Weekly OLL News: November 13, 2019
Dear OLL Families, 

So the secret is out - it’s going to be “Dreamworks Shrek the Musical, Jr.” for our Spring Musical! Much fun to look forward to beyond our classrooms, with auditions the first week of December.  

Inside the classrooms, in order to “inspire minds,” we need to put the best academic practices into use - and be open to continual growth. Thankfully, those areas are strengths of our school. For example, Bonnie Meyer and Jan Gill spent part of last week at a conference focused on best practices in reading instruction. We’ve organized our faculty/staff into professional learning communities (PLCs) focused on improvement and growth. As the middle school PLC analyzed MAP testing data, they learned that “identifying key details and ideas” was a general area of growth needed for many. So they created the children’s book project in the middle school to provide that practice in that specific area. 

Clearly communicating the lesson goal is another best practice. I take “Learning Walks” into classrooms, walk-throughs that give a snapshot of the learning taking place in each class. Our focus is student-centered - in other words, what I hear from students directly about what they say the learning target is for that lesson, or why what they are learning is important, is a crucial part of providing feedback to our teachers. These Learning Walks are inspiring times of seeing our talented teachers in action - and our students deeply engaged in their learning.

Being open to growth and collaboration also includes our teachers throwing their doors open and being willing to welcome other adults into their classrooms. On a Learning Walk just this morning, I noticed our 3rd grade teacher, Mrs. Gaskill, had not one, but two additional adults helping with small groups for Math instruction. Every day we have parent or parishioner volunteers helping to bring content alive and give that special personal attention to each of our students. That can make all the difference - thank you!

We’re excited for our Open House and Parent Education Talk tomorrow night at 6:30pm. We look forward to seeing as many of you as possible for what will be a fun and informative event. Then it will almost be time for our Pancake Breakfast & Christmas Bazaar this Sunday, with the big 70/90 Anniversary Dinner-Dance Celebration the following weekend. 

Finally, have you seen the new wooden archway by the lower lot entrance? That was built as an Eagle Scout project by OLL alum, Cutler Delestine. The purpose is a first step in making the entranceway more welcoming to all who come to OLL. He made it in honor of Cormac Brown, a former Blanchet student who passed away while in the military.

We have much to be grateful for. Thank you for doing your part to make this all happen! 

Daniel P. Mullen 
Principal  
Upcoming Events/Important Dates  
November 14 - Open House & Parent Education Speaker - All Grades - 6:30pm (RSVP here. Walk-ins OK!)
November 15 - 70/90 Celebration RSVP due - email Patty Corum
November 17 - Pancake Breakfast and Holiday Bazaar - 10:30am - 1pm - OLL Event Center
November 21 - Free Dress
November 23 - 90/70 Anniversary Celebration Dinner-Dance
November 27 - Noon Dismissal
November 28 -29 - No school and Xcare closed
From the Office
Thursday Hot Lunch
Second Quarter Thursday Hot Lunch forms are here . They are due Tuesday, November 26 .

XCare Calendar for November
  • Open until 6pm on Wednesday, November 27
  • Closed November 28 and 29

Advent Program: December 19 at 7pm
Save the date for this year's Advent Program: the evening of Thursday, December 19, 7pm in the church. Students should plan to wear their Sunday best.

Annual OLL Food Drive - School Goal is 3,000 Items!
We are holding our annual food drive to benefit the parish food bank - St. Vincent de Paul from November 4 - November 22. Students brought home a grocery bag on Monday, November 4. Please see attached flyer with more information and items that are in great need. Thank you for your support.

New, Updated Car/Booster Seat Regulations Begin January 1, 2020
Attention - All field trip drivers: Governor Jay Inslee signed a new law updating car seat regulations in Washington State beginning January 1, 2020 . The booster seat law in Washington State changes for students from PK-8th grade.

