WOLFHOUND WEDNESDAY
October 27, 2021
Third grade students enjoying lunch outside!
The O'Reilly Minute
Dear Parents,

It’s hard to believe that our first quarter is coming to an end this week! Tomorrow we will be enjoying a fun day of fall festivities including a costume/dress down day and Trunk or Treat!   Due to the festivities, we will not be attending school Mass tomorrow, however we will be closing our day of fun with an All Hallows Prayer Service. Our school community will be attending a special school Mass on Monday, November 1st at 10:00 am for All Saints Day.   

Virtual Conferences
Parent and teacher communication is of utmost importance to us. We believe our children truly benefit from a strong relationship between home and school. At the beginning of the year, teachers shared communication plans that outline various ways to collaborate during the year. These plans can be found at the following links:  

 
One of the best ways we ensure that this communication takes place is our Friday Folder and weekly email system. This weekly information allows parents and students to discuss the week at school and review weekly progress. Additionally, we encourage ongoing phone calls and meetings with parents if there is a particular concern that needs to be discussed. Philosophically, we feel concerns should be addressed in the moment and not wait until a formal meeting time. Please feel free to reach out to your child’s teachers if you ever have a concern that needs to be immediately addressed.  

Another important part of our communication plan is Student Led Conferences. As you recall, we have delayed our Fall Student Led Conferences until late January/early February to allow for students to share September and January STAR testing results.  

In light of our once again unusual circumstances, we would like to offer at this time an opportunity for parents to connect with their child’s teacher through a short virtual meeting. This will be a chance for parents and teachers to meet each other (if you haven’t already done so), and to discuss both academic progress and emotional well-being during these challenging times. Each teacher will create a SignUp Genius link, and these will be available in the November 3rd Wolfhound Wednesday. Meeting dates and times will be offered throughout November. Keep in mind that these conferences are optional since many of you have already been in close contact with your child's teacher.  

Please continue to enjoy the many blessings of Autumn and keep our school community in your prayers,
Kathy O’Reilly  
Photo Newsletters: 3rd, 4th Grade
Click the images below to view this week's photo newsletters and see what the classes have been up to.
Barn Bash Was a Smash!
We were happy to be able to hold Barn Bash 2021 at Leed's Farm! Thanks to all who attended and to our Home & School Barn Bash co-chairs Ashley Storey and Annie Knapke for organizing a great event!
Trunk or Treat at School - This Thursday, Oct 28
In addition to wearing fall costumes at this week's Fall Festival on Thursday, October 28, students from grades K-8 will get to enjoy trunk or treating at Brigid's Green! There will be 20 trunk stations, organized by our room parent volunteers.

For extra protection, allergy students will be able to trunk or treat at the allergy-friendly teal pumpkin station.

Costume Guidelines:
Please follow these costume guidelines:

  • Make them simple, easy to wear all day, and not too hot or cold.
  • Face masks that cover the entire face and/or head (examples-Spiderman, clown, skeleton, etc.) are not allowed, but instead feel free to decorate or choose a color of a daily mask that will enhance your costume.
  • Inflatable costumes will not be allowed. 
  • Please limit accessories (like wings, crowns, wands) that will be difficult to handle at school, or could be lost or broken. 
  • Violent props such as pistols, knives, or swords are not permitted.
  • Costumes may not have scary/bloody masks/clothes.
  • Costumes may not obstruct the student’s view or ability to do work in the classroom.
  • Costumes may not be inappropriately revealing, such as shorts skirts, bare midriffs, or low cut tops. 
  • Costumes may not be offensive or make a political statement in any way.
  • Please no make-up

Please check your child’s costume or dress-down day outfit, and make sure they are following the guidelines. Thank you!  
November-December Study Table Sign Up
November and December sign ups are now available for After School Study Table. Study Table is a great opportunity for 5th-8th students to work on homework and studying while also having the chance to receive assistance with school work, study skills, and organization in any subject in a quiet and supportive environment. Mr. Byorth, along with other teachers, will be supervising and offering assistance during this time.

Please make sure to send a confirmation email to Mr. Byorth on the day your child is signed up to stay for study table.

Who: 5th-8th Grade Students
When: 3-4pm Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays
Congrats Cross Country Team!
The St. Brigid Cross Country teams recently completed a very successful 2021 season.

The 4th-6th grade Senior Reserve girls team won the Diocesan Championship, as well as all five of the Diocesan meets leading up to that and then finished up the season with a 4th place podium finish at the State Elementary and Middle School Cross Country Championships.

The 7th-8th grade girls Varsity team finished 2nd at the Diocesan Championship and competed at the State Championship, but did not have enough runners to register a team score.

On the boys side, the 7th-8th grade boys Varsity team finished in 3rd place at the Diocesan Championship and in 17th place at the State Championship. The 4th-6th grade boys Senior Reserve team was 6th at the Diocesan Championship and 15th at the State Championship.

