Our Lady of Grace Catholic School
eLion's Tales - August 23, 2017
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A Message from Mrs. Anderson
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Dear Families,
“What we are is God’s gift to us, what we become is our gift to God.” These inspirational words adorn one of the walls in my office and with the exciting opening of our 2017-2018 school year, I couldn’t imagine words more appropriate for all students, teachers, and parents to emulate.
So much behind the scenes hard work has gone into preparing our school for the precious students we serve. The faculty and staff have been on deck throughout the summer getting ready for the year. Hallways have been painted, carpeted, and decorated. The courtyard tables have been refurbished and look like new. The faculty room is now a place for faculty and staff to get a break during each busy day. On Back to School Night, be sure to take notice of all the new areas.
For our students new texts, ipads, and science equipment have been purchased. Our middle school students will all be working on one of the 50 new ipads we were able to buy. Our primary teachers in K-2 are anticipating great excitement when they unroll the new reading program called, SuperKids. As always we will continue small groups for reading in grades 1-4.
May God bless each and every student and family member as we start off once more on our educational journey. May our focus be ever on our Mission Statement--- to serve a diverse community, modeling Christ through Unity, Truth, and Love so as to create a balance spiritually, academically, and socially.
Opening Day:
An awesome opening day was had by all! The teaching inside the classroom about the eclipse was fantastic at every level. Thanks to all the parents who were able to come with protective glasses and be with their children outside to watch the eclipse even though it was cloudy. I believe every child will have this first day as a memory of opening day.
Drive Through and Pick Up:
Please remember unless it is AM drop off for Kid Kare to enter ONLY through the San Miguel Gate. At 3:00 dismissal, if you have a child in grades 4-8, drive in along the parking lot by the church unless they have a sibling in primary grades.
Please do not park in the shady area by the trees as that is the drive through area for cars picking up on the side for the younger children.
Older children always are to wait with the younger ones on the office side of our school building. All students in grades TK-3 will be escorted to cars by their teacher or aide at dismissal at 3:00. Wednesday dismissal is always 2:30 as we have faculty meetings that day.
Homework Club:
Beginning on Tuesday, September 5th from 3:10-4:00, Homework Club will be held in grade eight. Mrs. Hierro will supervise the students in grades 4-8. The cost per trimester is $25.00. Students may drop in once registered or they are able to come twice each week. Pick up is at the flagpole at 4:00 PM and if you are unable to be on time, your child will be escorted to Kid Kare until you can come.
Newly Refinished Courtyard Tables:
During the summer the courtyard tables were removed and powder coated. They are looking brand new. To keep them in good condition I am asking each student to have a cloth placemat in their lunch bag or a baggie if buying hot lunch. Before eating each student is to lay the placemat down and then open their lunch. This allows us to fulfill our status as a Green Ribbon School!
Scrip Accounts:
On Back to School Nights if you have outstanding bills for last year’s scrip agreement, you will receive a letter with the total that is due. All 2016-2017 Scrip Accounts need to be cleared by September 15th.
Festival T-Shirts:
The Festival T-shirt, designed by Sophia F. in the 6th grade, will be sold the first day of school for $10. Students may wear their Festival T-Shirt every Friday until Festival weekend!
School Office:
During our Wednesday morning Mass when school begins the office will be closed from 8:10-9:15 so that all staff may attend Mass. This is part of a directive in our WASC document.
Scrip:
Beginning the first day of school Scrip will be sold out of the Parish Office and the School Office. Please allow up to 2 weeks for special orders.
2017-2018 School Calendar:
Please click
here
to view.
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Looking Ahead
August
- 25th, Friday - Free Dress for August Birthdays
- 27th, Sunday - First meeting for those desiring First Communion for their children - 10:50 a.m.-12:30 p.m. This is only for Faith Formation families. Our first meeting with parishioners is Sunday, Sept. 10th at 12:30. See below under Whole Family Catechesis
- 28th, Monday - Assembly for grades 3-8 - Author speaking
- 29th Tuesday - Back to School Night, TK-5, 6:30 p.m. in Stack followed by visits to classrooms; for those needing fingerprinting, at 6:00 p.m. a rep from the Diocese will be here to do fingerprinting
- 30th, Wednesday - Back to School Night for 6th-8th Grade students, Stack Center, 6:30 unless you need fingerprinting which opens at 6:00 p.m.
September
- 1st, Friday - In House 8th Grade Retreat - 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
- 4th, Monday - No School, Labor Day
- 5th, Tuesday - First meeting for Homework Club, 3:10-4:00 in grade 8, grades 4-8
- 9th, Saturday - 10th, Sunday - Castro Valley Festival on Castro Valley Blvd. Come visit the Our Lady of Grace Gold Fish Booth!
