Enter to Learn. Go Forth to Serve.
Sunday, January 26, 2020
CATHOLIC CORNER
The feast day for Saint Julian of Cuenca (1127-1208) is January 28. He is the patron saint of invoked for rain, basket-weavers, Cuenca, and the diocese of Cuenca, Spain. Julian was a Spanish Roman prelate who served as the Bishop of Cuenca from 1196 to his death. He was a professor, preacher, and simple hermit. He was appointed bishop after the Moors were driven out of the area. He made pastoral visits to the people in his diocese and fed prisoners and provided grain for the poor farmers. Even though he served his people, he never forgot the desire for solitude and made annual trips to find silence before remembering to resume his duties. For more information, check out Catholic Online .  
CALENDAR
UPDATES
OPEN HOUSE WAS A SUCCESS!
Thank you to all of our students, parents, alumni and staff who helped make our 2020 Open House a success! If you know of anyone who was unable to make it to our Open House, but would like to learn more about O'Hara, please encourage them to fill out an   application  and then call or  email us  to schedule a tour.
MONDAY - THURSDAY: CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK
O'Hara is celebrating Catholic Schools Week this week! We have special dress and activities scheduled each day. Scroll down, or click here , for our schedule. There is no school on Friday, January 31.
TUESDAY: AUCTION FUNDRAISER AT HOT MAMA'S WINGS
Head to Hot Mama's Wings on Tuesday, January 28 and 15% of your bill will be donated back to O'Hara! Make sure to take the fundraiser flyer (or show it on your phone when you pay).
WEDNESDAY: AUCTION DECORATIONS WORK PARTY
Volunteers needed! Our decorations committee will be holding weekly work parties to help prep for the auction. Please come if you can help! 

We would love a headcount of those who think they can come each week, so please use  this link to add your name to the weeks where you plan to attend

Can't commit ahead of time? No problem! Just come if your schedule allows.

Work parties will be held in the cafeteria, from 8:05am - 11am on the following days:

Wednesday, January 29
Wednesday, February 5

Please note: work parties are for adults only, please no toddlers or small children (infants ok).  Please contact  Christina Hoffstot  with any questions.
FRIDAY: DEADLINE FOR SCHOLARSHIP ASSISTANCE FOR 2020-21
The Scholarship Application deadline is January 31, 2020.   To apply for financial aid for the upcoming 2020/2021 school year, please click  HERE  for the application link, or log into your FACTS account at the website  factsmgt.com Assistance will not be allocated to families who do not complete a FACTS application.
La fecha límite para la solicitud de becas es el 31 de enero de 2020. Para solicitar ayuda financiera para el próximo año escolar 2020/2021, haga clic AQUÍ para ver el enlace de la solicitud o inicie sesión en su cuenta de FACTS en el sitio web factsmgt.com . No se asignará asistencia a las familias que no completen una solicitud de FACTS.
LOCAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS
O'Hara is often asked to share information about local camps and activities for students. Thanks to O'Hara parent and SAC Chair Wendy Pierpont for compiling the list for us. Click here to view the most current list of opportunities.
REMINDER ABOUT O'HARA'S ILLNESS POLICY
It is that time of year when we see more and more kids getting sick with flu-like symptoms. It is imperative that, as a family, you follow the school's wellness policy (listed below). This policy is intended to help prevent the passing of viruses and illnesses to the rest of our community and staff. We are asking our families to read and understand this wellness policy and abide by it honestly. 
 
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. 
 
Please be mindful of O'Hara's policy around illness:
  • Keep sick children home from school. You can email their teachers to find out what they might be missing. 
  • Remember children who are absent during the school day cannot participate in after-school activities that day, including sports practices/games, OBOB, and the drama program.
  • Please especially keep children home if they've had a fever, vomiting or diarrhea in the last 24 hours.
  • If your child has started an antibiotic for illness like Strep Throat or Pink Eye, they cannot return to school until 24 hours after starting the medication.
TUITION RAFFLE TICKETS NOW ON SALE
Only 100 tickets will be sold! The winner will receive free tuition for 1 student for the 2020-21 school year. Tickets are $100 each. Stop by the front office to purchase your ticket(s); tickets will be sold until they are gone, winner will be drawn at the auction.

Notice: Upon purchasing a raffle ticket, the purchaser must designate the student who will receive the tuition credit, should their ticket be drawn. Only a currently registered student may be designated. This is a non-cash prize and it is not transferable. This raffle prize is for tuition only and does not include registration fee, technology fee, facilities fee, supplies, or other school-related fees. Payment must be paid by check or cash at the time of purchase, and tickets may only be sold to individuals who are 18 years and older. Winner will be drawn at our 2020 Auction on Saturday, February 8, 2020. NEED NOT BE PRESENT TO WIN. 
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK 2020
Since 1974, National Catholic Schools Week is the annual celebration of Catholic education in the United States. It starts the last Sunday in January and runs all week, which in 2020 is January 26 - February 1. The theme for National Catholic Schools Week 2020 is "Catholic Schools: Learn. Serve. Lead. Succeed." Schools typically observe the annual celebration week with Masses, open houses and other activities for students, families, parishioners and community members. Through these events, schools focus on the value Catholic education provides to young people and its contributions to our church, our communities and our nation. Please read below for O'Hara's 2020 Catholic Schools Week schedule.
2020 CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK SCHEDULE

Monday, Jan. 27 – Faith Family Day
·Dress Code:  Any Catholic school (Notre Dame, Gonzaga, Marist, etc.) or Christian apparel (any shirt that has to do with Jesus or faith) on top. Jeans on bottom.

