A Christ-centered community,
provides excellence in education
to meet the needs of the whole child.
August 21, 2019
Dear OLMC Parents,

It is hard to believe that we just started school a week ago.  Now that we have a full week of school behind us, the students seem to be more at peace with transitioning back to a more structured schedule.  The energy of a new school year is certainly palpable, and the halls have been filled with a joyful spirit that only children can bring.

I want to share with you a timely presentation that is taking place this Friday evening at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church.  At 7 pm, Dr. Greg Bottaro, a Catholic psychologist, will be speaking on technology addiction and the rise of anxiety in children.  His talk is entitled “Smartphones, Kids, & Anxiety: Should We Panic?” Dr. Bottaro is a clinician who focuses his study on how to “rediscover the beauty in Christ through everyday things...using Catholic mindfulness.”  I hope many of our OLMC families will be able to attend this dynamic presentation and learn how we as parents and teachers can assist our children in maintaining Christ’s spirit of peace.

I pray that this new school year will bring about many joys in the lives of your family.  As Catholic Christians, we are a people of hope. As we trust in the goodness of God, we eagerly anticipate the many blessings He plans to bestow upon us this year.  May we continue to extend His joy to all we meet this year.

In His faithful love,
Sister Maria Benedicta, O.P.
August
23 Feast Day Cookie Day $0.50 each/ limit 2
25 8th Grade CarWash 8:45a.m.-2 p.m. Athletic Field Parking Lot - fundraiser for 8th
Grade class trip
27 Meet the Teacher Night grades 5 & 6 starts at 6 p.m. in homeroom classroom
27 Meet the Teacher Night grades 1-4 starts at 7 p.m. in the Parish Hall
27 Spirit Wear & SCRIP Sales atrium 5:30-7:00 p.m.
28- Sep 3 Lands' End 25% Off School Uniforms


September
2 No School - Labor Day
4 OLMC School 63rd Birthday - Spirit Wear Day!
8 OLMC Art showcased in the World's Smallest Children's Art Gallery in Carmel
10 Yogurtz - OLMC Spirit Day
Click on the pictures below to "Get to Know" our new teachers!
Family Policy Guide Signoff Form Due Today
The PDF version of the FPG was emailed on August 1 but you can also access on the school website here: https://d2wldr9tsuuj1b.cloudfront.net/18071/documents/2019/8/FPG%202019-20.pdf
 
A bright yellow Family Policy Guide Sign-off Form was sent home last week with your youngest child. Please take some time as a family to go over the Family Policy Guide with your children, sign the form & return it to the school office. These were due today so if you have not already turned yours in, they are due immediately.

Emergency Call System Test
Friday afternoon, we will conduct a test of our emergency/inclement weather notification system. Alerts are sent via email, phone call & text. If you do not receive a notification, please email the school office at olmcschool@olmc1.org with the correct information.
SCRIP NEWS:
SCRIP sales begin during afternoon carpool, at The Rock (weather permitting), this Thursday, August 22 . We will plan to be there each Thursday, until we have to move inside to the atrium due to weather. 

We will also be selling Scrip during Meet the Teacher, next Tuesday, August 27.   
 
We also want to encourage everyone to take advantage of MyScripWallet this year.  MyScripWallet allows you to purchase Scrip online 24/7, and have the Scrip you purchase available to use via your cell phones. It significantly improves the convenience of utilizing Scrip. 

Please give it a try. If you have any questions, please contact Stephanie Lesher, stephrufe@yahoo.com .
Feast Day Cookie Day-Aug 23
Friday, Aug 23 is our next Feast Day Cookie Day. Cookies are available for sale in the cafeteria during lunch. $0.50 each - limit 2.
Students must use their PayForIt.net funds to purchase cookies.

Car Wash Fundraiser!
Eighth Grade Car Wash
August 25th
8:45am-2:00pm
Please come support the 8th Grade trip to Washington D.C. All donations go directly to helping the 8th grade class afford their class trip to Washington D.C. in the spring!
Recess Helpers Needed - Tuesdays & Fridays!
Recess is a very important part of the day at an elementary school. We desperately need 1 additional parent (in addition to the classroom teachers that are assigned recess duty) on both Tuesdays & Fridays. The children do go outside every day unless it is raining or temps are below 15 degrees so it is not recommended that younger siblings tag along. The hours are from 11:00am to 12:25pm each day paid at $15.00 per day.