- 10th, Sunday - 8th Grade Donut Duty; First Communion meeting 12:30 in Stack
- 13th, Wednesday - Fall School Pictures - Full Uniform - click Here for form
- 13th, Wednesday - School Board meeting - 6:30 p.m. - Faculty Room
- 19th, Tuesday - PTG Meeting - 7:00 p.m. - Augustine
- 22nd, Friday - Minimum Day - Noon Dismissal - Festival Set Up
- 23rd, Saturday - 24th, Sunday - OLG FESTIVAL!
- 25th, Monday - No School - Festival Clean-Up
- 29th, Friday - Free Dress for September Birthdays
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A Worthwhile Appeal!
Parishioner
Sean Nalty, is asking for any help we can give to supply food to those in the homeless shelter nearby. If you are listed as an “active OLG parishioner” this is a ministry that would conform to being involved in parish ministries. If you are looking for parent hours and like to cook or are able to provide food, this is a good way to help out. Please read his message below and know you are doing something wonderful for others.
We plan on delivering food and supplies to the Castro Valley homeless camp on Saturday afternoon, August 26
th
.
We have learned that the camp is on East Bay Regional Park land and that the authorities are fine with the camp remaining on the land as long as it is clean and they police themselves. Apparently the police department is a lady with a baseball bat! There currently are 19 in the camp, some of whom are physically disabled. Several were injured, lost their jobs, and then lost their home.
Melissa lives in the camp and has a truck. We deliver the food and supplies to Melissa and she distributes them in the camp. Every time we see Melissa she has to hold back the tears when she says how grateful everyone is for the help.
We have been distributing food (both cooked and groceries) as well as bottled water, propane, and AA batteries for flashlights. Whatever we can gather is what we provide. If you want to join this effort this time around, just let me know. I will pick-up your donation. If you can’t do it now, no worries as this is an ongoing effort. Also quantity does not matter. The camp splits up whatever we provide.
As always, thank you for your generosity.
Sean P. Nalty | Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C.
Steuart Tower, One Market Plaza, Suite 1300 | San Francisco, CA 94105 |
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2017 OLG Festival Updates!
We are looking for a booth chairpersons for Ladderball and Balloon Darts.
If you are interesting in taking on one of these booths, please contact me at
emillardzavala@gmail.com
. It’s a great way to meet new families, give back to the school and get all of your volunteer hours for year done all in one weekend! Plus you get to buy a wristband for your children so they get unlimited play at the game booths.
Festival t-shirts
will be sold before and after school on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and after each Mass. The shirts sell for $10 each and the children are able to wear them to school on Friday’s leading up to the Festival with their uniform bottoms. We have adult sizes too! If you would be able to I would love getting some help in taking a few shifts in selling shirts and getting some volunteer hours done!
Time to start doing some Summer/Fall cleaning! The Kidz Closet and Book Nook are looking for donations.
Please bring any of your gently used clothes, toys and books to the parish office.
This year we will be having our 2nd Annual Chili Cook-off
, so if you would like to enter your winning pot of chili, please send me an email with your name, the name of your chili and the type of chili you are entering. This is one of my favorite new additions to the festival and I can’t wait to try all of your delicious creations!
This is is going to be an amazing Festival because of all of the hard work of our amazing families! I can’t wait to see it all come together in just a few more weeks!
Elena Millard-Zavala
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Click
Here
for the Festival Talent Show Form
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Whole Family Catechesis
Fr. Tom is beginning a wonderful evangelization outreach program for our parishioners in the Faith Formation program. All families are welcome to participate if your children are in grades K-5. The kick off for families with children due to receive First Communion is Sunday, September 10 at 12:30. A light lunch will be provided and an opportunity to meet those parish families who are on the same journey with their children for First Communion as our families. Please mark your calendars and attend on Sunday, September 10th in Stack Center.
Please click
Here to view
Family Catechesis Handout
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Support OLG by shopping on Amazon Smile!
Click
here
and choose Our Lady of Grace Church & School.
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1. Buy your favorite Box Tops products
2. Clip out the Box Top from each product.
3. Send your Box Tops to the school office.
Ask your friends, neighbors, and family to save Box Tops. Each one is worth 10¢. Together we can raise $ for our school.
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Important Notice from the Office
Please be sure to fill out the
Request for Medication to be Taken During School Hours
form for ANY medication including cough drops and lotion like cortisone cream. There are forms in the school office and
here
.
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Deadline for Lion's Tales
Please note the deadline for submission to Lion's Tales is the Monday prior to publication. All flyers and articles must be submitted in PDF or JPG file format.
Thank you!
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Mission Statement
Our Lady of Grace Catholic School serves a diverse community, models Christ through unity, truth, and love to create a balance of spiritual, academic, and social growth.
Philosophy
Dedicated to living Christ's message, Our Lady of Grace is a Catholic school made up of students, faculty, staff and families working together with love and respect. While recognizing parents as the primary educators of their children, our community works together to develop individuals who are prepared to think critically, imbued with a strong sense of self-worth, and filled with a Christ-like approach to others.
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Office:510.581.3155 | Fax: 510.581.1059| l http://www.olgschool.org
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