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News From the Head of School By Lauren Lek, Head of School
Dear Parents, Guardians & Friends,
"Have only one desire throughout your life…to be and to become the person God wants you to be…in nature, in grace, for time and eternity" — Maxim of Love 10:6
As Thanksgiving approaches, I have found myself so often coming back to the greatest blessing in my life – my faith. Of course that is supplemented by the support of family and friends! I am also blessed to be a part of this faith-filled educational community, where we share moments when we concurrently celebrate our relationship with the Lord and each other. These complementary experiences are what give joy to our work and lead us to a deeper call in our ministry. At OLP, the charism of the Sisters of St. Joseph calls us to that double union: love of God and love of neighbor.
In all that we do here, we seek those moments to model for our young women the joy we feel when we can give to others and shape our world for a better tomorrow. And we, too, learn from our OLP students who are extraordinary examples of generously giving to others.
This month, we welcome our Grandparents on November 24th to catch a glimpse of their granddaughters' dynamic learning environments. New to the event, we are delighted to open up our classrooms so that our grandparents can observe their granddaughters' inquiries and explorations. We will end our day with mass, celebrating as a community, the gift of our faith and those who support us in this journey.
In this spirit, I thank you for all you do to support us. I wish you a Happy Thanksgiving.
God Bless,
Lauren Lek
Head of School
November Updates By Jessica Hooper, Assistant Head of School
Dear Parents & Students,
Recently I had the privilege of attending the California STEM Symposium sponsored by California's Dedicated to Education, the CA Department of Ed and the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls. Throughout the conference I was reminded of how grateful we are as the OLP faculty and staff to spend our days with OLP students. As I learn about other high schools I am consistently reminded how phenomenal our students are. They continue to break the mold of what it is to be a girl in our world. This academic year, OLP girls are actively engaged in STEM activities through programs and classes such as the robotics club, our new Girls Who Code computer programming club and our AP Computer Science Principles course, just to name a few. Our STEM programs continue to grow and mature, offering girls the 21st century learning skills they will need to excel at the collegiate level.
So often we hear about the "pursuit of happiness." What I admire about an OLP student is that she is often an example of what it is to find "happiness in her pursuits." These pursuits, centered in their passions, are what make OLP graduates changemakers in our world. The focus and determination of our students inspires us as a faculty. So in this season of gratitude I would like to extend a special thanks to the parents of OLP students. We thank you for the sacrifices that you make to ensure an OLP education is possible for your daughter and for allowing us the privilege of spending our days with her.
Looking forward, please join me in keeping our Senior retreat participants in prayer as they spend three, faith-filled days at Whispering Winds, November 4th - 6th.
Performances of "Anything Goes!" will take place November 6th, 8th, 12th, 13th & 14th. Come and see the incredible talent among our OLP and Saints actors. Tickets can be purchased at www.showtix4u.com.
The annual Winter Arts Festival will take place on Wed., November 11, 2015 from 11:00 a.m.-12:05 p.m. Throughout the week, student art will be on display in the Front Office hallways. The assembly will showcase student artwork and performances from all disciplines of art. Features will include student choreographed dance routines, theatrical performances, musical ensembles and speech team exhibitions. We hope you can join us to appreciate the incredible talent that is present within our Pilot community!
With Gratitude,
Mrs. Jessica Hooper
Assistant Head of School
Welcome Ingrid de Llamas, Director of Institutional Advancement
This month we have the pleasure of welcoming Ingrid de Llamas as Director of Institutional Advancement. Ms. de Llamas is a fundraising professional who specializes in building advancement programs for Catholic and independent schools. She has worked as the Director of Development at schools like Notre Dame High School in Salinas, St. Frances Cabrini School in San Jose and High Point Academy in her hometown of Pasadena. She graduated from Cal Poly Pomona with a degree in Specialized Communications (public relations emphasis) and completed the culinary program at the Epicurean School. Ms. de Llamas is recognized and certified by the Association of Fundraising Executives as a CFRE and by Independent School Management as an IAP (International Advancement Professional).
She serves the community as a board trustee for the San Diego Public Library Foundation, sits on the board of a private foundation, and is a member of the San Diego Women's Foundation, Women Give San Diego and the Association of Fundraising Professionals. She is also member of LEAD San Diego's class of 2016. Ms. de Llamas is thrilled to be joining the OLP Team and looks forward to meeting all of our families.
