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Sunday, December 1, 2019



Today is the first Sunday in Advent.  
We light one purple candle.  
Oh come, Emmanuel!


CALENDAR

UPDATES
PLANNED ABSENCES THIS WEEK
If your family is taking an extended vacation and your students will not be at school on Monday (or longer), please send an email to  attendance@oharaschool.org so we can mark your student(s) out. Thank you.

MONDAY: TOYS FOR TOTS DONATION DEADLINE
Thank you to everyone who has brought in a donation for our annual  Toys for Tots toy drive! 

The donation deadline is 8:05am  TOMORROW MORNING .

Over the last few years, O'Hara has been the largest private collection site in Lane County! We hope your family will join us in our efforts to help the Marine Corps and our local fire departments collect and hand out toys to children in Lane County this Christmas season.     

Representatives from the Marine Corps will attend our assembly in the morning to receive our donation; please help by bringing in a donation if you are able!

MONDAY - WEDNESDAY: BOOK FAIR
Hours are as follows:

Monday, December 2: 10am - 2pm
Tuesday, December 3: 9am - 3:30pm
Wednesday, December 4: 11am - 2:30pm

TUESDAY: A DAY OF GIVING
A Proud Legacy. A Vision for the Future.
We continue to be thankful for many things - mostly the ongoing and dedicated support of our O'Hara community. As you know, our Thanksgiving tradition brings two days for getting deals - Black Friday and Cyber Monday but it also brings us #GivingTuesday - a day for giving back. #GivingTuesday is the opening day of the giving season. 

#GivingTuesday is Tuesday, December 3, 2019. This year for O'Hara's #GivingTuesday, we are asking our families to return their Campaign Pledge cards. With the official launch of O'Hara Catholic School's A Proud Legacy. A Vision for the Future . Capital Campaign, we are focused on family participation.  

To learn more about the campaign, we invite you to join us for one of our A Proud Legacy. A Vision for the Future . informational sessions. These events are designed to give you a chance to learn more about our projects and vision for the school and to ask questions about the campaign.  We will hold sessions in the Art Room on the following days and times. Please RSVP here . Our next session is on #GivingTuesday.

Tuesday, December 3 - 11:45am - 12:15pm
Thursday, December 5 - 5:30 - 6:30pm
Thursday, December 12 - 10:30 - 11:00am
Wednesday, December 18 - 5:30 - 6:30pm

TUESDAY: NEW PRAYER GROUP BEGINS
Beginning on Tuesday, December 3, Mrs. Jones will lead a weekly prayer group on Tuesdays after school, from 3:05 to 3:30pm. The prayer group is open to all students and parents and will meet in the chapel. The prayer group will offer  different types of prayer, such as the Rosary, Intentions, Divine Mercy Chaplet, and much more!  Please contact Mrs. Jones with any questions.  

FRIDAY: PIZZA DAY
Pizza slices will be available for sale to all students at lunch time on Friday. Slices are $1.50 each, and students should bring coin, cash (small bills only please - there will be limited change) or check payable to O'Hara Catholic School. Sports drinks and water will also both be available for sale, $1/drink. Beverage sales benefit O'Hara's Student Council. There will be no milk service on Pizza Day.

Students who have purchased the annual lunch plan will receive 2 slices of pizza. Extra slices are available to purchase at $1.50/slice and drinks are available to purchase for $1 each. 

FRIDAY: GOSPEL T-SHIRT & JEANS DAY!
This Friday is Gospel T-Shirt & Jeans Day! Instead of a regular uniform, students have the option to wear jeans with a Gospel shirt to school. (This year's Gospel shirt or any O'Hara Gospel shirt from a previous year may be worn.) Students who do not wish to wear a Gospel shirt should wear a regular uniform top; students who do not wish to wear jeans should wear regular uniform bottoms. 
*Blue jeans only
*Jeans should not have rips or tears in them.
*Ugg and Ugg-style boots are permitted on Gospel T-Shirt Days.

WIZARD OF OZ: SPONSORSHIPS NOW AVAILABLE
Our 2020 drama production,  The Wizard of Oz,  is gearing up! Putting on such an event takes dedication from our production staff, cast members, and parent volunteers. We are asking our community for their support in sponsoring this thriving program. Click HERE to view our sponsorship opportunities  for the 2020 production. The funds raised through sponsorships will go directly to the production of our performances and will help cover the performance rights, production costs, props, instruction time and programs. Please contact  Michelle Meador  with any questions. 


AUCTION 2020: HAVANA NIGHTS

We are thrilled to announce that a number of generous supporters have already committed to sponsor this year's event. 

Thank you to the following businesses:

TITLE SPONSORS



PLATINUM SPONSORS



GOLD SPONSORS

Allegiance Medical

SILVER SPONSORS

HAPPY HOUR SPONSOR



AFTER PARTY SPONSOR



TUITION RAFFLE SPONSOR



COOKIE SPONSOR



PICK OF THE LIVE AUCTION RAFFLE SPONSOR



SILENT AUCTION VALENTINE SPONSOR


SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES NOW AVAILABLE
We are grateful for the generous support and partnership of a community who shares in our commitment to advancing Catholic Education at O'Hara. Please  click to view our 2020 Auction Sponsorship Opportunities. If you would like to sponsor our auction, or have any questions, please contact  Michelle Meador.      

