OLC NEWSLETTER 04.04.2025

Dear Parents,

Thank you to the many parents who came with their families to the Raising Cane’s fundraiser last week. The fundraiser generated $5,103 in sales. According to our agreement with Cane's, OLC retains 15% of that amount, so we will be receiving a check for $766! This will go toward student scholarship assistance.

Mr. Matt de la Peña is an American writer of children's books. He won the prestigious Newbery Medal in 2016 for his book Last Stop on Market Street, and several of his books have been on the New York Times bestseller list. He is a resident and native of San Diego, California. Mr. de la Peña will be at OLC on April 9 to speak to students in grades 5-8 and to all teachers on the writing craft and how he generates ideas for his novels. We are very fortunate to have this nationally acclaimed author visiting our school. He will be autographing and distributing free copies to students of two of his books: Last Stop on Market Street and Carmela Full of Wishes.

Our Varsity boys’ basketball team is in the playoffs! Join us at our next game at St. Mary of Czestochowa social center gym on Wed., Apr. 9, at 5:45. It will be against either Our Lady of Tepeyac or St. Leonard. Go Panthers!

We have NO SCHOOL on Thurs., Apr. 17. It is the first day of Easter break. We return to school on Mon., Apr. 28

Did you know we have a new camera system? It’s schoolwide, and it’s working out great keeping our school safe and secure. We’re always looking for ways to improve our campus, and we’re happy to share that we’ve recently installed new security cameras. While we haven’t had any safety concerns, we believe these cameras will provide extra peace of mind and help us continue fostering a secure and caring environment. These updates are part of our commitment to keeping our school a safe and welcoming place for all our students, families, and staff.

You are invited to our Redemptorist Mission Masses here at OLC at noon on Wed. and Thurs., April 9 and 10. All 6th, 7th, and 8th graders will be attending.

Upcoming events:

Tues., Apr. 15: PTO meeting at 7:45 AM in the Spanish room

Tues., Apr. 29: Confirmation for OLC students at St. Mary of Czestochowa at 7:00 PM; confirmandi must be at St. Mary’s Makuch Hall by 6:00 that evening.

Fri., May 2: May Crowning 9:00 AM in the church. Also, breakfast for 2nd and 8th grades.

Sat., May 3: 1st holy Communion at OLC at 1:00; Communion photos in the cafeteria from 10:00-11:30.

Fri., May 9, 1:00-2:00: You are invited to attend a meeting to be conducted by Cicero District 99 at their

Administration Building, 5110 W. 24th Street, to discuss how students with disabilities who attend OLC can be served here by Cicero District 99 during the 2025-2026 school year. If your child has an Individualized Service Plan or 504 Plan at OLC, you are encouraged to attend.

Yours in Christ,

Frank S. Zarate, Jr., Ed.D.

Principal

(708) 652-0262

fzarate@olc-school.org

OLC Newsletter - 03.06.2025

Dear Parents,

Our enrollment this year is at 200 students. We hope to increase that number by at least 10% next school year. Despite our small size, we offer a full school program. We plan to add a new art class to our curriculum next year. This means that in addition to all the regular academic courses, we will be offering art, music, physical education, and Spanish. We also have a variety of extracurricular athletics, which are not always available at a school of this size, including boys’ and girls’ basketball, cheerleading, cross country, soccer, and volleyball.

Our Ash Wednesday Mass yesterday was packed. The Chicago Tribune published a photo in today’s paper of our students at Mass – Section 1, page 9. The next all school Mass will take place this Sunday, March 9, at noon here at OLC. After Mass we will have the Scholastic Book Fair and free refreshments, both in Halpin Hall. There will also be a blood drive going on for any interested donors.

Marking 1st day of Lent

Scholastic Book Fair every day after school next week in Halpin Hall. Stop by and check it out!

Dental exams will take place here on Monday, March 10. If you would like to take advantage of this free exam, stop by the office today, tomorrow, or Monday to sign a permission form. You will receive a copy of the exam

results.

OLC Family Bowling Night at Bowlero in Lyons: Thursday, March 20, from 5-7 PM. Bring your family and have fun bowling with other OLC families.

Vision and hearing screenings for preschoolers and kindergarteners will take place on Wednesday, March 26.

Raising Cane’s Night will be held from 4-8 PM on Thursday, March 27, at Raising Cane’s on Harlem Avenue in Riverside. Bring the whole family and tell them you’re there for the “OLC fundraiser.” Our school will earn 15% of the net sales.

2nd trimester Honor Roll Assembly in church following the 9:00 Mass on Friday, March 14. Feel free to join us.

Boys’ Basketball: two wins so far this season; JV has three wins!

Girls’ Volleyball: the Panthers won last Tuesday night in their game against the St. Luke Bearcats 7th graders!

Cheerleaders: our squad is awesome!

Everyone loves our new Panther mascot. We had a naming contest, and the 5th grade class won. The mascot’s name is now officially Pete the Panther!

Yours in Christ,

Frank S. Zarate, Jr., Ed.D.

Principal

(708) 652-0262

fzarate@olc-school.org

January Newsletter

January 10, 2025

Dear Parents,

Thank you to the 66 families who completed the Parent Satisfaction Survey last month. We have been able to make a few changes already, based on your feedback, for example the student drop off procedures in the morning. The School Advisory Board is considering curricular changes, and I will keep you apprised of those.

OLC tuition rates for the 2025-2026 school year are not being increased. They will remain the same as the 2024-2025 school year.

Don’t forget that you can also save $300.00 by referring a new family (who registers) to OLC.

Monday, January 13: OLC Snowflake Ice Skating! FREE entry for all students, family, and staff members (skates included). This event will take place from 6:00-8:00 PM at the Bobby Hull Ice Rink, 3400 S. 53rd Avenue.

