Crusader Connection

August 27, 2025

SPIRIT DAY IS FRIDAY, AUGUST 29TH

Our first Spirit Day this school year is Friday, August 29th. As a reminder, per the IHM Student Handbook, "SPIRIT WEAR DAYS: On these designated days students are permitted to wear an IHM Spirit Wear shirt or IHM sports uniform top with their uniform pants, shorts, or skirt. Class T-shirts may also be worn. Spirit Wear can be purchased at the IHM Spirit Shop or Kuhl’s.”

NO SCHOOL MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 1ST — HAPPY LABOR DAY

No School on Monday September 1st, as we celebrate our nation’s recognition of workers’ contributions to making our communities great. Happy Labor Day!

MORNING CAR LINE PROCEDURE

Morning Vehicle Drop-off has been going well! Please drive all the way up to the cone or to the car in front of you and stay in a single-file line, following the car in front of you. Do not drive around other vehicles in line, as this can be unsafe for pedestrians and cause accidents. Please use designated crosswalks when available, and be mindful of your speed. We cannot allow our drop-off procedure to obstruct Beechmont Avenue traffic flow, so slow and steady movement is critical. Thank you for your teamwork!

WELCOME TO OUR NEW STAFF!

We are pleased to welcome the following staff to our school campus this year: 

• Laura Case, Preschool Director 
• Ms. Kristen Kucia, Occupational Therapist Hamilton County ESC 
• Ms. Cindy Wilmes, Mathematics Specialist, Hamilton County ESC 
• Mrs. Lisa Baker, Kindergarten 
• Mrs. Savannah Augustyniak, 4th Grade Language Arts 
• Mr. Jackson Elberts, 5th Grade Language Arts 
• Mrs. Thalia (Lia) Conrady, Preschool Extended Day Teacher
• Ms. Sarah Richart, Educational Assistant
• Mrs. Regin Reenan, Health Aide

PARENT CHECKLIST AND FORMS TO COMPLETE

To ensure a smooth start to the school year, please submit the below documentation to the school office as soon as possible.

• Log into Option C to Complete:
• 25-26 SCHOOL DISTRICT TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION
• 25-26 STUDENT K-8 HANDBOOK AGREEMENT
• 25-26 SKILLS GROUP ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
• 25-26 PHOTO PERMISSIONS
• 25-26 STUDENT DEMOGRAPHIC & MEDICAL INFORMATION

eForms Guide for the Parent Portal.pdf

• Request for Medication by School Personnel
• OTC Medication Form
• Prescription Medication Form
• Updated Immunization Records
• 7th Grade: One dose of Meningococcal vaccine (MCV4) and one dose of Tdap vaccine must be administered on or after the 10th birthday
• All Kindergarten and New Families 1-8 MUST complete the following required Medical Forms
• StudentMedicalRecord
• A copy of the most current Immunization Record
• ORAL ASSESSMENT

DISCIPLINE UPDATE

IHM is committed to creating and maintaining a school in which each and every student feels both physically and mentally safe. In order for this to be a reality, IHM will hold three aspects of behavior as non-negotiable & off limits.  

• Violence: Both abusive and non-abusive 
• Direct Disrespect: In all interactions 
• Property destruction/Theft: Including IHM property and the personal property of individuals in the building 



Your new administration is instilling new rules to make this a priority. As with any new policies, it may take some time for students, staff, and parents to get used to the change. Those rules will be communicated by your child’s teacher on the first day of school, and Mrs. Pendergest and Mr. Duncan will also be sharing more information during the beginning of Curriculum Night on 8/27 from 6 – 8 PM. We hope to see you there! 

PLAYGROUND MULCHING VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

The playground mulch will be delivered September 2nd. Please join us at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, September 2nd with your wheelbarrows and shovels to help move the mulch to our two playground areas!

CURRICULUM NIGHT

Curriculum Night is August 27th for 1st-8th grades. This is a great chance to learn about your student's teacher and expectations in the classroom.

• Grades 1-6 will be from 6-8 p.m. beginning in the gym. Please enter from the main lobby.
• Grades 7 and 8 will be from 7:30-9 p.m. beginning in Heritage Hall.

IHM PRESCHOOL IS HIRING!

Immaculate Heart of Mary Preschool seeks a caring and patient Preschool teacher to support our early learners. If you are a nurturing and love helping little ones grow in a faith-based environment, we would love to have you join our team. You are expected to plan age-appropriate activities, and work well with classroom aides. Hours are Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday 12-3:30 p.m.

Contact: Laura Case, Preschool Director – case.l@ihomschool.org.

Catholic Candidate: Preferred

ROOFING PROJECT UPDATE

The roofing project is still wrapping up on both the main school building and the Kindergarten annex building.  Please be mindful of door access, materials, and work overhead.  Thank you for giving space for them to wrap up as quickly as possible. 

CAFE CORNER

Welcome Back Crusaders! The Cafe Crew has been hard at work getting it all ready to go for you. Please see the attached flier for some reminders about adding money to your account and reviewing the menu. You can add money to your MySchool Bucks Account. Pricing is below.

PILGRIMS OF HOPE: TAKING CARE OF THE ENVIRONMENT

The St. Gregory the Great Social Action Committee is educating and encouraging students to recycle plastic bottles and milk cartons during the school lunch periods. New recycling containers are in the school cafeteria. Volunteers are reminding students to empty the contents of the milk cartons and plastic bottles (water & Gatorade) into nearby buckets, to remove the straws, and then to recycle the containers. Encourage your child to be a good steward of the Earth and a Pilgrim of Hope as we care for our environment.  

