A Christ-centered community,
provides excellence in education
to meet the needs of the whole child.
October 16, 2019
Dear OLMC Parents,

I hope this first E-Learning Day went smoothly for your family today.  This day gives the students the opportunity to experience what it feels like to work from home so they will be familiar with this type of learning environment when we encounter unplanned E-Learning Days later on this year.  I certainly hope we do not have a lot of inclement weather this year, but we need to be prepared for the snow and ice storms that lie ahead. Thank you for all of the measures you have taken today as parents to provide your children with a positive learning environment.

At this time, I would also like to thank all of those parents who participated in our lunch survey earlier this year.  We had approximately 175 parent responses, and our lunch committee realized that the feedback was very helpful. The OLMC administration sent out the survey in the hopes of finding ways to improve our current lunch service so that we could maintain it and be fiscally responsible at the same time.  Unfortunately, the survey responses did not indicate that there were one or two consistent reasons why we are not receiving the higher participation rates that we need in order to be financially solvent. We did learn, however, that the highest percentage of our families do not routinely utilize our lunch program but rather send their children to school with packed lunches.  We also discovered that only a small percentage of our student population purchase hot lunches on a regular basis. Financially speaking, some weeks are better than others regarding participation rates, but overall, we are not profitable each week. 

Aladdin is working actively and collaboratively with the school administration to reduce costs and provide menu items that will meet the needs of our school families.  We are going to continue to monitor the food service budget and participation rates so that we can make an informed decision about the future of our lunch program. I will continue to update you on the options that will work best for our school so that you will be able to have sufficient time to plan for your children’s lunch needs.  Please be assured that any changes to the school lunch program will be communicated to our school families well in advance.

May this well-deserved Fall Break bring you and your family rest and an abundance of joy.  Safe travels!

Under the mantle of Our Lady,
Sister Maria Benedicta, O.P.
October
16 E-Learning Day
17-18 No School - Fall Break
23 Freddy's Steakburger Spirit Day
24 Picture Retake Day
30 Fall Parties
31 No School - Parent/Teacher conferences

Attention families with food allergies!
Click here for ingredient and allergen information for school lunches. Please bookmark this link for future reference.
Get Some Christmas Shopping Done Early with Art2Remember Orders:
Art2Remember turns your child's own custom artwork into fun products that make great Christmas gifts for grandparents and other family members. Order online by this Thursday!
                   

The deadline to order is Thursday, 10/17/19 for deliver before Christmas.
 Go to  Order.ArtToRemember.com   to place your order!

Late orders will be taken online through December 31, 2019 and products will ship to the school in late January.
 
Proceeds benefit the OLMC Art Department directly. Thank you for supporting our school!
Freddy's Spirit Day is 1 week away!
Please join us at Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers for our spirit day on Wednesday, October 23rd in support of our school.   

Come out and enjoy an after school treat or dinner with the whole family. Every little bit counts!   Click here to print the flyer or to show from your phone when you order. The flyer lets them know you are there to support OLMC and Freddy's will generously donate 20% of total sales to our school.   Thank you for your support in this fundraiser!  We appreciate every thing each of you do to help make OLMC a fantastic school for our kids!
Lunch Clubs with Mrs. Minch:
Mrs. Minch, the school counselor, will be starting some small groups called lunch clubs. These lunch clubs will take place during your child’s lunchtime, while they are eating their lunch. See the below mentioned lunch clubs that will be offered to check if your child would benefit from participating. 

Please let Mrs. Minch know by email, minchm@olmc1.org, phone 317-663-4023, or a note that you would like your student/s to participate. Include the student name, teacher name/room number, and area of need. 

The Lunch Clubs will begin the week of October 21 st. Each of these lunch clubs will be offered for 1 st and 2 nd, 3 rd and 4 th, 5 th and 6 th, 7 th and 8 th, but I adapt the curriculum to meet the developmental needs of the students. Lunch clubs are different for each age group. If you have any questions, email Mrs. Minch at minchm@olmc1.org
 
Friendship Lunch Club – This club will deal with all aspects of friendship. From the beginning of how to ask another person to play, to dealing with friendship troubles.
Family Change Lunch Club –Children are given the opportunity to express their feelings about the changes occurring in the family. They learn positive ways to adjust and cope to the new changes in their family.
Study Skill Lunch Club – This club discusses how to be a good student in the classroom. We discuss the importance of listening, focus, organization, and being ready for school.
Don’t Blow Your Top Lunch Club – This club deals with how to handle our anger. We discuss what triggers anger, how are body is affected by anger, and how we can control our anger.
School picture proofs went Oct 9:
If you ordered pictures in September, your picture packagewas sent home on Oct 9. Class pictures will be delivered later in the school year (they wait until after picture re-take day to create the class composites). Follow the instructions in your picture package to order additional prints. You will need the Order Code listed on the package.

If you have not yet ordered any pictures, it is not too late to do so. A proof of your child's picture is being sent home today. Follow the instructions on how to order prints. You will need the Order Code listed on the package.

Picture re-take day will be Thursday, Oct 24. If for any reason, you are not happy with the pictures you received or the proof copy:
  • Have your child bring the picture package or proof with them to school on October 24.
  • Tell their teacher they will having a picture re-take
  • When their class is called for re-takes, your child will give the picture package or proof to the photographer and have their picture re-taken.
  • New pictures or proof will be sent home in November.

coat
Coat Drive Donations & Help:
There is a box in the school atrium for new & gently used clean coats. As you are preparing for coat season, please donate coats that no longer fit your family or keep your eye out for great deals while coat shopping! All sizes from infant to Men's XXXL are needed!

