Cub Scout Campout

Last weekend, the members of OLS Cub Scout Pack 51 and their families went camping at Beaumont Reservation. The boys and their siblings hiked, explored a creek, and worked together to prepare their meals.

They also enjoyed the numerous specialty areas at Beaumont, such as a pirate ship, mine, maze, and frontier fort. When they tired of exploring, the boys and their families shared stories and ate s'mores around a campfire. They can't wait to go again in the fall!

TBT: Kindergarten Easter Egg Hunt

The kindergarten class had a blast searching for eggs during their Easter egg hunt a few weeks ago!!

The Faces of OLS: Logan

In our final installment of the Faces of OLS, we'd like you to meet Logan, a 2nd grader in Mrs. Huelsing's class. She shared with us that "Logan loves to contribute in class. He enjoys math and working math problems on the board. Logan is a good speller and writes creative sentences using his vocabulary words. He is a great asset to the class!"

Logan (center) and his siblings.
All proud members of the OLS family!

What is your favorite part of your school day?  "The middle of the day because there is lunch and recess."

What is your favorite subject in school?  "Math."

What is something you've learned this year that surprised you?  "Learning about First Communion."

What is your biggest challenge at school?  "My timed tests (in math)."

Logan (center) and his classmates work on a math assignment.

What sports do you play at OLS?  "I play baseball, basketball, and soccer."

Do you participate in other extracurricular activities at school?  "I go to the sock hops."

Why do you love OLS?  "I learn new stuff all the time. I get to make my First Communion."

What do you want to be when you grow up?  "I want to be a carpenter."

Logan (front center) and his family

What do you like to do when you're not at school?  "Playing outside: ride my bike, shoot baskets, and play baseball."

Who are the people in your family?  "Anne, Dad, Damian, Hayle, Preston, Tyler, Elaina, and me. Oh and Walt, my dog."

7th Grade Newspapers

Mrs. Ryan and her students are always at work understanding and creating real-life writing samples. Recently, they studied newspaper writing. They spent time studying articles in the St. Louis Post Dispatch to see samples of real articles, understand the research involved, and to assess how news writing differs from other sorts of writing. You just might see their byline in the Post one day!

Schoola Clothing Drive

We are holding another Schoola clothing drive this week. Bring your donations to the Faenger Hall lobby now through Friday, April 29th. 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! 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.

6th Grade Camp at Camp Wartburg

The OLS six graders spent 3 days at Camp Wartburg.  The first day included a nature hike and creek walk,  pond study, campfire, prayers, songs and s'mores.  The second day was challenging and fun with a high ropes course followed by the zip line. On the third day, the students had some quiet time to write, sketch, and just reflect on their time at camp and then more time of course for LOTS more gaga ball!! (That's the group in the octagonal "pit" for playing gaga ball.)

Below recaps are from 6th, 7th and 8th graders!

 This week the OLS sixth grade went to Camp Wartburg for three days.  On one of those days, they did the high ropes course and the zip line.  On the zip line, they had to wait outside the tower to get a ride on the fun ride.  The height for the zip line was 30 feet.  It starts out slow, but gradually gets faster and faster.  It is a long zip line and with the help of the teachers and some of the students, they successfully got down without any injury.--6th grader Eli M.

The 6th graders went to Camp Wartburg last Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.  Most of us went on the high ropes course and finished it.  We all loved to play Ga-Ga Ball.  We had a lot of fun working and playing together.  The bus came about two hours late to take us home, so for two hours we played Ga-Ga Ball and waited.  It was the best experience of 6th grade.--6th grader Ada L.

 Every year the sixth grade class at OLS goes to Camp Wartburg.  At Camp Wartburg the best thing there was the high ropes course.  You are 30 feet up in the air and there are 7 challenges.  You had to put on a harness and a helmet and they attached you to a line above you.  You had to say, "Permission to transfer 1."  Then if they say yes, you take off one of the crab claws and attach to another line.  The same thing with the second crab claw, "Permission to transfer 2."  Then you say, "Permission to go."  If they say yes, you can go on to the next challenge.  The challenges were you had to walk across a line with rope. Another one was the leap of faith.  It's where you have to jump to the platform.  There are many others, but you have to go there to find out what the rest are.  It was scary up there because the wood poles that held everything were shaking, but I still had a good time.--6th grader Ned M.

