Crusader Connection

October 8, 2025

Yesterday, the rain did not slow down our preschool learning from the Anderson Township Fire Department. Thanks to Preschool Director Case, and our Preschool teachers’ creativity, and Fire community partners’ support, who pivoted to make the stormy field trip experience a positive one, including comparing waterproof boots! 

Parent-Teacher Conferences will continue on October 16. Signups can be found in OptionC until October 14. If you conferenced on the 2nd, please allow other families to use those spots. 

This cooler weather is a reminder that our uniform does have winter guidelines that begin on November 1. Please review our Handbook beginning on page 34, found in OptionC. ADM count week is underway for state reporting. Please note our Handbook policy, “Parents of students who have unexcused time off during the ADM count week in October may be charged additional tuition based upon the amount of state funding the school loses because of the absence.”  

Please keep our 8th graders and staff who are attending the Damascus Retreat next week in your prayers, especially Fr. Aarron, for safe travels as he has volunteered to offer Mass to add to this joyful experience.  

Our first Wheel of WOW winners spun for a reward this past Monday, as part of our C.A.R.E. initiative. Crusader Coupons are earned by individual students and can be placed in the Wheel of WOW raffle for a prize. Students are celebrated for being Christ-like, Accountable, Respectful, and Engaged on campus. Yesterday, 3Q earned a class Crusader Coupon for their respectful and compelling practice in music class, where they could be heard outside the closed doors preparing for our November Veteran’s Program. When I can hear “’Semper Paratus’ is our guide...” being sung while I am walking down the halls, I cannot help but smile. There are so many ways our teachers are showing they are ‘always ready’ and our students are too! 

Immaculate Heart of Mary, Pray for Us! 

Mrs. Pendergest

NEW VISITOR MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

Tomorrow, families will receive communication from Mrs. Pendergest announcing the new visitor management system we will be implementing at Immaculate Heart of Mary beginning next week. Please be sure to check your email for more details tomorrow.”

ATTENTION AFTER CARE FAMILIES

After Care will close at 5:00 pm on Friday, October 31st. Please plan accordingly.

K-8TH GRADE PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES

The second session of Parent-Teacher Conferences for K-8th Grade will be held on Thursday, October 16th from 3:30 - 7:30 PM. Please go into Option C to sign up for a time slot with your teacher. Remember to only sign up for one conference per child (do not sign up for multiple teachers). If you need help with how to schedule a conference time in Option C, please contact your child's teacher.

EGGTOBER FUNDRAISER

The Eggtober Fundraiser, run by our Student Ambassadors, will take place October 6–10 during lunch. Students may purchase 1 egg for $0.75 or 2 for $1.

Each egg contains candy and possibly a blue or gold coin! Blue coins earn a spirit wear day with uniform bottoms (limit 4 per student) to be used on October 13-16, while a gold coin allows for one full out-of-uniform day (limit 1 per student) to be used on October 17.

Our top priority for the funds is to provide a new stable for the Nativity Play. This is a fun way for students to show school spirit and support our school community—thank you for helping make it a success! 

PICTURE RETAKE DAY IS OCTOBER 23RD

Did you miss Picture Day, blink mid-smile, or discover that one stubborn hair stole the show?

Don’t worry, Picture Retake Day is coming up on Thursday October 23rd.

M-W preschool families may bring their child for pictures or retakes on Oct. 23 from 8:15-9:30 am or 12:30-1:00 pm. Students being photographed that day may come out of uniform, but please remember to follow all handbook guidelines.



Order: Mylifetouch.com

Picture Day ID: EVT8BD372

TIME TO SHINE AT THE 2026 WINTER GALA

We’re excited to share that Katie Herms, Ashley Kramer, and Lisa Geglein will be leading this year’s Winter Gala – Denim & Diamonds on January 31, 2026!



Check out the attached flyer to see how you can get involved today—through donations, sponsorships, or volunteering. It’s your time to shine!

2025-2026 CLASS SHIRT SIGN UP

Please complete this form to select your student's 25/26 Class Shirt size (K-8).

This shirt is used for our field trips, field day, Rosary Rally and more. Please fill out one form per student in grades Kindergaten-8^th.

Any questions please reach out to Penni Yannessa.

DROP OFF REMINDERS

K-8 parents should not be stopping in the preschool circle drive to drop students off in the morning. The preschool circle drive is reserved for preschool families dropping off to before care. 

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!

IHM PLAYERS NEWS

This year’s fall production of James and the Giant Peach Jr. will be performed by our 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade IHM Players this November at the Anderson Center Theater! We would love for you to see these students’ hard work and dedication to the arts. Performance schedule and ticket information will be posted at a later date. We hope to see you at the stage!

For all things IHM Players, please visit our IHM Players Facebook and Instagram pages @ihmplayers. For all inquiries, please email, ihmplayers@gmail.com

CAFE UPDATE

Wednesday October 29 will NOT be chicken nuggets and french fries. We will be having Chicken sandwiches and chips instead! 

THURSDAY PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES

PRESCHOOL CORNER

PRESCHOOL VISIT TO BURGER FARM

The preschool classes are excited to visit Burger Farm on Oct. 15/Oct. 17! Children will meet their teacher at Burger Farm with their 1 adult chaperone. There will be NO Preschool Before Care on October 15 due to no morning class on campus. 

