MR. VANCE'S NEWS TO USE THIS WEEK
AUGUST 20, 2021
Dear Parents and Guardians,
What a week we have had at St. Ignatius! The staff has returned to set up their classrooms, prayed together, and started planning remarkable learning activities for our students. It was great to see our kindergarten, first grade, and new students, along with their parents, at the Ice Cream Social! The 2021-2022 school year has begun!
I want to reassure everyone that we continue to monitor the covid infection rates in our families and the greater community. We strongly recommend all students to wear a mask while at school, so this will allow them to stay in school should there be an exposure in their class. If an exposure happens, those families that have opted not to wear a mask will need to follow the quarantine guidelines by the health department. Please know that we will implement stricter protocols or lessen them as the conditions here merit, just like we did last year.
As stated last week, the school will begin a year-long celebration of our 75th Anniversary. On September 27th, seventy five years ago, students entered Saint Ignatius School for the first time. Today, we celebrate with 5,792 alumni, 1160 preschool through grade 8 students, and their families. Watch for more details throughout the school year for different celebrations and events taking place at school. It promises to be a fun one!
Attached to this Wire, you will see a copy of the St. Ignatius Six Core Values. I would like to refresh everyone on these important aspects of what makes this school the best! We use these values in forming programs, decision making, and creating a kind and welcoming learning environment. Please take a moment to read them.
Finally, I thank you for choosing St. Ignatius as the place to form the minds, hearts, and spirits of your children. We are very honored to partner with you in this endeavor. We look forward to seeing the big smiles and enthusiasm as students return to school next Wednesday! Enjoy your weekend and support St. I's by attending the festival!
In Christ's Peace,
In Christ's Peace,
Kevin Vance
Principal
IMPORTANT REMINDERS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
FORMS, FORMS, FORMS!
Please take time this weekend to complete the electronic forms that were sent to you earlier this week. If you are having difficulty locating and completing them, please call the office at 389-3242, and we will be happy to help you.
Please take time this weekend to complete the electronic forms that were sent to you earlier this week. If you are having difficulty locating and completing them, please call the office at 389-3242, and we will be happy to help you.
CAR RIDERS AND DROP OFF TIMES IN THE MORNING
Kindergarten through 8th grade
The school will open at 8:15am for car riders in grades Kindergarten through 8th grade. As students enter the building, they should report directly to their homeroom. We cannot accept any students, other than morning care students, prior to 8:15am.
The school will open at 8:15am for car riders in grades Kindergarten through 8th grade. As students enter the building, they should report directly to their homeroom. We cannot accept any students, other than morning care students, prior to 8:15am.
PreSchool
PreSchool children may start arriving at 8:30am for the morning program, and 12:35pm for the afternoon program.
CAR RIDERS AND PICK UP AT THE END OF THE DAY
Dismissal at the end of the day will begin at 3:30pm. Car riders will be dismissed in groups according to their last name. We ask that parents/guardians park in a marked space, and walk over to the front of school and pick up your child from the sidewalk. This is a safety concern and issue that needs all of our attention so that no one gets injured. Parents can come to the main door of school or to the cafeteria door to pick up their children. We will not permit children to run through the parking lots to parents parked all over campus this year.
SAFEPARISH
SafeParish is the new Child Protection Platform for the AoC, taking the place of VIRTUS.
By now all volunteers and employees should have received an email from SafeParish inviting them to register for their SafeParish account. If you did not receive the email, please check your spam or junk mail folders. You can also find a copy of the SafeParish registration instructions by going to the AoC’s Safe Environment Office webpage at https://catholicaoc.org/offices/safe-environment and going to Top Resources and then clicking the link for SafeParish.
All new volunteers and employees should follow the SafeParish registration instructions for creating a SafeParish account. During the registration process new volunteers and employees will be invited to complete their online background check and their child protection training online. New employees will also need to complete manual fingerprinting and submit a B4 form for approval.
TEACHER INTRODUCTION NIGHTS GO VIRTUAL
From the positive feedback received last year, the Teacher Introduction Nights have gone virtual! Each teacher will be posting a video introduction to their class, and you will be notified when they have been posted. This allows you to get introduced to all the teachers of your children and watch them from the comfort of your home.
From the positive feedback received last year, the Teacher Introduction Nights have gone virtual! Each teacher will be posting a video introduction to their class, and you will be notified when they have been posted. This allows you to get introduced to all the teachers of your children and watch them from the comfort of your home.
