We hope you enjoy the Irish Insider. For consideration in future editions, please email info@stcathschool.com by 9 am Monday for Tuesday's edition.
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- Upcoming Events
- Thoughts with Mr. Watts
- 2021-2022 School Calendar
- Back to School Ice Cream Social
- SPICE Coffee and Donuts
- St Catharine School Community Night
- Yearbooks
- Music
- TRIP/SCRIP
- FunFest
- St Catharine Athletics
- Bishop Hartley - HawkFest
- St Catharine Church
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August 12 - 14 - FunFest
August 23 - Back-to-School Ice Cream Social
- 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm
- Back Parking Lot/Parish Center/School Gym
- Uniform Swap
- Gym Uniform Pick-up
- School Supply Pick-up
- SCRIP/TRIP Information
August 25 - First Day of School
August 25 - SPICE Back to School Donuts and Coffee
- 8:00 am - 9:00 am
- St Catharine Parish Center
August 31 - Fingerprinting
- 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm
- Media Center
August 31 - Protecting God's Children
- 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
- St. Catharine Parish Hall (St. Peter Side)
August 31 - K -2 Curriculum Night & Open House
- 7:00 pm
- St Catharine Parish Center (St. Paul Side)
September 1 - All School Mass
- 9:00 am
- St Catharine Church
September 1 - 3-5 Curriculum Night & Open House
- 7:00 pm
- St Catharine Parish Center
September 2 - 6-8 Curriculum Night & Open House
- 7:00 pm
- St Catharine Parish Center
September 6 - No School - Labor Day
September 7 - September Seminar Series: Standards-Based Grading
- 7:00 pm
- St Catharine Parish Center
September 8- All School Mass
- 9:00 am
- St Catharine Church
September 12 - SPICE Mass of Inclusion
- 5:00pm
- St Catharine Church
September 14 - September Seminar Series: Response To Intervention
- 7:00 pm
- St Catharine Parish Center
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"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."
- Jeremiah 29:11
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Hello St. Catharine Families:
My hope is that you are all filled with a joyful optimism of a new school year combined with empathy and compassion for the safety and well-being of all of our students and families.
Unfortunately, COVID-19 is not going away, yet. However, we have weathered the storm to this point and have learned from our experiences over the past year-and-a-half. Regardless of the challenges that arise, we will be more prepared to navigate those obstacles and mitigate the risk than ever before.
The Diocesan Task-Force is actively reviewing data and formulating guidance for Diocesan schools. I can assure you it is more complicated than mandatory vs. optional masks. There are many factors including vaccination status, close contact, and especially quarantine protocols that are being evaluated to recommend the least restrictive yet safest environment for our schools. Thank you for your patience with this process.
Nothing has polarized school communities quite like thCOVID-19 pandemic. It is of great importance that we, as a school community, fight to avoid division and divisiveness among our school community. We must put our faith in God while still looking at best practices within our control.
As Pope John Paul II has said, "The Catholic Church also has taught that true faith and correct reason can and must work together, and, viewed properly, can never be in conflict with one another, as both have their origin in God."
What I have learned about our students and staff at St. Catharine School is we are extremely resilient and have shown that we have the tools and gifts to manage change on the horizon.
Remember, gospel means "good news" and to live the gospel means to bring the word of God to others. I want to encourage everyone to live that gospel by loving one another, even if they disagree with you. And, to see past your own judgments to empathize with the stance that your neighbors are taking and trust they reciprocate.
Finally, I want to reiterate what St. James has told us and to go beyond our own interpretations and opinions and live by a positive example of how we treat others to our school children.
"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." -James 1:22
Know that I am praying for all of you. We will continue to work tirelessly to provide the safest, loving, and most productive environment of learning for our students. Pray for one another as everyone has had challenges that we may not know or understand.
FACTS Student Information System
We are currently making the transition to FACTS as our School Information Systems and Learning Management System. St. Catharine School is currently partnered with FACTS for our Tuition Management as well.
Over the next few weeks, more information concerning onboarding, log-in information, and our Parent Alert system will be sent to all parents and guardians.
