Welcome Gesu Staff Members. Please use this page to find useful information.

Digital Academy
Dear Gesu Families,
Thank you for your patience as we transitioned into the use of Digital Academy as our new management system. As shared this past spring, Digital Academy will be the “one stop shop” for most avenues of Gesu communication. These avenues include:
- Tuition (replaces FACTS)
- Additional fees such as field trip, clubs, etc. (replaces FACTS)
- Lunch account (replaces MySchoolLunch Account)
- Access to student grades (replaces ProgressBook)
- Communication to parents (replaces Constant Contact)
- Family directory (replaces Directory Spot)
- Emergency communication (replaces OneCallNow)
- Disciplinary Referrals including demerits
As you enrolled for the 2023-2024 school year for your child(ren), you created an account. This account will have access to all of the above information as it becomes available.
The most pressing is the first tuition payment of the school year which will be in July. To review your account including tuition information, please log on to your Digital Academy account.
Digital Academy App
To install the Digital Academy App, please do the following:
- On your Browser on the mobile device, please go to the following site: https://auth.digitalacademy.org
- Please log in with your Digital Academy Username and Password.
- You will be prompted to install the app. If you are not prompted, click the Menu Button and then select “Install Mobile App“
An Icon for the Digital Academy App will be added to your screen. Use that icon when accessing the Digital Academy and it will open our App.
Summer Study Recommendations 2023
Summer is a time for true hands-on learning. Catching fireflies, playing kickball with friends, taking creek walks are all examples of
activities that inspire learning. Sitting on a blanket under a tree being so engrossed in a book that it is surprising the sun is setting is a
beautiful image. This is the form of summer learning Gesu embraces. Below, you will see reading and math recommendations for this
summer. They are recommendations, not requirements. Our faculty and staff are pleased to provide further direction and suggestions if needed.
Tech Camp 2023
Tech Camp features hands-on activities in our STREAM Center where students will use tools such as our laser cutters,
3D Printers, sewing machines, Cricut Cutters, robots and more!
Dates: Monday, July 31st – Friday, August 4th, 8:45 am-12:00 pm
COST: $180.00 per child (covers use of school technology, additional materials, daily snack)

Hike for Hunger 2023
The Hike for Hunger is scheduled for Friday, May 19, 2023. Gesu School will actively engage in the Corporal Work of Mercy: Feeding the Hungry.
Donations can be made by using Faith Direct.
Please click on the Hike for Hunger Button below to donate.
According to the Greater Cleveland Food Bank, one in seven people in Northeastern Ohio are food insecure. They do not know where their next meal will come from.
Please donate today! Thank you so much!

