Weekly Newsletter

February 16, 2023

Dear Parents,

Lent lasts for 40 days because Christ suffered in the desert for 40 days. Lent is from Ash Wednesday to Holy Thursday, excluding Sundays. Sundays are an important part of Lent, but we do not include them in the “40 days” because on every Sunday we remember and celebrate the Resurrection of Christ in the Mass. Lent ends with the start of the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday. This year, Lent ends on April 6.

What to give up for Lent? Here are some ideas for children:

• Give up a favorite toy or game

• Fast from social media for a day

• Give up a favorite snack

• Drink only water at school

• Give up a favorite chair at home or seat at school

• Go without headphones/air pods for a day

• Play your favorite game, focusing on helping others instead of winning

• Allow others to pass in front of you in the lunch line (Hallow, Inc.)

I have attached a calendar of daily at home Lenten activities for families. They’re fun!

Summer School: We are planning it already! The tentative dates are Monday - Thursday, June 12 - July 13. The tuition will be significantly lower than last year. More information later.

OLC School is hosting a Pop-Up shop Arts & Crafts Fair at the St. Mary of Czestochowa Social Center on March 4 and 5. If you have a small business and would like to reserve a space, contact our school marketer, Yashica Zuniga, at yzuniga@olc-school.org. We will be renting out 25 spaces that are about 8ft x 8ft. It is $30 for one day and $50 for both days.

School Mass schedule (parents welcome to join us): Feb 22: Ash Wednesday, 12:00 English Feb 24: 9:00, Stations of the Cross (all school; led by 8th grade)

2023-2024 Tuition Rates: Though tuition will rise next school year, it is an increase of only $1.65 per day for one child. 1 student $6,254 2 students $9,663

3 students $12,699 4 students $14,926 Early registration begins on April 3, 2023

Important dates:

Friday, February 17: no school, staff development day

Monday, February 20: no school, Presidents’ Day

Wednesday, March 1: World Compliment Day; students who compliment three people today can wear their favorite flannel shirt to school instead of their uniform!

Friday, March 17: no school

Friday, April 7 - Sunday, April 16: no school, Easter break

Saturday, April 29: 1st holy Communion at 1:00

Yours in Christ,

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

fzarate@olc-school.org

Our Lady of Charity Weekly Newsletter

February 3, 2023

Dear Parents, OLC’s new team mascot (for 2023-2024) is the Panthers! Thank you to all the students in grades 1 - 8 who voted. A special thank you goes to the 8th grader who designed the mascot: Ms. Marissa Aguilar! We will be fully adopting the Panthers team name and mascot in the new school year in August.

We have a new iPad and Chromebook device management system called Securly. This program helps teachers engage every student and lead class with confidence. With Securly, teachers can view student screens so they know that students are engaged in classwork. Securly allows us to be better able to block sites, push URLs to student devices, freeze screens, and more. These additional security features are a welcome addition to our 1:1 student device program.

Volleyball: OLC is looking into the possibility of having a volleyball team. If you know a coach, email me soon: fzarate@olc-school.org

OLC School is hosting a Pop-Up shop Arts & Crafts Fair at the St. Mary of Czestochowa Social Center on March 4 and 5. If you have a small business and would like to reserve a space, contact our school marketer, Yashica Zuniga, at yzuniga@olc-school.org. We will be renting out 25 spaces that are about 8ft x 8ft. It is $30 for one day and $50 for both days.

Snow, hiking, or cowboy boots are not permitted in class. If it becomes necessary to wear any of this footwear because of the snow, it must be exchanged for school shoes in the classroom. Cowboy boots may be worn in class on February 6, however (see below). Congratulations to our Knights of Columbus Spelling Bee winner, 5th grader Anabel Rodriguez! Our second place winner is 8th grader Dean Cundari. I still remember the word I missed in my own 5th grade spelling bee: “bouquet”! Thank you to all of you who were able to assist us with our Catholic Schools Week activities, including speaking at Masses, the hot chocolate, and the treats for teachers today. We appreciate it!

