Our Lady of the Assumption School

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.

OLA School Motto: "Anchored in Faith, We Learn, Serve, and Shine."

From the Desk of the Principal......December 2 , 2025

Welcome Back and Happy Advent!

I hope you all enjoyed a restful and joy-filled Thanksgiving break surrounded by family and friends. It’s always such a blessing to take time to pause, reflect, and give thanks for the many gifts in our lives. I am truly grateful for our OLA community—our students, families, teachers, and staff—who make this school such a special place of faith and learning.

As we return to school, we enter one of the most beautiful seasons in our Church year—Advent, a time of hope, preparation, and joyful anticipation for the coming of Christ. This week marks the first week of Advent, symbolized by the lighting of the Prophet’s Candle, which represents hope. It reminds us that even in times of waiting or uncertainty, God’s promises are sure and His light will always shine in the darkness.

Throughout this week, our classrooms and prayer services will reflect on the theme of hope—hope in God’s love, hope for peace in our world, and hope in the hearts of our children. As a school community, we are invited to slow down, make room for prayer, and prepare our hearts for the coming of our Savior at Christmas.

May this Advent season bring peace to your homes and hearts, and may we all be reminded that the true joy of Christmas begins with the quiet hope of Advent.

First Week of Advent

Isaiah 11:1-10. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever – Ps 71(72):1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17. Luke 10:21-24.

‘The eyes that see what you see’

I loved making up imaginary countries when I was a child. There was a ‘Funland’ where everything was, of course, fun. Without meaning to, I excluded all poverty, war, environmental exploitation and discrimination. Those things just would not make sense in Funland. In today’s Gospel, Jesus praises such clearsighted vision that children have. His words fit well with Isaiah. Only the truly young-at-heart or radically daring could picture the scene: a little boy leading a calf and lion cub together, an infant playing with snakes. What fun for every person, every creature and every creation of God to live in harmony. In the seriousness and harshness of reality as adults, can we continue to live in the hope of God, to see as Jesus saw, and to rejoice?

Calendar Highlights

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 Brown Envelope - sign and return on Wednesday.

• Virtues of December

• Hail & Blessings Prayer

• Barnes & Noble Bookfair Flyer

• Charleston Wrap Fundraiser Reminder

• Parish Christmas Nativity Program Flyer

• Parent Hour Summary

Virtue of the Month: Patience

Patience – Waiting or enduring without complaint

As we journey through the peaceful season of Advent, our virtue for December is Patience. This virtue reminds us that God works in His perfect timing and that waiting—whether for answers, for growth, or for Christmas morning—can be a beautiful act of trust. Throughout the month, students will learn how patience helps us become more loving, thoughtful, and compassionate people. Each grade-level group will also explore the life of a saint who modeled extraordinary patience.

Saint Focus by Grade Level

St. Monica (TK–2):
Young students will learn about St. Monica, a loving mother who showed remarkable patience and faith. Even when things were difficult, she never gave up praying for her son, St. Augustine. Her gentle perseverance reminds us that God hears every prayer, even when the answers take time.

St. Isaac Jogues (Grades 3–5):
Students in grades 3–5 will discover the courage and patience of St. Isaac Jogues, a Jesuit missionary who traveled far from home to share God’s love. Despite hardships, he trusted God’s plan and continued his mission with a peaceful heart. His life teaches us that patience can give us strength even in challenging circumstances.

St. Rita of Cascia (Grades 6–8):
Middle school students will reflect on St. Rita of Cascia, known for her deep prayer life and steadfast patience through many trials. She endured difficulties with humility and forgiveness, always choosing peace over anger. St. Rita shows us that patience, rooted in faith, can transform even the hardest situations.

Week 1 Advent Prayer:

Loving God,
As we begin this Advent season, we open our hearts to Your light and Your love.
Help us to slow down, to listen, and to notice the ways You are present in our days.

Fill our home with peace, kindness, and hope.
Teach us to care for one another, to share with those in need, and to walk each day with grateful hearts.

As we prepare for the coming of Jesus at Christmas,
may we grow in faith, joy, and love.
Make us ready to welcome Your Son with open arms and smiling hearts.

Come, Lord Jesus, be with our family this Advent and always.
Amen.