SPOTLIGHT DISCOVERY 2023
REGISTRATION FOR SUMMER 2023 IS CLOSED
GESU’S CREATIVE HANDS-ON SCIENCE CAMP
for students entering grades 1-5
Dates: June 5-9, 2023 Time: 8:30 am-12:45 pm
( Child care before camp begins at 7:30 and is free.) There is a 60 camper limit.
Location:
Gesu Catholic School
2450 Miramar Blvd.
University Heights, OH 44118
JOIN US to explore your five senses in “Making Sense of Science!”
All campers are invited to join in the fun and use their curiosity, creativity, and investigative problem-solving skills to enjoy science through hands-on experimentation and stimulating activities. These aspiring scientists will travel from class to class at Gesu School. Certified teachers will use an inquiry-based approach to learning during the four classes each day. Campers will explore their own “smarts” in a child-centered environment while participating in science and gym activities throughout the week. Camp groups consist of 13-15 campers of similar ages under the care of the camp director, teachers and older student counselors.
Camp Sessions
- Seeing Eye to Eye! ~ Do you know how to make a phenakistoscope or a periscope? Both will help you to explore the wonders of your eyesight! Find your blindspot, learn about peripheral vision, have fun with optical illusions, create beautiful OP Art and much more!
- Do You Hear What I Hear? ~ Why can dogs hear so well? Can humans use echolocation? Experiment with sound waves, practice acoustic wayfinding, make music with water, create your own musical instruments and more!
- Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes! Are you up for the game? Do you want to explore your SENSE of balance? Get your head, shoulders, knees, toes and all the rest of your parts in shape as you enjoy fun and active games and sports in the Family Center Gym! Your body will thank you!
- The Magic Touch! ~ What causes numbness? Can you read Braille? Can we alter one sense by dampening another? Find out as you test your sense of touch. Explore one and two point discrimination, test your reaction times, map your homunculus, find out how prosthetics work and more!
Camp Fees
Camp fee: $180.00 per camper.
(Includes 4 classes per day, class materials, a camp T-shirt, and a snack and drink each day.)
Please complete one form per camper.
All fees are collected online via the above link.
Catholic Schools Week 2023
CSW 2023 Schedule
Sunday, 1/29 | Celebrating our Parish
- 11:30am Mass at Church of the Gesu | Mass Livestream
- 12:30pm-2:30pm Open House at Gesu Catholic School | Open House Registration
Monday, 1/30 | Celebrating Faculty, Staff and Volunteers
- Dress Down Day
- 8:30: All School Mass
Tuesday, 1/31 | Celebrating our Nation
- Red, White, and Blue Dress Down Day
Wednesday, 2/1 | Celebrating Vocation
- Dress Down Day
- Faith Families: Focus: vocations trivia competition and saint vocations
- 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm School Information Session
Thursday, 2/2 | Celebrating Our Students
- Down Day
- PTO treat
- Announce faith family winners
- Magis Moment Drawing
- 1:30 8th grade volleyball game
Friday, 2/3| Celebrate our Community
- Spirit wear Dress Down
- In-Class Movie
Saturday, 2/4 | Celebrating Families
- 6:00 pm Mardi Gras | Mardi Gras 2023
Parent-Teacher Conferences

Parent-teacher conferences are one of the most important ways in which the faculty of Gesu School communicates with parents. We value this opportunity to discuss your child’s progress and development. Conferences will be following our early (1:30 p.m.) dismissal on Thursday, February 9 through 7:30pm. There are no classes for students on Friday, February 10.
Teachers were able to request conferences with some families. These requests were emailed on January 16. If you did not receive a request for a required conference, you still may sign up for an optional conference. Here is how the format will be for the winter conferences:
-Preschool conference signups are located below K-8 signups
-K-3 conferences will be 15 minutes with your child’s homeroom teacher.
-4-8 conferences will be 15 minutes with your child’s grade level team.
As with the fall conferences, parents will schedule conferences online using the link below. We strongly encourage you to do so as soon as possible in order to have the best selection of available time slots, especially if you have more than one child. Parents will receive an email confirmation of their conference appointments.
Please complete this sign up by Friday, February 3!
Please contact Miss Katelyn Seliskar, Assistant Principal, at kseliskar@gesu.com with any questions or concerns.
Winter Blast

No mobile devices allowed.
Open House
Please join us Sunday January 29, 2023 from 12:30pm – 2:30pm for the Gesu Catholic School Open House.
This event will be following after 11:30am Mass at the Church of the Gesu.
Please use the button below to register.
For any questions, please contact:
Meagan Salata, Director of Admissions and Marketing
2450 Miramar Boulevard,
University Heights, Ohio 44118
(216) 932-0620 x117

Christmas Masses


We Give Catholic 2022

THANK YOU! On November 29, 2022 for #WeGiveCatholic and #GivingTuesday 97 donors helped us raise $13,155 to finish and furnish our STREAM Chapel and Community/Language Room. You helped us to greatly exceed our goal, thank you!

