WOLFHOUND WEDNESDAY
September 15, 2021
The St. Brigid 5/6 Sr. Reserve Football Team was honored to have Navy Commander Craig Dziewiatkowski join the team last week to learn about 9-11-01. Commander Dziewiatkowski also put an American Flag on each player's helmet and asked them to Never Forget. It was a great learning experience for our 5th and 6th grade players. Thank you Commander! 
The O'Reilly Minute
Dear Parents,

As the COVID case numbers remain high in our county and state, we want to ensure our parents that we continue to vigilantly follow safety protocols in our school. Because of our mask requirement, we have been able to limit the number of children quarantined from school, and ultimately the number of children positive with COVID. At this point, there continues to be little to no spread of the virus that has occurred within the school. Based on contact tracing and information from parents, we are seeing spread associated with social events.

There are also many children that have experienced other illnesses (and have tested negative for COVID), so we want to remind parents to remain attentive in assessing children for symptoms every day. Please keep your children home if they are symptomatic until negative testing or a diagnosis is given. Many children experience mild symptoms of COVID (such as congestion or sore throat) as one of the first or only symptoms of COVID or other illnesses, so it is important to remain diligent in testing and keeping children home when sick.

When sending COVID test results to Mrs. Mensching, please use the app for at-home tests and screenshot the official results through the app. All tests need to have a name and the date taken in order to be accepted. Please reach out to school nurse Allison Mensching at mrs.mensching@stbrigid-school.org or (614) 718-5825 if you have any questions.

Please see the article below for information on quarantining.

Thank you for your cooperation as we all work together to keep our children healthy!

Blessings,
Kathy O’Reilly  
Quarantine Information
Laptop
Quarantine
  • Teachers are notified of quarantine situations through the school nurse.  
  • If your child is required to quarantine due to an exposure or positive COVID test (7-10 days), then the homeroom teacher will be made aware, and he/she will contact you as soon as possible to communicate regarding the schedule, Google Classroom, live streaming, Google Meets, and/or pick up for materials. This is different from the process used last year. Quarantines shorter in length may not warrant this process. Teachers may simply catch students up upon return.
  • The teacher will work with Mrs. DeSocio to prepare for pick-ups, and Mrs. DeSocio may assist with any troubleshooting during the school day if needed.  

Also, as a reminder, the following information was shared in the Return to School Slideshow:

Class Schedule:
  • The schedule will only be shared when a student needs to quarantine due to COVID. A quarantine will be determined by the school nurse (following appropriate guidance). 
  • Join codes for live streaming will be included (if teachers choose to offer live classes on particular days and times).
  • Notations for assignments and/or a reference to check Google Classroom for assignments will be included (when appropriate).

  • Google Classroom will be utilized for grades K-8. Any recorded lessons would be housed here.
  • Google Meets will be scheduled on an as-needed basis with the student and/or parent (depending on the age level). These may be used for things such as check-ins, reading groups, social connections, etc.
  • Teachers, students, and parents may communicate via email and/or phone calls as needed.
  • Teachers will be the first point of contact. Mrs. DeSocio will help with the distribution of materials, technology issues, etc. Her email is mrs.desocio@stbrigid-school.org. She may be able to troubleshoot concerns during the school day more quickly than the teachers.
  • This process will only be used for COVID quarantining. This process does not apply for traveling or other reasons for absences.
Sign Up to Be a Recess Volunteer
Volunteering at recess is a great way to become involved at St. Brigid! Volunteers are needed to assist teachers and to manage playground equipment. Volunteers should sign in the main office, obtain a volunteer badge then report to the playground. Please follow all school COVID-19 protocols. In the event of inclement weather, recess will be indoors with their teachers and volunteers will not be needed.

All volunteers must be PCG (Protecting God’s Children) compliant and have completed the St. Brigid volunteer application. In the event you can not fulfill your shift, please contact Jennifer Glatz at jenniferglatz1@gmail.com. 
Breakfast Starting Next Week
Our cafeteria will start serving breakfast items beginning on Monday, September 20th. Each student (2-8 graders) can purchase two items each morning. Each item costs 50 cents. Breakfast items include orange juice, apple juice, cereal bars, go-gurt, goldfish, muffins, and sometimes fresh fruit.
Prayer Warrior Sign Up
The St. Brigid School Advisory Committee is asking for your prayers for the students, staff and administrators at St. Brigid of Kildare School and Parish. Please select a day to devote to praying for their health and well-being during these times of uncertainty. May God continue to bless your family and we ask that you all join in embracing our school motto for this year "Pencils in the Hand of God". 
After School Study Table is Back!
The After School Study Table program is back for the 2021-2022 school year for students in grades 5-8. Study Table is a great opportunity for 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.

Who: 5th-8th Grade Students
When: 3-4pm Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays starting Sept. 13th

Click below to learn more and to sign up.
SPiCE Board Meeting Sept 20: All Are Welcome
Monday, September 20 · 6:00 – 7:00pm

All parents and parishioners are welcome to attend the September 20th SPiCE Board being held via Google Meet.

Click the video call link below to join:

If you have questions, please reach out to Michael Flock, Board Secretary, at michael.flock@gmail.com.
Fall Parish Picnic: Together Again
Sunday, October 10 after 11 AM Mass | Brigid's Green

Come for lunch, stay for the community.

