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OLOL Families, It is the first day of Fall and we have been blessed with some exceptional weather. We are so lucky to have this weather as it allows us to spend more time in our outdoor learning spaces. We are into our second full week of school and everyone is working to support one another, faculty and staff, students and families, all while being as safe as we can and trying to keep everyone healthy. Important News & Updates to Share: Additional School Day Coming: As we have evaluated our reopening plan, the effectiveness of on campus instruction, and the manageability of maintaining high safety precautions, we are ready to open on campus instruction for a 4th day each week for the month of October. Starting Friday, October 2nd we will have on campus instruction resume. We will continue with virtual Monday classes as we are doing now, with the exception of the two closed days in October: Columbus Day on Oct. 12 and ADW Professional Day Oct. 26. Getting Back to Mass: We will also be working with Father Rob and Father James to schedule Friday Mass for our students. We will consider our options to ensure distance and total students involved, and share our plans next week. We are so excited and grateful to gather as God's family to celebrate Mass together. Back to School Night: It is starting to feel like a real school year as we seem to be racing toward the end of September just ahead of us. This week we will join together for Back to School Night at 6pm, Thursday, September 24. This night will be an online meeting using Zoom and we will bring you information on how the year has started, introduce you to our faculty and staff (without their masks), and pray together as we begin our school year. Zoom link information: Back to School Night https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86337725851?pwd=Z29NNkdyVmpMMjJBQjVHejZOYnVBdz09 Meeting ID: 863 3772 5851 Passcode: BTSN2020 We are altering the format of our evening to offer our families the best use of their time and to bring you the information you need. Our methods of communication between teachers, administrators, and families has drastically changed over the years and so many of the things that were important about a Back to School Night, such as sharing classroom information, schedules, routines, and procedures, have already been shared. The best part about Back to School Night was welcoming everyone back into the building and sharing your child's learning spaces, meeting the teacher in his/her workplace, and connecting with other parents. In this time of distance we are finding new ways to connect parents through the HSA and parent Zooms, small in-person events, and creative new ways to keep in touch. Our teachers miss the chance to meet face to face with their student's parents, which so often occurred before morning prayers or quick conversations at dismissal. This year we will have a general meeting for all parents, faculty and staff at 6pm. Then at 6:30pm the middle school parents will remain for a 15 minute meeting with the middle school teachers and administrators. Following that meeting, the 8th grade will have a High School Preparation meeting with Mr. Dwyer, Mr. Long, Mrs. Helms, and myself to discuss the process ahead, dates and details. The parents of students in Preschool 3's through 5th grade will have an opportunity to sign up for "Meet & Greet" conferences with their child's teacher. These are optional conferences available for parents to meet the teacher, introduce themselves, share a little about their family and their child, and check on their child's transition back to school after such a long time away. This is an opportunity to make a personal connection with the classroom teacher and share information about how the school year has started from the parent and teacher perspectives, and not the academic conferences that will be scheduled later in the year. We hope that these changes will help us all to reconnect home and school at this successful point in our reopening plan. Click the Agenda for BTSN meeting times and conference sign ups for parents in LG - Grade 5. If you would like to attend a "Meet & Greet" please sign up ASAP, the deadline to sign up for these scheduled conferences is this week, Friday, September 25. It feels like old times at OLOL because we are also planning our first "FUNdraisers".
Thanks & Reminder: A note about Family Finance Survey for Federal and State funds. Thank you all for doing such a great job, we had 98% of our families participate. A+ job. Thanks for your help with this important information to ensure we get our share of any funds available. Don't forget to read the Parent/Student handbook and fill out the parent acknowledgment form by Sept. 30. We need 100% of our parents to do that and have that form on file for each family. The parent handbook is on our private parent page - One MOORE thing.. Daily Edition. Check your email for the password.
 Wow, one partial week down, how many more to go? ... but seriously, it was a terrific start to a new school year during a difficult and unprecedented time for all of us! The building was full of happy voices and beautiful smiles. OLOL is blessed to be back at school, both on campus and off campus! We have worked very hard to get back to what we remember as "school". Our teachers and staff are working diligently to keep the highest level of safety for themselves, all our students, and our families. We are getting used to different schedules, more breaks, wearing masks, more time outside, scheduled cleaning and bathroom breaks, and so much more. We are doing all of these things with patience and a positive attitude. Next week we start a full week of our blended and distance learning models and we look forward to a few weeks to settle into a routine. Routines make things start to feel more "normal".