The Merciful H.E.L.P. Center works in conjunction with Hamilton County's Coats for Kids to distribute warm coats to many families in need during the winter months.

They are also in need of leadership in the coat area. We need a leader to handle coat collections in the school and in the church. (This could be a high schooler looking to gain experience leading.) Fran Pawlowski is willing to train who ever helps in this area.

We also need people to run coat donations over to our partners at Hamilton County Kids Coats to get them ready for giveaways at the HCKC giveaways, at the Merciful HELP Center and at Tools for School.
Most importantly we need workers to set up the coat giveaway at the MHC, work on the various days and to help break it down.
If this work is on your heart, please sign up! If you want to lead, please email slatonj@olmc1.org !


SCRIP News:
SCRIP sales every Thursday at The Rock (weather permitting) In the event of rain, we will move inside to the atrium. 

Order forms can be found in the school atrium or on the website at: https://school.olmc1.org/scrip (scroll to bottom of the page).


If you have any questions, please contact Stephanie Lesher, stephrufe@yahoo.com .
Lost & Found
Check the picture to see if anything belongs to your family.
New this week
  • Several OLMC Spirit Wear Sweatshirts, water bottles, lunchboxes, black jeans, Nike gym bag....

Please note that there is also a lost & found bin outside of the gym area as well as one in the Jr. High & 6th grade pod areas. If you are missing an item that is not pictured here, encouraged your child to check these other locations.

It is strongly recommended that names are put on items, especially uniforms, jackets, lunchboxes & water bottles. These are the most common items in the Lost & Found. If we find a name we return it to the owner!

Items are kept for several weeks and then donated to the Used Uniform Committee or the Merciful H.E.L.P. Center.
Northwestern University's Midwest Academic Talent Search (NUMATS):
Your child has the opportunity to take the SAT test on: Saturday, December 7, 2019 (with a registration deadline of October 30, 2019   or  March 14, 2020 (with a registration deadline of February 5, 2020) . This is sponsored by Northwestern University’s Midwest Academic Talent Search (NUMATS). There are advantages to taking the test, especially in your child’s eighth grade year. It gives them the opportunity to practice taking a college preparatory exam and to get a feel for this type of test without the pressure of the results, assist your student in becoming aware of his/her academic strengths and weaknesses, and gain assistance in planning their high school curriculum.
Please view the attached NUMATS Powerpoint for a full explanation of this opportunity.   https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1Gfx_0KdJH6QDiuz46RjpLjFGxb46Berr_gPf6OHNEsM/edit?usp=sharing
 
If you are interested, you may register online at:  www.ctd.northwestern.edu.
Used Uniforms
If you are in need of used uniforms, please email Haley Church at sunlily55@yahoo.com or text at 317.514.4569. Orders will be filled by the 15th of each month. 

Please continue to turn in old uniforms to the bin marked Used Uniforms in the school Atrium. 
Volleyball Grades 4-8:
Volleyball Grades 4-8:
Our Lady of Mount Carmel is proud to host a CYO Volleyball for girls and boys entering 4th-8th grades.  CYO Volleyball has grown to one of our largest sports! Registration is open through November 19th for the 2020 winter season. If you are interested in coaching volleyball this coming season please contact our commish  Sean Dunlavy . Register at www.orgsonline.com . (Visit https://www.olmc1.org/registration for directions)

Girl's Information
Upcoming Volleyball Deadlines:
Girl's- 4th-8th Grades: Registration is open through Nov. 19th

Evaluations:
Friday, Nov. 15th @OLMC Gym
  • 4th graders; 3:45-5pm
  • 5th graders; 5-6:30pm
Sunday, November 17th @OLMC Gym
  • 6th graders; 12-1:30pm
  • 7th graders; 1:30-3pm
  • 8th graders; 3-4:30pm

Boy's Information:
  • Volleyball Registration is open through November 19th (4th-8th grades)
  • No Evaluations- teams done by grade level
Merciful H.E.L.P. Center Thanksgiving Basket Drive
It’s Turkey Time!    This weekend and next, we will be handing out Turkey Tags for the Thanksgiving Basket Drive after all masses.  We need your help!  We need volunteers (adults and students) to hand out tags. 

 If you and your family can help, just visit: www.mercifulhelpcenter.org and click on the Volunteer tab, then just click on the link beside the turkey.  
Can’t hand out tags but still want to help?  There are many great volunteer opportunities.  Just visit the website and sign up!

Thank you in advance for your help!!
Guerin Catholic News:
ADMISSIONS
GUERIN CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE
Sunday, October 27, 2019, 1-3:30 pm
Are you curious to learn more about your diocesan high school? Join us for our annual Open House for prospective families on Sunday, October 27 from 1-3:30 pm. Program begins at 1 pm in the gym, followed by student or parent-led tours through our campus. Students, teachers and administrators will be on hand to meet families and answer questions. Families from all grades welcome! Pre-register at  GuerinCatholic.org  to avoid the lines 
 
FALL 2019 High School Placement Test Dates - ONLY TWO TESTING DATES LEFT!
Saturday, November 2, 8:30 am - 12 pm
Saturday, December 7, 8:30 am - 12 pm
Register at GuerinCatholic.org
 
EIGHTH GRADERS - APPLY NOW!
Financial Aid Deadline: Sunday, December 1, 2019
Application Deadline: Sunday, December 15, 2019
Apply online at GuerinCatholic.org