Parent Edition
September 15, 2022
Health & Safety Plan
The Diocese of Harrisburg has released a memo regarding COVID protocols for 2022-23 and can be read by clicking the button below.
 
In line with these guidelines, York Catholic Middle & High School will be observing the following COVID protocols:
 
  • Masks and/or vaccinations are not required.

  • Individuals with COVID positive test results will isolate 5 days past the onset of symptoms or positive test results (whichever occurs first) regardless of vaccination status and are not permitted to enter school grounds or participate in school extra-curricular activities. If the positive individual is asymptomatic on day 5, he/she may return to school and activities on day 6. Day 0 is the day symptoms begin or a test has positive results, whichever is first.  

  • If a member of the student’s household tests positive, the negative-testing student should continue to report to school, if asymptomatic. The family needs to make every effort to separate the student from the sick family member. The student is required to take a home COVID test on day three of exposure, and on day five. If the student tests negative and remains asymptomatic, the student stays in school. Day 0 is the day the family member’s symptoms begin or the family member tests positive, whichever is first.  

  • Virtual learning will not be offered at this time. If a student needs any books from his/her locker, please notify the attendance office. Books will be retrieved and will be available for pickup in the main office.

  • Notifications of the number of positive cases within our school community will be included in the weekly Irish Eye e-newsletter. Close contact notifications will be made directly to the parent as warranted via email. At this time, we have been notified of 5 positive cases within our school community from September 8-14.
 
As COVID-19 guidelines evolve, our school will continue to adapt to the recommendations issued by federal, state, Diocesan, and local entities for our area. 
No School - September 21


School will be closed Wednesday, September 21, while teachers attend the Diocesan Educational Conference.

Academic Eligibility
Beginning Friday, September 16, at 8 AM, the York Catholic Studies Office will review the grades of all students to determine if any are not achieving a passing grade in two or more subjects. Those identified will be placed on the ineligibility list for the week and will not be permitted to participate in extracurricular activities or sports for the upcoming week Monday through Sunday. If at the end of the one-week ineligibility period, a student no longer has two or more failure reports in subject areas, the student may resume participation in extracurricular activities. In cases when a student continues to have two or more failure reports, the ineligibility extends for another one-week period. Parents and students will be notified if the student is on the academic ineligibility list. Please consult Focus for your child's grade status.
Employment Opportunities
York Catholic Middle & High School is seeking to fill the following positions.  
 
  • Cafeteria Staff
  • Substitute Teachers
  • Coaches
 
If you or someone you know might be interested in joining our team, please click the button below for complete information.
Reconciliation
York Catholic students and faculty will have the opportunity to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation on September 14-15 from 1-3 PM. Several priests from the York Deanery will be available to hear confessions. This is a great chance to begin the new school year with a "clean slate" spiritually. Pope Francis urged, “Everyone say to himself: ‘When was the last time I went to confession?’ And if it has been a long time, don’t lose another day! Go, the priest will be good. And Jesus, (will be) there, and Jesus is better than the priests—Jesus receives you. He will receive you with so much love! Be courageous, and go to confession.”
Drop/Add Classes
Students’ requests for courses were subject to approval by teachers. With few exceptions, these requests have been honored. Barring computer errors, we do not foresee a necessity to change rosters.  
 
Any request for a course change must be accompanied by a written parental request, teacher approval (as originally needed), and a $25 Late Roster Change Fee. Since the Master Roster is built according to the original registration of students, we cannot guarantee admission to particular classes. For incoming new students, if an error has been made in placement, teachers will initiate the needed change and no fee will be assessed. Students requesting schedule changes must do so during the Add Drop period, which ends September 16, and no changes will be made after that date. Level changes, however, will be considered into the first quarter at the discretion of the subject teacher for any student who has been inaccurately placed in a course.
Middle School Tailgate
The 7th & 8th Grade students and their families are invited to the Middle School Tailgate on Friday, September 16, from 5-6:30 PM on the front lawn. Pizza, party subs, water, and paper products will be provided. There is no charge for the Tailgate. Please sign up your family by clicking the button below by September 14. When RSVPing, please indicate the number of people who plan to eat, so the correct amount of pizza and subs can be ordered. After the tailgate, families can cheer the Irish football team onto victory vs. Bermudian Springs. Kickoff is 7 PM. Cost for the game is $5 for adults, $4 for senior citizens, and $3 for students. YC students get in for free with their student pass.
Virtue=Strength


