Alumni Memory: Beth Haig Seright

Today we hear from Beth Haig Seright, a member of the class of 1972, who formed lasting friendships with her OLS classmates:

"I couldn't pass up the opportunity to thank OLS for my friends for life. Our ladies group is even named after Our Lady of Sorrows. We are the SSSS Girls: Second Saturday Sorrows Sisters, and like the name, we get together on the second Saturday of most months. Nothing fancy, just fun. We even plan trips together.

The SSSS Girls during a recent Saturday gathering.

We graduated in 1972 and are family. We celebrate joyous occasions and mourn together in dark times. We've married, had families, and currently are becoming new grandparents.

Fortunately, we had a wonderfully close class. We've had reunions, and we often make plans to get as many classmates together as we can. Our memories of OLS, our parents, and our teachers all made lifelong impressions on us. I wouldn't have it any other way."

We'd love to share your OLS memories, too! Send us an e-mail or comment on this post.

Alumni Memories: Mary Ryan

Today we have the first installment in our alumni series:

"My name is Mary Ruth Jacobsmeyer Ryan, and I graduated from Our Lady of Sorrows in 1936. In August of 1928, I turned five years old and started kindergarten at OLS. My kindergarten teacher's name was Mrs. Reed, but I only had her for one week. At the beginning of my second week of kindergarten, we were lining up to come in from recess when Sr. Delphina, the first grade teacher, saw me. She came up, grabbed me by the collar, and told me that I was going to be in first grade because I was too tall for kindergarten! Nobody thought it was odd at the time to skip kindergarten and be in first grade at five. So, in May of 1936, when I graduated from OLS, I was only 12 years old.

I'm sorry to see the school close. I have such fond memories of my years there."

Do you have any memories to share from your time at OLS? We'd love to hear them! Comment on this post, send us a Facebook message, or e-mail olsorrowsblog@gmail.com.

Modern Day Parables

The 7th graders recently performed skits they wrote that modernized well-known parables. One group retold the parable of the net, changing the setting to a modern bakery. The other group retold the parable of the wedding feast set in a current day junior high school. The 7th graders invited the kindergartners, first, and second graders to watch their skits. At the end, all danced together at the "feast" or party! All are welcome!

7th vs. 8th Volleyball Game

Yesterday to kick off our Catholic Schools Week celebration, the 7th and 8th grades faced off in a volleyball game while the younger students and faculty cheered them on. Though the 8th grade had the advantage of more subs, the 7th grade played with spirit and enthusiasm. Both teams had a blast, and their fans loved cheering them on!

Today, the fans and players will be reversed during our PeeWee football games. Parents are welcome to come watch the excitement at 12:30. Pics to come!

Pro Life March

On Friday, while Catholics from across the nation gathered in Washington DC to march for life, our students held their own march at school. Led by the 1st graders, the entire school processed in silence in support of all life. They first marched through the classroom hallways and then headed to the gym where the school community prayed a decade of the rosary together. Their silent procession and prayerful support of the Pro Life cause serve as a beautiful example of the faith life at OLS.

Mastering Multiplication

Ms. Schweiss's third graders are hard at work mastering their multiplication facts. They know that repetition is key to learning, so they take turns quizzing each other with their multiplication flash cards.

Celebrate our History, Share your Story!

Calling all alumni: as we say goodbye to our beloved school this semester, help us celebrate our proud history! We'd love to collect and share YOUR memories, stories, photos, and reflections from your time at OLS. Comment on this post or send us an e-mail at olsorrowsblog@gmail.com to participate in this project. We look forward to hearing from you!

Open Gym @ SJA

Join us for our next community-building Open Gym! We'll meet at St. Joan of Arc on Friday, January 27th from 6:30-8:30. If you're able, bring a snack and a 2-liter to share. See you there!

How To Book Reports

At the end of last quarter, Mrs. Huelsing's second graders worked on book reports on a nonfiction book. Specifically, they chose books that taught them how to do something. After reading the book, the students followed the instructions, created a special item, and brought it to show the class. Students chose a wide array of items to create: a wooden bench, wax gifts, origami churches, and a paper mache globe, among other things.

Black & Gold Tournament

The Annual OLS Black & Gold Tournament is in full swing! If you're looking for a fun family night of basketball, stop by Faenger Hall any night through January 20th. Admission is $2/adult, $1/child, or $5/family. Concessions available for purchase, too. See you there!

