A Message from Our Head of School

Dear OLG Families,

After three tremendous weeks of school, Dedication Weekend is upon us! Thanks to the dedication and generosity of so many (families, parishioners, benefactors, alumni, and friends), we have a beautiful new addition which we are blessed to use in the education of over 810 students. Please take time this weekend to come celebrate and attend our 10:00 AM Outdoor Mass on Sunday with Archbishop Hedba as he dedicates and blesses our school. More details about all the festivities can be found on our website.

I look forward to meeting many of you this weekend! Together are we, OLG!!

Sincerely,

Mike McGinty

Head of School

A Message from Our Principals

Elementary School: Our elementary teachers are hard at work helping our lower school students to develop strong and healthy classroom habits that foster a culture of learning. Establishing these habits and developing these executive functioning skills individually and as a class takes time (and as parents, you may be waiting for the more advanced academic work to begin), but rest assured this is time well spent as your child is learning how to learn. The teachers here at OLG are masterful in helping students in this way, and this culture of learning is one of the reasons our students are academically so successful. Be proud of your lower school students, they are becoming strong learners!

Middle School: It’s been quieter around middle school this week. The 7th grade class was able to travel to Wolf Ridge Wednesday-Friday to learn, grow and play together. I look forward to hearing all about the trip when the students return to school on Monday! 

1st - 8th Grades: Our Lady of Grace’s MAP testing window begins Monday, September 19. Over the next three weeks, first through eighth grade students will be taking a reading, math, and language arts test designed to get a snapshot of their learning at this moment in time. Our middle school students will also take the MAP science test. MAP tests are great practice for students and give the school and families valuable data regarding student learning and growth. We look forward to using the results of the MAP tests to guide our instruction and advance our academic program.

We look forward to seeing many of you at the Dedication Weekend festivities this weekend - what a great time to be a part of Our Lady of Grace!

Julie Moran & Jim Dahlman

Elementary & Middle School Principals

Eden Avenue Paving on Tuesday

Tuesday, September 20, Between 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Construction on Eden Avenue is nearing completion! In order to pave in front of our Eden Avenue driveway, access to the driveway will be closed for a short period of time on Tuesday, sometime between 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM. 

This will not impact before or after school carpool or busing. Please note the closure if you will be traveling to or from campus during that period and use W Frontage Road / Normandale Road via Benton Avenue during those hours. Thank you in advance for your flexibility. 

Current road construction closures will still be in effect for a few weeks. We will communicate any changes and information when we are able. 

October Lunch Ordering

Due Sunday, September 18, 8:00 PM

Lunch orders for the month of October are due on Sunday. View the lunch menus below and order lunches in EZ Apps. 

Preschool Lunch Menu

Kindergarten - 8th Menu

Grandparents & VIP Days - Last Week to RSVP!

RSVP by Friday, September 23

Grandparents and VIPs (very important, non-parent guests) are invited to spend the morning with their OLG students on the following dates:

• Wednesday, September 28 - 5th & 7th Grades
• Wednesday, October 5 - 1st & 3rd Grades

The day involves: 

• 8:45 AM - Students meet their Grandparent(s) / VIP(s) in the Church Commons
• 9:00 AM - All School Mass
• 10:00 - 10:30 AM - Social, photos, classroom visits and hospitality
• 10:45 AM - Optional school tours for Grandparents and VIPs

Parents, please complete this RSVP form by September 23.

OLG Spirit Wear Sale - Live Now!

Orders due by Monday, September 19

All purchases for Spirit Wear and uniform-approved sweatshirts are done via the Online Store. These are custom items made specifically for Our Lady of Grace. All products will go into production after the online store closes on September 19 and may take up to 4 weeks for delivery. No late orders will be accepted. No returns or exchanges will be possible. Please double-check the sizes that you have ordered. Happy shopping!

Click here to shop!

If you have any questions please don't hesitate to email Erica Hamilton or email Beth Kinneberg.

Middle School Service Club (MSSC)

If you cannot see the MSSC signups when you log into your SUG account, this means your student is not a registered member of MSSC. These events are for MSSC students only and not eligible for Religion Service Hours.

• Monday, September 19 - Sort Studies Weekly for Teachers (We didn’t finish last week)
• Thursday, September 22 – Leaves for the 40 Days of Life Tree

Sign up here!

OLG Chess Club

Registration Due Tuesday, September 20

Join in on the fun for the first session of the 22-23 season learning this royal game! Each session has different material to learn. All level of students is welcome to our fun encouraging engaging club! All equipment and an afterschool snack are provided.

Click here for more information, meeting dates, and to register. Please contact Coach Veronica at wizardsofchess@gmail.com or 612-203-0118 with any questions.  

Santa's Secret Shop Photos Sign-Up for Oct. 8 & 9

Priority Sign-Ups for OLG School Families through Monday, September 26 at Noon

It’s that time…Santa's Secret Shop holiday photos/ornament event is coming on October 8 & 9 as the official kickoff to OLG’s Santa’s Secret Shop (SSS) held in December!

Annually, the OLG community comes together to participate in these activities that raise money for our sister school, John Paul II, located in Northeast Minneapolis. Funds raised go directly to John Paul II to support their curriculum. Last year was a record-breaker, raising $10,050 for JPII! Thank you so much for supporting such a wonderful cause. With your help we hope to have another record-breaking year.

Click here for more information and to sign-up for a slot.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: We are also looking for some parent volunteers for the day of. Please check out our Sign-Up Genius to sign up for a slot.