SAFE PARISH

All preschool visitors must be Safe Parish compliant. Here is the link for Safe Parish instructions: SAFE PARISH. Please reach out to Julie Parks at preschool@ihomschool.org if you have any questions. 

PRESCHOOL PLAYGROUND FUNDRAISER

Immaculate Heart of Mary Preschool has been an important part of the IHM community for the last 14 years. We have grown over the years and welcome many new families each year. Spreading the Gospel to our Littlest Crusaders and providing them with a Christ-centered start to learning is the mission of our loving staff. In addition to supporting the students’ spiritual and academic needs, we support their motor development, creativity, and communication skills. Our preschool playground is one of the best places to make this happen! We are seeking donations for much needed playground improvements. Any donations are greatly appreciated! 

IHM PTO NEWS

STAFF APPRECIATION DINNER

Please join us in showing our support for our wonderful teachers at our Staff Appreciation Dinner on Thursday, October 16th! Families in the 2nd and 5th grades are asked to lead the effort by donating soups, salads, and sandwiches. Sign up to donate here.

Please drop off food items, in Heritage East by 3 p.m. on Thursday, October 16th.  See the Flyer for more details.

SAVE THE DATE- LADIES NIGHT OUT!

Mark your calendars! Our Ladies Night Out is set for November 1st. Details coming soon!

PTO CLASSROOM COORDINATORS & VOLUNTEERS

We need Classroom Coordinators and Volunteers! Please sign up to help plan and coordinate your student’s class holiday parties. Spots still remain open for the kindergarten, 4th, 5th and 6th grades. Secure your spot here.

PTO REGISTRATION FOR THE 2025-2026 SCHOOL YEAR

Don’t forget to register with the PTO for your ’25-’26 school year! Download the Membership Toolkit App to pay for PTO dues, have access a directory of IHM families, and pay for events quickly and securely. *First Time Registration must be completed on a desktop computer. * Attached is a user tutorial guide for MTK.

IHM BOOSTERS NEWS

IHM BOOSTERS GOLF OUTING IS OCTOBER 10TH!

IHM Boosters presents the 25th annual golf outing! Join us Friday, October 10th at 9 am for a Shotgun start at Ivy Hill Country Club.



Click here to register and for sponsorship opportunities.

For questions reach out to golfouting.ihm.crusader@gmail.com

MIDDLE SCHOOL YOUTH GROUP KICK OFF!

WALKING WITH A PURPOSE BIBLE STUDY

Why is the parish parking lot so crowded on Friday mornings? Over sixty ladies have been gathering every Friday morning from 9:30-11 at the Parish Welcome Center to participate in the Walking with Purpose Bible Study. And this Friday, October 3rd, we are inviting friends to attend our monthly Connect Coffee Event. We would love for you to come join us for breakfast, coffee, and soul filling discussion following a video we will watch featuring Lisa Brinkemeyer. For questions, please contact Sheri May at sherimay76@gmail.com or Christy Hiltz at christyhiltz@gmail.com

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS COAT COLLECTION

NEW ALTAR SERVER EVENT

TOUCHING THE DIVINE BIBLE STUDY

COMMUNITY NEWS

Mount Notre Dame High School

Empowered to transform the world.

• Model United Nations Conference for 7th and 8th graders (boys and girls). Click here for more information.
• Open House: October 23rd. Click here to register.
• Information Night: November 4th. Click here for more information.

St. Xavier High School

Grade school boys are invited to learn about St. Xavier and how they form men into leaders and Men for Others!

• Shadow Days: Click here to schedule.
• Entrepreneurship Bootcamp: October 24th & 25th. Click here to register.
• Xperience Night: October 22nd. Click here to register and for more information.
• Open House: November 16th 1-5 p.m. Register here.

McNicholas High School

Explore McNicholas High School this fall and learn more about how you can Find Your Brilliance as a Rocket! View our Admissions Calendar, list of events, and steps to apply. Browse our Digital Brochure for an overview of our academic, athletic and extracurricular offerings.

• Shadow Days: Click here for Shadow Days available.
• Apply: Applications are open from September 1 through November 17.
• Information Nights: October 14th
• Open House: October 26th & 27th
• Morning at McNicholas: October 30 & November 14th

Archbishop Moeller High School

Forming our Students into Remarkable Men.

• Shadow Days: Schedule here.
• Information Sessions: October 14th. Register here.
• Open House: November 2nd. Click here for more information.

Elder High School

Grade school boys are invited to visit Elder High School and see how they offer a place for students to express their individuality and make their high school experience unique!

• Shadow Days: October 8th, 10th, & 24th, November 5th & 25th, December 9th, and January 9th
• Grade School Brand Night: October 10th. Click here to register.

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: Through November 14th. Spend a day at SUA and shadow a current student through a regular school day. Meet students and teachers, attend classes, and experience the welcoming atmosphere and authentic sisterhood in person. Click here to register.
• Educational Services Program Night: October 2nd. Click here for more information.
• Walkabout Wednesdays: October 15th, and 22nd. One-hour tours to see the community in action. Click here for more information.
• Open House: November 9th. Register here.

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