Mission Statement: Our Lady of the Assumption School Commits itself to provide an education based on catholic values and academic excellence in a caring and safe atmosphere in partnership with the family and parish community.
From the Desk of the Principal…May 20, 2025
St Bernadine of Siena
Acts 14:19-28. Your friends tell the glory of your kingship, Lord – Ps 144(145):10-13, 21. John 14:27-31.
A peace the world cannot give is my gift to you
Jesus offers us peace. A peace that allows us to move beyond fear. We do not have it now fully, but we glimpse it, experience it from time to time, sense it enough to hope in a peace that will be everlasting. In coming from God the Father, Jesus enters our reality to convey the possibility of this peace enveloping us.
Now, though, we live amid tensions and violence. Like the disciples in our reading from Acts, today we experience our share of hardships. We are aware of so many others who have it much tougher. Still, by offering the peace we have received, by loving as we have been loved by the God who comes to meet us as we are, we can help bring peace to this time, even though it will be incomplete.
Saying Farewell to a Beloved Teacher – Donelle Claypool
Sunset: May 18, 2025
We say goodbye with heavy hearts to Ms. Donelle Claypool, a dedicated and beloved educator who served Our Lady of the Assumption School from September 1, 1972, to June 30, 2015. For over four decades, Mrs. Claypool was a cornerstone of our school community, teaching 5th grade with passion, purpose, and love.
As both a teacher and vice principal, she led with integrity, care, and a deep commitment to her students. Her classroom was known for its strong academics, especially in U.S. history—a subject she deeply loved. Countless students still remember memorizing their states and capitals, exploring Colonial America, and learning through engaging interactive computer games long before educational technology became the norm.
She was a “teacher’s teacher,” respected by her colleagues for her high standards, wisdom, and mentorship. Donelle had a unique gift for being both no-nonsense and deeply compassionate, shaping generations of students who often stayed in touch with her long after they left her classroom.
Her legacy lives on in the lives she touched, the lessons she taught, and the community she helped build. We are grateful for her years of dedicated service and the profound impact she made at OLA.
May she rest in peace.
Virtue of the Month: Zeal ~ Being Driven by an Intense Love for God
At OLA, we introduce a new virtue each month to help guide our students in their faith journey. Each virtue is paired with a Saint whose life reflects that virtue, offering inspiration and encouragement to live out our Catholic values.
As part of our Year of Faith, our school-wide theme is Service, reminding us to put our faith into action through kindness, compassion, and love for others.
Zeal is our virtue of the month at OLA, and we describe it as being driven by an intense love of God. When we live with zeal, we approach our faith, our learning, and our relationships with energy, purpose, and devotion.
This month, we look to the inspiring examples of St. Paul, who traveled tirelessly to spread the Gospel; St. Dominic Savio, who lived a joyful and holy life even as a young boy; and St. Francis Xavier, who brought the love of Christ to people across the world. May their passionate love for God inspire us to live each day with enthusiasm and a heart on fire for our faith.
Let us all strive to practice justice in our words and actions, and give thanks to God for His many blessings!
Saints for the Month of May
PK - Grade 2: St. Paul
St. Paul is one of the greatest examples of zeal in the early Church. Originally known as Saul, he fiercely persecuted Christians until he experienced a dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus. After encountering Christ, St. Paul devoted his life to preaching the Gospel with boldness and tireless energy, traveling far and wide to spread the Good News. His letters in the New Testament continue to guide and inspire the Church today.
Grades 3 - 5: St. Dominic Savio
St. Dominic Savio was a young student of St. John Bosco who showed remarkable holiness and spiritual maturity even as a child. Though he died at the age of 14, Dominic lived each day with deep devotion and a burning desire to become a saint. He once said, “I cannot do big things, but I want everything to be for the glory of God.” His joyful, disciplined love for God is a shining example of youthful zeal.
Grades 6 - 8: St. Francis Xavier
St. Francis Xavier was one of the first Jesuit missionaries and is known for his passionate zeal in spreading the Gospel across Asia. Traveling to India, Japan, and other parts of the East, he brought thousands to the Catholic faith through his preaching, teaching, and example. His deep love for God drove him to endure hardships with joy, always seeking to bring Christ to those who had never heard of Him.
Calendar Highlights
May 21 | Final Parent Hours Due |
May 21 | Spring Choir Concert-1pm in Mulcahy |
May 23 | No School-Deanery Meeting |
May 26 | No School -Memorial Day |
May 30 | Works of Mercy-$1 Non Uniform Dress-Ronald McDonald House |
June 9-June 11 | Used Uniform Sale-Mulcahy |
June 9-June 13 | Non Uniform Dress |
June 11 | 8th Grade Graduation Mass & Ceremony-5pm in the Church |
June 13 | Last Day of School-Mass and Awards- 8am in the Church |
Extended Day Care registration packets are available in the school office.