K-12 Billing and Payment Program
For the 2021-2022 school year, St. Ignatius School will be using the K-12 Payment Center to bill all fees and charges. These fees and charges will include any field trip fee, technology, repair fees, Before School Care, After School Care, lunch, and any other fee that may be needed during the school year. You will be able to pay online using the K12 system or send a check to the school office. Watch for more information on how to access your account.
For the 2021-2022 school year, St. Ignatius School will be using the K-12 Payment Center to bill all fees and charges. These fees and charges will include any field trip fee, technology, repair fees, Before School Care, After School Care, lunch, and any other fee that may be needed during the school year. You will be able to pay online using the K12 system or send a check to the school office. Watch for more information on how to access your account.
SAVE THE DATE! SEPTEMBER 10
PARISH PICNIC AT STRICKER'S GROVE,
We will have our Parish Picnic at Stricker's Grove on Friday, September 10, 5:00-10:00pm. Admission is free. You may not bring beer into the park, but you may purchase it there. Everyone is invited. Bring the family for an enjoyable evening at Stricker's Grove!
NOTES FROM THE NURSE
Welcome back staff and families! I look forward to working together to keep our students safe and healthy this school year. I appreciate your cooperation as always.
COVID-19. Please read the attached addendum to the family handbook regarding COVID-19. It is imperative that we work together to keep our school community as safe as possible.
COVID-19. Please read the attached addendum to the family handbook regarding COVID-19. It is imperative that we work together to keep our school community as safe as possible.
IMMUNIZATIONS
Certain immunizations are required for school attendance. If your child is not up to date on immunizations or we do not have proof of your child's immunizations, the school nurse will contact you. Students out of compliance on the 15th day of school are subject to school exclusion.
*COVID-19 Vaccinations: Ages 12 and up: Please send a copy of your child's vaccination card to me ASAP as it will be used to determine if quarantine is necessary.
Kindergarten students: All kindergarteners must have current health forms on file, including those who attended St. Ignatius preschool last year. The deadline for these health forms is August 13. If you have not turned in the packet of health forms, please do so ASAP. Contact me for any concerns.
*COVID-19 Vaccinations: Ages 12 and up: Please send a copy of your child's vaccination card to me ASAP as it will be used to determine if quarantine is necessary.
Kindergarten students: All kindergarteners must have current health forms on file, including those who attended St. Ignatius preschool last year. The deadline for these health forms is August 13. If you have not turned in the packet of health forms, please do so ASAP. Contact me for any concerns.
MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION
Prescription Medication
Prescription medication administration at school requires the Medication Administration form completed and signed by both the parent and prescribing physician. Prescription medication cannot be given without this consent form. A new form is required each school year, so I cannot use forms from last year. A new form is also required in the event of a change in the original consent form such as a dosage change. This form is available online at saintischool.org under For Parents, then Health and School Nurse. Medication must be brought to school by the parent and in the original prescription labeled container which matches the Administration form.
Over the Counter Over the Counter medication consent is available again this school year. A new consent is required each school year. The OTC consent link will be sent to all families in the near future. This consent includes the following medications:
Ibuprofen, Acetaminophen, Anti-itch cream, and cough drops.
CHRONIC ILLNESS
Prescription medication administration at school requires the Medication Administration form completed and signed by both the parent and prescribing physician. Prescription medication cannot be given without this consent form. A new form is required each school year, so I cannot use forms from last year. A new form is also required in the event of a change in the original consent form such as a dosage change. This form is available online at saintischool.org under For Parents, then Health and School Nurse. Medication must be brought to school by the parent and in the original prescription labeled container which matches the Administration form.
Over the Counter Over the Counter medication consent is available again this school year. A new consent is required each school year. The OTC consent link will be sent to all families in the near future. This consent includes the following medications:
Ibuprofen, Acetaminophen, Anti-itch cream, and cough drops.
CHRONIC ILLNESS
If your child has had any changes to their health that may impact their school day, please let me know. You can contact me via email or phone.
Please take the time to review the Family Handbook Accidents, Health and Wellness section, which is found on pages 10-14.
Please take the time to review the Family Handbook Accidents, Health and Wellness section, which is found on pages 10-14.
Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions or concerns.
Kathy Reder RN BSN
St. Ignatius Loyola School
Ph 513-389-3242 ext 4
Fax 513-389-3251
kreder@saintischool.org
Kathy Reder RN BSN
St. Ignatius Loyola School
Ph 513-389-3242 ext 4
Fax 513-389-3251
kreder@saintischool.org
RETURN TO SCHOOL AND COVID 19 FAQ'S
Q: What should I do if someone in my family is positive for COVID-19 or has been exposed to COVID-19?
