Fenwick Features

August 11, 2023

"To reach the heights, aim high!"

Dear Fenwick Family,

As we prepare for the 2023-24 school year, we have exciting projects being completed on campus! The new student area located outside the cafeteria has been finished. The “Falcons Landing” - aka “The Landing” - will serve as an area for students to socialize during lunch and have the availability to have classes outside when needed. It serves to give students their own space to gather and come together in community.

We continue to have work completed on the new turf field and are excited for our teams to have the opportunity to begin playing in the new renovated stadium later this fall.

We invested in new upgrades in technology throughout the school and have purchased new Microsoft Surface Pros for the incoming Class of 2027. All students will have upgrades in the speed of their devices, as well as new apps for expanding the capabilities for their academic pursuits.

We look forward to the new school year and are excited to begin this new academic year!

May God bless our Catholic school!

Yours in Service,

Blane M. Collison

Principal/CEO

In This Issue:

News and Updates

Fenwick Emails
Used Uniform Sale
Uniform Policy
New Student Orientation
Student/Parent Handbook
Welcome New Faculty Members

Back to School Bash

School Parking Lot Safety

EdChoice News

Campus Updates

Falcons Landing
New Turf Field

Spirit Shop

Upcoming Dates

News and Updates

Fenwick Emails

You will receive automated emails from the following Fenwick email addresses; please add them to your contact lists to ensure emails are received.

Used Uniform Sale

The Used Uniform Sale will be held during the New Student Picnic on Sunday, August 13 from 3:00-5:00 p.m. and after New Student Orientation on Monday, August 14 from 3:00-4:00 p.m. The Used Uniform Sale is cash only.

The Fenwick Spirit Shop will also be open during those times.

Uniform Policy

Click here to see the updated Uniform Policy for the 2023-2024 school year.

New Student Orientation

Orientation for new students (freshmen and transfer students) will be held on Monday, August 14, from 8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

Student/Parent Handbook

The updated Student/Parent Handbook is available. We ask that students and parents read the handbook before school begins. Forms to sign off will be emailed at the beginning of August. These areas of the handbook have been updated:

Attendance Policy
Exam Exemption Policy
Uniform Policy
Discipline Policy
Fundraising Policy
Brand Integrity

Welcome New Faculty Members

We are excited to welcome the following new members to our faculty!

Emma Bachman-Johnson - Theology Teacher

Emma graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Theology from Catholic Distance University and also has studied under the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia at Aquinas College. Most recently, Emma worked as a long-term religion and physical education substitute at Mount Notre Dame. Emma's parents live in Lexington, Kentucky, and her sister lives in Missouri with her family. In her free time, Emma enjoys hiking, music, ultimate frisbee, cleaning, reading, line dancing, and dogs. Earlier in her life, Emma discerned religious life with the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia. Emma is most excited about the community culture at Fenwick.

Kyle Callahan - Theology Teacher

Kyle earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Earlham College and a Master of Arts in Theological Studies from the University of Dayton. Kyle has been teaching for 26 years and has served as the DRE at his parish. Kyle is married with five children, four dogs, three cats, 16 chickens, and two turkeys. In his free time, Kyle enjoys reading (especially horror!) and camping. Kyle is excited about Fenwick's reputation and atmosphere.

Breanna Kodros - Intervention Specialist

Breanna earned her degree at Miami University and is a Fenwick alum (class of 2009). She began her career at St. Clement before moving to St. Aloysius and then Mother Teresa Catholic Elementary School. Breanna is the youngest of five children and has four nephews. In her free time, she enjoys football, reading, puzzling, and binge-watching shows. Breanna is excited to be a part of the amazing Fenwick community again and helping students navigate high school and beyond.

Nic Kovatch - Theology Teacher

Nic graduated from Holy Cross College and then received his master's degree from Notre Dame. For the past six years, Nic has worked in Campus Ministry at Wright State University. Prior to that, he worked at Cathedral High School and as Pastoral Associate at St. James Parish. Nic is married with four children. In his free time, Nic enjoys puzzles, movies, board games, and running. Nic is excited to be a part of a school family.

Keith Rucker - Full-Time Building Sub

Keith graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University and has his master's degree in athletic administration. After college, Keith played in the NFL for eight years. After his playing career, he taught and coached at the high school level for 12 years. For the past 11 years, he coached collegiate football at Ohio Wesleyan University, Capital University, and Denison University. Keith is married with five children, and his last two children are Falcons! His youngest child is now a junior at Fenwick. Keith is the youngest of eight children and was born in Mississippi. In his free time, he enjoys watching movies, playing sports, and being at his lake house. Keith is excited to help Fenwick students and to spend time with his son at Fenwick.

