The OLMA Overview -- October 12, 2018
It was great seeing so many of you at last weekend's Communion Breakfast. This event is a long-time OLMA tradition that never disappoints. Many thanks to everyone who helped make it possible.

As I mentioned in one of last month's issues of The OLMA Overview, we are in the midst of visiting 35 elementary and middle schools across seven counties to introduce students to OLMA and all that we have to offer. One of our focus areas over the last two years has been on growing the awareness of and interest in the many opportunities available to women in STEM and Business career fields. We are making great progress with the introduction of our L2T (Leadership, Life Skills and Technology) program It begins with Bravery Training and Lifetime Fitness for freshmen and continues sophomore year with a quarter each of STEM and Business 101, Digital Communications, Financial Literacy, and Public Speaking.

Last spring, we began discussing the possibility of creating a Center for Business and Collaborative Learning at OLMA. Our plans included developing a four-semester business curriculum, renovating our third-floor laptop lab and outfitting it with modern furniture designed to encourage collaboration. We also planned on equipping this new space with a real-time, electronic stock ticker, Promethean board, and more.

To help secure the funds necessary to make this possible, we applied for a "Model Classroom" grant from the OceanFirst Foundation. I'm thrilled to announce that out of a total of 144 applicants representing New Jersey elementary, middle and high schools, OLMA was selected as one of 25 to receive a $10,000 grant. We are grateful to the OceanFirst Foundation and cannot wait to get started on creating this amazing resource for our students. If you'd like to learn more about OceanFirst, its vision for Model Classrooms, the 2018 applicants, and all of the winning classrooms, click here .

Stay tuned for more as we begin work on this exciting new addition to our academic offerings. Have a wonderful weekend! -- Mrs. Coyle
Ms. Stephanie Levin (Business Teacher) and Mrs. Mary Jane Kinkade were on hand to accept the award at last week's Grant Presentation Event held in Farmingdale, NJ.
Welcome to the OLMA Sisterhood
Last Thursday, we officially inducted the members of the Class of 2022 and all new transfer students into the OLMA Sisterhood. As always, the celebration began with a beautiful Mass that included wonderful music by OLMA's Chorus Angelorum and Big Sisters placing bracelets on the wrists of their Littles. Sisterhood spans generations at OLMA and forever bonds our graduates in faith and friendship. Welcome!
OLMA Featured on Cover of
Gloucester County Family Magazine
If you live in Gloucester County, you likely saw some familiar faces in the latest issue of Suburban Family Magazine's Gloucester County edition. OLMA students were featured on the cover and throughout the magazine -- and Mrs. Coyle, Ms. Valore and Mr. Lenguadoro were interviewed for a full page story. To take a look, click here .
SNJ Today News Turns to OLMA and PREP for College Planning Advice
When it comes to preparing students for college and helping them navigate the search and admissions process, OLMA and St. Augustine Prep both have stellar records. At OLMA, 99 percent of our graduates go on to a four-year college. Recently, one of the writers for SNJ Today News intereviewed Mrs. Coyle for an article featuring tips and do's and don'ts when it comes to selecting a school that best meets a student's needs -- academically , socially and financially. Click here to see what she had to say -- and take comfort in knowing that your daughters are in the very best of hands.
Pictured (on right) here is OLMA graduate, Alyson Daley, during a college
admissions interview on Instant Decision Day last year. Alyson is currently
attending Towson University in Maryland. The 2018 OLMA Instant Decision Day will be held on November 6.
Me and My Shadow!
If you know a young lady who is in the 7th or 8th grade who wants to learn more about OLMA, please tell her about our two upcoming group shadow days. The first one is on October 22 and is for current 8th graders. The second is set for November 20 and is for 7th graders and any 8th graders who were unable to attend the first one. For any questions, please contact Mrs. Kinkade on ext. 140. She can also be reached via email at: mrs.kinkade@olmanj.org.
Need Help Paying for College?

