Wednesday Herald

January 31, 2024

Spelling Bee- Congratulations, Evie Steffen!

Congratulations to the 2024 Guardian Angels Spelling Bee winner, Evie Steffen; runners-up, Maren Hannahan and Ella Nappi; as well as all the participants who competed in the school competition! This annual event allows students to demonstrate their knowledge of many complex spelling words, patterns, and rules. Evie will take an online test at school and the results will determine if she qualifies to compete at the Ohio Regional Spelling Bee.

Preorder Lunch Request

Frequently, we come close to running out of the hot entrees for our last lunch period of the day, kindergarten and 1st grade. It's hard to estimate how much food we need to have available because so few parents pre-order lunch. Last Thursday, for example, we only had 230 slices pre-ordered, but we sold over 500 slices of pizza! This is an issue every day, not just on pizza day. Please remember to preorder your child's lunch so that we are appropriately prepared in the cafeteria.

Catholic Education Foundation Tuition Assistance Scholarships

The Catholic Education Foundation for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati (CEF) is offering tuition assistance scholarships for the 2024-2025 school year. Scholarships are available for preschool through 8th grade students. Any family not scheduled to receive the full EdChoice scholarship amount for next school year should apply for assistance through this portal. This is the same portal that Guardian Angels also uses to determine award amounts using our school/parish funds. Many families did not receive the full EdChoice scholarship amount due to family income being too high or they are accepting funds through the Jon Peterson Scholarship. The CEF, along with GA funds, can be used to assist these families. This will especially help to assist those families who are losing the multiple-child discount for next year. Again, please apply for the CEF scholarship if you are not scheduled to receive the full EdChoice scholarship amount for next year. The deadline to apply is February 25.  

Elementary CEF Funds: Scholarships are available for preschool-8th grade. To apply, families will need to fully complete a FACTS Grant and Aid application by inputting financial information (income, assets, and household income). FACTS then uses an internally built calculation to determine financial need based on the family's ability to pay.

Welcome Scholarship: Offered to preschool-8th grade students in their first year attending Catholic school. Recipient must be the first child in their family to attend Catholic school. For more information, click here.

FACTS applications may be completed now and are due February 25th. Click here to learn more about the scholarships available and to apply.

2024 Catholic Schools Week Jan. 28th - Feb. 2nd

Catholic Schools Week is January 28-February 2. We have many fun things planned for the week to celebrate our Catholic Identity. Due to the snow day last week, the 100^th day of school will be moved to Monday, February 5th. The out of uniform theme for the day has been changed to "Wild West Wednesday." Break out your cowboy hat and boots and saddle up for a rootin'-tootin' good time! Please click here to see the theme and details for each day.

St. Gregory the Great Summer Activities and Camp Gaudeo Update

Please see the attached document for important updates about Camp Gaudeo and summer activities available for our incoming 5th-8th graders.

Vacation Bible School June 17th-20th

The St. Gregory the Great Vacation Bible School is June 17th-20th from 9 am to 12 pm. for students entering kindergarten through 4th grade. Plunge Beneath

the Waves to Forge a Mighty Faith! Children will go on a thrilling underwater journey, where they can dive into the unceasing, boundless love of God. At Scuba VBS, kids will submerge themselves in the Scriptures and uncover the true essence of the living waters! For more information, click here.

Camp will be held at IHM due to renovations at Guardian Angels this summer. To register, please click here. To submit payment, please click here.

Specials Photos for Yearbook February 7th

Lifetouch will be at Guardian Angels on Wednesday, February 7th to take photos for the yearbook of the students who are in extracurricular activities. 

U Sports Moving Sale

Below is a message from U Sports, announcing a 15% off Moving Sale and update on their operations. Use code SPRING15. Sale ends 2/12.

A special thanks to the Guardian Angels community for your support and business over the years! We have quadrupled our business! Like many retailers, U Sports’ growth has been principally driven through the efforts of our sales representatives and our online business. Today, the U Sports on-line business represents over 90% of our total revenue, which is why we have elected to consolidate our customer service and production facility.

We realize this transition will be an adjustment for our local customers, many of whom have become accustomed to utilizing our retail location for order pick-up; please trust that are working diligently to make this transition as smooth as possible (via direct shipping, school deliveries, or via order pick-up at our Milford warehouse on Monday through Friday from 10 to 4).

We are truly excited about our next chapter at U Sports, and we believe the synergies of consolidating our customer service and warehouse locations will enhance the U Sports experience for our wonderfully loyal customers!

Get Creative! With Mrs. Pavely: After-school Art Enrichment Classes

Cafeteria Volunteers Needed

We are in need of helpful hands to keep an eye on our students in grades K-8 during lunch for the second half of the school year! Please consider sharing a small part of your day to assist. All volunteers must be SafeParish trained. If you are interested, please sign up!

8th Grade Fundraiser: Save the Date

Save the Date: Grandparent's Day

Penny Wars

Start saving those coins! Our annual Penny Wars is coming up during CSW, Tuesday 1/30-Thursday 2/1. Daily prizes and winning overall grade level to receive Chick-fil-A lunch! 