A Capitol Experience
By Giselle Valdez '16
It was an exciting opportunity for a group of OLP students who attended the LegiSchool Town Hall Meeting on "Powering the Creative Economy in California" in Sacramento. As the only school from Southern California to attend, this event provided the perfect platform for Karime Laborin '17, Mary Kathryn Lannaeu '17, Alejandra Garcia '17, Julia Isbell '17, Rebecca Genovese '16, Ms. Nagem, and I, Giselle Valdez '16, to engage with state leaders and share ideas on the problems affecting our community, especially involving the arts and education.
In California, the creative industry constitutes nearly 10% of all jobs. Unfortunately, California is 47th in the nation when it comes to spending in the arts. Along with 80 other high school students, the OLP students and I asked questions about restructuring California's budget to emphasize increased spending for the arts to the panel of state leaders. The panel consisted of the Sacramento Superintendent, a State Senator, the Director of California Arts Council, and the Director of TechNet. Through the panel discussion, we learned the way educational standards are changing to foster further creative learning across all subjects.
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AP Environmental Science Class Visits Mission Trails Regional Park
By Lauren Glevanik '16
We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day to take a field tripto a literal field. The AP Environmental Science class recently visited Mission Trails Regional Park to explore the effects of primary and secondary ecological succession, which are the processes of how wildlife adapts to a new environment after a disaster. We met with Ranger Miller, who guided us through the stages of succession and how it affects the natural landscape. He pointed out different native and nonnative California plants and explained how they appeared after a catastrophe and spread throughout the area without human interference.
It was incredible to observe how a charred landscape can come back to life so quickly after a disturbance. The most amazing observation of the whole experience was seeing how life has adapted and prospered despite setbacks such as drought, fire, and human interference. The San Diego River Dam, multiple trails, paved roads, and even housing developments are right next to the park, but the wildlife still thrives.
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State of the Arts
By Paulina Sierra '17
Please join us on November 6th, 8th, 12th, 13th and/or 14th for OLP's Fall Musical Production of Anything Goes! Directed by Kathleen Herb Baker '70, and choreographed by Kristianna Engbrecht '13 and Rachel Rougas '16, Anything Goes! follows the story of Billy Crocker (Joey Rougas SAHS '19) , who stows away on board the S.S. American in order to convince the love of his life Hope Harcourt (Cami Asher '16) to marry him, although she is already engaged to Lord Evelyn Oakley (Fred Smyth '16). With the help of Reno Sweeney (Grace Newton '17), his Evangelist-turned-nightclub-singer friend, Moonface Martin (Paul Ammons '16), Public Enemy #13, and his accomplice Erma (Bella Rivera '16), they work to hijack their engagement while also trying to hide Billy from the captain and the sailors. Of course, there's a happy ending! Tickets are on sale at showtix4u.com, or from Mrs. Herb ([email protected]) or any cast member. Those ordering 10 or more through Mrs. Herb are half price. We hope to see you there!
Congrats, Student Athletes & Fall Sports Wrap Up
Congrats, Student Athletes
With the 1st quarter grade ended, we have ninety-one Fall student-athletes and thirty-two Cheer student-athletes who have qualified for the OLP Scholar-Athlete award. This award requires a GPA of 3.5 or better during their season of sport.
We also have twenty-eight San Diego Union-Tribune All-Academic Team Fall Student Athletes who are a Junior or Senior playing a varsity level CIF sport. This award is presented to student-athletes who have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better.
Dig Pink Game Raises Funds for Breast Cancer Awareness
OLP Volleyball recognized Breast Cancer Awareness month with their match Oct. 30 against Patrick Henry. All of the proceeds from the match with donations, the sale of baked goods, t-shirts, pink socks and other items, raffle tickets, and silent auction items were donated to the Side Out Foundation for Breast Cancer Research. OLP Volleyball also hosted the annual OLP Parochial School Volleyball Tournament Sat. Oct. 31. OLP coaches and players volunteered with organizing the tournament and serving as officials, line judges, and score keepers for the games throughout the day. The event welcomed 10 local parochial school volleyball teams and their families to the OLP Event Center for some great volleyball competition and even a costume contest to celebrate Halloween.
