"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."
Sept. 9th Newsletter
September 9, 2016
Dear OLG Families,
Welcome back!
Our staff and students are off to a great start in the new school year! Thank you for your partnership in educating your children! We enjoyed seeing so many of you last night for preschool/pre-k and middle school curriculum nights. There was a great energy in the building and excitement about new projects and curriculum units that the teachers will be implementing. We’re excited about the year ahead!
EDC News
Some of you who have students who were in EDC yesterday may have already heard the sad news that Laura Joe, Director of OLG’s Extended Day Care program, will be leaving us.
Laura has been a caring constant in the lives of many OLG students who have attended the EDC program over the last 17+ years. Whether it has been teaching students how to create masterpieces with Perler beads, playing outdoors along with the EDC kids after school, or working diligently to keep the students in her care safe, she leaves a legacy of care, friendship and fun.
Due to immediate family commitments which conflict with the EDC schedule, Laura’s last day will be today, Friday Sept. 9. Because of the impact Laura has had in her many years here and the suddenness of this announcement, an opportunity for students and families to say a proper good-bye is being planned and will take place in the next couple of weeks. Meanwhile, if you would like to write a note or a card for Laura, you can bring them to the school office or EDC and we will make sure she receives them.
We wish Laura the all the best in her new endeavors. She will be greatly missed.
Obviously, this leaves us with big position to fill. While we are searching for the school’s next fabulous EDC Director, please let us know if your VIRTUS Safe Environment training is up to date and you would be interested in earning volunteer hours helping out!
Reminders from the Office
Milk service officially begins Monday, Sept. 12th. You should have received a form in the Family Communication Envelope (FCE) sent home yesterday. Please complete the form for each student in your family who would like to receive milk at lunch for the year and return it to school. The cost is $60 per student for the school year. Milk is 1% white milk.
Also, if you haven’t turned in your blue Drop-Off/Pick-Up form for your child/children or Emergency Kit, please do so as soon as possible.
Information about Fall Extracurricular Programs will be out next week!
Date: Tuesday September 20th
Time: 6:30 pm
Location: OLG Math Lab
Please attend this kick off meeting for introductions and an overview of Parent Org activities for the year. In the meantime, welcome back and enjoy the first few weeks of school! And, as always, please email with questions!
JustFaith “Crossing Borders” 8-week Small Group Module
How do we faithfully engage the major issues of our day? OLG will be hosting an 8-week module called “Crossing Borders: Migration, Theology and the Human Journey” created by JustFaith Ministries. This module invites small groups to explore the complex issue of immigration within the context of the Gospels and the life and example of Jesus. Through reading, reflection and discussion, the module aims to cultivate genuine dialogue, prayer and community. It will provide participants a chance to find common ground and to discover more about themselves, their values, our God, and the millions of people who are on the move in every part of the world. The group will meet Wednesday evenings from 6 – 8:30 pm, October 5 – November 23. If you are interested in joining, contact Jennifer at 206-935-0358 x120. One group will meet Friday mornings from 10 am – 12:30 pm, September 30 – November 17. Space is limited, so please RSVP by September 9.
Becoming Peacemakers: A Gospel Response to Violence
You are invited to a half-day of education, prayer, reflection and public witness on Saturday, September 24, from 9:30 am – 12:30 pm at St. Francis of Assisi Parish’s Unity Place (15216 21st Ave SW, Burien, WA 98166). Marie Dennis, co-president of Pax Christi International, will be the keynote speaker. She will address the call to be peacemakers and consider the evolving Church teaching from Just War to Just Peace. There will also be local stories of transformation from violence, resources, and time for prayer. At 12:45 pm you have the option of participating in a Press Conference and Public Witness for peacemaking. There is also an optional afternoon workshop on Contemplative Dialogue with Sr. Linda Haydock from the Intercommunity Peace and Justice Center. Sponsors include JustFaith local leadership, Intercommunity Peace and Justice Center, local Pax Christi groups, Maryknoll and the Missions Office of the Archdiocese of Seattle. Cost is $10 (or $15 at the door). Please bring a sack lunch. You can register here or by phone at (206) 223-1138.
Lettuce Pray runs through October 2nd
This is a seasonally low time for donations at our local food banks and they need your help. One way to replenish their shelves is through the Lettuce Pray program. If you’re a home gardener, here’s all you need to do to participate: pick what’s fresh in your garden, bring it to church, and put it in the Lettuce Pray box in the narthex by 11 am. If you don’t garden, you can also buy fresh produce and donate it. Lettuce Pray volunteers will pick up the produce and transfer it directly to the West Seattle and White Center Food Banks. Please keep in mind that many food bank patrons walk, so keep the produce light! Thank you for sharing what comes from your heart — and your garden — with those in need in our community! Lettuce Pray will run through Sunday, October 2. For more information, contact Jennifer Ibach at 206-935-0358 x 120.
Help Take Lettuce Pray into a new Decade
Do you really value the Lettuce Pray program? After 10 years of running it, Jane and Kristen are stepping down. Would you be willing to take it over in 2017? The ministry is simple and requires no meetings or mission statements. It’s perfect for one or two people who have a reliable car and a heart for direct service. The churches and route are all set so you’d just set the pickup dates and let the churches know. As it is currently set up, it takes about 90 minutes every Sunday morning. For more information, contact Jane at (206) 841-2601.
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.