Wednesday, January 15: Parent-Teacher Organization meeting at 7:45 AM in room 205.

Friday, January 17: We are having a parent meeting to report on school finances and to provide a “state of the school” presentation. A lot of important information for you to know about OLC will be given. For your convenience, there are two meeting times (please choose one): 7:45-8:45 or 1:45-2:45. All parents are asked to please attend one meeting or the other. Meetings will be in the student lunchroom.

Monday, January 20: Martin Luther King Jr. Day (no school)

Catholic Schools Week plans, Jan. 26-Feb. 1:

Sunday, January 26: Celebrating your parish

• ●  4th graders read at the noon Mass at OLC (all OLC students should attend)

• ●  Registration for the 2025-2026 school year begins (no tuition increase next year)

  Monday, January 27: Celebrating your community

● Schoolwide canned food drive for Cicero-Berwyn-Stickney Food Pantry (continues through Jan. 31)

Tuesday, January 28: Celebrating your students

• ●  Hot chocolate and pan dulce with our cross-age faith buddies

• ●  Students wear PJ’s to school (pajama pants and school appropriate tops with sleeves)

• ●  Preschool & Kindergarten open house 3:00-6:30 pm

Wednesday, January 29: Celebrating the nation

• ●  Academic Bowl: students in grades 1 – 8 will compete in teams to answer grade appropriate academic questions (with American history focus)

• ●  Red, white, and blue spirit day for students Thursday, January 30: Celebrating vocations

• ●  Spelling bee with Knights of Columbus (grades 4 - 8)

• ●  Fr. Martin Marulanda from St. Bede the Venerable Church in Chicago will celebrate Mass and speak to

  8th graders about his call to vocations

Friday, January 31: Celebrating faculty and staff

• ●  Coffee cart and doughnuts for staff

• ●  Father Daughter Dance at 6PM in Halpin Hall

  Saturday, February 1: Celebrating families

● School presentation to parents of CCD students

Yours in Christ,

Frank S. Zarate, Jr., Ed.D. Principal(708) 652-0262

fzarate@olc-school.org

10 de enero de 2025 Estimados padres,

Gracias a las 66 familias que completaron la Encuesta de Satisfacción de Padres el mes pasado. Ya hemos podido realizar algunos cambios, según sus comentarios, por ejemplo, los procedimientos para dejar a los estudiantes por la mañana. La Junta Asesora Escolar está considerando cambios curriculares y los mantendré informados.

Las tasas de matrícula del OLC para el año escolar 2025-2026 no aumentarán. Seguirán siendo los mismos que en el año escolar 2024-2025.

No olvide que también puede ahorrar $300.00 recomendando a una nueva familia (que se registre) al OLC.

Lunes 13 de enero: ¡Patinaje sobre hielo OLC Snowflake! Entrada GRATUITA para todos los estudiantes, familiares y miembros del personal (patines incluidos). Este evento se llevará a cabo de 6:00 a 8:00 p. m. en la pista de hielo Bobby Hull, 3400 S. 53rd Avenue.

Miércoles 15 de enero: reunión de la organización de padres y maestros a las 7:45 a. m. en el salón 205.

Viernes 17 de enero: Tendremos una reunión de padres para informar sobre las finanzas escolares y hacer una presentación del “estado de la escuela”. Se le brindará mucha información importante que debe conocer sobre OLC. Para su comodidad, hay dos horarios de reunión (elija uno): 7:45-8:45 o 1:45-2:45. Se pide a todos los padres que asistan a una reunión u otra. Las reuniones serán en el comedor de los estudiantes.

Lunes 20 de enero: Día de Martin Luther King Jr. (no hay clases)

Planes para la Semana de las Escuelas Católicas, del 26 de enero al febrero. 1:

Domingo 26 de enero: Celebrando tu parroquia

• ●  Los estudiantes de 4to grado leen en la misa del mediodía en OLC (todos los estudiantes de OLC deben asistir)

• ●  Comienza la inscripción para el año escolar 2025-2026 (no habrá aumento de matrícula el próximo año) Lunes 27 de enero: Celebrando tu comunidad

  ● Colecta de alimentos enlatados en toda la escuela para Cicero-Berwyn-Stickney Food Pantry (continúa hasta el 31 de enero)

  Martes 28 de enero: Celebrando a tus estudiantes

  ● Chocolate caliente y pan dulce con nuestros amigos de fe de todas las edades● Los estudiantes usan pijamas para ir a la escuela (pantalones de pijama y camisetas con mangas

  apropiadas para la escuela)● Open House para preescolar y jardín de infantes de 3:00 a 6:30 p. m.

  Miércoles 29 de enero: Celebrando la nación

• ●  Academic Bowl: los estudiantes en los grados 1 a 8 competirán en equipos para responder preguntas académicas apropiadas para su grado (con enfoque en la historia estadounidense)

• ●  Día del espíritu rojo, blanco y azul para estudiantes Jueves 30 de enero: Celebrando las vocaciones

• ●  Concurso de ortografía con Caballeros de Colón (grados 4 a 8)

• ●  P. Martin Marulanda de la Iglesia St. Bede the Venerable en Chicago celebrará misa y hablará a los

  estudiantes de octavo grado sobre su llamado a las vocaciones. Viernes 31 de enero: Celebrando a los profesores y al personal

• ●  Carrito de café y donas para el personal.

• ●  Baile de padre e hija a las 6 p.m. en Halpin Hall

  Sábado 1 de febrero: Celebrando a las familias

● Presentación escolar a padres de alumnos del CCD

Suyo en Cristo,Frank S. Zárate, Jr., Ed.D. Director