Newsletter of May 21, 2021

Dear Parents,

We would like to thank our Marketing and Development Director, Mr. Clemente Martin, for his service to OLC this school year. He is moving on and will be attending graduate school at Creighton University in Omaha. We wish him the best! At the same time, we would like to welcome our new Marketing Director, Ms. Candelaria Rosales. Ms. Rosales graduated from Columbia College Chicago with a bachelor’s in Journalism and a minor in Latin American Studies. Prior to Our Lady of Charity, she was the Marketing and Development Director at Our Lady of Grace School, located on the North Side of Chicago for 4-1/2 years. She has a background in photography, arts, and journalism.

Thank you, too, to Mrs. Sweeney for coordinating our 8th grade Ribbon Mass yesterday. It was an example of the family atmosphere we have here at OLC. Good luck to our 8th graders: “With enlightened minds and zealous hearts, we will change the world!” OLC Mission Statement

Registration for the 2021-2022 school year is open. Refer a new family and we will waive your tuition for one month next school year (certain conditions apply).

Summer school dates are June 14 - July 15, Mon. - Thurs., from 8am - 2pm. Before and after care is available. Multi-child discounts are available. Call or visit us to register. If you need extended care between now and June 3, please pay in-person daily.

Our summer office hours begin on Mon., June 14: Mon. - Thurs., from 8am - noon

Important dates:

Monday, May 24: 8th graders’ school iPads must be given to the office today!

Tuesday, May 25: last day of school for 8th graders; 8th grade picnic

Wednesday, May 26: kindergarten field day; contact Ms. Contant for details

Thursday, May 27: School Mass for kindergarten and grades 2, 3, and 6. Parents may attend.

Friday, May 28: School Mass for grades 1, 4, 5, and 7. Parents may attend.

Friday, May 28: 8th grade graduation Mass and ceremony at 7pm in the church. Each graduate may invite three guests.

Thursday, June 3: last day for hot lunch

Friday, June 4: last day of school; 11:30 dismissal

Yours in Christ,

Frank S. Zárate, Jr., Ed.D.

Principal

(708) 652-0262

fzarate@olc-school.org

Newsletter of May 13, 2021

May 13, 2021

Dear Parents,

Our confirmation and 1st holy Communion ceremonies last weekend were both beautiful. I hope that parents whose children took part in these sacraments were pleased. The baptism on Saturday was particularly moving. Thank you, parents, and congratulations to all the children. We are very proud of them.

Happy belated Mother’s Day to all our OLC mothers. Throughout the month of May at OLC, we remember Mary, the Mother of our Lord Jesus. She serves as an example for all of us. Our students will celebrate and recognize Mary in a May Crowning ceremony tomorrow in church for grades 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8. Select students will ceremonially crown a statue of the Blessed Mother to recognize her as Queen of Heaven and the Mother of God. Parents are welcome to attend. Crowing the Blessed Mother will be Cristal Hernandez and Ethan Motes. The May Crowning Court consists of Berenice Correa, Alicia Ramirez, Isaac Celis, and Giancarlo Garcia.

We need volunteers for Olympic Day (an outdoor activity day for grades 1 - 8) on Friday, May 21, and also for an 8th grade outdoor picnic on Tuesday, May 25. Call Mrs. Avalos in the office if you can help out: 708 652-0262 ext. 201. Due to COVID-19, we cannot accept food donations this year for Olympic Day. Each student in grades 1 - 8 is asked to contribute $3 for the cost of lunch.

Registration for the 2021-2022 school year is open. Refer a new family and you can have your tuition waived for one month next school year (certain conditions apply).

Summer school dates are June 14 - July 15, Mon. - Thurs., from 8am - 2pm. Before and after care is available. Registration forms will be distributed tomorrow to students in Preschool - 7th grade. Multi-child discounts are available.

