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…March 9, 2022
The Virtue for the Month of February is Mercy: Caring for those who suffer.
Affective Mercy
Is an emotion
The pity we feel for the plight of another our affective sympathy for others arises from our capacity for empathy
For example, when we hear that a loved one is about to go through a major surgery, we naturally feel compassion for them, and say "I can imagine what anxiety my friend is going through right now on the eve of his operation." We can "imagine" it because we have been sick and in need of medical treatment ourselves. This sympathetic empathy is what St. Thomas means by "affective mercy."
Effective Mercy
Is something that we do
A positive action for the good of another taking steps to relieve the miseries or meet the needs of others
For example, when we hear that our friend is on the eve of major surgery, we not only feel sympathetic empathy for him, we also may plan to go and visit him in the hospital before and after the operation to comfort him. This is "effective" mercy because it actively meets the needs of others. In other words, it is "affective" sympathy translated into "effective" action for the good of another.
Our students are learning the virtue of mercy through the example of the Saints. The Saints they will be learning from this month are St. John Vianney for grades Preschool through Second grade, St. Faustina Kowalska for grades Three through Five and St. Teresa of Calcutta for grades Six through Eighth.
St Frances of Rome
Jonah 3:1-10. A broken, humbled heart, O God, you will not scorn – Psalm 50(51):3-4, 12-13, 18-19. Luke 11:29-32
Cleanse me from my sin … sustain in me a generous spirit.
Today’s readings speak of repentance and conversion. We read about Jonah’s sign and Jesus’ reference to it. Behind these readings is the gentle irony of God’s compassion for his people. The people of Nineveh were saved after they repented and so this story prepares us for the Gospel message of God’s love.
What can we take from these readings today? Are there signs in our interconnected world for us to follow? Should we question the ways of popular culture which are so often fast-paced and arrogant and overlook the needs of our fellow human beings? Is there a need for a change of heart, a conversion; a humble acceptance that our choices are better based on the Gospel message than on a ceaseless pursuit of wealth and power?
Contents of Brown Envelope
Report Cards
Chuck E. Cheese Flyer
Calendar Highlights
Wednesday, March 9 Report Cards Sent Home
Wednesday, March 9 Boys Basketball home vs. St Anthony’s
Thursday , March 10 Faculty Meeting 2pm Dismissal
Thursday, March 10 APA Board Meeting 6:30
Saturday, March 12 Kindergarten Testing 9am-11am
Monday, March 14 Boys Basketball away vs. St Augustine 2
Wednesday, March 16 Boys Basketball home vs. St Mary Magdalen 2
Friday, March 18 No School-RE Congress
Monday, March 21 No School-RE Congress
Monday, March 21 Chuck-E-Cheese Fundraiser Noon-9pm
Wednesday, March 23 See’s Candy orders due
Thursday, March 31 Spring Pictures
Student Council Activities during Lent:
The Student Council will be praying the Stations of the Cross with each class during Lent in the Mulcahy Center.
In addition, the Student Council will be focusing on the three “Pillars of Lent,” Almsgiving, Prayer, and Fasting.
The 8th grade Student Council members will be focusing on “Almsgiving”
The 7th grade Student Council members will be focusing on “Prayer”
The 6th grade Student Council members will be focusing on “Fasting”
This week the 7th grade Student Council will be saying a daily prayer with the classes.
Later this week the Student Council will hand out the planned Almsgiving, and Fasting activities.
Athletic Director:
Our Athletic Director, Larry Murray is retiring at the end of this year. He has been with us for the past 9 years as Athletic Director. The Murray family has a long and wonderful history with OLA. His dedication speaks to the sense of community we foster at our school. We will miss Larry very much and appreciate all the time and leadership he has given our young athletes. We will need to fill this position for the upcoming school year. If you are interested please contact Ms.Fussell.