·Activity:  All-school assembly in the morning. Faith Family activity during the day.


Tuesday, Jan. 28 – Bible Trivia Day
·Dress Code:  Jeans on bottom. Faith family specific color top!
Faith Family- A,B,C,D wear RED
Faith Family- E,F,G,H wear WHITE
Faith Family- I,J,K,L wear GREEN
Faith Family- M,N,O,P wear YELLOW
Faith Family- Q,R,S,T wear BLUE
Faith Family- U,V,W,X wear BLACK

·Activity:  Bible Trivia, 1:30pm in the gym. Parents welcome!


Wednesday, Jan. 29 – Vocations Day
·Dress Code:  Regular Uniform Dress on top and bottom.

·Activity: All school Prayer and Praise & Worship assembly in the morning. Religious Sisters, Deacons, and Priests will be visiting preschool through 2nd grade classrooms to share their vocation with the students. At 1:10pm, grades 3-8 will attend a panel with our guests to learn more about their vocations. 


Thursday, Jan. 30 - All Schools Mass
·Dress Code:  Dressy best for Mass
Mass Dress reminders:
-ties are required for all boys
-no shorts are permitted, no jeans are permitted
-girls are required to wear skirts, dresses or jumpers (no pants)
-hem lengths should be no shorter than 3" above the knee
-shoulders must be covered
-no heels over 1"

·Activity: All Schools Mass at Marist Catholic High School. All students need to be dropped at Marist Catholic High School between 8:15am and 8:45am.

Parent drivers are needed for grades 3-7 to transport students from Marist to O’Hara after Mass (approx. 10:30am). Please email your student’s homeroom teacher if you are able to help, and make sure you have completed the C.A.S.E volunteer requirements.

Preschool - 2nd grade will take a bus back to O’Hara .

8th grade will be staying after Mass for a social. Parent drivers need to pick up 8th graders at 11:15am.

Schoolwide Service Project:
O'Hara will be collecting nonperishable food for Catholic Community Services . We are asking each student to bring your item(s) to the All Schools Mass at Marist. They will have food bins to drop off donations as you enter the courtyard.


Friday, Jan. 31 - NO SCHOOL Teacher in-service day
AUCTION 2020: HAVANA NIGHTS

Thank you to the following businesses for sponsoring this year's event:

TITLE SPONSORS
Marie Jones & Family

PLATINUM SPONSORS

GOLD SPONSORS
Allegiance Medical

SILVER SPONSORS

EVENT SPONSORS

HAPPY HOUR SPONSOR

AFTER PARTY SPONSOR

TUITION RAFFLE SPONSOR

COOKIE SPONSOR

PICK OF THE LIVE AUCTION RAFFLE SPONSOR

DESSERT DASH SPONSOR

SILENT AUCTION VALENTINE SPONSOR

THANKS TO THESE ADDITIONAL SPONSORS
Brett Golonka

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
DECORATIONS WORK PARTIES
Please click here to sign up if you can attend on one of the following days (from 8:05am - 11am):

Wednesday, January 29 
Wednesday, February 5
AUCTION SET-UP & TEAR-DOWN
Click   this link  to sign up.
AUCTION FUNDRAISERS
A great & easy way to help our auction is by attending one or more of our restaurant fundraisers! Thank you to Nicole Roedl for organizing these fundraisers!

JANUARY 28

FEBRUARY 6
Mod Pizza @ Coburg Rd / All Day

INVITATIONS FROM MARIST
PARENT INFO SESSIONS
Marist Catholic High School is hosting a parent information session for parents of 5th - 8th grade students St. Paul this Wednesday.

Wednesday, Jan. 29, 6:30pm at St. Paul Parish School
 
Can’t make it? Schedule a private tour by calling 541-686-2234 or emailing  admissions@marisths.org .
STUDENT INFO SESSIONS
Students interested in learning more about Marist are invited to attend an informal Q-and-A with Marist students in the O'Hara library. Sessions will be held at the dates/times listed below. Snacks will be provided.

Tuesday, February 4, 3:15 - 4pm
Tuesday, March 3, 3:15 - 4pm
Tuesday, April 21, 3:15 - 4pm
MIDDLE SCHOOL SPORTS NIGHT
Middle school students are invited to the Marist boys & girls basketball games on Friday, February 7, as a guest of Marist.
 
