Mercy Messenger
Issue 12 ~ Sunday, November 12th, 2023
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
God of peace, We pray that you bless all those who have served their country through service in the armed forces. Grant healing to those veterans who have been wounded, be it in body, mind or soul. We pray especially for those young men and women who come home to lives of suffering and loneliness.
Principal Update
Sunday, November 12th, 2023
Good Morning,
I would like to thank and remember all the living and deceased Veterans who have served in our armed forces. Veterans Day is a day to remember and thank them for all that they have done and continue to do to keep our country safe. Thank you to all of our OLM community members that are either active or retired members of the armed forces.
A special thanks to all of the students for making my birthday on Monday very memorable. I am still in the process of reading all of the hand written cards that your children spent the time making for me. I am extremely lucky to be part of the OLM community.
Please remember to keep sending in items for our food drive that supports the Saint Vincent DePaul Food Pantry at St. Catherine's. We will be having another dress down day on Friday to help support this very important mission. Thank you for all your continued support for all of our service projects that we do throughout the year. I hope everyone has a great week and please let me know if I can help in any way.
In mercy,
Mr. Bill Delaney
Middle States Update
Ms. Joan Dollinger, the Principal of Assumption Regional Catholic School in Galloway, NJ and Chair of OLM’s Middle States team, came to school on 11/2 for a brief visit. The whole team arrives on Monday, November 27 and departs on Thursday, November 30, 2023. During the visit, the team will interact with faculty, staff, some parents and students. The team will experience a typical day in the life of OLM from morning arrivals to afternoon car lines and all things in-between. Each classroom will be visited by team members; seeing the students in action is always a highlight of the teams visit.
Reminders
- Winter uniforms began November 1st.
- 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
11/17- Dress Down Day. Saint Vincent DePaul Food Pantry.
11/22- 10 am Prayer Service for First Responders.
11/22- Noon dismissal.
11/27- Middle States Team arrives.
11/28- Giving Tuesday.
11/30- Middle States Team leaves. (Noon dismissal for students)
OLM Student Council Food Drive!
The OLM Student Council is sponsoring a food drive to support the Saint Vincent DePaul Food Pantry at St. Catherine's. Our drive will last from Monday, November 6th to Friday, November 17th. Please see the attached flyer for information on what to bring in. We thank you for your support!
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
Over the last few weeks Ms. Gawthrop and Mrs. Parkhill have been going into the 4th - 8th grade classrooms to introduce the concept of mindfulness. Mindfulness is being fully present and aware of one’s thoughts, feelings and sensations. It involves paying attention to the present moment. Mindfulness is a tool that is used to lessen one’s stress or anxiety while also gaining more self-awareness. The first activity students engaged in was guided meditation. During this activity Ms. Garthrop or Mrs. Parkhill lead the students through a visualization of their special place. The goal was for students to feel more relaxed and calm and be able to focus and manage their emotions better. We will continue to go into these classrooms and expose students to different mindfulness practices so that they have coping strategies to use in the future.
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
Fireside & Penna’s Italian Market Gift Card Sale - Thank you
LAST CALL for Schenk’s Bakery Thanksgiving Breads and Desserts!
OLM is partnering with Schenk’s Family Bakery for Thanksgiving Desserts. **25% of all Thanksgiving dessert sales will be donated to OLM!** If you are interested in placing an order, please complete the order form: https://tinyurl.com/olmpies23. All orders and payments must be received no later than Wednesday, November 15th! All desserts will be delivered to OLM and pick up will be available for pick up at the OLM entrance on Wednesday, November 22nd from 10am - 12pm. Any questions, please email nschenk01@gmail.com or text 267-258-4127.
Calling all Middle School Students!
Ski & Snowboard Club
We need parent volunteers with Ski & Board Club Monday Pretzels. One person is asked to pick up pretzels at 8am at the Philly Pretzel Factory Horsham, deliver to the school, and help sort/distribute. We need another parent to meet at the school at 8:15am and help sort/distribute them. Please use the sign up 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)
Registration is out to join the club. Please refer to the Wednesday Communication for more information regarding signing up for the club.
Designer Bag Bingo – SAVE THE DATE!
Get your dabbers ready! Back for another year Designer Bag Bingo will take place on Friday, January 19, 2023, in the cafeteria. This event sells out every year. This year's bags include, MZ Wallace, Lululemon, Anthropologie, Mark & Graham, Kate Spade, Dooney & Bourke, & Vince Camuto just to name a few. So, Gather your friends for your table and be on the lookout for the registration form on January 3rd. If you would like to donate a basket for this event please reach out to Katie Sacchetta at katie.sacchetta@gmail.com.
Holiday Card Season – Minted Gives back 15%
This holiday season, we’ve partnered with Minted where you can save 20% and Minted donates back 15% to the school. Now through December, shop holiday cards and gifts on www.minted.com and use our promo code: FUNDRAISEMERCYREGIONAL.
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.
OLM's Annual Heroes Breakfast!
The Our Lady of Mercy School community invites all police officers, firefighters, EMS, medical personnel, military personnel, and veterans to a thank you breakfast and prayer service in gratitude for your service to our country and our community. Please join us on Wednesday, November 22nd for breakfast at 9:00am at Our Lady of Mercy School followed by a prayer service at 10:00am in St. Alphonsus Church. If you are able to attend, please RSVP with your name and number of people attending to jbebey@olmrcs.com by November 17th. Please see the attached flyer for details. Thank you for your service!
EITC Program
The Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC)
Program is open to individuals or businesses.
Anyone who participates receives a 90% tax credit with this program.
To learn more, attend an Information Webinar
- Tuesday, November 14 at 7pm
- Wednesday, November 29 at 10am
If you have any questions about this program, contact
Julie Bebey at jbebey@olmrcs.com or call her at school, 215-646-0150.
Scan the QR Code below to sign up for a Webinar!
2024-2025 Kindergarten Commitment
If you have a younger child that you are considering enrolling in Kindergarten for the 24-25 school year, please complete this form. We need an idea of how many spots we need to save for kindergarten for our current families before the Sunday, Oct. 22 Open House.
This is NOT an official registration, more information will be sent at a later date. If you have any questions, please reach out to Julie Bebey at jbebey@olmrcs.com
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. 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
11/13
Mrs. Kennedy
11/14
Mrs. Begley
Quinn Coughlin
11/15
Mrs. Cox
James Sacchetta
11/17
Piper Burchette
Riley Harris
11/18
Mason Penna
Altar Servers
Tuesday 11/14
Cassidy Carroll
Jaxson Carroll
Wednesday 11/15
Maeve Graham
Seamus Graham
Thursday 11/16
Thomas Hungerford
Ryan Duffy
Friday 11/17
Sophie Samson
Will McMullen