Enter to Learn. Go Forth to Serve.
Saturday, May 9, 2020
Wishing all the moms in our O'Hara community a Happy Mother's Day tomorrow!
Mother's Day Prayer

Lord God we pray for mothers everywhere.

Like Samuel's mother, may they have wisdom to know how to protect their children and keep them from harm.

Like Naomi, may they be able to turn hard situations into good.

Like Lois and Eunice, may they be ready to share the love of Christ with their children.

In all that they give to others may they have the joy of knowing that they too are children, held in the love and care of God.

Amen.

‌


A NOTE FROM MRS. CONWAY...

Dear O'Hara community,

At the conclusion of Teacher Appreciation Week, on behalf of our entire staff, I want to send my sincerest appreciation to all of you as well. The buy-in, support, patience and effort you all continue to put forth to help us continue educating O’Hara students is incredible. Teaching your students at home is a community effort, and we, as a staff, are appreciative of you, as parents, for all of your efforts. We could not do what we are doing without your support; for that we are so very grateful.

As we approach the end of this very unusual school year, I know that I am not alone in anxiously wondering what the future holds. I would love nothing more than certainty about what next fall looks like, for our school, and for our world at large. However, the fact remains that we all remain at the mercy of this pandemic and under the authority of our government and public health officials who are tasked with making decisions concerning this ever-evolving situation.

In order to be prepared for a number of potential scenarios, the Archdiocese of Portland, Department of Catholic Schools, has created a Task Force. I have been asked to serve on this committee, along with 8 other educators from schools in our Archdiocese, and we are meeting weekly. As a group, we are working to find meaningful solutions to many unknown questions. Our work on this task force includes consultation with business professionals and health experts within our individual school communities; thank you to those in the O’Hara community who have so graciously shared their time and expertise with me. 

I want to assure you that as the situation evolves, and as there is new information to share, I will most certainly do so. Keeping our community informed with timely and accurate information, especially where the health and safety of our students and our community are concerned, is a priority.

Together, we will find a way through all of this and I firmly believe that we will emerge stronger on the other side.

With continued prayers and immense gratitude for our wonderful O'Hara community,
Tammy Conway
NEW UPDATES & INFORMATION FOR OUR FAMILIES
PARENT SURVEY

As we move forward with digital learning we want to be sure that we are meeting the needs of our students and families. We have put together another short survey to gather feedback about digital learning. Parents are invited to respond between now and Tuesday, May 12 at 5pm. Thanks in advance for helping us to improve!
DIRECTORY UPDATE

Please update your directory with a new address for the Larsen Family:

Nick and Michelle Larsen
28120 Royal Ave.
Eugene, OR 97402
TO ALL OUR SUPPORTERS....WE THANK YOU!

Over the next two weeks, through shout-outs on our social media channels, O’Hara will be taking time to recognize the many businesses and individuals who support our school through sponsorships and donations. Our successful events and school years are simply not possible without their generous support. 
 
Please watch O’Hara’s social media for these thank you posts, and help us shower them with gratitude by liking, commenting on and sharing our posts. 
 
Additionally, below are some extra ways you can support these businesses if you are able:
 
-Liking or following the businesses on social media
-Liking, commenting on and sharing posts by these businesses
-Give a positive online review of the business on Google or Facebook
-Refer a friend
-Give them a shout-out on social media
-Support them by giving them your business, if you are in a position to do so
 
Thank you, O'Hara, in advance for your support in this effort.
A MESSAGE FOR OUR SECOND GRADERS

To all of our second grade students who should be celebrating their First Holy Communion during this time of year:

We are saddened that these special celebrations have been postponed. We realize how disappointing this is for you and your families. Watching you receive this special sacrament is a highlight of the school year. Know that we are praying for you and we look forward to when you can receive Jesus in full communion. Blessings!
O'HARA: LET'S DANCE

O’Hara families - get ready to bust a move! O'Hara parent and director of All That! Dance Co. , Sarah Beth Byrum, has put together a mash-up dance tutorial video for our families:

Watch it, learn it and then send us a video and we'll put together a VIRTUAL FLASHMOB!


