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News From the Head of School By Lauren Lek, Head of School
Dear Parents, Guardians & Friends,
Like many of you across San Diego, here at OLP our air conditioning units and fans have been working overtime to accommodate the hot and humid temperatures that have marked the start of school. As we prepare to welcome in Autumn, it is with a sense of excitement we feel the wind move up the canyons and flow through our campus hallways!
Across the United States, the end of September has also brought a powerful wind of love and faith, with the visit of Pope Francis to the United States. The airways have been abuzz with the stories of his words, so often focused on love of neighbor. I couldn't help but think of the strong parallel with the charism of our Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet who share a similar root in Ignatian Spirituality.
Autumn is also that time that we return to some of our cherished traditions and activities. Here at OLP, we have focused this fall on our school itself, as a religious non-profit, that all of us so greatly benefit from. As we launched this year's inaugural, All in for OLP fall fundraising campaign, and said goodbye to the magazine drive, we saw so many ways that our young ladies and families came forward to support the work of educating women.
This year, our annual campaign has already seen a record number of individuals come together to support the gift of an OLP education. To date, 100% of our faculty and staff have given their own generous contributions toward OLP, and over 88% of our families, especially our students, have given in support of our programs.
I am personally touched by the many ways our girls have sacrificed to be participants. For example, in the frosh class, a group of girls came together and decided to organize a baby-sitting event at church. All of the money raised was anonymously donated back to the All in for OLP campaign.
The cost of education continues to increase, as do the needs around this historic campus. This year, our focus is on replacing the antiquated student desks with new furniture. Each chair costs approximately $100, and a desk is $200, with an entire classroom costing $10,000. Thus far, we have raised enough for 2 classrooms, but we have 22 left to go!
On behalf of faculty, staff and our 750 young women, I thank you for all you have done through our All in for OLP campaign, to support the learning needs of our students. It takes all of us, beyond the cost of tuition, to help provide what our girls need today to touch the sky!
Again, thank you for your support, and your partnership!
Lauren Lek
Head of School
October Updates By Jessica Hooper, Assistant Head of School
Dear Parents & Students,
Throughout Pope Francis' visit, his presentations were consistently rooted in the theme of love. How appropriate that our chosen theme here at OLP for the 2015 - 2016 school year is "Show the Love." A recent movement on social media uses the hashtag, #lovelikefrancis, to call people to spread Pope Francis' message of love and compassion. Perhaps we can all use this hashtag in our own lives to bring awareness to the power of love in our world. Pope Francis referred to families as "factories of hope." Here at OLP, we too aspire to create hope; we hope for our students, hope for our world and hope for the poorest among us.
With the arrival of fall at OLP we will experience first quarter grade reports, our annual Open House for prospective students, PSAT testing, Parent Contact Week, Saints Homecoming festivities and the cherished tradition of OLP/Saints Freshman Dance Lessons.
First Quarter Grade Reports will be sent home via the parent email(s) registered with Jupiter on Wednesday, October 14, 2015. Also on October 14th, freshmen, sophomores and juniors will take the Collegeboard PSAT (frosh will take the PSAT 9). Please support your daughter by making sure she is well rested and partakes in a healthy breakfast on the day of testing. School will dismiss at 11:30 a.m. on October 14, 2015, the library will maintain normal hours (7 a.m. - 6 p.m.). Seniors have the day off of school and we hope they attend the annual College Fair which is hosted by OLP and includes over 100 representatives from colleges and universities around the country. The College Fair is open to all grade levels and will take place in the Holy Family Event Center at 6:30 p.m.
Have you checked Jupiter Ed lately? Jupiter is a wonderful tool to both monitor your daughter's academic process and communicate with her teachers. Should you have any academic concerns, Parent Contact Week is scheduled for October 19, 2015- October 22, 2015. This is an opportunity to engage in a teacher/student/parent conference. Should you want to take advantage of this opportunity, please contact your daughter's teacher directly to schedule an appointment. Students are required to partake in the conference process as research indicates their participation in conferences leads to greater academic growth and more accountability. Please note that Wednesday, October 21, 2015 is a 12:45 p.m. dismissal to help facilitate this process.
