MR. VANCE'S NEWS TO USE THIS WEEK
AUGUST 21, 2020
Dear Parents and Guardians,
It has been refreshing to see new parents and new students to our school come to visit this week! The excitement is palpable as they meet their teachers and learn to navigate the hallways. With the staff back in the building this week, this school is beginning to look and sound like a school again!
The staff returned this week to set up their classrooms, participate in transition meetings, and pray for a safe and successful school year. We have spent time reviewing new health protocols and preparing for a new social emotional program to better support our students. On Monday, we will spend time together in our School of Faith program which is focused on scripture this year. During these half day retreats throughout the year, the staff deepens their faith so that we in turn can help develop the faith of the children you entrust to us. If you need to come to school on Monday, please call the office first to make sure someone is there to welcome you. Our number is 389-3242.
During the 2020-2021 school year we will again focus on learning about and practicing virtues. The Virtues in Practice program is for children in grades pre-kindergarten through eight to grow closer to Jesus by imitating His life and virtues. It is set up in such a way that the whole school studies the same virtue each month in order to provide a whole-school focus. The program covers 27 virtues over a three-year cycle, with 81 saints held up as models of the virtues. This year we will focus on the following virtues: charity, friendship, courtesy, purity, fortitude, prudence, respect, forgiveness, and responsibility.
We are reminded through our school theme of the challenge St. Ignatius issued to his priests as they were commissioned to go into the world in service, “Go and Set the World on Fire.” On behalf of the staff and faculty, I thank you for choosing Saint Ignatius as the school and parish for your family. We are honored that you trust us with the hearts and minds of your child/ren and look forward to teaming up with you to provide a remarkable faith filled education. My prayers continue for you and all affiliated with Saint Ignatius!
In Christ's Peace,
Kevin Vance
Principal
VIRTUE OF THE MONTH IS
CHARITY: Loving God with all your heart, mind and strength,
and your neighbor as yourself
FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26
Our first day of school is Wednesday, August 26. School hours are 8:45am-3:30pm. Students arriving to homeroom after 8:55am will need to stop in the school office and receive a tardy slip.
**COVID-19 ADDENDUM
Please be sure to read through the Covid-19 Addendum to the Family Handbook which is attached to this Wire.
TRANSITION BACK TO SCHOOL FAQ's:
What should I do if someone in my family is positive for COVID-19 or has been exposed to COVID-19?
Call Kathy Reder, our school nurse, right away if anyone in your family is ill with COVID-19 or has been in contact with anyone with COVID-19. 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.
Call Kathy Reder, our school nurse, right away if anyone in your family is ill with COVID-19 or has been in contact with anyone with COVID-19. 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.
Can my child come to school if we are waiting on COVID-19 test results?
No. If your child is tested for COVID, they must stay home until the results come in. What if someone in my child's classroom has COVID-19?
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 case 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 (the health department definition of a close contact is someone who was within 6 feet of the person with COVID-19 for 15 minutes or more), will need to be quarantined at home for 14 days. The entire class does 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.
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.
What if a student just has a runny nose, sore throat, or other minor symptom- will they be sent home?
No. 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.
No. 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.
Can my child still bring a water bottle to school?
Yes. They are encouraged to continue to bring their water bottles. Students need to practice removing their masks by the ear loop and putting it back on the same way without touching the fabric part. The water fountains will be off limits but the bottle filling stations are open. How will my student get their school work while quarantined?Students who are quarantined will keep up with their school work 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.
Can my child use a lanyard to keep their mask from falling?
Yes. We have purchased for every student and staff member a Saint Ignatius lanyard that will be distributed on the first day of school. Students should wear a plain colored mask and please put their initials on all of their masks. What about lunch?
Lunch will be held in the student’s homeroom. Our great cafeteria workers will bring lunch and drinks to each homeroom. Hot lunch, water, and milk are available for purchase. Are the water fountains being used?
The water fountains will be off but the bottle filling stations are open. How can I help?
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.
COMMUNICATIONS
Got news to share? Send your announcements to the following email addresses and we'll help you spread the word!
The correct email for Wildcat Wire is wildcatwire@saintischool.org.
The correct email for Wildcat Wire is wildcatwire@saintischool.org.
**Deadline is noon on Wednesday for Friday publication. Articles submitted are subject to approval and editing.
For the school website, please email communications@saintischool.org.
The best email to use for church communications including Flocknote, bulletin and website is communications@sainti.org. Bulletin deadline is noon on Thursday, 10 days before publication.
For the school website, please email communications@saintischool.org.
The best email to use for church communications including Flocknote, bulletin and website is communications@sainti.org. Bulletin deadline is noon on Thursday, 10 days before publication.
EMAIL ADDRESSES
**Our email addresses:
Office: office@saintischool.org
Principal: kvance@saintischool.org
Staff/Teachers:
The Wildcat Wire: Wildcatwire@saintischool.org
IMPORTANT REMINDERS
UNIFORMS
Most uniform items are available at:
Schoolbelles, 921-3417, www.schoolbelles.com, School code: S2007, or
Schoolbelles, 921-3417, www.schoolbelles.com, School code: S2007, or
Shaheen's, 656 E. Sharon Rd., 771-1234.
Items may also be purchased at other stores if they meet the requirements.
ABSENCES
If your child is going to be absent, a phone call to the school office must be made by 8:45am. We cannot
accept emails as official attendance communication. You
must also send a note to the homeroom teacher stating the reason for absence when your child returns to school. Please see page 10 of the Student Handbook for more information regarding “Excused” and “Unexcused” absences.
