"Our Lady of Guadalupe School fosters Gospel values, inspires academic excellence, and develops service and leadership. We face this as a sacramental community united and empowered by the Holy Spirit."
October 6th Newsletter
October 6, 2016
Dear OLG Families,
We’ll be off on Friday, meeting with other educators in the Seattle Archdiocese to get new input and collaborate with colleagues. Lauren Hobbs will be presenting about service learning in Catholic schools, and Allie Savio and Michael Stein-Ross will be facilitating discussion groups this year. We wish you a wonderful weekend!
Extended Day Care
Kim Fulton, “Ms. Kimmy,” starts next week in EDC. We’re excited to welcome her back to OLG. At this transition time, we’ll be using the opportunity to take a fresh look at our EDC program and the needs of our students and families as you juggle school and work schedules. Watch for a survey coming out next week, asking for your feedback about what we’re doing well and ways that we can grow our extended day program at OLG. One of the goals of our most recent 5-Year Plan was to look at ways to extend the school day or year with educational and enriching offerings. After gathering community input, we launched our extracurricular program after school and in the summer. That program is taking off, and now it’s time to take a focused look at our extended day program to see how we can build on its strong foundation and expand the learning and enrichment opportunities for our students. We will welcome your ideas and feedback!
School Fund Drive Needs YOU!
Your support and investment in students, staff and OLG school is as important as ever! We can meet our goal of $100,000 with 100% participation! Have you made your 2016-17 pledge yet? If not, now’s the time. Click here to find out more and donate here. Thank you for supporting our amazing school!
One or more volunteers are requested to work with each class to make a quilt square for Laura Joe.
Extracurricular Parent Coordinator
Meet your entire commitment hour requirement by providing leadership in extracurricular program planning!
Play is Serious Business!
Not only is it fun for kids, but it is also a key component for healthy development. It is a child’s “job,” their work, one way of learning about the world, and how they fit in… Through play, new skills are tested, imagination and creativity are stretched, and relationships with others begin to take hold. Problem solving, inventing, and challenging self and others promote growth and insight. I see this daily at recess. It’s amazing to share this part of a child’s journey. If you’re interested in keeping our students safe, earning commitment hours, getting to know the children, other parents, and perhaps seeing your own child at play, please consider recess monitoring. Talk to Ms. Heidi about options regarding times/hours! Please contact Ms. Heidi, at (206) 935-6051 Ex. 114.
Morning Recess: 10:00-10:15 – Gr. K,1,2,3 and
10:15-10:30 – Gr. 2,4,5
Afternoon Recess 11:30-12:00 – Gr. 4,5,6,7,8 and
12:00-12:30 – Gr. K,1,2,3
MAP Testing
We will complete our fall MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) testing today. Thanks for helping your child be ready to do his/her best. Thanks also to our teachers who rearranged schedules and proctored. Special thanks to Lauren Hobbs and Beth Sommerville, our MAP Coordinators, who oversaw set-up of the library for testing, ensured that our technology and rosters were ready to go, established the 3-week schedule, coordinated and administered make-up assessments, and more! The teachers will share assessment reports with parents of students in grades 1-8 at fall conferences.
The 8th grade class began their service project this week, heading down to Providence Mount St. Vincent home for assisted living and long term care. During our orientation, we learned an array of protocol to follow when helping the residents of the Mount and participating in recreational therapy. Working at the Mount engages our 8th graders in powerful intergenerational interaction. As with all projects in each grade level, we are not only serving others, but we are being served as well. We socialize with the residents, while they share their wisdom and history with us. Throughout the year, we’ll carve pumpkins, decorate gingerbread houses, put on a talent show, and partake in one on one discussions. We’re looking forward to another enlightening and enjoyable year at the Mount!
Two upcoming after-school activities! Middle school families, a registration form will be sent separately…
Creative Writer’s Hub:
The rain, wind, and early setting sun spell out the onset of autumn, a season when many people love to stay indoors and read a good book. Why not write one? Last spring, more than 15 middle school students joined my spring writing club, and I’ve been excited to get it going this year. Writing is my passion – I spent the summer completing my second novel in less than a year. It’s a dream I’ve had since I was in middle school, and I look forward to helping my students in their own writing ventures. I’ll provide feedback and comments via Google Docs and be available for brainstorming. This club is designed to help students improve their writing skills, and simply have time to write creatively. (Grades 6-8, Tuesdays and Thursdays 3:00 – 4:15).*
OLG Homework Club (with Alumni helpers!):
Need some extra time to do homework? Trying to solve for x and want a former OLG student help you? The Homework Club is back, and so are several OLG grads. This club affords a quiet place to get homework done with the added bonus of roving high school student helpers and, of course, Mr. Santos to provide answers to questions and skill development for your middle school child. (Grades 6-8, Tuesdays and Thursdays 3:00-4:15). It’s also a great opportunity for 8th graders to touch base with high school students and get an idea of how the skills they are learning now will impact their future.*
*Please note that Mr. Santos is moderating both the Creative Writer’s Hub and the Homework Club. Both will take place in the 8th grade classroom simultaneously.
