The O'Reilly Minute

Dear Parents,

I’d like to thank everyone for their prayers and support while I continue to recover from my short hospital stay due to a low platelet count. While I’m still waiting for an answer through follow up appointments, I am working to regain strength and building back to a full schedule.

As Memorial Day and the end of the school year approach, we are filled with gratitude for the many blessings and opportunities to Spread Seeds of Hope during the 2024–25 school year!

One of those blessings is our upcoming Super Games Field Day, happening this Friday! Details for the event, including an opt-out permission slip, were emailed last Friday. Thanks to the generosity of our Home and School Annual Fund, we are able to provide this day of fun and games. We are also deeply thankful for our volunteers, who generously give their time to ensure a safe and joyful experience for our students.

The day will include an outdoor picnic with hot dogs grilled by Mr. Rich, delicious sides from our amazing cafeteria staff, and refreshing snow cones! A quick note on dress code for Field Day: per our handbook, shorts should be no shorter than 3 inches above the knee—this includes tennis skirts.

Looking ahead, we are excited to celebrate the graduation of our 26th 8th-grade class on Thursday, May 29 at 5:00 p.m. Our 8th-grade leaders have been a tremendous gift to our school community, serving as faith-filled role models for our younger students.

Please also mark your calendars for our last day of school on Friday, May 30, which includes our Leadership Mass at 9:00 a.m. All parents, grandparents, and alumni are warmly invited to attend. There will be early dismissal at 1:00 p.m.

As we quickly approach the end of the year, please take time to read through the important articles below that will help you prepare for the 2025–2026 school year. I am also pleased to share that Mrs. Natalia Banks has accepted the position of Latchkey Director for the upcoming year. Natalia has faithfully cared for the children of St. Brigid for many years, and we are thrilled she will continue to serve in this new leadership role. Please take a moment to get to know her through the feature article below.

As the school year concludes, we also bid farewell to several beloved staff members who are moving on to new chapters in their personal and professional lives: 

• Andrea Grundei will be transferring to Our Lady of Perpetual Help, joining several of her daughters who attend school there.
• Rachel Reindeau will be pursuing new learning opportunities in the specialized Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program and transferring to St. Agatha.
• Colleen Ray is relocating to Cincinnati to be closer to her family.
• Karen DeLucia will be stepping away for a few years to care for her three young children at home.

We are grateful for all they have contributed to our school community and wish them well in their next adventures. Additional staff updates will be shared next week.

Wishing you a joyful and restful Memorial Day weekend, and let us take time to honor and remember the brave men and women who have served—and continue to serve—our country.

Blessings,

Kathy O’Reilly

P.S. School Lunch Update:

• No salad bar the week of May 26.
• On Friday, May 30, we’ll be serving a picnic bag lunch: turkey sandwich, chips, apples, and a juice box.

3rd Grade Photo Newsletter

Click the photo album link below to see what the students have worked on in class over the past weeks!

Welcome Natalia Banks as Latchkey Director

St. Brigid of Kildare School is happy to welcome Natalia Banks as our new Latchkey Director. Natalia brings a wealth of professional experience, including serving the St. Brigid of Kildare School community for the past nine years. Natalia spent seven years working in the cafeteria, two years aiding in latchkey, has worked as a library and science assistant, and currently serves as a kindergarten classroom aide. Natalia also has prior career experience as a certified nurse, working in diverse settings including pediatric rehabilitation and as a school nurse. 

Natalia and her family have been members of our parish since 2006, where her involvement in parish life has been a transformative journey filled with growth and community. “I began by participating in weekly services and volunteer opportunities such as Sandwich Saturday. Engaging in various volunteer activities deepened my faith and allowed me to connect with a vibrant community committed to service and God. Each interaction has reinforced my belief in the power of faith-driven action, reminding me that even small contributions can make a significant impact.” Natalia says. 

Natalia and her husband Philip have three adult children (Nick, Brian, and Anastasia) and a youngest daughter (Arina) who is graduating from St. Brigid of Kildare School this year and will be attending Bishop Watterson High School. Adding to her family’s joys are two delightful grandchildren (Milo and Hazel). “Our family dynamics create a blend of love, understanding, and respect. We cherish our time together, whether it’s sharing meals, going on adventures, or simply enjoying each other’s company at home. Family is our greatest treasure.” Natalia says.

