A Christ-centered community,
provides excellence in education
to meet the needs of the whole child.
May 6, 2020
Dear OLMC Families,

On behalf of the faculty and staff of OLMC School, I would like to thank you for all of your contributions to the PTO during this Teacher Appreciation Week. The PTO has showered our staff with heartfelt expressions of appreciation in the form of homemade cards, candy, yard signs, etc. (Thank you, PTO! You never cease to amaze us with your unbounded energy, creativity, and generous spirit!) Furthermore, l am so grateful for all of the ways that you sacrificed some of your time to send our hard-working staff kind and encouraging words. Your support means so much to us, especially at this time when our staff is spending twice the amount of time to plan creatively and deliver lessons in a completely different way. The staff at Our Lady also extends their gratitude to you at this time. We recognize that never before have parents been asked to invest hours upon hours of their time to educate their children during the school day. We are so proud of you, and we join you in prayer and partnership, knowing that God’s grace will carry us through these unprecedented times together. A child’s education takes much dedication and sacrifice, and each child is worth it! May we remember each other in prayer each day and “cast all our anxieties on Him because He cares for us” (1 Pet 5:7).

Just a few reminders and updates:
  • 8th grade scholarship applications are due to me by the end of the day tomorrow.  
  • Class Lists: If you have any serious concerns about your child’s placement for the 2020-21 academic year, please email them me by the end of the day today. I cannot switch students out of classrooms and into different classes once the school year is over in May; in doing so, I may unwittingly switch out another student who may not receive his/her best placement for the next year. Thank you for your support and understanding.  
  • Registration:  I apologize for the delay in sending out the registration link. We experienced a few technical difficulties with the link, but these issues are now largely resolved. An email should be going out before the end of the week.  

Finally, in this month dedicated to Our Lady, I would like to personally invite you to participate in the Wednesday family carpool rosaries that will take place through Zoom each Wednesday at 3:15 pm. Praying the rosary communally not only brings honor to our Blessed Mother who has helped us and nurtured us spiritually throughout our life, but it reminds us that we are the body of Christ and united in our baptism. Jesus said where two or three are gathered in His name that He is there with them (Yes, even through Zoom!) Have a blessed week!

In Our Lady, health of the sick,
Sister Maria Benedicta, O.P.
May
5-7 E-Learning Days
12-14 E-Learning Days
19-21 E-Learning Days
26-28 E-Leaning Days
21 Jr. High Awards Ceremony - watch for more details soon!
29 Last Day of School for all K-8!

Virtue of the Month for May
Zeal: Being driven by an intense love for God

Examples for us: St. Paul, St. Dominic & St. Francis Xavier
May Online "Carpool" Rosary:
Today at 3:15
Each Wednesday in May at 3:15PM

As Archbishop Fulton Sheen said, "The rosary is the book of the blind, where souls see and there enact the greatest drama of love the world has ever known; it is the book of the simple, which initiates them into mysteries and knowledge more satisfying than the education of other men; it is the book of the aged, whose eyes close upon the shadow of this world, and open on the substance of the next. The power of the rosary is beyond description."

The power of the rosary is present here at Our Lady of Mount Carmel more than ever and a special May devotion is a beautiful way to invite Mary's continued love into our homes. 

Would you and your children be part of this power by connecting with us at the end of our school day, this Wednesday, and praying the "online" carpool rosary from your own homes? 

You will not need to bring anything because all rosary prayers and the link to the online community will be found and will be visible on your screen as you participate with the rosary.  

ZOOM Rosary Link:

OLMC Online Rosary #1 :  May 6, 2020 03:15 PM America/Indiana/Indianapolis
Join Zoom Meeting

Meeting ID: 720 6318 7145
Password: Rosary

See you at 3:15pm for roughly 15-20 minutes this and each Wednesday during this special month of May.

Future links:
OLMC Online Rosary #2 : May 13, 2020 03:15 PM America/Indiana/Indianapolis
Join Zoom Meeting

Meeting ID: 771 2839 1566
Password: Rosary

OLMC Online Rosary #3 : May 20, 2020 03:15 PM America/Indiana/Indianapolis
Join Zoom Meeting

Meeting ID: 758 0755 7853
Password: Rosary

OLMC Online Rosary #4 : May 27, 2020 03:15 PM America/Indiana/Indianapolis
Join Zoom Meeting

Meeting ID: 770 8638 3538
Password: Rosary
Virtual Variety Show :
The Show Must Go On!
Application deadline is tomorrow
We are thrilled to announce that we will be hosting a virtual OLMC School Talent Show on May 29th! The show must go on! With spirits in need of lifting, we thought this would be an exceptional way to share the talents the Lord has blessed us with and strengthen our incredible community. 

