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Wednesday Herald


August 25, 2021





Upcoming Dates



Join Scouts Night August 25th


8th Grade Car Wash

August 29th


Halo Hustle

September 11th


Feast of Guardian Angel

October 3rd


Monster Mash

October 23rd

Principal's Message


Wow, we have experienced a wonderful beginning to the 2021-2022 school year! Already, we have joined together to experience several traditions and events that make GA such a unique and positive community. I enjoyed seeing so many of our students and families at our Meet and Greet! It was a nice way to help the students become acclimated to the new school year. The opening ceremony was also a great opportunity to celebrate the new school year with both students and parents on campus! Looking ahead, we will have our first all school Mass of the school year tomorrow. Details are listed below. It will be the first time we celebrate an in-person all school Mass since March 2nd of 2020! These traditions and events highlight our commitment to returning to a “more normal” school year while doing so in a safe manner. We will continue to be guided with this principle throughout the school year, as we continue monitor the pandemic.


God bless,


Corey Stoops

School News

Health Update


Throughout the school year, we will communicate health updates using several platforms including messages in the Wednesday Herald, postings to our school website, all-school emails, grade level emails, and personal phone calls. It is our goal to keep you as informed as possible about the health and safety of our students through these communications. We ask that each family also communicates any potential health concerns with us. School administration meets daily to review all health concerns present within the building, including reasons for absences, students being testing for COVID, needed quarantines, and anything else related to the health of the students at GA. The more equipped with information we are during these daily health meetings, the better we are able to keep all our angels safe.


Here are some tips for families to best assist us:

  • When calling the school office to report an absent student, please be as specific as possible with symptoms.
  • Use our outstanding school nurse, Elizabeth Pyles, as a top resource for any health-related questions. She can be contacted via email at epyles@gaschool or 624-2191.
  • Keep your child home if he/she is experiencing any COVID related symptoms which include fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea. Also, if your child has a temperature above 99.9 degrees Fahrenheit, please keep them home until fever free for 24 hours without fever reducing medication. 
  • If anyone in your household is being tested for COVID, please notify us and have all students remain home until the test results are received. 


We began tracking student data for the current school year on August 16, the week school began. Since that time, five Guardian Angels Students have tested positive for COVID-19. Grade levels include preschool, 1st, 4th, 5th, 6th. Due to exposures/close contacts outside of school, three students had to quarantine. There were additional exposures/close contacts who did not need to quarantine, as they were vaccinated and asymptomatic. Now that the school year has started, all new instances of positive cases within the school will be communicated to you within 24 hours of the school being notified. 


Please keep in mind that our goal with masking and all our safety/health measures is to keep our angels in school all year. With your help, we believe we can achieve this again this school year. Please continue to communicate with us for any health-related concern or issue. 

School Masses


Much discussion, consultation, and hard work has gone into creating the safest environment for our students to return to school Masses. Special thanks to Fr. King, Mrs. Froehlich, Mr. Stoops, Mr. Stegeman, and Mr. Barnes for their input and perseverance. School Masses will begin Thursday, August 26 with our first all school Mass. THIS MASS IS FOR STUDENTS AND STAFF ONLY. As we welcome all of our angels in Church together again, we have taken the necessary precautions to keep them safe. All students will be socially distanced --all but 3 pews are being used for student seating in the Church, so we ask that visitors not attend our All School Masses. We will be livestreaming all of the All School Masses through GA’s Facebook page and YouTube channel.  


Grade level Masses will begin the week of August 31 and all visitors are welcome to join us for those Masses. Since we are welcoming visitors to these Masses, the grade level Masses will not be live streamed. 


There will be 3 weekday Masses (other than occasions such as feast days, Holy days and other liturgies) 

Weekly Masses (Grades attending): 

Tuesday: K-3 

Wednesday: 6-8 

Thursday: 4-5 


What steps are being taken to ensure my child’s safety while they attend Mass? 

  • Students will be socially distanced throughout the entire church. Grade levels are isolated to their typical cohort inside the church -- primary by classrooms, 4-8 by grade level. 
  • Students are all 3’ apart. 
  • Hand sanitizer stations available at every entrance. 
  • All students/staff will wear masks. While mask wearing is not mandated at weekend Masses, we do ask visitors to wear a mass during school liturgies for the protection of our students. 
  • Lay Eucharistic ministers will sanitize hands before and after they distribute Holy Communion and wear masks. 
  • Students have been taught to: 
  • wear masks as they approach the altar/EMOC 
  • take down mask as they get to the altar/EMOC 
  • put mask on after they consume the precious sacrament 
  • Students selected from one homeroom only who are participating as lectors or gift bearers will be seated in the tabernacle section. 
  • The receptacles containing the bread and wine to be consecrated during the Mass will have lids. 
  • There will be no sign of peace, reception of Communion on the tongue and no reception of the Precious Blood. 