Friday, February 7
5:45pm – Girls Varsity
7:15pm – Boys Varsity
 
No RSVP required – free admission at the gate (including one parent per middle school student).
 
Come cheer on the Spartans, have fun – and maybe even win a prize at half-time!
 
*Be sure to check the Marist athletic calendar at  athletics.marisths.org  for game cancellations or changes.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES & REQUIREMENTS
AUCTION WEEK VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Many hands make light work! Please help us if you can. Click  this link  to sign up.
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;   click here to sign up !
2019-2020 REQUIREMENTS
All volunteers have requirements to fulfill before being eligible to volunteer at school this year. Per the Archdiocese, online updates to your volunteer training are not available this year, and anyone who wishes to volunteer must attend one of the in-person training sessions. The dates and times of the upcoming sessions are listed below, and further instructions are on our website, please  click here  to learn more. Please contact    Stacie Seaver  with any questions.  
HOT LUNCH
LINKS:
Ordering Portal - includes menu info

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.

As we shared with you in December, O'Hara's lunch program will now be handled in-house. If you missed the info, or want to read it again, please click here .

REMINDERS
HOT LUNCH - THURSDAY, FEB 6
Due to auction set up on Thursday, February 6, our cafeteria will be closed and students will eat in classrooms, or other alternate locations as determined by teachers. There will be NO HOT LUNCH option. A cold, sack lunch will be provided for annual plan students who have prepaid for the year. All other students should plan to bring a sack lunch or use a meal delivery service on this day. ( Our MOD Pizza fundraiser is a great option! )
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS VALENTINE DINNER DANCE
The Knights of Columbus Council 1430 are hosting their annual pro-life dinner on Friday, February 14 at St. Mary Parish Center.

Social - 5:30pm
Dinner - 6:30pm
Dancing - 7:30pm
$30 per person, dinner and refreshments provided
For Tickets/Reservations: Call 541-953-8309 or email courtesyd@comcast.net
O'HARA CLUBS
School clubs offer the opportunity for students to explore special interests and are run by parent volunteers after school. A club can focus on just about any topic that kids might have an interest in - Legos, math games, chess, world cultures and languages, etc... are just a few of countless possibilities. If you are interested in leading or co-leading a club at O'Hara, please contact  Mr. Milliron . Time spent volunteering will count toward FIP hours.
 
A list of clubs to be offered will be announced in the Bulletin as soon as club leaders are in place, and signups will follow soon after. The first round of clubs will begin in early February and end prior to Spring Break. Additional clubs may be offered after Spring Break and will be announced later this spring.
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.
BASKET, TOTE & BOX DONATIONS NEEDED
O'Hara's auction is looking for donations of baskets or totes that can be used to display silent auction packages - if you have unwanted extras at your house to donate, please drop them by the office.

Sturdy & large moving boxes are also wanted - O'Hara will be collecting boxes in preparation for storage for summer projects. If you have boxes to donate, please bring them by school at your convenience.
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. 
TIPS FROM THE MATH & READING ROOM
This week's topic: A brief look at dyslexia

Dyslexia is a language-based learning disability that leads to reading difficulties. Some signs that your child may have some form of a reading disorder may include the following and can be seen as early as preschool: 

  • Difficulty with rhyming
  • Difficulty learning the alphabet
  • Letter/Number reversals
  • Confusion learning left and right
  • Trouble making a connection between letter sounds and symbols
  • A family history of dyslexia
  • Difficulty learning to read even when intense intervention is provided 
  • Difficulty breaking words apart
  • Difficulty spelling words
  • Can test well orally, but does not test well on written tests

If you are concerned that your child may show signs of dyslexia, it's important to talk to your child's teachers. At O'Hara, we screen for dyslexia in 1st and 2nd grades using the EasyCBM reading test, DIBELS nonsense word fluency tests, and monitoring student progress over time. This is considered best practice for dyslexia screening. Screening is used to determine the level of risk for reading problems in general and the potential risk of having or developing dyslexia, it is not a diagnosis and may not serve to catch all students who have dyslexia. 

If parents and teachers feel that a child may have dyslexia, you may want to have your child formally evaluated. Evaluations are generally conducted by trained child psychologists and include comprehensive testing that takes a few hours or even a couple of days to complete. Testing should include family background information, intelligence tests, oral language skills, word recognition, decoding skills, spelling, phonological processing, fluency skills, reading comprehension and vocabulary. 

This has been a very brief introduction to dyslexia and there's a ton of information out there if you're interested in learning more about dyslexia, dysgraphia and dyscalculia. If you have any further questions or would like more information, here's a link to the International Dyslexia Association:  https://dyslexiaida.org/testing-and-evaluation/  . 

Have a great week!
Mrs. Church, Mr. Beltran, Mr. Ambroson and Mrs. Relling
COMMUNICATION 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
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:
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:

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. We 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.

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
O'Hara Catholic School
715 West 18th Avenue
Eugene, Oregon 97402
541.485.5291