Weekly OLL News: December 11, 2019
Dear OLL Families, 

One highlight in looking back at the first trimester is how smoothly our new Spanish Program is integrating into our school culture, and teaching our students not only about the Spanish language, but also cultures around the world. Have you heard your child practicing his or her Spanish at home? Heard any Spanish vocabulary dropped into conversation? I checked in with how things are going with our two Spanish teachers: Tia Liz Day (K-8) and Senorita Etydria (“Ety”) Cintora (Preschool/Pre-K).   

Tia Liz says our students are picking up Spanish “marvelously.” One moment of success for her was the point when K-8 students could count to ten and knew their colors in Spanish within the first couple months. She loves seeing those moments when the concepts “click”. One way she’s incorporated culture into her classes is by setting up an experience for our 7th graders to have a video call with students at our sister school in Nicaragua. Looking ahead to this trimester, Tia Liz says, “My hope is that they view Spanish as FUN.  When something is fun, it's a lot easier to learn!”
 
Ety’s excited to see the Spanish number recognition with our youngest students, who are learning numbers in English at the same time. She explains that “Their brains are making multiple connections: first one is a visual recognition, then they translate to verbal communication, and finally, language translation.” One way she’s incorporated culture is by talking with our students about Día de los Muertos and how different people in Latin America and the USA celebrate life. She says, “We compared it to Halloween and realized that our cultures share many things: face painting, candy giving, the days of observation, spirit world.” All this work is building on the Pre-K goal of preparing them to succeed in later grades - Spanish reinforces that acquired knowledge in another language.”

Thank you to our new Spanish teachers for all they are bringing to our school, and to all at home who are reinforcing this outside of school - helping to make those connections come to life and build on what is happening in the classroom. 

With thanks for all you do, 

Daniel P. Mullen 
Principal
Upcoming Events/Important Dates  
December 12 - Comfy Cozy Day/8th grade Slime Mr. Mullen at 2:30pm in the gym
December 13 - Priority Application Deadline - All Grades (New Families Only)
December 19 - Free Dress
December 19 - Advent Program: 7pm in church (Students arrive at 6:30pm)
December 20 - Noon Dismissal/School Families activity day
December 21 - January 5 - Christmas break
January 6 - School resumes
From the Office
Advent Program Help on Thursday Morning
We need some extra hands on Thursday morning, December 19 from 9:30-10:30am to help clear the altar. If you are able to help, please email Jennifer Kush.

Xcare
Please see the intent form for December. Please note we will be closed Tuesday, December 24th, Wednesday, December 25th, Thursday, December 26th and Wednesday, January 1st. Please return the completed forms to the office or xcare.

Classroom Door Decorating
Students and staff spent time creating 19 different doors around the school. Tomorrow the students will get a chance to vote on their favorite. Take a look at the creative entries here .

Tuition Assistance Deadline for 2020-2021 School Year: January 8, 2020
If you are interested in applying for tuition assistance for next year (from Fulcrum or OLL), the first step is completing the Fulcrum Foundation "Tuition Assistance Program" (TAP) application.

The deadline for Fulcrum TAP applications for 2020-21 is January 8, 2020 . From Fulcrum: "This means that the application AND all supporting documentation, such as tax forms and W-2’s, must be submitted by end of day January 8th to be considered for Fulcrum funding. No exceptions will be made for late applications."  Click here to apply by January 8 .

Coming to OLL: Salmon in the Schools Program
We are always looking for ways to bring our curriculum alive for our students. This year, through the efforts of Ms. Portelance, Ms. O'Hanlon, Mr. Dave Morris, and Mr. John Nugent, we are bringing back Salmon in the Schools , a program supported by Seattle Public Utilities (SPU).

On January 8, OLL will welcome roughly 200 coho salmon eggs and our school will have the unique opportunity to rear these young coho salmon throughout the early stages of their life cycle to release into Lake Washington in May. This program is a participatory experience for children to learn about a significant Pacific Northwest cultural and keystone species. Many grades will be involved in the learning and care of the coho salmon. Students will also learn how anthropogenic impacts have affected the species locally and how they can make a positive difference (in the ecosystem). Come check out the new salmon tank by our Teacher's Lounge!
MS Musical - March 12-15

Shrek Jr: Casting announced here .
Advent Program

Advent Program: December 19 at 7pm
Save the date for this year's Advent Program: the evening of Thursday, December 19, 7pm in the church. Ms. Jennifer Kush and Mrs. Amy Beck are already practicing with our students for what promises to be a wonderful celebration of the joy and hope of Advent. Students should plan to wear their Sunday best and arrive at 6:30pm.
Auction
Are you thinking procurement? Each family has an obligation to procure $250 towards the Auction. You can write a check and drop it in the front office. You can also check out our Amazon Wish List for items for the Auction! You can purchase an item directly from the website and have them sent to the school and fulfill your procurement.   https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/72G9KJRTCZ67?ref_=wl_share "
Parent Club
Chinook Books
The physical books are $25 per book and the App is $15. You may purchase them using this  form .

Dinner for Dollars
January 28 - Panda Express 12513 Lake City Way NE - ALL DAY
February 25 - Mod Pizza Lake Forest - ALL DAY
March 26 - Veggie Grill University Village - ALL DAY
April 21 - Ram University Village - 5pm- close
May 19 - Mio Posto - 5pm-close
June 9 - Mod Pizza Lake Forest Park - ALL DAY
SCRIP
Thank you for your support of the contest. We had 51% of our families participate. Total sales have been $28,981 for a total rebate of $1,712.02. Families purchased $20,111, staff purchased $3,345 and outside friends (alumni, businesses, parishioners) purchased $5,525.

You can still purchase online - escrip for your holiday purchases or gifts. Go to www.ShopWithScrip.com . Click here for online instructions. 

We hope that if you tried Scrip these last 2 weeks, you saw how easy it was, and will continue to support the program. Thank you to Joby Welch for all her work on this contest, and to everyone for supporting OLL!
CYO News
4th - 8th Basketball Schedules are posted  here.
Parish News
Christmas Schedule
  • Dec. 16: Penance Service 7PM
  • Dec. 17: Vespers 7PM Mass
  • Dec. 24: Family Mass 5PM
  • Dec. 24: Vigil Mass 10PM
  • Dec. 25: 9:30AM Mass
  • Dec. 29: Feast of the Holy Family 9:30AM Mass
  • Jan. 1: Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God 9:30AM Mass
Community News
Our Mission:
Our Lady of the Lake Catholic School is a welcoming and inclusive community committed to a tradition of excellence by nurturing hearts, inspiring minds, and igniting spirits.