Volunteers are needed each morning to help direct students to appropriate grade areas and to tally points. To volunteer, click here. Questions: contact Molly McCall.

Do Your Angels Need Any GA uniform items? 

Used Uniform Shopping will be in the PTA room on Friday, February 23rd during the Fish Fry. The PTA Room is located in Conference Room A next to the cafeteria near the elevator.

Do you have any GA uniform items you are looking to rehome?

PTA is currently accepting any school uniform shirts, fleece, sweatshirts, jumpers and shorts or pants that are in good condition.

We are only accepting current uniform policy skirts.

Donations can be dropped off in the box outside the school office until 2/22. Or brought to the PTA Room the night of the Fish Fry 2/23.

We ask that donated items not be overly-faded, pilled, torn, stained or dirty. We also request that items have the current GA logo only.

If you have any questions, you can reach out to Becky at becky.tiefenbach@gmail.com.

Register for GA Dodgeball Tourney

Come join us for on Saturday, March 9th from 7-11 pm for a fun evening of spirited competition at GA’s Annual Dodgeball Competition. Hang out with friends and meet new ones!

Teams will be co-ed and randomly assigned (this ensures even teams and encourages meeting new people). The tournament is open to all – ADULTS ONLY. Come watch if you don’t want to play – Spectators are welcome and encouraged! Help support the Athletic Boosters.

Prices:

$60 to play, $30 to watch

Music, food, beverages and lots of fun are all included.

Purchase tickets here.

Deadline to register to play is Sunday, February 25th.

Please contact Bobby Stenger (rcstenger@cinmine.com), Jeremiah Badell (jeremiahbadell@gmail.com), or Chad Linz (Clinz1086@gmail.com) with questions.

Spring Soccer Registration

Guardian Angels Boosters are excited about the opening of registration for our Co-ed & GA Spring Girls and Boys Soccer program, starting practices in March through end of May.

We continue to offer two leagues based on age and skill level.

• Guardian Angels CO-ED Soccer: For our Pre-K and Kindergarten players we offer our own Guardian Angels Co-Ed league, where practice and a game are held during the same hour on Friday nights on our GA field. It is an instructional league and best serves those new and still learning the game. 
• SAY East Guardian Angels Soccer: Open to 1st - 8th grade students. The SAY Divisions are based on a player’s age as of July 31 in the current year, not the grade. Passers (age 6-7), Wings (age 8-9), The Strikers (age 10-11), and Kickers (age 12-13).  

The Spring Season runs from late March/early April to the end of May (8 games). Time commitment will be 1 to 2 practices a week (younger grades 1 practice, older grades potentially 2 practices) held at Guardian Angels during the week, with games on Saturdays (Typically Morning’s and early afternoons) and Sunday’s (Early and later afternoon). All players will need shoes, shin guards and are encouraged to bring water and their own soccer ball. If interested, please sign your son or daughter up on our Guardian Angels registration site. Rosters are due by 2/27. Sign up then to ensure a spot on a roster, and we'll see you in the spring!

Track and Field Registration is Open

Guardian Angels Boosters are excited to announce that registration is now open for the upcoming third year of our current Track and Field program!

Last spring marked the first annual Guardian Angels Invitational K-6th grade and the response was so overwhelmingly positive that the CYO Track league awarded GA a 7th and 8th grade meet as well!! We also installed a Track and Field record board in the Main PC Gym at GA! Registration is now open, please click here to register!

GA will sponsor track teams this spring season that will last from March to mid-May. Boys and girls from grades K through 8 are invited to join and compete in various sprints, distance, relays and field events. The teams are K-2nd (co-ed), with separate boys' and girls' teams in 3rd & 4th, 5th & 6th, and 7th & 8th grade age groups. Different ages compete in different events including, 50m, 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m runs, 4x100, 4x200, 4x400 relays and High Jump, Long Jump, Shot Put (softball throw for K-2nd) & Discus. There is something for everyone! Time commitment will be 1 to 2 practices a week (younger grades 1 practice, older grades 2 practices) held at Nagel Middle School, with 7 meets that last about 2 hours on Saturdays (K-6th), and 7-8th grade meets are held on Friday evenings. Please see the meet schedule here.

Playing another sport such as baseball, volleyball or soccer? No problem! This is a growing program — we are flexible about attendance and can work around other sports. We had many athletes last year that play on top club teams that still made track work in their schedules and we were happy to have them! We welcome all athletes to make as many practices or meets as they can. We encourage multi-sport athletes, as track will make your child quicker, faster and more explosive for all other sports!

Our Fish Fry Returns February 16th

Our Drive-Thru Fish Fry is back and open Fridays throughout Lent. There is no fish fry on Good Friday. The full menu available is found on our parish website.

We will also have a dine-in option in the undercroft.

Everyone will enter the parking lot from Brachman.

• If you plan to park and dine-in the undercroft, pull into the first entrance on the left.
• If you plan to go through the drive-thru, pull in the second entrance on the left.

A map is attached to see how the parking lot will be laid out during fish fry.

Children must be accompanied at all times. The playground and basketball hoops will be closed during these events due to the drive-thru line wrapping through the parking lot.