You may have seen the great new items in the display case by the main office. The Apparel and Gear Sale is launching today! Orders are due to school by October 21st and will be filled within approximately 2 weeks. Stock up on OLG gear for the whole family! Orders can also be placed online. Please note which items are approved for PE use in middle school. Questions? Contact your Parent Org Fall Fundraiser Chair!
Halloween Carnival It’s a fun-raiser! Thanks to all the parents who’ve signed up for the Halloween Carnival. 35 of 106 volunteer shifts have been filled. If you haven’t already, please click here to add your help to the fun-making event of the school year. More than 500 hours of parent volunteer time make this night a success. 71 volunteer shifts & 59 cakes are still needed. Donations of candy can be brought to the school office.
The Cakewalk is back again & spinning all night. Thank you, 4th grade. You’ll be giving away more than 100 cakes, cupcakes, & cookies. A $20 prize will be given for the best decorated cake or cupcakes.
Purchase Halloween advance purchase & discounted wristbands online. Wristbands* are $12 & tickets are 10/$5. Advance purchase tickets & wristbands will be available for Will Call pick-up at the event.
*Wristbands include bounce, Haunted Hall/laser tag, games, beauty parlor, Pumpkin Fishing, & more. Ticketed attractions include Zoo, Cakewalk, Photos, & Ice cream. The 8th grade families will provide food for purchase. Contact Natalie Trius with any questions.
Box Tops for Education
Time to turn in Box Tops! Please drop off labels from Box Tops products at the school office or by the church library. Clean out your stash in the month of October so we can meet our next deadline! To learn more about participating products, visit our Fundraising page, or contact Laura Wong. Thank you, OLG families! We appreciate your time and participation!
Save the date for our 2017 Kentucky Derby auction
February 25, 2017, Brockey Center, South Seattle College
We still have a number of positions open (below).
Please let us know if you are interested in being part of this wonderful team! Email us!
Volunteer Opportunities for the Auction:
Computer Manager/Bank
Inventory/Family
Transport/Clean up
Decorations Chair
Bank Chair/Cashiering
Networking Chair (Auction night)
Volunteer Coordinator
Please let us know if you are interested in being part of this wonderful team!
We are off to a great start in P.E., having good weather until we had the gym and then reconnecting with games in the gym. Here’s what has been happening:
Pre-K and Kindergarten
We always begin the year practicing safe running skills; running at your own pace without falling down or running into others, watching where you are going and stopping using your legs, no sliding. They also have practiced running any direction, freezing their body when hearing two whistles. We are now practicing throwing and catching our own catch. We have added staying in one spot while throwing and catching. Right now we are doing two hand throws and catches, following with eyes. Students are using beanies, ghosts and balls. Classes are also doing under and overhand throws and deciding which one works best for farthest, highest, favorite.
Grades 1 – 4
Since being back in the gym, we have been using scooters for relays and Scooter 500. They are fun to use and really target specific muscle groups. This is one activity classes love to do. We just started doing 54 which is the best ball game ever, requiring little skill and great teamwork. There are 5 teams, 4 courts and 6 large play balls. The object of the game is to keep the balls out of your court; if you have 4 balls in your court, the team is out. One team refs and when they call a court out, the refs go back in the game, out-going team become the refs. It is a fast-paced game, and no team is out for very long and all work on ref skills and good sportsmanship. They are sweaty and thirsty at the end. And they are smiling!
Grades 5 – 8
These classes are enjoying being back in the gym, only to play their favorite game Soak-em and Partner Soak-em. The challenge is having them get into teams on their own, quickly and fairly. They get faster and better at it as time goes on but some days, they just ask me to do it. These groups need to relieve some stress and energy so active games that get them moving are best. We have just started fitness testing, sit-ups first, next will be the mile run. On days when students have PE in the morning, please encourage your 6th, 7th or 8th grader to wear PE clothes or at least bring a clean uniform shirt to change into after class. Classrooms are small and there are many bodies in there! Thanks. 5th graders can also bring an extra shirt on PE days to change into; nice to have a clean, dry shirt after a sweaty game.
Come help us put on a fabulous meal for the community! The Community Meal happens each month at OLG and aims to provide a free meal for anyone in the greater community who wishes to attend. We are looking for people who can help on October 30th in the Walmesley Center with setup (9:45 am-11ish), serving (12:30 pm-2ish), and cleanup (2:00 pm-3:30ish). If you are not able to stay that day, you can participate by dropping off a homemade or store-bought dessert for our guests (any time after 9:45 am). If you’re able to help, please contact Colleen. Thank you for serving our OLG and West Seattle communities!