OLA Parish News:
ADORATION & PRAYER FOR PEACE IN UKRAINE
3:00 PM to 5:00 PM in the Mulcahy Center
Monday thru Friday
Pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet & Rosary
Friday Night Services During Lent–Mass at 5:30 – Stations of the Cross at 7:00 pm followed by Adoration and Benediction
Lenten Penance Service March 30th at 7:oo pm
Edge tonight, March 9th from 6 to 7:30 pm. Junior high youth in grades 6-8 are welcome. Please contact OLA youth minister, Gabe Rivera, for more information at youthministry@ola-vta.org or 805-642-7966 x121.
See’s Candy Spring Fundraiser: This is a voluntary fundraiser offering delicious See’s candy just in time for Easter. Orders are due in the school office by Wednesday March 23, 2022. Please make checks payable to OLA. Items will be distributed before Easter break.
APA BOARD CORNER
“Starry Nights/City Lights” Auction event will take place on Saturday April 30th, 2022. Our LARGEST and most IMPORTANT fundraising event of the school year is fast approaching and we NEED YOUR HELP! The APA Board welcomes everyone’s active participation in procuring desirable goods, services and experiences for the auction.
Do you have or know anyone who has access to:
A vacation home/condo or cabin in a fun destination? A professional or collegiate sport/team or athlete?
Connections to anyone in the movie, television or music industry?
Any other fun big-ticket items that you can think of donating?
We have a list of local businesses and individuals who have donated to prior auctions. We invite new businesses and friends to join the OLA Auction and make it a success! Please contact Erin Canavan canavan1@gmail.com if you would like to suggest an item or join the procurement team.
UPDATE:The next APA meeting will be held on Thursday, March 10th, 2022 at 6:30pm. If you are interested in attending or joining the board please contact Jen Colitti at jengirlc@gmail.com
Testing
We are able to offer a Rapid Antigen Test to our school community. These tests are available through the PCR testing company - Covid Testing Appointments, LLC. These tests needed to be taken on campus along with the PCR test.
We are partnering with COVID Testing Appointments, LLC to offer no-cost COVID -19 Test to our school community and its families. Their mission is to “Provide No Cost COVID Testing and Services to the masses assisting schools, business, and our communities.” Most results are in 24-48 hours.
The testing packets are available in the office. Our lab pick up days will be on Tuesdays and Thursdays by noon.
We have at home tests from the Ventura County Emergency Services - Medical Services Agency. These tests are able to be sent home with our students. These tests are self-tests at home with results in 15 min. - iHealth COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test. Please contact Gina Ravenscroft at gina@olaventura.org or Jennifer Colitti at jennifer@olaventura.org. You are also welcome to come into the office and pick up tests for your family.
Reporting Absences
Please go onto our website to report absences. Use the Button located on the homepage of the website. The website generates a form which is given to the teacher daily. Thank you.
The digital marquee birthday flier is available in the office. Enjoy announcing your child's next birthday on the OLA marquee! Announcement cost is $10.
AmazonSmile is a website operated by Amazon that lets customers enjoy the same wide selection of products, low prices, and convenient shopping features as on Amazon. The difference is that when you shop at https://smile.amazon.com the AmazonSmile Foundation donates 0.5% of the purchase price to our school.
Please choose Our Lady of the Assumption School - Ventura. Thank you!
Masks on Campus:
Please remember to wear masks when you enter our campus or wait in line to pick up students. We are doing so to protect our vulnerable populations that are not vaccinated. Thank you for your cooperation and support.
The best times to conduct school business in the office are:
Mornings
8:30 am - 12:00
Lunch-Closed (12:00-12:50)
12:50 - 2:15pm
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.
VIRTUS TRAINING:
OLA Church is offering in person training for both Keeping the Promise Alive and Protecting God’s Children. These sessions will be led by Dea Boheme. Please call Dea at 805. 390 .1260 to reserve a spot.
Protecting God’s Children training is the 3 hr sessions:
March 14, 2022: Location Santa from 6pm to 9pm
Keeping the Promise Alive these are hour and ½ session:
April 4, 2022: Location Santa Cruz Room
Fingerprinting:
Date and Time: April 9, 2022 from 10 am - 4:45 pm
Location: Parish House at OLA
Appointments are required. Please call 805-642-7966 to schedule an appointment.
**ALL SESSIONS BEGIN AT 6 PM**
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