U.S. Department of Education National Blue Ribbon School
(2021, 2014, 2008)
WOLFHOUND WEDNESDAY
November 17, 2021
Thank you to our 5th and 6th graders for gifting Ms. Friesner with a collection of their favorite recipes for a wedding gift! Ms. Friesner got married this past weekend, and will return next week as Mrs. Zeller!
The O'Reilly Minute
Dear Parents,

We will gather together as a school family for Mass on Tuesday, November 23rd at 9:00 AM to praise the Lord and thank him for our many gifts as Thanksgiving Day approaches. Please plan to join us if your schedule allows.

Following Mass, students will enjoy our annual Thanksgiving Feast during their regularly scheduled lunch periods. The tradition of 8th grade students serving the delicious turkey meal is enjoyed by both the 8th grade and the younger students alike.  

Lost and Found: 
Our lost and found collection continues to grow! We have black PE jackets, school uniform sweaters, and several other personal belongings that need to be returned to their homes! We have been encouraging students to look through the items but a large number remain unclaimed.  

That being said, from now until November 24th, the Lost and Found table will be situated just inside the first set of double doors as you enter the school. Please stop by and look through the remaining items if you are missing something. Anything that remains unclaimed will be donated to the used uniform collection or Goodwill after November 24th.  

With gratitude,
Kathy O’Reilly  
Photo Newsletters: Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd Grades
Click the images below to view this week's photo newsletters and see what the classes have been up to.
Conference Sign Up Links
Click on your child's teacher below to sign up for a virtual parent-teacher conference.

Teachers will be emailing the Zoom links out prior to the conferences.
Advent Toy Collections
Are you ready to give?
Are you ready to help?
Are you ready to share?
Our toy drives start in 12 days!

The eighth grade students of the Saint Brigid of Kildare Class of 2022 are getting ready for an absolute avalanche of new and gently used toys to arrive here at school throughout the first three weeks of Advent! Packing boxes are stacked and labeled by age group, and our battery tester is ready to use. Now we just need the help of all of our amazing Wolfhound families!

Between November 29 - December 3, we are collecting new and gently used toys for the Delaware Common Ground Free Store. Their need is 500 items, and we are determined to meet our goal of 333 toys. Please see the link below to see the kinds of items that are needed/preferred.

Between December 6 - December 10, we are collecting new and gently used toys for Basement Blessings. They are expecting 200 families to come through their Christmas store, and we are again determined to meet our goal of 333 toys. The attached link also lists the items needed/preferred by Basement Blessings.

Our big finale will take place during December 13 - December 16, ending on Thursday of this last week. Our Lady of Guadalupe Center is a Catholic outreach organization that, quite honestly, is in desperate need of our help. They are requesting 60 new toys, and their request has been pared down to Lego or similar Megablox, teddy bears, and baby dolls, all suitable for ages 0-10. They had so hoped to be able to do more for their families, but the combination of COVID and volunteer shortages has greatly reduced what they will be able to provide. Please see the attached links for specific information on the needs of the Our Lady of Guadalupe Center.

Thank you all in advance for all that you are able to do. Let’s share our blessings!

PLEASE NOTE: Used toys and games must be clean, complete, and in a safe condition with no missing or broken parts. We cannot accept used board games, used puzzles, or used toys for infants and toddlers.
Alum Dotting the 'i' at OSU Game this Weekend
Saint Brigid of Kildare School alum Austin Hare (class of 2013, BWHS class of 2017, and son of kindergarten teacher Mrs. Hare) will be dotting the 'i' in Script Ohio this Saturday, November 20th at the Ohio State vs. Michigan State game! His family is grateful for his Catholic education, friends, and teachers that played important roles in helping him learn music, academics, faith, and life skills that helped him attain this goal.  

If you would like to see Austin practice dotting the 'i' before the game and join his family and friends in supporting him, he will be at the Skull Session (a pep rally-like event) before the game, beginning at 9:30 in St. John Arena. At the Skull Session, the band marches in followed by the football team, and the band then stays and plays for the crowd.  The event is free and all are welcome!

Austin also dotted the 'i' at the Akron game earlier this season!
Middle School Exam Schedule Announced
Our exam week for students in grades 7 and 8 has been scheduled for January. Exam week allows students to experience this kind of testing week prior to high school. Many of our alums have commented on how helpful this “warm-up experience” has been for them as they navigate their freshman year. Students will receive scope and study guides prior to Christmas break.
Christmas Gift Sign Up for Teachers & Staff
It's that time of year again and Home & School will be celebrating the amazing staff at St. Brigid with a fun holiday theme, treats and special goods each week in December. In another year full of craziness, we are even more thankful for our caring and giving teachers and staff! Please sign up for as much or as little as you are able and help us to show our deepest appreciation for our deserving teachers and staff! We really appreciate the help! The staff love these little ´extras´ and are always so appreciative! Thank you!