2023 Back to School Bash

A First Day of School Like No Other!

Wednesday, August 16, 2023

On Wednesday, all students should report to their Flock Block classroom by 8:20 a.m.

Students should bring a sack picnic lunch and put it in their locker prior to reporting to flock block. Students should also bring a water bottle and sunscreen.

Students will need their backpack for collecting books/materials during the day.

This will be an out of uniform spirit day—students are asked to wear active wear, including Fenwick spirit items, following the out of uniform guidelines in the handbook. Plan to be both inside and outside during the day. Gym shoes should be worn.

Agenda

8:20 — Report to Flock Block Classrooms
8:25 — Tardy Bell / Opening Prayer and Announcements
8:35 — Students will go through their class schedule, meet their teachers, and learn what is needed the first day of class
10:55 — Opening All School Mass / Discussion on expectations for a great year
12:15 — Picnic Lunch (students bring sack lunch)
1:00 — Flock Block Competitions
2:30 — All School Assembly
3:00 — Dismissal

School Parking Lot Safety

During the school day, we use a traffic pattern on campus which has been recommended by Middletown Police as the safest pattern for entry and exit to the campus. From 6:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m., the main driveway on the west side of campus is for ENTRY ONLY to the campus. With added turn lanes at this driveway, it has been found less safe for drivers to exit through this driveway during high traffic times. For this reason, the driveway on the east side of the campus should be used for all vehicle traffic exit through 3:30 p.m. on school days.

From 7:40-8:20 a.m., the only door to the building that will be unlocked for student entry is the performing arts hallway door on the back of the building. All students should enter this door by 8:20 a.m. so they are in their first block class for the start of the day at 8:25 a.m. This door will be locked at 8:20 a.m. and for the remainder of the day, the only point of entry for students will by buzzing in through the front doors of the school and signing in at the office. Please see the handbook for policies regarding attendance, including consequences for accumulated tardies.

At dismissal, students will be permitted to exit from both the front and back doors of the building. We have coordinated with Middletown Police to determine the safest possible routine for the end of the day. Only school busses will pick up students in the front of school. All other vehicles should pick up students in the parking lots on the western side of the building. Those picking up students are asked to form lines while leaving a lane for moving vehicles at all times. Please do not block the driveway. All vehicles will exit through the exit-only driveway on the east side of campus. Please see the graphic below:

EdChoice News

The State of Ohio recently passed House Bill 33 which means all Ohio Students are now eligible for a full or reduced EdChoice Scholarship. Please refer to the July 17th and July 21st issues of the Fenwick Features for information.

EdChoice Update – Important New Information

The State of Ohio just released an EdChoice Income Verification Helpful Tips Guide. New for 23/24: Students’ applications will not be reviewed until the Department of Education has received both the application and all income verification documents.

The State of Ohio recently announced that adult children between the ages of 18-22 living at home and are full time students, can now be added as a household member. Currently the system will not allow the students to be added like other family members. Instructions to add the student to the Income Verification portal can be found here.

Applications submitted on or before October 14th, 2023, will be awarded the full scholarship amount the student is eligible to receive based on the household’s federal poverty level. Applications submitted after October 14th, 2023, will be awarded at a prorated amount based on how much of the school year remains after the date of the student’s enrollment in the private school. Please submit your application to Fenwick by 5:00 p.m. Friday October 6th to guarantee it will be submitted to the State of Ohio by the October 14th deadline.

Award Letters and Scholarship Acceptance Forms are being mailed by the State of Ohio to families that submitted EdChoice applications before July 1st. The Acceptance Form needs to be completed and returned to Marla Wagner at Fenwick. It can be emailed, mailed, or dropped off at the Main Office.

EdChoice Reminders

Families new to the EdChoice Expansion program must have their income verified. When completing the EdChoice application check the “Yes” box on page 2. Income verification is used to determine the scholarship amount to be awarded by the State of Ohio based upon the Scholarship Eligibility Chart. It is the responsibility of the families to monitor the progress of the income verification in the parent portal. If you have technical issues, please contact the State of Ohio directly as Fenwick staff do not have access to parent portals.

Families who are applying for the EdChoice program need to follow the State of Ohio guidelines for proof of residency. Submitting applications without proof of residency or providing inadequate documents will hold up your application. Please refer to the EdChoice Acceptable Proof of Address guide when submitting your application to Fenwick.

Campus Updates

Falcons Landing

We are so excited to unveil Falcons Landing, a new multi-use outdoor space located outside the cafeteria!