Wednesday Herald

September 3, 2025

We are incredibly blessed at Guardian Angels to have such a strong relationship among our parents and teachers who constantly work together for the betterment of the students we serve. Please join me in thanking the outstanding GA staff for all they do every day for our students. 

God Bless,

Corey Stoops

Safe Snack List

Please be mindful of our Safe Snack List when bringing in food items for distribution to other students. A comprehensive list of what is allowed to be brought in can be found on our school website here. All items brought in for distribution must be included on this list. No homemade or bakery items are allowed. 

iReady Testing Begins August 27th

• iReady testing began last week. Students will take the Reading assessment on September 2^nd, 3^rd and 4th. This test serves as a baseline data point for the teachers to help personalize instruction and support for all our learners. 
• Students will need headphones for the test to allow items to be read to them. Please remember a healthy habit before testing is to get a good night sleep and to eat breakfast.

Extended Care and Preschool Pick Up

There is construction taking place on campus in The Pit, and it will be closed for a few weeks. In the meantime, Preschool and Extended Care pick-up procedures will need to change.

Preschool will exit the building through the Gathering Space. If Extended Care is in the Undercroft, parents will need to access via the Gathering Space. Please use the staircase on the rectory side of the church. The Undercroft doors are next to Room B. Use the doorbell on the right side to enter.

Lost Items

Please remember to label your child's clothing, lunch box, water bottle, etc. so that lost items can be easily returned.

Boosters and PTA Dues

Guardian Angels has three major parent-led organizations that provide services to our students: PTA, Athletic Boosters, and Fine Arts Boosters. This $100 fee covers all three programs (PTA facilitates the collection).

The PTA is a critical link between the teachers and the parents. The money that the PTA receives from its portion of the dues, along with fundraising throughout the year, allows the PTA to put on events like the Penny Fair, manage the used uniform exchange, provide teacher appreciation events, and invest in capital improvements at the school. 

Last year, the PTA fundraising efforts supported painting the intermediate and junior high hallways, new furniture for the 3rd grade classrooms, and a remodel of the Junior High Collaboration Space. Athletic Boosters plans to use their dues to offset the rising operational costs for uniforms, equipment, league fees, as well as ensuring a top-quality experience for our young athletes. The Fine Arts Boosters uses their funds to support school performing arts as well as fine arts.

The classroom party fee is $15 a child. This money is used by PTA classroom coordinators to plan and put on parties for each homeroom. Grades preschool - 4th grade will have themed parties for Halloween, Christmas, and Valentine’s Day. Grades 5th - 8th grade will enjoy pizza parties for Halloween, Christmas, and the end of the year. Click here to pay dues and party fees.

The PTA facilitates the collection of monetary gifts for the teachers at Christmas and the end of the year. This is not mandatory but provides an opportunity for parents and families to celebrate teachers and staff with a monetary gift. Please use this link if you would like to contribute to teacher and staff gifts.

Picture Day is October 3rd

Fall Picture Day will be Thursday, October 2nd. A reminder that students may dress out of uniform but should wear school-appropriate attire. Order information will be coming soon!

EdChoice Applications

We are currently working submitting the EdChoice applications for current GA families for the 2025-2026 school year. As the EdChoice Scholarship program has continued to evolve, so have our processes at GA. Moving forward, the EdChoice Application Process will move from School Administration to the Business Office with a designated point of contact. With this change, it is possible that families may be asked to provide additional documentation for your application to be processed accurately. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your patience as we work to process your child’s application, especially during this busy time of school restarting. Please send any questions regarding EdChoice to edchoice@gaschool.org and a response will be delivered as quickly as we are able. 

Carline Reminders

Thank you, parents, for working well to follow the carline procedures. As a quick reminder to keep the line moving quickly and safely:

• All students must exit on the passenger side of the vehicle
• Please continue to pull all the way forward, closing the gap between you and the car in front of you. Do not stop in the middle of the carline and leave a large gap.
• Follow the direction of Mrs. Jacobs and continue to pull forward to the end of the line.

Attendance Line

All families must call the school office at 513-624-3141 for any attendance-related changes. This includes if a student is going to be absent or tardy, a change is needed for how a student will get home, or if 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 changes to attendance/pick-up; always call the school office.

School Security Procedure Update

Throughout the year, we will be making several updates to our school security, with an emphasis on visitor management. To begin this process, we are implementing a new procedure for dropping off forgotten items. Here is how it will work: 

1. Drop-Off Location: Please bring forgotten items to the front entryway. The office staff will buzz you in.
2. Item Stands: To your left, you will find two designated stands. Kindly leave the items there.
3. Identification: Sticky notes and pens will be available for you to label your item so that it can be easily identified.
4. Student Retrieval: When class schedules allow, your student will be sent to retrieve the item. Parents will not be permitted to walk items to the classrooms this year.
5. Sign-In/Out Procedure: Parents are asked to use the clipboard on the stand to sign their students in or out for any appointments.

This new procedure is designed to keep our school as safe as possible, ensure that confidential information shared in the office remains secure, and help us operate efficiently.

Thank you for your cooperation and support in making our school a safer place for everyone!

Chess Club 

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

The Chess Club meets on Wednesdays from 2:45 to 4 p.m. throughout the school year, beginning on September 10th. The club is designed for students in grades 3-8 who know how to play chess, are interested in learning chess strategy, and who enjoy some friendly competition. It is limited to a handful of students chosen on a first-come, first-served basis. There is no fee for this club, but parents of participants need to be able to volunteer periodically at club meetings. 