 

Thank you for your cooperation, your prayers and the blessings of your children! 

Morning Arrival/Afternoon Dismissal


Here are some recommendations and adjustments to help us continue to provide a safe environment at morning arrival and afternoon dismissal: 

  • Morning carline arrival is slow, causing a backup onto Beechmont Avenue at times. There are many factors attributing to this- families choosing to transport their children instead of using the bus, typical getting used to the system at the beginning of the year, additional items students need to carry into the building, and more! Here are some recommendations to speed up the process:
  • All students should exit from the passenger side of the car.
  • Please have your child ready to leave the car when you arrive to the exit location (under the basketball hoops). This includes mask on and backpack nearby. 
  • There is a 30 minute arrival window, please try to arrive between 7:30 and 7:45, as there is very light traffic during this time.
  • Please stay in your car and have your child independently exit the vehicle. Staff members are there to assist!
  • All families must go through the carline process unless you are walking them all the way to the entrance of the school. It is unsafe for students to walk through the parking lot unaccompanied. 
  • Please do not drop off your child until 7:30. Doors will not be open until this time.
  • Afternoon carline dismissal is very congested. It is imperative to make sure your child is accompanied at all times. All parents must park their cars and meet their child at the school entrance. Students are not allowed to walk through the parking unattended. Also, it is very important for parents to arrive to school by 2:40 at the latest.
  • Park on the left side of the parking lot. The right side is used for busses. If all spaces to the left are taken, you may park along the fence line of the right side. Please do not park in any other space as busses have a very difficult time maneuvering around cars parked on their side of the parking lot.

Water Bottles


Please have your child bring a water bottle to school every day! We have a limited supply of extra waters available for students who forget, but students may fill up their own water bottles at school this year.

Required Documents - Action Needed


Listed below are links to important documents for the 2021-2022 school year. Please review carefully. Upon completion, please acknowledge your agreement by initialing and signing the agreement form. We must have a signed agreement form and Emergency Medical Authorization form for every student at Guardian Angels. If you have not already turned in both forms, please do so by Friday, August 24.


1.      Emergency Medical Authorization Form- Signature Required

2.      Agreement Form- Signature Required

3.      2021-2022 Student Handbook

4.      COVID Acknowledgement of Risks

5.      Technology User Agreement 

Emergency All Call System


We conducted an initial test of our emergency all-call system last Wednesday. Since that time, we have updated our rosters to include many additional contact numbers. Thank you to those who contacted us with updates and additions. We conducted a second test of our notification system with our updated rosters this morning. Please email Melissa Boston in the school office if you did not receive the second notification. 

Attendance Line


If your child will be absent or late to school, please call the main school office by 8:00 each morning. We recently upgraded our telephone system. In doing so, we removed the former “attendance line.” All parents needing to report their child absent or late to school should call our Office Assistant, Melissa Boston, using the main school phone number - 624-3141.

Activity & Organization Dues

 

Please pay your dues for the 2021-2022 school year through this link. Dues are $75 per family and includes fees for PTA, Athletic Boosters, and Music Boosters. Information about each is listed below.

 

  • PTA - the critical link between the teachers and the parents. In addition to planning special events, PTA provides financial and resource support to fill many major gaps including classroom equipment, in-school renovation, library support, teacher appreciation events, after school enrichment programs, and much more.
  • Athletic Boosters - organizes Guardian Angels athletic programs, including maintaining our fields and gyms and helping cover administrative cost of many of our programs.
  • Music Boosters - partners with Mr. Lommel and Mrs. Leach to organize our music programs, provide access to classroom instruments, music sheets, and other costs not covered in your tuition.

 

Classroom Party Fees

You will also see that Classroom Party Fees are listed on the dues payment page. PTA asks that $15 for each child is donated. Classroom coordinators organize parties for each homeroom for all grades.


Teacher/Staff Gifts

Parents are encouraged to contribute towards teacher and staff gifts. It’s a great way to let them know how grateful we are for them. 