Natalia is excited for the opportunity to contribute to our school's mission and create a safe, engaging, and enriching environment for our students. “St. Brigid School’s dedication to fostering a supportive community and emphasis on education grounded in respect, kindness, and service strongly resonates with my personal values. I believe that an after-school program should not only provide supervision but also promote creativity, social interaction, and learning opportunities. I’m excited to support working parents by providing a safe and enriching space for their kids. Building strong relationships with both students and staff will be incredibly fulfilling, and I’m eager to contribute to the school’s community while also growing professionally in this essential role.” Natalia says.

Natalia will begin her role this August and is currently seeking candidates to apply for latchkey assistants. She can be reached at mrs.banks@stbrigid-school.org.

School Advisory Committee New Members

We are happy to announce our selections for the 2025-2026 School Advisory Committee:

Sarah Gable is an Attorney and now stays at home with her young children. Sarah brings a unique expertise to SAC and can provide a perspective across a wide range of topics with her legal training and experience. Sarah has volunteered extensively throughout the School and Parish making her familiar with many aspects of the St. Brigid community. Sarah and her husband, Brad have four children, three of whom are at St. Brigid.

Allison Lemle is a Chief Underwriter at VIUM Capital. In her position, she is tasked with structuring transactions that best meet the needs of clients while also minimizing risks. She is also the Board President of the Healthcare Mortgagee Advisory Council where she oversees the initiatives and mission of the organization. Allison and her husband Nathan have three children, two of whom are at St. Brigid.

Michael Flock is an Operational Technology/Security Manager at Cardinal Health. Michael brings an expertise in cybersecurity which is critical in todays technology-led world. In addition, Michael is an advisory board member for CS2AI which is focused on cybersecurity for critical infrastructure and industrial control systems. He previously was a member of the SPICE committee and served as the leader of the Parish TMIY Men’s Ministry. Michael and his wife Anne have three children, two of whom are at St. Brigid. 

Thank you Sarah, Allison, and Michael for taking this step in getting involved with helping our school's continued success!

We would also like to take a moment and thank all of those who applied to the St. Brigid School Advisory Committee this year. We had 12 applicants who were all outstanding in their own ways. Our charter allows for 12 members and we know how fortunate we are to have such a diverse committee with expertise in a variety of areas that will help shape our school now and in the future.

In addition, a big thank you to all of our current SAC members, specifically, Jen Obers, Leah McCoy, and Jessie Hoffman who have completed their time on this committee. Your service and leadership to our school is valued and appreciated! 

Please contact Lindsey Meadows and/or Emily McCurdy with questions.

Notes from the Clinic

We are seeing a very high volume of strep throat, especially K-3. Please keep your ill child home for 24 hrs from the time they take their first dose of antibiotics. We are trying to keep others healthy and decrease the spread. 

If your child has strep please email mrs.rodenberg@stbrigid-school.org.

Field Day Reminders

Please remember to apply sunscreen before school, bring water bottles, a towel, and wear tennis shoes for super games. 

Supergames will be over in the field across the street -- please try and remember daily meds, especially those with daily allergy medication. 

Join St. Brigid Home & School!

St. Brigid Home & School is looking for volunteers to get involved in the many Home & School activities for the 25-26 school year!

To sign up to be a volunteer or on a committee with Home & School, click the sign-up button below. Time commitments and responsibilities vary -- there is something for everyone! If you have questions, contact 25-26 Home & School Chairs  Ana Sinram Sotillo (sinramsotillo@gmail.com) or Renee Luis (reneeluis7@gmail.com). 

To learn more about Home & School and its committees, view the descriptions here.

Check Lunch Account Balances

Parents, please check your children's lunch account balances.

Starting the week of May 19th all accounts will be checked to make sure there are funds on the account to purchase al-a-care items and second entrees.

Any account with a negative balance at the end of the school year will be invoiced and an additional $25.00 charge will be added. All positive balances will be carried over to next school year.

Congratulations Fr. Severance, Wolfhound Alumnus

We congratulate Father Sam Severance who was ordained to the Holy Priesthood by Bishop Earl Fernandes at St. Paul the Apostle Church in Westerville on Saturday, May 17, 2025. He was joined by Deacon Paul, Deacon Godfrey, Fr. Lynch, and Deacon Frank.

Fr. Severance is a 2010 graduate of Saint Brigid of Kildare School, and our first school graduate to be ordained a priest. He is also a graduate of Bishop Watterson High School. He will begin his first assignment as Parochial Vicar July 8th at St. Brendan the Navigator in Hilliard.