A: Call or email Kathy Reder, school nurse, right away if anyone in your family/household is ill with probable or confirmed COVID-19 or if your student has been in contact with anyone with COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status. We will follow the local health department's guidance on isolation/quarantine. We are asking for complete transparency in these situations to ensure the health and well-being of our school community and to do our best to remain open.
Q: What should I do if someone in my family is positive for COVID-19 or has been exposed to COVID-19?
A: Call or email Kathy Reder, school nurse, right away if anyone in your family/household is ill with probable or confirmed COVID-19 or if your student has been in contact with anyone with COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status. We will follow the local health department's guidance on isolation/quarantine. We are asking for complete transparency in these situations to ensure the health and well-being of our school community and to do our best to remain open.
Q: Can my child come to school if we are waiting on COVID-19 test results?
A: No. If your child is tested for COVID, they must stay home until the results come in. Similarly, siblings must stay home until test results come back. Exception: If your child is tested for routine pre-op reasons, not for symptoms, they can remain in school.
Q: What if someone in my child's classroom has COVID-19?
A: If someone in your child's classroom is confirmed to have COVID-19 or is a probable case of COVID-19 (the health department definition of a probable cases means they have symptoms and are known to have been exposed to COVID-19), that child will be isolated at home for the appropriate amount of time. In addition, any classmates who are considered a close contact (within 6 feet of the person with COVID-19 for 15 minutes or more), and who were not masked at the time of exposure, will have to quarantine. Exception: If close contact is immunized against COVID-19, they do not have to quarantine. If a probable case ends up testing negative, then the case and the close contacts can end their quarantine and can return to school. Parents will be informed if there is a case of COVID-19 in their child's classroom.
If your child is sent home as considered a probable case or is highly suspicious for COVID-19, then their siblings will also be sent home until test results are available.
There are quite a few variables to the rules pertaining to quarantine and isolation so each case will be handled individually with the guidance of Hamilton County health officials. Our goal, of course, is to keep students at school and work with families closely as these situations arrive.
Q: If my student wears a mask consistently, will they need to quarantine?
A: No. Per the health department, in the school setting, students that are wearing their mask at the time of an exposure do not need to quarantine unless they become symptomatic.
Q: What if a student just has a runny nose, sore throat, or other minor symptom. Will they be sent home?
A: We have guidelines to follow based on type of symptoms, number of symptoms, etc. The symptoms of COVID-19 look a lot like other childhood illnesses so we will look at each case individually and advise parents to seek medical care as appropriate. There may be times where we will suggest a COVID-19 test before the child can return to school.
Q: How will my student get their schoolwork while quarantined?
A: Students who are quarantined will keep up with their schoolwork while at home. Students in Kindergarten and first grade will check Alma for a daily bulletin outlining the topics and assignments for the day. Children in grades 2-8 will check Google Classroom.
A: Students who are quarantined will keep up with their schoolwork while at home. Students in Kindergarten and first grade will check Alma for a daily bulletin outlining the topics and assignments for the day. Children in grades 2-8 will check Google Classroom.
Q: What about lunch?
A: We are going to start the year assigning seats in the cafeteria. This way we are limiting the numbers of close contacts for each student should someone become infected.
Q: Are the water fountains being used?
A: The water fountains will be off, but the bottle filling stations are open. Students may use a water bottle.
Q: What time can I drop off my child?
A: We ask that if you are not part of our morning care program to wait until 8:15am to arrive on campus. When students arrive on campus they will go directly to their homeroom.
Q: How can I help?
A: Please do a daily quick assessment of your child before they come to school. Make sure they are feeling well and looking healthy. Check for a fever. If a child is ill, please do not send them to school.
Q: How will dismissal be different this year to promote social distancing?
A: We feel that dismissal for bus riders will continue as in the past. Once the bus arrives, the students will be released from their classrooms to board the bus. Car rider dismissal will be staggered beginning at 3:30pm. We will dismiss students by the first letter of their last name, for example, students with the last name beginning with A-F will be dismissed. We will wait a few minutes for those students to clear the halls and then release then next group. This will allow for fewer students crowding the halls at the same time.
Q: What mitigation factors are being implemented by the school?
A: Frequent hand washing and sanitizing, frequent cleaning of hard surfaces in classrooms, mask-wearing is highly recommended on campus, three feet of social distancing when possible, and all classrooms have IWave Air Purifiers installed in the HVAC Systems.
Q: What is the IWave Air Purifier?