A summary of the new requirements from the Archdiocese:

  • Children ages 2-4 must be properly secured in a car seat with a harness which may be either rear facing or forward facing until they reach the specifications for a booster seat.
  • Children ages 4 and older and less than 4’9” tall must be secured in a booster seat with seat belt (or continue in harness seat).
  • Children over height 4’9” must be secured by a properly fitted seat belt (typically starting at 8-12 years old).
  • Child restraint system must comply with U.S. Department of Transportation standards and be used according to vehicle and child restraint manufacturer.
  • Children under age 13 required to ride in the back seat when practical to do so.

The changes mean most kids will need a booster seat until they’re 10 or 12 years old.

Open House & Educational Speaker - November 14, 6:30pm
We are very excited to welcome an educational and counseling expert to OLL for an interactive talk to kick off our Open House on how we can help our children balance social-emotional health with healthy technology use. Tammy Fisher, PhD, will present on " Calm Clarity: Strategies to Support Your Child's Social/Emotional Well-Being in the Screen Age."

This is an exciting opportunity for our whole school community, and those interested in joining our community, to learn about a topic that is top-of-mind for many parents and educators. Dr. Fisher will present at the start of our Open House evening on November 14 from 6:30 - 7pm . All parents - OLL and prospective parents interested in learning about our school - are warmly invited, so please spread the word and feel free to invite your friends. Save the date and RSVP here!
MS Musical
We are pleased to announce that this year's spring musical will be Dreamworks Shrek the Musical Jr!   A huge thank you to all you came to our Musical Reveal Party and made it a tremendous success and a great way to kick off this process. Auditions will be happening in a couple of weeks and then we will really be rolling! For our Middle School students who need audition information visit our  webpage.
Parent Club
Chinook Books
The physical books are $25 per book and the App is $15. You may may purchase them using this  form . Books will be sent home with your student.

BoxTops Promotion
There is a special promotion for the boxtops, if you scan your receipt on the app by this Friday, the school is entered into a drawing for a $20,000 makeover. See all the details here .

Dinner for Dollars
February 25  - Mod Pizza - Lake Forest Park - all day


Pancake Breakfast and Holiday Bazaar

Please join us this Sunday, November 17 from 10:30am - 1:00pm. We will be combining with Parish Life for pancakes and holiday shopping in the OLL Event Center.

If you would like to volunteer for this event, please follow this link ( https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080B4DAEA82FA75-2019 )
CYO News
Thank you to Nick Bennett for taking on the position of uniform coordinator!!
4th - 8th Basketball Schedules are posted  here.
Parish News



90/70 Anniversary Celebration - November 23, 2019


RSVP due this Friday, November 15. Email Patty Corum.
COMMUNITY NEWS:
Seattle Prep Gen-Z Middle School Conference: Due to a conflict with some Catholic high school entrance testing, Seattle Prep is postponing its Gen-Z Middle School Conference (previously scheduled for Nov. 16) until later in the school year. They will notify us of the new date and send apologies for any inconvenience.

Bishop Blanchet activities
Please see the attached flyer for information on sports clinics, High school proficiency testing and a Christmas concert.

Ten Tips for Advocating for Your Child" Event: Tuesday, Nov. 19, at 7 pm
Interested in learning more about how to support a student with learning differences at home and at school? If so, mark your calendars and join The Arc of King County's Parent-to-Parent Supervisor and IEP Parent Partner Program Administrator Rachel Nemhauser. For more information on topics covered and to RSVP see flyer.

Do you have a student in 4th-6th grade who could benefit from learning how to utilize free technology tools ( Microsoft's Immersive Reader, Translator, and Office Lens ) to support learning at school and at home? This private, educational event at the Microsoft Store in University Village on Sunday, December 1 from 9:30-11am was organized by the Parents of Diverse Learners Group at ASB to give parents and kids in the community a shared opportunity to engage with these tools firsthand in a fun, engaging environment. More information can be found here.

Nativity NW Exhibit
Friday, December 6 - Sunday, December 8 at Messiah Lutheran Church - see flyer for details
Our Mission:
Our Lady of the Lake Catholic School is a welcoming and inclusive community committed to a tradition of excellence by nurturing hearts, inspiring minds, and igniting spirits.