Meet the Teacher Night:
Tuesday - August 27 - Grades 1- 6 

Grades 5 & 6: 6:00pm - parents will meet in your child's homeroom. You will meet and hear expectations from all of your child's teachers. You will then proceed to the Parish Hall at 7:00pm for a short presentation for all parents. You are free to leave after the 7pm meeting if you do not have
Grades 1-6: 7:00pm - parents will gather in the Parish Hall for a short presentation by school Administration, PTO & School Council.
Grades 1-4: 7:30pm (approximately) - parents will be dismissed from the PH to meet in their child's homeroom(s).
Sisters' Pantry Shower: Aug 20-27
On Tuesday, August 20 and Tuesday, August 27, during Junior High Orientation and “Meet The Teacher Night” we will once again sponsor the annual “Sisters’ Pantry Shower” to benefit our own Dominican Sisters.  On your way in to Orientation and/or “Meet The Teacher” drop off your family’s donation in the school atrium. SCRIP from Meijer & Walmart will also be available for sale in the atrium, and make excellent gifts for the Sisters so don’t forget your checkbook or wallet. Boxes will be available for donations of non-perishable food items, paper products, etc. If your last name starts with:
 
  • A-G: Please bring dishwasher powder, toothpaste, toilet paper (septic safe), healthy cereals, protein bars, Olive Oil or Oxiclean powder.
  • H-N: Please bring HE laundry detergent, Clorox wipes, coffee, black tea, almonds, pecans, canned tuna, or Real mayonnaise.
  • O-S: Please bring HE laundry detergent, tissues, toilet paper (septic safe), olive oil, pasta sauce (26 oz), aluminum foil or Ziploc freezer bags.
  • T-Z: Please bring soap bars (Dove), liquid hand soap refill, sandwich or quart size Ziploc bags, canned tomatoes (whole, diced, sauce, paste), peanut butter, ketchup, or granola bars.
        
Thank you for considering a gift to our Sisters and for supporting them through your generosity. What a great way to be Stewards for Christ! Any questions call Maria Bedford at 317-691-6544 or mariabedford11@gmail.com .
Meals for the Sisters
Once again Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School families will be “hosting" Wednesday Meals for the Sisters during the school year. To help show our support, love and appreciation for all that the Sisters do for our school community, children and families, we have created a sign up genius for families to volunteer to prepare a meal to bring to the Sisters at the Convent each Wednesday throughout the school year. There are 6 Sisters residing at the convent and one of the Sisters has a corn allergy. Please make sure meals do not contain corn of any kind.
 
Please click on the link below if you would like to volunteer to provide a meal. We ask that you start with only one or two volunteer slots to allow many of our new families the opportunity to sign up. If, after a few weeks, there are additional spots still open, please then feel free to sign up for more spots. If you have any questions, please contact Maria Bedford at  mariabedford11@gmail.com or  317-691-6544. Thank you so much for your generosity!

We're using SignUp.com (the leading online SignUp and reminder tool) to organize our upcoming SignUps.
 
Here's how it works in 3 easy steps:
 
1) Click this link to see our SignUp on SignUp.com: https://signup.com/go/HRGNHyO
2) Review the options listed and choose the spot(s) you like.
3) Sign up! It's Easy - you will NOT need to register an account or keep a password on SignUp.com.
 
Note: SignUp.com does not share your email address with anyone. If you prefer not to use your email address, please contact me and I can sign you up manually.
 
New Online BoxTops - No More Clipping!
It's the new way to earn!

For over 20 years, Box Tops for Education has given families an easy way to earn cash for their school, with products they already buy.
 
Now you can simply scan your store receipt with the Box Tops mobile app to identify participating products and instantly add cash to your school's earnings online.

Use the new app to scan your receipts and earn Box Tops cash for your school.

Spirit Day - OLMC Birthday!
Wednesday, Sep 4 is OLMC School's 63rd Birthday!  To celebrate we will be serving birthday cake during lunch periods. Thank you to the PTO for organizing this birthday celebration! 

Wednesday, Sep 4 will also be a Spirit day. Students will be able to show their school spirit. The children are welcome to wear jeans or khakis along with a Spiritwear shirt, Blue Ribbon shirt, or a yellow/blue shirt that reflect our school colors.  No shorts please (except of the boys navy uniform shorts).   Click here for the Family Policy Guide pg 32 if you have questions.

Spirit Wear will be for sale (limited stock) during Meet the Teacher Night, Tuesday, Aug 27. See below for details.
Spirit Wear
The online shop is open through Sep 2.
Orders will be delivered to your child at school during the week of Sept 16-20.

Shop in person for in stock merchandise - stock is limited:

August 27 - 5:30-7 PM during Meet the Teacher Night grades 1-6
Save the Date! Sep 8
Did you know that Carmel, Indiana is home to the World's Smallest Children's Art Gallery? It is on Main Street in downtown Carmel.

Each year they showcase artwork from different schools in Carmel and OLMC is one of them! Mrs. Hinshaw prepares a display that includes artwork of each student in the school that have art class (grades 1-8). Mark you calendars now to attend the opening reception on Sep 8. Hours to be announced!
Attention OLMC parents - BEING A CUB SCOUT IS AWESOME!
Sign up night for the next exciting year of OLMC Pack 125 Cub Scouts is tomorrow night - August 22nd at 6:30 pm in the parish hall . Bring your kindergarten through 5th grader to learn about the hands on adventures the youth of our school have really enjoyed. Praying, hiking, camping, racing, learning, sweating, building, running, falling, laughing, bonding.  Fun & safe experiences with their friends awaits! 
 
