Crusader Connection

September 24, 2025

What a great way to see how Catholic education is developing your child to be a well-spoken leader and reflective advocate! Our PTO has graciously offered to provide dinner on October 16th. Please consider showing your support for our teachers with your thoughtful words and our PTO leaders with your helpful hands.  

Please join us at the Beacon of Hope Community Fair tomorrow night 6-7pm to continue to build Immaculate Heart of Mary! 

In the Immaculate Heart of Mary,

Mrs. Pendergest

PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES

Parent-Teacher Conferences will be held on Thursday, October 2nd and 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.

PILGRIMS OF HOPE T-SHIRT DESIGN CONTEST

Over the past two weeks, students participated in our school-wide Pilgrims of Hope T-Shirt Design Contest during their Digital Citizenship classes. As part of this contest, students learned about the art of screen printing and explored this year’s religious school theme: “Pilgrims of Hope.”

After discussing the symbolism behind the "Pilgrims of Hope" logo, students were challenged to recreate the logo in their own unique and meaningful way. Their designs reflected personal interpretations of hope, faith, and our shared spiritual journey.

Once all submissions were in, voting began! Students from kindergarten through eighth grade were given the opportunity to cast their votes for the design they felt best represented the "Pilgrims of Hope" theme.

We are excited to announce the overall contest winner: Beckham (4th Grade). In recognition of a design that truly exemplified our Crusader Statement of Beliefs: CARE, Beckham will receive a Cheryl’s Cookie and a First-Place Certificate.

Our runner-up was: Evie (5th Grade). Evie will receive a Runner-Up Certificate and a Crusader Coupon for her outstanding design and effort.

We’d also like to recognize our grade-level winners:

• Kindergarten – Reggie 
• 1st Grade – Avery 
• 2nd Grade – Eli O.
• 3rd Grade – Veronica 
• 4th Grade – Beckham 
• 5th Grade – Evie 
• 6th Grade – Max R.
• 7th Grade – Ellie Z.
• 8th Grade – Gage 

Our grade-level winners will receive a certificate and a Crusader Coupon as well for their hard work!



Congratulations to all participants for their creativity and enthusiasm. We are proud of how our students expressed their Crusaders Care Statement of Beliefs through art! This shirt will serve as a great example to our community how our students are Christ-like, Accountable, Respectful, and Engaged!

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR NEWEST 8TH GRADE EUCHARISTIC MINISTER

Congratulations to our newest Eighth Grade Eucharistic Minister who was commissioned at our last school Mass. Thank you for dedicating yourself to bringing Jesus to our community in the Eucharist!   

THANK YOU TO OUR MYSTERY READERS!

Many thanks to the first round of Mystery Readers that visited our elementary classrooms this week. These days are filled with excitement! In fact, this week as I escorted Kindergarteners from the morning buses, they were telling me all about their guess on the book selection. Our community is great because of moments like these, where we walk together to build wonder, learning, and hope.    

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 

UPCOMING HEARING-VISION SCREENINGS

Immaculate Heart of Mary School will be performing hearing and/or vision screening to all kindergarten, first, third, fifth and seventh grade students this fall as required by state law. For the full note from our Nurse's Office, click here.

IHM SCHOOL COMMUNITY ARE PILGRIMS OF HOPE

You can be a Pilgrim of Hope

• Contributing baby items to the Baby shower in a Bag Project that benefits women experiencing a crisis pregnancy who come to Pregnancy Center Plus on Madison Avenue. Click here to sign up to donate items. Donations can be placed in the wooden bin in the school lobby until Sunday Sept. 28th. Check the church bulletin Social Action page for more details.
• Helping at the Comboni Taste of Mission Event. Volunteers are needed to man the Kids Area booths on the afternoon and evening of Saturday, September 27th. Click here to sign up to volunteer.

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! 

CHESS CLUB IS BACK!

We will be starting on Wednesday, September 17th.



The format of Chess Club will stay the same as last year. We will have two groups (both on Wednesdays) - Group 1 for play & basics, and Group 2 for strategy & tournament prep. 