If your student(s) would like to participate in sharing their gifts, please fill out this OLMC School Talent Search form by Thursday, May 7th.

The talent show guidelines include the following:
Maximum of 3 minutes
School Appropriate
Only one talent submission per student
Video will be uploaded on FlipGrid 
Details about FlipGrid are on the Talent Search Form link.

Once the form is submitted, we will notify you indicating how to upload or record your talent. 

We are looking forward to seeing your talents shine! If you have any questions, please send us an email with “Talent Show” in the subject line of the email.

Back To School Registration is Coming!
Due May 15
An email is going out soon with a link to complete the Back-to-School Registration forms for the 2020-2021 school year. The email is from [email protected].

Forms must be completed online by May 15 for each child planning to attend OLMC School for the 2020-2021 school year.

For families with returning students in grades1-8: If you do not receive your email, just Log into your Parent Powerschool account & click on the Registration 2020-2021 Icon (all the way at bottom in left hand column). You should be able to register all of your currently enrolled students in K-8.

For families with a returning Kindergarten (rising 1st grader) that do not have older siblings in the school: you will need your email with link & your child's snapcode.

For all incoming Kindergarten students: you will need the email with link & your child's snapcode.

A $50 per family fee is also required and due (or postmarked) by May 15.
  • Make checks payable to OLMC.
  • Write registration fee in the memo line.
  • Please mail checks to the school office:
OLMC School
Attn: Registration
14596 Oak Ridge Rd
Carmel, IN 46032

If you are registering a child for Full Day Kindergarten, this $50 fee was part of your deposit so no further payment is due for your family at this time.
PTO News:
Your OLMC Parent Teacher Organization is already planning for next school year 2020/2021. 
Almost all the events are supported by parent volunteers from classroom events, socials, faith rally to community outreach programs. Anytime there is an event outside the classroom the PTO probably has a part in planning. 

To support these special events for your children we need your help! Please find attached a Google Form link below to get involved. Many events can be planned at home or simply sending in donations.  it is a great way to network with other parents and make new friends! I know I have formed many special relationships with parents and staff at OLMC.  Please note that your name will be forwarded to the chair of every committee you volunteer for so please only check the ones that you want to serve on.
 

Many Hands Make Light Work - THANK YOU so much for helping our students have an amazing school year! You are greatly appreciated!

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Jane Ann Gaskill, [email protected]
SCRIP NEWS:
IMPORTANT SCRIP NEWS
With the last day of school now being earlier than originally planned,  our last day to earn your $25 book bill credit for the 2020-2021 school year is now Wednesday, May 27.    In order to receive this credit, your family must have accumulated $100 in Scrip rebates since July 1, 2019. This only applies to families with children in K-6. 7th & 8th grade families earn credit toward their 8th grade Washington D.C. trip.

ThankScriping Day only happens 3 times a year and is coming TOMORROW.  
Earn up to 20% with 70+ bonuses on eGift cards and money added to reloadable cards---without leaving home. Shop brands like Kohl's, Domino's and Bath & Body Works, plus many more.  The special offer lasts 1 day only.

Please contact Stephanie Lesher with any Scrip questions. Thank you for supporting OLMC School via Scrip purchases!

[email protected] or text (317-446-1977).

Please note: We are not processing orders for any new physical gift cards until school is back in session.

Scholarship Info for GCHS:
This year OLMC School is so blessed to be able to offer two scholarship opportunities for our 8th grade students who are planning on attending Guerin Catholic High School next year. 


  • The All Saints Scholarship, awards a male 8th grade student and a female 8th grade student $2,500 each to go towards their freshman year tuition at Guerin Catholic. 

Here are some guidelines for both scholarships:

1. All work must be completed by the student.

2. Students must use their parents' email to ask two teachers for a recommendation. One of those teachers must be a current teacher.

3. There will be an application and an essay to complete. All of these materials must be submitted to Sr. Maria Benedicta (attached to  one  email) and sent to  [email protected] . The due date for this submission is Thursday, May 7.

Click on the name of the scholoarship above for more information about each and directions about how to apply.
OLMC Volunteer Spotlight:
Our spotlight this week is on Brant Hahn. Click here to learn about Brant.