Camp Wartburg Creek Walk--Camp Wartburg was awesome.  We went on a creek walk through freezing water.  Ducky, our camp counselor, took us through the hour long creek walk.  People were complaining at first, but then we all got used to it.  A lot of people fell in and splashed each other in the creek.  The rocks were covered in moss and were really slippery, so slippery that Maria R. fell in a million times.  When the creek walk was over we had to walk through a corn field to get to the cabins.  The creek walk was a blast.--6th grader Gabe B.    

A 7th grader Remembers Camp Wartburg:  This week the 6th graders went to camp in Illinois.  Every 6th grade class goes to Camp Wartburg to learn all about leadership and most importantly Jesus.  This camp is very religious and they treat everyone like their own.  When going to camp, you get assigned leaders. The leaders are very nice to everyone and they know how to take charge.  I bet if you ask your kids if they liked camp, they all say yes.  Camp Wartburg is an amazing experience for each and every one of us.--7th grader Brian N.

On April 13th, the 6th graders left for Camp Wartburg, and returned on the 15th.  While there, they improved their group skills, while also having fun by doing various things.  On one of the days, the 6th graders got to climb the high ropes, which is like an obstacle course which is thirty feet off the ground.  All the 6th graders had a great time and can now play Gaga ball with the rest of the upper grades, since they learned the rules.--8th grader Clayton C.

 
The weather was perfect and we all had a blast. And except for the bus company not sending the bus to pick us up, which got us back two hours later than we were supposed to, camp was fantastic!

Archdiocesan Music Festival

Last month, OLS hosted an Elementary Song Festival, which was sponsored by the Archdiocesan Fine Arts Office. Our 1st and 2nd graders joined with their peers from several other schools to sing with and for each other.

At the start of the concert, all students sang "My Country 'Tis of Thee" as a group. Each school then had a turn to perform 3 songs for their peers, families, and friends. Besides OLS, St. Louis the King, St. Margaret of Scotland, Christ the King, St. Gabriel the Archangel, and Holy Cross Academy participated in this musical afternoon. To conclude, the students all sang "Make a Joyful Noise" together, and what a joyful noise it was!

 

 

 

The Faces of OLS: Grace

This week it is our pleasure to introduce another fine OLS student, 7th grader Grace. Her teacher, Mrs. Ryan, notes that "Grace's quiet leadership and gentle demeanor brightens the 7th grade classroom every day. Each morning, her friendly smile greets classmates and teachers alike, her positive attitude uplifting everyone she meets. Don't let her shy ways fool you, though! Grace is a busy student with many responsibilities; she is an Ambassador, plays the flute in band, and takes Honors Math and English classes. In addition, her outside activities include sports and Girl Scouts. Just try to catch up with her - you might get a glimpse of her long golden braid as she takes off!"

Grace and her classmates tackle an English assignment.

What is your favorite part of your school day?  "I enjoy every part because I enjoy learning new things."

What is your favorite subject in school?  "Social Studies."

What is something you've learned this year that surprised you?  "When I dissected a pig eye, I thought I would be grossed out, but instead I found it very interesting."

What is your biggest challenge at school?  "Math."

Grace (right) and other members of the OLS Concert Band
after this year's Christmas Concert.

What, if any, sports do you play at OLS? Do you participate in other extracurricular activities at school?  "I play soccer, volleyball, basketball, and softball. I'm a school ambassador, I play flute in the school band, and I am a server."

Why do you love OLS?  "Because we have great teachers and they make learning fun."

What do you want to be when you grow up?  "A veterinarian."

Grace (right) with her siblings, who are proud OLS alums.

What do you like to do when you're not at school?  "Babysit, hang out with my friends, and play sports."

