you pay personal state income taxes, you now have the opportunity (whether filing individually or jointly) to choose how these taxes are spent each year by joining a Special Purpose Entity (SPE). SPEs are based on tax liability, not income, therefore each taxpayer’s situation will differ. An individual or couple filing jointly must have a state tax liability of $3,500 or more to participate. To see if you qualify for 2021, you can find your PA tax liability on Form PA-40 Line 12 of your tax return.

You could receive at least a 10% deduction on your personal federal taxes each year, so why not have your personal state income taxes serve as tuition assistance funds, allowing more students to thrive at York Catholic High School?

If you would like to take advantage of this opportunity, please follow these steps:

Review information on the SPE program to determine if you qualify. https://www.pennsylvaniaeitc.org/frequently-asked-questions.html
Confirm your personal state income tax liability with your accountant.
Complete and submit the Joinder Agreement. https://yorkcatholic.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/SPE-Joinder-Agreement.pdf

All SPE funds are available on a first-come, first-served basis, so NOW is the time to submit your Joinder Agreement for the 2021 Tax Year!

For more information about this easy tax donation, please contact Katie Seufert, York Catholic Principal, at kseufert@yorkcatholic.org.

Open House

You are our best ambassador! Please share this information with your friends:

York Catholic invites you to our Open House on Sunday, October 17, starting at 12 noon! Learn what life at York Catholic High School is like and see all we have to offer students (grades 7-12) and families. Registered individuals can expect to:

Connect with current students about their experience.
Chat with teachers and administrators.
Talk with coaches and club moderators about our 60+ clubs and activities available.
Take a tour of our newly-renovated campus.
Meet other prospective students and families.

Our staff and teachers will be available to answer any questions you may have throughout this event. Join us to experience the YC difference. Masks are required.

Refer a Friend to YC

If you know a friend, family member, or anyone looking for a high-quality, Christ-centered education for their children who do not already attend a Catholic school, you could receive a $250 credit toward your child's tuition at York Catholic.

York Catholic's Parent Referral Program is a win-win for everyone involved. Referred students receive an outstanding education from York Catholic, while parents of the referred families get peace of mind knowing their child is gaining so much more than just a top-notch education. Families who refer someone who registers at York Catholic receive a $250 credit towards their child's tuition.

You, as parents, are our best ambassadors. In order for the Parent Referral Program to be a success, we need information about individuals who may be interested in joining the York Catholic family. All you need to do is click below to fill out the form. If the family you refer attends York Catholic through their first semester, your family's tuition will be credited $250, spread into 4 credits applied to the months of February, March, April, and May.

It really is that simple. So go ahead. Please click on the box below and allow us the opportunity to do what we love -- help to develop, nurture, and encourage children so they may grow in faith, mind, and heart. Mail or email the form to us and we will take it from there!

The Parent Referral Program is open to all parents of current York Catholic students. The tuition credit is not available for referring your own children. The $250 credit is only good toward tuition on a student's account; no cash is given, and it is non-transferrable. A referred student applies only to a new student from a non-partner school.

Thank you for all you do for our school!

Complete the Parent Referral Form

Student Picture Day

Lifetouch is the exclusive photography vendor for York Catholic. All students in grades 7-11 will have their yearbook pictures taken Friday, October 8, from 8:30-11:30 AM at YC. Students must be in uniform. Families are under no obligation to purchase a package, but all students will be photographed for the yearbook. For those families wishing to place a photo order, please know there are no paper order forms. You can place orders online by going to www.mylifetouch.com and using Picture Day ID# EVT9WQ83W. Orders must be placed by October 7. Pictures will be distributed to students in approximately 4 weeks.

If there is ever an error with your photo order, please contact Lifetouch at 1-800-743-8997 or ltcustomerservice@lifetouch.com. Their Customer Service Department will be best equipped to correct your order or answer your questions.

Yearbook Sale

Even though the 2022 color yearbooks are not distributed until May, NOW is the time to place your order for a book. Extra yearbooks are not available in May. Only what is ordered is delivered to YC for distribution.