School Mass schedule (parents welcome to join us): Feb 3 (today): 1:00 Spanish Feb 10: 9:00 English Feb 17: no school (see below) Feb 22: Ash Wednesday, 12:00 English Feb 24: 9:00, Stations of the Cross

2023-2024 Tuition Rates 1 student: $6,254 2 students: $9,663 3 students: $12,699 4 students: $14,926 Early registration begins on April 3, 2023

Important dates:

Monday, February 6: Western wear day. Students in all grades may come to school dressed in their favorite cowboy/cowgirl/western attire.

Thursday, February 9: Parent-teacher conferences (by parent or teacher request only); students will be dismissed at 11:30. A link to sign up for a conference time was sent to you earlier this week.

Friday, February 10: Valentine’s Day dance in Halpin Hall, grades 5 - 8, 6:30 - 9:00; OLC students only

Friday, February 17: no school; staff development day

Monday, February 20: no school; Presidents’ Day

Saturday, April 29: 1st holy Communion at 1:00

Yours in Christ, Frank S. Zarate, Jr., Ed.D.

Principal (708) 652-0262

fzarate@olc-school.org

Our Lady of Charity Weekly Newsletter

January 26, 2023

Dear Parents, Volleyball: If we can find coaches, OLC is looking into the possibility of having a volleyball team, one for girls and one for boys. If you or someone you know can coach, please email me soon: fzarate@olc-school.org OLC School is hosting a Pop-Up shop Arts & Crafts Fair at the St. Mary of Czestochowa Social Center on March 4th and 5th. If you have a small business and would like to reserve a space, contact our school marketer, Yashica Zuniga at yzuniga@olc-school.org. We will be renting out 25 spaces that are about 8ft x 8ft. It is $30 for one day and $50 for both days.

Snow, hiking, or cowboy boots are not permitted in class. If it becomes necessary to wear any of this footwear because of the snow, it must be exchanged for school shoes in the classroom.

Students are outdoors for recess and before school unless the temperature is 20 degrees or below. All students should come to school in full winter gear: coat, gloves, scarf, hat, and boots. Many of the older students do not like to wear all that, as you know.

Catholic Schools Week 2023:

Sunday, January 29: Celebrating your parish

• 5th graders will host the noon Mass at OLC

• Parent speakers at OLC and St. Mary of Czestochowa; announce tomorrow’s open house

Monday, January 30: Celebrating your community

• Open house 8:00 - 11:00 Tuesday, January 31: Celebrating your students

• Hot chocolate and pan dulce with your faith buddy*

Wednesday, February 1: Celebrating the nation

• Spelling bee with Knights of Columbus

• Red, white, and blue spirit day for students

• American history Kahoot game (4th - 8th grade)

Thursday, February 2: Celebrating vocations

• Sr. Margaret to speak to 8th grade students

Friday, February 3: Celebrating faculty and staff

• Coffee cart and doughnuts for staff**

• Academic Bowl: Students will complete in teams to answer grade appropriate academic questions. Saturday, February 4: Celebrating families

• Family Tree bulletin board celebrating all the families in the school

* Email your child’s teacher if you can provide hot chocolate or pan dulce for your child’s class ** Email me if you can bring a box of coffee or a dozen donuts

School Mass schedule (parents welcome to join us): Jan 27: 9:00 English Feb 3: 1:00 Spanish Feb 10: 9:00 English Feb 17: no school (see below) Feb 22: Ash Wednesday, 12:00 English Feb 24: 9:00, Stations of the Cross

2023-2024 Tuition Rates 1 student $6,254 2 students $9,663 3 students $12,699 $14,926 4 students $14,926 Early registration begins on April 3, 2023

Important dates:

Sunday, January 29: New date for the 5th grade class Mass at noon. All families are invited. Donuts, pan dulce, and beverages after Mass.

Wednesday, February 1: Early release day; 30 minutes before the regular time. Red, white, and blue dress down day for students

Thursday, February 9: Parent-teacher conferences (by parent or teacher request only); students will be dismissed at 11:30. A link to sign up for a conference time will be sent to you next week. Conferences are in- person unless parents email the teacher and request remote.

Friday, February 17: no school; staff development day

Monday, February 20: no school; Presidents’ Day

Saturday, April 29: 1st holy Communion at 1:00 Yours in Christ,

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

Principal

(708) 652-0262 fzarate@olc-school.org