The O'Reilly Minute

Dear Parents,

This coming Sunday marks the beginning of Catholic Schools Week!  This is our annual celebration of what makes Saint Brigid of Kildare School outstanding:  Coming Together At The Table: United In Faith and Community.   Starting with Mass on the weekend of January 27/28, we have a whole week of activities planned to show what our students are accomplishing and to celebrate our faith community. See daily details and events below.  There are several “To Do” items to mark on your family calendar.  

Today you will be receiving 2nd quarter report cards and discipleship rubrics.  You will be receiving an email around noon with directions for accessing the report cards through your FACTS family portal.   Please note that there is not a place to sign off that you have read the report card.  FACTS is still working on this feature and we hope to have it available in the future.  

Our students and teachers have worked very hard this first half of the year and there is much to celebrate!  Please keep in mind that both parents and teachers are encouraged to initiate communication any time during the year if there is a student concern or a question.  We believe that it is better to address a student concern or clarify a situation in a timely manner rather than wait for a scheduled conference time. You may contact teachers via email or leave a phone message in the school office at 718-5825.  Faculty emails can be found using the quick link in the Wolfhound Wednesday or on our website at http://stbrigidofkildare.com/staff/ 

Student-led conferences will take place next week.  Please use the Sign Up Genius located in the story below.  

There has been an update to the lunch calendar. Thursday the 25th we will be serving sub sandwiches, green beans, celery/cucumbers, apples/pears. Tuesday, Jan 30th we will be serving Rotini & meatballs, carrots/celery, apples/grapes, cupcakes. Both the updated google calendar and printable calendars can be found here. (Lunch calendar tip: To add the lunch calendar to your Google calendar, click this link, then scroll down and hit the “+Google Calendar” button, then follow the prompts to add to your Google calendar account.)

We have had a great response of RSVP’s for the Crucial Conversation with Jesse Weinberger which will take place tomorrow evening.  It is not too late to RSVP or please feel free to just attend at the last minute if your schedule frees up.  Below are two great articles I have come across addressing the topic of children and social and digital media. 

How to Know When a Child is Ready for Social Media (Nationwide Children’s)

Vatican II on Media and Social Communication (Word on Fire)

May the blessings of Saint Brigid be with you,

Kathy O’Reilly

Catholic Schools Week

The theme of our Catholic School Week celebration is “Catholic Schools: “Coming Together At The Table: United in Community and Faith.” Catholic schools have an irreplaceable role in the Church’s evangelizing mission. Building on the central goal of Catholic schools to form saints, Catholic schools teach and embrace the whole person, body, mind and spirit. The fact that all members of a Catholic school community share the Christian vision of faith that Christ is the foundation of Catholic education is what unites the school as a faith-filled community. While faith is the binding element in Catholic schools, the Church reiterates that parents are the first teachers of their children. Holding this tenet, Catholic school communities expand beyond the walls of school buildings to envelop the family as an integral part of the school community. Together, teachers, administrators, staff, students and parents fuel the light of faith by integrating culture with faith and faith with living. 

Saturday/Sunday January 28/29 - Celebrating the Parish

Catholic schools benefit all year long from the religious guidance, prayers and support of our parish.  

• Students are asked to wear uniforms or church appropriate spiritwear to all weekend Masses.

Monday, January 29 - Celebrating The Community

Our students learn the value of working together as a community serving and taking care of each other. 

• Our school community will gather together for morning prayer in the gym led by our 8th grade Faith Committee members.
• Our 8th grade Service Committee will be announcing our 100th Day of School Food Drive to benefit “Feed The Kids Columbus” Students will be encouraged to bring items Monday and Tuesday to make snack bags for children in the community at large needing support. See article for more details.

Tuesday, January 30 - Celebrating our Families 

Parents, Guardians and other family members play a vital role in Catholic education. Not only do they choose to send their children to Catholic schools, they instill values and expectations for academic excellence and living a life of discipleship. 

• Favorite School Family Lunch - Students voted for rotini and cake with sprinkles!
• Our students will work together to prepare gifts for their families by making Table Talk Cards to encourage rich conversation at the dinner table. Additionally, each family will also receive a book titled “Family Faith Conversations for Living Eucharist and Reconciliation”
• Families will come together to celebrate student learning at Student Led Conferences Grades 3-4 and 5-6.
• Our book fair will be open this evening during conferences. This is a great way for families to find new books to share with each other.