Please do not send any money to school with your student. Balfour handles the order taking and payments allowing the yearbook advisor and staff additional time to produce the best yearbook ever. All orders are taken by phone by calling the Balfour ordering line at 1-800-944-5930 or by ordering online at https://www.balfour.com/student-info?smi=62833

Special Note for Parents of Seniors:

There will be a special section of the 2022 yearbook reserved only for parents of seniors to send a message to their senior son or daughter. It is a great keepsake and a wonderful way to congratulate your child for all of their years of hard work. The rectangular space costs $20 and can be in full color with a total of 30 words and 1 picture. Photos should be in good condition and printed on photo paper. Please click here for the Senior Form and return it with your payment (checks made payable to York Catholic) to Mrs. Nagley no later than Tuesday, November 23.

Click here to Order Your Yearbook

Box Tops for Education

Please check your boxed and canned goods for the Box Tops for Education logos.

If your box top is marked with this logo, please cut it out and send it to school.

If it is labeled with this box top, please scan your receipt. Click here for more information and to download the Box Tops for Education app to scan your receipt. Be sure to select York Catholic High School as your school of choice.

Our next student reward deadline is October 15, so please have your box tops into school and/or scanned by this date. This is the major fundraiser for Middle School Student Council and Middle School activities. You don't have to buy anything or sell anything! Please try to join forces with friends, family, and neighbors to collect or scan as many box tops as possible. The homeroom collecting the most box tops will be rewarded!

Cemetery of Innocents

October is Respect Life month. YC students installed a Cemetery of Innocents on the front lawn to remind us to pray for the souls of the babies who have been lost to abortion.

Vocation Visit to the Seminary

The Diocese of Harrisburg’s Office of Vocations is coordinating a “Visit a Seminary” program on Thursday, November 11, at Mt. St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, MD. Any boy in grades 11 or 12 interested in the program should sign up with Mr. Mansfield or Mrs. Rough by October 25.

Virtue=Strength

The SportsLeader program, which has primarily been devoted to virtue formation through athletics, has created an expanded model to serve an entire school, parish, and/or community. This new program has a new yet familiar name: Virtue=Strength. This program is an enhancement to the SportsLeader program, yet separate as it is designed to be used by teachers and staff across the entire student body. Click below for the Virtue=Strength parent newsletter that helps reinforce virtue formation at home.

Virtue=Strength Parent Newsletter

Uniform Exchange

In preparation for changing the uniform dress code for the 2nd and 3rd marking periods, York Catholic is hosting a uniform exchange to assist students who are in need of uniform items. The uniform exchange will be available for trades and purchases on Thursday, October 21, from 3:30-5 PM. Walk-ins on days other than this date cannot be accommodated. If you need uniforms, bring your gently worn items for an even trade or purchase some at a reduced price: skirts $10, pants $8, sweaters $6, shirts $4. Uniforms are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Masks are required.

PSAT & SAT

All York Catholic juniors will take the PSAT on Wednesday, October 13. York Catholic takes care of registration and payment for this test. In addition, we are offering the SAT on the same morning, to seniors who have already registered. Both tests will begin at 8:15 AM; students who arrive late to school on testing day will not be permitted to take the exam.

For best results on the PSAT and SAT, students should have a good night's rest and eat a good breakfast on testing day. Students need to come prepared with #2 pencils as well as a graphic or scientific calculator. The PSAT tests students on Reading, Writing, and Math, and is an invaluable practice test preceding the SAT. Practice test manuals were distributed in homerooms last month, and juniors are encouraged to take time to become familiar with the test format. Any questions regarding the test or scoring may be directed to Mr. Michael Rouse in the guidance office at 717-846-8871 x432 or mrouse@yorkcatholic.org.

Science Fair Informational Meeting

An informational meeting will be held Thursday, October 14, from 3-3:45 PM in the lecture hall for students who are either required to participate or those who are interested in participating voluntarily in the Science Fair. Please advise your teacher if you are unable to attend.

Senior High

Honor Science students are required to complete a Science Fair project. Any other senior high science student who has previously completed a project is not required to design a project for the current school year, but may choose to participate. Alternate assignments may be used by teachers in place of a Science Fair project for those students who have not completed one previously.

Junior High

Interested 7th and 8th grade students are encouraged, but not required, to participate in YC’s Science Fair. Please review the Science Fair – 8th Grade document found on the Forms & Documents page of the YC website.