Can you believe we are already about halfway through trimester 1 and MEA break is upon us? Teachers and staff are working diligently teaching academics and making Jesus known and loved. We are enjoying a great start to the school year as we welcomed new families, created bonds at parent gatherings, celebrated Grandparents Days, hosted the Little Saints Fall Fest, and enjoyed the Mother/Daughter and Father/Son Masses this week. Additionally, I am so grateful for the generosity and support of the overwhelming number school families, parishioners, teachers, staff, friends, and students who helped raise more than $135,000 at the Marathon. We are truly blessed here at OLG for the support from so many!

I am excited for the rest of the trimester. We look forward to seeing you at Parent-Teacher conferences, All Saints Day Mass, the beginning of grade-level Masses, and our Veterans Day program, leading us into Thanksgiving.

Have a wonderful MEA break!

Blessings,

Mike McGinty

Head of School

Fall Parent/Teacher Conferences

Thursday, October 26, 4:00 - 8:00 PM

Friday, October 27, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM (No School)

To sign up for conferences, please click here. Please note that schedules will not be visible until 4:00 PM today, October 18.

VEAP Food Drive

Monday - Thursday, October 23 - 26

VEAP (Volunteers Enlisted to Assist People) is a local organization that supports our local community. Grade categories are listed below but know that anything donated is welcomed and appreciated!

• Preschool: Baby Items (Diapers, Baby Wipes)
• K: Birthday Items (Cake Mix, Frosting, Candles)
• 1st: Whole Grains (Rice, Pasta, Cereal)
• 2nd: Canned Hearty Soups
• 3rd: Baking Goods (Cooking Oil, Sugar, Flour)
• 4th: Canned Goods (Fruits, Vegetables, Meats)
• 5th: Personal Care (Shampoo, Soap, Toothpaste)
• 6th: Disposable Serving Items (Plates, Napkins, Cups)
• 7th: Paper Products (Paper Towels, Clorox Wipes, Toilet Paper)
• 8th: 100% Juice Items (Juice Boxes)

Dr. Nolan Parent Webinar on Stress and Anxiety

Tuesday, October 24, 7:00 PM

This session will cover typical versus problematic stress and anxiety. Learn helpful strategies to address anxiety at home without making it worse. Click here to sign up.

Grade-Level Hosted Masses—Save the Dates

Starting in 3rd Grade, each grade will have the opportunity to host a weekend Mass where students will serve as greeters, ushers, readers, and singers. This tradition continues through the spring when the 8th graders (and their Kindergarten buddies) host. All grade-hosted Masses will be at the 5:00 PM Saturday Mass with a reception in the Cafeteria following.

• Nov 4 - 6th & 7th Grades
• Nov 11 - 5th Grade
• Feb 10 - 4th Grade
• Mar 9 - 3rd Grade
• May 4 - 8th Grade w/ Kindergarten Buddies

Parent Nights Out

Gather with your fellow grade-level parents at the Edina Country Club Tennis House (off 50th Street) from 6:30 - 8:30 PM on the dates below. Please RSVP using the links below specific to your student's grade(s).

• Nov 8 - 4th Grade RSVP Here
• Nov 9 - 5th Grade RSVP Here
• Nov 14 - 6th Grade RSVP Here
• Nov 15 - 7th Grade RSVP Here
• Nov 16 - 8th Grade RSVP Here

Veterans Day Program

Friday, November 10, 1:30 - 2:30 PM

The OLG 4th - 8th graders host a Veterans Day program. The program includes speeches, songs played by our student band, and a chance for the veterans to introduce themselves to our students. Refreshments are served afterwards in the Church Commons. If you are a veteran or know a veteran who plans to attend this program, RSVP here by November 6.

Santa's Secret Shop Photos: Save the Date

Sunday, November 12, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Grace Hall

Capture the magic of Christmas with 10-minute family photo sessions. Complete details and registration will be in next week's Weekender.

FamFare Kitchen Fundraiser

Orders due by 10:00 PM on Monday, October 23

FamFare Kitchen gives you a night off from cooking while supporting OLG (15% of sales are donated to OLG). Place orders using this link and pick up on October 25 between 3:45 - 6:00 PM. 

Holiday Spiritwear

Orders due by 11:59 PM on Monday, October 23

This order will be shipped directly to your home in early December. To place your order, click here.

Jubilate Kids Choir

Sundays starting November 5, 10:35 - 11:25 AM

O come, all ye faithful 3rd and 4th graders - join the Jubilate Kids Choir for the 4:00 PM Christmas Eve Mass! Parent helpers are needed. Learn new Christmas music, make new friends, and share your musical gifts! Click here for complete details and to register. Questions? Contact Mary Jo Cole at 952-334-0165.

Lunch Program Updates

• The menu is posted about four weeks in advance, but unlike previous years, this menu is more fluid and is subject to change. Check the menu more frequently for updates and download the Nutrislice app.
• Lunch menus and complete details are on the school website.
• Chef George is in charge of the lunch menu. All menu and allergen questions should be sent to him.
• Sue Cross handles the lunch billing and deals with questions about lunch charges.

Volunteer Opportunities

Click the links below to sign up for the current parent volunteer openings:

Grade-Hosted Masses

Library Read/Volunteer

Lunch Room

Mass Greeter

Photography

Sponsor A Family

Early Childhood Screening Requirement

Children who are three years old need to complete a Minnesota Early Childhood Screening. The screening is required for all OLG kindergarteners by December 15 for the 2024-2025 school year and is strongly encouraged for OLG Preschool applicants who are three years old. If you have not completed the screening, please contact a screening location. Do not wait to schedule your child's screening! Questions? Contact Amy Selby.

Middle School Service Club (MSSC)

Tuesday, October 24 - Give to the Max Posters

Thursday, October 26 - Reconciliation Books

Once you register for MSSC, you can sign up here for events. Questions? Contact Jamie Pohl, Anna Lima, Kristin Frederick or Angela Brown.

K-8 Release Days Care

Register by Friday, November 3

Release Full Day Care is available 7:30 AM - 5:30 PM. The morning part of the days are on OLG campus; afternoons are a fun adventure!

• Wednesday, November 22 at the Old Log Theater/ Maple Maze
• Wednesday, December 27 at SideKick Theater/Blast
• Thursday, December 28 at Leonardo's Basement
• Tuesday, January 2 at PINZ Bowling
• Wednesday, January 3 at InnerActive Playground
• Thursday, January 4 at The Works
• Friday, January 5 at the Minnesota History Center

Click here for the November/December registration form.

Minimum registrations are required for destinations, so register now!

Food, Fellowship and Spirited Adoration

Tuesday, October 24, 5:30 PM Dinner, 6:30 PM Adoration at Pro Ecclesia Sancta Convent (8650 Russell Ave S, Bloomington)

See the changes that have been happening over the past few years at the convent and spend time with each other, the lovely sisters, and the blessed Eucharist. Come for as much as you can, bring your children, parents, and friends. For food planning, please RSVP. Questions? Contact Peter Raih.

Marriage Retreat

Saturday, November 11, 9:00 AM - 4:45 PM, OLG

Experience the wonder of being more in love. More laughter. More intimacy. More conversations. More love. The EverMore in Love Marriage Retreat is a retreat for married couples of all ages! The cost is $85/couple. Click here for more information and to register.