Join Us For
 College Financial Aid
Information Night

OCTOBER 23
6:30 PM
ROOM 6
7 Tickets Up for Grabs!
OLMA Interact Gives Purses New Purpose
The OLMA Interact Club is leading a school-wide effort to collect gently used purses! OLMA's club is working in cooperation with other area Interact Clubs, the Girl Scouts and the Tri-County Rotary Club to collect and fill purses with personal hygiene items for women.

The filled purses will be donated to area women's shelters and job assistance centers. We are women helping women! Collection boxes are located in all homerooms. Each homeroom earns points for the number of items collected. The winning room will receive a free dress down day! Please help us help those in need. Thank you!
Last Call for Hall of Fame Dinner Tickets
and Advertisements
Among OLMA's biggest supporters are two individuals, one team and one couple chosen for induction into the 2018 OLMA Hall of Fame. Selected by the school’s Salerno Society, in recognition of their significant contributions to OLMA’s vision to change the world, one young woman at a time, this year’s honorees include: Lauren Hartman (Class of 2011), Nicole Covella (Class of 2009) and Caitlyn Covella (Class of 2013), the first three scholar athletes to score 100 goals for OLMA Lacrosse; Dawn Coia; long-time OLMA educator and alumnae parent; Honorable Georgia M. Curio (Class of 1974), the first female superior court judge appointed for Cumberland County; and Tony and Mary Jane Stanzione (Class of 1972). Mary Jane runs the food service operation at OLMA and she and Tony are alumnae parents, contributors and volunteers.

In their honor, OLMA will hold a Hall of Fame Induction Celebration dinner event on Friday, October 26, 2018 at The Greenview Inn in Vineland, NJ. All proceeds will go toward OLMA’s growing athletics program which currently offers 13 competitive supports.

The Salerno Society was created in 2012 and is named in honor of Sister Mary Dolores Salerno, D.M., OLMA’s first principal. It was through her efforts that OLMA introduced sports as an integral part of the school’s curriculum. “The mission of The Salerno Society is twofold,” said Society Chairperson, Bernadette Corwonski-Miller. “First, we want to honor Sister Dolores for her incredible commitment to OLMA as principal. In addition, we want to pay tribute to the many others who have contributed to the growth of our school as athletes, scholars, teachers, coaches, benefactors, and career professionals.”

For more information about how you can be part of thanking and recognizing this year’s members with a program booklet ad, donation, or by purchasing tickets to the Hall of Fame Induction Celebration dinner, please click here , or call Mary Jane Kinkade at 856.697.2008, ext. 140.

OLMA Open House Set for November 8
We are looking forward to welcoming many new prospective students and their families on November 8 at our annual Open House. While here, families will be introduced to the OLMA Sisterhood, meet students and teachers, tour the school, and learn about all that OLMA has to offer to the young women of South Jersey. Open House begins at 8:30 AM and promises to be a great day. Student and parent volunteers are needed, so please let Mrs. Kinkade know if you are able to help. Thank you!

P.S. -- Please help us spread the word about Open House by putting a yard sign in front of your home and/or business. Signs are available at school! Thank you.
Pre-Order Yearbooks and SAVE $
This school year's OLMANAC promises to be better than ever as we begin working with Jostens. While seniors receive their yearbooks for free, all other students must place orders and pre-pay for theirs beginning today. For a limited time, yearbooks may be ordered at a cost of $60 each. As the year progresses, the cost goes up, so don't delay.

To order, visit JOSTENSYEARBOOKS.com. Parents will also receive an email directly from Jostens. Pleas see Mrs. Helms wtih any questions. Thank you!
Upcoming Events

Sisterhood Day -- October 19

Interact Project Green service project -- October 20

Daughters of Mercy Pasta Dinner -- October 21

Shadow Day No. 1 -- October 22

Financial Aid Information Night -- October 23


Broadway Trip (7 tickets left!) -- October 24

Parent Teacher Conferences/Noon Dismissal -- October 25

Photo Retakes for Underclassmen -- October 26

Salerno Hall of Fame Awards Dinner -- October 26

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