Fall Sports Wrap Up
Our Fall season is wrapping up with a flourish. Two varsity golfers, freshman Catalin Yturrade '19 and sophomore Crystal Butcher '18 were named to the 1st Team, Western League. Catalin will continue her play next week at Admiral Baker Golf Course. She was also named as the Player of the Year for the Eastern League.
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OLP to Host 2nd Annual CSJ/SSJ Association Meeting
We will host the 2nd Annual CSJ/SSJ Association Meeting November 4 through 6, 2015 on campus.
On November 4th, OLP will be hosting more than 20 different schools from across the United States and beyond, sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph. The meeting will bring together Presidents and Principals along with Sisters, Board members and other members of the high school leadership team. The focus of the three days is on strengthening our relationships as schools sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph, and to share best practices on continuing the CSJ/SSJ charism within our schools.
The three-day conference will include presentations by speakers from our CSJ/SSJ schools, celebration of Mass and break-out group sessions. Topics include: Deep Waters: a deeper journey into our shared CSJ spirituality, A Congregation without a Congregation: A reflection on the Eucharistic Letter and our role as CSJ leaders and The Vision Ahead, Planning for the Future.
We look forward to continuing and expanding on the legacy of our CSJ Sisters!
Alumnae Profile: Taylor Robinette '13
I am currently a junior at Clemson University, majoring in marketing with a minor in communication studies. During my first semester, I rushed and joined Chi Omega (Greek life is huge in the south!). This year, I began working at the golf course on Clemson's campus. I also enjoy volunteering once a week at a local tutoring center, helping middle school students with their homework. I'm pictured above with Daniela Robles 13, Christina Gallo 3, Anne Barnes '13, Molly McNamara 13, Emily Handy 13, and Bridget Brady 13. We are all studying abroad in Florence together this semester. I am glad to be reunited in Florence with my friends from OLP. No matter how far away we go for college, we always find our way back to each other.
One of the greatest perks of going to college is embracing change. For me, that came in several forms. Change is going from a small private school to a 15,000 student public university all the way across the country in South Carolina. Change is going from cheering every day for four years to struggling to make it to the gym. Change is going from knowing everyone in your class to not knowing a single soul. Change is living in the comfort of your own home to learning to live with a complete stranger. And most importantly, change is accepting that you will change your mind about almost anything and everything when you get to college!
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PLAN AHEAD NOW FOR TUITION ASSISTANCE FOR THE 2016-17 SCHOOL YEAR
- Tuition assistance applications for the 2016-17 school year will be accepted beginning January, 2016 through FAST only
- The deadline for applications and 2015 tax returns (federal and state) to be submitted is Friday, February 19, 2016
- All complete applications submitted by February 19, 2016 will be given first priority for consideration for tuition assistance awards. If there are funds remaining, late and/or incomplete applications will be considered once all required documentation is received.
- Applications must be submitted with a complete 2015 tax package in order to be considered
- A complete 2015 tax package includes: all W-2s and/or 1099s, K-1s if applicable, federal return, state return, and all schedules (ie. Schedule A, B, C, D, etc).
- Taxes must be signed or documentation of e-file must be submitted with the taxes
- OLP highly suggests scanning and uploading tax returns to FAST. Mailing your tax return to FAST will delay your application by 10-14 days while FAST reviews and uploads it to your application. This delay will hold up review of your application by the tuition aid committee.
- Due to the early tuition assistance application deadline PLAN AHEAD MAKE AN EARLY APPOINTMENT WITH YOUR TAX PREPARER OR CPA
- More information regarding tuition assistance will be published in upcoming OLP enewsletters
FACTS IS NOW ACCEPTING VISA
FACTS is now accepting Visa for payment of tuition in addition to American Express, Discover, and Mastercard. The fee to use Visa is 2.75% - the same as the other credit cards. If you wish to change your financial account information with FACTS to Visa, please log in to your FACTS account to make the change. You may also call FACTS at 1-866-441-4637 and have them assist you. Please contact Mary Harris in the finance office at [email protected] or 619-725-9194 if you have any questions about this change.
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