Please read the information at the top of this form fully before deciding which group to sign up for! 

This form will close Sunday, September 14th at noon. If you have any questions regarding Chess Club or the form, please contact Caroline Walsh - walsh.caroline@ihomschool.org. 

We look forward to seeing everyone on September 17th! We have missed you and Chess Club!

SUPPORT FOR ANNUNCIATION PARISH AND SCHOOL OF MINNEAPOLIS

The Catholic Community Foundation of Minnesota has created a charitable fund — the Annunciation Hope and Healing Fund — which will provide financial support to the Church of the Annunciation for the needs of the parish and school, as well as to support those affected by the tragedy. If you feel called to give, please click here. May the Lord continue to comfort and console the Annunciation Parish & School family and community

BEACON OF HOPE COMMUNITY FAIR IS SEPTEMBER 25TH

Come see how you can support Immaculate Heart of Mary School! Join us at the Beacon of Hope Community Fair on September 25th from 6-7 pm in the IHM Cafeteria (babysitting provided!). The Beacon of Hope Community Fair is a great opportunity to see all the organizations that help make Immaculate Heart of Mary School a flourishing environment for our community. There is an organization for everyone to help give back and keep IHM traditions strong. See where your gifts can make a difference — from the Winter Gala to the Booster Fish Fry, there is place for everyone!

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 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.

THURSDAY PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES

PRESCHOOL CORNER

THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY

The Preschool Mum Buddies Fundraiser was a huge success, raising over $7,000! The money will be going towards playground improvements. Thank you to all who participated and congratulations to Vivie T. Who was our Top Seller, earning her class a Cookie party with Mrs. Puening! 

Thank you to all the volunteers who came out, stayed late after football practice, and provided service to mulch both playgrounds earlier this month. A special THANK YOU to Evan Sturm for giving so much time and bringing the equipment needed to work on both playgrounds. It was wonderful seeing students Mason, Ben, Chloe and Allie giving their time to serve our mission. 

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. 

IHM PTO NEWS

PTO CLASSROOM COORDINATORS & VOLUNTEERS

Don't miss out! Help support school events and students by signing up for one of our remaining PTO Classroom Coordinator or Volunteer positions. These coveted spots are still available for kindergarten, 4th, 5th, and 6th grades to plan class parties. Secure your spot here!

FALL ON THE FARM

IHM PTO invites you to a private event at Burger Farm! Enjoy private access to Burger Farm with IHM families! The IHM PTO has reserved the farm for an exclusive evening of fall fun on Sunday, September 28th, from 6–8 p.m. Bring your IHM friends and extended family for a special, crowd-free evening! Please see the flyer attached for more details. Registration is open on MTK until September 24TH, reserve your spot today! Tickets will not be sold at the door.

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! 

OUR FALL FUNDRAISER IS UNDERWAY!

Thank You Crusader Community! Our Fall Fundraiser has been an absolute smash, and we are not done yet.

There is still time to get those final orders in by Friday September 19th. Homeroom teachers will be sharing the lists of students who earned an Out of Uniform Pass (1 Day or 1 Week). Keep an eye out for their communication.

Out of Uniform Days are:

• 1 Day: September 22nd
• 1 Week: September 22nd-26th

Don’t Forget to double check the handbook for out of uniform guidelines!

Any questions please contact IHMPTO@gmail.com.

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

NEW ALTAR SERVER EVENT

TOUCHING THE DIVINE BIBLE STUDY

COMMUNITY NEWS

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 1st and 14th
• Open House: October 26th & 27th
• Future Rockets Sports Nights:
• Volleyball: September 18th
• Morning at McNicholas: October 30 & November 14th

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: September 19th, & 26th, October 1st, 3rd, 8th, 10th, & 24th, November 5th & 25th, December 9th, and January 9th
• Cincy Premier Grade School Band Information Night: September 9. 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: 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.
• Volleyball Night: September 25th. Click here for more information.
• Educational Services Program Night: October 2nd. Click here for more information.
• Walkabout Wednesdays: September 17th, 22nd, and October 1st, 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