OLM Parent Newsletter
Wednesday, May 4th, 2016
Reflection Corner:
It is the decision of the Holy Spirit and of us not to place on you any burden beyond these necessities” (Acts 15: 28).
The followers were divided. Jesus was no longer among them as before. He had taught them and the Spirit was sent to strengthen them. To seek unity, they gathered to pray, listen, and discern. Should Gentiles follow the same laws as Jews in the Christian community? Who are we? Questions about our purpose in life and identity lead us back to our roots and into our future. As one Christian community, let us always find time to understand the world as followers of Christ.
Prayer: God, you are the first to reach out. You love us where we are found. This is how we are freed.
Honoring our Blessed Mother Mary
The Catholic Church dedicates the month of Mary in honor of our Blessed Mother Mary. We nurture our devotion to Mary with the traditional “May Crowning” to honor her as Queen of Heaven and Mother of God. OLM takes this month again as an opportunity to help the children develop a special love for Mary. The following activities will be observed:
Communal Praying of one decade of the Rosary (each day) on May 2 – 6 @ 8:05 a.m. We have daily morning assemblies this week.
Mass and May Crowning on May 11 @ 10:00 a.m. ( Church )
Teacher Appreciation Week
Last Monday, the PTO recognized our staff during our morning assembly which was capped by a special rendition of "Stand by Me" by eighth grader Leilani Zarragoza. What a special treat it was for our teachers. Cheers to all OLM Faculty and Staff!
Happy Teacher Appreciation Week!
Altar Servers Recognized
For the past five years, the OLM Altar Server Ministry schedules one weekend in May to honor the commitment, dedication, and valued services of the many young children who perform daily altar serving at Our Lady of Mercy Church at all 6 masses.
This past weekend, we recognized ninety altar servers - current OLM students, CCD students, and even OLM alumni who continue to serve our parish. The OLM Knights of Columbus gave out certificates of appreciation and treated our altar servers to a bowling party on Sunday afternoon. Senior Altar Servers who have served 3 or more years were given special pins.
The top three servers who have served the most number of masses during the last 12 months with special plaques were likewise recognized. This year's Top 3 servers include OLMl's Aeden Perez and Matthew Mohler. Congratulations to all our altar servers!
The OLM Altar Server Ministry also recognizes the parents, because without their commitment, none of these children would be able to come to church to fulfill their ministry.
Wanted: Altar Servers
We are looking for current third, fourth, and fifth graders who are interested to be altar servers for our parish. If you would like your (third, fourth, or fifth) child to be trained in the OLM Altar Server ministry, please email coordinator Nina Carino at nina.carino@gmail.com, with the following information:
Child’s name and grade
Parent’s name, email address and contact phone numberPlease take note of the following information about the upcoming Altar Serving Training:
WHAT: New Altar Server Training
WHEN: Monday, May 9, 2016
TIME: 1:30 – 2:30pm
WHERE: OLM Church
WHO: Current 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders ONLY
We are able to take 9 new AS trainees for this training session, on a first-to-submit, first-to-train basis. If we get more than 9 submissions, we will try to schedule a 2nd training session.
Picnic Day
Thank you very much for a wonderful Picnic Day. Special shout out goes to our Student Council for planning a fun lunch hour for the entire school. Appreciation goes to our Cheerleaders for their dance presentation, Mr. Rougley for providing the music / sounds, Mrs. Llemos for assisting the Student Council in getting ready for the popsicle sale, Ms. Chin's team (Mrs. Vera-Cruz, Mrs. Sharon Lee & Mrs. Chongco) for preparing more than 250 hot dog lunches on that day. Till Next year!
OLM Superstars
Joshua Bautista
Rylie Bautista
Ava Chiaparri
Hailey Garcia
Jenna Hom
Brandon Tacorda
OLM Students Head to the State NHD Competition
The following students will be representing OLM and San Mateo County in the Junior Division at 2016 California State National History Day Competition this Friday, May 6, at William Jessup University in Rocklin, California:
Individual Website Category:
1. Aaron Abraham: Basketball: Encountering Many Changes & Exchanging Values
2. Zailea Flores: Vincent van Gogh: Expression and Art History
Group Website Category:
1. Jacob Gregorio & Lucas Velasco: Grimm’s Fairy Tales: Influencing Major Franchises
2. Carlo Bautista & Matthew Mohler: Branch Rickey: Civil Rights Pioneer & Baseball Hall of Famer. “Revolutionizing Baseball & American Culture: Opening New Horizons for Black Athletes”
Individual Documentary Category:
1. Julia Macaspac: George Balanchine: Stretching the Limits of Ballet Techniques
2. Justin Samaniego: Google: Exploring the Keys to Success While Encountering Growing Pains
Group Documentary Category:
1. Alisan Blair, Kayla Chongco, Ashley Enriquez, Janessa Lee: George Lucas: Encountering a “New Hope” in Filmmaking
2. Amy Dayrit, Elizabeth Langley, Cailey Pasco: Walt Disney: Exploring Animation & Encountering New Things – Both Good & Bad!
Individual Exhibit Category:
1. Rheanna Torres: Ralph H. Baer: Exploring Ways to Create Video Games
2. Logan Scudmore: Race to Put Men on the Moon
Group Exhibit Category:
1. Anuraag Grehary, Rodel J. Espinosa, Gerious Heishan: Nintendo: Revolutionizing the Gaming Industry
2. Mary Heishan, Kateleen Santos: Wright Brothers: Exploring Aviation
Our prayers and best wishes are with each of them. Special thanks to Mr. Stacy Sato, Ms. Courtney Egan, and all parents who have worked hard to prepare our students for this competition.
Service Points
Please do check your service points, if you have not done so yet. It is important that you meet your required points before the end of the school year. Note that parents / families not meeting the required service points will be assessed $500.
You still have time. The School Carnival is coming up. We need lots of volunteers. If interested, please let PTO know as soon as possible. Our kindergarten classes need help as well. Please let us know if you are able to help them.
You may check the office for other opportunities to earn points. Please be guided accordingly. Thank you very much.
Boxtops for Education
We are in receipt of $87.30 for boxtops turned in by our parents and community members. Thank you to all those who have participated in this effort. We continue to encourage everyone to keep on saving and turning in boxtops and labels. Every little thing helps. :-)
Chocolate Sales Incentive Activity Coming up
Prayer Intentions
You are invited to share your prayer intentions with our school community. Please send them to newsletter@olmbulldogs.com for inclusion in our weekly staff and parent communication. There is always power in praying as a community. Here are prayer intentions for this week:
For our second graders who are getting ready to receive their first Holy Communion
For our students participating in the NHD State Competition this Friday
For the eternal repose of the soul of William Noma, father-in-law of Sue Noma
Important Dates to Remember
May 2 - 6 School-wide Rosary Recitation at 8:05 a.m.
Teachers Appreciation Week
May 6: NHD State Competition
May 9: Altar Server Training, GAMES2U + HAMSTER BALL, 1:15 - 2:15
May 11: School Mass and May Crowning at 10:00 a.m.
May 14: First Holy Communion at 10:30 a.m.
May 16 - 20 Bulldog Spirit Week
May 20 - Carnival, Deadline to settle 8th grade accounts
May 24: Confirmation Information Night at 7:00 p.m. (for seventh graders)
May 30: Memorial Day - No School
June 3: Graduation Day for Class of 2016
June 6: Noon Dismissal
June 7: Kindergarten Celebration / Noon Dismissal
June 8: School Mass at 10:00 a.m., Dismissal at 11:00 a.m.