Who are the people in your family?  "Mom, Dad, my sister Lillian, and my brother Evan."

Is there anything else you'd like us to know about you?  "I love going to the beach and relaxing."

Walk-a-thon

The 4th grade, as well as the entire school, participated in our annual Walk-a-thon.  We were blessed with a wonderful day, and the children thoroughly enjoyed themselves. 

There was a little competition to see who would walk the most laps and the most steps according to their personal step trackers.  Don't forget to bring in the money that was pledged.

OLS Food Truck Friday

Join us this weekend for our 2nd Food Truck Friday! Music, food, and drinks from 5:00-8:00 in the OLS parking lot. We'll have live music by the Presentations Band, featuring OLS parent Adam Wright.

Our food vendors are sure to have something for everyone and include Rams 5 Star Kettle Corn, STL BLT, Smitty Snack Shack, Tastebuds on Tour, Kona Ice, Mel's Food Truck, Gioia's Deli, Bravados Pizzerias, and Smoke N Motion. For more details, visit the event's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/events/176796662697803/

5th grade boats

Mrs. Siekerman's 5th graders are tackling a STEM project. They are working on designing and building a boat with a rubber bad propeller.

After careful construction, they put their boat in water to test its buoyancy. They found some success but also saw ways in which they could improve upon their design. They want to make changes and launch a second trial!

Family Groups

Last week the students met in their family groups to share lunch and play games.  Mrs. Ryan's family group played a dice game called Left, Right, Center Left, Right, Center, a straightforward game of chance.

The students enjoyed the break from the routine and had fun mingling with the members of their group.

The Faces of OLS: Vlad

Vlad (2nd from left) and members of his Webelo den as they
crossed over from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts last month.

This week we're pleased to introduce another OLS student, 5th grader Vlad. His teacher, Mrs. Siekerman, remarks that he is very witty and understands complex ideas from stories. She also notes that his interests are far-ranging, including his current reading selection: a book about the stock market.

What is your favorite part of your school day? "Recess is my favorite part of the day."

What is your favorite subject in school? "Mathematics."

What is something you've learned this year that surprised you? "That radio waves bounce off an atmospheric layer in order to get to you, due to the curvature of the earth."

Vlad works on shaping a clay pot in art class.

What is your biggest challenge at school? "Spelling, it’s got to be spelling."

What sports do you play at OLS? Do you participate in other extracurricular activities at school? "I played basketball and am in band and Boy scouts."

Why do you love OLS? "The people here are nice."

What do you want to be when you grow up? "A statistician."

What do you like to do when you're not at school? "Ride my bike, play games and work on projects."

Vlad and his family

Who are the people in your family? "My Father, my Mother, my brother Levi and my Grandma."

Is there anything else you'd like us to know about you? "I have started my own business and one day I’ll be a benevolent leader."

Preschool Garden

The OLS preschoolers are hard at work learning about spring. While studying this season of new life, they read stories about seeds and learned how plants grow. Now they are putting their lesson to work by trying to grow their own seeds. These aspiring gardeners are hoping to see the fruits of their labors before the end of the school year!

1st and 4th graders STEM activity

The first and fourth graders recently paired up for a STEM activity. 

Their challenge was to create an alternative use for the Edward Jones Dome since the Rams left.  There were many creative ideas such as a bakery, homeless shelter, and animal hospital. 

Spirit Saturday: Honor Flight

All the kindergartners helped make this flag: their hand print stripes and thumb prints as the stars.  We gave it OLS student Kyle W's great-grandpa who went on the Greater St. Louis Honor Flight.

Per their website, The Mission of Greater St. Louis Honor Flight is to recognize our veterans – most urgently our World War II veterans – with a day of honor, remembrance and celebration. We do this with a one-day, all-expenses paid trip to Washington, DC to visit the World War II Memorial, built to honor their service and sacrifice. The below pictures from their time in Washington DC are courtesy of the Greater St. Louis Honor Flight. 