Wednesday, February 31 - Celebrating Serving in the Community (Vocations and the 100th Day of School Food Drive)

By focusing on the themes of learning, serving and leading our Catholic schools prepare children to succeed by using their God-given talents to the fullest throughout their lives. This week we offer opportunities for students to explore the many paths that enable them to use their talents well.  

Today and for the remainder of the week we celebrate Vocations. Religious from the parish and the Diocesan community will be visiting during lunch periods this week to sit at the table with our students and have conversations about vocations.    

• Students will work together on the 100th day of school to create 100++ snack bags to help Feed The Kids Columbus serve children in need of a healthy snack.
• Families will come together to celebrate student learning at Student Led Conferences Grades K - 1 and 7-8.
• Our book fair will be open this evening during conferences. This is a great way for families to find new books to share with each other
• Clergy and Religious visiting at lunch for vocations table talk.

Thursday, February 1 - Celebrating our Faith

Our patroness, Saint Brigid dedicated her life to education and to serving the poor, sick and elderly. Today we celebrate her feast day by looking to her as a role model of learning, serving and leadership in our faith. 

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• Feast of Saint Brigid Mass at 9:00 am. Parents are welcome to attend as your schedule allows. 
• Read Saint Brigid stories, legends or watch videos of her life/stories
• Green and Yellow Lunch
• Clergy and Religious visiting at lunch for vocations table talk

Friday, February 2 - Celebrating Students, Faculty and Staff

We celebrate students today with fun activities to celebrate their accomplishments of learning, serving and leading!

We also celebrate our teachers and staff who are the backbone of Catholic schools. Today we honor and thank teachers/staff who support our school in its important work,

• Spiritwear dress down day for students and staff
• Appreciation luncheon for teachers and staff organized by Home and School Annual Fund. Students and families are encouraged to write thank you notes to teachers/staff.
• Hoops Game at 1:30 pm - Faculty, Staff, Clergy vs. 8th Grade (Parents are welcome if your schedule allows)
• Hounds Hoopla sponsored by Home and School and the Annual Fund - an evening of family fun! 6:00 - 8:00 pm

Photo Newsletters: 6th Grade

Crucial Conversations: Nationally Recognized Speaker Jesse Weinberger Coming Tomorrow

Crucial Conversations is a parenting speaker series for St. Brigid of Kildare Parish and School parents of school-aged children, focusing on student wellness and safety.

Internet Safety for Parents with Jesse Weinberger

Thursday, January 25 | 6:30 PM

Nationally recognized internet safety speaker Jesse Weinberger will share guidance, data, and life-changing information on keeping children and families safer online, and the connection between social media and mental health.

• Is your 11-18 year old using TikTok or SnapChat? Do you even know what these platforms are meant to do? (Spoiler alert: neither one of these apps should exist anywhere in your home)
• Are you aware that the overwhelming percentage of children are regular consumers of online pornography? And by the way, they don’t think it’s a big deal.
• Did you know that your tweens and teens are regularly making it incredibly easy for sexual predators and “cyberbullies” to stalk them?
• Did you know that chances are that your child has been cyberbullied at least a couple of times?
• Did you know that a significant percentage of college admissions counselors will try to review your child’s social media platforms? What will they find if they look?
• Did you know that your children are at risk of going to prison and being listed on a sexual predator registry because of the photos they are sending AND receiving on their smartphones?
• Did you know that high school juniors and seniors are routinely getting their college acceptances and scholarships revoked for less than honorable social platform behavior?

If any of these surprised you, come and learn more at the Internet Safety for Parents presentation on January 25!

This presentation applies to all parents. Whether your child is a toddler or a college student, technology is having an impact on their day-to-day life as well as their future outcomes.

As parents, we may not realize that our children are hypersexualized by digital content, how our own adult use of technology changes them, and the causal impact technology has on their mental health.

Jesse Weinberger is a former programmer, a nationally recognized speaker, TEDx presenter, and the host of Big Mama's House Podcast. Jesse is also the author of The Boogeyman Exists: And He's in Your Child's Back Pocket, 2nd ed. With over 15 years of speaking at school districts all over the United States, Jesse's particular skill is successfully reaching audiences with the perfect combination of humor and deep expertise in technology and digital content.

Learn more about Jesse at her website www.overnightgeekuniversity.com.

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. Classroom Bee winners competed through over 20 rounds of difficult words including "retinitis pigmentosa" and "meitnerium". 

