WOLFHOUND WEDNESDAY
August 14, 2019
Our 2019-2020 School Theme: We are the NOW of God: Using Our Strengths to Live as Disciples
The O'Reilly Minute
Our school theme for the 2019-2020 school year is, “ We are the NOW of God: Using Our Strengths To Live As Disciples.” As we continue to develop our accreditation goals this year, we will continue to expand and develop our students’ understanding of how God made us all as unique and creative individuals with different strengths and talents.  As Catholics we are called to use these gifts to further God’s mission on earth. Through prayer, reflection and meditation, we will strive to creatively and innovatively use our strengths to make a positive difference in our world.

This year, we have several staff changes and we welcome several new staff members to our St. Brigid School family.  

Staff Changes:
Julie Boyles - 3rd grade math/science/religion
Mackenzie Veeder - 3rd grade ELA/religion/social studies
Christine Gutridge - 4th grade ELA/religion/social studies
Brittany Burger - 4th grade math/science/religion
Karen DeLucia -  7-8 Literacy Teacher
Jen Scherer - Intervention specialist working with 4th grade and early literacy
Megan (Byorth) Sobecki - Intervention specialist K and 3rd grade
Jenny Ventresco - 7-8 ESA M-W-F
Maryann Heffernan - 7-8 ESA T-R
Mary Curtin - Preschool Halos Lead Teacher
 
We welcome the following new members of our staff:
 
New Staff:
Jane Borgemenke - 1st grade teacher 
Samatha Troutman - 2nd grade teacher
Kerinan Jordan - 6th grade homeroom - 5-6 ELA and Religion
Gabrielle Zaremba - 5-8 Math Assistant 
Jill Baumel - Cafeteria
Mary Ohlin - Cafeteria 
Debbie Kephart - Latchkey
Susan Kline - Latchkey 
Angela Francis - Vision Specialist
Andrea O'Reilly - Paraprofessional
Teri Squillace - Paraprofessional
Kelly Walker - Paraprofessional
Shannon Summers - Paraprofessional


Transportation News: 
All bus rider families now need to register with the public district that provides your transportation. If you have not registered for bus transportation for this coming year, please click on this link: https://stbrigidofkildare.com/2019/05/17/register-bus-transportation/ for directions.   

 
Important Dates:  
Parent Administration and Meet the Teacher - August 19, 4:00 - 6:00 PM
Kindergarten WOW - August 20, Please see your letter for your assigned time
Opening School Mass - Friday, August 23, 9:00 AM
Curriculum Night: 
August 28
Grades 3 & 4 - 6:30 pm
Grades 7 - 7:30 pm

August 29
Kindergarten - 6:00 pm
Grades 1 & 2 - 6:30 pm
Grades 5 & 6 - 7:30 pm
We have several staff babies being born and due to be born this week. Congratulations to Mrs. Karen DeLucia and Brian DeLucia who welcomed their new baby daughter last evening. Lillian Virginia weighed in 7.5 lbs....all are doing well! See attached picture.

Best wishes to Mrs. Megan Wachalec as she expects her baby this week. We welcome Mrs. Meredith Dorley who will be helping out in the office while Mrs. Wachalec is on leave. 

As our new school year begins, we can be proud of the spiritual and academic excellence nurtured at Saint Brigid of Kildare School and in knowing that we are truly making a difference in the lives of our children. On behalf of the faculty and staff, we look forward to working with all of our students and with you in the new school year.

Blessings,
Kathy O'Reilly
Back to School Handouts
Please review all the Back to School handouts at the links below. The folder you receive at Parent Administration Day on Monday, Aug 19 will only contain papers that must be signed and returned -- everything else is accessible online at the links below. The forms below will not be included in your Parent Administration Day folder.

These forms may also be found on our website by clicking the " Current Families" box.


Handbooks & Procedures:




Action Items & Sign Up Forms:




Save the Date:

is Friday, October 25 from 6 - 8:30 pm
Welcome to Our New Parish Staff Member, Bruce McKenna
Saint Brigid of Kildare is excited to welcome Bruce McKenna to oversee our parish safety and security. In this role, Bruce will draw on his experience as a trained police officer and school resource officer to assist the parish, school and religious education program in implementing safety protocols and trainings. His position will focus on creating policies that keep our parish campus safe, while also providing education and awareness of the latest key issues that impact the safety and well-being of our parish families.

Bruce and his family have been parishioners of St. Brigid of Kildare since 1995. He has previously served our parish as a eucharistic minister, DARE officer, speaker for parent workshops, and has implemented safety training for our school and parish staff.  Bruce holds a bachelor of arts in criminal justice, and has completed FBI Active Shooter training and ALICE training, as well as instructor training on these topics. 

Bruce and his wife Kris are parishioners of St. Brigid and have a son who graduated from St. Brigid of Kildare School. We are excited to welcome Bruce as a full-time member of our parish and school staff. Bruce can be reached at mr.mckenna@stbrigid-school.org.
A La Carte Breakfast Begins in September
Our a la carte breakfast cart will return in September for students in grades 1 - 8. Service will be available from 7:45 - 8:00 AM through the cafeteria. Students will have the option of purchasing a max of 2 items to take to the classroom. They will be able to eat during homeroom period or save their item for a mid-morning snack. Items will include: fruit (grapes, apple slices, banana), cheese sticks, Bunny Grahams, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, and Fruity Cheerios.

Items may be added/deleted as time continues. Most items are $.50 with a few costing $.75. Students will pay via their lunch account.
A Reminder: Our Attendance Notification Policy
If your child will be absent or tardy, please call the school office that morning before 8:30 a.m. (614-718-5825) or email the attendance email at attendance@stbrigid-school.org so we can notify the teacher.

This is an email address that all office secretaries can access. 

Thank you!
Uniform Exchange on Monday
There will be a uniform exchange on Monday, August 19, from 4 - 6 pm during Parent Administration Day, in the school cafeteria. 

Uniforms are free and families do not need to donate any uniforms to receive uniforms. Families can also drop off any gently used uniforms at this time.
Spiritwear for Sale on Monday
There will be Spiritwear available for purchase, browsing, or placing orders on Monday, August 19, from 4 - 6 pm during Parent Administration Day, in the school cafeteria.  Orders will also be availble to place online starting next week.
Make it a Date!
A Night Out to Strengthen Your Marriage

Saturday, August 24, 2019, 6:15 to 7:15 p.m.
Hendrick’s Hall at St. Brigid of Kildare Parish

All married and engaged couples are invited to St. Brigid’s 18th Make It A Date! event.  
Adult Volunteers: Protecting God's Children Class
All adult volunteers working with children in our parish and school need to complete the Diocesan safe environment requirements which include attending a Protecting God's Children (PGC) training session and completing a fingerprinting background check and application.

St. Brigid will be hosting PGC sessions on:  
  • Tuesday, September 17th at 8:30 am in the Carr Room
  • Tuesday, September 24th at 6:30 pm in the Carr Room 

Please contact Stacey Nerone at snerone@stbrigidofkildare with questions. 
NCEA Parent News
Click below to read the NCEA (National Catholic Education Association) parent newsletter on back to school topics for parents.
Submit Materials for Wolfhound Wednesday
If you have information you'd like included in the next Wolfhound Wednesday, email it to Allie Wing at mrs.wing@stbrigid-school.org. 
 
To view past issues of the Wolfhound Wednesday, find them archived on our website here