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

Reprinted from the Monday Message...

St. Catharine School Families,

As the 2nd quarter winds down, we are almost half-way through the school year. As we are cautiously optimistic about the upcoming months, I invite you to look back at how far we have come as a school community.

Think of the summer that never was as the anxiety-filled months of June and July filled our thoughts with uncertainty. August arrived with need to over-communicate ideas and theories we were all unsure of. The day we started school was the day we started to make progress, not only academically as students, but emotionally as a school community. Every day we have been in school is a testament to the fortitude of our students, staff, and parents.

We may not be able to get the lost time with loved ones back due to the pandemic. Some of us have spent more time in quarantine than with extended family and friends. We have made sacrifices that we’ll never be repaid for. But, by the grace of God, we will persevere. Our students will be more resilient, and we have all learned a bit more empathy. What we go through determines who we become and who God leads us to be.

Mark Watts

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.

If anyone in your household has been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 or is awaiting a COVID-19 test, the rest of the household must quarantine for 10 days or until the test results come back negative. Please call the school office as soon as possible in this situation. at (614) 235-1396.

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 4 cumulative cases with students and staff. (As of 1.11)

These dates have been set by the Diocese. We will be adding addition dates (Teacher Professional Development Days, Record Days, etc...) at a later time. Please check the school google calendar for the most up to date information

Catholic Schools Week will run from Sunday, January 31^st until Saturday, February 6^th. We are working with our CSW committee and our Home & School Association on a fun, safe, and meaningful week.

Sunday, January 31st- Celebrate Our Parish

Monday, February 1st- Celebrate Our Community

Tuesday, February 2nd- Celebrate Students

Wednesday, February 3rd- Celebrate Our Nation

Thursday, February 4th- Celebrate Vocations

Friday, February 5th- Celebrate Faculty and Staff

Saturday, February 6th- Celebrate Families

Please fill out this quick survey to provide valuable feedback on our USDA Free School Lunch Program.

Physical Gift Card order will be placed this coming Friday, January 9

Place your order on the RaiseRight App or through the SCRIP website

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

Let’s show Plank’s the love that they have always shown us!! Please dine in, carry out or place a delivery order to say 

Mrs. Underwood is looking forward to seeing St. Catharine students and families!            

After much discussion, consultation and input from concerned Pastors, elementary school principals, coaches, parents and the DRA Board, the decision has been made the to continue the postponement of the start of the DRA basketball season through January 15. As stated previously, the hope and prayer is that, in delaying the start of the season, we will be able to keep our children safe from the spread of the coronavirus and to have a successful basketball season.

Although the most recent numbers seem to be leveling off, they are still high and it is possible that there will be a spike in numbers after the Christmas holidays. This postponement will give us a chance to see what happens and to respond appropriately. Due to the concerns expressed by families and the fact that the primary focus of our ministry is to keep the children in school and to keep the schools safe, we believe we are acting out of the best interest and safety of the children, their classmates, their teachers, coaches, and their families.

At this time the postponement of the DRA basketball season will continue until mid-January. No one is to be practicing or holding open gyms. This also includes the CYO programs.

Please share this information with your basketball commissioners, the coaches and parents. Remember, this is a postponement, not a cancellation. The hope of the DRA is to have a season in late January and February, as long as we can do it so the safely for all involved in the DRA. 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