This year, Gesu Catholic School will be participating in #wegiveCatholic and ask for support of our mission! Our focus this year will be:
The STREAM Chapel – it was renovated years ago, but not fully completed. We hope to dedicate this space for “worship, prayer and religious conversation.” With funds raised we will invest in 30 movable chairs, a cross, statues and a music system.
The School’s Community Room – The Community Room is on the lower level and with updates will become our designated foreign language room. This space will need fresh paint, flooring, a clevertouch and study tables with chairs. This new classroom will be used by students in Kindergarten thru 8th grade!
Both of these spaces will allow teachers and students to continue to grow academically and spiritually.
We hope you will consider a tax deductible gift to Gesu Catholic School on November 29! Any size gift is welcome and will make a positive impact! Your gift is tax-deductible too.
Thank you for considering a gift to Gesu Catholic School!
Gesu Drama Club
Information regarding the 2024 Drama Club Season Coming Soon
The Information below is from 2023 and will be updated in late Fall 2023.
Thank You for Your Patience.
Show Dates
March 31 7:00 PM
April 1 7:00 PM
Location
Kulas Auditorium, Ignatius Hall, John Carroll University
Parking @ Gesu Catholic School
Support the GESU Drama Club production of The Wizard of Oz by placing an ad in the playbill.
This traditional musical with full staging and costumes will be performed March 30 (7pm), 31 (7pm), and April 1 (7pm) at Kulas Auditorium, Ignatius Hall, John Carroll University. Tickets will be available online at Gesu.com and at the doors.
Artwork for ads can be attached to this form or emailed to theatre@gesu.com *Gesu Reserves the right to edit ads for formatting purposes.
Show Sponsorships will be recognized via color printing of a full page 5″ x 8″ Ad and mentioned during the curtain speech at the production. With the exception of Show Sponsor Ads, all ads will be Black and White.
Deadline for all materials and payment is Friday March 17, 2023 at 11:59pm.
Advertising for the drama club is considered a donation and is not refundable.
Perform for Preshow
We are looking for current Gesu students, alumni, friends or parents who can perform an instrumental prelude (or preshow) of Disney or musical theatre music starting before the show. Performers would need to have 10-30 minutes of music prepared. Any Stage or Screen music is acceptable. A piano would be provided but other instruments are welcome. Duets or other small ensembles would also be acceptable. Current drama club students may apply.

Audition Information
Audition Workshop
Thursday, December 1, 2022, 2:45-4:00 Grades 6-8, McAuley Hall
Auditions
Monday, December 5, 2022, 2:45-5:00 Grades 4-5, McAuley Hall
Tuesday, December 6, 2022, 2:45-5:00 Grades 6-8, McAuley Hall
Wednesday, December 7, 2:45-4:15 Call Backs, McAuley Hall
A cast list and permission form will go home the week of December 12.
Volunteers
It is expected that parents/guardians will volunteer some time, talent, or treasure to this production. Please complete the below form and turn it in by January 13, 2023.
Parent-Teacher Conferences

Parent-teacher conferences are one of the most important ways in which the faculty of Gesu School communicates with parents. We value this opportunity to discuss your child’s progress and development. Conferences will begin following our early (1:30 p.m.) dismissal on Wednesday, November 2 and continue on Thursday, November 3. There are no classes for students on Thursday, November 3 and Friday, November 4.
Conferences will be structured differently by grade level starting this year:
- K-3 conferences will be required and will be 15 minutes with your child’s homeroom teacher.
- 4-6 conferences will be required and will be 10 minutes with your child’s grade-level team.
- 7-8 conferences will be optional unless the team requests a conference. They will be 10 minutes long and you will meet with your child’s Junior High teachers. (Emails with required conferences were sent Monday, October 3.)
This year, parents will schedule conferences online using the link below. We strongly encourage you to do so as soon as possible in order to have the best selection of available time slots, especially if you have more than one child. Parents will receive an email confirmation of their conference appointments. Conferences may be adjusted on the online sign up through Friday, October 28.
Please complete this sign up by Friday, October 21, 2022!
Please contact Miss Katelyn Seliskar, Assistant Principal, at kseliskar@gesu.com with any questions or concerns.
Jr High FTC Robotics & Science Olympiad

Check Out our New STREAM Extracurricular Clubs for 7th and 8th Grade!