Learn all or some of the dance, and then choose your favorite section (10-20 seconds) and send us a short clip of your students or family dancing together. Please submit your videos to pictures@oharaschool.org and make sure you get them to us by Friday, May 15. Then, on Saturday, May 23, we will release our #oharavirtualflashmob video and dance it out together!
MESSAGE FOR WIZARD OF OZ CAST MEMBERS

Make sure to check the Wizard of Oz Google Classroom (or your parents' email) for a special message from Mrs. Leonard! 
FRIDAY: ZOOM BIBLE TRIVIA

Calling all students, parents, and staff! Next Friday, May 15, at 11am, Mrs. Jones will host a Bible Trivia Zoom Meeting and everyone is invited to join the fun! Log in to participate, or just to watch! The questions will be asked and you will put your responses in the chat; you can use you can use your bible or google to find the answers! It will be a great time to test your knowledge, and an even better time seeing people we haven't seen in a long time!  

Zoom Meeting Link: Fun Friday Bible Trivia
THANK YOU FROM CATHOLIC COMMUNITY SERVICES

Thank you, O'Hara! Even though our Project Starfish collection was cut short this year, we were still able to collect and donate 358 pounds of food and hygiene products to Catholic Community Services . CCS picked up the items last week and were happy to have such a large donation to put directly into the hands of folks who need the help. CCS reports that the numbers of families requesting assistance are increasing at this time and that this donation from O’Hara is a key link in the ability of CCS to continue its work.

REMINDERS FROM LAST WEEK
CALENDAR CHANGES IN MAY

As we move through the month of May, please take note of some changes to our calendar:
 
  • May 11 - NO SCHOOL- Enjoy a day off! 
  • May 25 - NO SCHOOL- Memorial Day
  • May 26 - NO SCHOOL for students. Planning day for staff. 
MAGNIFICENT MAY MATH CHALLENGE from MRS. CHURCH

We use math every day in every way! Now is the time for you to be creative--how do you, your family, and God in nature use math?

Here are some ideas to get you thinking, but use your imagination and show us your mathematical style! 

  • Count trees in your yard or light switches in your house. How many are there?
  • What patterns can you find in your home or in nature?
  • Bake cookies! What whole numbers and fractions did you use?
  • Show your multiplication and division skills by making arrays with Matchbox cars or sharing grapes equally with your brothers.
  • Measure the length of your sister’s shadow with a yardstick or the circumference of your dog’s tummy with a sewing tape measure!
  • What is the perimeter of your room?
  • How much do you weigh on the scale?
  • Look at the clock: how many hours and minutes until you go to bed?
  • How much money is in your piggy bank? 

Send us a picture ( pictures@oharaschool.org ) or tag us in your post and use #magnificentmaymathchallenge to show us your every day math! Happy mathematizing!
ART CLASS PROJECTS COMING UP

Mrs. Fulton and Mrs. Scott are planning some fun, optional art activities that will require supplies that you may not have on hand. They’ve put together some information and supply lists for parents who would like to start planning/gathering/ordering supplies if their student(s) would like to participate.

May 11-15: Paper Mache
-1 newspaper per child
-2 or 3 cups of flour per child
-Masking tape
-Acrylic or tempera paint
-A place to get messy...outside near a hose perhaps? 

June 1-5: Painting Rocks
-Small smooth river rocks
-Acrylic paints in a few fun colors

May 25-29: Self Portraits for Preschool - 5th grade*
Each year, students draw a self portrait in art and we save them throughout their years at O’Hara. All that is needed is a pencil and paper (white copy paper). Mrs. Fulton and Mrs. Scott would really love to have EVERYONE participate in Self Portrait Week. Please save your child’s finished self portrait to give back to the art teachers when school starts again! We will be sending out more reminders as this special week gets closer.

*6th - 8th graders have already completed this project this year.