We are blessed to have so many caring volunteers who dedicate their time each day to help our school and community be the amazing faith-filled place it is! We would like to spend some time highlighting our volunteers as a small way to say THANK YOU to all that they do! We are asking for your help to nominate the volunteers who give their time and talents to our school and community. Here is the link to the nomination form:   https://forms.gle/T31h7EDwU7nfKXQ7A
Pre-Order School Supply Kits for 2020-2021
Why shop in-line when you can shop online?

This year, 1st Day School Supplies is going to help parents and teachers get the exact supplies needed for next school year without the RISK of shopping in person in stores. Supplies will be delivered to school for pick-up in early August.

Shopping online with 1st Day School Supplies is convenient, easy and hassle free! Plus, they have guaranteed competitive prices on the highest quality brands including the germ fighting brands like Purell and Clorox. So, with all the uncertainty this summer will bring, why not check school supply shopping off your list. Get started by clicking the link below:

End of Year Teacher/Staff Contribution:
It is hard to believe that we are already thinking about the end of this school year.
PTO set up a teacher gift fund on the Parish online giving website. This fund is for parents who want to give a gift to our school teachers. These gifts will be pooled together and each teacher will get their individual gift in SCRIP cards!
 
The donation includes all of the following Specials Teachers & Staff: Spanish, Art, Music, PE, Computer, Library, Resource, Enrichment, Front Office Staff including Principal and Assistant Principal, Nurse, Counselor, and Maintenance.

This link will be open through May 28, 2020. Click here to contribute now.

  • If you already have an online giving account, enter your Username & Password under "Existing Giver".
  • If you do not already have an account, there is an option to make a one-time payment.
  • If you create a new account, you can easily set up online giving if you wish to do so.
It's PTO Board Nomination Time!
The OLMC PTO will soon be electing officers for the 2020-2021 school year.  Please fill out the PTO Nomination Form by April 15th. Thank you so much for considering and taking the time to support OLMC!
 
There are THREE OPEN POSITIONS available to any parent or legal guardian of a student enrolled at OLMC:

• Vice President
• Assistant Treasurer
• Corresponding Secretary

This can be a self-nominating process or you can nominate another individual. He/She will be contacted and must agree to the nomination to be considered. Please prayerfully consider if this is for you or someone you know. Brief job descriptions are listed below. Feel free to contact any PTO Board Member with questions you may have.

Vice President: A three-year commitment. Will serve as the next President and culminates as Past President. The Vice President will primarily shadow the President (Jane Ann Gaskill) to prepare for the following year.

Assistant Treasurer: A two -year commitment. Will serve as the next Treasurer. Assistant treasurer will primarily shadow the Treasurer (Katie Rigg) to prepare for the following year.

Corresponding Secretary: A two-year commitment. First year, responsible to send out PTO correspondence (cards, thank you notes and letters) directed by the Board. This position also shadows the Recording secretary (Aimee Flemming) to take on that role the following year.

GUERIN CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL NEWS

CAMP PURPLE 2020
Guerin Catholic's Camp Purple for grades K-8 remains scheduled for July. Most of our June camps have been moved to July and a revised schedule of athletic and enrichment camps is available on our website at  GuerinCatholic.org .  Please contact Mrs. Jill Folstrom at  [email protected] for more information.

ADMISSIONS NEWS
Our campus may be closed, but the Virtual Admissions Center is always open! Visit GuerinCatholic.org t o chat with our Admissions staff or schedule a zoom call. Admissions staff are available to answer your questions anytime during the extended school closing. Applications for 2020-21 are still being accepted at GuerinCatholic.org . 

High School Placement Test (HSPT) Summer Prep Course
At this time, Guerin Catholic’s High School Placement Test Summer Prep course will only be offered the week of July 13th -17th. Register now via the GC Website to reserve your spot! Morning and afternoon sessions are still open and payment will not be collected until it is confirmed that the class will take place. Please contact Mrs. Kenya Cobb at  [email protected]  for more information.
Kids Coats Drive Through Coat Collection
Saturday, May 9. 10:00 AM-1:00 PM
Make a difference in the lives of your neighbors while staying safe! Clean out your closets and donate your outgrown coats to Kids Coats Hamilton County. Bring your gently worn coats and winter-wear to Carmel United Methodist Church (621 S. Rangeline Rd.) on Saturday, May 9, 10 a.m.- 1 p.m. Volunteers will be there to collect your donations right from your car. Kids Coats needs coats of ALL sizes, as well as hats, gloves, scarves, snow pants & boots to be given to our neighbors this fall. Together we are better, even when we’re apart!