The OLMA Overview -- November 3, 2017
This week included a little bit of everything: our first sisterhood activities of the year; Halloween; Volleyball and Tennis Senior Nights; two playoff soccer games (both wins!); a community Mass at St. Augustine Prep; a new addition to our sophomore class (welcome Meadow Karpiak!); parent-teacher conferences; and lots of planning for next week's Open House.

If you were unable to attend the parent-teacher conferences, please feel free to contact your daughter's teachers via email, or call to arrange a time to meet in person. With Open House almost here, we ask that you continue to help spread the word! If you know of families who are interested in OLMA, but can't make Open House, please encourage them to contact us directly. We are looking forward to a great event.

On Tuesday of next week, we will be hosting a College Interview and Instant Decision Day for seniors. Students will have the opportunity to interview with colleges that they've already applied to and find out on the spot if they've been accepted. This is a very exciting day on campus!

Also coming up quickly is the OLMA-Prep annual musical. Our cast and crew will present Footloose on November 15, 17 and 18. All three performances will be held in OLMA's Carew Hall. Please mark your calendars and plan to attend.

As always, thanks for the privilege of educating your daughters. Have a wonderful weekend. -- Mrs. Coyle

Student Spotlight
Brianna Badger, Class of 2019
Rarely found without a smile or kind word to say, Brianna Badger, is thrilled with all that's new at OLMA and is especially excited about the MAC lab, the new format for clubs and the Mini-Mester course she will be taking in the spring.

Brianna came to OLMA freshmen year from the Anthony Rossi Middle School in Vineland. "I knew a few girls who had gone to OLMA and really liked it, so I decided to shadow," said Brianna. "I loved that the classes were small and that everyone was so close, even the teachers. " Since then, Brianna says that things just keep on getting better and better. "I'm taking the History of Cape May course with Mrs. Hop for my Mini-Mester and can't wait," she said. "I'm looking forward to learning outside of the classroom, plus I really like Cape May and want to know about its history."

Brianna's favorite classes so far this year are Environmental Science and Literature, but admits that she has a soft spot for Mrs. DeValario. "She inspires me and is so kind to everyone," said Brianna. "She has become a mentor to me." It seems that Mrs. DeValerio isn't alone.

Brianna said that another OLMA teacher, Ms. Fatcher, was responsible for getting her into the pool -- a place Brianna spends a lot of her spare time. She will soon be starting her third year on the OLMA Swim Team. She swims the 100-meter butterfly and enjoys both the competitions and the camaraderie shared by the team.

Brianna has also turned her love of swimming into a job as a lifeguard at the YMCA. "I lifeguard during lessons, parties, camps, and events," she said. This will be great practice as she plans a career as a Preschool Teacher, with plans to study at Rowan or Loyola Universities.

She's also getting some great experiential training as the eldest of the six children in her family. Brianna said that they all recently traveled to Italy where they spent 10 days touring Venice and Rome. While there, she celebrated her birthday -- her Sweet 16. Brianna definitely has the sweet part down pat -- whatever her age. For that, she is a treasure -- and a welcomed member of the OLMA Sisterhood.
OLMA Students Use Service to Help "Blanket"
Children with Love
OLMA's commitment to service was front and center at our two recent Shadow Days held to introduce our school to young ladies in grades 6-8. Led by Allyson McCormick, Vice President of the OLMA Interact Club, current and prospective OLMA students made over 60 blankets to be distributed by Project Linus. The blankets will be used to comfort children who are sick or sad.

This is one of the many service projects performed by the OLMA Interact Club over the course of the school year. Others include dune grass planting and beach cleaning, road cleanups, drives for food and dental supplies, Purple Day celebrations in support of ending polio, visits with residents of assisted living facilities, working in soup kitchens, and more.
A BOO-TIFUL Day at OLMA
We held our first afternoon of Sisterhood activities in conjunction with Halloween! Here are some photo highlights!
Have You Ordered SCRIP Yet?
Thanks to the volunteer efforts of freshmen parent, Mikilyn Hiles, the SCRIP program at OLMA has a new spring in its step! Never heard of it before? No worries! SCRIP is a great way to earn extra cash for OLMA and for your daughter. All you need to do is purchase gift cards for the places where you shop through the SCRIP program. You pay face value and the school gets a percentage back. That percentage (varies by retailer) is split between OLMA and your family. Complete packets of information were sent home with your daughters last week. Orders are placed each Friday and vouchers will be sent home monthly! For more information, please call or text Mrs. Hiles at 609-675-6706.
2017 OPEN HOUSE -- Six Days Away!
On Thursday, November 9, from 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM, we will hold our annual Open House! We are expecting a great crowd and can't wait to show off our school and all that OLMA has to offer. OLMA's Student Ambassadors will be on hand that day, but we are looking for additional volunteers from all grades to assist them. If you can help, please sign up on the sheet posted outside of Mrs. Cusick's office. We are looking forward to a great day!
OLMA Semi Formal -- November 21
It's time to shop for dresses and purchase your OLMA Semi Formal tickets. Students in all four grades are welcome to attend. We can't wait to see you all dressed up. Please see Mrs. Hopman with any questions. Thank you.
Winter Sports Meeting on Wednesday
Coach Lenguadoro will be holding a Winter Athletes Parent Meeting on Wednesday, November 8 in Carew Hall at 6:30 PM. There are still spots open on a number of our teams, so if you're interested, please see Coach Leng. We are looking forward to an awesome season.
Calendar Reminders

College Interview/Instant Decision Day -- November 7

Winter Sports Parent Meeting -- November 8, 6:30 PM

No School/Open House -- November 9 (Student volunteers needed)

No School -- November 10

OLMA/Prep Musical (Footloose!) -- November 15, 17 & 18
We hope you enjoy the OLMA Overview. If you have questions or suggestions, please contact Mrs. Kinkade at 856.697.2008, ext. 140, or email her at: mrs.kinkade@olmanj.org