Contact Jessica Hansen with questions. 

Order Your GA Spirit Wear!

We now have Kuhls Hot Spot AND USports for our spirit wear! You are welcome to order online at USports and can either walk in or order online at Kuhls Hot Spot. Don't forget, Kuhl's Hot Spot also has uniform items!

Fall Mum Sale

Support Boy Scout Troop 445 and the 8th Grade Class of 2026 and order your fall mums today! 9-inch potted mums cost $15 each. Order online here.

Orders are due Friday, September 5th. 



Mums can be picked up Friday, September 12th from 3-7p.m. in the GA Pavilion.

Lunch Service

Kaldi's Catering Services provides GA students with lunch offerings each day. Parents need to set up and pre-order lunches through the EZ Schools Apps platform. Limited lunch items are available for students who have active accounts with available funds on the day of service. Please create an account if you don't already have one. 

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!

Register Now for the 2025 Halo Hustle!

8th Grade Car Wash

Learn About Cub Scouts!

The Monster Mash is October 18th!

Join us for a family-friendly Halloween party on Saturday October 18th from 5:30-8:30 p.m. in the GA Upper Lot (PC Gym if bad weather)

Purchase tickets here. To purchase using a check, please see order form.

Tractor Ride • Face Painter • DJ • Photo Booth • Kids Games • Free Pizza, Snacks & Drinks • Adult Beverages for Sale

Questions? Contact Jennifer Allgier at jallgier1@gmail.com

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 Katie Ionna with any questions.

Looking for More Players – U8 Boys Soccer Team!

Our Angels U8 boys soccer team is looking for a few more players to join us this season!

    •    Focus on fun, learning, and teamwork

    •    Practices at Armleder park at 6 p.m.

    •    Games begin 9/6

If your son is interested in playing, making new friends, and being part of a great team, we’d love to have him join us!

Email nickwhitacre@gmail.com for more details and to sign up!

Help GA Football And Let GA Football Help You!  

Make dinner night a little easier and choose Canes every Thursday until October 30th. 

Advertise in the PC Gym



Looking for a high-visibility way to promote your business or show support for the GA community? Ad space is now available in the PC Gym! 

Email marcom@gaboosters.org if interested. 

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 2025-2026 school year. Cost is $75 for a family pass and $40 for a grandparent pass. Please click here to purchase your pass.

Join Us for Mass on 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

Grab a friend and join the St. Gregory the Great Youth Group for Together Sunday at IHM at 5:30 pm Mass. Meet in the Gathering Space five minutes before Mass to all sit togheter. After, stay for the Youth Group Meeting!

Save the Date: Guardian Angels Parish Picnic

Guardian Angels will hold its annual Feast of the Guardian Angels parish picnic on Sunday, October 5th, immediately following 10 am Mass. To RSVP, click here.

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

St. John Fisher

- Sept. 21st @ 9:00am

- Sept. 21st @ 11:00am

Register for Youth Group!

Sensory-Friendly Mass at St. John Fisher First Sundays of the Month

St. Gregory the Great Family of Parishes and the Archdiocese of Cincinnati Office for Persons with Disabilities offers a Sensory-Friendly Mass on the first Sunday of the month at St. John Fisher. All are welcome! A special invitation is extended to any person with autism, developmental disabilities, Alzheimer’s, dementia, or sensory issues. These Masses may include lower lighting, quiet music and/or no music, and shorter more literal homilies; however, the biggest difference is that we try to create an environment free of stigma. We encourage families and individuals to get up and move if needed, to bring alternative seating, fidgets or noise cancelling headphones, and to participate in the liturgy just as they are. 

St. Gregory the Great Mental Health Ministry Is Here for You!

St. Gregory the Great Youth Group Cookout

LifePrep for 8th Graders

All St. Gregory the Great 8th Graders will have the opportunity to participate in an exciting new program next year that facilitates the fine tuning of key life skills: self-awareness, communicating, relationship-building, decision-making, generating and managing income, time management, and other key skills, all with a Christian mindset. We will meet monthly from September through April as a group on the first Wednesday of the month from 7:00pm-8:30pm in the Youth Room on IHM’s campus; and then once more for 20-30 mins each month during the 3rd week (times and locations TBD) in a 1:1 meeting with a teen life coach. Please see the LifePREP brochure or contact Steve Von Hoene, Associate Director of Youth Evangelization stevevh@sggparish.org , for more information.

Children's Liturgy of the Word

Children's Liturgy of the Word takes place at Guardian Angels Church on the third Sunday of the month at 10 am for children ages 4-8. If you are interested in helping out, email alisonr@sggparish.org.

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 at the last minute. To sign up, click here. 

Young Women's Faith and Fellowship  

Young Men’s Faith & Fellowship

Fathers Team

Every Friday, GA Fathers meet at 6:05 am to discuss various topics of interest and importance to our roles as dads, husbands, and “brothers”. Each week is a different topic, with outside speakers occasionally. All GA fathers are invited to join in person in Room B (downstairs) or via Zoom. Contact us at GAfathersteam@gmail.com for the Zoom link and for any other info on the group.

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 jelly 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 7th grade classes are responsible for the next donation on Monday, September 8th. 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 Montell 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

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:
• Football: September 12th
• 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 12th, 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 10th, 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.

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