The Virtue=Strength program is devoted to virtue formation through school, athletics, parish, and/or the community. It is designed to be used by teachers and staff across the entire student body. Each week a different virtue is highlighted to share with our students. Click below for the Virtue=Strength Virtue of the Week that helps parents reinforce virtue formation at home. 
College Visits
College Reps Visiting YC
The Guidance Office is hosting numerous admissions representatives from colleges and universities to speak to our students about their schools. These presentations are for informational purposes and questions and answers. This is not for Admissions interviews. Students in grades 11 and 12 need to sign up in the guidance office to attend the presentations. 

York County College Fair
Students are invited to attend the York County College Fair to speak to college and university admissions counselors on October 10 from 6-8 PM at York College's Grumbacher Center. Students need to register at www.strivefair.com.


Homecoming
September 30-October 1
  
Theme Days (Middle & High School student event)
Rules for Dress Down as listed in the handbook apply for this week. Students are encouraged to dress according to the following themes on the specified days:

Monday – Circus Class Colors
12 - pink
11 - red
10 - orange
9 - blue
8 - yellow
7 - green
   Tuesday – Team Tuesday
Wednesday – Heroes vs. Villains
Thursday – Flannel vs. Tie-dye
Friday – Green and Gold Friday

Tours/Football Game/Alumni Band & Cheerleaders
Celebrate York Catholic’s annual Homecoming Friday, September 30! We will have an Alumni Table located by the school main entrance bus circle where we will be giving school tours from 5:30-6:30 PM. Join us for the football game versus Delone at 7 PM.

Marching Band Alumni bring your instruments and sit with the Band during this year’s Homecoming game! If you are planning on playing with the band, email cmezza@yorkcatholic.org and she will have music ready for you. If you would like your music in advance, please state that in your email along with your mailing address. 

Calling all YC Cheerleader Alumni...Cheer and dance during the 3rd and 4th quarters. If you are interested in participating, please contact Heather Hoffman at hhoffman@yorkcatholic.org
 
Homecoming Dance (High School student-only event)
The Homecoming Dance will be held on Saturday, October 1, from 7-10 PM in the gymnasium. Doors open at 6:30 PM. Tickets are $10 per student and will be on sale September 19-23 from 7:45-8:15 AM and 3-3:15 PM in the cafeteria. The Expectations Agreement is required by all students who wish to attend the dance. Any student wishing to bring a guest to the dance must also submit a Guest Permission Form. Parents and students please know the guidelines will be strictly enforced. The most recent trend of formal dress includes two-piece dresses that slightly expose the midriff. Please know that an exposed midriff at any point throughout the evening will not be permitted and the student will be required to change into something acceptable. Click the button below for the required forms. Any questions, please contact Megan Wertz at mwertz@yorkcatholic.org.

Alumni Social
The Alumni Association will be hosting a Homecoming Alumni Social on Saturday, October 1, from 6-9 PM at Central Market for ages 21+ with food from Mezzogiorno Chef Tim Spangler ‘81. The cost to attend is free with one piece of fun YC memorabilia to share. Dig out those class rings, varsity pins, district medals, band awards, pictures, trophies. We want to see what made you YC HAPPY! (memorabilia is not required for admittance). Please RSVP to alumniassociation@yorkcatholic.org for our food planning. We can’t wait to see everyone on October 1!
Military Info Share
Junior and Senior Parents:  The school is obligated to give names, addresses, and phone numbers of our juniors and seniors to the armed services upon their request, unless parents opt out of having the information shared.  If you do not want us to share your student’s information with the military, please contact Mrs. Sheila Gick at sgick@yorkcatholic.org or 717-846-8871 x1317 indicating your wishes by September 23.


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! 
Businesses Give Back
Shutterfly
For all of your Shutterfly purchases, visit yorkcatholic.shutterflystorefront.com, instead of shutterfly.com for a percentage of the value of your purchases to go to York Catholic. Please feel free to share this email with your friends, family and co-workers—the more orders we receive through our Storefront, the more YC earns!