If your child is going to be absent, a phone call to the school office must be made by 8:45am. We cannot
accept emails as official attendance communication. You
must also send a note to the homeroom teacher stating the reason for absence when your child returns to school. Please see page 10 of the Student Handbook for more information regarding “Excused” and “Unexcused” absences.
CHANGES IN TRANSPORTATION
If you need to change the way your child is getting home from school, please call the office at 389-3242 no later than 3:15pm.
MORNING DROP OFF
Car riders may be dropped off along the sidewalk, or at the Boomer Road door beginning at 8:15am this year. Please pull up as far as you can toward the kitchen ramp door and let your child exit the car on the passenger side only.
If you are turning left to enter the front lot from North Bend
Road, we encourage you to consider using the left turn lane at the traffic light and turn onto Boomer Road. Proceed to the tennis court entrance and drop off your children at the Boomer Road door in line with the buses. Please DO NOT pass a stopped bus, and only let the children exit on the passenger side of the door.
Road, we encourage you to consider using the left turn lane at the traffic light and turn onto Boomer Road. Proceed to the tennis court entrance and drop off your children at the Boomer Road door in line with the buses. Please DO NOT pass a stopped bus, and only let the children exit on the passenger side of the door.
If you are walking your child into school, please park your car and cross them in the crosswalk between the church office and the cafeteria entrance.
**PRESCHOOL DROP OFF**
Be aware that in the morning, we will have pre- school children arriving at the same time. They will form a second line going down the driveway in front of school and turn in front of Loyola Hall. It is imperative that K-8 students exit their cars on the passenger side nearest the school. K-8 students will need to exit around the parking lot to access the North Bend Road exit. DO NOT PULL IN BY LOYOLA CENTER AS THIS WILL NOW BE PRESCHOOL DROP OFF.AFTERNOON PICK UP
For afternoon pickup at 3:30pm, please park your car in any marked spot, and walk to the sidewalk along school to pick up your children. Students will be dismissed alphabetically. ALL STUDENTS WHO ARE CAR RIDERS WILL WAIT FOR PARENTS ON THE SIDEWALK BY SCHOOL, THE AWNING BY LOYOLA HALL, OR THE AWNING BY CHURCH. If you have little ones in your car, please feel free to have your school age children ask us to walk them to your car, or you may wait until the traffic has cleared and pull up to the sidewalk, and we will help them get into your car.
Students who cannot be picked up by 3:45pm on a regular basis will need to register for our After School program. For more information, please see our webpage or contact Mrs. Pat Altenau at paltenau@saintischool.org.
As far as we know, bus transportation through your local public school district has not announced any changes.
BUS COMPANY PHONE NUMBERS:
Northwest: 825-4600
Oak Hills: 574-2161
Three Rivers: 467-3215
Cincinnati Public: 363-0000
SCHOOL NEWS
LUNCH MENU
Week of August 24
Hot Lunch-$2.50
Double Entree (grades 4-8) $1.50
Salad Entree-$3.25
Milk/Juice-$0.50
Every meal includes fruit and milk
Salad of the Week - Garden Salad
MONDAY: No School
TUESDAY: No School
WEDNESDAY: French toast sticks, sausage and hashbrown
THURSDAY: Cheese pizza, carrots w/ ranch
FRIDAY: Chicken nuggets, corn
FREE AND REDUCED LUNCHES
St. Ignatius participates in the Federal Free and Reduced Lunch program, and eligibility is based on family income. Families may apply at anytime throughout the year.
MORNING CARE PROGRAM
Morning care will be available from 7:00-8:15am in the cafeteria for $4.00 per child per day. For registration or questions, please contact Mrs. Beth Reynolds at 389-3242, ex.5
AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM
We are pleased to announce that we are continuing our After School program for students in Pre-K to grade 8. The program runs from 3:30-6:00pm on school days, and costs $9.00 per child per day. For more information or to register, please contact Mrs. Pat Altenau at paltenau@saintischool.org.
Every year, all families must fill out a NEW registration form prior to participating. If you were enrolled in the program last year, you should have already received an email. If you are new to the program, forms can be found on the school website at www.saintischool.org under "For Parents".
SAINT IGNATIUS GOLF CLASSIC
Sponsored by The Amend Center for Eye Surgery
supporting the St. Ignatius School Tuition Assistance Program.
The event that was scheduled for May 11 and moved to August 31, will indeed be played on Monday August 31!
We have worked with Clovernook Country Club, and have developed a great plan to make this outing lots of fun, while putting the health and safety of our players in the forefront.
The following are the details of the event:
Date: Monday August 31
Event Format: Shotgun start at 1:00pm. 18 hole scramble
Where: Clovernook Country Club
Cost: $135 per person which includes, golf, cart fees and food
Please get your foursome together and send an email to: saintisgolfouting@gmail.com
After signing up for the event, please send the names of your players in your group and check(s) made out to St. Ignatius to:
Tim Voelkerding
5150 Wesselman Woods Dr
Cleves, Ohio 45002
See you at the Outing!
NOT TOO LATE TO WIN MAIN AWARD!
Paper tickets will be available for purchase until after the noon Mass on Sunday, August 23.
Cost: one ticket for $25, five tickets for $100.
Contact the Raffle Manager at festivalchair@sainti.org with any questions.
Don’t miss your chance to participate in this opportunity to support Iggyfest virtually!
HIGH SCHOOL HELP NEEDED
The parish is looking for high school help (age 16 or older) from 3:00-6:00pm, Monday through Friday, for general maintenance and light classroom cleaning. Please contact Mr. Scott Campbell at scampbell@sainti.org or 661-6565 for more information or to apply.
