The OLMA Overview -- April 4, 2020
If you are anything like me, your emotions are running high these days. I want you to know that it's okay to feel that way. It's completely normal and expected, but remember, none of us is alone. Now is the time to draw strength from each other as part of the OLMA family and sisterhood. Sisterhood exists far beyond the brick and mortar of any building. It's something that lives within each of us for life, no matter our location or age. 

Staying connected is essential, especially as we head into Holy Week and Easter break. There are several fun virtual activities that you will hear more about soon. Thursday's all-school assembly was proof that being together, even if just online is good for the soul. It was the highlight of my week for sure. The best part is that we were all there. That speaks volumes to the bond we share. The assembly began with a student-led prayer service involving Liz Myers, Delaney Shur, Maria Pia, Ani Schubert, and Catherine Thomas. It was also complete with music by Mrs. Blackshear and chorus members via a recording they made earlier this week. 

The Interact Club issued a " Be Charitable Challenge " to our entire school community. Mrs. Kinkade and Kimmy presented highlights of   a catalog of service options   created by the Interact Club leadership over the last two weeks. We've filled it with ways that we can make a difference as individuals and with our families. Please be sure to fill out the Google Form to let us know what you will be doing. We invite you to share your photos, videos, and successes with us by emailing mrs.kinkade@olmanj.org.  Following the service presentation, Ms. Valore shared an inspirational story before handing things over to Caelah Palumbo for one of her famous jokes. It was great!

As we head into Holy Week and prepare for Easter Sunday, I encourage you to take advantage of the many services that will be streamed live by the Diocese of Camden and individual parishes. If ever there was a time for us to unite in prayer, it is now. Together, there is nothing that we cannot overcome.

I want to end this week's letter with another shout out to our faculty members. Our students continue to thrive because of the effort our teachers are putting into their online coursework. We are truly blessed. Have a wonderful weekend, and I will see you Sunday on video.  
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT:
MEET ADRIANNA DODGE, CLASS OF 2021
While OLMA junior, Adrianna Dodge, misses being in school with her friends, she is enjoying the extra time with her family, including her dog, Cutie. She's also enjoying the new challenge. "I like the change to online learning," said Adrianna. "It's forcing us to learn new things, which is exciting. We are using Zoom a lot, even on days when we don't normally have live lectures. The teachers are very understanding and always checking in about our work as well as how we're feeling." This week's all-school assembly was a highlight for Adrianna."It was a great way to get together and keep the sisterhood alive," she said. "I liked it a lot." 

Adrianna said that she and her friends are also staying in close contact through social media and Facetime. She is staying especially close to her Lacrosse teammates. "We have a challenge almost every day," said Adrianna. "There's Monday motivation, stick trick Tuesday, workout Wednesday, Tik Toc Thursday, and on Sundays, we train together live. Ms. Valore leads a workout, and then we have a team meeting. I'm still holding out hope that we will have a season." For now, Adrianna is enjoying the connection to her teammates. While it's in a different format, her Lacrosse family is as close as ever and having fun. 

In addition to Lacrosse, Adrianna is part of the OLMA Field Hockey Team. She is also active in the Bake, Art, and Green Girls clubs. As she looks toward her senior year and college, Adrianna is leaning toward the sciences. "I know that I want to do something in the medical field," she said. "I'm not sure yet what that will be, but I know that science is what interests me most." Adrianna also hopes to continue playing Lacrosse in college and already has schools interested in her. "For now, I'm keeping my options open, but it's nice to be wanted." Keep up the great work, Adrianna. 
TEACHER FEATURE: MEET MRS. CAVAGNARO
Mrs. Susan Cavagnaro, alumna, teacher, and alumnae parent has seen a thing or two in her more than 30 years at OLMA, but she never thought she would be teaching entirely from home. "This is something I never expected, but as a teacher, I've learned to adapt to anything," she said. "It's what we do. Every class is different, so we never teach the same thing the same way. We learn to be flexible and to teach in whatever way best meets the needs of our students. Right now, that's online. While it is a challenge and a lot of work, it's also kind of fun."

Mrs. C teaches five different online courses, including College Prep and Honors U.S. History, AP U.S. History, Sociology, and World Civilization. "I have years of resources at my fingertips in the classroom. I've had to replace and recreate much of that using new online resources and changing up my approach to the material." Mrs. C explained that she recently had her World Civilization class take a virtual tour of Palestine as part of a lesson on promise and betrayal throughout the world. "I'm also using more modern-day examples with my Sociology students, like having them analyze forms of crime by watching certain episodes of TV shows like Criminal Minds. It is taking me much longer to prep for classes but that's fine with me as long as my students are getting what they need and understanding the material." 

Mrs. C said that while she is only scheduled for live sessions twice a week for each of her classes, she is finding herself on Zoom much more often. "The girls prefer the face-to-face interaction," she said. "If that's what works, then that's what I will do. It's going very well." 

Of particular challenge for Mrs. C right now, is preparing her students for changes in this year's AP testing. "The format has changed from a three-hour test with mostly multiple-choice questions to one that's 45-minutes long and essay-based," she said. "Fortunately, the College Board is providing lots of good resources for teachers. I'm spending a lot of time digesting that to make sure I'm giving my students every advantage." 

Of course, that's Mrs. C. Thank you, Mrs. C, for sharing your experience, professionalism, and passion for teaching with all of us at OLMA.
SENIOR SPOTLIGHTS HAVE BEGUN
Senior Spotlights began this week on OLMA's Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages. You can also see them on our website under the NEWS tab or by clicking HERE . We feature one student each day. Watch for the next one on Monday. We encourage you to share your well wishes and congratulations in the comments sections. These young women are super special and so deserving our praise.
TWENTY WEEKS OF WINS!
The one and only fundraiser run by the Daughters of Mercy each year is their 20-week Calendar Raffle. Tickets are $20 each and include more than 20 chances to win, as well as a seat at the annual Pasta Dinner where the grand prize drawing takes place. Please show your support to the founders of our school by purchasing at least one ticket per family. For tickets, email Sister Margaret at sr.margaret@olmanj.org.
NEW EVENT DATES

DESIGNER
BAG BINGO -- OCTOBER 3, 2020

OLMA GREEN & GOLD GOLF OUTING -- OCTOBER 16

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