Contents of Weekly Brown Envelope
Please remove contents, complete and return any forms in the signed Brown Envelope every Wednesday.
Vacation Bible Camp Flyer
ALMS (pronounced /ä(l)mz/) is always looking for parent and student volunteers to help us build a stronger presence at community and Parish events. ALMS is OLA school’s “do good” committee dedicated to getting our school involved in community programs that teach your kids the value of service to others. For more information, check out our FAQor volunteer now.
Congratulations to Katie Flores and the Flores family on the latest addition to their family: a new baby girl born this weekend. To help the Flores family during this joyous and busy time, we have set up a Meal Train for early next month. Sign up here to contribute https://www.mealtrain.com/trains/731zmm.
ALMS Quick Links
Parent Hours-Please turn in all parent hours by Wednesday, May 21st. Final parent hours for the school year will be counted May 21st. Statements of money due for hours not worked will be sent home May 27th. All unworked hours will be calculated at $15 per hour. All balances are due by June 6th. Please contact the school office with any questions.
OLA Parish Presents:
Amazon Wish List Links
Each class has created a list of items that would be helpful in their classrooms. Please click on the class below if you would like to donate an item. Remember every $15 spent earns 1 parent hour. If you choose to have the item shipped directly to the school,Please complete the gift receipt when completing your purchase so we can get the item to the correct classroom and give you a little shout out.
Hot Lunch
A few things to keep in mind when ordering with Choicelunch -
Our regular ordering deadline to order from the full menu is 9 am the day before lunch will be served. After 9 am the day before lunch has passed, you will be given the option to order an entree-only lunch, up until 9 am the day lunch will be served or until lunches sell out.
Lunch can be canceled as late as 9 am the day before it will be served for 100% credit. After this point in time, the lunch will be sent to the school and there is no credit given.
You can also find our FAQ here - https://help.choicelunch.com/hc/en-us
Stay up-to-date with access to events, documents, news from administrators, student stories, and even emergency notifications.
You can download the app for free on Google Play or Apple App Store.
Download for Android https://bit.ly/3HRxTwQ
Download for iPhone https://apple.co/3JwStCO
Reporting an absence:
If your child will be absent from school, please complete the Absent Reporting form. This form can be found on our app, tap the menu button or on our website under quick links. This will generate a report that is given to teachers daily. Thank you!
APA BOARD
Have questions or are interested in joining us? The APA meets the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 6pm. We’d love to see you! Email us at: APAboard@olaventura.org.
The Assumptions Parent Association (APA) Board is dedicated to supporting our school through event planning and fundraising efforts throughout the year. We invite you to join in on the fun by becoming a part of one of our committees:
Hospitality: Assist in organizing events and showing appreciation to our teachers and staff.
Communications: Help keep our school community informed about upcoming events.
Volunteer: Coordinate parent volunteers for various school activities and events.
Fundraising: Plan and support our fundraising efforts.
If you’re interested in joining a committee or learning more about what we do, please reach out to us at Apaboard@olaventura.org. We look forward to working together to make this year a great one for our students and school!
If you’d like to learn more about how you can support our school and get involved with the Assumptions Parent Association Board, please reach out to us at Apaboard@olaventura.org. We look forward to working together to make this year a great one for our kids!
The digital marquee birthday flier is available in the school office. Announce your child's next birthday on the OLA marquee! Announcement cost is $15
School Office Hours
The best times to conduct school business in the office are:
Mornings
8:30 am - 12:00 pm
Afternoon
12:50 pm - 2:30 pm
Closed for Lunch(12:00-12:50)
After Dismissal hours:
3:00pm-3:30pm
Please do not come in during dismissal. We are calling students for pick-up and are unable to give you uninterrupted attention. The office is closed for lunch from 12:00pm-12:50pm, if your child needs to leave early from school Please pick them up before 12:00 pm or after 12:50pm.
At Home Rapid Covid Test kits:
Test kits are available in the office. Please contact Jennifer Colitti at jennifer@olaventura.org. You are also welcome to come into the office and pick up tests for your family.
Office of Safeguard the Children
Zoom Protecting God’s Children
Keeping the Promise Alive
Trainings at OLA:
Protecting God’s Children (Initial Course)
May 28 from 6 pm - 9 pm Santa Cruz Room
May 31 from 9 am - 12 pm Mulcahy Hall
July 12 from 9 am - 12 pm Santa Cruz Room
To register please call the OLA Church Office for more information at 805- 642-7966.
Keeping the Promise Alive (Re-Certification Course): To register please call the OLA Church office for more information at 805- 642-7796.
Student Learning Expectations (SLE’S)
OLA Students aim for the S.T.A.R.S when they:
SHOW AND LIVE THEIR FAITH
THINK CRITICALLY AND WORK COOPERATIVELY
ACTIVELY MAINTAIN A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE
RESPECT OURSELVES AND OTHERS
STUDY AND LEARN