Amazon Links are below for some of the less common supplies if you would like to order. (purchase is optional - all projects can be done with things you have at home as well)

Contact Mrs. Fulton or Mrs. Scott with any questions.
JORDAN KENT SUMMER CAMPS

Registration is now open for Jordan Kent's Just Kids Skill Camps! Click the image for more info or to register.
STAFFING CHANGES for 20-21

We want to share with you staffing updates for our 2020-21 school year:

Mrs. April Demers is retiring from being a head teacher in PreKindergarten, but we are thrilled to announce that she is staying with us and will be joining Mrs. Kendall and Mrs. Sexton as a 1st grade instructional assistant. 

We have hired Miss Carrie Knebel to be our new PreKindergarten teacher. Although Carrie is from Eugene, she spent 9 years teaching Preschool, PreK and Kindergarten at a Catholic School in Hawaii, and most recently taught Kindergarten at Holt Elementary. 

We have hired a new Kindergarten teacher and are excited to announce Mrs. Elise Boyum will be joining us. She has been teaching Kindergarten for the last 9 years at Coburg Charter school. 

Mrs. Alyssa Hendrix will continue on as our head Preschool teacher. 

Mrs. Diane Church will be officially retiring at the end of this year. Formerly, Mrs. Church was one of our 3rd grade teachers and, for the last 5 years, she has been working in our Title 1 Reading and Math program. 

Mrs. Sally Eagen will not be returning as an instructional assistant, but we are thrilled that she will be subbing for us next year!

As previously announced, Miss Cieslak will not be returning next year (she's getting married!), but will be available to sub for us in the fall. We will enjoy having her with us for a short time next year, and wish her all the best in the future!

Please join us in extending gratitude to those staff who are moving on next year, and welcoming those new ones joining our family! 
ENROLLMENT OPENINGS NEXT YEAR

O’Hara currently has a handful of spots available in the following grades for next year: Preschool, PreK, 1st grade & 3rd grade. If you have a friend or neighbor that is interested in O’Hara for next year, please have them email us at admissions@oharaschool.org .
AMAZON SMILE

Are you doing lots of Amazon shopping these days? Next time, go to smile.amazon.com and choose O'Hara Catholic School Development Foundation as your beneficiary before you shop. O'Hara receives 0.5% of your purchase price as a donation. What an easy way to support our school!
CHINESE CLUB

Chinese is the most widely-spoken language in the world. Join Chinese Club and learn Chinese! Students can learn basic Chinese characters, pronunciation (Ping Ying), and some useful daily dialogues.  
 
O’Hara parents Jun and Xiaodi Li will be hosting Chinese Club via Zoom meetings. Spots are limited to 10 students. There is no fee for this club. Students who were already signed up prior to digital learning days will be included in the club and will have any fees paid reimbursed.
  
Dates: May 15, May 22, May 29, June 5, June 12
When: Fridays at 2pm
Where: Zoom meetings (link will be sent to participants)
Grades: 1-8
To sign up, use this link .
 
Please contact Mr. Milliron for more information.
PLEDGE & PRAYER VIDEOS WANTED

Each school-day morning, Mrs. Conway’s parent email includes a link to the Pledge of Allegiance by O’Hara students. And each evening, we are posting a bedtime prayer by O’Hara students on our social media.

We would love to feature your student; please submit videos as follows:
PLEASE KEEP SENDING IN YOUR PICTURES!

We are still collecting pictures for our 19-20 yearbook. Please continue to send us pics of your students ( pictures@oharaschool.org ) or upload them to Vidigami . If you need help accessing your Vidigami account, please email Mrs. Ferrari .
COMMUNITY & RESOURCES

Let's stay connected while we're #alonetogether!

Follow us on Social Media!
Please follow our Instagram and Facebook page for prayers, live feeds, and activities your students can participate in!

Send us pictures or tag us on social media!
We want our students to remember they are an important part of our O’Hara community and we want to see their pictures! We encourage you to tag us in your posts, or send us pictures to share via email: pictures@oharaschool.org . 

Resources
Check out our Resource page at the top of the Digital Learning Directory that includes links for families. We recognize that the sheer number of emails sent and links being posted can be overwhelming, so this document is just meant to capture and catalog these as we share them out on social media or via email. This document is just for reference and no action is required on your part.

"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