7th grader Andrew Burns earned the title School Champion… Best of luck to Andrew as he starts studying for the Regional Bee! 8th grader Charlie Ferrara was the official Runner-up.

Congrats to all our participants!

• 4th Grade Georgia Baker and Blair Giacalone; Emma Enghauser and Autumn Enghauser (alternates)
• 5th Grade Kenny Morris and Jolene Peters; Abby Parisian and Anthony Pizzino (alternates)
• 6th Grade Katy Durant and Bernadette Dziewiatkowski; Jacob Dublikar and Lillian Babcanec (alternates)
• 7th Grade J.J. Dula and Andrew Burns; Katie McEnhill and Grace Reville (alternates)
• 8th Grade Charlie Ferrara and William Ailabouni; Nicolette Gianakopoulos and Grace Murphy (alternates)

Upcoming Service Project: Catholic Schools Week

In order to prepare for Catholic Schools Week coming up January 29 - February 2, we wanted to let you know about a service project we will be working on for Feed the Kids Columbus.

We will be collecting snacks by grade level between January 29-31st.

K - box of granola bars (no nuts)

1/2 - box of applesauce pouches

3/4 - box of fruit snacks

5/6 - box of individual pack of pretzels

7/8 - box of NutriGrain bars

Staff - box of individual packs of Goldfish

Alumni on Q2 Honor Roll

Congratulations to our St. Brigid of Kildare School alumni at Bishop Watterson High School and St. Charles Prep who earned 2nd quarter honor roll.

Click below to view the list.

Pastries for Parents Social Feb 8

Join other parents after the 9 AM school Mass on Thursday, February 8 for coffee, pastries and conversation in Hendricks Hall. Parents and young children are welcome.

Hosted by Home & School

First Grade Girls - Interested in Girl Scouts?

Join our Girl Scout Troop for first grade girls!

Please register at the Girl Scout website and enter our troop number 7203

The group meets once or twice per month on Tuesday after school until 4:15

Any questions please feel free to email Stephanie Franklin 

[email protected].

Bake Sale: Eighth Grade Social Committee

The Eighth Grade Social Committee is having a Bake Sale fundraiser for their trip to Washington DC. It will be open the nights of Student Led Conferences on Tuesday, January 30th and Wednesday, January 31st. A portion of the profits will go to charity. The bake sale will be in between the Think Tank and the Sun Room next to the library, and near the Book Sale. We can only accept cash payments. Thank you for your support!

Thanks,

The Eighth Grade Social Committee

Student-Led Conference Sign Ups

Student-Led Conferences are coming up on Tuesday, January 30 for grades 3, 4, 5 and 6, and Wednesday, January 31 for grades K, 1, 2, 7 and 8. Please use the link below to sign up for your child's homeroom teacher's conference.

Hounds Hoopla is Feb 2 - Registration Open!

Hounds Hoopla is coming Friday, February 2nd from 6-8PM at our school! Register now at the link below!

Join us for Bingo, a DJ dance party, magician, crafts, face painting and fun! Pizza, snacks and drinks included. Entry is $28 per family. The registration link and volunteer sign up are below.

Donations Needed

Donations are needed for Bingo prizes. A donation box will be in the main office area outside the nurse's office. Great donation item ideas include gift cards for the older kids in the $10-20 amount, crafts, stuffed animals, games, sports equipment like soccer balls, plastic bats and balls, little kids ball gloves, nail polish, hair accessories.  

Anything new, unopened or in like new condition we would look forward to having on the prize table.  

First BIG Book Fair Since 2019!

• Books for preschool through middle school.
• K-4 must shop with an adult (times below)
• Grades 5-8 may bring money to shop during the school day.

Book Fair Shopping Hours:

• Mon Jan 29 afterschool 3:00-3:30pm
• Tues Jan 30 during Student Led Conferences 4:00-6:45pm
• Wed Jan 31 during Student Led Conferences 4:00-6:45pm
• Thurs Feb 1 afterschool 3:00-3:30pm
• Fri Feb 2 afterschool 3:00-3:30pm

Questions?

[email protected]

The Emmaus Road SGO and Diocesan Tuition Assistance Application is Now Open: Deadline March 15, 2024

Applications for The Emmaus Road SGO Scholarship, Diocesan Tuition Assistance, St. Brigid Parish Tuition Assistance, and TACT Teacher Assistance for the 2024-25 school year must be submitted through the FACTS Grant and Aid portal by March 15, 2024.

In order to receive funds through any of these tuition assistance programs, you must apply for tuition assistance through FACTS.

