Our Lady of Grace Catholic School
eLion's Tales - November 15, 2017
A Message from Mrs. Anderson
Dear Families, 
Thanksgiving break has become one of my favorite weeks of the year because of the relaxing time spent with family. We are always reminded to “give thanks to the Lord,” but this one week may be the best reminder to all of us how blessed we are. There has been so much tragedy for so many people lately, it is my hope that we all remember to pray for those who suffered or are suffering in any way. A reminder close to home came last week when a homeless person was sleeping close to the steps of the school. We were able to give him something hot to drink, a little food, and some money and get him more comfortable. How thankful I was that it was not me in his shoes, and how wonderful it was to feel I could do something good for one of God’s children. Let us all reach out to help those in need remembering with God all things are possible. “The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I shall want.” (Psalm 23)

Core Value of the Week : Truth - We use technology appropriately and effectively.

Great News from Bishop O'Dowd: Our Lady of Grace Catholic School students from the graduating class of 2017 scored higher on the High School Placement Test in reading, math, and language than all Bishop O'Dowd applicants. Much to be proud of for parents, students, and our teachers!

Exciting Opportunity Ahead: I have been able to hire a technology teacher to work in our classrooms. Her name is Ms. Heather Gibbons. Mrs. Courtney is still on medical leave so Heather will be here on Tuesdays.She will be teaching during the school day in all classes but after school she is starting a class in Robotics for students in grades 5-8. More information will be forthcoming.

Second Grade Parents:  Reminder that on Saturday morning, December 2, 2017 at 10:00 we will celebrate First Reconciliation in church with the parish families going through the First Communion program. 

Looking Ahead:  Mark your calendars now for Saturday, December 2nd after 5:00 Mass when the OLG school students will be kicking off our Tree Lighting and Visit with Santa with a Christmas performance in church. Second grade students will reenact the Christmas story with upper grade students doing the readings. All are welcome to come to Stack Center for Fr. Tom's blessing and the arrival of Santa and the lighting of our tree. Refreshments will be served to all that attend.
A Message from Fr. Tom
Praying with Families
Dear Our Lady of Grace School Families,
Have a Blessed Thanksgiving Holiday!
It was a blessing to share with the children at the All School Mass on October 25. I prayed for all the children at Fatima and left their intentions at the chapel built at the place where Lucia, Jacinta and Francisco encountered the Blessed Virgin Mary. I brought all the children a prayer card from Fatima. The Fatima event happened 100 years ago and showed us how the faith of children can change the world. I invite you to watch a  short history of Fatima  as a family from Catholic.org. There is also a cartoon version of the  Apparition of the events at Fatima
On November 1 we celebrated All Saints Day and had our faith families come in with banners. The 8th grade introduced us to some Saints and the 5th grade choir led us in song. We used the Children"s lectionary so the readings could be better understood by our children. Some of my favorite Saints are  St. John Paul II Saint Francis of Assisi St. Teresa Of Calcutta ,  and  St. Maximilian Kolbe
In December we will have our School Advent Mass on Saturday December 2 where we will remember the Christmas Story and light the Christmas Tree. We celebrate the Immaculate Conception on Friday December 8 and after the School Mass we will have a gathering with parents to share with you Feeding the Family Soul. Join me for Coffee, Pastries, and some teachings on how to share the beauty of the faith with your children. 
In January we return and for Catholic Schools week I invite you to join us on Wednesday January 31 at the School Mass for St. John Bosco. Join me for Coffee and Pastries after Mass as we continue series on Feeding the Family Soul and see how to teach virtues to the Children.
On February 14, join us at our School Mass on Ash Wednesday. After the Mass join me as we continueFeeding Our Family Soul as we learn and teach forgiveness. 
Peace,
Fr. Thomas Czeck OFM Conv.

Franciscans Give Thanks on Sunday November 26
You are invited to spend a Night with the Friars for a Dinner and Fundraiser to support friars in formation preparing for ministry. The Knights of Columbus are sponsoring an Dinner and Silent Auction to benefit our seminarians and celebrate 35 years of Ministry as the Province of St. Joseph of Cupertino in California. Please join Br. Chris, Fr. Tom, Fr. Kevin, Fr. Paul, and many other friars to celebrate this event. 
When: Sunday November 26 beginning at 5PM
Where: Our Lady of Grace, Stack Center
Tickets are $40 per person including dinner catered by Miraglia's, drinks, music, and a Silent Auction.Tickets may be purchased through the school office or with a credit card after all the masses this coming weekend.


Christmas Program Information:
The OLG Christmas Program is Saturday December 2nd after the 5 o'clock mass. The Christmas Program will be followed by our annual Christmas Program Reception (pot luck) and Tree Lighting including a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus!
Earn Parent Hours by Helping Out:
We are looking for volunteers for the Reception and Tree Lighting. Please sign up for Set Up, to work the event, and/or Clean up on Sign Up Genius:  Click Here to help

Schedule:
Mass: In church at 5PM 
Christmas Program: In church immediately following mass (should start around 6PM)
Reception and Tree Lighting: In Stack Hall immediately following the Christmas Program
Pictures with Mr. and Mrs. Claus! They are coming over from the Ice Creamery for the evening.
For the Pot Luck Reception:
Families with Last Names from A-M: Savory
Families with Last Names from N-Z: Sweet
Food Allergy reminder: Please label items either "With Nuts" or "Nut Free". If you are not sure please label as "With Nuts". We will have 1-2 tables set aside as nut free.