Join us after the 11 AM Mass on Sunday, October 10 for a Fall Parish Picnic. We will have food, drinks, activities, and representatives from various ministries at St. Brigid of Kildare. We've missed our community and are excited to gather together again!

No RSVP needed. All ages welcome.

For questions or to volunteer, contact Amie Lopez, parish life coordinator, at aslopez@stbrigidofkildare.org.
Vocations Luncheon for Young Women
The Young Women’s Vocation Luncheon will be held October 5 at The Jessing Center at The Pontifical College Josephinum. Please see the below flyer for full information.

The Vocation Luncheon agenda will include lunch, a welcome from Fr. Bill Hahn, Director of Vocations for our Diocese, an overview of vocations and the Sisters/Orders from Fr. Stash Daily as well as optional sessions with Doug Stein from The Josephinum for a tour and an optional meeting with The Sisters who will have information tables set up in The Jessing Center.

Please RSVP to Annemallampalli@icloud.com by September 17.
Security Hounds Tips
A piece of the World Trade Center Towers can be found at WTFD Station 93 on Brand Rd where you can reflect and honor those we lost. Learn more here.

HELPFUL SAFETY TIP FOR YOUR CHILD:
Did you ever think that something you wrote as a little kid in school could cost you? When posting ANYTHING or responding to anything online, please THINK BEFORE YOU POST.  We have seen numerous examples of people that have ruined opportunities for colleges or a career by old stupid things they put online.  
Colleges, whether you are a student-athlete or not, routinely check social media posts of applicants. There are companies that specialize in “digging up” old posts of others to “torpedo” that person’s political aspirations or other goals. Don’t’ give anyone the ammunition to “torpedo” your goals.

HELPFUL SAFETY TIP FOR YOUR HOUSE:
If you are in the habit of leaving your garage door in the open position, please remember a good habit is to always lock the door from the garage to your house. The garage is the biggest point of entry to your house.  When you go to bed at night, if you forgot the garage door was up and the door to the house is unlocked….you might have an unwelcome guest raiding your fridge and valuables.
Bonus point is it always makes a fun-spirited discussion with your spouse. Mrs. McKenna loves when I lock her out on accident.

As always, feel free to reach out to me for anything.
Bruce McKenna, 614-718-5825 ext. 276, mr.mckenna@stbrigid-school.org
SBAA News and Updates: Winter Registration Opens Sept 15
St Brigid Athletic Association will be opening up Winter activity registration on Sept 15.  Registration will be for 4th-8th grade girls and boys basketball, Lil Hounds Basketball (2nd & 3rd grade boys and girls), and new this year is Wolfhound Cheer (4th-8th grade).  All details will be sent out next week.

We have moved to a new registration platform this year, and if you have not already registered - please create an account at https://www.gowolfhounds.com to stay updated with all registration announcements.

SBAA will also be posting weekly updates on Mondays with updates on what games are coming up this week and results from last week. Check out the news on the homepage of GoWolfhounds.com
NEW Spiritwear for Sale - Closes at Midnight Tonight
Hey Wolfhounds! We listened to your requests and we have some exciting and unique new spiritwear coming your way! 

Rah-Rah is a Dublin-based spiritwear company that is offering super-soft, vintage-inspired, uniquely designed spiritwear made just for us!

Check out the link below to order:

The site is live NOW through midnight Wednesday, Sept 15. You can have any items shipped directly to you for the best and quickest delivery. Standard shipping rates apply. 

If you prefer to pick up your order, you may do so at:

Tartan Fields (home of Lesley Beran)
6905 MacNeil Drive, Dublin

Just use the code "Brigid" for the free pickup option.

All pick up orders will be placed in a large tote on the side porch. Orders will be bagged and marked with your name.

If you selected shipping to your home, those orders will be shipped mid-October. Non shipping orders will be available for pick up starting Wednesday, Oct 20th. Any orders not picked up by Sunday, Nov 22nd (the Sunday before Thanksgiving) will be donated to our Spiritwear exchange.
Mom to Mom Fall Kick Off
Is your family calendar so jammed that there’s never enough time to “be spiritual”? Maybe you need to think about spirituality in a new way. Author Tom McGrath shows how the hectic and ordinary moments of family life offer endless opportunities to live more deeply.

This Fall join Family First’s Mom to Mom group where facilitator Kim VanHuffel will lead the discussion each week based on Tom McGrath’s book Raising Faith-Filled Kids while also building community and sharing in our spiritual journeys.  

Family First’s Mom to Mom is a vibrant, faith sharing group focused on motherhood, spirituality, and Catholic parenting. Whether you’re a rookie or veteran, please join us to share and gain wisdom from other moms like you. Raising Faith-Filled Kids can be purchased from Loyola Press or Amazon

Discussion Begins: Tuesdays Sept 21th - Nov 23rd
Time: 9:45-11AM  
Location: Church Basement
Childcare: Carr Nursery 

There is no commitment necessary; drop in when your schedule permits. You do not need to pre-read and childcare is available sign up here. We hope to see you there! 

Questions, please reach out to Erin Heise; erinjolene@hotmail.com or Anne Davis; davis.anne81@gmail.com.  
Adult Volunteers: Protecting God's Children Class - 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, September 16th at 6:00 pm at St. Andrew's via Zoom
  • Wednesday, September 22nd at 10:00 at St. Brigid (in person) 
  • Saturday, September 25th at 9:00 am at Trinity Elementary (in person) 
  • Wednesday, January 12th at 6:00 pm at St. Francis DeSales

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.