Dear Friends,
Spring is on the horizon at Gesu, and we are looking forward to sunshine and blue skies!
In consultation with Gesu's Parish Council, we wanted to share a few updates regarding all the awesome work taking place to shore up and beautify the Gesu campus. We've completed several significant projects at the church and school over the past two years and are looking forward to the next wave of improvements.
Here is a preview of what is to come this summer:
- Through a generous gift of close to $400k from the Gesu Endowment Fund, we will be replacing the church and school boilers.
- We will remodel the original "brown wing" restrooms on the first and second floors at the school. Estimated at close to $500k, the project will encompass full demolition and renovation of what is currently in place - new plumbing, new fixtures, new ventilation system, and so much more.
- We are investing close to $800k in additional roof replacements and restorations at both the school and the church, tackling the oldest/areas of greatest problem first.
- We continue our Century Campaign Outdoor project with Phase 2, which encompasses the school frontage property. Ultimately, the Phase 2 space can be used year-round and especially in the warm months for our clubs, various parish groups, and camps. It will be a continuation of some of the elements from Phase 1 (fencing, landscape, lighting), but with some key enhancements to the school, including:
- A more distinguished front entrance that is ADA-compliant, as well as better identified with wayfinding signage.
- Short-term (15-minute) parking for 4-5 cars - ideal for dropping off a forgotten lunch or picking up your child for an appointment.
- Patio seating for faculty looking to enjoy lunch outside or for a grade-level team to meet.
- Regraded (hill remains), irrigated, and enhanced green grass space on the 4 corners for use by the students.
- Original plans included a larger outdoor amphitheater-style classroom to seat a full Gesu class. Though approved by the city, at this time we are not moving forward with this element of the project. As we live in the space, we will continue to consider how it can best be used. Be on the lookout in the next two weeks for a message from our Phase 2 Faculty Committee with more updates.
Note: as a reminder, we also included a list of completed projects at the end of this memo.
In addition to the many campus and infrastructure improvements, we continue to honor Gesu's 100th anniversary in a variety of ways. It is an exciting time to be part of the Gesu community as we prepare for our Gesu Century Gala on April 18. Ticket sales and sponsorships have soared, far exceeding our hopes. Thank you to everyone joining us to celebrate this huge milestone! Proceeds will boost the endowments for both the teachers and our outreach initiatives. This demonstrates our clear support for Gesu at home and Gesu on mission. With over $9.5 million pledged, we are nearing the $12 million goal of the Gesu Century Capital and Endowment Campaign.
We are truly blessed! May this season of Lent bring you joy and peace!
AMDG!
The Gesu Senior Leadership Team
Fr. Lukas M. Laniauskas, SJ, Pastor
Regan Kazel, Principal
Megan Johnston, Chief Operating Officer
Dan Turcu, Finance Manager |
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- Over the summer of 2024 and again in 2025 (phased), we significantly upgraded the school infrastructure when we replaced the hallway ceiling grids, installed new lighting, painted, and upgraded the wiring for technology and security.
- We installed a brand new security camera system at the school that provides the most up-to-date camera technology and a more robust system for monitoring and reviewing footage, as appropriate.
- We replaced a large section of the school roof that caused major disruption during the 24-25 school year. We also abated the ceilings in the first and second floor hallways and classrooms.
- We completed Phase 1 of our Century Campaign Outdoor project, which resulted in the beautiful outdoor chapel, gathering spaces, fencing, lighting, and landscape.
- We abated the asbestos ceilings in the Church Narthex and installed a brand new ceiling grid and lighting.
- We replaced the church chiller that had been failing us for several years.
- We replaced the church sound system and upgraded our online streaming capabilities.
- And of course, we got to celebrate Christmas in the newly renovated church. The interior was completely repainted, and the pews refinished, with no detail overlooked in the selection of the colors and finishes. The new Tabernacle is a beautiful and symbolic representation of our Jesuit connection, and the new confessional space allows for better traffic flow and provides another option for someone to have a quiet moment in prayer.
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Updates For 2026-2027 School Year
With permission to share, here are some faculty updates for next year. Kayla Barefield and Lindsay Osterholt will not be returning in the fall. Kayla will be staying home as a new mom and Lindsay is making a move to Dayton. We are grateful for the dedication they have given to our Gesu families and wish them the best of luck in their future endeavors!
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2026 Lenten Soup Lunch – Thursday, March 26
The Gesu Student Council will host our annual Lenten Soup Lunch on March 26. Students will be served chicken noodle soup, a roll, and water as a simple meal of sacrifice to support a charitable cause. No other lunch items will be available.
Students may dress down for an additional $1 donation.
Please sign up and submit payment at: gesu.com/soup
Thank you for supporting this Lenten tradition. |
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Angel Scholarship Fund
Turn your tax dollars into scholarships for Gesu School and help make Catholic education affordable and accessible for all! Click HERE for more information. |
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News From the Nurse
A frequent concern from parents is about lice. Every school has a case of lice at some point!! Head lice CANNOT JUMP OR FLY OR SWIM, transmission is from person-to-person by direct body contact or by sharing objects from infested person. Lice are small parasitic insects that mainly live at the back of the head, behind the ears, and around the hairline of the forehead. Live lice cannot survive off a person for longer than 24-48 hours We encourage each parent to take a pro-active response to lice concerns by doing the following:
1. Supervise daily shampoo of your child’s hair (you can spot infestation early).
2. Teach your child to practice GOOD HYGIENE: DO NOT share brushes, combs, clips, hats, helmets, clothing, scarves, headphones, etc.