In the School Office we have Christmas Wreaths for sale - $30 each and Centerpieces for sale - $25 each. Thank you for supporting our school!

Barnes & Noble BookFair is coming Friday, December 12th from 3:00pm-7:00pm.Join us for face painting(4pm-6pm) and a craft. With the purchase of an item your child will receive a non-uniform dress pass to be used on Wednesday, December 17th and a raffle ticket for a chance to win one of three Barnes & Noble gift cards.

Can't attend our book fair at Barnes & Noble??

Online shopping starts 12/12 and ends 12/17. Go to BN.com/bookfair and enter ID# 12921391 at checkout.

Remember, if you are a parent, faculty member, friend, or student of OLA, you are part of ALMS! This is our school’s ministry—our way of sharing faith through service and community. Giving back is fun, strengthens our parish, and helps our city… plus, you can earn parent hours  along the way!

Exciting Announcement: Save the Date for OLA’s Annual Spring Gala & Auction- April 24, 2026 at Zachari Dunes!

The time has come to begin planning for our much-anticipated Spring Gala & Auction, happening on April 24, 2026. This wonderful event is built with the support of our entire community and is vital in raising funds to benefit our school family.

We invite anyone interested in helping make this event a success. Your contributions in the following areas would be greatly appreciated:

• Event Planning

• Decorations

• Sponsorship Outreach

• Auction Item Procurement

If you're interested in volunteering or would like to learn more, please contact us at apaboard@olaventura.org.

Thank you for your ongoing support and dedication to our school community!

🎵🎤Parent Hour Opportunity-Choir Practice Supervision-We are looking for parent volunteers to help supervise specific grades during group choir practice. Each parent will be assigned a grade to supervise. All volunteers must have current Virtus certification and fingerprinting on file with the school office. Please review the available slots below and click on the link below to sign up. Thank you!

Choir Supervisor Sign Up Link

Sports at OLA

🏈Flag Football🏈

All games begin at 3:30 pm

Come out and support the players and Goooo Dolphins!🐬

💙Thank you for supporting OLA Athletics - and as always.... GOOOOO DOLPHINS!🐬

📋Absent Reporting Reminder

If your child will be absent from school, please complete the Absent Reporting Form.

You can find the form:

• On our OLA School App (tap the menu button)

• On our school website under Quick Links

Submitting this form ensures that a daily report is generated and shared with teachers to they are aware of your child's absence.

✅Thank you for helping us keep our records accurate and our communication smooth!

The Assumption Parents Association (APA) Board is dedicated to supporting our school through event planning, fundraising, and fostering community throughout the year. We invite you to join in on the fun by attending one of our monthly meeting or by participating on a committee.

Have questions or want to get involved?

• The APA meets on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 6:00 pm at the school.

• We'd love to see you there!

To learn more about ways you can support OLA and get involved, please reach out to us at: apaboard@olaventura.org

Together, we can make a difference in our students' experiences and our school community!

🎂Happy Birthday!

The digital marquee birthday flier is available in the school offie. Announce your child's next birthday on the OLA marquee! Announcement cost is $15

🕣School Office Hours

To best serve you, please note the time when the office is available for school business:

Morning Hours: 8:30 am - 12:00 pm

Afternoon Hours: 12:50 pm - 2:30 pm

After Dismissal: 3:00 pm - 3:30 pm

⏸️ Closed for Lunch: 12:00 pm - 12:50 pm

For safety and efficiency, we kindly ask that you do not come into the office during dismissal (2:30 - 3:00pm), as staff are focused on student pick-up.

If your child needs to leave early, please arrange pick-up before 12:00 pm or after 12:50 pm to avoid the office lunch closure.

Thank you for helping up keep the school day running smoothly!

Safeguard Training

OLA Dates: Coming Soon

Finger Printing

If you need to complete your fingerprinting through the Archdiocese, we have two upcoming opportunities available in Ventura:

• Saturday, January 17th, 2026 at OLA School Hurley Hall. Appointments are required and can be made by calling the school office at 805-642-7198.

Please remember: All volunteers must be fingerprinted through the Archdiocese and have a current VIRTUS certificate on file with the school office.

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 Other Lady