Blue Cards!
Blue Card Winners:  Congratulations to Darian L. in TK and Nyah G. in 6th grade for being the blue card winners this week! Thank you for showing Unity, Truth, and Love!
5th Grade Knitted Scarves for Homeless Outreach!
Great Job!
Looking Ahead

November:

  • 15th, Wednesday - Egg Roll and Bake Sale for 6th Grade Camp Caritas
  • 17th, Friday - End of 1st Trimester - Free Dress for November Birthdays!
  • 20th - 24th - Thanksgiving Vacation! - No School
  • 26th, Sunday - Dinner and Fundraiser Sponsored The Knights of Columbus - Stack Center - 5:00 p.m.
  • 27th, Monday - School Resumes - OLG Spirit Event - Warriors Game!

December:

  • 2nd, Saturday - Christmas Program and Tree Lighting
  • 6th, Wednesday - St. Nicholas Day
  • 8th, Friday - Minimum Day - Teacher In-Service
  • 10th, Sunday - 5th Grade Donut Duty
  • 15th, Friday - Free Dress for December Birthdays!
  • 21st, Thursday - Minimum Day - Noon Dismissal
  • 22nd - 29th - Christmas Vacation!

January:

  • 1st-5th - No School - Happy New Year!
  • 8th, Monday - School Resumes
 Fresh Egg Roll & Bake Sale Wednesday @ 2:30pm @ OLG yard
*Egg rolls contain pork or shrimp*
Egg rolls $1.50 each or 4 for $5
Bake Sale Items $1-$2
Cash Only Please
Click Here to print Christmas Grams Order Form
The OLG promo code for fox river socks has started! PR17OLG for 30% off and 30% comes right back to OLG. Click https://www.foxsox.com/ to order. This year each class will have a troop they will be sponsoring. Let's show our troops how much we appreciate them!


Kinder sponsoring 6 soldiers in Afghanistan

1st grade sponsoring 4 soldiers in Afghanistan 

2nd grade sponsoring 10 soldiers in Kuwait

3rd grade sponsoring 11 soldiers in Qatar

4th grade sponsoring 5 soldiers in Afghanistan

5th grade sponsoring 11 soldiers in Qatar

6th grade sponsoring 26 soldiers in Iraq

7th sponsoring 15 soldiers in Kuwait

8th grade sponsoring 20 soldiers in Afghanistan


Click Here to order and show your school spirit!
Our Lady of Grace is supporting 4 families who
need our help this holiday season.
We have posted the gift requests for one of the families on SignUpGenius . We would love to get the all the gifts for this family! Gift requests for the other families will be on the tree in the church, parish offic
Click  Here  to order from Schwan's Cares and support OLG!
You may also order by phone: 1-855-870-7208, Campaign ID: 34987
Ballet Petit, Nutcracker Performance
Click below for more information and tickets
The Golden State Warriors will be conducting
Youth Basketball Camps over the Winter break!
The general camps are for boys and girls, ages 7-15, and there is a Future Stars Camp for boys and girls, ages 5-8. Click Here for more information.
Use Promo Code: OURLADY
SCRIP NEWS

  • We have recently been notified by our gift card vendor that Chevron has withdrawn from the Scrip Program.

  • Safeway gift cards in both $25 and $100 denominations are TEMPORARILY unavailable.

We still carry inventory of the following gas stations: Arco, Union 76 and Shell and Lucky's, Sprouts, Smart and Final and Target for your grocery needs.
2017-2018 School Calendar
Please click   here to view.  
Free Dress Pass Information
To honor our monthly birthday students, please use your Free Dress passes other than Wednesday Mass day but not on birthday Fridays, the last Fridays of the month.
Parking Lot and Morning Assembly
Driving through the parking lot at drop off and pick up: Please limit your speed to 5 mph in the parking lot when children are around. This is a very important safety issue.
Please be sure your child is on time at the first bell as at the second bell each student has to be in his/her class line to avoid a Tardy slip.
Parents, please stand at the back of the class lines so the class lines are paying full attention to the Student Council prayer time and pledge. Please do not walk your child to the gate to enter school.
Absences and Doctor's Appointments
When your child is absent or has a doctor's appointment and will be arriving late or leaving early, please email your child's teacher and the school secretary at  csanchez@csdo.org . Please turn in a doctor's excuse to the school office.
Please make sure your child has not vomited and is fever free for 24 hours before returning to school. 
PTG
Please click here for PTG Members and here for PTG meeting dates
Click here for OLG 2017-2018 Room Parents
Support OLG by shopping on Amazon Smile!
Click  here  and choose Our Lady of Grace Church & School.
Box Tops for Education Logo
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.
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 .
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! 
OLG Mission & Philosophy
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.
Office:510.581.3155 | Fax: 510.581.1059| l http://www.olgschool.org