Remembering the Saints

In November, the 2nd graders learned about the lives of the saints. Each student chose a saint then created a likeness of him or her out of a paper bag. Once finished, the second grade class traveled around the school sharing information about their saint puppets. They did a great job reading and memorizing information about their saints.

Christmas Concert

Last Thursday night, all OLS students came together to celebrate the season at our annual Christmas concert. With performances by the beginning and concert bands and student choirs, the evening showcased the outstanding musical talent of our student body. The audience tapped their toes to lively performances by all the groups and ended the evening with a sing-along of Christmas favorites. While all enjoyed the beautiful performance, the evening was a bit bittersweet as it marked the last Christmas concert for our school.

Special thanks to Mr. Litvin, our band director, and Mr. Vizer, our choir director, for the many hours spent preparing for the wonderful concert!

TBT: Scouting for Food

In late November, the OLS Cub Scouts patrolled the streets in our neighborhood to collect donations for Scouting for Food. Shown here, the 1st grade Tiger den encountered a house with a pyramid of food to donate! Thanks to generous neighbors like this one and the dedicated work of Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts throughout the region, Scouting for Food collected 2.2 million items of food, the third highest total in the program's 32-year history.

First Reconciliation

Last week, our 2nd graders celebrated the sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time. Together with their families, the students participated in a brief prayer service before receiving the sacrament. Many students were a bit nervous as they made their way to the priest for confession, but all left the confessional with broad smiles and happy hearts.

Special thanks to Fr. Pete and Fr. Sigmund for hearing confessions for the 2nd graders and their family members. Thanks also to Mrs. Huelsing for preparing the students so well for this special sacrament of forgiveness.

Community Building

Families from OLS, St. Joan of Arc, and St. James the Greater gathered over the weekend to get to know one another and begin building a welcoming community. Kids shot some hoops and played a bit of gaga ball while adults supervised the chaos excitement. Both kids and adults enjoyed a chance to develop new friendships.

Plans are underway to meet again at St. Joan of Arc in January. Stay tuned for more details!

Open Gym this Saturday!

This Saturday from 6:30-9:30, our school families are invited to join families from St. Joan of Arc and St. James the Greater for an open gym night at OLS. Kids and grownups alike will have a chance to meet and mingle in a relaxed environment.

We will provide popcorn and cookies, but you are welcome to bring a snack or a 2-liter to share, too. Feel free to bring an indoor game (Twister, anyone?) to add to the basketballs that will surely be bouncing. We hope to see you there!

Breakfast with Santa

Each year, OLS families celebrate Christmas by attending the Home & School Association's Breakfast with Santa. Children explore Santa's cottage, make crafts, and shop in Santa's gift shop while the adults enter raffles for terrific gift baskets. Of course, everyone enjoys pancakes and donut holes before visiting with the man of honor. This fun-filled morning is always a hit and gets everyone in the Christmas spirit.

Special thanks to Lisa Granadillo, Brighid Kappel, Charlene Corzine, the OLS Men's Club, and all who helped to make this event a success!

Growing a Pea Plant

During the first quarter, the 5th graders covered a science unit on plant life. As part of their studies, they planted a snap pea seed and have spent the past couple of months tending to it and watching it grow. The circled area in the picture below shows the first pea pod sprouting one of the plants:

If this sample is representative of the group, we have some future gardeners on our hands!

Speech Team

Earlier this month, OLS participated in our first Bellarmine Speec Meet of the year at St. Catherine Laboure. Our team did a fantastic job! In the serious category, Anna P. received a blue ribbon. The duet teams of Maggie M. & Grace C., John K. & Morgan R., and Anna B. & Audrey B. all received blue ribbons. In the humorous category, Matilda W. received a blue ribbon while Theresa D. received a perfect score gold ribbon. We are very proud of our team!

Thanksgiving Feast

Before diving into turkey with family and friends, our 5th graders and their kindergarten buddies celebrated their own Thanksgiving feast. Each student brought food to the feast and wore headgear of either Pilgrims or Native Americans. While the menu did not quite mimic the Pilgrims' celebration, the spirit of camaraderie and joy was the same.

The students enjoyed sharing a special day with their buddy. We hope your holiday was filled with as much excitement and joy as this one!