"A thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue, but the parent of all the other virtues." - Cicero
Mission Statement: Our Lady of the Assumption School Commits itself to provide an education based on catholic values and academic excellence in a caring and safe atmosphere in partnership with the family and parish community.
From the Desk of the Principal…November 27th, 2023
Advent Traditions
Advent December 3- 24, 2023
Advent is from the Latin ``ad-venire” or “to come to.” Even though the season ends with the celebration of Christmas, the time of Advent directs our hearts and minds to Christ's second coming at the end of time and remembers December 25 as the anniversary of the Lord’s birth. The color for the season of Advent is purple, but the third Sunday of Advent, is called “Gaudete- Rejoice!”, presents a rose color instead, heightening our expectation as we draw closer to Christmas
Advent Wreath: A circle of evergreen branches holding four candles
( three are purple and one is rose)represent the four weeks of Advent.
Jesse Tree: The ancient tradition revived in the mid-20th century of using paper/cloth branches or an actual small tree to hold ornaments representing the ancestors of Jesus. This is a wonderful time to read parts of Genesis and Matthew’s genealogy of Jesus.
Las Posadas: This Spanish custom is not a popular tradition to remind us of Mary and Joseph’s journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Groups of people travel from house to house, taking the role of pilgrims seeking lodging, being refused by the many innkeepers until they research the last home where all are invited in for prayer and refreshment.
The feast of St. Nicholas is celebrated on December 6. This ancient bishop of Myra is the prototype for the popular Santa Claus. Children place their shoes outside their bedroom door the night before in hopes that St. Nicholas will fill them with goodies.
Preparing the Manger: Another way of preparing for Christmas is by daily filling in an empty manger scene with straw and other other statues. These objects symbolize acts of kindness practiced during the four weeks of Advent. The last figure placed in the manger scene is the Baby Jesus on Christmas Eve.
Holy Days: During Advent we celebrate two significant feasts of Mary: The feast of the Immaculate Conception on December 8th and the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe on December 12th.
Virtue for the Month of November is Courtesy. The theme for the year is Community.
Courtesy is not strictly distinct from the other virtues, but rather a quality to be found in all the virtues. Components of courtesy can be found in humility, reverence and chastity. It is shaped by charity, the form and guide of all the virtues, into the quality of mercy.
In the classroom we are studying the following saints:
Grades TK - 2 ~ St. Martin de Porres
Grades 3-5 ~ Blessed Solanus Casey
Grades 6 - 8 ~ Venerable Pierre Toussaint
Calendar Highlights
November 20th-24th | Thanksgiving Break-No School |
December 1st | Awards Ceremony 1pm in the Church |
December 6th | Valentino’s/Copper Coffee Pot Fundraiser |
December 8th | All School Mass 9:30 |
December 8th | Barnes & Noble Book Fair 3:00-7:30 pm |
December 12th | APA Board Meeting 6pm at the school |
December 15th | Christmas Program 6:30 in the Church |
December 20th | Noon Dismissal |
December 21st-January 3rd | Christmas Break |
January 4th | School Resumes-Noon Dismissal |
Extended Day Care registration packets are available in the school office.
Contents of Weekly Brown Envelope
Please remove contents, complete and return any forms in the signed Brown Envelope every Wednesday.
Report Cards
Charleston Wrap Fundraiser Reminder
Skating Plus Fundraiser Flyer
Valentino’s/Copper Coffee Pot Fundraiser Flyer
Christmas Gift Card Flyer
Middle School Dance RSVP-Middle School Only
Parent Hour Summary
Barnes & Noble Book Fair-Join us on Friday December 8th from 3:00 pm -7:30 pm for our annual book fair at Barnes & Noble-4820 Telephone Rd. Ventura, CA. We will have face painting, a scavenger hunt and a fun craft! With the purchase of an item your child will receive a free dress pass and a raffle ticket for a chance to win one of three gift cards for Barnes & Noble. The free dress day will be on Thursday December 14th.
Our Charleston Wrap Fundraiser ends Friday December 1st! With over 2,500 gift ideas there is something for everyone on your holiday gift! REGISTER online today at www.registercw.com and START SHARING with your family & friends via TEXT, email and social media. Our organization is Group # 24996
The school will earn 30-40% of all purchases (price varying on items), and all items are shipped directly to the purchasers. Please share with all your friends and family so OLA can earn as much holiday cheer as possible!
Hot Lunch Helpers-Looking for a way to earn parent hours?
We are always in need of parents to help sort and deliver hot lunches on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.
Please arrive between 11:30 and 11:40. Lunch sorting is done by 12:10. Helpers will receive 1 parent hour for helping. Remember if you stay for lunch duty until 12:40 you receive 2 parent hours. That sounds like a win-win!! Lunch volunteers must be Virtus certified and fingerprinted through the Archdiocese.