Please know that Gesu follows the Ohio Department of Health's recommendations. The communicable period for lice is as long as live lice are present. Persons with head lice can return to class after appropriate treatment has been done and no live lice is present. Click HERE for more information regarding lice. |
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2026-2027 Tuition Letter
Click HERE for a copy of the 2026-2027 tuition letter and the information regarding tuition assistance that was shared in previous communications. An information page has been created to help guide families through the Cleveland Scholarship and EdChoice process. Information regarding the application process and eligibility can be found here: gesu.com/state-scholarship-parent-information/
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Gesu Drama Club
The Gesu Drama Club featuring over 100 students in grades 5-8 will present Newsies Jr. This traditional musical with full staging and costumes will be performed March 20 (7pm), 21 (7pm), and 22 (2pm) at Kulas Auditorium, Ignatius Hall, John Carroll University.
Tickets will be available online at Gesu.com/tickets and at the doors. All seating is General Admission (doors to the theatre will open a half hour before the show.) A ticket is required for all performances, can only be used for one show, and will be scanned at the door. Tickets are $12 Adult | $10 Senior (65+) | $8 Student (PreK-12) | Under 3 Free
With questions please contact Michael Martinek at MMartinek@gesu.com.
Gesu.com/tickets |
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Spotlight Discovery Camp Save the Date
This is a hands-on science camp for students entering grades 1-5.
Dates: June 8-12, 2026
Time: 8:30 AM-12:45 PM
Sign-up coming soon!
Email Mrs. Minnillo, sminnillo@gesu.com, with any questions. |
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Tech Camp Save the Save
Students entering grades 4-8 will explore all different types of technology in our STREAM Center!
Dates: July 27-31, 2026
Time: 8:45 AM-12:00 PM
Look for sign up and registration in April!
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Our Junior High Dance for 7th and 8th graders will take place on Friday, March 13, 2026 from 7:00 PM–9:00 PM in the Gesu Family Center Gym This event is open to students in grades 7 and 8 from: Gesu, St. Francis, St. Dominic, St. Paschal, St. Ann, and Gilmour Schools. Cost: $20 per student. Advance registration required – ticket must be purchased before attending. Ticket sales CLOSE Wednesday, March 11 at 11:59 PM. No exceptions.
Students must remain inside the gym until 9:00 PM unless picked up by a parent.
Students may not walk home unless accompanied by a parent or adult.
Cell phones will be checked in at the front table.
Students must follow their school’s dress down policy.
Attention Gesu Parent Community-Volunteers Needed! Click HERE to volunteer the night of the dance!
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Gesu Women’s Guild Spring Benefit
Join us for an unforgettable evening, Bella Notte, on Thursday, May 7 at 6:00 PM. Be sure to RSVP by Friday, April 17.Planning to attend with a group? Take advantage of our new table option and purchase an entire table to guarantee seating for 10 guests. To save time at the event, purchase your raffle tickets in advance and we’ll have them pre-filled and ready for you upon arrival. Click here to purchase tickets and learn more about Bella Notte. We can’t wait to see you there! SUPPORT CRS RICE BOWL
In the town of Janlay, Guatemala, the streets are filled with people wearing bright, colorful clothes that stand out against the bold green of the surrounding mountains. Many in the community are talented weavers—like Maribel, who creates traditional güipiles, the embroidered blouses worn by Indigenous women in Central America and is mom to a cheerful little toddler named Juana. They needed help and CRS stepped in with nutrition help. Visit crsricebowl.org/week-3 to read this week’s Story of Hope.
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Gilmour Academy
Great Lakes Sailfish Swim Club at Gilmour Academy Pool. Click HERE for more information.
Saint Ignatius-Redwood Prep Math+ Course, Gr 6-8
The six session course will be taught at St. Ignatius High School on Saturdays from 2:15 PM to 3:15 PM starting on Saturday, March 14 and ending on April 25. There will be a break on April 4 due to Spring Break. The course costs $250. Families can sign-up at www.RedwoodPrep.com.
Laurel
Built for the Game: A Girls’ Sports Lab—March 31 is a collaboration between Laurel School’s Center for Research for Girls and University Hospitals (UH) Sports Medicine. This free workshop is designed to help athletes, coaches and parents elevate the benefits of girls’ youth athletics. Whether your daughter is already a competitive athlete or is new to sports, experts from UH and Laurel can help her dial up her performance, her autonomy as an athlete, and her overall wellness.
This free event takes place on Tuesday, March 31 from 4:30-6:00pm at the UH Drusinsky Sports Medicine Institute, Ahuja Medical Center (3999 Richmond Rd, Beachwood, OH 44122) and is open to all Cleveland-area girls ages 12-18, their parents, and their coaches. Click here for more information or here to register today. We encourage all Laurel families to spread the word and/or bring a friend! Questions? Contact Leslie Segal at lSegal@LaurelSchool.org. |
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Gesu Catholic School
2450 Miramar Boulevard
University Heights, OH 44118
Phone: 216.932.0620
Communications@gesu.com
Copyright © 2025, GESU Catholic School, all rights reserved
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