Individual awards at the Diocesan Championship this season were earned by the following runners:

Varsity Girls:
Lilli Glatz - 3rd place
Samantha Schmiesing - 4th place
Hayden D’Onofrio - 9th place

Varsity Boys:
Fritz Oberhammer - 4th place
Sam Sage - 6th place

Senior Reserve Girls:
Alyn Luis - 4th place
Emmi Glatz - 6th place
Alexa Obers - 9th place

In addition, at the State Championship, 6th grader Ella Wynk received an individual award for her 7th place finish.

Congratulations to ALL of our St. Brigid cross country runners on a fantastic season!
Security Hounds Tips
HELPFUL SAFETY TIP FOR YOUR CHILD:
We completed Safe Escape for 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades. Hopefully your child has spoken with you about the program. Please reinforce with them to judge people by THEIR ACTIONS right then and there and not just by whether they know them or not.
One of the many things we talked about is getting out of the house if they were alone and needed help or were scared. Please talk with them about which neighbor to go to for help.  Reinforce that your child is the most important thing in the house when they are alone, and that everything else in the house is replaceable. Good principle for fire and personal safety.

HELPFUL SAFETY TIP FOR YOUR HOUSE:
Many people are not aware that their local police department does free “House Watch” programs. You can call or complete the request online so that officers from all three shifts will randomly check your house while you are gone. Great resource when you are out of town for the holidays or taking advantage of a long weekend. Here are a few links for making a request with Dublin Police and Powell Police:


Interesting fact about Police K9s: They work for a treat or special toy to play with their handler/partner. Please do not pet a working Police K9 without talking with their human officer/partner first. Police Cats on the other hand……well they do whatever they want…. good luck with them. Have a safe and fun Halloween.  

As always, please reach out for anything. mr.mckenna@stbrigid-school.org or 614.718.5825 ext. 276.
SBAA: Winter Sport Registration Update
Basketball for 4th-8th grade girls & boys will close on Sun Oct 31 at 9PM.  Communication from Commissioner Baumel will be sent to all registered with regards to forming of teams and first practices. Registration fees will be $190 for the upcoming season with additional gym space rental now needed with our number of teams.    Please remember after you register each child at https://www.gowolfhounds.com, you must also provide the Parent Consent for the Columbus Diocese at https://www.dioceseregister.com 

Lil' Hounds Basketball for 2nd & 3rd grade girls and boys will again be held this winter.  Teams will have weekly clinics with their classmates to learn skills and have fun games.  Clinics will normally start in December, it's a great way to get out and work on those basketball skills with your friends.  Cost for Lil' Hounds is $85.  Register at https://www.gowolfhounds.com

For more information on our basketball offerings, please contact Bill Baumel at wbaumel@ohioinnovationfund.com
Thank You to Everyone Who Has Donated to the Annual Fund!
The Annual Fund supports events throughout the year for your children. This year the Home and School Association planned the Welcome Back event and Happy Birthday St. Brigid of Kildare celebration during Parent Administration Day with your donations to the Annual Fund. 

Please help us continue to be able to plan these wonderful community events by your once-a-year contribution of $100 per student ($50 for preschool) 100% of every dollar raised goes directly to school projects and activities that enrich the learning experience for your children.

Please click the below arrow to give to the Annual Fund, and/or forward this email to a family member or friend who may be interested in contributing.
Book Drive is This Week!
old_hard_cover_books.jpg
This year, the eighth grade class will help us all find opportunities to care for the needy in our community, especially needy children. This quarter, the eighth grade students invite you to participate in our new and gently used book drive to benefit the Christ Child Society. Did you know that 61% of low income families in the US have no children’s books at all? We can help to change that! 

We will be collecting books in homerooms from Monday October 25 - Thursday October 28. Books should be appropriate for ages infant - age seven. The Christ Child Society hopes to support the Layette Program, which provides care packages to hospitals with newborns in need, the Crib Club at the Women’s Care Center, and Saint Stephen’s Learning Center. They will also be partnering with Reach Out and Read Columbus which provides books to the 13 Children’s Hospital Pediatric Clinics in Columbus. This is all part of a national effort to put 100,000 books into the hands of children who need them. We hope to have the support and help of all of our Saint Brigid families!

In December, please watch for announcements detailing our December toy drive. During Lent, we will hold a food drive for our local food pantry. In April, we will again support Bottoms Up Columbus with our second annual diaper drive. Thank you for all of your help as we work to put into action our lessons on the dignity of human life and our responsibility to care for the poor, the vulnerable, and those in need, especially children who do not have the blessings and resources that we all have. We also ask you to join us in intercessory prayer for all those in our community whose needs are great and crosses are heavy. Thank you for your help and support!
News from Our Parish Community
Advent by Candlelight - Registration Open
Treat yourself to a night out to prepare your heart, mind and spirit for the Advent and Christmas seasons! Imagine a candlelit room, beautifully decorated tables, food and wine shared with friends. Then listen to a prayerful reflection on Advent by our speaker, Meg Hunter Kilmer.