Second St. Gregory the Great Townhall Meeting

On Thursday evening, February 15th from 7-8:30 pm, the Pastoral Council of the Saint Gregory of Great Family of Parishes will host an important information event to share news about the creation of our unified family of parishes. Come and learn about the determination of our Mass schedule, the formation of our Family Leadership Team, the role of the Pastoral Council in parish guidance, and the distribution of resources among parish ministries. A question-and-answer period will follow.

Date: Thursday, February 15th

Time: 7:00-8:30 pm

Location: Immaculate Heart of Mary (Location: TBD)

Volunteers Needed for Fish Fry

We are in the process of finalizing plans for our 2024 Fish Fry Events. Keep an eye out on upcoming bulletins and the Parish website for more information. If you would like to volunteer, please reach out to Marianne Glassmeyer at mglassmeyer@outlook.com.  

Children's Liturgy of the Word

Children’s Liturgy of the Word is back at Guardian Angels Parish 10 a.m. Mass on the third Sunday of every month. This ministry relies on the support of volunteers to serve our parish. Two adults and 4 teenage volunteers are needed each month. To sign up, click here.

Greeters and Gift Bearers Needed

Greeters and gift bearers are needed for all 3 weekend Masses. Please consider helping out in these important ministries! This helps the ushers prepare for Mass and not have to scramble to find gift bearers at the last minute. To sign up, click here. 

Young Men's Faith and Fellowship

When: Upcoming meetings are 2/5 and 2/19 from 8-9 p.m.

Where: Guardian Angels Catholic Church in Room B in the undercroft or by zoom 

Age: 20s - 40s 

Join together in brotherhood with other men to grow in virtue and faith. This winter, we will be using a program called Happiness and the Meaning of Life from the World on Fire Institute. Contact the group at mensfaith@gaparish.org to join our email distribution list, receive more information, or to join via Zoom.

Young Women's Faith and Fellowship

When: 2nd and 4th Wednesday every month from 8-9 pm. Upcoming dates are 2/7 and 3/27.

Where: Guardian Angels Church in Room B in the undercroft

Age: 20s - 40s

Join together with other women to expand your Catholic faith and build meaningful relationships as we dive into various faith studies from the Blessed is She, Rooted devotional. No prior knowledge or materials needed; come as you are! Contact the group at womensfaith@gaparish.org for more information.  

Fathers Team

Each Friday, Fathers Team will be meeting for Fathers Team "Lite” which consists of review and discussion of the upcoming Sunday's scripture readings. All GA fathers are invited to join in person in the Undercroft (Conference Room B), or by Zoom, this Friday at 6:05 a.m. Contact us at GAfathersteam@gmail.com for the zoom information, or to get on the GA Fathers Team email distribution.

School Masses

You can find a full schedule of school Masses on the calendar in Rediker. We will be livestreaming all of the All School Masses through GA’s YouTube channel. 

Cookie Ministry

Guardian Angels School Cookie Ministry teams up with the Parish Peanut Butter group to feed families in need. The Peanut Butter group makes 1,500 peanut butter and bologna sandwiches. GA students donate cookies. St. Francis Seraph Church in Over-the-Rhine gives the food to families in need. 

Students are asked to bring in two dozen cookies, brownies, or rice krispie bars on their classroom's designated day. Treats need to be bagged, with two treats per bag. Donations of juice boxes and prepackaged snacks are also needed. All pre-k classes are responsible for the next donation on Monday, February 5th. A complete schedule for the school year is attached. 

Attendance Line

If your child will be absent or late to school, please call the main school office by 8:00 a.m. each morning. All parents needing to report their child absent or late to school should call using the main school phone number (513) 624-3141.

Box Tops For Education

The Guardian Angels PTA collects Box Tops and uses the funds earned to purchase indoor recess games and outdoor recess equipment. Box Tops is now on a digital platform. To participate, you’ll need to download the Box Tops App and scan your grocery receipt within 14 days of purchase. You’ll find more information here.

Kroger Community Rewards

Have you signed up for Kroger Community Rewards and designated GA as your beneficiary? The more families who register, the more money our school receives through the program. Kroger Community Rewards offers a great way for you to support our school's technology fund and you don't have to spend a penny. You can search for GA or use our NPO number, 80200. The amount Guardian Angels receives depends on the points our supporters rack up while grocery shopping.

Bulletin Advertising Available

Our bulletin publisher is looking for new advertisers and sponsors. Thanks to our sponsors, the bulletin is published weekly at no cost to our parish. Please consider purchasing an ad. Your ad and participation make the bulletin successful, and you attract customers! If interested, please email Sherry Montel or call/text her at 614-301-7444.

Advertisements and sponsorships can be purchased for a business, family, charity, in Honor or in Memory of a Loved One, or to support the church or a community service organization, such as Big Brothers/Big Sisters. We appreciate your support.

Stay connected to GA through the following social media platforms:

Helpful Links

If you have news to share with our community, please send it in through the link above labeled Send In News For The Herald. Information is due on Friday; the week before you would like the news to be included in our newsletter.

GUARDIAN ANGELS SCHOOL

513.624.3141

GASCHOOL.ORG