We hope you can join us for our school mass on Thursday, October 15, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. Please keep our students in your daily thoughts and prayers and know that as a school community you are in ours.
God Bless,
Mrs. Jessica Hooper
Assistant Head of School
Academic Support for Pilots-New Tutoring Opportunities
By Sheelah Keeter, Assistant Principal of Curriculum & Instruction
2015/2016 brings new academic programs that support student academic needs as they face a rigorous course-load providing them with that competitive edge for their future. In keeping with our mission and vision to academically prepare OLP students with the skills necessary for the future, we have created new tutoring opportunities that extend across core subjects: writing center, science center, math tutoring, and peer tutoring, at no cost to parents.
Math tutoring, supervisor, Ms. Riley Evans, is a high-achieving math major and experienced tutor from USD. Ms. Evans has received tremendous feedback from students last year and is back to provide math support for all math students.
The purpose for the Science Center is remediation or tutoring for students, who need support in biology and chemistry, to be supervised by science teacher, Mrs. Ann Wisniew.
Peer tutoring offers a safe environment for students in all grades and subjects to teach and learn from peers, supervised by OLP's counseling department.
The writing center is open to all students who need assistance with writing assignments or college application essays. Supervisor Mrs. Lisa Danaher welcomes students with all writing abilities and grade levels. OLP is dedicated to not only offer a competitive, innovative, rigorous curriculum, but ensuring the support necessary for student success. Please see the chart below for details on each program.
Math Tutoring
Who: All math students
What: Math tutoring for any and all students in a math course
When: Every Tuesday and Thursday from 2:15-4:15 p.m.
Where: Student Commons in the Counseling building
Supervisor: Ms. Riley Evans, math student from USD
Contact: Assistant Principal of Instruction, Ms. Sheelah Keeter at [email protected] for additional questions
Science Center
Who: All biology and chemistry students
What: Tutoring and remediation for students who need support in science
When: During co-curricular and after school. Students must sign up prior to for co-curricular, listed as "Biology and Chemistry Tutorial." Contact Ms. Wisniew for after school tutoring at: [email protected]
Where: Assigned classroom for CC block; room 105 for after school appointments
Supervisor: Mrs. Ann Wisniew, OLP science teacher
Contact: Mrs. Ann Wisniew at [email protected] for additional questions
Peer Tutoring
Who: Open to all OLP students
What: Peer tutoring for all grades and subjects
When: Monday thru Thursday before and after school. Monday and Wednesday during co-curricular, and lunch
Where: The Student Commons
Supervisor: Students tutoring but supervised by counseling staff
Contact: Head Counselor Mrs. Teri Heard at [email protected] for additional questions
Writing Center
Who: All Students
What: Tutoring for any writing assignments and/or college application essays
When: Friday after school, and one co-curricular block per week. Check the CC listing each day for availability
Where: Qualiato building, room 218
Supervisor: Mrs. Lisa Danaher, OLP English teacher.
Contact: Mrs. Lisa Danaher at [email protected] for additional questions
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
Sophomore Retreat at St. Vincent de Paul Villages
By Hannah Covington '18
Some people don't get an eye opening experience until their adult life, but for me and about 100 other sophomores, this was not the case. All throughout September, students from Living Church class attended a retreat at St. Vincent de Paul where they fed the homeless, bonded with each other, and learned a few of the stories that came with living on the streets.
It really was different from any experience I have ever had, I met people who had children and families and even jobs, but still could not afford to live in a safe comfortable home. What really touched me was seeing how the homeless interacted with each other. It was as though they were long-time friends who were just catching up over lunch. When I saw this happening I realized how similar all of us really were. It opened my eyes to see that we are all the same people just trying to get by in this crazy world. We were all changed by this experience in one way or another.
