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…February 4, 2025
Hebrews 12:1-4. They will praise you, Lord, who long for you – Psalm 21(22):26-28, 30-32. Mark 5:21-43.
Loving attention
In today’s reading we see two people come to Jesus seeking his aid. The first is a man with social status and power, Jairus, an official at the synagogue. The second is an unnamed woman with little social status, who approaches Jesus furtively in the crowd.
What stands out in this reading is Jesus’ response to both Jairus and the unnamed woman. There is no preference for one or the other, for power or poverty. Jesus responds lovingly to both. Even when it seems responding to one (the woman) means Jesus fails to save the other (Jairus’ daughter), we’re shown that our worldly concerns are not those of Jesus.
He gives his loving attention to both, and both are healed. We pray today that we also give our loving attention to anyone who comes before us, no matter their status.
Please remember about the importance of keeping children home if they are exhibiting symptoms such as coughing, congestion, or fever. All teachers have a procedure in place to help students complete work when they are absent due to illness. Our goal is to keep our school community safe while also supporting continuous learning for all students.
Parents Thank you again for your support in keeping OLA a safe and healthy place for our children.
ALMS (pronounced /ä(l)mz/) is always looking for parent and student volunteers to help us build a stronger presence at community and Parish events. ALMS is OLA school’s “do good” committee dedicated to getting our school involved in community programs that teach your kids the value of service to others. For more information, check out our FAQor volunteer now.
ALMS Quick Links
City Center Clothes Drive – This Week
Our clothes drive was a big success. We donated 20 bags of clothes and a bag of toys to City Center here in Ventura. We even had enough to donate to St. Vincent de Paul. Thanks to all the parents and students that participated. Your generous donations will go directly to local homeless families. Be sure to report participation.
ALMS: Surfrider Beach Clean-up – Saturday, February 8 at Rincon
Become an environmental steward for the beautiful place we call home by volunteering for an upcoming local trash clean-up. Parents, alongside their kids wearing their OLA PE uniform, will earn 2 parent hours for each clean-up session they participate in. This Saturday, February 8th is the monthly beach-clean up the Rincon Parkway Beach. Please register directly with the Surfrider Foundation (see below for direct registration link). Be sure to report student participation and snap a picture if you like so we can share with the school.
“The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it,” – Psalm 24:1
Date: Saturday, February 8, 2025
Description: Respect the Rincon Parkway Beach Cleanup
Time: 8:30-10:30 a.m.
Location: Ventura, CA
Register here: https://volunteer.surfrider.org/timeslots/K8gCMcHBvO
Virtue of the Month: Honesty ~ Being Trustworthy and True
Each month, we introduce a new virtue to our students, along with Saints to guide and inspire them in their faith journey. As part of the Year of Faith, our school theme is Service, reminding us to live our faith through acts of love and kindness.
This February, we are focusing on the virtue of Honesty. Honesty calls us to seek truth and integrity in our words and actions. Through prayer, reflection, and service, we encourage our students to develop a strong sense of honesty and to live with authenticity and kindness.
May we all strive to live this virtue each day and give thanks to God for His abundant gifts!
Saints for the Month of Honesty~ Being Trustworthy and True
PK - Grade 2: Blessed Francesco Marto & Jacinta Marto
A Lesson in Honesty
Francesco and Jacinta were brother and sister. It was their job to take care of the sheep with their cousin, Lucia. All three were visited by the Blessed Virgin Mary, who asked them to pray for the whole world. Some of the people where they lived tried to say the children were lying about seeing the Blessed Mother, and even put the children in jail! But the children did not give up, because they were telling the truth!
Grades 3 - 5: Saint Kateri Tekawitha - A lesson in being true to your faith
Saint Kateri Tekakwitha belonged to a Native American tribe near New York state. Kateri’s mother was a Christian but her father was not. When her parents both died and left her an orphan, Saint Kateri asked to be baptized and then promised her life to God. Her non-Christian relatives made fun of her belief in god, but Saint Kateri remained true to her faith. She journeyed over 200 miles on foot to a christian settlement of Native Americans and lived the rest of her life there, praying for and serving the people. After her death, people prayed to her for help, and miracles were performed through her intercession
Grades 6 - 8: 
St. Athanasius
A Lesson in remaining faithful to the truth.
Saint Athanasius studied the Greek classics and theology in Alexandria where he became bishop. He attended the Council of Nicaea in 325 A.D. and defended the faith against the heresy of Arianism, which claimed that Jesus was a mere creature and not truly God. Athanasius taught that Jesus was God the Son, having the same nature as God the Father. This sounds normal to us who profess this in the Creed, but the Council of Nicaea is what added this section the the Apostles Creed, because the issue was hotly debated at the time, and saints like Athanasius realized that the divinity of Christ was an issue of vital importance.
Religious and political leaders persecuted him for remaining steadfast to this great truth of our faith, sending him into exile five times, for a total of 17 years. Yet he never wavered in remaining faithful to the truth, and we continue to profess the Creed as he taught it, almost 1,700 years later!