Important dates:

Thursday, May 20: School Mass for grades 2, 3, 6, 7, and 8. We will have a Ribbon Ceremony after Mass for our 8th graders followed by 8th grade awards. 8th graders do not have to wear their uniforms, but they must dress up (no jeans)! Parents may attend. Graduation yard signs will also be distributed to 8th graders: display them on your lawn with pride and help promote OLC.

Friday, May 21: School Mass for kindergarten and grades 1, 4, and 5. Parents may attend.

Friday, May 21: Olympic Day! There will be no Zoom lessons, but students will be given school assignments to complete.

Friday, May 21: Extended care — any parent who would like to continue to participate in extended care after this date will need to pay in person; FACTS accounts will not be billed.

Tuesday, May 25: last day of school for 8th graders; 8th grade picnic

Friday, May 28: 8th grade graduation at 7pm in the church. Each graduate may invite three guests.

Thursday, June 3: last day for hot lunch

Friday, June 4: last day of school; 11:30 dismissal

Here are some sensational 8th graders! Last week we inadvertently reversed the photos of Leylane Jaimes and Kandy Martinez (sorry, ladies) so we are reinserting them, together with two new soon-to-be-graduates.

Leylane Jaimes

What High School are you going to next year?

Our Lady of Tepeyac

What was your most memorable moment at OLC?

Going to church and field trips

One word to describe OLC:

Fun

What are your plans/goals for the future?

To attend Santa Clara University and become a psychologist

Kandy Martinez

What High School are you going to next year?

St. Laurence

What was your most memorable moment at OLC?

There are many memorable moments that I have experienced from my 8 years at OLC, but some that that I am truly great full for, is experiencing going to mass every week as a school, praying every single day, and participating in Catholic activities that will strengthen my relationship with God. OLC provides their students to enrich their Catholic faith, and that is gift many students don’t have access to. Unfortunately, many kids don’t even know what praying is, or who even God is, but OLC gives us the opportunity to learn about all of this. Every day is a memorable experience at OLC, and even though my time here will end, I know OLC is, and will always be a big part of my life.

One word to describe OLC:

Empowering

What are your plans/goals for the future?

I plan to attend Catholic schools after I graduate from OLC, because I want to continue to increase my Catholic Faith in years to come. I love writing. Ever since I learned how to write, I wrote pages and pages about anything that came to my mind. Due to this, I would like to participate in many writing courses or classes they offer in High school. I want to be a great writer, and maybe one day publish my own book. I am not sure what I would like to be in the future, but I know my time will come. I will definitely continue with art and volleyball, because I believe it is a good hobby to distract my mind off things when I am stressed. I know for a fact that I will lead my kids on the right path to be followers of God, and I will give them the same opportunity I was given to strengthen my faith in God as a child. As for right now, these are the only plans and goals I have in mind, but if God has a different path for me, then his wish is my command.

Isaac Celis

What High School are you going to next year?

Morton East

What was your most memorable moment at OLC?

Breaking down the door to the bathroom stall

One word to describe OLC:

Unique

What are your plans/goals for the future?

To get a sports scholarship and make it to the finals for basketball.

Abigail Vazquez

What High School are you going to next year?

Morton East

What was your most memorable moment at OLC?

When me and my friends dropped the pizza.

One word to describe OLC:

Cool

What are your plans/goals for the future?

Build my home and get positive stuff in life.

Yours in Christ,

Frank S. Zárate, Jr., Ed.D.

Principal

(708) 652-0262

fzarate@olc-school.org

Newsletter of May 7, 2021

May 7, 2021

Dear Parents,

Do you find it challenging to take young children to Mass? You’re not alone! Here are some practical suggestions:

Sit as close to the front as possible, where children have the opportunity to observe the action of the Mass.

During Mass, quietly point out key moments: “We’re kneeling because Jesus is here in a special way.”

Invite participation.

Give them something appropriate to look at: a religious picture book or holy card, or a favorite stuffed animal. The animal can be encouraged to participate in Mass, too. Some people give children religious coloring books, although if you do this, bring just a few crayons.