Coca-Cola Products
When you make Coca-Cola purchases, you simply enter the product codes here:
www.coke.com/give/schools and York Catholic receives a donation. 
Weis Markets
Help YC earn a share of $500,000 from Weis Markets! On your next visit to Weis, simply scan this barcode or ask your cashier or customer service desk for the YC barcode to scan. The YC barcode only needs to be scanned one time to register. Use your Weis Club Card as usual. You will receive your Club Card benefits, and YC will earn cash based upon your qualifying purchases. Purchases of gas, lottery tickets, postage, alcohol, tobacco, and other products prohibited by law do not qualify. More information can be found in the YC Giving Guide on the website at yorkcatholic.org/give.
Box Tops for Education
Check your boxed and canned goods for the Box Tops for Education logo and use the Box Tops app to scan your receipt. The app will find participating products purchased at any store and instantly add cash to YC’s earnings online. Be sure to select York Catholic High School as your school of choice. Complete details can be found at https://www.boxtops4education.com/
Individual Tax Break
Pennsylvania now allows individuals to take advantage of EITC Tax Credits (just as businesses can) whereby you have the opportunity to re-direct 90% of your personal state income taxes to York Catholic Middle & High School. 
 
The Special Purpose Entity (SPE) is based on tax liability, not income, therefore each taxpayer’s situation will differ. Participants must be PA residents where at least one spouse is employed or has an ownership interest in a PA for-profit business. 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 2022, you can find your PA tax liability on Form PA-40 Line 12 of your 2021 tax return. 100% of participant contributions are distributed to the school. You have to pay these taxes regardless, so why not have a say in how your taxes are allocated? Additionally, you will receive at least a 10% personal deduction on your federal taxes. The money you re-direct to York Catholic is for educational purposes, specifically tuition assistance.

If you would like to take advantage of this opportunity, please follow these steps:

 
The last day to apply for 2022 is September 30, 2022, however, the available funds may run out prior to that date, so it's recommended to apply as soon as possible.  
 
For more information about this easy tax donation, please contact Katie Seufert, York Catholic Principal, at kseufert@yorkcatholic.org.
Futures Games
Partner school students in grades 1-6 are invited to Futures Games at York Catholic! Come out and be part of the team as you cheer for your future school! Spend time with the varsity players and coaches, listen to coach’s pregame instruction, participate in team prayer, sit together to cheer on the team, and pose with the team for a picture. No registration necessary

Girls Soccer – Sep 15 at 6:30 PM. Arrive by 5:45 PM (stadium)
Girls Volleyball – Sep 20 at 7:00 PM. Arrive by 6:30 PM (gymnasium)
Football – Oct 7 at 7:00 PM. Arrive by 6:15 PM (stadium)
Cheerleading – Oct 7 at 7:00 PM. Arrive by 6:45 PM (stadium)
Marching Band – Oct 7 at 7:00 PM. Arrive by 5:30 PM (band room)
In Case You Missed It...
Last week, YC students held a prayer service to remember the lives lost on September 11, 2001.



Don't miss what's going on at YC!  Follow us in social media.
 
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Partner News
Here’s your chance to win $2,500!  St. Joseph Dallastown Parish is hosting a Draw Down Friday, October 14, at the New Freedom Community Center.  Doors open at 6:00 PM.  Tickets are $60 each or buy a full table (seats 10) at a discount of $500. The price of the ticket includes dinner, dessert, drinks, and one Board space for a chance to win $2,500! Liquor and wine are B.Y.O.B. Tickets can be purchased after Masses Saturday 5 PM, Sunday 830 AM & 11:30 AM, and at the Rectory, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM-3:45 PM.  At time of purchase, you will select your Board number. Numbers available are 1 through 240. You will also need to give a name for your Board card. In the past, guests have used favorite sports teams, favorite sayings, or even their actual name. It is important to know the name you want to use on the board when you are ready to purchase your ticket(s). Don't wait to reserve your seat! Seating is limited. If you have any questions, contact Jennifer at jboger35@yahoo.com or 717-324-4552 or Shirley at scherry@sjdrcc.org or 717-246-3007.
Irish Eye Archives



Previous issues of York Catholic's Irish Eye e-newsletter can be found on the YC website at www.yorkcatholic.org. Go to Parents & Students - News & Announcements and click on the link in the right sidebar under Additional Resources.