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…March 2, 2022
ASH WEDNESDAY
Day of fast and abstinence
Joel 2:12-18. Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned – Psalm 50(51):3-6, 12-14, 17. 2 Corinthians 5:20 – 6:2. Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18.
Authentic faith does not need an audience
In Pensées, French philosopher Blaise Pascal wrote, ‘All of humanity’s problems stem from man’s inability to sit quietly in a room alone.’ The verse in Matthew touches on this. Jesus talks about not giving to the needy where others can see, or praying so that others can hear, but rather doing these things in your room where only God can see. Today you might label these public expressions of piety ‘virtue signaling’. The reminder in Matthew is not to put people off acts of public devotion, like making donations to worthy causes or putting repentant ashes on our foreheads, but rather to remind listeners that the motivation behind any practice is what matters, not the practice itself. There’s an argument that making acts of charity more visible normalizes and promotes further acts of charity, thus benefiting the needy. Whatever we do, our motivation to give should be borne from a desire to serve God, and serve the vulnerable, rather than garnering attention. Authentic faith doesn’t need anyone else to see what we do. May our acts of devotion not require an audience.
The Virtue for the Month of February is Mercy: Caring for those who suffer.
“The compassion in our hearts for another person’s misery. A compassion which drives us to do what we can to help them.” St. Thomas Aquinas
The human virtue of mercy will be both affective and effective. However, to be the authentic virtue of mercy, it must manifest two additional characteristics. First, it must be rooted in “right reason” – that is, in the truth about the sufferings of others, and what is in fact the objective “good” for the other whom we seek to help. Second, the virtue of mercy is proven in effective action for the good of others, as circumstances permit. If we merely “sympathize” with the plight of others and “share their pain” without making the best of the opportunities we have to help them, then the virtue of mercy does not abide in us to any significant degree.
Our students are learning the virtue of honesty through the example of the Saints. The Saints they will be learning from this month are St. John Vianne for grades Preschool through Second grade, St. Faustina Kowalska for grades Three through Five and St. Teresa of Calcutta for grades Six through Eighth.
Calendar/Newsletter Highlights
Contents of Brown Envelope
See’s Candy Fundraiser
Calendar Highlights
Wednesday, March 2 Ash Wednesday Mass 9:30 am SBHS Gym
Wednesday, March 2 End of the Second Trimester(Gradlink Off Parent Viewing)
Wednesday, March 2 Boys Basketball home vs. St Augustine 1 @ 3:30 pm
Thursday, March 3 Beginning of the Third Trimester
Monday March, 7 Boys Basketball home vs. St Mary Magdalen @ 3:30 pm
Wednesday, March 9 Report Cards Sent Home
Wednesday, March 9 Boys Basketball home vs. St Anthony’s
Thursday , March 10 Faculty Meeting 2pm Dismissal
Thursday, March 10 APA Board Meeting 6:30
Saturday, March 12 Kindergarten Testing 9am-11am
Monday, March 14 Boys Basketball away vs. St Augustine 2 @ 3:30 pm
Athletic Director:
Our Athletic Director, Larry Murray is retiring at the end of this year. He has been with us for the past 9 years as Athletic Director. The Murray family has a long and wonderful history with OLA. His dedication speaks to the sense of community we foster at our school. We will miss Larry very much and appreciate all the time and leadership he has given our young athletes. We will need to fill this position for the upcoming school year. If you are interested please contact Ms.Fussell.
Parish News:
EDGE Middle School Youth Ministry will not meet on 3/2 Ash Weds. We will resume with our weekly meetings starting March 9th. 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.
See’s Candy Spring Fundraiser: This is a voluntary fundraiser offering delicious See’s candy just in time for Easter. Orders are due in the school office by Wednesday March 23, 2022. Please make checks payable to OLA. Items will be distributed before Easter break.
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.
UPDATE:The next APA meeting will be held on Thursday, March 10th, 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 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.
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 with 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.
Reporting Absence
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.
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:
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 inMarch, 2022.
Protecting God’s Children training is the 3 hr sessions:
March 14, 2022: Location Santa from 6pm to 9pm
Keeping the Promise Alive these are hour and ½ session:
March 7, 2022: Location Santa Cruz Room
April 4, 2022: Location Santa Cruz Room
**ALL SESSIONS BEGIN AT 6 PM**
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