CLASS PACKAGES
Each grade has been assigned a basket theme; lists of specific items, at many different price points, have been compiled and will be emailed out to each grade. We are asking families to participate in their class packages as they are comfortable and able to do so by bringing in an item (or more) from the list.  Thank you to Kristin Oeming for chairing our Class Packages this year! 

SILENT AUCTION
O'Hara's silent auction contributes more than $25,000 annually to our auction revenue and is an important and exciting part of our event.  We count on generous donations from our families and the community to put together baskets and items to offer our attendees.  Our  Wish List  is published online for individuals who want to contribute a basket to our Silent Auction but are not sure what to bring.

Have an idea that's not on the list? Or, have a connection to a local business you think would donate? We're all ears! Contact  Amy Quiring.

DONATE + WIN!
Early donations help us tremendously with our organization and set-up schedule. So, again this year, we're offering an incentive for bringing in a donation of a completed basket before Christmas Break! 

Drop off a donation of a complete basket for our silent auction by Thursday, December 19, and be entered to win! (limit: 1 entry per family). The winner will choose between 2 prize options: 10 FIP hours -or- 1 tuition raffle ticket at our 2020 auction. (These baskets are separate from class packages)


VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED OVER CHRISTMAS BREAK
Volunteers are needed to assist Mr. Leonard in cleaning O'Hara's floor cover over Christmas Break for the following dates:

Thursday, December 26 & Friday, December 27:  4 volunteers are needed.

Friday, January 3:  2 Volunteers are needed.

Please fill out this form if you are available to help with this project.

SCOREBOARD OPERATOR AND SCOREKEEPER NEEDED
We are in need of volunteers to run the scoreboard and be the scorekeeper at home middle school basketball games. Time spent volunteering counts for FIP hours, and no prior experience or ties to the team are necessary. Games begin at 4:30pm, and usually wrap up by 7:30pm. Contact our Athletic Director,  Mr. Milliron,  if you are interested or want to learn more.

AUCTION: PICKUP DRIVERS NEEDED
Volunteers   are   needed   to make local donation pickups. These pickups will primarily take place in December and January, on an as-  needed   basis. If you would like to learn more or sign up to help, please contact  Amy Quiring , Silent Auction Chair (541.220.9008).

AUCTION:  DECORATIONS WORK PARTIES
It takes many hands to help create the amazing decorations that will transform our school for Auction night! Please consider helping at one of our Decorations Work Parties (beginning on December 11);  click here to sign up!

AUCTION: SILENT AUCTION CALLERS
Volunteers are needed to make follow up donation request phone calls to local business donors. If you would like to learn more or sign up to help, please contact   Amy Quiring, Silent Auction Chair (541.220.9008).
 

HOT LUNCH
Volunteers are needed to help in the kitchen, please contact  Tracy  if you can help.

Hot Lunch Contact:   Tracy Whalen , Kitchen Manager (541-485-5291 x 303). Email is the best way to contact Tracy.


REMINDERS
CONGRATULATIONS, MR. BROTHERTON!
Mr. Brotherton, O'Hara's 4B homeroom teacher, has been awarded the  Smart/Maher VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher Award for Eugene Post 293. Launched in 1999 by the VFW, the award aims to recognize classroom teachers for promoting citizenship education. 

Mr. Brotherton not only promotes citizenship in his classroom with lessons and community service field trips, he lives it- going above and beyond to watch his students' sporting events and doing other kind deeds for O'Hara families behind the scenes. Mr. Brotherton is a veteran of the Air Force. He will be presented with his award at a December 12 Awards Dinner held at the Veterans Memorial Building.  Please join us in congratulating Mr. Brotherton on this well-deserved award.

JOG-A-THON: PARENT SURVEY & OUTSTANDING PLEDGES
Thank you again for everyone's participation in helping make this year's Jog-A-Thon a huge success. Every year we strive to make things better than the year before, and would like to hear your suggestions: please leave us your feedback via our  Parent Survey. Thank you!

We are still working to gather some remaining JAT pledges. Invoices have been mailed and PledgeStar reminders have been emailed. We are asking for your help to follow up with family and friends that pledged your student(s). We appreciate your assistance in helping us gather all payments promptly. Please contact Michelle Campbell with any questions regarding JAT invoices.

NEW: FRED MEYER COMMUNITY REWARDS SUPPORTING O'HARA
Raise money for O'Hara while doing your shopping at Fred Meyer! O'Hara is now a qualified participant of the Fred Meyer Community Rewards Program. It is easy to sign up - visit fredmeyer.com  and log into your Fred Meyer account. Search O'Hara Catholic School either by name or by our code, SH646, and then click Enroll. New users will need to create an account that requires some basic information, a valid email address and a  rewards  card. Thank you for supporting O'Hara. 