Today we remember the devastation our country suffered on 9/11 and we pray that people around the world will open their hearts and minds to the beauty of life, freedom, and the gift that God gives us to live a human life as brothers and sisters, so that this kind of terror will not happen again. We remember all those who lost their lives, all the heroes who ran into danger in the hopes of helping someone else, and all those who served and continue to serve to protect our great nation. Today we pray for peace, we pray for safety, and we pray for the strength to live our lives in the presence of God and reflect His love to all those around us. Coming up:
Have a wonderful weekend! May God go with you, Ms. Moore What an amazing accomplishment! We made it back to our beloved home at OLOL! Our faculty and staff continued to shine this week as they welcomed back students to both on campus and virtual learning. I am so appreciative of all the hard work it has taken to bring us all back together, whether in person or online, as one OLOL family. This continues to be a difficult time for all of us, but we strive to make the most of every day and every opportunity God gives us.
Orientation week was a success and beginning the year slowly was thoughtfully planned so that we could evaluate and change those plans as needed for the safety of all. After evaluating the effectiveness of the procedures for arrival and dismissal we have made significant changes to plan. This week we were only working with two classrooms at a time, but we found the carpool line to expose our children to dangerous situations with moving vehicles at both arrival and dismissal. We hope that these new changes will provide the best precautions for safety and in utilizing our resources. Please CLICK HERE for all the details about our new plans. We will practice this new system next week when we have roughly half of our students on campus for two days for preschool through 4th grade (Sept. 8 & 9) and two days for 5th through 8th grades (Sept. 10 & 11). There is a new page on our private website that will hold all the virtual schedules you will need for next week and for the following weeks when we have our Monday & Friday virtual learning days. SCHEDULES FOR VIRTUAL LEARNING If you ordered uniforms they will be available for pick up next week:
Thank you for all your support. We are looking forward to our first full days of on campus learning next week! Have a wonderful Labor Day Weekend! Best, Ms. Moore We are almost there...As the teachers, staff, and I finish our work week we are filled with anticipation for our students to return. The classrooms are awaiting some finishing touches, we are having water stations installed next week, we have purchased new cleaning and sanitizing equipment, we have created new plans and procedures for arrival and dismissal, we have created schedules that utilize indoor and outdoor spaces, and we are working on our lessons and activities to welcome our students back into a supportive and nurturing environment. The teachers and staff have been amazing, always positive and excited about getting back to the work they love. We had an outstanding crew of alumni here this week to help the teachers move furniture and boxes, hang bulletin boards, and so much more. We are so grateful for their service to our school! Of course not everything has gone smoothly (when does it?), we are still waiting for some deliveries of supplies and desk shields but we are hopeful that everything will arrive by September 8. We have had a change in our 7th grade homeroom and middle school math and science. Fortunately, we are blessed and so thankful that Mrs. Helms will step in temporarily as homeroom teacher and Mr. Dwyer will teach all the middle school math as we continue to interview for the position. Uniform orders will not be completed by Orientation Week. If we have orders ready we will have them for you during a scheduled orientation or a visit to campus to pick up materials for distance learners. Once we have all the items fully stocked we will be able to complete all orders and notify our families. We will let you know about plans for the first days of school uniforms if we find that these items will not be ready by September 8. Please see the "One MOORE thing... Daily Edition" for schedules, new procedures for arrival and dismissal and more. I will be updating this page throughout the weekend. It is a good site for our families to bookmark and look to often for the most up-to-date information about all things OLOL! Thank you to all of our families who have contributed to the Health & Safety fund. We have spent over $10,000 so far to purchase items such as desk shields, wall mounted hand sanitizer dispensers, PPE, plexiglass, new water stations, misting disinfecting machines, student supplies, and more. We have collected $4000 in donations to date. If you can help please see our school store to donate to the Health & Safety Fund. This has been a year like no other in our lives and we carry on with determination, commitment, and faith... one step at a time. I like to think of the "Footprints in the Sand" poem. When things are tough we often wonder to ourselves, "why me", "why now", "why isn't God helping me". These are the times when we look back at the footprints in the sand and we see two sets of prints that are now only one. In this poem we see that in our times of trouble, pain, suffering, and hardships that God has not left us alone, He has not abandoned us. He is carrying us. That lone set of footprints in the sand belong to our Heavenly Father and with every step we have been supported and cradled in His loving arms. The picture that I see in my mind when I read this poem connects me with God and fills me with grace, perseverance, and strength. I'm sure we can all think of days when we have felt God by our side, guiding us along our path. This year when we look back (or even forward to the unknown that lies ahead) we remember with praise and thanksgiving that we will be alright because we are not alone, not in one single step or set of footprints in the sand. May God go with