To be considered for 2024-25 Tuition Assistance Programs:

• You must be registered for the 2024-25 school year by March 15, 2024.
• The application, tax return, and W-2 must be submitted by March 15, 2024. (No exceptions will be made for any late applications, so please apply early in case additional documentation is requested by FACTS.)
• If 2023 taxes are not finished for submission by March 15, 2024, the 2022 tax return with 2022 W2 is acceptable.
• You need only submit one application per family.
• There is no tuition assistance available for preschool.
• All K-8 families, Catholic and non-Catholic are eligible to apply.
• Assistance amounts given vary by family and will be based on family income and number of children in a household.
• All applications and materials submitted are confidential.
• Applicants are expected to be notified of award status in May.

For full instructions on applying for tuition assistance, click here.

Spring Sports Registration is Open

Registration for Spring Baseball, Softball, and Track & Field - for grades 4th - 8th - has been opened and available at https://www.gowolhounds.com/register (note updated site address)

Baseball

Registration Fee: $160 - includes game jersey and hat.

Practices will begin around March 1, and games will go from April 1 until May 12 (exact schedule released end of March)

Softball

Registration Fee: $160 - includes game jersey and hat/visor.

Practices will begin around March 1, and games will go from April 1 until May 12 (exact schedule released end of March)

Track & Field

Registration Fee: $85 

Practices will begin around March 1, and meets will go from April 1 until May 12 (exact meet schedule released in March)

Want to help out with the teams this spring?  All 3 sports are in need of coaches (head coaches and assistant coaches) - please consider volunteering.  When you sign up your child you can provide details if you are interested in helping out. Our programs are driven by parents volunteering - so please consider giving some of your time to help out.

Have any questions about the spring season?

Baseball/Softball Commissioner - Will Maelrich ([email protected])

Track & Field Commissioner - Dan Workman ([email protected])

Registration Questions - Shawn Steinbrunner ([email protected])

Registration will run until Feb 23rd - but we are offering an Early Bird Discount of 10% off if you register before January 31st - so sign up today.

Prospective Families Open House This Weekend

Sunday, January 28 from 3-5 PM

This is the perfect time for interested friends, family or neighbors to explore our three-time Blue Ribbon School. Prospective families can tour our school and see first-hand how Saint Brigid of Kildare School provides a quality Catholic education in a warm environment. There will be representatives from Saint Brigid of Kildare School’s many programs available to answer questions.

Spread the word to anyone you know who might be interested in applying to Saint Brigid of Kildare School for the 2024-2025 school year!

Registration Reminders:

• Our new family application and the open house RSVP is now open. This is for any new children entering preschool or K-8 that are not currently enrolled at St. Brigid School. Anyone interested in applying for the next school year can learn more about the process here.
• Current family re-registration for K-8 and those returning to preschool will take place January 19-26, 2024.
• If you have a currently enrolled St. Brigid preschool student wishing to move on to Kindergarten, you will fill out a re-enrollment packet beginning January 19th. Completing this re-enrollment packet for Kindergarten will place you in the general queue for review/acceptance along with all other Kindergarten applicants. You will be notified via email of acceptance/wait list status on or before February 12, 2024.

Corks for a Cause 2024 - Ticket Sales Now Open!

We are excited to hold our 17th annual Corks for a Cause Silent Auction and Wine Tasting for SPiCE on Saturday, March 2, 2024. We can't wait to celebrate Music City with our Nashville Nights theme!

There are several ways to help support this event, through volunteering, becoming an event sponsor, donating auction items, or donating wine or bourbon bottles.

If you are able to help in any of these ways, please reach out to Sarah Moore at [email protected].

Wine, Bourbon & Champagne Bottles Needed

We are looking for donations of bottles of wine or champagne valued at $20 or higher and bottle of bourbon valued at $30 or higher for our Wine Grab! If you can donate, please fill out the Sign Up below.

Youth Sunday for 6th, 7th, 8th Grade

The next Youth Sunday is February 11! 

This gathering is for all current 6th-8th grade students.

Lunch will be provided followed by group games, Seminarian guest speakers, and live worship music by Mar Frommeyer/ Station 14

Friends are welcome and RSVP is required to ensure we order enough food! 

Pick up will be from Enke Hall at 1:30 PM. 

Make It a Date! Valentine's Day Edition

A Night Out to Focus on Your Marriage

Saturday, February 10, 2024, 6:15 to 7:30 p.m.

