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U.S. Department of Education National Blue Ribbon School
(2021, 2014, 2008)
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8th graders working on a pencil STEM challenge during last week's Catholic Schools Week |
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Dear Parents,
Thank you for celebrating Catholic Schools Week with us even though it was cut short with our snow days. Our Spelling Bee was held yesterday with our 7th and 8th grade in attendance and I would like to congratulate and thank all of our spellers for their participation. A special congratulations to our winner 8th grader Tanishka Prabhu and our alternate 8th grader Emily Mifsud.
Student-Led Conferences will take place next week. This was delayed due to the weather last week and students were not able to complete and bring home their portfolios. Students will be bringing home their materials this Friday and we would like to have the conferences completed by Thursday, February 17th.
The Oak Society applications have been reviewed and applicants will be receiving notification via email sometime next week regarding their application.
We will be celebrating Valentine’s Day on Monday, February 14th. Students and staff may enjoy a red dress down day. Thank you to our room parents for providing fun games, activities and an ice cream treat to make the day extra special.
Please remember to remind your students if they are bus riders that all passengers and drivers are still required to wear masks while on school transportation, subject to the exclusions and exemptions in the CDC’s January 29, 2021 Order. Also, please see the article below regarding clarifications to the recent changes in contact tracing procedures and quarantines.
Looking to volunteer? See below some wonderful opportunities to volunteer for some upcoming parish events. Corks For A Cause and Vacation Bible School will be returning this spring and we are looking for volunteers for both events. See details in the stories below. We are also happy to announce that we have begun planning some spring events for the students. Our 8th grade students will have the opportunity to participate in Dance Club, our 5th and 6th graders are scheduled to attend Biz Town in late March and Supergames Wolfhound Field Day is scheduled for May 27th. More details on these and other opportunities to volunteer will be shared as they become available.
May the blessings of St. Brigid be with you,
Kathy O’Reilly
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Catholic Schools Week Recap |
We had fun celebrating Catholic Schools Week last week living our school-year theme of "Writing Our Next Story: Pencils in the Hands of God," along with the national Catholic Schools Week theme of "Catholic Schools: Faith. Excellence. Service." We are so grateful to be part of a community of faith, excellence and service each and every day here at St. Brigid of Kildare.
Last week we celebrated the Feast of St. Brigid with a beautiful Mass including all of our favorite St. Brigid hymns. Children also enjoyed their favorite school lunches and our teachers and staff were treated to a special lunch as a gift of appreciation funded through the Annual Fund and organized by our Home and School Association. Throughout the week children had fun creating a beautiful custom mural puzzle in each homeroom, as well as exciting minute-to-win-it challenges!
Our students demonstrated their faith and compassion for others as they completed service projects for LifeCare Alliance. Children made Valentine cards for Meals on Wheels recipients, Lifecare Alliance Cancer Clinic clients, and Lifecare Alliance Diabetes Clinic clients, a pet care item collection to be included with Meals on Wheels deliveries, placemats for senior citizen dining centers, thank you cards for Meals on Wheels drivers, and decorated grocery bags for Columbus Cancer Clinic pantry.
Click the link below to view more photos.
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Photo Newsletters: 3rd and 4th Grades |
Click the images below to view this week's photo newsletters and see what the classes have been up to. |
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Congrats Spelling Bee Participants! |
Each year St. Brigid School participates in the Scripps National Spelling Program which starts at the Classroom Bee level in December, and ends with the National Spelling Bee in Washington D.C. in May. Our final two spellers standing were Tanishka Prabhu (winner) and Emily Mifsud (runner-up). They went back and forth in a dramatic spell-off for 19 rounds of difficult words like "extraterrestrial" and "introspection".
Congratulations to all our outstanding spellers!
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Updated COVID Guidance and FAQs |
Below is an updated information sheet regarding COVID-19 guidance for grades Preschool - 8 as we move to masks strongly recommended on February 14th. Please be aware that if your child goes to the clinic with COVID symptoms, he/she will be asked to wear a mask until his/her parents are able to pick them up.
Click below to read the updated guidance, which includes answers to the following FAQs:
- What happens if my student tests positive for COVID-19?
- What if a parent or sibling tests positive for COVID-19?
- What if my student is exposed to COVID-19 outside of the school setting or school sports/activities?
- What if a student is exposed at school or school sports?
- What if my child is not feeling well?
- Procedure for Return to School
This document can be found on the Safe Together webpage also.
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Bookstore Discount for St. Brigid Families |
Looking for a family-friendly outing this weekend?
Cover To Cover Bookstore is offering a 20% discount for all St.Brigid families this Fri/Sat/Sun!
Cover To Cover is a charming, locally-owned store in Upper Arlington.
Great selection for Preschool through Young Adult!
Hours: 9am-8pm
Address: 2116 Arlington Avenue
Store Phone: (614) 263-1624
***Online Option*** (books would be delivered to school)
Discount Code (only good Feb 11-13th) is stbrigid20
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Situational Awareness Tips |
Below are two interrelated important concepts for personal safety. These are used in our self-defense and active threat training programs.