you, Ms. Moore  Hello OLOL families, I hope this message finds you well. I am happy to say I have a joke of the day to share with you thanks to Jacob Lang. (see below) This evening we welcome Spring and the weather is forecasted to be lovely the next two days (minus some rain). I hope everyone enjoys some fun, peace, and laughter. I’m going to make sure to watch Lunch Doodles with Mo Willems today at 1pm, find a quiet place to say the Rosary at 4pm, and I will be following our online learning all day. I have seen some great things being done at home and sharing with teachers through Google Classroom, Class Portals, IXL, and great pictures and videos! It’s wonderful to stay OLOL strong in this time apart! Have a blessed day, Ms. Moore A few reminders: Yearbook Ads If you want to buy a quarter, half, of full page ad in our Yearbook please see the flyer on our homepage and email Ms. Norton all the details. These are due Fri., Mar. 20. Payments for the ads can be made online at our school store. Order Yearbooks: if you would like to place an order for the Yearbook you must use the site below and place your order by April 1. PLEASE NOTE- 8th graders DO NOT need to order, one is ordered for them from the graduation fee collected. https://freedphotography.simplephoto.com/prepay/40744625?code=OLOL1920YB The password is: OLOL1920YB (see flyer below) Today at 4pm the Pope has asked us to say the Rosary with him: Amid worsening conditions related to the global coronavirus outbreak, Pope Francis urged Catholics to unite spiritually to pray the rosary simultaneously on the Feast of St. Joseph. The pope invited every family, every individual Catholic, and every religious community to pray the Luminous mysteries on Thursday, March 19 at 9:00 pm Rome time. The initiative was initially proposed by the bishops of Italy. Accounting for the time zone difference, the time indicated by the pope would be 4 p.m. Thursday for faithful on the East Coast. Translation of the Pope's message: Tomorrow we will celebrate the Solemnity of Saint Joseph. In life, work, family, joy and sorrow he always sought and loved the Lord, meriting the praise of Scripture as a just and wise man. Always invoke him with confidence, especially in difficult times, and entrust your lives to this great Saint. I join in the appeal of the Italian bishops who in this health emergency have promoted a moment of prayer for the whole country. Every family, every faithful, every religious community: all united spiritually tomorrow at 9 p.m. in the recitation of the Rosary, with the Mysteries of Light. I will accompany you from here. We are led to the luminous and transfigured face of Jesus Christ and His Heart by Mary, Mother of God, health of the sick, to whom we turn with the prayer of the Rosary, under the loving gaze of Saint Joseph, Guardian of the Holy Family and of our families. And we ask him to take special care of our family, our families, especially the sick and the people who are taking care of them: doctors, nurses, and volunteers, who risk their lives in this service. Joke of the Day- Thank You to Jacob Lang, Gr. 2!Happy Birthday to:  Hello OLOL families!
I watched the sun come up this morning as I was looking over returned work, online conversations, and pictures from our amazing students. It kept me smiling and thinking of our wonderful school and community. I hope that you all are doing well. This is an unusual time for all of us and I have three words I seem to keep coming back to: unprecedented, fluid, and balance. We need to focus on our families and follow the directions of our nation's medical and political officials who are working hard to protect us in this unprecedented time. Things are changing every day. Things that we rely on and expect to be available, are not. School is out, major sports are cancelled or postponed, movie theaters and restaurants are closed, and so on. In this time we have to look to God first and our faith to keep us strong. Then we look to the family around us and find a balance in our day. These are days filled with new information, challenges, and blessings if we look for them. I am a planner, an organizer, and an over-thinker. We've only been out of school for 2 days and I have not found the balance that I need, yet. I hope you have some time to be with family, help your children to schedule their day, and find time for yourself. This is a time to find some blessings in all this mess. We are blessed to have such wonderful and dedicated teachers. They are working each day to find new ideas and ways to stimulate their students while they are away from school. Keep them in your prayers as I know they keep you in theirs. You have always been the first educator of your child and now more than ever your children need your strength, protection, guidance, and love. Our distance learning is helpful and is a positive force in keeping our community connected during this time. Please remind your students that there are lots of ways to learn. This is a special time because we can slow down a bit and realize that we need to teach our kids how to have a conversation, how to write in complete sentences that convey a complete thought, how to set a table, how to do the laundry, or how to fold a fitted sheet (I still struggle with that one). The online learning and communications are just one part of a balanced day. Please also remind older students that we expect all the online assignments to be done at some time, but there is no mandatory day to finish and no penalty for late work. Everyone has a unique situation at their own homes, just encourage students to do work each day, if possible. I keep you all in my prayers as we face each new day, together is spirit. A blessing for today: A NEW BABY HAS ARRIVED ~ CONGRATULATIONS TO THE TIMMS FAMILY! Adriana let her friends know through Google Classroom yesterday. I don't have all the details but will share as soon as I know more. May God go with you, Ms. Moore Happy St. Patrick's Day! I hope this email finds everyone well. Times are troubling, but we must do what we can to make the most of every day. One of the first things I missed over the