May God bless him as he begins his priestly ministry to all of us in the Diocese of Columbus. Join us in prayer for Fr. Sam!

Hiring at St. Brigid of Kildare School

Every day at Saint Brigid of Kildare School, our students and staff have the opportunity to pray, learn, and play in an environment that reflects the presence of God. St. Brigid of Kildare School is hiring teacher's aides, substitute teachers, and latchkey assistants to join our team for the 2025-26 school year.

Teacher's Aides

• The ideal candidate has enthusiasm for working with students to support learning, is flexible, and has collaborative skills in working with the classroom teacher. 
• Teacher's Aides are hourly positions (around 30 hours/week) and are eligible for full medical benefits

Requirements:

• Hold an appropriate aide license or be eligible to obtain one before starting to work
• Current satisfactory FBI and BCI background checks and have attended or be willing to attend a VIRTUS Protecting God's Children training

To Apply:

• Visit our job posting for full job description and application instructions.

Substitute Teachers

• Substitute teachers achieve valuable experience in the classroom and working with children while enjoying a flexible schedule

Requirements:

• Hold a bachelor's degree or gain a temporary substitute license through ODE
• Current satisfactory FBI and BCI background checks and have attended or be willing to attend a VIRTUS Protecting God's Children training

To Apply:

• Email Jill Carfagna at mrs.carfagna@stbrigid-school.org

Latchkey Program Assistants

St. Brigid of Kildare School, 7175 Avery Road, Dublin, is looking for program assistants for the After School Child Care Program. This program provides a great opportunity for experience working with children in early childhood through middle school. 

• Hours are 2:00-6:00 pm, Monday through Friday, but flexible afternoon hours and early morning hours may also be available. 
• Suitable for high school seniors and college aged applicants with the enthusiasm, as well as the desire, to work with school-aged children. 

 To Apply:

• A current BCI/FBI background check and proof of attendance for Protecting God’s Children seminar will be required and provided.  Those interested should contact Jill Carfagna at 614-718-5833 or mrs.carfagna@stbrigid-school.org. 

Register for Bus Transportation 25-26

The transportation departments from Dublin, Hilliard and Olentangy schools require all new and returning families to register your students for busing this fall. If you are a new family moving to the area, and don’t know your new address yet, please contact them as soon as you have this information.

Olentangy Schools Requests:

All Non-Public parents (new or returning) must fill out this online form by June 20, 2025.

Dublin Schools Requests:

All Non-Public parents (new or returning) please complete this form by June 30, 2025.

Hilliard School Requests:

All Non-Public parents (new or returning) please complete this form by July 15, 2025.

• Route schedules for non-public students will be available online once complete. You can find bus routes online at: www.hilliardschools.org/busstop/ or visit our district’s website at www.hilliardschools.org. Select “Find my Bus Stop” at the top of the page. You can also select “Transportation Services” under the “About” tab. Then select “Find My Bus Stop” and “Non-Public School Student”.
• Hilliard Riders would like to invite you to their First Time Riders Event on Aug 9. See image below.

Congrats Softball Wolfhounds!

Congratulations to the 5th grade girls Softball Team, who won the St. Emma bracket tournament championship against St. Pius!

We are so proud of all the hard work these girls have put in this season!

The 4th grade girls softball team had a special visitor during one of their games and had a fun time playing the 5th grade girls team. The 4th grade girls won the league!

Congrats Wolfhounds!

Lost & Found

With the end of the year approaching, please search for missing items in the Lost and Found when you visit school for the year end events! The lost and found has been relocated to the gym hallway beside the stage. All items will be donated or thrown away after June 6, 2025.

School Supply Kits for 25-26

Saint Brigid of Kildare is offering the EduKit program for our families to order school supplies for the 2025-2026 school year. EduKit has put together specific grade level kits approved by your student’s teacher. Some supplies can be reused next year (Earbuds, Spanish-English Dictionary, etc.).

Order by June 26, 2025 and your kit will be shipped directly to Saint Brigid of Kildare and delivered to your student’s classroom.

For questions, please contact Jennifer Musser, jmusserfamily@aol.com

The deadline to order these school supply kits is June 26, 2025. After that, you can access the lists via the link below.

Field Day Volunteer Sign Up + Details

St. Brigid Wolfhound Field Day (Super Games day!) will be held on Friday, May 23^th at Brigid’s Green. We are in need of numerous volunteers to ensure the day runs smoothly and the teachers and students have a blast! To volunteer, you MUST be PGC compliant. 

