Our Lady of Charity School

November 19, 2021

Dear Parents, As we approach Thanksgiving, know that I am thankful for your support and for the joy your children bring to our school. Here’s a Thanksgiving prayer (below) for your OLC student to recite at home next Thursday (grades 2 and up). I hope you all have a blessed and wonderful holiday with your family.

Remembering Others O God, when I have food, help me to remember the hungry; When I have work, help me to remember the jobless; When I have a home, help me to remember those who have no home at all; When I am without pain, help me to remember those who suffer, And remembering, help me to destroy my complacency; bestir my compassion, and be concerned enough to help; By word and deed, those who cry out for what we take for granted. Amen.

Please don't forget our Thanksgiving service project of donations for the homeless in the Chicago area:

• lip balm • deodorant • toothbrushes • baby/personal wipes (not disinfecting wipes such as Lysol) • toothpaste • band aids • pair of flip flops or shower shoes (large) The donation deadline is Nov 30. We're hoping all students can bring in these items for us to give to Franciscan Outreach in Chicago.

Report cards go home by today. Be sure to ask your child to see it.

The World’s Finest Chocolate sale began this week and ends on Dec. 7. Each box is $60, not $70, and so each family is responsible for selling $180 in chocolates, exactly the same as last year. I apologize for the confusion: the price of the chocolates did increase, but not for OLC. We are still with last year’s prices. If you would like to sell additional boxes of chocolates beyond three boxes, you will be credited $30 per box toward your tuition. Thank you!

OLC students will decorate a Christmas tree in Cicero Community Park (34th Street and Laramie Avenue) on December 16. If you can, please have your child bring one glass or plastic ornament, new or old, to school by Tues., Dec. 14.

Our popcorn sale last month was a tremendous success. Since we exceeded our goal, as promised we will be serving ice cream at all lunches this coming Tues., Nov. 23, and all students may come out of uniform that day. However, remember that all grades except kindergarten and 4th do have gym class that day so dress your child appropriately, please. We will begin a different registration process for the 2022-2023 school year: you will no longer have to come in and register at the school office. Early bird registration will run from Jan. 3 - Feb. 5. At that time you may login to your FACTS account and pay the discounted registration fee. If you do not plan on registering for the 2022-23 school year, be sure to contact our marketing director, Ms. Candelaria Rosales, no later than Feb. 5. If we do not hear from you by that date, your child will be automatically re-enrolled on Fri., Feb. 11. You must be VIRTUS trained to volunteer at OLC: Go to our website for info: olc-school.org

Important dates: Wednesday, November 24 - Sunday, November 28: no school; Thanksgiving break Tuesday, November 30: due date for Thanksgiving Collection for the Homeless service project donations Wednesday, December 1: early dismissal (30 minutes before the regular time) Wednesday, December 15: early dismissal (30 minutes before the regular time) Monday, December 20 - Sunday, January 2: no school; Christmas break

Yours in Christ, Frank S. Zárate, Jr., Ed.D. Principal (708) 652-0262 fzarate@olc-school.org

NOV 12 WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

November 12, 2021

Dear Parents, Advent begins on Sun., Nov. 28, and ends on Fri., Dec. 24. I’ve attached a family Advent calendar of activities that you can do at home with your child. They’re worthwhile and fun.

Our girls varsity basketball team is in 1st place for our division. Let’s go ladies!

Personal hand sanitizer: please don’t supply your child with spray hand sanitizer as spray products can be problematic. If you would like a bottle of liquid hand sanitizer, please contact the school office as we have a supply of personal size bottles. Thank you.

The annual World’s Finest Chocolate sale for our school begins next week. Each family is responsible for selling three boxes of chocolate at $70 per box. In other words, each family is responsible for selling $210 in chocolates. If you would like to sell additional boxes of chocolates beyond three boxes, you will be credited $25 per box toward your tuition. Your support of our school is appreciated.

