Wednesday Herald

August 30, 2023

The deadline for EdChoice paperwork to be sent to the school office is this Friday, September 1st. On Tuesday, August 29th, an email was sent to all parents who have not yet submitted an application. If you did not receive an email, we have your paperwork. Questions about EdChoice should be directed to edchoice@gaschool.org.

I wish everyone a relaxing and enjoyable long weekend ahead!

God bless,

Corey  

COVID Update

On Tuesday, we were notified of our first GA student testing positive for covid. This student is a junior high student. As the upcoming holiday weekend approaches, we feel it is important to share this information with you. Currently, we continue to follow practices established by the CDC. Helpful resources can be found here for exposures and positive cases.

Low Income Form

The youngest child in each KDG-8 family will receive an envelope containing a low-income survey. Please complete the page shown here and return it to the school office regardless of if your family qualifies or not. We must have documentation on file for every family. 

School Office Administration

I am excited to announce the hiring of Cindy Sizemore as our Assistant to the Principal! Cindy has great passion and care for our school and parish, as her kids attended here! Recently, Cindy has been working in a school office for a public school. Please join me in welcoming her! Her first day will be Monday, September 11th.

Great news for anyone who pays Ohio income tax and supports Guardian Angels

We have many students at Guardian Angels who benefit from scholarships provided by the Catholic Education Foundation (CEF). Ohio taxpayers who donate to the CEF may be able to claim a dollar-for-dollar, non-refundable tax credit on their state income tax return, up to $750 per donor. For more information, click here.

We hope you consider a donation before the end of the year and choose "Guardian Angels School (Cincinnati)(C00160)" from the drop-down when prompted.

Parishioner and tax expert, Brien Dulle, is donating. Here's what he had to say. "Supporting the CEF is a no-brainer for me for two reasons. As a graduate of GA that is also sending my daughters to the school, I want to invest in the education that our children receive. Secondly, there's no extra money out of pocket since I can claim a dollar-for-dollar Ohio tax credit."

Handbook Acknowledgement

All parents must fill out a Handbook Acknowledgement Form which can be found on the school website. Please click here to complete this task. 

Boosters and PTA Dues

Guardian Angels has three major parent-led organizations that provide services to our students. Athletic Boosters, PTA, and Music Boosters. There is a $75 fee that covers all three programs. Click here to learn more about what your dues are used for and how they help our school. Please visit this link to pay the dues.

Morning Drop-off Carline Procedures

The safety of our students is a top priority at Guardian Angels. It is imperative that the proper carline procedures are followed to ensure the safety of our students and faculty. All parents must adhere to the following guidelines:

• Parents are asked to use the carline established at the school grounds for drop off. Parents will enter the parking lot through Brachman Ave. and drop students off at the front of the school building.
• Please make sure your child is ready to exit the vehicle upon stopping. Backpacks, shoes, etc. should all be on and the student should be ready to exit quickly.
• All students should exit the vehicle through the passenger-side door so he/she does not have to walk in front of or behind another vehicle.
• When dropping off, please pull up as far as possible to have your child exit.
• Parents will continue through the traffic flow to exit the school parking lot back onto Brachman Ave., through the exit near the Business Office.
• Parents are also welcome to park their car in a designated spot and walk their children to the door.
• Leaving the parking lot down the hill to the lower lot is NOT permitted. This route is designated for our busses and creates a large safety concern.
• Cars may not enter the carline through the rectory entrance. This creates a safety concern for the carline traffic as well as those on foot in the parking lot walking their children into school, leaving Mass, etc.

From the Nurse's Office

Welcome back to the new school year. I hope you all had a nice summer. I wanted to share a few reminders.

Medication at School: A new school year means new paperwork for medication at school. If you would like your child/ren to be able to receive medication (including over-the-counter) at school, you may fill out the medication administration paperwork attached. There are forms for prescription and over-the-counter medications. Feel free to send in the medication, in its original container with an expiration date that will take them through the school year.

Seventh Grade Students: All incoming seventh grade students are required by the state of Ohio to provide documentation of two immunizations, Meningococcal (MCV4) and Tdap. I have received paperwork back for well over half of the class; thank you! If you have not yet turned those in, please do so. I appreciate your help with this. 