A: These devices were installed in the summer of 2020 to provide another level of coverage for students and staff. The IWave is an ionization device that kills bacteria, mold, and viruses in the HVAC system and in the air of each classroom.
A: These devices were installed in the summer of 2020 to provide another level of coverage for students and staff. The IWave is an ionization device that kills bacteria, mold, and viruses in the HVAC system and in the air of each classroom.
Q: Will there be restrictions on meetings and visitors?
A: Face to face adult meetings and the use of volunteers will be on hold for the immediate future. The school administration will inform parents and visitors when we will open up for classroom volunteers. At this time, all adult volunteers will need to be vaccinated to volunteer. This expectation is due to the difficulty of doing contact tracing of any adults in our building.
Q: Would we possibly go to remote learning again?
A: Our goal is that students are in face-to-face learning for as many days as possible. It is possible due to multiple exposures in the building, staff illness, large numbers of students quarantining, growing level of positive cases, or from the recommendation of the Health Department. We want kids here and the staff wants to be in person.
Q: Will students change classes?
A: Students in grades 4-8 will change classes depending on their schedule. This is how we ended the 20-21 school year. As students enter a new room, they will wash or sanitize their hands.
Q: Are students participating in specials?
A: Yes. They will participate in specials in their respective rooms and traveling together as a homeroom to each location. This pertains to art, music, gym, technology, Spanish, and the library.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Aug. 20-22: St. Ignatius Iggyfest 2021
Aug. 25: First Day of the 2021-2022 school year! Welcome back!
Sept. 6 No School/Labor Day
Sept. 10: Parish picnic, Stricker's Grove,
Sept. 16 School Pictures PreK-8
Sept. 17 School Pictures PreK-8
Sept. 22 2nd Grade Parent Meeting, 7:00pm
Sept. 27 Middle of 1st quarter/ Progress Reports go home
Oct. 1 No School/ School of Faith
SCHOOL NEWS
LUNCH MENU
Week of August 23
Hot Lunch $2.75**
Double Entree (grades 4-8) $1.75**
(please note that lunch increased by $0.25 this year)
Salad Entree- $3.25
Milk/Juice- $0.50
Every meal includes a choice of fruit and milk
Salad of the Week: Garden
MONDAY: No School
TUESDAY: No School
WEDNESDAY: Hot Dog, Baked Lays
THURSDAY: Chocolate chip pancakes, Go-gurt, sausage
FRIDAY: Cheese pizza, carrots w/ ranch dip
THANK YOU SIGN GREETERS!
St. Ignatius School would like to thank Sign Greeters Cincinnati for the Graduation sign displayed at the entrance of school. Two out of the five days were free of charge, and we would like to thank Sign Greeters for being so generous. Please follow them on social media!
Website: https://signgreeters.com/greeter/cincinnati-yard-greetings/
Instagram: @signgreeterscincinnati
Facebook: @signgreeterscincinnati
Website: https://signgreeters.com/greeter/cincinnati-yard-greetings/
Instagram: @signgreeterscincinnati
Facebook: @signgreeterscincinnati
PTO AUGUST FUNDRAISER
CHIPOTLE, AUGUST 24, 3:00-9:00pm
Make the last meal before the first day of school an easy one! Please come support St. I's PTO on Tuesday, August 24, from 3:00-9:00pm at the Chipotle on Harrison Avenue. Show the attached flyer when in the restaurant or type in the unique code when ordering online. Chipotle is donating 33% of the proceeds to St. I's PTO. Thank you for your support!
PICTURE DAY(S) SEPTEMBER 16 AND 17
St. Ignatius is going with a new company this year, and Picture Days will be on September 16 and 17. Schedules will be coming soon as to which day your student will be having their picture taken. Please go to https://strawbridge.fotomerchanthv.com/clients/st-ignatius-of-loyola-school/fall-pictures-9-16-2021-25/optIn for more information, and to sign up to receive updates via email regarding the school portraits. There is also a flyer attached to this Wire for more information.
ALUM NEWS
NEWEST "FACE OF RB", JOCELYNN CARRAHER
St. Ignatius alum and Roger Bacon senior was recently named the newest "Face of RB". Jocelyn is ranked near the top of her class academically and is an Assisi scholar and member of the National Honor Society. She is a standout on the girls soccer team, and is a member of both student senate and community outreach. Jocelyn was named a senior leader for this school year, a role she is excited to fill with a sister in the freshman class. Her academic and extracurricular efforts earned her the Patrick Wolterman Scholarship for the 2021-22 school year, named after 2005 Roger Bacon graduate and fallen firefighter.