Situational Awareness:
Being in the moment and aware of what is happening around you; using all senses and perception to be aware of your surroundings and potential hazards or threats.
It is important that you are aware of your surroundings at any given time and that you are not hindering your senses or perception by being distracted.
Examples of distractions we often see are having both earbuds in while walking or exercising in public, or being so "locked-in" on your phone screen as you are walking. Try to get in a habit of at least leaving one earbud out so you can hear, and not being so engrossed in your phone and looking down at it. Try glancing at your phone at eye level instead of looking down.
Contextually Appropriate:
Given the totality of the situation, does what you are seeing, hearing, or smelling fit that situation at that point in time? If it does not fit, you need to act. Often the best option is to remove yourself from that location, if possible.
Example scenario: Would it be contextually appropriate for someone to come into a movie theater with a backpack, sit down, place the backpack on the floor and then leave? Hopefully that would raise some red flags for you to at least tell someone about it?
Think of it as a weird safety game of "Where's Waldo?" If you find a "Waldo" sticking out and it does not fit the situation, get out.
By using these concepts in public, you can keep yourself and your family safe.
Feel free to contact me with any questions. We are hoping to be able to offer self-defense classes once again, as we did before COVID.
Stay safe.
Bruce
mr.mckenna@stbrigid-school.org, 614.718.5825 ext. 276
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School Tuition Assistance Application – Deadline March 15, 2022 |
Applications for Tuition Assistance for the 2022-23 school year must be submitted through the FACTS Grant and Aid portal by March 15, 2022.
Please note if you applied for and accept the Oak Society grant, you are not eligible for tuition assistance as well.
To be considered for Saint Brigid or the Diocese of Columbus Tuition Assistance Programs:
- You must be registered for the 2022-23 school year by March 15, 2022.
- The application, tax return, and W-2 must be submitted by March 15, 2022. (No exceptions will be made for any late applications, so please apply early in case additional documentation is requested by FACTS.)
- You must pay the online $35 application fee.
- You need only submit one application per family.
- Saint Brigid does not offer tuition assistance for non-Catholic families but you may be eligible for Diocesan assistance.
- There is no tuition assistance available for preschool.
- If 2021 taxes are not finished for submission by March 15, 2022, the 2020 tax return with 2021 W2 is acceptable.
*Please note: requirements are slightly different than years past, so please be sure to read all instructions carefully before submitting your application
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Catholic Foundation Scholarship for Rising 9th Graders |
The Catholic Foundation’s applications for Scholarships will open on January 31 and close February 28.
Since 2007, The Catholic Foundation has awarded over $1.3 million in scholarships empowering over 200 young people to continue their academic and vocational studies. For more information and to apply, please visit www.catholic-foundation.org/scholarships. If you have any questions about our scholarship process please feel free to contact Dan Kurth, VP of Grants, at 614-443-8893 or dkurth@catholic-foundation.org.
New Scholarship Opportunity – The Nativity of Mary
The Nativity of Mary Scholarship was established in memory of Mark Vonder Embse, and Marcus & Eleanor McEllistrem for the propagation of the Catholic faith and devotion to Our Blessed Mother. A letter of recommendation, short essay on the applicant’s devotion to our Blessed Mother, and financial need will be used to evaluate the potential applicants. One scholarship will be awarded to a student in each of the four high school grade levels. Provided that these students remain in good standing and continue to attend a Catholic high school in the Diocese of Columbus, the scholarship will be renewed each year until that student graduates.
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News from Our Parish Community |
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Vacation Bible School 2022 Planning Meeting |
Wednesday, February 9 at 10 am
Our initial planning meeting will take place Wednesday, February 9 at 10 am via Zoom. Anyone interested in helping with planning and/or would like to volunteer for this year's program, please join! The Zoom meeting is Meeting ID 838 1174 6990, Passcode 233810. We look forward to seeing you!
VBS is scheduled for June 20-24, 2022. More details will be released as they are set.
If you missed the meeting but are still interested in helping out with VBS, please contact Andrea Komenda at akomenda@stbrigidofkildare.org.
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Corks for a Cause: Save the Date, Volunteer Meeting |
Save the date for this year's Corks for a Cause! The annual silent auction and wine tasting that benefits our parish and school's SPiCE (Special People in Catholic Education) program will take place on Saturday, April 23, 2022 at 7 PM in Hendricks Hall. We are excited to hold the event in-person again, but will continue to offer online bidding for guests who do not attend in-person.
More details and volunteer opportunities will be available soon. If you have silent auction items or bottles of wine you can donate, please contact Sarah Moore at smoore@stbrigidofkildare.org.
Volunteer Meeting
If you are interested in volunteering or just learning more about ways you can help out with this event, there will be a meeting held on February 22 at 11 AM in the Immke Room of Hendricks Hall.
If you can't make the meeting but would still like to help, contact Sarah Moore at smoore@stbrigidofkildare.org.