Calendar Highlights
February 11 | APA Board Meeting 6pm |
February 12 | Art Trek Training 8:15 am-10:45 am Mulcahy |
February 17 | No School-Presidents Day |
February 20 | ALMS Member Meeting 12pm-1pm Mulcahy |
February 21 | No School-RE Congress for Teachers |
February 28 | Annual Auction Dinner and Dance-”A Mardi Gras Masquerade” |
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.
Yearbook Advertisement Flyer
Auction Tuition Raffle Information Flyer
Sports Theme Non Uniform Dress Day Flyer
OLA Annual Auction & Dinner – Get Your Tickets Now!
Don't miss OLA’s biggest event of the year! Join us for an unforgettable evening of dinner, entertainment, and exciting live and silent auctions on Friday, February 28, 2025, at Zachari Dunes on Mandalay Beach.
Last day to purchase tickets is February 11! Secure yours now before it's too late!
Each paid ticket includes a welcome drink, plated dinner, and entry into the Tuition Voucher Raffle for a chance to win one full year of OLA tuition!
Buy your tickets in the office or online today: https://paybee.io/@ola@1
We look forward to seeing you at our biggest fundraiser of the year!
TK & Kindergarten Applications are now being accepted for the 2025-2026 school year. If you or someone you know is interested in our TK or Kindergarten program please have them complete an application on our website olaventura.org. Assessment will take place in March. Current TK students do not need to complete an application. Any questions please contact the school office 805-642-7198.
Amazon Wish List Links
Each class has created a list of items that would be helpful in their classrooms. Please click on the class below if you would like to donate an item. Remember every $15 spent earns 1 parent hour. If you choose to have the item shipped directly to the school,Please complete the gift receipt when completing your purchase so we can get the item to the correct classroom and give you a little shout out.
ALL About Local (formerly Axxess Book)-$40 yearly membership provides you with access to a downloadable app used to provide discounts at local merchants. New merchants added weekly.
All About Local is designed to connect local merchants, our community, schools and organizations for the good of all.
Local Fundraising-How a purchase can help our school-
The $40 Membership Helps Raise $15 for Your School!
Memberships Books with activation codes available in the school office. Cash or checks payable to OLA
Hot Lunch
Click Here to Order
A few things to keep in mind when ordering with Choicelunch -
Our regular ordering deadline to order from the full menu is 9 am the day before lunch will be served. After 9 am the day before lunch has passed, you will be given the option to order an entree-only lunch, up until 9 am the day lunch will be served or until lunches sell out.
Lunch can be canceled as late as 9 am the day before it will be served for 100% credit. After this point in time, the lunch will be sent to the school and there is no credit given.
You can also find our FAQ here - https://help.choicelunch.com/hc/en-us
OLA Parish Events
🌿 Join Us for SoulCore at OLA! 🌿
Parents, take a moment to nourish your body, mind, and soul with SoulCore—a unique prayer experience that combines the prayers of the rosary with core strengthening, stretching, and functional movement.
Led by former OLA mom, Mary Fedde, this class welcomes all fitness levels—no prior experience or knowledge of the rosary is required. You don’t need to be Catholic to enjoy the spiritual, physical, and meditative benefits of this practice. All are welcome!
📅 WHEN: Thursday mornings at 8:30 AM, beginning February 27, 2025
📍 WHERE: Mulcahy Hall
💰 COST: No fee, but a suggested donation of $10 for those able
👕 DRESS: Comfortable clothing or sportswear
🧘 BRING: A fitness mat (if you have one)
For more information, visit www.soulcore.com or contact Mary Fedde at maryfedde@yahoo.com.
We hope to see you there! 🙏✨
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
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!
APA BOARD
Have questions or are interested in joining us? The APA meets the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 6pm. We’d love to see you! Email us at: APAboard@olaventura.org.
The Assumptions Parent Association (APA) Board is dedicated to supporting our school through event planning and fundraising efforts throughout the year. We invite you to join in on the fun by becoming a part of one of our committees:
Hospitality: Assist in organizing events and showing appreciation to our teachers and staff.
Communications: Help keep our school community informed about upcoming events.
Volunteer: Coordinate parent volunteers for various school activities and events.
Fundraising: Plan and support our fundraising efforts.
If you’re interested in joining a committee or learning more about what we do, please reach out to us at Apaboard@olaventura.org. We look forward to working together to make this year a great one for our students and school!
If you’d like to learn more about how you can support our school and get involved with the Assumptions Parent Association Board, please reach out to us at Apaboard@olaventura.org. We look forward to working together to make this year a great one for our kids!
The digital marquee birthday flier is available in the school office. Announce your child's next birthday on the OLA marquee! Announcement cost is $15
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. 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
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: None at this time.
Protecting God’s Children (Initial Course) In the Santa Cruz Room. To register please call the OLA Church Office for more information at 805- 642-7966.
Keeping the Promise Alive (Re-Certification Course): To register please call the OLA Church office for more information at 805- 642-7796.
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