Questions about joining scouts? Contact Veronica Werth at 317-896-0435 or veronica@oco.net
 
New for Pack 125 at OLMC:  After closely monitoring the roll out of the family scouting program in the community, including other Catholic chartering organizations, and conferring with experienced scouting leadership within our parish, Our Lady of Mount Carmel will change its Scouting programs at the Cub and Troop level to allow both male and female youth to join the ranks of Scouting. Cub Scouts would be structured with age level dens, of either all boys or all girls.  Since 2010, Our Lady of Mount Carmel has, supported both female and male youth participant in Scouting, with the charter of Crew 125, focused on high adventure program experience for girls and boys age 14-21 year of age. We look forward to continuing to meet the needs of all our parish youth through Scouting.
Choir
St. Augustine wrote: “He who sings well, prays twice!” Of course, ALL of us should sing in prayer at Mass, but participating in our Children’s Liturgical Choirs is fun, rewarding, and helps our children take Catholic liturgical music to the next level. We have two parish choirs specifically for children; a child may join either – or BOTH! These do not in any way conflict with OLMC School choirs, and we can work around sports seasons if necessary.
 
“School-ah Schola” Weekday Liturgical Choir: for grades 3-8 at OLMC School. Sing for MWF 8:00 am school Masses. Rehearsals: every Monday, 3:30-4:30 PM in the church music room. You are welcome to join any time.
Pueri Cantores Children’s Choir: for grades 2-8 from any school. Sing for Saturday evening Mass once a month. Rehearsals: every Tuesday, 4:15-5:15 pm in church music room. You are welcome to join any time.
 
Enrollment forms for both choirs are linked below. For questions, contact Rex Rund at rundr@olmc1.org or 317-663-4007.


CYO Volleyball Day
CYO is hosting the 5th Annual CYO Volleyball day on September 29 at Capitol Sports Center! This day is open to players of all ability levels. All participants will be provided pizza for lunch and a CYO Volleyball Day t-shirt. The cost is $50.

Smartphones, Kids, & Anxiety: Should We Panic?

August 23, 7 p.m. OLMC Church

Come hear author and speaker Dr. Greg Bottaro speak about how to unplug and rediscover the beauty of life in Christ through everyday things, like conversation, prayer, and stillness using “Catholic Mindfulness.” Parents, you don't want to miss this free event!

Children middle school and up may attend. Dr. Botarro also wrote a children’s book about Saints using mindfulness, that will be available for sale that evening.

Trustful Surrender:
A Seminar on Catholic Mindfulness

August 24, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.;
St. Elizabeth Seton

The purpose of the Trustful Surrender seminar with Dr. Greg Bottaro is to increase our awareness into ourselves so that we can be an integrated person: mind, body, and soul. Practical mindfulness exercises will be taught in a small group setting, which are proven to improve anxiety, depression, self-acceptance, anger, marriage/parenting, and mental clarity, among many others. The cost is $15 and includes lunch.

Guerin Catholic News:
NEXT WEEK - ATTN VOLLEYBALL PLAYERS!
Girls Volleyball Pack the House/Youth Night
Guerin Catholic vs. Bishop Chatard HS
Thursday, August 29 6 pm JV, 7 pm Varsity
All students wearing their school's spirit wear get free admission!
 
DAD'S DAY BREAKFAST WITH TONY TRENT
OPEN TO PARTNER SCHOOL FAMILIES!
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2019, 6:15 am - 7:30 am
The 2019-20 Dad’s Day series begins this year on September 6th, when we welcome Mr. Tony Trent. Mr. Trent is the father of Tyler Trent, a Purdue student who lost his valiant battle to cancer last year. Tyler became known to the public for his huge support of Purdue football and his courage and determination in fighting cancer. You can learn more about Tyler and his book,  The Upset , on the website,  www.tylertrentbook.com . Register at  GuerinCatholic.org
 
Guerin Catholic's Dad's Days are a great way for dads, moms, grandparents and caregivers to spend an hour with their child before school.
 
ADMISSIONS NEWS
Now accepting applications for 2020-21.   Apply online at  GuerinCatholic.org .
 
Prospective Parent Breakfast
Tuesday, September 17 8-10 am
Middle school parents: do you have questions about Guerin Catholic? Join Kelli Wilson, our Director of Admissions, to learn more about our admissions process and tour the school while class is in session! 
 
Prospective Parent Information and Financial Aid Night
Thursday, September 19, 7 pm
 
Golden Eagle for a Day
Spend the day experiencing high school life at Guerin Catholic through our Golden Eagle for a Day shadow program. Select dates available from September – January. Register at  GuerinCatholic.org.
 
FALL 2019 High School Placement Test Dates
Saturday, October 5, 8:30 am - Noon
Saturday, November 2, 8:30 am - Noon
Saturday, December 7, 8:30 am - Noon
Register at GuerinCatholic.org
 
SAVE THE DATE
OLMC PARISH TAILGATE
Friday, October 4 5:30 pm Tailgate, 7 pm Kickoff
Guerin Catholic vs. Notre Dame Prep