Mercy Messenger
Issue 24 ~ Sunday February 18, 2024
Through the intercession of Our Lady of Mercy, we commit ourselves to living the Good News of Jesus through Works of Mercy. Our rigorous academic program unleashes creative energy for the pursuit of knowledge and nurtures a hope-filled vision for Catholic leadership. We live out our relationship with God by respecting the dignity of others and providing service to the global community that fosters unity, understanding, and compassion.
Beginning Prayer
Hear my prayer as I begin this Lenten journey with you. Let me be honest with myself as I look into my heart and soul, noticing the times I turn away from you. Guide me as I humbly seek to repent and return to your love. May humility guide my efforts to be reconciled with you and live forever in your abundant grace.
Principal Update
Sunday February 18th, 2024
Good Morning,
As we start this Lenten season, let us approach our spiritual disciplines with humility and sincerity, trusting in the grace of God to guide us. Let us foster a spirit of gratitude for the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who endured the cross for our salvation. And let us emerge from this season of preparation with hearts renewed, ready to joyfully proclaim the resurrection victory of Easter.
OLM as a school community we celebrated the beginning of Lent by attending Ash Wednesday Mass together. We recognized our peacemakers of the month for January (listed below) and introduced our virtue of the month for February which is courage. As a school community we are going to try to show that courage is not just seen as a personal attribute but also as a virtue that reflects the teachings of Jesus Christ and the examples of saints and martyrs. It's about living out one's faith with integrity, compassion, and bravery, and striving to make the world a better place through acts of love and courage.
I hope everyone has a great week ahead and please reach out with any questions or concerns.
In Mercy,
Bill Delaney
Peacemakers for the Month of January
Pre K
Jules Penska
Kindergarten
Nicol Ladino Gutierrez
Jack Kavanagh
Penny Harkins
Grade 1
Sydney Erb
Anatasia Zollo
Brayden Detwiler
Grade 2
Maddy Marks
Brady Luskin
Tyler Baker
Grade 3
Claire Brady
Mason Jones
Grade 4
Tyler Caruso
Addy Filewicz
Gavin Morris
Grade 5
Bobby Wilkin
Jake Harris
Grade 6
Cheyenne Jordan
John Homa
Grade 7
Harrison Gabriel
Brendan Moore
Grade 8
Jimmy Connelly
Annabel Miller
Camp Mercy at OLM Registration Now Open
I am happy to announce that registration for 2024 Camp Mercy at OLM is now open. I am also happy to announce that Mrs. Monica Harris will be our camp director for the 2024 season. Mrs. Harris is a 4th grade teacher here at OLM. Ms. Sara Carney who is a 5th grade teacher here at OLM will be the assistant director. Please fill out the attached google form. If you have any questions please contact Mrs. Harris at camp@olmrcs.com.
Register here
Reminders
- Please do not get out of your car to get your child during car line. It is not safe to walk in the parking lot during dismissal. Thank you.
- Please do not drop your child off at school before 7:30.
- Please remember to fill out all the school forms that are on OptionC as soon as possible.
- If you are changing the way your child is going home please call the main office before 1pm.
- If your child is absent from school please email attendance@olmrcs.com.
- Make sure to have all your clearances up to date if you are planning on volunteering in the school or with any clubs. (See Wednesday communication for more information)
A Look Ahead
2/19- Presidents Day. No School.
2/21- Ski club make up.
3/1- Terra Nova Inview test. Grades 3-7.
3/4-3/8- Terra Nova Test. Grades 2-7.
3/8- Father Daughter Dance.
SUNDAY STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
Congratulations to Max Bieak '24 on receiving the following scholarship to:
St. Therese Merit Academic Scholarship - Lansdale Catholic High School
The OLM community is very proud of Max and all his accomplishments!
Class of 2024 Scholarships
We proudly report that the Class of 2024 students were awarded a grand total of $917,000 in scholarships. Congratulation to all.
