We hope you enjoy the Irish Insider. For consideration in future editions, please email info@stcathschool.com by 12pm Monday for the Wednesday edition.

Thoughts with Mr. Watts

As we navigate the last 6 days of school in 2020, we have to be proud of the obstacles we have overcome as a school community. This year has been undoubtedly difficult for all of us, especially around the holidays.

Please know how grateful I am for the sacrifices our staff and families have made to give our students the best opportunity to succeed.

When God needed to save the world, he called on a family to do so. Never underestimate the power of your own family to change the world.

If anyone in your household would have a Positive COVID-19 test result, you must notify Mr. Watts by calling (614) 949-7713 as soon as possible, 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.

We are required to post positive cases of students and staff on our website weekly. This data, along with other COVID-19 updates can be found at http://stcatharineschool.com/parents/covid-19/. Currently, we have 0 active cases and 3 cumulative cases with students and staff. (As of 12.7)

When to Keep Your Child Home (Updated 10.9)- This is a great reference for you to print and keep handy. You can also find a copy in Backpack Express

The CDC has recently updated their recommended quarantine calendar to 10 days after the date of exposure. These recommendations had be accepted by the State, County, and then Local Public Health Departments in order to be implemented.

Today, Columbus Public Health sent out their recommendations of reducing the total days for quarantine from 14 to 10 days from the date of exposure. Click this link for a generic letter explaining the procedures and sample calendar with four separate scenarios.

Due to the overwhelming number of cases for CPH, St. Catharine School will now determine the return date of the student using the CDC Guidelines.

Students will need to quarantine if…

Their family travels to a state with a 15% or more positive COVID-19 rate. Please refer to this website for an updated list of states that fit in this category and for more information.

If anyone in the household has tested positive for COVID-19.

If anyone in the household has knowingly been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 and they are showing symptoms of COVID-19.

If anyone in the household is waiting on the results of a COVID-19 Test

rhazel@cdeducation.org

614-725-1977 school cafeteria phone line

614-477-3000 cell  

*this government program could end sooner

Wreaths, door sprays, balsam fir garland, centerpieces and mini-trees are all STILL available for home delivery anywhere in the country!

Visit https://giftitforward.com.

Enter our school's fundraising code: STCATOH001 and the name of your student(s) as the referring member.

Make your selections and support our school! St. Catharine receives $8 for each product purchased through the Gift It Forward program.

Contact Emily McFadden at emilymarieklein@gmail.com with questions.

Our current families enrollment period had begun and all current family registration will be due by Wednesday, December 16. Registration priority goes to families with students already attending our K-8 program. You should have received a registration form (St Catharine School Enrollment Agreement on the back)in the book bag of your youngest or only child. You can also print a copy below:

The following forms and a $100 deposit ( will be deducted from 21-22 tuition) are due in the school office by Wednesday, December 16

On Monday, January 11 at 8am, we will be opening up registration to our parishioners without students in our school. We are expecting another amazing year(21-22) for our Kindergarten program ( and a few other grades!) and we will not be able to hold spots for families that did not register during our current families registration period. Please do not hesitate.

On Monday, January 25 at 8am we will begin accepting registration from Catholics from other parishes and non-Catholic families.

If you have any questions about registration priority, please visit our website

Unfortunately, due to lack of participation, we will no longer be offering afternoon latchkey. We will continue morning and mid-day latchkey for the foreseeable future. 

Registration is available by clicking on this link: http://stcatharineschool.com/parents/latchkey/

So, if our biggest obstacle in avoiding shifting to remote learning is staff shortages, the most impactful way we can overcome these challenges is to increase the availability of substitute teachers. If you are willing and able to serve our school community, have a direct impact on student learning, and actively help navigate St. Catharine safely through this pandemic; please contact me directly at mwatts1@cdeducation.org. We will pay for FBI/ BCI Fingerprinting. Full-Day and Half-Day positions are available.  

Candidates must have current BCI and FBI background checks (less than one year old), which are sent electronically to the Diocese or on file at the Ohio Department of Education, attend a VIRTUS Protecting God’s Children training (they are available online), and complete the online substitute teaching application for the Diocese of Columbus.

Please contact me directly at mwatts1@columbuscatholic.org with questions or to express interest.

St. Catharine School is seeking a part-time cafeteria assistant to start immediately. Hours are flexible and up to 30 hours per week.

Candidates must have current BCI and FBI background checks (less than one year old), which are sent electronically to the Diocese or on file at the Ohio Department of Education and attend a VIRTUS Protecting God’s Children training (they are available online).

Please contact Mark Watts directly at mwatts1@cdeducation.org with questions or to express interest.

It’s that time to send in your Kroger rewards info. Please fill out the google doc by clicking Kroger Report Button below

Thank you,

Alli Brinkmeyer

Current Scrip INVENTORY:

AVAILABLE TODAY:

$10 Amazon- 10

$25 Amazon- 4

$10 Tim Hortons-3

$10 Wendy’s -2

$10 chipotle- 5

$10 Target -10

$25 Target- 4

$5 Starbucks- 15

$10 Starbucks- 10

$100 Meijer- 5

$25 Meijer- 3

$100 Kohl’s- 3

$25-Giant Eagle- 4

$100- Giant Eagle- 10

$5 Panera- 5

$25 Speedway- 4

$25- TAT- 8

You can presto pay, write a check or cash.

It all goes into your tuition savings. BEST part....you can pickup today.

E-gift cards and Reloads can be done at anytime through the website or app (RaiseRight).

Do you have questions about saving money on your 2021-22 tuition? Reach out to Alli Brinkmeyer at stcatharinetrip@yahoo.com or 614.214.5428 with all your SCRIP questions and to get started or check out our TRIP/SCRIP page on our website

Join us on Thursday, December 17th (10am to 9pm) to show Jersey Mike’s ( 2840 East Main Street) in Bexley the love that they have always shown us!! Please place a carry out order or a delivery order to say 

November 18, 2020

After much discussion and consultation with Pastors, elementary school principals, coaches, parents and the DRA Board, the decision has been made to postpone the start of the DRA basketball season until January.

With the recent developments and the precautions that are being taken by the state, we believe we are acting out of the best interest and safety of the children, their classmates and their families.

As of today, all practices and games are to be postponed. This also includes open gyms. A new DRA basketball timeline will be coming later this week. We are hopeful that the start of the DRA basketball games will begin the weekend of Jan. 16/17. This also includes the CYO programs.

Remember, this is a postponement, not a cancellation. The hope and plan of the DRA is to have a season in January and February. We will continue to monitor the situation and make changes as needed. Please stay safe, wear those masks and socially distance.

God Bless You,

Marty Raines—Director Office of Recreation

Adam Dufault—Episcopal Moderator for Education; Superintendent of Catholic Schools

Julius Palazzo—Boys’ Commissioner

David Oddi—Assistant Boys’ Commissioner

Mike Matthews—Assistant Girls’ Commissioner

The DRA Board of Directors

Ray and Mandy DeWeese have given much time and talent to help lead our girls lacrosse program at St. Catharine. They have decided that it is time to pass on the torch. If you have an interest in being the commissioner of our girls lacrosse program , please contact Mandy at deweesefam6@gmail.com. Ray and Mandy would be an integral part of the transition this spring.

The Lindy Infante Scholarship Foundation helps families who need assistance paying for Diocesan athletic fees. Please fill out the application and send to:

Marty Raines

Diocesan Recreation Association

197 E. Gay St.

Columbus, Ohio 43215

Commissioners needed

Please contact PJ Keiffer with any questions at 614-668-0134 or email, pkeiffer@gmail.com