Respect Life Month: Moved by Mercy at Life’s End
October has been designated by the U.S. Catholic bishops as Respect Life Month. This year, the theme is “Moved by Mercy”. The Respect Life program, sponsored by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, promotes respect for human life in light of our intrinsic dignity as having been created in God’s image and likeness and called to an eternal destiny with God. This week we look at how to share mercy at the end of someone’s life. Caring for loved ones during their last days in an enormously important act of mercy. In addition to medical care, loved ones’ suffering can be alleviated by your empathy. Learn more about how to compassionately care for a loved one nearing life’s end.
Are you interested in being an altar server? Children 4th grade and older, AND adults are invited to attend one of the two upcoming trainings: Tuesday, October 11, 3:15 – 4:15 pm or Saturday, October 15, 3:00 – 4:00 pm in the church. This is a great opportunity for families to serve together. For information, contact Helen Oesterle, (206) 935-0358
Are You Interested in Being a Eucharistic Minister?
Ordinary ministers of communion are the bishop, priest and deacon. However, due to the pastoral needs of providing communion to all the faithful, the Church authorizes special ministers who will be able to distribute communion at Mass and to persons who are sick and/or homebound. Eucharistic Ministers must be fully initiated into the Church, having celebrated baptism, confirmation and First Communion. In addition, this is an appointed position of the Pastor and will need his approval. Two training opportunities are scheduled for Saturday, October 15 from 2:00 – 3:00 pm or Wednesday, October 19 from 6:30 – 7:30 pm.
NO School Archdiocesan Teacher Excellence In-service Day Friday, Oct. 7th
Parent Org Meeting
Tuesday, Oct. 10th
6:30 pm
NOON Dismissal Staff In-service
Friday, Oct. 14th
Please keep Rita Gazewood, first grade teacher and mother of Molly, in your prayers as she rests and recovers from surgery! We look forward to welcoming her back soon!
Please pray for OLG Spanish teacher, Mary Brodahl, and her family. Her father recently passed away in El Salvador.
Please pray for Scott Mathews, OLG substitute, whose father passed away last week.
Keep the Monroe family in your prayers. Pete
Dorratcague, father of Nicole and grandfather of Dominique, and a founding parishioner at OLG, passed away this past week. His funeral will be held on Friday, Oct. 7th at 11:00 am, followed by a reception in the Walmesley Center.
Please pray for OLG parent, Lisa Booth, who has had a recurrence of cancer and is exploring next steps in her treatment.
Our Lady of Guadalupe School & Parish acknowledges that we are on the traditional land of the first people of Seattle, the Duwamish People past and present, and honor with gratitude the land itself and the Duwamish Tribe.
care. During our orientation, we learned an array of protocol to follow when helping the residents of the Mount and participating in recreational therapy. Working at the Mount engages our 8th graders in powerful intergenerational interaction. As with all projects in each grade level, we are not only serving others, but we are being served as well. We socialize with the residents, while they share their wisdom and history with us. Throughout the year, we’ll carve pumpkins, decorate gingerbread houses, put on a talent show, and partake in one on one discussions. We’re looking forward to another enlightening and enjoyable year at the Mount!
It’s a fun-raiser! Thanks to all the parents who’ve signed up for the Halloween Carnival. 35 of 106 volunteer shifts have been filled. If you haven’t already, please 
month of October so we can meet our next deadline! To learn more about participating products, visit our 
you are going and stopping using your legs, no sliding. They also have practiced running any direction, freezing their body when hearing two whistles. We are now practicing throwing and catching our own catch. We have added staying in one spot while throwing and catching. Right now we are doing two hand throws and catches, following with eyes. Students are using beanies, ghosts and balls. Classes are also doing under and overhand throws and deciding which one works best for farthest, highest, favorite.
Since being back in the gym, we have been using scooters for relays and Scooter 500. They are fun to use and really target specific muscle groups. This is one activity classes love to do. We just started doing 54 which is the best ball game ever, requiring little skill and great teamwork. There are 5 teams, 4 courts and 6 large play balls. The object of the game is to keep the balls out of your court; if you have 4 balls in your court, the team is out. One team refs and when they call a court out, the refs go back in the game, out-going team become the refs. It is a fast-paced game, and no team is out for very long and all work on ref skills and good sportsmanship. They are sweaty and thirsty at the end. And they are smiling!
favorite game Soak-em and Partner Soak-em. The challenge is having them get into teams on their own, quickly and fairly. They get faster and better at it as time goes on but some days, they just ask me to do it. These groups need to relieve some stress and energy so active games that get them moving are best. We have just started fitness testing, sit-ups first, next will be the mile run. On days when students have PE in the morning, please encourage your 6th, 7th or 8th grader to wear PE clothes or at least bring a clean uniform shirt to change into after class. Classrooms are small and there are many bodies in there! Thanks. 5th graders can also bring an extra shirt on PE days to change into; nice to have a clean, dry shirt after a sweaty game.