Who: All adult St. Brigid women and their adult women guests. No childcare is available for this special event.
When: Friday, November 19, 2021 OR Saturday, November 20, 2021, 7:00 p.m.
Where: St. Brigid of Kildare Parish Center, Hendricks Hall
Cost: Free.
Format: ***Our format this year has changed and Family First is providing coffee, tea and water for all attendees. We are asking for each hostess to coordinate wine and food for your table.***
Dress: Casual. Whatever you would be comfortable wearing for an evening out with friends.
Questions: Email the event co-chairs at sbokabc@gmail.com
Sponsored by: St. Brigid's Family First ministry
News from Our Catholic High Schools
Bishop Watterson High School's Red & Gold Newsletter
Red & Gold is a monthly email for Bishop Watterson's feeder parish families. Each year, they like to add all parents who have children in a school in the Bishop Watterson area as defined by the Diocese of Columbus.
The Red & Gold will keep you up-to-date on what is happening at
your Catholic high school.

They will be adding all Saint Brigid of Kildare School parents to this newsletter next month. If you would like to opt-out of receiving these emails, please email Allie Wing at mrs.wing@stbrigid-school.org to let her know by Monday, November 1.
St. Charles Open House
St. Charles Holding Annual Open House November 7 for Prospective Students
 
Attention prospective St. Charles Cardinals and families: You are invited to see our campus and learn about the school during our in-person Open House program taking place on Sunday, November 7th, starting at 1:00 p.m. Included is a presentation by Principal Jim Lower, a Q & A session with faculty members, student-conducted tours of campus, and opportunities to learn about and speak to members of our many teams, clubs, and organizations. There will also be refreshments to enjoy in the company of your fellow future Cardinal families. Register for open house today at openhouse.scprep.org.
BWHS Open House, Application Open for 8th Graders
BWHS is rolling out their options for 8th graders and their parents to learn about the benefits of a Bishop Watterson High School education!

They will be holding individual school day visits, as well as a Sunday Visit Day on November 21. For those who have already decided, they can begin the freshman application now.

To learn more about their visiting options and to sign up, click the link below.
BWHS Mothers' Club Fall Dinner
For all past, present and future Bishop Watterson moms
 
Thursday, November 11, 2021
SOCIAL HOUR – 6PM
 DINNER HOUR – 7PM

Wedgewood Country Club
9600 Wedgewood Blvd. Powell, OH 43065

Purchase Tickets:
St. Charles Drama Department To Present The Play That Goes Wrong
The St. Charles Preparatory School Drama Department is proud to announce its fall production, The Play That Goes Wrong. The Play That Goes Wrong will be presented November 18-20 at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday, November 21 at 3:00 p.m. in the St. Charles Campus Theatre. Adult tickets are $10 each, and student tickets are $5 each. Reservations may be placed by visiting the St. Charles website homepage at www.scprep.org – Buy Tickets button. (Tickets will not be sold at the door).

THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG, Broadway & London’s award-winning smash comedy by Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields! This classic murder mystery is chock-full of mishaps and madcap mania! Welcome to opening night of The Murder at Haversham Manor where things are quickly going from bad to utterly disastrous. With an unconscious leading lady, a corpse that can’t play dead, and actors who trip over everything (including their lines), it’s sure to bring down the house! The perfect show to celebrate the 80th Anniversary of our Campus Theater!
Little Eagles Wrestling Club
The Bishop Watterson Little Eagles Wrestling Club is for K-8th grade students in all of BWHS feeder schools, and begins in November.

Click the flyer below to view more information and how to sign up.
News from Our Catholic Community
Vocations Luncheon for Young Men
On Tuesday, November 2 the Serra Club is hosting their first Young Men’s Vocation Luncheon since the Pandemic. The event will be held at The Jessing Center at the Pontifical College Josephinum. Fr. Bill Hahn will be the host and speaker.

The Vocation Luncheon agenda follows:
  • Arrival & check-in – 11:30
  • Lunch – 11:45
  • Welcome from Fr. Bill Hahn, Director of Vocations for our Diocese will be our host and speaker – 12:20
  • Optional: Doug Stein from The Josephinum with help from a few Seminarians will lead a tour of The Josephinum – 1:00
  • Depart from The Jessing Center – 1:30ish

Please RSVP to tim.perrine51@gmail.com by October 28.
Protecting God's Children - Updated Sessions
The Diocese of Columbus will be offering Protecting God's Children (PGC) training sessions at the following times. All of these sessions are in-person.

  • Thursday, November 4, 2021 at 6:00 pm at Holy Spirit (via Zoom)
  • Thursday, November 11, 2021 at 6:00 pm at Holy Spirit (via Zoom) 
  • Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at 6:00 pm at St. Francis DeSales (in person)

Please visit www.virtus.org for registration and meeting instructions. Click on First Time Registrant, View a list of sessions, choose Columbus, OH (Diocese) and create a Virtus account.

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
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.