Advent Giving Tree

OLS parishioners and school families participate in the Advent Giving Tree program, which helps provide Christmas gifts to needy families in our area.  Some of our 7th grade students are helping to collect, organize, and distribute the gifts as part of their Confirmation service hours.  Our community has been exceptionally generous in donating to this program this year.

Just a small portion of the gifts OLS has purchased for needy families.

We will take a break from our regular posts while our faculty, staff, and students enjoy their Christmas break.  All of us at OLS wish you and your family a blessed Christmas and a joyful new year!

Variations on Rudolph

Rudolph, the Red Nosed Reindeer brings Christmas cheer to Mrs. Hodgson's room.

In reading, the first graders read three different versions of Rudolph, the Red Nosed Reindeer.  The students compared and contrasted each version and then created a written summary, retelling the story in their own words.  After the written work was finished, they each crafted a special Rudolph to brighten the classroom.

Buddies Share Christmas Stories

Our 7th and 2nd graders recently teamed up to celebrate the Christmas season.  The junior high students joined their 2nd grade buddies to share a snack and read some Christmas stories.  Divided into pairs, the younger students enjoyed listening to Christmas tales such as The Night Before Christmas and Santa Calls.

Listen in as one of our students reads Olive, the Other Reindeer to his buddy:

The Jesse Tree

In Mrs. Eldridge's religion class, the sixth graders worked together to create a Jesse Tree.  Each student made an ornament representing the symbols of the Old Testament and New Testament stories. This Advent activity helped prepare the students for the Christmas season and complemented their recent studies of the Old Testament.

Winter Concert

The OLS Concert Band wows the audience with their polished performance.

Last Thursday, our bands and choirs treated us to an evening of upbeat and spirited Christmas music.  Directed by Mr. Hasenstab, the Concert Band includes students in grades 5-8 while the Beginning Band is made up of 4th grade students.  Both groups played several selections, from marches and jazz tunes to variations on Christmas standards, which showcased the vast musical talent of our OLS students.

In addition to the band performance, the primary and middle grade students sang several Christmas songs.  The OLS choirs are directed by Mr. Vizer, and they performed with great poise and energy.  From the primary's Run, Run, Reindeer to the middle grades' Candy Cane Twist, the choral selections left the audience tapping its toes and cheering for more.

Spirit Saturday #9

The image of Mary that appeared on Juan Diego's tilma.

Last week, OLS hosted an Advent family night during which children learned about Our Lady of Guadalupe.  In 1531, Mary appeared in a small Mexican town to an Aztec indian named Juan Diego.  Upon hearing of the apparition, the local bishop did not believe Juan Diego's story and asked for a sign that would prove his claim.  Mary provided a sign by imprinting an image of herself on Juan Diego's tilma, a long, cloth cape worn by the Aztecs.  Seeing this proof, the bishop finally believed Juan.  Today, Our Lady of Guadalupe is recognized as the Patroness of the Americas.

At the OLS Advent night, families watched a recreation of Juan Diego's encounter with Mary and then made tilmas like Juan Diego's.

First Reconciliation

An excited second grader poses with our pastor, Fr. Pete.

On November 19th, the OLS second graders received the sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time.  Our faculty, particularly Mrs. Huelsing, worked with the students over the past several months to prepare them for this important sacrament.  We are so proud of our students as they take this big step in their faith formation!

Mrs. Huelsing leads the second graders out of church.

Breakfast with Santa

All smiles for this OLS family as they visit with Santa.

Last weekend, the OLS Home & School Association hosted their annual Breakfast with Santa.  At this popular event, school and parish families gathered to make ornaments and decorate cookies, shop in Santa's gift shop, enter gift basket raffles, and of course, enjoy pancakes and sausage before visiting with our favorite North Pole resident.  It was a wonderful morning and fun for all members of our community!

Marc Brown Month

In Mrs. Hodgson's reading class, the first graders spent the month of November learning about Marc Brown, the author of the popular Arthur series of books.  The students learned about characters, plot, and setting, as well as the different roles of authors and illustrators.  After reading the Arthur stories, the class worked together to summarize what happened in each one.

The first graders also tried their hand at Arthur-inspired art projects!  They drew portraits of Arthur in the style of Marc Brown and created Arthur masks.  To practice their spelling words, they created Arthur bookmarks, which included their short e words.

Feast of the Immaculate Conception

Yesterday, OLS was closed in observance of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.  Our faculty, staff, and students joined with other Catholics across the country to honor Mary on her feast day.

Mary, our lady of sorrows, help us to say yes when God calls us.

Spirit Saturday #8

 
Instrument cases lining the hallway can mean just one thing: the OLS band is in session!  Students in grades 4-8 are eligible to participate in the band program, receiving both small group and full ensemble instruction.  If you'd like to hear our bands perform, join us this Thursday at 7:30 in Faenger Hall for our annual Winter Concert.

Math and Thanksgiving Dinner

The sixth grade math students planned, shopped, and prepared the grocery lists for a Thanksgiving dinner.  Each student figured out the cost of a turkey dinner for the number of family and friends with whom they celebrate on Thanksgiving.  To do so, they studied the grocery store ads and then calculated the cost per person for a delicious dinner.

 Closely studying the ads, the sixth graders put math into a real-world context.

Playground Construction

The preschoolers at OLS are thrilled with a new addition that is currently underway: playground equipment!  Inclement weather has delayed installation somewhat, but the students are patiently awaiting the project's completion.  Once finished, the playground is sure to become a fan favorite!

All bundled up, the preschoolers excitedly watch the installation of the new playground.

Mass Participation and Leadership

Reading, carrying up the gifts, and singing: the OLS students do it all!

OLS students attend Mass once or twice per week with all-school Masses on Wednesdays and levels Masses on Fridays.  This fall, the first graders have been given the privilege to lead both an all school Mass and a primary levels Mass.  Their role is to read from the lectionary, lead the responsorial psalm, pray the petitions, carry up the Offertory gifts, and lead the congregation in song as members of the school choir.  Their favorite song is "Make a Joyful Noise to Our God."  You can often hear the children singing up to their classroom after Mass.

A sample of their favorite song:

The first grade parents really play an important role in their children's preparation for the Mass.  They have been such wonderful support by practicing the readings at home.  We hope that by taking on these roles as Mass leaders when they are young, our students will want to become lectors and choir members in the future.

Way to go, first grade!!

8th Grade Trivia Night

From preparations the night before to dressing up to work the event, the class of 2015 put their all into creating a trivia night for their friends and families.

Each year, the eighth grade class undertakes special fundraising efforts to help offset some of the graduation-related expenses.  In mid-November, the OLS class of 2015 hosted a trivia night for friends and family.  This pirate themed event, called a "not-so-serious" trivia night, involved hard work for all the eighth graders.  From marketing to decorations and from bussing tables to donning pirate garb, the students (and their parents!) worked together to make the night a success!

The OLS pirates of 2015.

Paper Bag Saints

The second graders proudly display their paper bag saints.

To celebrate the lives of saints during the month of November, the second graders created paper bag saints.  Each student was assigned a different saint, taught a few facts about the saint's life, and given a paper bag.  The students then learned what the saint looked like and worked to fashion their paper bag into a replica of the saint.  Once finished, the second graders toured the school, sharing their new-found knowledge of the saints with the rest of the student body.

Listen in as our second graders share their saints with you, too:

St. Elizabeth of Hungary

St. Therese of Lisieux

 St. Francis of Assisi