Gesu is starting a Jr. High Science Olympiad Team for students in grades 7 and 8. This club will meet Tuesdays afterschool in the Science Lab. The team will compete at invitational and regional competitions against other schools in early 2023. All details including competition dates and costs are in the attached form. Students received the same information in their Gesu email. Parent Volunteers are also needed. Please contact Mr. Martinek, Miss Bielecki, or Mrs. Clary with any questions.
Science Olympiad Parent Sign Up

Gesu is starting a Jr. High FTC Robotics Team for students in grades 7 and 8. This club will meet Wednesdays after school in the Community Room. The team will compete at a scrimmage on Dec 17 and possibly more competitions in early 2023. All details are in the attached form. Students received the same information in their Gesu email. Please contact Mr. Martinek or Mrs. Clary with any questions.
FTC Robotics Parent Sign Up
Fathers Walk 2022
Fathers, male mentors and other male caregivers are encouraged to bring children in their lives to school on Thursday, September 22nd. Receive a small token at the door!

Bulldog Bolt 2022

If you’d like to have your Bulldog Bolt shirt(s) in time for the race and dress down day, we encourage you to register or donate TODAY! Late registrants may not receive shirts until after the event.
Visit the Bolt website HERE for more info, or click a link below to be taken directly to registration, sponsorship, or donations:
REGISTER HERE
Online pre-registration will remain open until 10/16. After that, registration can be done in person on 10/22 the morning of the race. Please note, lines will be long so pre-registering online is recommended.
SPONSOR HERE
Platinum, Gold and Blue sponsor levels submitted by 10/9 will have their logo/name printed on the back of the race shirts. All sponsor levels receive FREE race registrations!
Prefer to submit sponsor payment by check instead of credit card? Click HERE.
DONATE HERE
Can’t make it to the Bolt? You can still support Gesu Boosters by making a $25 donation per person/student. Each donation earns you a Bolt t-shirt and the dress down day on Tuesday, Oct. 25th (wearing the Bolt t-shirt is encouraged but not required).
QUESTIONS:
Dan Plato, platodw@gmail.com
Katie Plato, katieplato28@gmail.com
Magazine Drive
Dear Parents,
Welcome back to the 2022-23 school year! We are excited about the plans we have for the upcoming year.
As you know, the PTO financially supports our teachers and our students throughout the year, raising funds for Gesu School activities both in and out of the classroom such as the Pumpkin Bop, Winter Blast, the Junior High Dance, Hike for Hunger, class fields trips, teacher appreciation meals, after school clubs, and much more. PTO recently gave a sizable contribution to the Family Center and 2nd floor restroom renovations.
Your participation in our fundraising efforts ensures that we may continue to support these important endeavors. In response to families looking for an alternate way to support PTO, we are, again, offering a donation option, which will earn dress down days for your family.
- PTO DONATION -A $125 donation per family to PTO will earn your child(ren) one (1) week of dress-down days on October 17-21 and 3 additional dress down days on November 30, January 11, April 26
- MAGAZINE DRIVE – Six (6) online magazine orders per family received by Friday,
September 23rd will earn your child(ren) one (1) week of dress-down days on October 17-21.
To make your $125 donation, we are now offering an online payment option through Wufoo
https://gesuchurch.wufoo.com/forms/pto-donation/
OR you can send a check payable to Gesu PTO to the school office in an envelope marked “PTO Donation” with your family’s last name and date. In the memo line, please include your student(s) name. We hope every family will participate in at least one of these options. It is important to note that, in
addition to supporting Gesu PTO financially, we value the donation of your time. Please consider volunteering for an event through the volunteer survey link provided in the weekly Wednesday school email (Constant Contact) or on the Gesu PTO Facebook Page!
If you have any questions throughout the year, please contact the PTO Presidents, Emily Delaney
(emmydelaney@gmail.com) or Nicole Garofoli (ngarofoli07@jcu.edu). We look forward to working with all of you this year.
We appreciate your continued support!
The Gesu PTO
Gesu Junior High Dance
Gesu 7th and 8th graders Only
Parent volunteers needed.