Email Jenny Helmer with any questions. 

RSVP for Grade Level Parent Nights Out

Edina Country Club Tennis House, 6:30 - 8:30 PM

As our students return to the classroom, it's perfect time to gather as parents to get to know one another and build community. Please join us for a casual and fun evening with light bites and cocktails at the Edina Country Club. More details to follow. Looking forward to meeting you in person!

RSVP Required to Attend:

• Kindergarten - September 21
• 1st Grade - September 28 - RSVP Here by 9/21
• 5th Grade - September 29 - RSVP Here by 9/22
• 3rd Grade - October 5 - RSVP Here by 9/28
• 2nd Grade - October 6 - RSVP Here by 9/29
• 4th Grade - October 12 - RSVP Here by 10/5

*Middle School Parent Nights Out will be in November, details are forthcoming. 

Middle School Young Rembrandts Workshops

Mondays, October 3 - 31

Young Rembrandts is offering some new courses this fall. Take a peek at what we are offering and register before workshops start!

Flier - Registration Link 

Join Middle School Service Club (MSSC)

Middle School Service Club (MSSC) is for Middle School students who want to serve above and beyond the required Religion Service Hours. This year MSSC events DO NOT count for Religion Service Hours. We want to serve our school, parish & community, but most important just have fun. Questions contact Jamie Pohl, Anna Lima, Angela Brown or Kirsten Frederick.

Sign up here!

Grab the whole family and join us all weekend long!

Saturday, 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM & 

Sunday, 11:30 AM - 2:00 PM

• KidFest
• Painting with Preschool Open House
• Middle School Plays & Reunions
• BINGO (Sunday only)

GooseChase Scavenger Hunt

Now through Sunday!

Checkout these and all 14 events that last all weekend long on our website! 

Grade Level Coffee Socials

Grab some coffee and spend some time getting to know other OLG parents with students in the same grade as your own. All socials are from 8:15 - 10:00 AM. For those socials in Grace Hall, that is the name of our new building's main entryway.

• 5th Grade - Tuesday, September 20 - Grace Hall
• 6th Grade - Thursday, September 22 - Grace Hall
• 7th Grade - Friday, September 23 - Dining Room
• 8th Grade - Date TBA February 2023

OLG School Pancake Breakfast!

Sunday, September 25, 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Join us for our Annual Pancake Breakfast at OLG on Sunday, September 25. Pre-order your tickets here - tickets also available at the door day of. Cost is $9 per person for all you can eat pancakes and sausage! We hope to see you there!

Calling all 2nd Grade Parents! Please sign up to build connections and serve our school and parish community at our Annual Pancake Breakfast! Please look at the volunteer options in this Sign Up Genius link and determine where you think your talents can best be put to use!

Marathon, OLG’s biggest fundraiser, kicks-off on Saturday, September 25 with the Pancake Breakfast. This year’s theme is an OLG Tik Tok. All funds raised are tax-deductible and support funding for Teacher Assistants and the Technology Fund.

Check out our calendar and click here for more information about the Celebration & Color Run, VEAP Donations, and Corporate Matching Gifts. 

SAVE THE DATE: Saturday, October 1, 9:30 - 11:00 AM for the Marathon Celebration & Color Run - you and your family will want to be there!

Save the Date: Moms of Grace Fireside Fall Social

Monday, October 3, 5:00 PM, Fireplace Commons

OLG Moms, you are invited to the incredible sisterhood that is Moms Of Grace!

Our first gathering will be in the new Fireplace Commons for a Fireside Fall Social. Come solo and meet some moms or join your friends. Please bring a beverage to drink/share. We'll have a few bottles of wine on hand, too! This will be a great season for us to grow in friendship, spirituality and community.

Discovering Christ

Thursdays, 7:00 PM, Dining Room

Every year, the RCIA process delves into Discovering Christ: an 8-part series that helps people enter into or renew a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, experience the love of God the Father, and be empowered by the Holy Spirit to live as God’s children. This year we're opening up the program for anyone to join! Wherever you are at, that’s where Jesus wants to meet you and help you take that next step. We are excited to walk with you on this journey! Visit our website for more information and to register.

Alpha Marriage Course

Sundays, September 25 - November 6, 3:00 - 5:00 PM

Join other couples in a 7-part video series this fall! Childcare is provided and there is no group sharing - just intimate conversations between you and your spouse! Easy to make up a week if you need to miss one or two. Click here to learn more and register!

RISE & SHINE 2022

Thursday, September 29, 7:30 - 9:00 AM, Marriott Minneapolis Southwest

Join us for our annual fundraiser to benefit Our Lady of Grace Senior High in Ghana by raising money for scholarships to help send students to school. With capacity for 850 students, many scholarships are needed to support the poor and disadvantaged who desire a quality education. Visit our website to learn more and register.

Gathering with Father Kevin in Boston

Thursday, September 29, 7:00 - 9:00 PM, Quincy, MA

Father Kevin will be in Boston on Thursday, September 29 and is looking to spend time with any OLG connections in the area from 7:00 - 9:00 PM. A group will be gathering at The Irish Pub (51 Billings Road, Quincy, MA), a 26-minute ride on the Red Line from Downtown Boston. We’ll being going Dutch for this gathering (i.e. pay your way) as we connect and sample the local flavor of Boston. Please RSVP by Monday, September 26 by emailing Jane Riley Best or calling 952-999-9059. Spread the word!

QUICK LINKS