LANDS' END: BLACK FRIDAY DEALS UNTIL TUESDAY!
Click HERE, or on the image below, to shop O'Hara uniforms. Our preferred school code is: 900031972


DEC 11 & 12: O'HARA'S CHRISTMAS PROGRAMS
PreSchool - 4th Grade  students have specific dress/costume requirements. Please look for an email from your homeroom teacher with details.
 
5th - 8th Grade students should wear their Christmas best. (Girls: shoulders must be covered and hem length should be no shorter than 3" above the knee.)
 
All students  are required to attend the Christmas Programs. For students in grades 5-8, failure to attend will result in an automatic grade reduction. Exemptions are given only in extraordinary circumstances by the administration.

    

INCLEMENT WEATHER DECISION AND NOTIFICATION PROCESS 
If it becomes necessary to cancel or delay the start of school due to inclement weather, O'Hara families will be notified in the morning via an automated phone message. The information will also be posted on our Facebook & Instagram pages.

O'Hara typically follows Eugene School District 4J's decisions regarding weather delays and closures. However, we also take into consideration the larger geographic area that our O'Hara families live in and are mindful of what those travel conditions might include. The safety of our families and staff is our primary concern. A decision regarding school delay or closure will normally be announced by 6:30am in the morning.

Please note, in the event of questionable weather, we expect and encourage each family to make their own decision for safe travel based on location and circumstances. If your students will not be to school on time, please email  attendance@oharaschool.org, or call the office.
 
EXCHANGE STUDENT HOST FAMILIES NEEDED
Again, this year, O'Hara Catholic School proudly welcomes Francis Bacon School to be a part of our Catholic and educational community. This winter (February 17 through March 1), 8 students (5 boys and 3 girls) from Mexico will be attending O'Hara Catholic School with a desire to master English. Caring and committed host families form the backbone of our international student program. Sixth grade host families are preferred, but the opportunity is open to all Middle School families.  

Would you and your family prayerfully consider opening your hearts and home to an international student this school year?  Host a  student from Francis Bacon School  and impact their world and yours!   
 
Families who host an exchange student earn 10 FIP hours. For more information contact Rich Hernandez.
 

COMMUNICATIONS INFO FOR OUR FAMILIES
NEW CONTACT INFO?
If your family has a new address, phone number, email address, etc., please make sure to update us with your new information. Please fill out  this form , or email    Barb Whitford    if you have updates to share with us.

O'HARA WEBSITE UPDATE
O'Hara uses a password protected portion on our website for important resources for our families. The password is: HOUSE

Click to access the  Family Login page

EMAIL COMMUNICATIONS FROM O'HARA
Please make sure to add the following email addresses to your safe senders list and/or your address book to ensure you receive O'Hara's weekly email bulletins (sent each Sunday afternoon during the school year) and other important updates:


Parents wishing to add an additional email address (work, grandparent, nanny, etc.) to our weekly bulletin distribution list should email that request to:  communications@oharaschool.org.

O'HARA'S APP FOR SMARTPHONES
O'Hara also uses our app to send push notification reminders for special dress days, early release days, Mass days and more. We request that all parents download our app.

    O'Hara's app is available  HERE, or by searching the app store for: web4u ocs

      The app includes quick access to the following:
      School Calendar
      Student Lunchtime Schedule
      Dress Code
      Weekly Bulletins
      
SCHOOL CALENDAR
O'Hara uses a Google calendar as our school calendar. Parents can access this calendar via our app and our website. It can also be added to iPhone calendars. Please visit our school calendar page on our website for the link to add the calendar to your phone.

CONTACT INFO FOR O'HARA STAFF
All O'Hara staff members have a school email address. Email addresses are set as follows: John Smith = jsmith@oharaschool.org

There are a few exceptions to note: 
     Mr. Leonard's email address is:  facilities@oharaschool.org
     General Email for Piano Dept:  piano@oharaschool.org
     To report your student absent, email:  attendance@oharaschool.org

Click  HERE for a complete staff listing.

ONLINE PICTURE MANAGEMENT
New this year, O'Hara is using Vidigami- an online picture management tool designed specifically for schools. W e will be using their secure media management system as the place for our school photos. This online system allows for faster and more efficient picture uploads and organization for both parents and staff. In addition, Vidigami offers an app (available in the app store) so users can upload pictures directly from their smartphones. 

The use of Vidigami replaces submitting pictures to our pictures@oharaschool.org email address.

In September, we launched the parent side of our system and all parents received an email (from Vidigami) with instructions for setting up their account. If you enrolled after September, or need your invitation email resent, please contact Amber Ferrari.

Vidigami is the only private and secure system designed exclusively for school communities to store and share photos and videos. Made available to users in the O'Hara community via invitation only, Vidigami closely follows and adjusts to changes in state, federal and international data privacy laws to ensure privacy for our families and community. 


"As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." 

Joshua 24:15