Gesu Golf Club 2022

The Jr. High Golf Club is returning this fall and is open to students of any skill level in 7th and 8th grade. Please see the attached letter for more details. Students have received a sign-up form in their Gesu Email or parents may sign up their student via this Sign-Up Form. Sign-ups are due by August 29 at 4:00pm. Please contact Mr. Martinek at mmartinek@gesu.com with any questions.
HIKE for HUNGER
The Hike for Hunger is scheduled for Friday, May 20, 2022. Gesu School will actively engage in the Corporal Work of Mercy: Feeding the Hungry. Donations can be made by using Faith Direct. Please click on the Hike for Hunger Button below to donate. According to the Greater Cleveland Food Bank, one in five people in Northeastern Ohio are food insecure. They do not know where their next meal will come from. Please donate today! Thank you so much!
SPOTLIGHT DISCOVERY 2022
GESU’S CREATIVE HANDS-ON SCIENCE CAMP
for students entering grades 1-5
Dates: June 6-10, 2022 Time: 8:30-12:30 pm
(Before Care in the cafeteria begins at 7:30 and is free.)
(Face-masking requirements will be determined closer to the beginning of camp.)
There is a 60 camper limit this year. (First come-first served)
Location: Gesu Catholic School
2450 Miramar Blvd. pmascha@gesu.com
University Heights, OH 44118
Camp Director: Ms. Mascha
pmascha@gesu.com | (216) 932-0620 x206
Nature Rocks!
All campers are invited to join in the fun and use their curiosity, creativity, and investigative
problem-solving skills to enjoy science through hands-on experimentation and stimulating
activities. These aspiring scientists will travel from class to class both indoors and outdoors at
Gesu Catholic School. Certified teachers will use an inquiry-based approach to learning during
the four classes each day. Campers will explore their own “smarts” in a child-centered
environment while participating in science and gym activities throughout the week. Camp groups
consist of about 15 campers of similar ages under the care of the camp director, teachers and
older student counselors. We are proud of our great reviews every year!
This year’s theme is Nature Rocks! Four sessions per day:
- A Bug’s Life!~ Future entomologists will study the science of bugs! Compare endoskeletons and exoskeletons. Learn how insects help the earth. Catch a few bugs to observe and then release.
- Birds of a Feather!~ Future ornithologists will learn all about the behavior patterns of birds. Find out howbirds communicate and learn some bird calls. Experiment with bird feathers. Make your own bird house andbird feeder.
- Geo-Gymnasts!~ Stay in tune with the balance of nature by enjoying fitness -related games and activitiesoutdoors and in the Family Center Gym.
- Natural Artists!~ Future artists will create beautiful nature-themed masterpieces! Enjoy preparing andconsuming creative snacks made from the fruits of the earth!
Camp fee: $175.00 per camper. (Includes classes, materials, a camp T-shirt, and a healthy snack
and drink per day.) Please fill out one form per camper. This year all fees are collected online via the above
form.
Registration form and fees are due by May 11, 2022.
We Give Catholic 2021
This #WeGiveCatholic 2021, we were able to see the importance that you place on Gesu Catholic School. Thanks to the outstanding support this past Tuesday, we were able to raise over $11,000. This was significantly above our goal of $7,500. To each and every person who was able to contribute, thank you for your commitment to our school. With you, Gesu Catholic School is able to provide the quality education, resources and safety that has become our pride as a Catholic Jesuit school.
This year for #WeGiveCatholic, we hope you will help us fund our vision for Gesu Catholic School. With security being our utmost priority, we are looking towards updating our new front office and main entryway to reflect these ideals. Some of the changes we would like to make include: enhancing our main entryway (welcome door) that leads into the school by adding new signage, a splash of color by painting a few walls, constructing a counter in the main office and purchasing a digital bulletin for important announcements and updates.
Any size gift is welcomed and is guaranteed to have an important impact on our school community.
Thank you for considering Gesu Catholic School on #WeGiveCatholic!