For the Wolfhound Field Day information letter and opt out form that was sent out this week, click here.

This year, if you wish to volunteer, we request you only sign up for ONE (1) time slot. This will allow additional families the ability to volunteer. 

For questions regarding Field Day, please contact Julie Rutledge (julierutledgemd@gmail.com) or Jessica Freiburger (4freixys@gmail.com).

SBK Summer Garden Club

Do you have a student who loves nature, getting their hands dirty, or just spending time outside? Sign them up for our SBK Summer Garden Club—a fun and hands-on way to stay connected to our school community and the great outdoors!

The club will meet Tuesdays from 10–11 AM throughout the summer and is limited to 20 students (incoming 4th - 8th grade). Club members will help care for our newly planted garden and are welcome to take home anything they help harvest!

No gardening experience needed—just a willingness to dig in and have fun!

If your child would like to participate, please fill out the Google Form below by May 14.

More details to come—stay tuned!

Attention all parents and volunteers of children in (or soon to be in) athletics!

Please join an onsite Play Like a Champion Today coaches training hosted at St. Brigid of Kildare on Saturday, June 7th. If you are a St Brigid parish or school parent whose child will be participating in athletics (1st-8th), this opportunity is for you! 

The Play Like a Champion Today training satisfies the parent requirement (needed for one adult in each family with a current or upcoming participating athlete or multiple athletes) competing in diocesan athletics on behalf of St Brigid of Kildare’s Athletic Association (SBAA). For any adults interested in coaching, this specific training is a requirement prior to coaching with St. Brigid of Kildare. 

Please note this training is only required once for participating parents/coaches, and is offered through our diocese on a limited schedule each year. We are grateful to host the summer training at St. Brigid just in time for summer and fall sports, and hope many parents can join! 

Whether you have children in athletics currently or in future years to come, we encourage all parents to join in completing this volunteer requirement at St Brigid! 

Date: Saturday, June 7th

Time: 9:30am-12:30pm

Location: St Brigid of Kildare, Hendricks Hall, Berry Room

Contact: ashleymcbride213@gmail.com

Pastries for Parents

All parents are welcome after the school Mass on Thursday, May 22 for Pastries with Parents in Hendricks Hall, hosted by Home & School.

Join us from 10-11:30 AM for coffee, pastries, and conversation. Parents and young children are welcome!

Uniform & Spirit Wear Exchange Aug 10

Sunday, August 10, 10am-1pm

Shoppers, sign up here: Summer 2025 Uniform and Spirit Wear Exchange. This sign up contains more information about the exchange and signing up ensures you’ll receive a reminder to attend. Everything is FREE and you don’t need to donate to attend. New families are welcome to seek answers to uniform questions as they shop. If you need items, but can’t attend, let a friend shop for you!

Have items to donate? If you have gently used items for the uniform and spirit wear exchange you have a few options for drop-off:

1.      At the school office June 2-6 or Aug 4-8 during school hours

1. At a bin outside Erin Heise’s home at 6588 Wynwright Dr Dublin OH Aug 2-8
2. Bring them with you to the exchange if the other options don't work for you, but please help us put them out.
3. If you have a ripped jumper or logoed item, please still donate it as we can use it for spare parts (buttons, crest, elastic, etc.)! Similarly, if you have gym jackets without logos, we will try to find crests to add to them
4. Leftovers will be given to the Bishop Griffin Center.

Volunteer. Volunteers are needed to organize the exchange, help others find items, and to clean up and pack items for donation at the end of the exchange. If you can help, please sign up here:  Summer 2025 Uniform and Spirit Wear Exchange Volunteer Sign Up

Questions? Email Erin Heise at erinjolene@hotmail.com or Gracie Dziewiatkowski at marygracedzski@gmail.com.

Summer & Fall Sports Registration Deadline May 31

Huddle up, Wolfhound Athletes!

The St Brigid Athletic Association (SBAA) is excited to announce early bird registrations for the 2025 Summer and Fall Sports programs, now OPEN! Please sign up by using the link below to participate in the CYO and/or Lil’ Hounds athletics programs. 

Deadline to register: May 31^st. Please note this is an earlier registration deadline than in previous years to ensure we can adequately confirm coaches and support the lead time needed for uniform and equipment orders. 

Parents, we have many opportunities for both Head and Assistant Coach roles! SBAA will assist coaches with volunteer requirements and information needed for coaching selected team(s). We encourage parents to prayerfully consider registering as a Coach to make our programs successful and efficient. Volunteer coach interest can be indicated during the athlete registration process online using the link below. Teamwork makes the dream work, so please consider being a part of the SBAA coaching team this upcoming season!  