It's been wonderful to see everyone this week and I look forward to a great school year!

Library Volunteers Needed

Mrs. Leach needs a volunteer each Monday and Friday morning from 8 -9:30 a.m. to check in and shelve returned books. First and second grade classes will be visiting the library during this time, and Mrs. Leach will be conducting a read aloud during the first part of each class period. A rotating group of volunteers would work, or we would welcome the same person each week. If you are interested in helping, please contact Mrs. Leach or sign up here.

Attendance Line



With the transition of personnel at the front desk, it is absolutely critical that all families call the school office at 513-624-3141 for any attendance related changes, such as absences, early dismissal, late arrival, and middle-of-the-day absences. This includes if a student is going to be absent or tardy, a change is needed for how a student is going to get home, or a student needs to go home early. Calling will confirm that the school receives the message. Parents can call the school office at the number above at any time. Do not email for changes attendance.

EdChoice Scholarship Applications



With the passing of the state budget, many more families now qualify for EdChoice Scholarship funds. We encourage all families living in Ohio to apply.

Families need to complete the steps below by FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 1st. Guardian Angels then has until October 14^thto submit all applications through the state portal. 

All documents should be submitted in one email to edchoice@gaschool.org with a separate attachment for each document. 

1. A completed EdChoice Scholarship Program Request Form 2023-2024 for each student attending Guardian Angels.  Please note, the student information on the request form must match their birth certificate (for example, middle name must be included on the application if included on their birth certificate). Note: Under “School Information” section, please include correct name of the School District you in live (Forest Hills School District, Milford School District, Cincinnati Public School etc.) and the name of the public school building the student would be attending (Sherwood Elementary School, Pattison Elementary School, Mount Washington Elementary School). In addition, c heck “Yes” on “Income” section of application. 
2. Current (within 90 days of September 1st) proof of address showing matching service and mailing addresses. Click here to see what qualifies for acceptable proof of address. In addition to the steps above, families need to utilize the EdChoice Income Verification system to enter and submit their income information and verify their income status. Income verification does not involve Guardian Angels but needs to be completed before October 14, 2023. It is recommended that you complete this step directly with the state as soon as possible. Click here for a step-by-step guide to the Income Verification Portal. 

Classroom Coordinators Needed

The PTA needs your help to support our teachers and students this year and is looking for classroom coordinators for each homeroom. Multiple spots are available for each homeroom, so grab your friends and sign up!

Preschool-4th grade

• Three parties per year (Halloween, Christmas, and Valentine's Day)
• Coordinators plan an hour-long party, including games, snacks, and crafts.
• We have plenty of ideas to share from past parties, so there is no need to feel overwhelmed if this is your first time signing up!

5th-8th grade

• Three pizza and movie parties (Halloween, Christmas, and Valentine's Day)
• Coordinators collaborate with the teachers to pick up pizza and select a movie.

To sign up, click here. Reach out to Allison Hermes with any questions.

PTA Back to School Stock the Lounge

The PTA hopes everyone has had a great start to the school year! We would love to show appreciation for our wonderful GA staff by stocking the lounge. If you are able to donate, please label your donations "Stock the Lounge" and place them in the school entryway Wednesday, September 19th. Please click here to sign up and review the available slots available. Thank you so much!

Cafeteria Volunteers Needed

We are always in need of helpful hands to keep an eye on our students in grades K-8 during lunch. Please consider sharing a small part of your day to assist. All volunteers must be SafeParish trained. If you are interested, please sign up!

Catholic Committee for Girl Scouts Events

The Catholic Committee for Girl Scouts is hosting programs and events to help our scouts grow in their faith. Please see the attached flyer for more details and to register.

Chess Club Begins September 11th

Guardian Angels is excited to be selected to participate again in the Cris Collinsworth Proscan Fund Chess in School Program this year.

The Chess Club meets from 3-4 p.m. throughout the school year. The first meeting will be Monday, September 11^th.

Any student, grade 3-8, interested in learning and playing chess is welcome to attend! There is no fee for this club, but the parents of participants are required to volunteer at least once per session. Sessions run from August-December and January-May.