Protecting God's Children Certification
We will be hosting a Protecting God's Children Certification at St. Catharine School in conjunction with FBI/BCI Fingerprinting on Tuesday, August 31st at 6:00 PM.
All parent volunteers, coaches, and staff members must have their Protecting God's Children Certification within 60 days of their start date.
Parent Volunteer Hours
Just in time for the FunFest 2021, parent volunteer hours have been re-established. School parents may sign up for volunteer hours during the FunFest to go toward their suggested fifty hours for school. In addition to FunFest, there will be plenty of opportunities to serve our school community. For more information on the FunFest, click here.
Curriculum Night
This year, we will be hosting our curriculum night scheduled by grade-bands on consecutive nights. We will start in the Parish Hall as a large group and finish by grades in each individual classroom.
- Tuesday, August 31st
- Kindergarten, First, and Second Grades
- Wednesday, September 1st
- Third, Fourth, and Fifth Grades
- Thursday, September 2nd
- Sixth, Seventh, and Eighth Grades
September Seminar Series
Save the Dates! We will be hosting a series of presentations and discussions this Fall to help parents navigate some key aspects of their child's education and how to better collaborate to ensure student success.
- Tuesday, September 7th
- Standards-Based Grading:
- Why not As, Bs, and Cs?
- Tuesday, September 14th
- Response to Intervention:
- How is My Child's Learning Supported?
- Tuesday, September 21st
- Social-Emotional Learning:
- Improving Beyond Report Cards
- Tuesday, September 28th
- Education in Virtue:
- The Holy Spirit's Guide to Behavior
May God Bless all of you and your families during this time.
Yours in Christ,
Mark Watts
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. – Isaiah 43:2
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There are a few items to note that have changed from last year.
- School day: 8:05 am - 2:55 pm Doors open at 7:45 am
- Athletic Shoes can be white, black, and/or gray. They can be 1, 2, or all 3 colors.
- Shorts can be worn at the discretion of the parents. Just a reminder, students will be going outdoors for recess even in cold temperatures. Please make sure they have dressed appropriately for the weather.
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- Wednesday, August 25, 2021
- First Day of School
- September 6, 2021
- No School – Labor Day
- October 29, 2021
- No School - Teacher Records Day
- November 24 through November 26, 2021
- Thanksgiving Break
- December 20 through December 31, 2021
- Christmas Vacation
- January 14, 2022
- No School – Teacher Records Day
- January 17, 2022
- No School – Martin Luther King Day
- February 17, 2022
- No School – P/T Comp Day
- February 21, 2022
- No School – Presidents’ Day
- March 14 through March 18, 2022
- Spring Break
- April 14, April 15, and April 18, 2022
- Easter Break
- May 30, 2022
- No School – Memorial Day
- June 2, 2022
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8th Grade Graduation
- June 3, 2022
- Last Day for Students
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Join us in the back parking lot on Monday, August 23 from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm for our annual Back to School Ice Cream Social.
Check out all the fun...
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Pre-ordered Gym uniforms will be available for pick-up. If you are unable to attend, they will be in your child's classroom on the 1st day of school. There is a limited supply on hand. Please contact Pat Mcjoynt-Griffith to check on availability or place an order. |
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School Supplies
Pre-ordered school supplies will be available for pick-up. If you are unable to attend, they will be in your child's classroom on the 1st day of school.
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Used Uniform Exchange/Sale
Gently and very loved uniforms will be available for exchange or purchase in the gym. Please bring cash/ small bills. if you are able. Please contact Kate Allwein with any questions |
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SCRIP/TRIP
Want to learn more about this tuition savings program? We will have someone to answer all your SCRIP/TRIP questions! If you have questions, reach out to Alli Brinkmeyer
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Due to high demand, we had to order more 2020-21 Yearbooks.
Please reach out to Kathy Kropp or call the office to claim your copy!
Each yearbook is $10
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We would like to take this opportunity to introduce Dr. Ross Williams to St Catharine School. He joined us last spring as our new Music Director.
He comes to us with a degree in music from The Oberlin Conservatory of Music, a Master of Music for the University of Southern California, and a Doctor of Music from Boston University.
