A Message from Our Head of School

Alleluia! What a great celebration and dedication of our new building last weekend! It was such a blessing to be part of it and to see so many school families, along with parishioners, come together for such a special event. Thank you so very much for your support!

The upcoming weeks continue to be very special as we welcome the Grandparents/VIP’s of 5th & 7th graders back to school on September 28 and the Grandparent/VIP’s of 1st & 3rd on October 5. Additionally, we kick off the Marathon this weekend and look forward to this major school celebration and fundraiser.

Again, thank you for all that you do for Our Lady of Grace. It is greatly appreciated and it is what makes this community so special. Keep us in prayer as we keep all of you in prayer. Together are we, OLG!

God Bless,

Mike McGinty

Head of School

A Message from Our Elementary School Principal

As summer turns to fall and we finish out September, we are just getting to some of the best parts of the school year where students delve deeper into learning. Our teachers are working with students to complete a number of formal and informal assessments in order to better understand the learning needs of each individual. Schools have come a long way since my first years of teaching in gathering data and using it to elevate the levels of student learning. In October, with this information, teachers are able to begin consistently differentiating lessons and helping small groups work with lessons that have the right amount of challenge. Witnessing academic growth over the course of the school year is a beautiful blessing. Parents, one thing that you can do is to help your child focus on the learning and the process of learning vs. just the outcome or grade. When we help our students to focus on learning, they become better learners!

Julie Moran 

Elementary School Principal

A Message from Our Middle School Principal

We started this week with the Dedication Weekend activities and ended our week with a Marathon Pepfest. I am amazed at how our community rallies to support the work of the parish and school. Middle school students are growing into their roles as leaders in the school, understanding what is expected of them, and striving to give their best in all that they do. Thank you for your continued support of our students and school as we continue to develop saints, stewards, and scholars.

Jim Dahlman

Middle School Principal

Grandparents & VIP Days - Last Day 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.

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! Weekend photo sessions take place outdoors at OLG and are for all families in the OLG school and parish community.

This year’s holiday backdrop is a beautiful vintage couch and a handmade old fashioned hot chocolate stand. Digital photos are typically emailed within a week. Photos can also be printed on your choice of a metal or glass photo ornament.

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. 

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:

• 1st Grade - September 28
• 5th Grade - September 29
• 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 Math Team

Calling all 6th - 8th grade mathematicians! Our Lady of Grace will participate in the MN Junior High Math League this year (MNJHML).

Interested or want to learn more? Email Ms. Fagan to get signed up AND

join us on Thursday mornings at 7:45 AM on September 29 and October 6. Meet in the Lower Level Commons of the new middle school addition (by Mr. Leibl’s room). Let's Solve Problems!

Middle School Robotics Team

OLG is excited to form a robotics team this year! We will be participating in the FIRST Lego League Challenge and, based on interest, we can expand to elementary school students as well. Click here for a summary of the Lego League Challenge. We need parent volunteers to help support our students as they explore the engineering design process. Please email Mrs. Sue Becker if you are interested in volunteering.

Middle School Service Club (MSSC)

Monday, October 3 - Campus Clean-Up

Sign up here!

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!

Flyer - Registration Link 

Art Room Needs 1 Gallon Ice Cream Buckets

Need an excuse to eat some ice cream? Amy Slack, Art Specialist at Our Lady of Grace is in need of 1 gallon ice cream buckets. Clean and empty buckets can be brought to the Art Room all year long. Email Amy Slack with any questions. 

Join the New 1st Grade Girls Daisy Troop!

Register by Tuesday, October 4

Calling all 1st grade girls to join our newly formed Daisy troop! Find new ways to practice kindness and generosity, gain confidence and pride in abilities, explore the outdoors and practice simple ways to protect our earth, and earn special badges as a reminder of newly learned skills (with NO cookie sales!).

Our troop will meet once per month on Fridays, October to May immediately after school at OLG. Our first meeting date will be Friday, October 14 from 3:30 - 4:30 PM. Parent/chaperone requirement is one meeting/year. 

Click here to register. Use the Zip Code 55436 and Troop #18760. Membership, dues, and tunic/vest costs amount to about $150 - financial assistance is available. Email your troop leaders with any questions - Shannon Anderson, Cesi Blondet and Katie Frandrup.

K-8 Extended Care November Release Days

Enroll by Friday, October 7

• Tuesday, November 8 - Science Museum of Minnesota
• Wednesday, November 23 - Old Log Theater's "Once Upon a Mattress" and Maple Maze

Click here to enroll and email Sharon Hierlmaier with any questions.

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 Sunday, 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. 

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

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.

Little Saints Fall Fest

Saturday, October 8, 9:30 - 11:00 AM

Families of toddlers and preschoolers are invited to join the fun of Little Saints Fall Fest! The Teddy Bear Band will be performing so bring your teddy bears. We will also have fall crafts, activities, and snacks. Please register through this link and plan to meet us on the basketball courts. We will email you if the event moves indoors. Hope to see you there!

RISE & SHINE 2022 - Tickets Still Available!

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 and is looking to spend time with any OLG connections in the area . 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!

Men's Club Fall Kickoff

Sunday, October 2, 5:30 - 8:30 PM, Cassidy Hall

Please join the OLG Men’s Club for our annual Fall Kickoff on October 2! This is a free event and will feature food, beverages and new this year, Axe Throwing! We will gather in Cassidy Hall to watch the Sunday Night Football game. This is a 21+ event and a great opportunity to meet and socialize with other men in the parish while you enjoy football, fellowship and learn what the Men’s Club is all about. We look forward to seeing you there!

Marriage Booster Retreat

Saturday, November 19, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Whether you have been married for six months or sixty years, it is never a bad idea to get away together to both celebrate and reflect on your marriage. The Marriage Booster Retreat is a faith-filled, encouraging, and romantic one day retreat designed to let you reconnect, laugh, and talk deeply with the most important person in your life.

We’ll look at communication, intimacy & sex, dealing with conflict, money, parenting, emotional needs, and more. Get ready for a day that will truly bless your marriage!

Cost is $50 per couple and scholarships are available. Click here to learn more and register. Email any questions to Elizabeth Mueller, Director of Marriage and Family.

Catholic Mothers' Retreat

Saturday, October 1, 7:30 AM - 3:00 PM, Holy Family Catholic Church

Catholic Mothers’ Retreat is an apostolate of Mighty Is Her Call, a Catholic Mother’s ministry dedicated to increasing awareness of motherhood as a powerful vocation. Join us for our upcoming retreat that honors mothers by offering a day of restoration and encouragement, giving moms a chance to reflect on the importance of their vocation, relax, and remember just how powerful, meaningful, and Christ-filled their role is as a mother. Click here to learn more and register.

Influenza Vaccination Clinics

Monday and Tuesday, October 10-11, 3:30 - 5:30 PM

Edina Public Schools will be hosting two influenza (flu) vaccine clinics at the Edina Community Center City Gym (please park in the Gold Lot and enter Door #8). Click here to register. These clinics are run by Bloomington Public Health (BPH), and all BPH vaccine clinics are open to the public. Scroll down to find the clinic for which you’d like to register. You may register for ANY clinic on this website (not just the clinics hosted by Edina Public Schools).

QUICK LINKS