Promise a small reward for children who meet certain minimum standards of behavior.

Introduce your child to the priest.

Play Mass at home.

Adapted from Our Sunday Visitor

Parent volunteers are needed to help with Olympic Day (an outdoor activity day for grades 1 - 8) on Friday, May 21, and also for an 8th grade outdoor picnic on Monday, May 24. Email me (fzarate@olc-school.org) or phone Mrs. Avalos in the office if you can help out: 708 652-0262 ext. 201. Due to COVID-19, we cannot accept food donations this year for Olympic Day. Each student in grades 1 - 8 is asked to contribute $3 for the cost of lunch.

Registration for the 2021-2022 school year is open. Refer a new family and you can have your tuition waived for one month next school year (certain conditions apply). If you need financial assistance, please fill out the FACTS application. Funds are limited.

Summer school dates are June 14 - July 15, Mon. - Thurs., from 8am - 2pm. Before and after care is available. Phone the office to register or for more information.

Important dates:

Saturday, May 8: first holy Communion at 9am in the church. Each family will have one pew to accommodate the student and four guests.

Friday, May 21: Olympic Day!

Friday, May 21: Extended care — any parent who would like to continue to participate in extended care after this date will need to pay in person; FACTS accounts will not be billed.

Tuesday, May 25: last day of school for 8th graders

Friday, May 28: 8th grade graduation at 7pm in the church. Each graduate may invite three guests.

Thursday, June 3: last day for hot lunch

Friday, June 4: last day of school; 11:30 dismissal

Here are four outstanding 8th graders. ’Til we meet again!

Leylane Jaimes

What High School are you going to next year?

Our Lady of Tepeyac

What was your most memorable moment at OLC?

Going to church and field trips

One word to describe OLC:

Fun

What are your plans/goals for the future?

To attend Santa Clara University and become a

psychologist

Kandy Martinez

What High School are you going to next year?

St. Laurence

What was your most memorable moment at OLC?

There are many memorable moments that I have experienced from my 8 years at OLC, but some that that I am truly great full for, is experiencing going to mass every week as a school, praying every single day, and participating in Catholic activities that will strengthen my relationship with God. OLC provides their students to enrich their Catholic faith, and that is gift many students don’t have access to. Unfortunately, many kids don’t even know what praying is, or who even God is, but OLC gives us the opportunity to learn about all of this. Every day is a memorable experience at OLC, and even though my time here will end, I know OLC is, and will always be a big part of my life.

One word to describe OLC:

Empowering

What are your plans/goals for the future?

I plan to attend Catholic schools after I graduate from OLC, because I want to continue to increase my Catholic Faith in years to come. I love writing. Ever since I learned how to write, I wrote pages and pages about anything that came to my mind. Due to this, I would like to participate in many writing courses or classes they offer in High school. I want to be a great writer, and maybe one day publish my own book. I am not sure what I would like to be in the future, but I know my time will come. I will definitely continue with art and volleyball, because I believe it is a good hobby to distract my mind off things when I am stressed. I know for a fact that I will lead my kids on the right path to be followers of God, and I will give them the same opportunity I was given to strengthen my faith in God as a child. As for right now, these are the only plans and goals I have in mind, but if God has a different path for me, then his wish is my command.

Juliocesar Macias

What High School are you going to next year?

Cristo Rey

What was your most memorable moment at OLC?

Art Club

One word to describe OLC:

Welcoming

What are your plans/goals for the future?

Finish high school and go to college. Get married and have kids

Christopher Bruno

What High School are you going to next year?

Morton West

What was your most memorable moment at OLC?

The activities and my classmates

One word to describe OLC:

#1

What are your plans/goals for the future?

Real estate or architecture

Yours in Christ,

Frank S. Zárate, Jr., Ed.D.

Principal

(708) 652-0262

fzarate@olc-school.org