Upon their return from Washington DC, unbeknownst the veterans, there is a huge Welcome Home party.  Each veterans name was called as they entered the airport terminal.  Family and friends gathered, waving flags, clapping, cheering and singing along to the band.  Below are a few pictures from Kyle's family.

When  Kyle's Great Grandpa, Leo "Bud" was 18 years old, he joined the service in the United Stated Navy Air Corps. He was on active duty from 1944 to 1946. He spent that time stationed in Hawaii and Guam. In Hawaii, he spent most of the time on the beach. There was little work for them to do at this time and, so, they were able to enjoy the islands. In Guam, on the other hand, Bud had little time to do anything other than work. He stated that they barely had time to do their laundry. Most of his time in Guam was spent preparing and flying the jets. He spent a lot of time flying to Japan, specifically Okinawa. After returning from Guam, Bud was in The Navy Reserve for 15 years.

Pictures from the "Welcome Home party."  Left: Family members volunteered to carry flags as part of the event.  Top: Kyle and his Great-Grandpa Bud Rechtien.  Bottom: Kyle and cousins making "Uncle Sam" hats courtesy of the Magic house

Trish from KEZK 102.5 does Random Acts of Kindness. This link is to a video from her experience
. (Awaiting approval to link) 
KEZK Random Acts of Kindness Honor Flight Video 

OLS Speech Team

Our Speech Team did a fabulous job at the most recent meet.  We received 3 gold ribbons, 1 red ribbon, and 3 blue ribbons.  Way to go team.

1st Grade Prayers

During Lent, Mrs. Mongan and her 1st graders devoted extra time to daily prayers. They defined the four types of prayer as praise, asking, sorry, and thanks and spent each day focused on one type of prayer.

Once a week, they visited the Blessed Sacrament in the chapel to spend a few minutes in quiet prayer.

The Faces of OLS: Katie

At OLS, we pride ourselves on excellent academics, strong faith formation, and unbeatable extracurricular opportunities, but the heart of OLS is the people. The OLS community - faculty, students, parents, administration, and parishioners - make the OLS experience second-to-none. We'd like to give you a chance to meet some of the members of our wonderful community.

Today we are pleased to introduce one of our preschoolers, Katie, who is wrapping up her first year at OLS.

Katie and her family on her first day of school!

What is your favorite part of your school day? "I like to do my job. I like being the line leader!"

What is something you've learned this year that surprised you? "I learned a new song. It's called 'That is Helpful.'"

What is your biggest challenge at school? "It's hard to stay at school all morning."

Katie and her Green Room classmates listen to a story.

What do you want to be when you grow up? "A mommy. I want to make breakfast and have sons. I love breakfast!"

What do you like to do when you're not at school? "Play with Mama, jump on the couch at Papa & Grandma's, play with my dollhouse and cars."

Who are the people in your family? "Daddy (John), Mama (Leslie), Jack, and Katie."

Is there anything else you'd for like us to know about you? "I love being silly!"

Katie and her family visited Banff National Forest last summer.

Raku Firing

 

Our 6th, 7th and 8th graders made geometric solids in math and science classes.  We found the surface area and volume. We then glazed them and fired them in a raku kiln.  What a fun day!

Sacrament of Confirmation

Congratulations to our 7thGraderswho received the Sacrament of Confirmation this past Thursday evening. Throughout this past year our 7th graders have been preparing to make this bold step that completes their initiation into the Catholic Church.  

This completes their initiation into the Catholic faith and allows them the privilege to be a sponsor/godparent for others. 

 

We are proud of our 7th Graders and are grateful to their teacher, Mrs. Barb Ryan, their parents, and Confirmation sponsors for helping them prepare for this special moment.

 We were also honored to have  Monsignor Mark Rivituso, Vicar General of the Archdiocese to confer the sacrament on our young parishioners.

Angle size and shadow size

Mrs. Siekerman's class recently learned about angles in Math and then did an experiment to see angles in action. Using flashlights and classroom objects, they cast shadows from different angles. They worked in groups to measure the shadows and catalog their findings. After many trials, they discovered that smaller angles produced the longest shadows.