Parent Edition
June 3, 2021
COVID-19 Vaccine
If your child has received, or plans to receive, the COVID-19 vaccine, please email a photo of the vaccine card to the school nurse at sdeluca@yorkcatholic.org.

Having this information on file will eliminate the need for the student to quarantine next school year if they are identified as a close contact to someone who has contracted COVID-19.
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 2020 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:


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.
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! 
Summer Office Hours



Regular summer office hours are Monday through Thursday from 8 AM-3 PM.


Congratulations
PA Science Fair
Congratulations to freshman Grace Rapp for winning First Place in the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science state science fair competition for her project, “The Ability of Copper to Inhibit Bacteria Growth.” The PJAS fair participants were asked to create a presentation that not only looked at the scientific thought, research, and process of the project, but they were also asked to explain the concepts, the rationale of their hypothesis, and their data. Congratulations Grace!
Student Council Executive Board
Congratulations to the Student Council Executive Board for the 2021-22 school year (left to right): President - Mairin Landis, Vice President - Nate Gingerich, Secretary - Tim Ventura, Treasurer - Ali Barta.
Congratulations Drum Majors
Congratulations to the newly elected Christopher Gick (left) as Junior Drum Major who joins Senior Drum Major Nate Gingerich (right) to lead the 2021-2022 YC Marching Band!
Medical Paperwork Needed
Immunizations
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has established school immunization requirements for all students.  The regulations are intended to ensure that children attending school in PA are adequately protected against potential outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases.  A child must have the required medically-appropriate vaccines or a plan to complete those vaccines or risk exclusion from school. 

Children in grades 7-12 need the following immunizations for attendance:

  • 4 doses of tetanus * (1 dose on or after 4th birthday)
  • 4 doses of diphtheria* (1 dose on or after 4th birthday)
  • 4 doses of acellular pertussis* (1 dose on or after 4th birthday)
  • 4 doses of polio (4th dose on or after 4th birthday and at least 6 months after previous dose given)
  • 2 doses of measles, mumps, and rubella (usually given as MMR)
  • 3 doses of hepatitis B
  • 2 doses of varicella (chickenpox) or evidence of immunity
  • 2 doses meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV)
  • 1st dose is given 11-15 years of age; a 2nd dose is required at age 16 or entry into 12th grade.
  • If the dose was given at 16 years of age or older, only one dose is required.
  • 1 dose of tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis (Tdap) – age 11 or older

*   Usually given as DTaP or DTP or DT or Td

RETURNING STUDENTS
If you submitted doctor’s documentation of the administration of these vaccines previously to the York Catholic nurse, you do not need to repeat this step unless an additional booster or immunization is needed or has been given in the past year. Students entering grades 10, 11, & 12 – please note the dose requirements for the MCV vaccine. If your child has received the COVID-19 vaccine, please share a copy of the vaccine card so they can be removed from the potential quarantine list of close contacts.
 
NEW STUDENTS
All new students must submit doctor’s documentation of the dates the above doses were administered to the York Catholic nurse.  If any of the required immunizations will not be given by August 18, 2021, please click here for the PLAN form to detail the dates the immunizations are scheduled to be given. If your child has received the COVID-19 vaccine, please share a copy of the vaccine card so they can be removed from the potential quarantine list of close contacts.
 
Under Pennsylvania state law, students without the required immunizations or a plan with scheduled dates of administration on file, cannot be admitted to school.
 
If you have any questions, please contact Sarah DeLuca, York Catholic nurse, at 717-846-8871 x321 or sdeluca@yorkcatholic.org or consult the PA Department of Health website at https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/programs/immunizations/Pages/School.aspx.

Incoming 11th Grade Physicals
The School Health Law of Pennsylvania requires that all children must have a medical examination upon entry into grade 11.  A medical examination is also required for those children who have transferred to York into any grade from other states or from other Pennsylvania areas and who have not sent records of previous examinations.  Please click here for the School Physical Form to be completed by a private physician.  Return the form to the school nurse no later than August 18.  Any student who does not return this form will receive a medical examination by a school physician.  