last two mornings was our daily prayer, birthday announcements, pledge and patriotic songs. I would like to keep our communication in this way open, if possible. I would like to post daily recordings of students saying either the Pledge of Allegiance, singing a Patriotic Song (any of the ones we do throughout the year), leading us in the Morning Offering and the Lord's Prayer (our prayer for March), and telling a joke of the day. If you would like to create a video of your child(ren) or family saying a prayer, singing a song, or even telling a joke, please send me your videos. I will create a daily "One MOORE thing..." post and include the videos each day. I will also post the birthday announcements that would have been on our TV in the front lobby so that we can keep the birthday girl or boy in our own daily prayers. If you are interested in creating and sending your videos, please consider recording varying items from our morning routine so that I have enough to fill each morning. Please note, for privacy concerns, that the images will be posted here on our website. A list of items needed:
Thanks for your help! May God go with you, Ms. Moore We missed a couple of birthday celebrations yesterday! Please see below. Remember, when we come back to school the children are welcome to have their birthday tag day and celebration whenever it is convenient for your family. Happy Birthday to:
Dear Parents,
I hope this letter finds you well. We find ourselves in an unprecedented time, and we keep all the ill and suffering in our prayers. At OLOL we are working to be prepared for whatever is required of us for the safety of all students, families, and faculty. I am in regular contact with the Secretary of Education from the Catholic Schools Office in the Archdiocese of Washington. Their team is connected with local health departments, government agencies, county school systems, and all the authorities who make decisions for the safety of all Maryland residents. We do not have any information at this point about school closings. We will follow Montgomery County Schools for emergency closings. Our teachers are preparing resources and distance learning opportunities for our students and their families in the case of an extended closure. The Secretary of Education, Bill Ryan, will continue to share news and information regarding the Coronavirus, schools, and any schedule changes with our community. We are well prepared and supported by the Catholic Schools Office and thank them for their leadership. In order to allow parents to make choices in the best interests of their families, we are cancelling the 9am Choir performance at this Sunday's 9am Mass (Mar. 15). No other cancellations or postponements are scheduled at this time. The Lenten Food Bags went home in today's Wednesday Folder. Please read the directions on the bag and help us to support this cause by returning your bag to school by next Friday, March 20. May God Bless and keep you, Ms. Moore It's a beautiful day inside and out at OLOL! Students are enjoying the sunshine, birds singing, and lots of learning is taking place. I think I even saw a few students enjoying some extra recess on a fresh and sunny day! It is a bit quiet in the building since our 4th, 6th, and 7th is in Annapolis today advocating for Catholic schools in Maryland. They have a beautiful day ahead and even had a chance to take a picture this morning with Governor Hogan. (see the picture below)  LIONS' ROAR!
Parents - it is time to register for the Lions' Roar! Please go to Lions' Roar Kate Truax 5K/1K to register, sponsor, and donate items/money for our raffle baskets. The first 100 students registered will be entered in a raffle drawing to win a prize! Registrations should be in by April 3rd in order to ensure that your receive the t-shirt size you request. Sponsorships must be received by Mar. 31 in order to be on our promotional materials and t-shirt. Tuition, re-enrollment, and financial assistance:
Upcoming Events:
Parents, Today we did something that we have never done before at OLOL... the whole school went to Mass together! All our students from Little Group to 8th grade attended the Ash Wednesday Mass. It was a wonderful experience to celebrate the Mass as a whole OLOL family. The littlest students did a fantastic job and they had the kind friendship of their 7th grade buddies just in case they needed a helping hand. Sicknesses: Please keep your child home if they are showing signs of illness. We have several children coming down with fevers and a few cases of the flu. If your child is sent home with a fever they may not return to school until they have been fever free for 24 hours. We need everyone's help in order to stop the spread of germs at school. Lions' Roar 2020! The link to sign up, sponsor, and donate is open and ready for you! This year when you donate make sure to support one of our classroom teams! https://runsignup.com/Race/MD/Bethesda/LionsRoarKateTruax5K1K# We need your help to make the Lions' Roar Baskets a big success! Can you donate tickets, trips, lodging, or gift cards? We are putting together baskets that highlight events and activities. Please let us know as soon as possible how you can help. Fill out the survey: forms.gle/21dEKvN71Q8uP93r8 Saturday, Feb. 29 at 6pm: It's not too late to buy tickets for Thumbelina at Imagination Stage! Come by the front office and fill out your order Thursday or Friday. Cash or check payments. Tuition, re-enrollment, and financial assistance:
Calendar Dates for the 2020-2021 school year: I will have a list of dates for families by next Wednesday. For now I have just a few important dates to mark on your calendars. August 31: School Begins: Welcome Home Orientation Hour 8 - 9am, all families welcome to visit the classrooms and join us for prayer at 9am. 12:10 Early Dismissal - ASC provided Dec. 18: Last day before Christmas Break; 12:10 dismissal- NO ASC Jan. 4 Classes Resume after Christmas Break June 11: Last Day of School; Dismissal 12:10-NO ASC Important Yearbook Ad information- see the flyer below. God bless, Ms. Moore 
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