GA Chess Club Registration Is Open

 

We are very excited that Guardian Angels has been selected again to participate in the Cris Collinsworth Proscan Fund Chess in Schools program this year. The program is open to any GA students in grades 3-8 who want to learn to play chess. The club meets on Mondays from 2:45-4:00; the program runs through the entire school year.

 

Sign-up by clicking here. The first 14 students to sign up will get a spot in the club. The club is free to participate but we ask that as a condition of your child’s participation, parents agree to the conditions outlined on the sign-up website; as well as the health guidelines to follow.

 

If you have questions, please contact Florence Dwyer.

Cub Scouts

 

Join Scouts Night for boys intersted in Cub Scouts is tonight, Wednesday, August 25th at 7:00pm at the Pavilion/Scout House. GA Cub Scouts is a fun, active program for boys K-5. We are looking for interested families! Dens (grade level groups) usually meet twice per month and there is typically 1 weekend Pack activity per month as well. The program runs from September - April. Pack 445 is not limited to GA students; neighborhood friends are welcome to join too!


Adult Volunteers make this happen! We are looking for parents, grandparents, or any enthusiastic adult who would be interested in being Den Leaders for grades K-3. Please email Joe Lauer or Lisa Myers for more information about Cub Scouts for your son (even if you miss tonight's event) or to connect a potential volunteer to our Pack. Cub Scouting is a wonderful way to build family memories and give back! 

8th Grade Fundraisers


Junior High Hoodies On Sale Now

An order form for the junior high hoodies is attached. This is a one-time custom order and fundraiser for the 8th grade. Order forms are due to your child's homeroom teacher no later than Friday, September 3rd. The hoodie comes in gray and navy. This is a different design than last year and will list each child’s name on the back. Sample sizes will be available for kids to try on during school on Wednesday, August 25th. We highly recommend ordering 2 since the kids wear these daily!  


Upcoming Car Washes 

The 8th grade class is holding two car washes to raise money for its class trip and graduation activities. Each car wash is held at McNicholas High School. Consider dropping your car off before Mass!

Sunday, August 29 - 9:00am-1:30pm

Sunday, September 26 - 9:00am-1:30pm

More information is attached.


Fall Mums Sale

Order your mums today; the cost is $8 for each 9 inch potted mum. All proceeds benefit the class of 2022. You can order online or use the attached form and pay with a check. Orders are due by September 3rd. Mums will arrive September 10. Pick up at GA.


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Early Registration Bonus -

The Halo Hustle Is On Sept 11th

 

GA students who register for the Halo Hustle by Monday, August 30th, will get an out-of-uniform day! The out-of-uniform day will be Friday, September 10th; students will be invited to wear their race t-shirts with uniform bottoms. But don't just register your kids, bring the whole family! Not into running? Come for the party! In addition to the 5K course, there will be live music from Model Behavior, food trucks, beverages, festival games, and an amazing ninja warrior course on the football field. Fun for all ages! Click here to register for the race and the ninja course.

Lunch Volunteeers Needed



Our Heavenly Cafe is reopened and ready for our Angels to enjoy their lunches. Volunteers are an essential part of our lunch operations. Please consider joining us to help supervise our Angels during their lunchtime. Volunteer shifts are from 11:00-12:45 each day. You can sign up here. Just a reminder: All volunteers must have transferred or completed SafeParish certification.

Auditions For Seussical Kids Monday

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Kinder Cocktails - The Happiest of Hours!

 

Please join your fellow GA kindergarten and 1st grade parents for Kinder Cocktails Happy Hour! (This event is adults only.)

Kinder Cocktails will be held Friday, September 17th from 7:00-10:00pm in the GA Pavilion. Please bring your favorite appetizer to share. Beverages will be provided. Kindly RSVP to Lindsey Linz by September 6th.


This events is hosted by:

  • The Davis Family
  • The Clissold Family
  • The Linz Families
  • The McCall Family
  • The Rooney Family
  • The Stenger Family
  • The Stoehr Family


We hope you can join us!

This will be a fabulous opportunity to meet and make new friends!

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The Feast of the Guardian Angel


Please save the date for our celebration of the Feast of the Guardian Angel on Sunday, October 3rd! Our celebration will begin with the noon Mass and continues with a parish picnic. All are welcome to attend! More information will be available as the date approaches.

Monster Mash


Tickets are available now for our Monster Mash. All families in our parish community are invited to this Halloween bash. The event is Saturday, October 23rd from 6:00-9:00pm and will include music, food and a photo booth. Tickets are $50 per family or $15 per individual. To purchase tickets, click here.


