OLC Newsletter

October 3, 2024

Dear Parents,

We still don’t have a coach for the girls’ basketball season, which begins on November 1. Remember, the coach sets the practice schedule. If you can coach, your volunteer hours are automatically complete. Call or email Martha: 708-652-0262 ext. 201/mcortez@olc-school.org Maybe you have a family member who can (get VIRTUS trained) and help us out!

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

7th and 8th graders will have an all day, in-school religious retreat sponsored by NET Ministries, a Catholic youth missionary organization based in Saint Paul, Minnesota, on Friday, October 11. These retreats are designed for students in grades 7-12 and include large group presentations, small group discussions, sharing personal testimonies, and prayer with each young person. NET teams travel across the country to help Catholic parishes and schools host life-changing retreats. Teams consist of 8-10 missionaries who lead the retreats.

No school on Monday, October 14 or on Friday, November 8.

Halloween: Students in grades PK-3 may wear a costume on Oct. 31; nothing too scary or gory, please. Students in grades 4-5 may wear orange and black (no costumes). Students may also wear their formal uniform if you choose. Students in grades 6-8 must wear the formal uniform on Oct. 31 as they are going on a field trip to see a stage play at Nazareth Academy High School.

On Nov. 1 (All Saints Day) all students in grades PK-8 will engage in a "guessing jars" project in which they can guess the number of candies in a saint themed guessing jar to win a prize. We are also planning a “Saints in Our School” project to learn about and connect with a specific saint. Each classroom will adopt a saint, engaging in research and activities inspired by their saint’s life and teachings. This project aims to foster a deeper understanding of Catholic faith, build community, and promote values exemplified by the saints. At the end of November we’ll have a “Saints Fair” in which classes can visit the fair in Halpin Hall to learn about the different classroom saints. Two or three students will present the saint of their class.

Panther News:

Our new OLC Soccer season has been fun and exciting. It’s great that we can have an all-OLC team and compete against other nearby Catholic schools. We appreciate our parent coaches: Tony Gutierrez, Irving Soto, and Jesus Ramirez!

The OLC Cross Country season Championship Meet is this coming Saturday in Geneva. Thank you to our

coaches: Gabby Loya and Sylvia Martinez!

Yours in Christ,

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

Principal

(708) 652-0262

fzarate@olc-school.org

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