JOIN OUR BOOSTERS

Interested in Athletics or Fine Arts? Please visit our respective parish-sponsored boosters groups for more details.

JON PETERSON SCHOLARSHIP

We are pleased to announce that IHM has partnered with Literacy Link, led by Michelle Orlando regarding Jon Peterson Scholarship applications and billing.  Please reach out to Michelle with questions and documents at jonpeterson@ihomschool.org. If your student receives special education funding through the John Peterson Scholarship, please see the Welcome Letter.

BAND STARTS IN SEPTEMBER

Beginning Band will start on Wednesday, September 10th from 3-3:45 p.,. in the choir room. The returning band students will start September 3rd from 3:45-4:30 p.m. They will report to the choir room at 3 p.m. and quietly study, read or help with the beginners. Please reach out to The Music Staff Company, band director, Chuck Lautenbach at 

513-284-9457 with questions.

Payment is via check only to “IHM School” as this contracted service is held on the IHM campus.  All instrument and music book rentals are directly between family and rental company. 

WE ARE HIRING LONG-TERM SUBSTITURE TEACHERS!

IHM is in need of a few long-term substitute teachers this school year in both Preschool and K-8. If you are interested, please contact Mrs. Kelly Pendergest at pendergest.k@ihomschool.org.

WINTER GALA VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Each year, the Winter Gala brings our community together to celebrate and support the heart of our school — our amazing teachers and staff. But this year, the Gala is at serious risk of being cancelled unless we find volunteers to step up as event chairs.  Contact Belinda at 513-328-3532  IHMgala@ihom.org  

THURSDAY PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES

SCHOOL MASSES

Join us for the First Mass of the school year, Thursday, August 28th at 8:15 a.m.

We will offer one all school Mass per week, typically on Thursdays. The schedule may change based on Holy Days and other liturgies.

Click here to see when your child's homeroom will be leading Mass. We'd love for you to join us!

FISH FRY LEAD VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Help us keep the tradition alive! The IHM Boosters are seeking a dedicated individual (or a dynamic team of 2) to take charge of the IHM Fish Fry next year. This important role involves ordering supplies, setting up each week, and overseeing the cooking team. This is the first time in 30 years we’ve had this opening, and it’s a critical opportunity to support our IHM community. Many may not know that the Fish Fry is the Boosters' top fundraiser, directly supporting uniforms, equipment, facility maintenance, and more. Without it, we risk having to increase yearly dues and sports participation fees.

WE ARE HIRING IHM FACULTY!

We are looking to hire for our team in the following roles:

• Certified Educational Assistant(s), Part time email Principal 
• Counselor, Full time email Principal 
• Substitute Teachers, email Principal 

If you know someone who can bring their skills to support our students on campus this year, please encourage them to apply!   

IHM PTO NEWS

JOIN THE PTO

PTO REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN FOR THE 2025-2026 SCHOOL YEAR

Download the Membership Toolkit App to pay for PTO dues, access a directory of IHM families, and pay for events quickly and securely. Volunteer opportunities are now open for sign ups here! Help is needed for weekday, evening, & weekend events! 

PTO FAITH, FAMILY, & FALL FUNDRAISING IS STARTING SOON!

Our important fall fundraiser with our partner Charleston Wrap is coming soon! Be on the lookout for all the details coming your way so you can help us reach our goal. We need your support, and you’ll love what’s coming!

JOIN US FOR MASS TOGETHER SUNDAY!

What is Together Sunday?

This year, we as a family of parishes are going to make a special effort to invite Catholics who do not attend church regularly to come back to Mass.

Sunday September 14, the Feast of Exaltation of the Holy Cross, has been designated as Together Sunday. Personally invite someone back to Mass, pray for that person, and then invite him or her to join us for Mass on Sunday, September 14.

We will have donuts and coffee after certain Masses for Together Sunday.

Carve a little extra time into your Mass schedule to mix and mingle with fellow parishioners!

GA after the 8 am and 10 am Mass (moved from the third Sunday of the month)

IHM after the 9:30 am Mass

SJF after the 9 am and 11 am Mass

RITE OF ENROLLMENT MASSES FOR CONFIRMANDI

These masses are an opportunity for those being confirmed this year to make their own public statement about their desire to be Confirmed. They sign a scroll before Mass and, when called upon, stand up to state their intention to be Confirmed in their Catholic faith.

Fr. Steve will be the celebrant as these Masses. Here are the dates and times where this Rite will take place:

Guardian Angels

- Sept. 6th @ 3:30pm

- Sept. 7th @ 8:00am

Immaculate Heart of Mary

- Sept. 13th @ 5:00pm

- Sept. 14th @ 9:30am

- Sept. 14th @ 11:00am

- Sept. 14th @ 5:30pm

St. John Fisher

- Sept. 21st @ 9:00am

- Sept. 21st @ 11:00am

CASEY ON THE MOUND!

Archbishop Casey will be throwing out the first pitch at the Cincinnati Reds home game on August 30th . The pitch is scheduled for 6:25 p.m., prior to the game which begins at 6:40 p.m. at the Great American Ball Park. To celebrate the upcoming school year and to recognize your work as leaders of our Catholic schools, you are cordially invited to attend the pre-game festivities as honored guests. You are invited to join Archbishop Casey on the field where you will be recognized before the game around 6:20 p.m. Discounted tickets can be purchase here. $5 of each ticket sale will be donated to the Catholic Education Foundation of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati.

If you have news to share with our community, please send it to communications@ihomschool.org. Information is due on Friday; the week before you would like the news to be included in our newsletter.

IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY SCHOOL

7800 Beechmont Ave.

Cincinnati, OH 45255

513-388-4086

ihomschool.org