****This is not to replace the Gifts of Gratitude donation! We want to take care of our teachers as much as they take care of our kiddos!****
Shop with Scrip This Christmas!
Remember that you can order over 250 brands of gift cards and have them sent directly to your home!
  • This feature is only available on the RaiseRight App and eligible gift cards will say “Ship to Home Eligible” when you click on the gift card.
  • We encourage you to use this feature as opposed to delivery to the school as it will cut down on delivery time to you!
  • Continue to check back if a gift card you are trying to purchase is not Ship to Home Eligible as Shop with Scrip is working to continuously add more.

As always, if you are not enrolled in the Shop with Scrip program and would like more information please contact:
Ashley Storey – [email protected]
Mary Kate Wing – [email protected] 
Annual Fund Donations
Remember these fundraisers?

This is how most schools raise money to fund all the programs, enhancements, celebrations, teacher support and appreciation that our Home and School plans throughout the year. The Annual Fund program started 20 plus years ago to eliminate these labor-intense fundraising events. These fundraisers only give back around 15% of the money they collect to the school. Family and friends felt pressured to buy items they did not need and there was the possibility of putting our children in unsafe situations while selling items door to door. These are just a few reasons why we have the Annual Fund. 100% of every dollar raised goes directly to school projects and activities that enrich the learning experience for your children. If you would like to share this link with family and friends, they have the opportunity to support your children without having to buy anything. Their donation is not only tax deductible but every dollar goes to Saint Brigid of Kildare School.
 
Please consider a once-a-year contribution of $100 per student ($50 for preschool)
Click the button below to give to the Annual Fund, and/or forward this email to a family member or friend who may be interested in contributing
Get Ahead on Your Christmas Gift Giving This Year
Make your life easier by checking one thing off your Christmas gift list! Donate to Gifts of Gratitude! Home & School has provided you with a convenient way to show your appreciation to the teachers and staff at St. Brigid during Christmas and at the end of the year. 

What is it?
Gifts of gratitude was established by the Home and School Association as a united effort to provide a generous monetary gift to every school and parish teacher and staff member at Christmas and the end of the year to thank them for all they do for our children.

Why participate?
This is a convenient way for families to make sure that each teacher, aide, and staff member who touches your child's life is recognized for all they do at St. Brigid.
Instead of several small gifts from each student, each teacher and staff member will receive a monetary gift that they choose how to use--whether they want to splurge on themselves or help with their own family's expenses.
 
Will my family be recognized for participating?
Yes -- the teachers and staff will receive a list of families who participate in this
program. You may also let the teachers and staff know that you participated in the program by marking "G.O.G" inside your Christmas card to them.
 
How mu​ch do I give?
The suggested annual gift amount is $25 per child once a year, however any given amount is graciously accepted and appreciated!

Can't remember if y​ou already contributed?
No worries -- just contact Sherri Johnson at [email protected] and she will let you know!

You can find the link for Gifts of Gratitude at the button below. Choose your donation amount and that's it. It's that easy! It's such a simple way to show appreciation to your child/children's teachers and the staff at St Brigid of Kildare.  
Build Better Act and Catholic School Funding
From the USCCB:

We need your help to ensure the Build Back Better Act does not effectively exclude Catholic schools from child care and pre-K programs, thereby severely limiting options for families. USCCB is encouraged by many provisions being considered for the Build Back Better Act to support the common good, including family supports, housing, migration, and the environment. We also recognize how important child care and pre-kindergarten are for working families, and the Church has always affirmed that parents should choose the best environment for care and education of their children.

However, the current child care and universal pre-kindergarten provisions in the Build Back Better Act could effectively exclude Catholic providers and many other faith-based providers, and this needs to be fixed.

The USCCB has raised these concerns with Congress. The letter USCCB sent Congress that can be accessed here. But it is vital that Congress hear from you directly. Click below to learn more and to take action.
Security Hounds Tips
HELPFUL SAFETY TIPS FOR ONLINE GAMING:
Know the gaming equipment your child uses. For example, a headset may have a voice-masking feature for safety that could disguise your child’s voice, but remember anyone could also be using that on their own device pretending to be someone they are not.  
Check your child’s gamer name / “tag” (username). Make sure it does not give out ANY personal information about them. Instruct them to NEVER share personal information while gaming or agree to meet with anyone outside of the game.

HELPFUL DISCUSSION STARTERS WITH YOUR CHILD ABOUT ONLINE GAMING:
(1) Ask if they can show you how to play their favorite game.
(2) During your gaming session with them, maybe ask a few of the following:
(a) How would you respond if someone bothers you while you are gaming?
(b) What type of people do you game with?
(c) Do you feel safe while gaming? Why or why not?
Let them know that you will always be there for them no matter what. My parents had a rule in my family that they wanted to be the first to know…good or bad. It was better to hear from me or my sister first before getting a phone call from a teacher, etc…. good or bad.

Happy Thanksgiving Weekend!
Have you heard this? One origin story of the term, “Black Friday”. A news story in 1959 Evening Bulletin in Philadelphia. The traffic squad for the Philadelphia Police Department coined the phrase “Black Friday” to describe the worst traffic jams occurring in Center City on the Friday after Thanksgiving and officers were not allowed time off then. News reporters used the term for their front-page story.  