"It was an experience that really opened my eyes to the overwhelming amount of poverty in San Diego. It has given me a newfound respect for the people who are homeless and living on the streets," said Michelle Payne, '18. Another sophomore was able to sum up her whole day in just a few words, "It was a life-changing experience," said Bianca Yousif '18.
Although three living church classes have yet to attend this retreat, I am sure their experiences will all be as unique and as amazing as ours.
Peer Trainers are on the GO!
By 2015-2016 Peer Trainers
Peer Trainers are a group of innovative OLP students who strive to help the school become a closer and kinder community through the facilitation of school wide workshops, programs and assemblies on topics pertinent to teenage girls' lives. This past June, a group of 43 sophomores, juniors, and seniors attended a 3-day training session called, "Peer Trainers." This program, facilitated by the Anti-Defamation League, focused on anti-bias training and challenged students to create a more peaceful environment in their schools. The facilitators played a big role in teaching the girls leadership and communication skills, how to confront issues of social justice, and how to appropriately handle challenging situations. The Peer Trainers will be using this leadership training to carry out various events throughout the year, which include grade-level workshops, school-wide assemblies, and Teen Talks.
While the Peer Trainers conducted Teen Talks last year, we are thrilled to announce that we will be covering even more topics this year! Teen Talks are a great way for students to hear from peers about challenges an OLP girl may face in her daily life, some of which will include social media, confidence, self-image, and self defense. Even though participation at these talks is totally voluntary, we highly encourage you to come join in on the discussion, especially if it is a topic that relates to you in some way. Keep your eyes peeled for our upcoming Teen Talk in October! We, your Peer Trainers, are looking forward to a very exciting year! Our hope is that these events will serve as opportunities for deeper discussion, community building and growth. Have a great year and see you at our next event!
State of the Arts
By Grace Newton '17, Rachel Rougas '16, Cami Asher '16, and Paulina Sierra '17
Anything Goes, the fall musical has been in rehearsal for a month now, and around forty-five students are discovering the music of Cole Porter! We are excited to perform for eighth graders at the upcoming eighth grade visitation days, and even more excited that tickets will go on sale October 5th on the AOLP website. Please mark November 6 through the 14th on your calendars, and come see this great show!
Lunchtime Theatre: It's an exciting beginning of the year for the performing arts department as Lunchtime Theatre began recently. We had an amazing turnout for our first Lunchtime Theater! This month's revue featured two comedic interpretation scenes featuring Paulina Sierra '17 and Haley Teves '16 performing "Lazy Eye," as well as Rachael Brooks '16 and Bailey McCormick '16 in "The Hostage," and a beautiful combination of song and American sign language in the song "Mama Who Bore Me," from Bella Rivera '16 and Grace Newton '17. Lunchtime theatre is a great way to get involved in the arts and support your classmates as they courageously take the stage, and all are welcome to attend! Our dates of future performances for the year are tentatively set for October 22, November 19, January 21, February 18, March 17, April 21, and May 19.
Old Globe Theater: On September 21, Mrs. Herb's Drama I and III classes went on a backstage tour of the Old Globe. We were able to see all three theaters: The Old Globe Theater, the main 600-seat enclosed theater, the Sheryl and Harvey White Theater, a 250-seat intimate round-staged theater, and the Lowell Davies Festival Theater, a 650-seat outdoor theater used primarily for their summer Shakespeare festival. In addition, we were able to explore back stages and see such places like the green room, the prop room, the costuming department, the prop room, and the orchestra pit. We were impressed by the complexity of the theaters (the Sheryl and Harvey White Theater having a four-story grid of tech) and the theater's commitment to quality entertainment (there were five shelves of prop books organized by era). Overall, the Old Globe opened our eyes once again to the majesty of theater!