Please go to https://www.rogerbacon.org/about/faces-of-roger-bacon/jocelyn-carraher for the full article.
ST. IGNATIUS SVdP CONFERENCE MINISTRY
As we approach the feast of Saint Vincent de Paul, the St. Ignatius SVdP Conference would like to invite parishioners to consider becoming an SVDP volunteer.
Opportunities include being:
- a prayer partner
- a call taker for those neighbors seeking help (food, clothing, shelter…),
- a member visiting homes of neighbors seeking help,
- a data entry volunteer with computer access and some computer skills
- a call taker for those neighbors seeking help (food, clothing, shelter…),
- a member visiting homes of neighbors seeking help,
- a data entry volunteer with computer access and some computer skills
SVdP welcomes all men and women over the age of 18!
For more information on volunteering at St. Vincent de Paul, please go to https://www.svdpcincinnati.org/volunteer/.
To learn more about being a St. Ignatius SVDP Vincentian volunteer, please contact St. Ignatius SVdP Conference president, Tony Redden at svdp@sainti.org.
TRIUMPH ENERGY AND MONFORT HEIGHTS SHELL "GIVING PUMP" THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30
Triumph Energy has partnered with Shell to give back to the community. Visit your local Shell station in Monfort Heights at 5233 North Bend Road to help support St. Ignatius Loyola Church. For every gallon pumped at this station's “Giving Pump” between August 1 and September 30, Triumph Energy will donate 1 cent to the church.
**Please note you must use the pump that is wrapped in the “Giving Pump” decals in order to help support the church.
EVER CONSIDER BECOMING CATHOLIC?
Do you have questions about the Catholic faith and why Catholics do what they do? Do you have a son or daughter receiving a Sacrament this upcoming year and you desire to be able to teach and guide him/her spiritually and morally? Do you have a son or daughter who comes home from school talking about what they are learning in religion class and wish you knew more about the Catholic faith, so you could talk more about it with him/her? Do you watch your spouse receive Holy Communion at Mass and wish you could also receive Jesus into yourself, as well as share that deeper spiritual bond with your spouse?
If any of these describe you (or someone you know), please consider coming to our Becoming Catholic-RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) gatherings, where you can get your questions answered, learn more about God’s plans and desires for your life, grow in prayer and friendship, and consider the gift of becoming Catholic. Attending the Becoming Catholic-RCIA meetings does NOT mean a person is committing to becoming Catholic, but rather is open to the possibility. God honors each person’s free will and so do we! Our gatherings will be every Tuesday from 7:00-8:30pm in the Ignatius Center across the street from the church, beginning September 7. Each meeting will include prayer, a presentation, Q&A/conversation, and sometimes a person sharing their own personal story as a Catholic.
If you want to talk about Becoming Catholic-RCIA, to hear more and get your questions answered, please contact Brad Macke at 661-6565, option 7, ext. 2743 or bmacke@sainti.org. If you would like someone to reach out to you, fill out this interest form: https://bit.ly/RCIAbecomingCatholicInterestForm. You can also check out our website for more information: https://bit.ly/SaintIBecomingCatholicRCIA.
If any of these describe you (or someone you know), please consider coming to our Becoming Catholic-RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) gatherings, where you can get your questions answered, learn more about God’s plans and desires for your life, grow in prayer and friendship, and consider the gift of becoming Catholic. Attending the Becoming Catholic-RCIA meetings does NOT mean a person is committing to becoming Catholic, but rather is open to the possibility. God honors each person’s free will and so do we! Our gatherings will be every Tuesday from 7:00-8:30pm in the Ignatius Center across the street from the church, beginning September 7. Each meeting will include prayer, a presentation, Q&A/conversation, and sometimes a person sharing their own personal story as a Catholic.
If you want to talk about Becoming Catholic-RCIA, to hear more and get your questions answered, please contact Brad Macke at 661-6565, option 7, ext. 2743 or bmacke@sainti.org. If you would like someone to reach out to you, fill out this interest form: https://bit.ly/RCIAbecomingCatholicInterestForm. You can also check out our website for more information: https://bit.ly/SaintIBecomingCatholicRCIA.
YOUNG ADULT MINISTRY: YEAR OF BEAUTY
Check out our Young Adult ministry’s exciting plans this year! https://sainti.org/church/young-adult-ministry/
PARISH OFFICE HOURS
As of Monday, August 23, the parish office will be open Monday through Thursday 8:00am-7:30pm, Fridays 8:00am-4:00pm, and Saturdays 9:00am-1:00pm, and will close from noon-1:00pm Monday through Friday.
FLYERS
