We hope you enjoy the Irish Insider. For consideration in future editions, please email info@stcathschool.com by 9am Monday for the Tuesday's edition.

Thoughts with Mr. Watts

St. Catharine Families:

As we enter our second week of full-time, in-person learning, we are starting to "settle-in" and acclimating to the new schedule.

It has been 13 months since we have had all of our students in the building at once and.... we can tell.

It has been an adjustment for our students and staff but everyone is showing their resiliency and we are balancing the ever-present threat of COVID-19 and optimizing the learning experience for our students.

We have some obstacles we need to overcome as a school. The social-emotional well-being of students is always an area of concern. It is even more important now, as the students are dealing with the effects of the pandemic, yet another adjustment to their schedule, and getting along with others.

Regardless, our expectations must remain high and our empathy contagious during the last seven weeks of school. We need accountability for our actions and kindness above all things. That needs to start (again) now, for everyone.

Yours in Christ,

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. Currently, we have 0 active cases and 5 cumulative cases with students and staff. (As of4.12)

We will continue to provide Free USDA Lunches for the remainder for the school year. Teachers will be taking lunch count during attendance. You will no longer need to update the lunch spreadsheet.

Contrary to prior communications, we WILL be allowing students to bring lunch boxes to school. Please make sure your child's name is labeled on the lunch box.

We will not be able to provide free milk or water to students who are not receiving a lunch from the school. Nor will we be selling milk or water at lunch. If your child packs a lunch, please ensure they have packed a drink as well.

Please join the effort of advocating for our children! The State Budget is in full swing. Currently the Ohio House is hearing testimony from agencies and stakeholders regarding HB 110, that creates appropriations for FY 2022-2023. There are several important budget items we’d like to ask our representative to support. Here is a template you can use to contact State Representative Dontavius Jarrells, as St. Catharine School is in his district. This can be emailed to him at rep25@ohiohouse.gov or

mailed to 77 South High Street, 10th Floor, Columbus, OH 43215.

We will keep you informed through the Irish Insider! Contact Beth Henney henneybeth@gmail.com to receive all legislative updates from the Office of Catholic Schools, action alerts, and email templates for letter writing campaigns.

For more information about the LAN and the legislative process, please visit the LAN page of the Our Catholic Schools website: Our Catholic Schools - Legislative Action Website

Also please check out the March 2021 issue of the Advocate. It contains government news pertaining to education and our schools. Access the March 2021 issue here: ADVOCATE - March 2021

Unfortunately, Digital Academy has fallen short of the diocese and our expectations this school year. The Dioceses has made the decision to move to a new Student Information System (SIS). We will be implementing FACTS SIS over the summer. Please see the attached letter for more information on this transition.

Thank you for supporting St. Catharine Home and School! Mark your calendars for curbside pickup on Saturday, May 15, 10a-1p.

Join us THIS THURSDAY , April 15th (starting at 3:30pm) to show T.T. Murph’s the love that they have always shown us!! Please dine in or place a carry out order to say

Presented by the Diocese of Columbus Office of Catholic Schools

Still don’t know how to use SCRIP? Need to still get registered?

Please reach out to Alli Brinkmeyer at 614-214-5428 call or txt or email at stcatharinetrip@yahoo.com

Get your order in for physical gift cards. Alli will be placing the next monthly order on Friday, May 7

Current inventory of physical cards available today (just reach out to purchase and money goes right into your OWN TUITION ACCOUNT)

*St Catharine School and Church in not responsible for lost or stolen gift cards. They do not keep records of card numbers. Therefore, we suggest making note of your card numbers in case you are a victim of theft

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

Our social group focuses on general social skills and the specific needs of students going through adolescence.

This camp is designed for 6th-9th graders who have been diagnosed with a disability who need support in the areas of communication, social interactions and relationships.

This camp will help students work on skills needed to build friendships, learn expectations of the high school setting, and develop confidence in many different social situations.

Students will participate in a variety of fun activities and engaging lessons while getting to know other students in other Catholic Schools that have similar needs and experiences.

Due May 28

COACHES NEEDED!

Questions contact Paul Keiffer: pkeiffer@gmail.com

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

Questions? Contact Dorothy Allwein, dorothy@damascus.net

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