Lunch cancellation due to absence-Reminder-If you placed an order for hot lunch and your child will be absent please notify the caterer at 805-754-6220 before 9:00 am to cancel and receive a refund. Thank you!
Lost and Found
Please check the lost and found located outside the school office. With the weather changing students are going to need their sweatshirts and jackets. The basket is very full and growing daily! We also have a jar of small items found in the parking lot and around the school. If you are missing an earring, necklace, etc. please stop in and take a look.
New OLA Long Sleeve PE Shirts-
We have added a long sleeve dri-fit PE shirt to our uniform options for PE days. Shirts are available in the school office all year long along with our standard PE t shirt, shorts and crew neck sweatshirts. The new long sleeve shirts are $16.00. Contact the school office to purchase or with questions.
Dolphin Nation
Go Dolphins.
Volleyball News:
Volleyball Team A went undefeated this season earning the first round bye in the playoffs. Watch for playoff game days soon.
APA BOARD CORNER
Skating Plus-Skating Party Fundraiser. OLA will have a private skate night on Thursday December 7th from 6:00-8:30 pm. See the flyer in today's brown envelope for more information.
The digital marquee birthday flier is available in the office. Enjoy announcing your child's next birthday on the OLA marquee! Announcement cost is $15
The APA Board would like to thank all the wonderful families of OLA for volunteering and participating in the many fundraising efforts this year. If you are interested in joining for the 2023-2024 school year please contact Jennifer Bamieh jenniferbamieh@yahoo.com
Reporting an absence:
If your child will be absent from school, please complete the Absent Reporting form. This form can be found on our app, tap the menu button or on our website under quick links. This will generate a report that is given to teachers daily. Thank you!
Stay up-to-date with access to events, documents, news from administrators, student stories, and even emergency notifications.
You can download the app for free on Google Play or Apple App Store.
Download for Android https://bit.ly/3HRxTwQ
Download for iPhone https://apple.co/3JwStCO
School Office Hours
The best times to conduct school business in the office are:
Mornings
8:30 am - 12:00 pm
Afternoon
12:50 pm - 2:30 pm
Closed for Lunch(12:00-12:50)
After Dismissal hours:
3:00pm-3:30pm
Please do not come in during dismissal. On regular dismissal days the time is from 2:35-3:05 and noon dismissal days the time is from 11:50-12:15. We are calling students for pick-up and are unable to give you uninterrupted attention.
The office is closed for lunch from 12:00pm-12:50pm, if your child needs to leave early from school Please pick them up before 12:00 pm or after 12:50pm.
At Home Rapid Covid Test kits:
Test kits are available in the office. Please contact Jennifer Colitti at jennifer@olaventura.org. You are also welcome to come into the office and pick up tests for your family.
Office of Safeguard the Children
Zoom Protecting God’s Children and
Keeping the Promise Alive
The Archdiocese of Los Angeles mandates all clergy, staff, whether paid or volunteer, and all volunteers who work in any capacity with or around children, the elderly, or people with special needs to complete the initial three-hour VIRTUS® Protecting God’s Children for Adults™ program. The program helps clergy, staff, volunteers, and parents to understand the facts and myths about child sexual abuse, how perpetrators groom children and young people, and how they, as caring adults, can learn and implement the important “Five Step Plan” to Protect God’s Children in helping to prevent child sexual abuse.
More than 150,000 clergy, staff and volunteers have participated in these training sessions throughout the five Pastoral Regions of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.
Please know you are welcome to attend a training at any parish in our diocese. To learn where the training is taking place visit lacatholics.org and under the pull down menu titled PROTECT/REPORT move your cursor to Safe SafeGuard the Children then to Education and Training. In that section you will be able to navigate to all the training sessions. Our region is the Santa Barbara Region.
Training at OLA:
Protecting God’s Children (Initial Course). To register please call Dea Boheme for more information at 805- 390-1260.
December 2nd, 2023 from 1pm - 4 pm.
Location: Santa Cruz Room
Keeping the Promise Alive (Re-Certification Course): To register please call Dea Boheme for more information at 805- 390-1260.
December 9th, 2023 1 pm - 2:30 pm.
Location: Santa Cruz Room
Upcoming Santa Barbara Region Fingerprinting Sessions
November 29th - Old Mission Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara
December 11th - St. Paschal Parish , Thousand Oaks
December 20th - St. Joseph Parish, Carpinteria
January 26th - Sacred Heart Parish, Ventura
February 4th - St. Sebastian Parish, Santa Paula
February 16th - Our Lady of the Assumption Parish, Ventura
February 24th - Padre Serra Parish, Camarillo
Student Learning Expectations (SLE’S)
OLA Students aim for the S.T.A.R.S when they:
SHOW AND LIVE THEIR FAITH
THINK CRITICALLY AND WORK COOPERATIVELY
ACTIVELY MAINTAIN A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE
RESPECT OURSELVES AND OTHERS
STUDY AND LEARN