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!

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!

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!

Cafeteria Art

 

 The 7th graders tried their hands at painting in art class. They experimented with bold colors and big designs to make a serious statement. Their colorful works of art are showcased in the cafeteria.

 

Service to Others

Sharing generously of their time and helping those in need, these 8th grade girls spent a recent day off volunteering at the Give Kids a Smile clinic. They truly embody the OLS spirit!

Pirate Scavenger Hunt

Ahoy, mateys!

 Earlier this month, the Ambassadors hosted a pirate scavenger hunt for some of the primary students. The students gathered after school and enjoyed an hour-long pirate soiree. They sported eye patches, hunted for treasure, and munched on a few snacks. While there were a few scallywags in the group, both the younger students and the Ambassadors had a blast with this pirate adventure!

Gearing up for fun: the Ambassadors help fit eye patches on the participants.

Bringing Opera to OLS

Opera Theatre of St. Louis visited OLS recently and presented "The Pirates of Penzance." Our 4th and 5th graders participated in workshops on makeup, movement, and music, then joined the rest of the student body to enjoy the performance of "Pirates."

Happy Halloween!

The ghosts and goblins, princesses and superheroes came out in throngs to celebrate Halloween at OLS on Friday. During our annual trunk or treat event, OLS families gathered to tell jokes, share candy, and enjoy an unseasonably warm October evening.

The Halloween fun continues at school today with Halloween parties in each classroom, not to mention trick-or-treating tonight around the neighborhood. We wish you all a fun and safe celebration tonight!

OLS Spirit

Thanks to a donation from a generous member of our community, all OLS students are proudly sporting new spirit shirts! Each grade has a unique color, and students and faculty are invited to wear their new shirts each Monday. Look for these bright shirts around the neighborhood this year!

2nd & 7th Grade Rosaries

All the students at OLS are learning about and praying the rosary.   The 2nd and 7th grade prayed the rosary together. 7th grade showed 2nd grade the correct way to say the rosary including specific intentions such as for Mrs. Ryan .7th and 2nd grade are buddies!

 

 

 

Volcanoes

The 7th and 8th grade science classes have been working on a unit in earth sciences. They studied volcanos, earthquakes, and plate tectonics. To apply their studies in a hands-on way, the students built model volcanoes. Once the models were complete, they made them erupt using the chemical reaction between baking soda and vinegar.

Earth science meets chemistry for an experiment that rocks!

Sports

At OLS, many students love the opportunity to participate in sports. Wearing the black and gold uniforms is a long tradition at OLS, and today's students don their team colors with pride. 

Our 8th grade girls volleyball team shown here has played together for years. Their teamwork and cooperation is evident both on the court and off.

Subway Lunch

Members of the class of 2017 serve lunch to the primary students.

Continuing a tradition established a few years ago, the 8th grade class (and their parents) are organizing pizza lunches as a fundraiser. The class of 2017, however, has added a new twist: in addition to a monthly pizza lunch, they are also serving Subway sandwiches once per month. Students love the chance to eat new foods at lunch time, and parents love a break from packing sandwiches. It's a win-win!

Thumbs up for Subway lunch!

Concert Band

OLS is proud of its long tradition in instrumental music. Shown here, Mr. Litvin leads a low brass sectional rehearsal. The Concert Band members meet 3-4 times each week for both full band and small sectional rehearsals. The one-on-one attention in sectionals helps students grow as musicians.

Though the calendar may say October, the Concert Band is already hard at work preparing for the Christmas concert. We hope you'll join us on December 15 to hear the fruits of their labor!

Blue Day

Last week, 4th grader Aiden G organized a fundraiser to support prostate cancer research. After losing his dad to this disease, the cause is near to his heart. Aiden encouraged all students to bring $1 to school and wear a blue shirt of their choice. Each student who made a donation received a cupcake, too.

With the support of the OLS student body, Aiden exceeded his fundraising goal! Thanks to all for your generous support.

Celebrating St. Teresa

The students of OLS are dedicating this year to help continue the work of our newest saint: St. Teresa of Calcutta. In the spirit of Mother Teresa, our students will:

• visit senior citizens and pray with them
• read to younger students
• have "simple food" days
• collect money and items for the poor
• spend time in our adoration chapel for quiet prayer and reflection

The OLS student body with their pictures of St. Teresa of Calcutta.

Our students are excited to learn more about this woman who is a powerful example of mercy and love. St. Teresa of Calcutta, guide our words and our actions as we strive to be more like you.

Welcome to the new school year!

The 2016-17 school year is fully underway at OLS! Last Wednesday, we welcomed our 1st-8th grade students, and this week our youngest students join in the fun. Our kindergarten families had a special open house and pizza lunch yesterday to get acquainted. They start school today, and though there might be a few tears, we know they will quickly adjust to life in kindergarten.

This year's kindergarten students: the OLS class of 2025!

Our preschool students also started this week! We are delighted to welcome the youngest members of our school community and watch them grow and develop throughout the school year. Here's to a terrific 2016-17!

Clay creations from art class



A sampling of the clay art creations made by OLS students this year.

 

6th coil pots, mugs, bowls and other creations:

 

 4th grade rattle critters:

 7th grade clay creations of choice:

 2nd grade "dinosaurs":

5th grade coil bowls, mugs, etc.:

8th grade farewell

We are so proud of our 8th graders, the OLS class of 2016! They undertook countless responsibilities at school this year, from crossing guard to office and classroom aides. Through their hard work, dedication, and commitment to service, they set an example for the younger students, putting the OLS mission into action.

 

 

We bid a fond farewell to the class of 2016 last weekend. The students and their families celebrated their achievements and marked an end to this chapter of their life. Congratulations to our newest alums! We will miss you!