Contact Laura Wellen with any questions and to register. 

Scout Night

Please join Cub Scout Pack 445 on Wednesday August 30th at 6 p.m. for Scout Night. We will gather around the Scout Fire Pit by the outdoor football pavilion. This will be a fun and informative evening to learn about GA Pack 445 and the activities planned for the year.

Cub Scouts is open to both boys and girls in Kindergarten through the 3rd grade.

For additional information please contact Joe Lauer aor Liz Sebesy.

Get Creative with Mrs. Pavely

8th Grade Fundraisers

The 8th grade class will be hosting multiple fundraisers throughout the year to raise money for their class trip and graduation activities. 

Fall Mums Sale

Order your fall mums today! 9-inch potted mums cost $10 each. Order online or use the attached form and pay with a check. Paper orders can be dropped off at the school or parish office. 

Orders are due Friday, September 1st. 

Mums can be picked up Friday, September 15th from 3- 8 p.m. in the GA Pavilion.

Save the Date for this year's GA 5k Halo Hustle!

Join us for a scenic 5K walk/run through the neighborhoods of Mt. Washington on Saturday, September 30th at 5:30 p.m. Enjoy the race with music and fans cheering you on along the way! The race will be followed with a party, including an awards ceremony, live music from the Remains, food trucks, beverages, and games!

Sponsorship Opportunities

Looking for ways to promote your company or donate to special projects at GA? Please reach out to Nicole Schneider or Christina Ackerman.

RSVP for Kinder Cocktails

WHO: Kindergarten and 1st Grade Parents

WHAT: Adults only evening filled with socializing and fun!

WHEN: Friday September 29th

WHERE: Guardian Angels School Field House/Pavilion 

RSVP by Friday, September 15th! To RSVP, click here.

Line your sitters up now and we look forward to seeing you! 

Questions? - reach out to Lindsey Linz (lindseylinz3@gmail.com) and Megan Schulte (megan.jones.schulte@gmail.com)

Thank you to the host families, the Bowen, Dunigan, Hermes, Kamen, Keller, Linz, McCall, Putnam, Rose, Schulte, Solzsmon and Walsh families.

Red & White Passes

Red & White Passes are now available for purchase on the Athletic Boosters website. A Red & White Pass provides admission to all GA home sporting events for the 2023-2024 school year. Cost is $75 for a family pass and $40 for a grandparent pass. Please click here to purchase your pass. 

Feast of the Guardian Angels Save the Date

The annual Feast of the Guardian Angels parish picnic will be on Sunday, October 1st immediately following the 10 AM Mass. More details and instructions on how to RSVP for the picnic will be available soon. See you there!

St. Gregory the Great Family of Parishes Mass

St. Gregory the Great Youth Ministry Summit

Join St. Gregory the Great Youth Ministry for a meeting on the morning of September 9th. All parishioners of any age or family dynamic are welcome. We will gather for 8:15 am Mass at IHM and then retire to Heritage Hall for light breakfast treats and an update on youth ministry. Come to hear about what God has been doing and how you can be involved in supporting the youth of our family. RSVP here. Walk-ins are welcome.

St. Gregory the Great Health Ministry Event

Saint Gregory the Great Health Ministry will be hosting a 3-part health educational program this fall! We will be bringing Dr. Irene Hamrick, MD, Chair of the Office of Geriatrics at the University of Cincinnati, to each parish campus to present on common health topics that affect older adults. Join us at IHM on Thursday, September 14th in Heritage Hall to hear her presentation on depression, on Tuesday, September 26th at Guardian Angels in the undercroft to hear about insomnia, and on Thursday, October 12th at Saint John Fisher in the Resurrection Room to learn about nutrition in older adults. There is no charge and no need to register. Each presentation will begin at 7 pm. For information or questions: please contact Mary Selvaggi, RN, Parish Nurse at 513-388-4184 or marys@ihom.org.

Children's Liturgy of the Word

Children’s Liturgy of the Word is back at Guardian Angels Parish 10 a.m. Mass on the third Sunday of every month. This ministry relies on the support of volunteers to serve our parish. Two adults and 4 teenage volunteers are needed each month. To sign up, click here.