Incoming 7th Grade Dentals
The School Health Law of Pennsylvania requires that children receive a dental examination upon entry into grade 7.  Please click here for the School Dental Form to be completed by a private dentist.  Return the form to the school nurse no later than August 18.  Any student who does not return this form will receive a medical examination by a school dentist. 
Rising Seniors' Pictures
Each year YC enters into a contract with a professional photographer, Prestige Portraits by Lifetouch, for the senior pictures appearing in our yearbook, ROSA MYSTICA. All senior yearbook photos must be taken by Prestige Portraits by Lifetouch. Pictures from any other photographer cannot be accepted for the yearbook. Junior parents will be receiving mailed information from Prestige Portraits by Lifetouch with instructions regarding guidelines and the scheduled date and time of your student’s senior picture at York Catholic (June 14 and 21). Please arrive prior to your scheduled appointment so you are ready for your assigned time. If you did not receive a postcard, please call Lifetouch at 1-800-445-1189.

Every senior must get their picture taken, however, seniors are under no obligation to purchase the photo. If desired, students can purchase yearbook photo packages from Lifetouch. Lifetouch contributes a portion of package purchases back to York Catholic.
 
Please observe the following guidelines regarding appearance for photos. All gentlemen must be clean shaven and wear a dress shirt, tie, and sport coat or suit jacket. Hair must be regulation length. No piercings are allowed. Ladies will be provided with a black shoulder drape for photos. Only necklaces and earrings are allowed for the yearbook picture of the young women. Hair must be of a natural color. No facial jewelry is permitted. Please reference pages 16-20 of the Student Handbook for further clarification.  
 
If you have any questions, please contact Lifetouch at 1-800-445-1189.
Lunch Accounts
Students - Grades 7-11
Any lunch account with a remaining balance at the end of the school year will roll-over to the next school year.

Students - Grade 12
Seniors with current YC siblings - account balances will be transferred to the sibling's account.

Seniors with no current YC siblings - any balance above $5 will be transferred to any outstanding tuition. If there is no outstanding tuition, a check in the parent's name will be mailed to the home address.

Seniors: Be sure you have turned off the Auto-Refill from your online Lunch Account.
Bus Transportation
If you have not received your bus transportation information from the school district where you live, please click on the link below to print and complete your form. Please mail your form to the school district where you reside no later than June 11


YC Nights at FlynnO'Hara




FlynnO'Hara, our official provider of school uniforms, welcomes York Catholic School's families for a uniform shopping event on July 8 or July 15. The staff will be available to measure students, answer questions about the uniform, and help you shop for the upcoming school year. Appoint times are required. Please click below to schedule an appointment.
Uniform Exchange

York Catholic hosts a uniform exchange to assist students who need financial assistance with uniforms. The uniform exchange will be available for trades and purchases on Wednesday, June 23, from 4-6 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. 
Summer Reading & Math Assignments
Students are reminded their Summer Reading and Math assignments are due Friday, August 27.  Each current student has received information regarding their assignments.  The assignments are also available on the YC website at www.yorkcatholic.org on the Forms & Documents page in the Course Related section.
Shakespeare & Star Wars


Join Mrs. Henson on a journey through a galaxy far, far away as she guides you through the intersection of Shakespeare and Sarlaccs. The Summer Shakespeare Seminar 2021: Shakespeare and Star Wars will polish your acting, elocution, and analysis with this fun, free, five-day affair July 26-30 from 12-2:30 PM. This is open to rising 10th, 11th, and 12th graders. To register, email Mrs. Henson at chenson@yorkcatholic.org.

College Prep this Summer
This spring, juniors (now rising seniors!) met with Mrs. Phillips on Zoom to create college, technical school, and military online searches and review information through SCOIR and the College Board website. This summer is an ideal time for students to check out the virtual tours of colleges of interest through the SCOIR portal (YouVisit tours), through each college's website, or directly with YouVisit tours at https://www.youvisit.com/collegesearch/.  
 
Summer is a great time for students to begin the application process as well. The preferred methods of application are the Common Application or the college's own application which normally open by August 1. Students should be sure to add their preferred colleges to their SCOIR portal in the My Colleges section. Please be attentive to each college's checklist of required documents and allow ample time to request and submit the information.  
 