A Visit from Katie Sapper: Drama I and III classes attended an audition workshop put on by OLP Alum Katie Sapper, '10. Katie participated in many OLP and Saints shows while in high school, and she was a finalist in the 2010 National High School Musical Theatre Awards. She attended Saint Mary's Minnesota and moved back to San Diego to pursue her Musical Theatre career. With her numerous experiences on stage and backstage comes much experience with auditions. She presented us with a Do-NOT-Sing list and her own resume to give us a feel for what we, as aspiring actresses, might encounter. Grace Newton '17, Paulina Sierra '17, Cami Asher '16, and Bella Rivera '16 were also given the opportunity to practice their audition pieces for Katie and to receive some constructive feedback. With her great tips and tricks, we all feel prepared to nail our next auditions!
When Katie Sapper visited she opened my eyes and mind to the world of theater. Even though I am not interested in taking on a career in theater, I became even more curious about how it all works. Listening to her many experiences of auditions throughout her career so far intrigued the class. She gave a lot of helpful advice such as how to dress, how to prepare for your audition with songs and scripts, how to properly introduce yourself and the importance of making sure that all are prepared such as the pianist and all those cuing you so that all are in sync. I never knew that theater was so involved and how much dedication it took. Katie seems to represent OLP very well with all her success and poise. by:Katelyn Heffler
CSJ Corner: OLP Students Help Mother & Child
By Katie La Costa '17
On the last weekend in September, six OLP girls put the CSJ charism of caring for the dear neighbor into action and helped host a baby shower at a pregnancy resource center in Mission Valley for a young woman and her unborn child. The showers are held frequently for women experiencing crisis pregnancies as a means of help and support.
The OLP girls baked cupcakes, decorated, and wrapped donated gifts of diapers and wipes, baby clothes, and toiletries for the new mother. At the shower, they served food and joined in the celebration with the mother-to- be, her family and guests. A number of OLP girls who could not attend the event sent gift cards and other baby gifts.
The girls are taking what they learned at school about Catholic Social Teaching, specifically the Life and Dignity of the Human Person, and putting it into action by caring for and supporting the women who make the challenging decision to choose life for their child. One girl said about her experience : "It was cool to see how the ministry was actually making a difference in the girl's life. She was only 17 and really needed help. We always donate stuff to different causes but we don't usually get to experience in person the impact of our actions on the people we help. I hope other people take the time to come help out."
The coordinator of the event is OLP alumna Sara Littlefield, '08, who is on staff at Culture of Life Family Services.
The Pilots who volunteered were Marsha Myers '18, Natasha Hopkins-Baum '18, Olivia Justice '18, Jessica Lindgren '18, Rebecca King '17, and Katie La Costa '17.
The girls plan to continue putting this year's ASB theme of "Show the Love" into action and help out at future showers.
Alumnae Profile: Kirsten Paulaitis '02
After graduating from OLP, Kirsten went to Norte Dame for her undergrad in aerospace engineering. After, she went into the navy as an officer (meteorology/oceanography). She completed five years of active duty and left as a Lieutenant and was stationed mostly in Norfolk, Virginia. She is now a reservist and lives in California, but will move with her husband to Hawaii where he will complete his active duty.
At OLP, Kirsten participated in gymnastics and pole vault. She excelled in these sports and maintains her position as the highest OLP school record holder in pole vault. The advice she gives to OLP students is to remember to learn a lot and to have fun! She misses the different groups of friends at OLP and the fact that everyone at the school really seemed to care about them, both as students and as people.
Kirsten will be moving to Hawaii in a few months and has offered to help train interested OLP pole vaulters in a mini camp before she leaves. We have not had pole vaulters in the past ten years so it will be great to bring the event back to help strengthen the Track and Field Program and create another opportunity for student athletes to discover new strengths and talents. Interested students should contact Dr. Blade at [email protected].
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