Hendrick’s Hall – St. Brigid of Kildare Parish

All married and engaged couples are invited to St. Brigid’s 28th Make It a Date!

Deacon Steve Petrill and his wife Dawn will share their memories and serve as our guides for the evening. Deacon Steve and Dawn have been married for 28 years and have 3 children.

Like always, we’ll have light appetizers and there will be a chance to catch up with old and new friends. At the conclusion of the event, couples leave on their own date at a venue of their choice to talk about the evening and how it relates to their own relationships.

Please RSVP to Jessica Freiburger at [email protected] or 614-282-5095 by February 8.

Sponsored by Family First and the St. Brigid School of Adult Faith Formation

A Good & Growing Need: Support Our Seminarian

The Diocese of Columbus has a GOOD AND 

GROWING NEED by virtue of 16 ADDITIONAL young men interested in the priesthood. A contribution from you will support this immediate need to fund future priests throughout our Diocese!

There will be a second collection throughout the Diocese at the end of February dedicated to supporting these seminarians in their discernment process. 

You can give then or donate now to the Seminary Support Fund by visiting

 https://www.columbuscatholicgiving.org/seminarian-support-fund!

Requirements to Volunteer with our Children

If you are 18 years or older and interested in volunteering with youth activities at SBK, attending PROTECTING GOD’S CHILDREN is required before you can volunteer. Register under the Diocese of Columbus at 

www.virtus.org

The Diocesan Safe Environment Department will be offering Virtus Protecting God's Children (PGC) sessions: 



2/15/2024 Zoom PGC Session (Columbus) 6pm

All volunteers with our children and youth must complete PGC, a St. Brigid volunteer application, submit the signed code of conduct, copy of photo ID, and complete a criminal background check prior to volunteering.

Full details and forms can be found at https://stbrigidofkildare.org/safe-environment/ 

BWHS Pickleball Social

Compete or learn to play at our first ever Pickleball Social!  There is a pickleball category for everyone age 21 & over.

When & Where:  Saturday, February 3, 6:00 PM-10:00 PM at the Pickle Shack in Delaware (US Rt 42).

Play already? Get a partner and register your team for beginner, intermediate, or advanced competitions.

Want to learn? Individuals can register for our 1-hour Learn-to-Play clinic.



Meet some Watterson families - event is open to all but looking to connect Watterson families - past, present, and future.

Registration is limited to 100 people, so get registered soon at https://bwhs.ejoinme.org/pickleball-social

Interested in being a sponsor or have questions - contact Tyler Johnston ([email protected])

BWHS Future Eagles Night

Tuesday, January 30 at 4:30, 6 and 7 PM.

Email Jen Sparks ([email protected]) to reserve your spot.

Future Cardinals

Calling all future Cardinals!

Join us on January 30th at 7:30 PM to watch the Cards take on Hilliard Davidson in the new Frank Murphy Convocation Center.

Join us for pizza and drinks at 7 PM. The game tips at 7:30 PM.

Scholarship Opportunities

Scholarship Test: Each year, St. Charles offers a scholarship test to incoming freshmen. This year the scholarship test will be administered on January 27, 2024 (9:00am and 1:00pm). There will also be a make-up day on February 4, 2024 (1:00pm) should you be unable to make the January 27 assessments.

Charism Essay Scholarship: These awards are grants for incoming freshmen students who have exemplified the values of our school or qualities of the school's patron saint, Charles Borromeo, in their daily lives. Students will come to St. Charles to write their essay on either January 24th (6:00pm) or January 27th (12:00pm and 4:00pm).

HOW DO I REGISTER TO TAKE THESE ASSESSMENTS?

• Students MUST have applied to be a member of the class of 2028.

• Students should register to take these assessments in advance by using the link that is emailed to them after completing the application process

Spaghetti Dinner

St. Charles will host its annual Spaghetti Dinner on Sunday, February 4, from 1:00- 6:30 p.m., in the school’s Walter Student Commons. Dinner will be prepared by the Susi Family and its staff from Berwick Manor. Entertainment will be provided by the SC Concert & Jazz Band, which will perform at 2:15 and 4:00 p.m. Guests will enjoy a bountiful meal of spaghetti with meatball, salad, rolls, ice cream, and a beverage. $14.00 for Adults; $10.00 for Senior Citizens; $7.00 for Children 4-12 (3 and under are free). There is also a $55 Family rate (dine-in, up to six immediate family members). Carry out orders will be available.