He has almost 20 years of Music teaching experience. We are so excited to welcome Dr. Williams to our St. Catharine Family,
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As Music Director of St. Catharine School, I am excited to announce two performing opportunities for students this year!
First, we will have a Jazz Ensemble for grades 4-8 that rehearses on Thursdays from 1:40 pm-2:25 pm (with the exception of the 3rd Thursday of each month - which is an all-school Adoration). No audition required, just a commitment to the ensemble until our Christmas program in December. Owning or renting an instrument is strongly encouraged. We are looking for trumpet, saxophone, trombone, guitar, bass, drums, and piano players. Beginners are encouraged… I can teach you how to play!!
Second, we will have a choir for grades 4-8 that rehearses on Thursdays from 12:45 pm-1:30 pm (with the exception of the 3rd Thursday of each month - which is an all-school Adoration). No audition required, just a commitment to the ensemble until our Christmas program in December.
A sign-up sheet will be on my door, and rehearsals begin Thursday, September 9, 2021.
Questions? Email Dr. Williams:
PRIVATE MUSIC LESSONS at St. Catharine!!
If you are interested in taking lessons on piano, voice, drums, or guitar, I am offering lessons after school on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Email Dr. Williams to schedule a time!
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Curious what SCRIP/TRIP is all about? Find out how to save money on your tuition at the Back to School Ice Cream Social.
Summer ordering: physical cards:
August 19
Arrangements for cards will be with Alli Brinkmeyer (614)214-5428
Want to know what our current inventory has?? Email or call Alli Brinkmeyer
Allison Brinkmeyer
614-214-5428
*St Catharine School and Church is not responsible for lost or stolen gift cards. They do not keep records of card numbers. Therefore, we suggest making note of your card numbers in case you are a victim of theft
E-gift cards and Reloads can be done at any time through the website or app (RaiseRight).
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August 12th - 14th, 2021
5:00pm-11:00pm
As always, admission is FREE
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Volleyball Registration
The registration deadline is August 16
We are forming teams for:
Girls grades 4-8
Boys grades 4 & 5
We need:
7th & 4th grade girls
4th grade coach and assistant coach
Information on Boys Volleyball
This is a recreational, i.e., for fun league for boys. Being our first year attempting a team, we welcome all St. Catharine School students and parishioners in grades 4 and 5. Parish athletics are a great way to try out a sport, even if your child has never played the sport. Participants run the gamut from no experience at all to club players and everything in between.
Volleyball practice will typically be two nights a week for about an hour at the St. Catharine gym. The times/days are selected by the coaches for each of our teams. We will not know the times/days until we have formed teams and they have coaches. Games for the boys will almost always be on Saturday mornings at St. Charles.
Both of the area Catholic High Schools now have a boy's volleyball program and we would like to give your son's a chance to get experience early if they are hoping to play.
Important dates:
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August 16: Volleyball practices will start this week, we will work around the soccer schedule
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August 16: REGISTRATION DEADLINE (register at: https://www.dioceseregister.com/landing)
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September 11: Games/regular season begins (this is a tentative date, almost all games will be played on Saturday mornings)
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October 23: (approximate) End of the regular season
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October 23 & 31: Diocese Volleyball Tournament (grades 5-8)
If you think your son would be interested in playing, please let Erin Waltz, Volleyball Commissioner, know ASAP.
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On Friday, August 27, we're opening our campus to all students and families, alumni, staff, and Hawk community with the first ever HawkFest!
Join us for festival fun from 4-6:30 p.m., right before our first home football game of the season vs. Harvest Prep!
HawkFest will feature food trucks, a beverage garden, raffles and prizes, and games for Hawks of all ages!
Grade school and Hartley students get free admission to both the festival and football game. All others get free admission to HawkFest with the purchase of a football game ticket!
Come for the festival, stay for the football!
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Mass Schedule
Sunday 8:30a - 11:00a - 5:00p
Eucharistic Adoration Chapel
6:00a - 9:00p daily except Saturday
Saturday 6:00a -4:00p
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