OLS Family

We've had an action-packed week celebrating Catholic Schools Week! We'll post details of the our activities next week, but for today, we'd like to close the celebration by expressing gratitude for our incredible OLS family. We are blessed with dedicated administration and faculty, motivated students, and committed parents. Thanks to all of you who make our community great!

We created a video highlighting the benefits of an OLS education and showing our school family in action. Take a moment to check it out by clicking :

TBT: Woodland Christmas Party

Just a small throwback this Thursday to our 7th grade's Christmas celebration last month. As independent, free-thinkers, Mrs. Ryan's students planned an unusual Christmas party.

No mistletoe or Santa for these students. Instead, they dressed as woodland creatures and celebrated with a photo booth. How's that for a creative party?!

Hallway Prayers

 The 4th graders wrote prayers of petition and thanksgiving and hung them in the stairwell. Join them in praying for the poor and infirm, and give thanks with them for all the gifts God has given to us.

"DEAR" Time

Mrs. Gantner's 3rd graders love DEAR time. In their room, DEAR means: Drop Everything And Read! The students find a cozy spot and an interesting book and enjoy free reading time.

OLS Black & Gold

This week one of our student reporters recaps the annual Black & Gold basketball tournament:

Every January we have a tournament called the Black and Gold.  It’s a big thing!  Many schools in the archdiocese play in it to win.  Every Friday of the 2 to 3 weeks is the best because it’s the championship. I like it because it’s fun to watch and play in.  

I get to hang out with my friends.  My brother played this year and they got 4th place, which was better than my team last year.  Next year my team plays again and I think we can win because we have gotten a lot better at basketball.--7^th grader Damian L.

3rd grade science

In science, Mrs. Gantner's 3rd graders are studying the moon.

They conducted an experiment to learn how moon craters were formed. The students dropped marbles into flour from varying heights to replicate the impacts that created imperfections in the moon's surface.

Buddies share Christmas stories

The 4th graders read Christmas stories to their preschool buddies on Mrs. Banahan day.

Blood Drive

On Wednesday, February 3rd, you can save a life and help OLS students by giving just one hour of your time. The Home & School Association is sponsoring a blood drive, and we're counting on you to help make it a success! The Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center, which provides blood for the entire SSM hospital system, will conduct our drive, and they will provide a grant to our school if we donate at least 20 units on the 3rd.

 

First-time donors and seasoned veterans alike can make a difference by donating. We appreciate advance appointments, but walk-ins are welcome, too. Sign up for your donation appointment either online or by calling/texting Kate: 314-882-6638.

YOU make a difference. Thank you for your generosity to OLS and to the St. Louis region.

 

Light of Christ

OLS 1st graders are proud members of the tiger den in Cub Scout Pack 51. In late December, Mrs. Mattingly awarded the Tiger cubs with a religious scouting award they had earned: Light of Christ.

To earn this recognition, the boys and their parents worked to develop a personal relationship with Jesus, seeing Him as a real person and a friend. Congratulations, scouts! 

Clay Art

 (Left) One design before firing.
(Right Top and Bottom) 7th graders glazing their pieces after the first firing.

Last month, we caught a glimpse of the 7th graders molding clay in art class with Mrs. McGrath.
The OLS 5th-8th graders molded, shaped, and painted these clay tea lights for Christmas. 

All the finished pieces.

Mrs. Banahan Day

Beloved OLS faculty member, Mrs. Banahan, fell ill this fall and remains on medical leave. Our community prays for her every day and hopes for her speedy return. In December, the entire school dressed in green - Mrs. Banahan's favorite color - to show our support and love.

Please join us in praying for Mrs. Banahan and all others in our community who are battling illness.

In song, the 7th grade wishes Mrs. Banahan a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Preschool Service Project

During Advent, the preschoolers talk and learn a great deal about the birth of baby Jesus, the importance of this one tiny baby, and the struggles of the Holy Family at the time of His birth.  Thus, during this time of preparation, the OLS preschool families worked to Fill the Manger by donating items to Our Lady's Inn and the families they serve.  The children placed their donations in the manger in the hallway outside their classrooms, so they can watch our collection grow until break.

For more information about Our Lady's Inn and their mission, please visit their website at https://www.ourladysinn.org/ 

Schoola Clothing Drive

Our Lady of Sorrows School has earned over $2600 with Schoola!

Thanks to all of you for your previous clothing, shoes, and handbag donations. They have been selling at bit.ly/OLSschoola and our school has earned 40% of the profit! Clean closets for you; funds for our students. That's win-win fundraising.

We are holding another Schoola clothing drive this week. Bring your donations to the Faenger Hall lobby now through Thursday, January 14th. Schoola accepts baby, kids, teenager, women, and maternity sized clothing, shoes, and handbags. Freshly laundered. No scuffs, stains, or rips. No socks, underwear, or bedding, please. A good motto is "If you would give it to a friend, Schoola can sell it!"

YOU make a difference! Thank you for your continued support of our school.

The Animals Christmas Eve

We have a few Christmas-themed posts to share over the coming week. Our students enjoyed an array of Christmas activities, and we didn't have time to post them all before our holiday break.

On the last day of school before Christmas break, our 2nd and 7th graders performed a play called The Animals Christmas Eve. The 2nd graders dressed as animals who might have shared the barn with the Holy Family and told the story of Jesus' birth from the animals' perspective. Their 7th grade buddies created the set, helped them prepare, and ensured that the show ran smoothly.

The 2nd and 7th graders are all smiles after a job well done.

The entire student body and many parents attended the performance and enjoyed hearing this unique telling of that first Christmas.

Happy New Year!

We hope you had a blessed Christmas season with family and friends! Our students and faculty enjoyed their break and returned this week feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. While everyone settles back into classroom routines, we will slowly resume our posting schedule.

OLS has many great things in store this semester: Catholic Schools Week, Confirmation, First Communion, band performances, speech meets, and field trips just to name a few. We look forward to sharing all of this - and more! - with you in the coming months.