The origin story can be found at this link.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!   [email protected] or 614.718.5825 ext. 276.
News from Our Parish Community
Christmas Mass Reservations Required
Reservations will be required to attend a Mass on Christmas Eve (4:00 PM, 6:30 PM, 9:00 PM) and Christmas Day (9:00 AM, 11:00 AM). The church will be seated to full capacity, with the exception of the section by the Baptismal Font reserved for social distancing. Masks are strongly recommended.

Mass reservations will be live on our website beginning Thursday, December 2 at 10 AM. Reservations will close on Monday, December 13 at 12 noon. To make a reservation, visit www.stbrigidofkildare.org and click the link in the top bar. You will be able to select your seating option (regular seating or socially distanced seating) for each Mass. Once the capacity for each location is full, that option will be closed out.

Livestreamed Masses will be available to view at youtube.com/stbrigidofkildarechurch. These are able to be watched live or played back later at the link above.
Parish Children's Choir and Youth Ensemble Sign Ups
We are excited to announce that our parish Children’s Choir and Youth Ensemble will be resuming in-person rehearsal!
 
Children’s Choir is open to all children of the parish grades 1-8. They rehearse Sundays from 10:00-10:45 am in Enke Hall and sing at the 9:00 am Mass once a month, as well as on Christmas Eve. The first rehearsal is this Sunday, November 21st.

Youth Ensemble is open to 6th-12th graders who love to sing or play an instrument. The group rehearses Sundays from 3:00-4:00pm in the church choir loft, and sings once a month at a weekend Mass. The first rehearsal is this Sunday, November 21st.
 
Registration for both groups can be found online at stbrigidofkildare.org/music. Note that all participants are required to wear masks during rehearsals and Masses.
 
To find out more about either of the groups, contact:
Katherine Florian, Director of Music
[email protected] 614-761-3734 ext. 248
Blood Drive December 13
With the holiday season approaching, the need for blood donation is critical! The Covid-19 pandemic has reduced donations. There is no manufactured equivalent to human blood; it must be donated to the Red Cross and then allocated to hospitals based on levels of need. If you can spare an hour of your time on Monday, December 13, please consider donating in Hendricks Hall from 1:30 - 7:00 pm. The link to schedule an appointment is: RedCrossBlood.org using sponsor code: saintbrigid. You can also call 1-800-RED CROSS to register.

Thank you in advance for considering a donation. It is a perfect Christmas gift!
News from Our Catholic High Schools
BWHS Open House, Application Open for 8th Graders
BWHS is rolling out their options for 8th graders and their parents to learn about the benefits of a Bishop Watterson High School education!

They will be holding individual school day visits, as well as a Sunday Visit Day on November 21. For those who have already decided, they can begin the freshman application now.

To learn more about their visiting options and to sign up, click the link below.
St. Charles Drama Department To Present The Play That Goes Wrong
The St. Charles Preparatory School Drama Department is proud to announce its fall production, The Play That Goes Wrong. The Play That Goes Wrong will be presented November 18-20 at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday, November 21 at 3:00 p.m. in the St. Charles Campus Theatre. Adult tickets are $10 each, and student tickets are $5 each. Reservations may be placed by visiting the St. Charles website homepage at www.scprep.org – Buy Tickets button. (Tickets will not be sold at the door).

THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG, Broadway & London’s award-winning smash comedy by Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields! This classic murder mystery is chock-full of mishaps and madcap mania! Welcome to opening night of The Murder at Haversham Manor where things are quickly going from bad to utterly disastrous. With an unconscious leading lady, a corpse that can’t play dead, and actors who trip over everything (including their lines), it’s sure to bring down the house! The perfect show to celebrate the 80th Anniversary of our Campus Theater!
Little Eagles Wrestling Club
The Bishop Watterson Little Eagles Wrestling Club is for K-8th grade students in all of BWHS feeder schools, and begins in November.

Click the flyer below to view more information and how to sign up.
News from Our Catholic Community
Protecting God's Children - Updated Sessions
The Diocese of Columbus will be offering Protecting God's Children (PGC) training sessions at the following times. All of these sessions are in-person.

  • Thursday, November 11, 2021 at 6:00 pm at Holy Spirit (via Zoom) 
  • Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at 6:00 pm at St. Francis DeSales (in person)

Please visit www.virtus.org for registration and meeting instructions. Click on First Time Registrant, View a list of sessions, choose Columbus, OH (Diocese) and create a Virtus account.

Potential volunteers with children and youth must also complete a St. Brigid volunteer application, and submit a signed code of conduct, copy of photo ID, and submit to a criminal background check.

Full details and forms can be found at https://stbrigidofkildare.org/safe-environment/ or contact Stacey Nerone, Safe Environment Manager at [email protected]
Submit Materials for Wolfhound Wednesday
If you have information you'd like included in the next Wolfhound Wednesday, email it to Allie Wing at [email protected].

To view past issues of the Wolfhound Wednesday, find them archived on our website here.