Fashion Design 101
Honor Band
Congratulations to Henry Lemanowicz for making the Archdiocese of Philadelphia middle school honor band. Henry plays the trumpet. The concert will take place on Friday, February 23, 2024 at Archbishop Wood High School.
Archdiocesan Honors Chorus
Congratulations to Grace Womelsdorf, Kylie Youngers, and Izzy Eliason for being named to the Archdiocesan Honors Choir. Over 85 students from the surrounding Catholic schools were selected to participate. The concert will be on Wednesday, February 28, 2024 at Cardinal O'Hara High School.
Blossom in Stem Program (Spots still open.)
Gwynedd Mercy Academy is offering their Blossom in Stem Program to our 6th, 7th and 8th grade female students. This program is meant to enhance and expand their knowledge of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Once a month, students from Gwynedd and their Stem teacher Mr. Berger will come to OLM to facilitate and aid them in performing Stem related activities and experiments. The club is free to our students and is open to 20 girls per session. There will be 9 sessions and it will be after school from 3-4pm. Below you will find a link for the sign up list. Thank you.
Counseling Corner
As we conclude Random Acts of Kindness week, I wanted to extend my appreciation for all of the donations to Cradle for Crayons. We collected over 100 boxes of diapers and wipes along with dozens of socks and underwear for children in the Greater Philadelphia area. One of the best ways to teach kindness is to model it ourselves. Taking the time out of your busy life to show kindness towards others allows our children to see our actions and inspires them to do the same. “No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” ~ Aesop
From the Nurse's Office
If your child test positive for Covid-19 please follow the CDC guidelines. If you have any questions please contact the nurse's office at nurse@olmrcs.com.
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/isolation.html
Please remember that your child needs to be 24 hours fever free and vomit free without medicine before returning to school. Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our school community healthy.
Ski & Board Club
The last trip is scheduled for Wednesday, February 21st. If your child is part of the ski & board club please consider volunteering for the trips, https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0F4BA8AF2FA46-44432645-2024#/. If you have any questions, please contact Bea Lemanowicz at bml@lemanowiczlaw.com
We need parent volunteers to help with Ski & Board Club Monday Pretzels. One person is asked to pick up pretzels at 8 am at the Philly Pretzel Factory Horsham, deliver them to the school, and help sort and distribute them. We need another parent to meet at the school at 8:15 am and help sort/distribute them. Please use the SignUp Genius link to volunteer for a day or two. Our Lady of Mercy Home and School Association: 2024 OLM Ski & Board Club Pretzel Sale Volunteers (signupgenius.com)
February Dine & Donate
HSA will host their next dine and donate on Thursday, February 22nd from 11:00am to 9:00pm at Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza in Horsham. Mention you are there for the OLM dine and donate. 20% of your bill (excluding alcohol) will be donated back to the school.
Father/Daughter Dance - Friday March 8th, Registration now open!
Registration is now open for the annual Father Daughter Dance. The event will take place on Friday, March 8th at Our Lady of Mercy. So get ready to parTAY on the dance floor! See the flyer for more details.
To Register: Father Daughter Registration
- To Volunteer or Donations:http://tinyurl.com/OLM2024dance
Mother/Son - SAVE THE DATE!
Mark your calendars for the annual Mother Son event. This year we are taking it to the dance floor. The event will take place on Friday, April 12th at Our Lady of Mercy. So get your favorite sneakers ready for the dance floor! More details to follow soon.
OLM Run for Mercy 5k & 1 mile fun run/walk – March 16th!
Mark your calendars and start training. The OLM Run for Mercy 5k & 1 mile fun run/walk will take place on Saturday, March 16th at 10:00am. To Register for the event use this link: http://tinyurl.com/RUNFORMERCY2024. If you would like to volunteer and join the 5k committee, please reach out Kristin Butler at Kmbutler333@gmail.com.
Supporting Home & School
- Interested in Volunteering?
