OLA School Motto: "Anchored in Faith, We Learn, Serve, and Shine."
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......December 9, 2025
Second Week of Advent: Preparing Our Hearts with Peace
As we enter the Second Week of Advent, our hearts turn toward the theme of peace—a peace that comes from trusting in God’s presence in our lives. During this sacred season, we are invited to slow down, breathe deeply, and create space for Christ, the Prince of Peace, to enter our homes, our hearts, and our school community.
This week’s Advent candle, often called the Bethlehem Candle, reminds us of the humble journey Mary and Joseph made as they trusted completely in God’s plan. Their story inspires us to walk through this busy season with patience, calm, and hope.
Las Posadas – Wednesday, December 10 at 1:00 PM
As a school community, we are delighted to celebrate Las Posadas this Wednesday at 1:00 PM.
Las Posadas is a cherished tradition that reenacts Mary and Joseph’s search for shelter in Bethlehem. It offers a beautiful opportunity for our students to enter into the spirit of hospitality, compassion, and joyful preparation for the birth of Jesus. We look forward to sharing this meaningful celebration with you and your children.
Las Posadas Procession
We are excited to invite all families to join us for this special event!
The procession will begin at 1:00 PM, traveling through the school hallways as students visit the “Classroom Inns,” symbolically searching for a place for Mary and Joseph to stay. Their journey will continue through the halls and around the back of the school, culminating in Mulcahy Hall for the final part of the celebration.
Parents are welcome to join us:
At the start of the procession:
Meet in the Marian Plaza at 12:45 PM.In Mulcahy Hall:
For the closing portion of the celebration around 1:30 PM.
During the closing, we will join together in singing “Entrada de Peregrinos,” a beautiful traditional hymn that completes the Las Posadas journey.
Thank you for helping us honor this treasured Advent tradition. We look forward to celebrating with you!
Prayer for the Second Week of Advent
Loving God,
As we enter the second week of Advent, we ask You to fill our hearts with Your peace.
Help us to quiet our worries, calm our spirits, and trust more fully in Your presence.
May our school community be a place of kindness and understanding,
where patience grows, and Your love is shared freely with all.
Just as Mary and Joseph journeyed with faith,
guide us on our path as we prepare for the coming of Your Son.
Bring peace to our homes, peace to our school, and peace to our world.
Amen.
Family Advent Activity: Sharing Peace at Home
This week, we invite all OLA families to take part in a simple Advent tradition centered on peace:
Create a “Peace Chain” together.
Cut strips of paper and invite each family member to write a peaceful action they can do this week—such as offering a kind word, helping a sibling, saying a prayer for someone in need, or taking a moment of quiet together.
As you link the strips into a chain and hang it in your home, let it be a reminder that peace grows when we choose it, share it, and live it each day.
Second Week of Advent Daily Prayer
Today's Saint: St Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin
Isaiah 40:1-11. The Lord our God comes in strength – Ps 95(96):1-3, 10-13. Matthew 18:12-14.
Word of God will stand forever
There are many voices directed towards Jerusalem in these days and months because of the war with Hamas in Gaza. Would that the words of God in the first reading today, spoken through Isaiah long ago, could touch the hearts of the Israeli War Cabinet today: ‘Comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins.’ The parable of the lost sheep in today’s Gospel concludes with the words of the Lord, ‘it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish’. When we hear those words, who cannot think of Gaza? Isaiah again: ‘The grass withers, the flower fades, but the Word of our God will stand forever.’
Calendar Highlights
December 9 | APA Board Meeting 6pm OLA School |
December 10 | Las Posadas-Parents Welcome-12:45pm/Marian Plaza |
December 12 | Barnes & Noble Bookfair |
December 12 | Urbane Cafe Fundraiser |
December 16 | Christmas Program 6pm in the Church |
December 19 | Noon Dismissal-Christmas Break |
December 22-January 5 | No School-Christmas Break |
January 6 | School Resumes |
Extended Day Care registration packets are available in the school office
📨 Contents of Weekly Brown Envelope
Urbane Cafe Flyer
Please remove contents, complete and return any forms in the Brown Envelope - sign and return on Wednesday.
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.
Beautiful Fresh Centerpieces for sale - $25 each. Limited supply, immediate pickup, don't wait!!
Thank you for supporting our school!
Parish Christmas Food Baskets-the parish is collecting canned fruit this Christmas for the food baskets that are distributed to local families in need. Please consider donating canned fruit, donations are due by 12/15. A collection basket is located outside the school office.
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. Non Uniform dress on 12/17 can be earned for online purchases. Please submit your receipt to the school office by Tuesday 12/16.
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!
Sports at OLA
🏈Flag Football🏈
Congratulations to Our Flag Football Champions! 🏆
We are thrilled to share some exciting news with our OLA community!
Last Wednesday, our Flag Football Team faced Holy Cross in the championship game — and they WON! 🎉
Not only did they bring home the championship title, but they also finished the entire season undefeated. What an incredible accomplishment! Our players demonstrated outstanding teamwork, determination, and school spirit every step of the way.
We extend our deepest gratitude to our amazing and dedicated coach, Buddy Noble, whose leadership, encouragement, and commitment guided our athletes to success. We are truly blessed to have him as part of our OLA family.
Congratulations, Dolphins! We are so proud of you! 🐬💙
💙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.
