From the Desk of the Principal…February 2, 2022
Happy Catholic Schools Week!
Prayer for Catholic Schools
Dear Lord,
Continue to bless our Catholic Schools. May our students share their faith with all those they meet.
May our classrooms be filled with learning encouragement, and the gift of Your Holy Spirit.
May Catholic education grow so Your good news can be taught to children around the world.
Pope Saint John Paul II said, “Catholic education is above all a question of communicating Christ, of helping to form Christ in the lives of others.”
Ordinary time celebrates our daily walk with Jesus through the examples of the Saints and the intercession of the Holy Mother. The Church recognized Ordinary Time as time for growth and maturation, a time in which the mystery of Christ is called to penetrate ever more deeply into history until all things are finally caught up in Christ. The goal, toward which all of history is directed, is represented by the final Sunday in Ordinary Time, the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe.
The Virtue for the Month of February is Honesty: Being trustworthy and true
Everyone wants to be a person of integrity. To have integrity we need to let our faith carry through to every part of our lives. When our words match our actions, we are trustworthy and true. The eighth commandment, “you shall not bear false witness,” commands us to be honest in all we say and do. Yet a mature person also knows when it is better to say nothing at all: we might sound good, but no one really thinks we’re virtuous when we say something unkind followed by “but it’s true!” That actually makes us sound untrustworthy - the opposite of honesty. It shows the opposite of integrity. If you want to be a person of honesty and integrity, the next time you’re hesitant to say something just ask yourself three questions: Is it true? Is it kind? Is it helpful?”
Honesty is an excellence of character that promotes trust, fosters healthy relationships, strengthens organizations and societies, and prevents harm.
Our students are learning the virtue of honesty through the example of the Saints. The Saints they will be learning from this month are Blessed Francesco Marto and Jacinta Marto for grades Preschool through Second grade, St. Kateri Tekakwitha for grades Three through Five and St. Athanasius for grades Six through Eighth.
Calendar/Newsletter Highlights
Contents of Brown Envelope
Valentine Grams Flyer
Activities/Events
Transitional Kindergarten & Kindergarten Registration 2022 - 2023
Open House Feb. 3 from 6pm - 7:30 pm
TK & Kindergarten Registration for Fall 2022 -2023
TK & Kindergarten Registration - If you have a child that will be entering TK or Kindergarten for the 2022-2023 school year, please fill out the online application and submit ASAP. We will be sending out screening letters soon.
Come ! Join us for our Open House during Catholic Schools Week on Thursday, February 3, from 6pm to 7:30 pm. Come visit the classrooms, talk to teachers, and see the wonderful things students have created. Come to enjoy the rich learning environment imbued with our faith. We look forward to welcoming you to our school.
EDGE Middle School Youth Ministry will kick-off the Spring semester this Wednesday, Februrary 2 from 6-7:30pm in the Santa Cruz Room (Parish Center Patio next to T-K). Junior high youth in grades 6-8 are welcome. Please contact OLA youth minister, Gabe Rivera, for more information at youthministry@ola-vta.org or 805-642-7966 x121.
APA BOARD CORNER
“Starry Nights/City Lights” Auction event will take place on Saturday April 30th, 2022. Our LARGEST and most IMPORTANT fundraising event of the school year is fast approaching and we NEED YOUR HELP! The APA Board welcomes everyone’s active participation in procuring desirable goods, services and experiences for the auction.
Do you have or know anyone who has access to:
A vacation home/condo or cabin in a fun destination? A professional or collegiate sport/team or athlete?
Connections to anyone in the movie, television or music industry?
Any other fun big-ticket items that you can think of donating?
We have a list of local businesses and individuals who have donated to prior auctions. We invite new businesses and friends to join the OLA Auction and make it a success! Please contact Erin Canavan canavan1@gmail.com if you would like to suggest an item or join the procurement team.
The next APA meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 8th, 2022 at 6:30pm. If you are interested in attending or joining the board please contact Jen Colitti at jengirlc@gmail.com
Testing
We are able to offer a Rapid Antigen Test to our school community. These tests are available through the PCR testing company - Covid Testing Appointments, LLC. These tests needed to be taken on campus along with the PCR test.
We have at home tests from the Ventura County Emergency Services - Medical Services Agency these tests are able to be sent home with our students. These tests are self-tests at home results in 15 min. - iHealth COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test. Please contact Gina Ravenscroft at gina@olaventura.org or Jennifer Colitti at jennifer@olaventura.org. You are also welcome to come into the office and pick up tests for your family.