2025 Summer and Fall Sports:

·      Cheer (girls grades 4-8) ~ August through mid-October

·      Lil’ Hounds Cheer - new this year! (girls grades 1-3) ~ August through mid-October

·      Cross Country (grades 4-8) ~ August through mid-October

·      Football – Tackle (boys grades 5-8) ~ August through mid-October

·      Football – Flag (boys grades 1-4) ~ August through mid-October

·      Golf Team (grades 6-8) ~ July through September

·      Lil’ Hounds Beginner Golf Clinics - new this year! (grades 4-6) ~ June & July (only 4 spots left!)

·      Soccer (grades 4-8) ~ July & August

·      Lil’ Hounds Soccer (grades 1-3) ~ July & August

·      Tennis (girls grades 6-8) ~ August & September

·      Volleyball (girls grades 4-8) ~ August through mid-October

·      Lil’ Hounds Volleyball (girls grades 2-3) ~ September & October

For questions, please contact Ashley McBride Taylor at ashleymcbride213@gmail.com

Don't Miss the 1st Annual St. Brigid Summer Golf Scramble - Register Today!

Time is running out to register for the 1st Annual St. Brigid Summer Golf Scramble!

Join us on Thursday, June 20th at 1:00 PM at Safari Golf Club for an exciting afternoon of golf, fun, and community—all in support of a great cause!

Your registration will include 18 holes of golf, greens and cart fees, driving range access, along with dinner, ensuring you have everything you need for a fantastic day of fun and friendly competition. 

Proceeds from this event will support investments across all of our athletic programs. Funds will be allocated toward purchasing equipment for our fields and courts, updating and improving team uniforms, and providing athletic scholarships for students in need.

How You Can Get Involved:

Register here: https://giving.parishsoft.com/App/Form/ab1b5e74-407d-4d04-a40f-0688514e5abe

Don't miss your chance to be a Sponsor!

Sponsorship opportunities are available! Whether you are a business looking to engage with local families or an individual who believes in the importance of athletics, your contribution will help us reach our goal. Don’t miss your chance to be a part of this event! 



Register to Sponsor: https://giving.parishsoft.com/App/Form/6a853e91-a386-4613-ba55-4f285694d0cf

For questions email  STBRIGIDSBAA@gmail.com or visit our site https://gowolfhounds.com/events. 

We appreciate your support and look forward to seeing you on the course!

Summer Camps & Tutoring

Registration is now open for summer camps!

Bishop Watterson High School and St. Charles are hosting a variety of summer camps, including academics, athletics, art, theatre, robotics and more, ranging for children in incoming grades 2-9.

Summer tutoring is available from many St. Brigid of Kildare staff members. Staff can be contacted via email or by calling the school office and leaving a message.

• St. Brigid Staff Summer Tutoring Information
• St. Charles Summer Camps
• Bishop Watterson Summer Camps
• Dublin Rec Center Adaptive Programs
• Syntero Summer Camps

Farewell & Welcome Parish Picnic

Join us at Brigid's Green on Sunday, June 29th at noon for a Parish Picnic to say farewell to Father Tim Lynch and Deacon Stephen Petrill, and to welcome our new parochial vicar Father Jason Fox.

Enjoy the company of other parishioners while enjoying lunch, a DJ, desserts, and fun and games for the whole family!

More details and RSVP information coming soon.

Requirements to Volunteer with Our Children

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

Upcoming Virtus Protecting God's Children (PGC) session: 

• 5/19/2025 Church of the Resurrection, New Albany 6pm
• 5/20/2025 Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Grove City 6pm
• 5/21/2025 Zoom PGC Session, Columbus 6pm
• 6/01/2025 St Joseph Parish Activity Center, Plain City 12pm
• 6/03/2025 St Paul, Westerville 6pm
• 6/05/2025 St Vincent Family Center, Columbus 1pm
• 6/09/2025 St Mary Magdalene Elementary, Columbus 5pm (Spanish)
• 6/10/2025 Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Grove City 6pm
• 6/12/2025 Zoom PGC Session, Columbus 6pm
• 6/16/2025 St Matthew, Gahanna 6pm

All volunteers with our children and youth must complete PGC, a St. Brigid Raptor volunteer application, registration with Selection.com/Fastrax and complete a criminal background check prior to volunteering.

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

Submit Materials to 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.