Kindergarten Registration 2022-2023
Kindergarten registration for families with students currently attending Gesu School in Grades K-8 begins on Tuesday, January 4, 2022. The link to enrollment will be posted in the weekly Constant Contact at the end of December.
Kindergarten registration for families new to Gesu School begins on Tuesday, January 18, 2022. The link to the FACTS online enrollment system will become available at that time.
For more information about our Kindergarten program, please contact the director of Admissions, Ms. Judi Herbert, at (216) 932-0620, ext. 117 or via email at jherbert@gesu.com.
Kindergarten Information Night 2022-23
Kindergarten Information Night has been rescheduled to Tuesday, February 15th at 7:00 p.m. in the Family Center. Masks will be required. Please RSVP to Ms. Judi Herbert at (216) 932-0620, ext. 117 or via email at jherbert@gesu.com if you plan to attend.
Catholic Schools Week 2021
Saturday January 30, 2021 |
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![]() Celebrating Our Parish and Families |
This weekend of Catholic Schools Week, we come together to celebrate what is typically the supporting force behind our Catholic Schools: the parish community! Join Us for Mass! | Welcome Letter
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Catholic Schools Week Family Mass
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Sunday, January 31, 2021 |
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![]() Celebrating Our Parish and Families |
Check out our STREAM Showcase and Virtual Tour. Pass this information along to other families that may want to join Gesu Parish and School. | Stream Showcase![]() |
Virtual Tour
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Monday, February 1, 2021 |
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![]() Celebrating Our Community |
On the first day of Catholic Schools Week, we come together to celebrate what is the supporting force behind our Catholic Schools: The Parish Community! We begin our week with a prayer service. Several parishioners have been invited to share testimonials of our parish life. We will, as part of our prayer service, complete a handout that will be distributed to our parish family. Our message is one of thanks as we express our gratitude and build our connection between our students and parishioners who support our school. | Celebrating Our Community
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Tuesday, February 2, 2021 |
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![]() Celebrating Vocations |
Our morning broadcast will once again recall a parishioner’s story. Additionally, we will gather with other diocesan schools for the 10:00 AM live stream of the Mass celebrated by Bishop Malesic from the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist. | Online Live Mass 10am ![]() |
Celebrating Vocations
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Wednesday, February 3, 2021 |
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![]() Celebrating Our Nation |
On National Appreciation Day for Catholic Schools, students, families, educators and other Catholic school supporters communicate the value of Catholic education to government leaders. They share information with leaders on the significant contributions Catholic schools make to the nation and their role in preparing students to be good citizens. We pray for the nation and recognize all those who serve it. | Celebrating Our Nation![]() |
Online Resources for Catholic Schools Week from the Diocese of Cleveland ![]()
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Thursday, February 4, 2021 |
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![]() Celebrate Our Students |
It’s a Dress Down Day as we recognize the best part of our school—the students!
A treat from PTO and a special talent show virtually presented to our students from our 7th & 8th graders showcasing the many gifts and talents God has blessed us with. |
Gesu’s 7th and 8th Grade Talent Show
Coming Soon |
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Friday, February 4, 2021 |
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![]() Celebrating Our Faculty and Staff |
Particularly in this pandemic year, we appreciate all that our teachers have done to bring our students into school for face-to-face learning. Dress Down for teachers and staff and a special treat from PTO. | Celebrating our Faculty and Staff
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Help Gesu School Cover Some of the Costs of Covid Protocols
There have been numerous, unscheduled expenses associated with getting the school ready for the 2020-2021 school year.
We are extremely grateful to several generous donors who have stepped forward to offset some of the costs for the school budget. There is also a donor who is willing to match donations in any amount. Please see the link below for more information.