Volunteers for this planning committee are still needed. If you're interested, email Amy Armstrong Smith.

Other News & Reminders

Lunchroom News

Kaldi's offers a hot lunch option every day for our students. All meals must be pre-ordered before 8:30am the day of service; this is done through the Ez-Parent website. Students will have the option to buy additional items during lunch, as long as they have an established account with a positive balance. To set up a new account, or manage an exisiting account, click here.

If you have questions regarding the lunch program, please contact Kaldis at ga@kaldiscatering.com.

The menu for August is attached.

Cookie Ministry 

Guardian Angels School Cookie Ministry teams up with the Parish Parish Peanut Butter group to feed families in need. The Peanut Butter group makes 1,500 peanut butter and bologna sandwiches. GA students donate cookies. St. Francis Seraph Church in Over-the-Rhine gives the food to families in need. Students are asked to bring in two dozen cookies, brownies, or rice krispie bars on their classroom's designated day. They do need to be bagged, two treats per bag. All 7th grade classes are responsible for the next donation on Tuesday, September 7th. Donations of juice boxes and prepackaged snacks are also needed. complete schedule for the school year is attached

Christian Service Program - Faith in Action

The purpose of the Christian Service Program is to enhance the religion curriculum at Guardian Angels Church. It is the duty of all Christians to reach out in service to those around them. Christ asks us to be His hands and feet on earth, keeping His mission of reaching out to those in need alive. The students will complete their service within the following settings: at home, the parish community/school and the community at-large. This outreach may be completed individually, with a partner, or in a group. 


This program will focus more on the meaning of the actual service opportunities rather than completing a prescribed amount of time. You will choose activities for each component—service to your family, service to your school/parish and service to the poor and vulnerable in our community. There is no minimum requirement of hours to complete. Grades 1-3 are required to complete at least 2 activities for each component; grades 4-8 at least 3 for each. You are certainly encouraged to complete more! See your Religion teacher, Mrs. Froehlich, or the parish website for a list of suggested activities and the log sheet.  


Questions? Contact Kay Froehlich, Director of Religious Education, for more information.

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Box Tops For Education

The Guardian Angels PTA collects Box Tops and uses the funds earned to purchase indoor recess games and outdoor recess equipment. Box Tops is now on a digital platform. To participate, you’ll need to download the Box Tops App and scan your grocery receipt within 14 days of purchase. You’ll find more information here.

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Kroger Community Rewards

Have you signed up for Kroger Community Rewards and designated GA as your beneficiary? The more families who register, the more money our school receives through the program. Kroger Community Rewards offers a great way for you to support our school's technology fund...and you don't have to spend a penny. You can search for GA or use our NPO number, 80200. The amount Guardian Angels receives depends on the points our supporters rack up while grocery shopping.

Register Your Kroger Rewards Card
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Amazon Shopping Supports GA

You can support Guardian Angels Parish when you shop at Amazon.com! GA is a participant in the AmazonSmile Program. You can sign-up to have a portion of your purchase sales come back to Guardian Angels. When you make purchases through the AmazonSmile page, and have GA selected as your beneficiary, the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price of eligible products back to GA. You have to be shopping from smile.amazon.com page of the site for GA to receive the benefit. 

Designate GA As Your AmazonSmile Recipient

Community News

RedwoodPrep HSPT Preparation Program at St. Xavier High Schoolg

An HSPT prep course is available at St X this fall. The course will be taught on October 30th and November 6th at St. Xavier High School from 8:00am- 12:00pm or 12:30-4:30 pm.


This HSPT course covers all 5 sections of the test: Verbal Skills, Reading, Mathematics, Quantitative Skills and Language. The course begins with a comprehensive assessment exam, and the rest of the course focuses on learning content. By program’s end, students know how to tackle every type of problem on the HSPT – and effectively manage their time and the test. 

More information is attached. Parents can sign-up at www.RedwoodPrep.com.

Stay connected to GA through the following social media platforms:

Facebook  Instagram  Twitter  YouTube

Helpful Links

Rediker/Parent Portal

Lunch Menu

Christian Service Program

Send In News For The Herald

If you have news to share with our community, please send it in through the link above labeled Send In News For The Herald. Information is due on Friday; the week before you would like the news to be included in our newsletter.

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GUARDIAN ANGELS SCHOOL

513.624.3141

GASCHOOL.ORG