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Spring Sports (Baseball, Softball, Track & Field) Registration Open |
SBAA is happy to open up the Spring Sport Registration for 2022. Offerings for the spring are Baseball, Softball, and Track & Field. All three are available to boys and girls in the 4th - 8th grades that are students of St. Brigid or parishioners of St. Brigid.
Registration will be open until Friday, Feb 25th, with the first practices to start shortly thereafter. Please register soon to not miss out on any communication around practices and forming of teams. You can Register at the link below.
Baseball & Softball:
Season will be made up of 8-10 games with a season ending tournament planned for grade 5-8. Registration fees are $160 and include your jersey & St. Brigid hat. Practices will be at Brigid's Green along with about 1/2 of the games at St. Brigid and the rest at other Diocese schools.
Track & Field:
Season will consist of 4 meets + the Diocese championship starting with April 2 until May 14. Practices will be held at Karrer Middle School or at St. Brigid/Avery Park as needed. Registration fees for track & field are $85.
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Family First Winter Programs |
Mom to Mom
Mom to Mom meets on Tuesdays 9:45-11 am in the Church basement. Facilitator Kim VanHuffel will be leading discussions based on Amoris Laetitia (The Joy of Love), Pope Francis’ apostolic reflection on love in the family. Together, we will read and reflect on each chapter. Moms, you do not need to commit to coming weekly or to pre-reading to join us for great conversation! For questions contact Erin Heise erinjolene@hotmail.com or Anne Davis at davis.anne81@gmail.com.
Sisters in Christ
Sisters in Christ will view and discuss, Ascension Presents- Father Mike Schmitz.” Open to all St. Brigid women, Sisters in Christ is a new faith sharing group focused on women’s spirituality. Please join us to share and gain wisdom from other women like you. No commitment necessary, drop in when you can join!
When: Wednesday January 12th - February 9th
Time: 1:15 to 2:30 pm
Location: Deacon’s Room in St. Brigid of Kildare Church
Any questions contact Cheryl Hohlefelder at hohleinone@gmail.com or Mandy Skinner at amandaskinner2@gmail.com
Play Group
St. Brigid’s Play Group is a community of parents and children (of varying ages) eager to make friends and build community. Playgroup meets on Wednesdays 9:30 or 10 am at various indoor/outdoor locations around town. For Play Group meet up locations see the bulletin or check out the Family First webpage. For any questions email nortonsarae@gmail.com.
*For more information about Family First see our website
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Make It A Date! February 12 |
A Night Out to Strengthen Your Marriage
Saturday, February 12, 2022
6:15 to 7:30 p.m.
St. Brigid of Kildare Parish, Hendrick’s Hall
All married and engaged couples are invited
to St. Brigid’s 22nd Make It a Date! event.
Your evening begins with light appetizers and a chance to socialize with other St. Brigid couples.
Then Fr. Tim Lynch, St. Brigid’s parochial vicar, will share a reflection on marriage.
At the conclusion of the event, spouses leave on their own date at a venue of their choice to talk about the evening and how it relates to their own relationships.
Registration is necessary
Please RSVP to Christine Drab at cadrab@gmail.com or 614-256-9065 by Feb. 9
Sponsored by Family First and the St. Brigid School of Adult Faith Formation
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Protecting God's Children Sessions |
The Diocesan Safe Environment Department will be offering Virtus Protecting God's Children sessions via Zoom 2/10, 3/17, 4/21, 5/19, 6/16 at 6:00 pm via Holy Spirit Church. Registration is at www.virtus.org. All potential parent and athletic volunteers are encouranged to register before these sessions fill up. Limit is 50 participants per session.
Potential volunteers with children and youth must also complete a St. Brigid volunteer application, and submit a signed code of conduct, copy of photo ID, and submit to a criminal background check.
Full details and forms can be found at https://stbrigidofkildare.org/safe-environment/ or contact Stacey Nerone, Safe Environment Manager at snerone@stbrigidofkildare.org
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News from Our Catholic High Schools |
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Three of our Saint Brigid of Kildare School class of 2019 alumni served last week at the Respect Life Mass at St. Joseph Cathedral. Thank you to Kate Drab, John Agan, and Brian Zetzer for your service!
Congratulations to Mari Hegenberger, Saint Brigid of Kildare School class of 2019 who recently set the weigh lifting record at Watterson!
Congratulations to our alumni!
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St. Charles Upcoming Events |
St. Charles Charism Award Essay Scholarship Program (New)
Students will have an opportunity to write essays related to their leadership experiences and service to their community. They will also be asked to describe how they've exemplified the values of the school and our patron saint, St. Charles Borromeo. Essay writing sessions will be held on the evenings of February 15, 16, and 17 from 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. in the school’s Walter Student Commons. At least one student from each parish community will earn an award for participating in the essay writing competition.
To register and learn more about these scholarship opportunities, we invite you to visit the St. Charles website at stcharlesprep.org and clicking on the Homepage’s "Admissions" menu tab.
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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.
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www.stbrigidofkildare.com |
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