Greeters and Gift Bearers Needed

Greeters and gift bearers are needed for all 3 weekend Masses. Please consider helping out in these important ministries! This helps the ushers prepare for Mass and not have to scramble to find gift bearers last minute. To sign up, click here. 

Young Men's Faith and Fellowship

When: Upcoming meetings are 9/18, 10/2, 10/16, 11/6, 11/20, and 12/4 from 8-9 p.m.

Where: Guardian Angels Catholic Church in Room B in the undercroft or by zoom 

Age: 20s - 40s 

Join together in brotherhood with other men to grow in virtue and faith. This fall, we will be using the Mass Series by Bishop Robert Barron from the World on Fire Institute. Contact the group at mensfaith@gaparish.org to join our email distribution list, receive more information, or to join via Zoom.

Young Women's Faith and Fellowship

When: 2nd and 4th Wednesday every month from 8:00-9:00 pm.

Where: Guardian Angels Church in Room B in the undercroft

Age: 20s - 40s

Join together with other women to expand your Catholic faith and build meaningful relationships as we dive into various faith studies from the Blessed is She, Rooted devotional. No prior knowledge or materials needed; come as you are! Contact the group at womensfaith@gaparish.org for more information.  

Fathers Team

Each Friday, Fathers Team will be meeting for Fathers Team "Lite” which consists of review and discussion of the upcoming Sunday's scripture readings. All GA fathers are invited to join in person in the Undercroft (Conference Room B), or by Zoom, this Friday at 6:05 a.m. Contact us at GAfathersteam@gmail.com for the zoom information, or to get on the GA Fathers Team email distribution.

School Masses

You can find a full schedule of school Masses on the calendar in Rediker. We will be livestreaming all of the All School Masses through GA’s YouTube channel. 

Cookie Ministry

Guardian Angels School Cookie Ministry teams up with the 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. Treats need to be bagged, with two treats per bag. Donations of juice boxes and prepackaged snacks are also needed. All 6th grade classes are responsible for the next donation on Monday, September 11th. A complete schedule for the school year is attached. 

Attendance Line

If your child will be absent or late to school, please call the main school office by 8:00 a.m. each morning. All parents needing to report their child absent or late to school should call using the main school phone number (513) 624-3141.

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.

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.

Bulletin Advertising Available

Our bulletin publisher is looking for new advertisers and sponsors. Thanks to our sponsors, the bulletin is published weekly at no cost to our parish. Please consider purchasing an ad. Your ad and participation make the bulletin successful, and you attract customers! If interested, please email Sherry Montel or call/text her at 614-301-7444.

Advertisements and sponsorships can be purchased for a business, family, charity, in Honor or in Memory of a Loved One, or to support the church or a community service organization, such as Big Brothers/Big Sisters. We appreciate your support.

Community News

St. Xavier High School HSPT Preparation Course

St. Xavier High School will be offering an HSPT preparation course for interested 7th and 8th grade students (boys and girls) at St. Xavier High School on Saturday, October 28th and November 4th. The HSPT exam will be held on Saturday, November 18th ensuring the concepts and preparation learned in the course stay fresh for exam day. Click here for more information.

St. Ursula

St. Ursula invites grade school girls to visit and experience all the reasons why they were awarded "Best of Cincinnati" in the school category by the Cincinnati Award Program.

• Shadow Days: Now through December- Be a Bulldog for a day while you visit classes, make friends, meet teachers, take a tour, and experience the sisterhood.
• Walkabout Wednesdays: Various dates through November
• Grade School Volleyball Night: September 28th- Free admission for grade school girls, coaches, and parents as the SUA Volleyball team takes on Mercy McAuley
• Educational Services (ES) Program Night: September 21st- Meet teachers from our Educational Services Program and find out how Saint Ursula supports students with identified learning disabilities.
• Open House: October 22nd
• HSPT Prep Course: November 3rd. Review tips and tricks and practice strategies to build confidence prior to taking the High School Placement Test (which is required for admission to SUA)

Information about these events and many more can be found here.

Stay connected to GA through the following social media platforms:

Helpful Links

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.

GUARDIAN ANGELS SCHOOL

513.624.3141

GASCHOOL.ORG