OLC Newsletter

September 16, 2024

Dear Parents,

Join us for our Community Flea Market this coming Saturday and Sunday (Sept. 21-22) at the St. Mary of Czestochowa Social Center at the corner of 31st Street and 50th Avenue from 9 AM - 4 PM. We have great deals on household goods, antiques, collectibles, toys, furniture, clothing, and more. Food will be available for purchase. This event is an OLC School fundraiser.

Our Walk-A-Thon is coming up soon. This all school event will be held during the school day on Thursday, September 26. Students will walk from the main school entrance on 57th Court north to 35th Street, west to 58th Avenue, south to 37th Street, and back to the school parking lot. Please remember that each family is responsible for raising $100 in sponsorship for the annual Walk-a-thon. More details soon. We count on these fundraisers to offset our school deficit.

OLC School student enrollment increased this year by 5% over last year. It's not too late to refer a new family and earn yourself a $500 tuition credit. Call or visit our marketer, Ms. Yashica Zuniga, for more information: 708-652-0262 ext 103.

Parent-Teacher Conferences:

Thursday, October 3, from 1:00-7:00, and Friday, October 4, from 12:30-3:00. You will be able to book an appointment prior to conferences. Conferences will be in-person or remote (via Google Meet).

Van Gogh Photographers Picture Day: Wednesday, October 9. Students must be in formal uniform. Panther News:

Our new OLC Varsity Soccer team won their first game last week against St. Angela School of Chicago, 5-0. Outstanding players were Marcos Macias and Adrian Celis scoring 2 points each and Marysela Ramirez 1 point.

The OLC Cross Country runners did an amazing job at their meet last Saturday in Manhattan. 8th grade girls finished in fifth place, led by Ariana Godinez, Belen Vargas, Penelope Sandoval, Karla Garduza, and Amelia Sandoval. Shout out to Gabriel Martinez in 5th grade and to Gael Diaz in 7th for their strong finish.

Yours in Christ,

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

fzarate@olc-school.org

OLC NEWSLETTER

August 5, 2024

Dear Parents,

We are just two weeks away from the 2024-2025 school year, and our staff is working hard to prepare for a great year ahead. Here is some timely info:

OLC Soccer and OLC Cross Country: Students can join the first week of school. These two sports are open to all boys and all girls in grades 5-8. Information will be provided to students as soon as school starts. Thank you to our wonderful parent coaches!

Uniforms: We continue to accept donations and have many gym and formal uniforms in stock (too many!). If you are interested in a free, gently used uniform, please stop by the school office and see Martha during regular school (summer) hours: Mon - Thurs, 8:00 - 12:00. Please remember that gym shoes cannot have contrasting soles or contrasting logos; they need to be all black or all white. Socks cannot have patterns or designs. Also, hair must be its natural color. No nail polish or fake nails are allowed. Girls may wear one pair of small stud earrings; dangling earrings are not allowed.

Monday, August 19, is the first day of school, from 8:00 - 11:30 (early dismissal/half-day). Parents are welcome to enter the school to drop off supplies.

Students need to get to school ON TIME every day. They must be in their classroom when the 8:00 tardy bell rings in order to be considered on time.

Wednesday, August 21: Back to school meeting for all parents in church from 6:30-7:30 PM. After a brief general meeting, you may visit your child’s classroom teacher. Additionally, Fr. Waldemar will speak specifically with 2nd grade and 8th grade parents about 1st holy Communion and confirmation.

Thursday and Friday, August 22 and 23: Band recruitment for new band members. Friday, August 23: confessions for all students in grades 3 - 8 at 9:00.

Sunday, August 25: St. Mary of Czestochowa feast day. All families are encouraged to come to the Spanish Mass at 12:30 at St. Mary’s. Students should wear their OLC uniforms. After Mass, there will be a parade around the block featuring our students. Families who participate will receive two hours of volunteer service credit.

Please be sure to read the updated “Parent and Student Handbook” that will be sent home on August 19. It is

also available online here:

https://www.olc-school.org/_files/ugd/89c089_5d6d3402ed2b4a2897a740b1427e60ae.pdf

Parent Room Representatives: Teachers in all grades will be looking for one parent to serve as the Parent Room Representative. This person will help out periodically during the school year by assisting in the classroom and by contacting other parents as needs arise. The Room Rep will also serve on the PTA. The PTA is a new fundraising committee. If you are interested in serving as the Room Rep this year, contact your child’s teacher by August 23.

Unfortunately we will no longer be able to offer free after school childcare for students in grades 5-8 as we did last year, as our extended care partner, SGA, lost their funding. SGA is searching for new funding sources, and if they are successful, they may return to OLC in October (hopefully). In the meantime, if your 5th - 8th grade child needs extended care after school, our regular Extended Care program is available at $10 per day. Fees and hours for before care remain the same as last school year.

School supply lists and school calendars may be found on our website: https://www.olc-school.org/general-info

It’s not too late to refer a new family to OLC School and earn yourself a $500 tuition credit. You can refer up to two families and get a $1000 credit. Call or visit our marketer, Ms. Yashica Zuniga, for more information: 708-652-0262 ext 103.

Keep enjoying summer!

Yours in Christ,

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

fzarate@olc-school.org

OLC NEWSLETTER

July 15, 2024

Dear Parents,

I hope your summer is going smoothly. The start of school is just five weeks away. We are still looking for an Assistant Cross Country Coach for the fall. Do you know anyone who can work with our team at the meets and at our early morning weekday practices? If so, please email me: fzarate@olc-school.org

If your 5th - 8th grade son or daughter would like to join our Cross Country team, have them come to a practice session, Mon - Thurs, from 8:00 to 10:00 AM in the school parking lot. They are always welcome to stop by and see if they like it, without formally joining the team.

OLC fall Soccer season information will be sent to you following the coaches’ meeting next week.

School supply lists and school calendars may be found on our website: https://www.olc-school.org/general-info

All of our teachers have been in place since last month. We are fortunate at OLC as Illinois continues to suffer from a shortage of teachers. Here is a list of our faculty members for the fall:

Preschool: Mr. Sean Knight

Kindergarten: Ms. Sally Henson (experienced and highly recommended)

1st grade: Ms. Alondra Cruz (an OLC graduate)

2nd grade: Ms. Juliana Morini

3rd grade: Miss Mary Tierney

4th grade: Mrs. Helen Immordino

5th grade: Ms. Kate Cary

6th - 8th grade: Ms. Phoebe Unzueta, Mr. Joseph Letendre, Mrs. Margaret Sweeney

Taking children to Mass can be hard: “Why do we have to go to church?” According to Canon Law, by age seven, children should be attending Mass every Sunday. Here are some simple strategies for making Mass more pleasant with children:

●  Decide ahead of time what Mass to attend.

●  Set out everyone’s clothes so getting ready is not a hassle.

●  Bring along a picture book about the Mass.

●  Make sure everyone has something to put into the collection basket.

●  Sit in front so children can see.

●  Bring children into the communion line, even if they are too young to receive.

●  Praise children for good behavior.

●  Celebrate good behavior by doing something special after Mass.

As for teenagers, if your teen is indifferent or doesn’t like going to Mass, explain that there are some things in life that we do because they are good for us – whether we feel like doing those things or not. Mass is not about feelings. It is about giving ourselves to God. It is about discovering what purpose God has for our lives. If teens see that the Mass gives meaning to your life, they will begin to search for that meaning in their own lives.

Yours in Christ,

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

fzarate@olc-school.org