Student Council Sponsored Events for January:
Catholic School Week
January 30th - February 4, 2022
Sunday, Jan. 30, “Celebrate our Parish”
Student Council members visited each class and encouraged students to attend Mass with their families wearing their school uniforms. Our students made cards that were distributed to the parishioners by the Student Council members.
Monday Jan. 31, “Celebrate our Community”
Our Commissioner of Religious Affairs led our school in a prayer for our community before praying the Angelus Prayer. Student Council members visited each classroom to speak about why we celebrate Catholic Schools week. Eighth grade student council members visited every class to educate each class about Tender Life.
Tuesday Feb. 1, “Celebrate our Students and Families”
Each class will show why they love our school by answering the following questions and posting them outside their classrooms.
What we love about our school grades TK -2
OLA is amazing and here’s why…grades 3 - 5
We Love OLA for so many reasons like… grades 6-7
Here is why 8th grade has loved OLA from the start.
Wednesday, Feb. 2 “ Celebrate our Nation”
Students show their patriotic spirit by wearing Red, White & Blue. We began our day with a Raising the Flag Ceremony with the Student Council and Scout Troop 3192 . We will be led in a prayer for our Nation by our Commissioner of Religious Affairs preceding our school Angelus Prayer.
Thursday, Feb. 3, “Celebrate our Vocations” (Priest and Deacons)
The Student Council and OLA student body made a “Thank You” video for our Priests and Deacons. The student body with the guidance of our Student Council will create chalk drawings as a “Thank you” to our Priest and Deacons in the front of the school.
Friday, Feb. 4, “Celebrate Our Faculty and Staff”
Thank you posters for our Faculty and Staff made by the Student Council will adorn our Halls
Reporting Absences
Please go onto our website to report absences. Use the Button located on the homepage of the website. The website generates a form which is given to the teacher daily. Thank you.
The digital marquee birthday flier is available in the office. Enjoy announcing your child's next birthday on the OLA marquee! Announcement cost is $10.
AmazonSmile is a website operated by Amazon that lets customers enjoy the same wide selection of products, low prices, and convenient shopping features as on Amazon.
The difference is that when you shop at https://smile.amazon.com the AmazonSmile Foundation donates 0.5% of the purchase price to our school.
Please choose Our Lady of the Assumption School - Ventura. Thank you!
FAQs about Amazon Smile:
https://smile.amazoncom/gp/chp...
Masks on Campus:
Please remember to wear masks when you enter our campus or wait in line to pick up students. We are doing so to protect our vulnerable populations that are not vaccinated. Thank you for your cooperation and support.
COVID Test Site
We are partnering with COVID Testing Appointments, LLC to offer no-cost COVID -19 Test to our school community and its families. Their mission is to “Provide No Cost COVID Testing and Services to the masses assisting schools, business, and our communities.” Most results are in 24-48 hours.
The testing packets are available in the office. Our lab pick up days will be on Tuesdays and Thursdays by noon.
Office Hours: The best times to conduct school business in the office are
8:30am - 12:00
Lunch-Closed (12:00-12:50)
12:50 - 2:15pm
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 12:00pm or after 12:50pm.
VIRTUS TRAINING:
Archdiocese of Los Angeles
Office of Safeguard the Children
VIRTUS® Protecting God’s Children and
Keeping the Promise Alive Zoom Sessions
The Office of Safeguard the Children is proud to sponsor a series of VIRTUS® Protecting God’s Children Zoom Sessions. These sessions are for Clergy, staff, and essential volunteers. Those whose current VIRTUS certificate has expired and needs to take Keeping the Promise Alive or are new to their position and have never taken the Protecting God’s Children training. If you want to register for a session, please check the date you wish to attend and fill out the information below. You must also sign the “Adults Only” Agreement and return both forms to Brenda Cabrera at bmelendez@la-archdiocese.org. Once Brenda receives your request, then she will email a confirmation with your Zoom session details. Note: Sessions are limited to 30 participants and are on a first-come basis.
OLA Church is offering in person training for both Keeping the Promise Alive and Protecting God’s Children. These sessions will be led by Dea Boheme. Please call Dea at 805. 390 .1260 to reserve a spot.
Classes on Campus will possibly resume in February,2022.
ALL SESSIONS WILL BE HELD IN THE SANTA CRUZ ROOM. ALL SESSIONS BEGIN AT 6 PM.
OLA Students aim for the S.T.A.R.S:
SHOW AND LIVE THEIR FAITH
THINK CRITICALLY AND WORK COOPERATIVELY
ACTIVELY MAINTAIN A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE
RESPECT OURSELVES AND OTHERS
STUDY AND LEARN