- We are always looking for new ideas, suggestions, and volunteers! If you have any interest in volunteering please feel free to fill out this interest form: tinyurl.com/OLMVolCalendar24.
- If you are interested in joining the board, we would love to hear from you! Please feel free to reach out via email at hsa@olmrcs.com. We welcome you to check out our website, www.olmhsa.wixsite.com/2021, or follow and interact with us on social media, FB @olmhsa or Instagram @olmhsa.
8th Grade Pretzels!
Ski Pretzels end on Monday, February 26th! 8th Grade will begin their pretzel sale delivery on Monday, March 4th. Be sure to sign your child(ren) up for pretzels by February 26th to ensure they receive their Monday pretzels. Sign up through the link: http://tinyurl.com/OLM8thgradepretzelsale. We appreciate your support to help them with the cost of their 8th grade graduation.
Winter Weather
As we are moving towards the winter months of the year here are a couple of reminders if we have a delayed school day or closure.
- OLM follows Upper Dublin school district. If Upper Dublin closes school for weather or is delayed, OLM is closed or delayed. A text, call and email will be sent out.
- If another school district closes and Upper Dublin is open, OLM is open. Those school district's that are closed will not provide busing. You will be notified if that occurs.
2024-2025 Financial Aid
2024-2025 financial aid is now open. Please log onto your FACTS account to apply. To be considered for financial aid you must fill out an application through your FACTS account. The deadline to apply is February 29th. If you have any questions please send your questions to grants@olmrcs.com.
Uniform Policy
Please remember that all students should be wearing our winter uniforms. ALL uniform rules will be enforced. Please review the general uniform rules that are listed below and are in the student handbook.
● Girls’ kilts must be no shorter than two inches above the knee. After a second warning, they must wear navy blue tights or school-issued pants until the skirt/kilt is at the appropriate length.
● All students must wear OLM uniform pieces with logos. They must be purchased from one of our two approved vendors: Flynn & O’Hara or Lands’ End.
● All formal and gym uniforms must be purchased from one of our two approved vendors: Flynn & O’Hara or Lands’ End.
● NO LOGOS, Nike Elite sports socks, or the like are permitted with the school uniform except on gym days.
● Sneakers must be worn on gym days, even on a dress-down day.
● Girls may wear post-earrings or small hoops.
● Belts must be worn with pants or shorts by both boys and girls.
● Only the neckline of a plain white undershirt may be visible under the shirt.
Car Line Procedures
To keep our students safe and the car line moving in the afternoon, please:
- Do not get out of your cars. A faculty member will help your child get into the car.
- DO NOT PASS cars in front of you as there may be children getting into their cars on the driver's side. Please be patient and stay in line as you exit the school property, following the car in front of you.
- Do not stop in front of your child. Pull up as far as you can (up to the gym doors) to allow the most cars to load at one time. Please pull right up to the car in front of you.
- Do not speed. The speed limit is 10 MPH while driving on any part of the school property. Please be mindful of your speed.
- Do not use your cell phone while driving in the parking lot.
- WE ASK THAT YOU PLEASE PUT A SIGN IN YOUR PASSENGER SIDE FRONT WINDOW IDENTIFYING YOUR LAST NAME. This will help us find your child(ren) faster.
- If you need to buckle your child into their car seat, please do so in the circle near the exit of the property.
Birthdays this week
2/18
Julia Finley
2/19
Andrew Barton
Gavin Pohl
Declan Maloney
2/20
Mr. Maher
Nicholas Della Vecchia
2/21
Carter Launer
Colin Tolan
2/22
Jake Harris
Ryan Spear
2/23
Elena Wei
2/24
Rolanda Nukah
McKenna Lane
Altar Servers
Tuesday 2/20
James McGeehan
Andrew McGeehan
Wednesday 2/21
Faith Vandiver
Abigail Klein
Thursday 2/22
Robert Wilkin
Jack Powers
Friday 2/23
Sophie Samson
Will McMullen