Students needing transcripts should adhere to the 2 week minimum request requirement during summer months. Requests should be submitted to the Main Office, attention Mrs. Gick or email Mrs Gick at sgick@yorkcatholic.org. Transcript Release Forms are available on the website in the Forms & Documents section. Please complete the digitized version online and email a copy to Mrs. Gick. If letters of recommendation are to be mailed with the transcript please indicate this in the area provided on the form. Include summer contact information on the form in the event of questions or clarifications. There are no transcript fees charged to current students.
Final Transcripts for Seniors
Final report cards for graduating seniors will be available for viewing in Vision on June 4. Seniors will be happy to know that no transcript release form is needed for final transcripts. We will automatically send your final transcript to the college you indicated on your senior survey (According to York Catholic School Board policy, final transcripts cannot be released until all books are returned and outstanding tuition and fees are paid in full). If you have changed your mind about your college selection, please notify us immediately.

The timetable for final transcripts is as follows...since this is your permanent high school document moving forward, each senior final transcript is reviewed for accuracy with all elements. The Academic/Studies Office is working on this task at this time. The final transcripts will be submitted electronically through either Common Application, SCOIR, or directly to your college’s Admissions Office via email. The method will depend on your application process with the college you are attending. It will take some time to submit all of the transcripts, but we anticipate the process will be complete by June 11 for seniors who completed all academic requirements by May 18, 2021. Both Mrs. Phillips and Ms. Dill will be submitting the final transcripts individually to each college.  Athlete transcripts for Division I and Division II schools will also be uploaded by Friday, June 11, to the NCAA website.
Playing a Fall Sport?

Fall Practices Open
Varsity football heat acclimation practice begins August 9 with all other Fall sports teams beginning practice on Monday, August 16. For exact practice times, contact the head coach or Josh Cross at jcross@yorkcatholic.org or 717-846-8871 x330.

Online Sports Paperwork 
Students wishing to participate in fall athletics during the 2021-22 school year must have the following paperwork filed online at PlanetHS.com no later than Wednesday, August 4, at 3 PM; no exceptions.
  • PIAA Physical Form
  • Athlete & Parent Agreement (last page of physical form)
  • ImPACT Test

If you have not previously played on a York Catholic athletic team, PlanetHS.com accounts must be set-up by each athlete and his or her parent. Please click here for the instructions on how to set-up an account. If you played on a York Catholic athletic team last year, you already have an existing account. Please use the same ID and password you used last year.  

Planet HS will update our forms on June 1. Please do not complete forms until June 1. ALL athletes must upload updated paperwork to be eligible to play during the 2021-22 school year. Doctors’ signatures must be dated AFTER June 1, 2021.
 
Click here to access the instructions for uploading information to PlanetHS.com. Students wishing to play a fall sport MUST verify the paperwork and ImPACT test are on file with Mr. Cross at jcross@yorkcatholic.org or 717-846-8871 x330 no later than Wednesday, August 4, at 3 PM.

Failure to complete the online paperwork by the deadline will mean the student will not be permitted to practice the first day of the season. For some sports, this could mean the student will not make the team.  

If you need technical assistance with PlanetHS, email schoolsupport@planeths.com.

Physicals
OSS Health is hosting sports physicals for fall athletes on June 12, and July 7 at their Powder Mill Rd York location. Please call 717-848-4800 to schedule an appointment; walk-ins cannot be accommodated. A parent or guardian should accompany the student-athlete. Cost is $15.  Please be sure to complete the medical information online at www.planeths.com before arriving and only print the 2 pages indicated for the doctor to review and complete. Please note the planeths website will be updated with the proper forms on June 1. Do not complete or print the forms prior to June 1. If you choose the June 1 physical date, it would be recommended to make your appointment in the afternoon to give you time to complete the paperwork that becomes available that morning.

Sports physicals may also be conducted by your private physician or at a local urgent care center, however, they must be dated AFTER June 1, 2021. Co-payments apply. 

Physicals must be completed and uploaded to www.planeths.com no later than August 4 at 3 PM. If you have any questions, please contact Josh Cross at jcross@yorkcatholic.org or 717-846-8871 x330.  
Irish Eye Archives



Previous issues of York Catholic's Irish Eye e-newsletter can be found on the home page of the YC website at www.yorkcatholic.org.