OLC will begin a new registration process for the 2022-2023 school year: you will no longer have to come in and register at the school office. Early bird registration will run from January 3 - February 5. At that time you may login to your FACTS account and pay the discounted registration fee (50% off). You’ll be able to download the registration contract from our website (www.olc-school.org) and either email it to enrollment@olc- school.org or drop it off in the school office. If you do not plan on registering for the 2022-23 school year, be sure to contact our marketing director, Ms. Candelaria Rosales, no later than February 5. If we do not hear from you by that date, your child will be automatically re-enrolled via FACTS on Thursday, February 11.

Volunteer hours are mandatory. Go to our website for all the info: olc-school.org

Important dates: Wednesday, November 17: early dismissal (30 minutes before the regular time) Wednesday, November 18: VanGogh photo retakes (previously scheduled for Nov. 10). Retakes are for students who were absent on picture day on October 5 or for parents who would like a retake of their child’s photograph. If retaking, please have your child return the original picture package (to be distributed to students early next week) to the photographer on Nov. 18. Wednesday, November 24 - Sunday, November 28: no school; Thanksgiving break

Tuesday, November 30: due date for Thanksgiving Collection for the Homeless service project donations Wednesday, December 1: early dismissal (30 minutes before the regular time) Thursday, December 2: confessions for all students in grades 3 - 8

Yours in Christ, Frank S. Zárate, Jr., Ed.D. Principal (708) 652-0262 fzarate@olc-school.org

OUR LADY OF CHARITY SCHOOL WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

November 5, 2021

Dear Parents, Veterans! Fr. Sergio will celebrate a special Mass for Veterans at 1:00pm on Veterans Day: Thursday, November 11. This will be an all school Mass (grades 1 - 8); family members of students who are Veterans and all parents are invited.

Financial aid: Tuition and payment related questions may be directed by email to our operations director, Becky Cornacchia: finance@olc-school.org. This includes, for example, inquiries related to payment date changes, delinquency, aid amount, financial aid available, etc. Finance office hours are Monday and Thursday, by appointment, from 8:30-3:30. If you prefer to call, dial extension 102.

Empower Illinois’ reservations for a 2022-2023 tax credit scholarship will open Wednesday, January 12, at 6:30 pm. As in previous years, the reservation will be a two-step process: at 6:30 pm, the reservation form will open, giving families time to enter their information before submission at 7 pm. Once families reserve their time stamp, they will receive an email to log into their EmpowerXChange portal and complete the application when it opens on Friday, January 14.

OLC will begin a new registration process for the 2022-2023 school year: you will no longer have to come in and register at the school office. Early bird registration will run from January 3 - February 5. At that time you may login to your FACTS account and pay the discounted registration fee (50% off). You’ll be able to download the registration contract from our website (www.olc-school.org) and either email it to enrollment@olc- school.org or drop it off in the school office. If you do not plan on registering for the 2022-23 school year, be sure to contact our marketing director, Ms. Candelaria Rosales, no later than February 5. If we do not hear from you by that date, your child will be automatically re-enrolled via FACTS on Thursday, February 11.

Volunteer hours are mandatory. Go to our website for all the info: olc-school.org

Important dates: Thursday, November 11: Veterans Day Mass at 1pm. Parents and all Veterans are invited. Thursday, November 11: High School Fair at OLC, 6:00 - 7:30 pm. All the area Catholic high schools will have representatives to talk to parents and students in Halpin Hall. Friday, November 12: no school; teacher staff development day Wednesday, November 17: early dismissal (30 minutes before the regular time)

Thursday, November 18: VanGogh photo retakes (previously scheduled for Nov. 10). Retakes are for students who were absent on picture day on October 5 or for parents who would like a retake of their child’s photograph. If retaking, please have your child return the original picture package (not yet distributed to students) to the photographer on Nov. 18.

Wednesday, November 24 - Sunday, November 28: no school; Thanksgiving break Tuesday, November 30: due date for Thanksgiving Collection for the Homeless service project donations.

Yours in Christ, Frank S. Zárate, Jr., Ed.D. Principal (708) 652-0262 fzarate@olc-school.org