Mercy Messenger
Issue 29 ~ Sunday March 24, 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- Palm Sunday
God Most High, gracious and glorious, blessed is the one who comes in your name. Lead us now on the road to the cross. May we follow with faithfulness and joy, shouting hosanna in the highest heaven; through Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord.
Principal Update
Sunday March 24th, 2024
Good Morning,
As we commemorate Palm Sunday and enter Holy Week, it's a time of reflection, prayer, and spiritual renewal. Palm Sunday marks the beginning of this holy period, recalling Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem, where crowds welcomed him with palm branches, a symbol of peace and victory. Throughout Holy Week, we as Catholics reflect on the events leading up to Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection, including the Last Supper, Jesus' betrayal by Judas, his trial and crucifixion, and ultimately, his glorious resurrection on Easter Sunday. As we journey through Holy Week, may we draw closer to God, deepen our faith, and embrace the message of love, forgiveness, and salvation exemplified by Jesus Christ.
There will be no mercy messenger on Easter Sunday. The next mercy messenger will be on April 7th. I would like to wish everyone a happy and holy Easter. May this special time bring you joy, blessings, and cherished moments with your loved ones. Enjoy the time off and may it be filled with love, and reflection on the significance of this sacred season.
In Mercy,
Bill Delaney
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. Sarah 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
Camp Mercy FACTS Billing
If you selected to have your FACTS account to be charged for your Camp Mercy deposit, a one week deposit of $350 per camper will be charged on Monday, March 18, 2024.
Shrek JR.
Calling All Parents!
As many of you know, rehearsals and details for Shrek JR. are really starting to come together. But we need the help of our entire OLM community to pull this off! There are many ways you can help, and we appreciate any and all support!
Shrek JR. Sponsorships Available - please click here to sponsor our show! With over 180 children involved, we need everyone's support!
Raffle Basket Amazon Wish List:
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2BU66V0JO21TZ?ref_=wl_share
Have a great idea for a raffle basket? Want to donate an entire basket or know a local business who might? Please reach out to olmmusical@olmrcs.com if you are able to support our show raffle basket sale!
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)
Safe Environment Lesson #2 (Week of 4/15)
During the week of 4/15 the Archdiocese of Philadelphia second safe touch lessons will be taught by your child's religion teacher. Attached are the lessons that will be taught for each grade. If you choose for your child not to be taught these lessons please sign and return the opt out form that is also attached below before Friday 4/12. You are only signing the form if you do not want your child to be taught the lesson. If you have any questions please let me know. Thank you.
A Look Ahead
3/26- Stations of the Cross. 2pm.
3/27- 4th grade field trip.
3/28-4/1- Easter break.
4/2- Return to school.
4/2- Spring uniform starts.
4/3- 7th grade field trip.
4/5- 9am Mass.
SUNDAY STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
Congratulations to Sean McErlean '24 on receiving the following scholarships to:
St. Therese Merit Academic Scholarship - Lansdale Catholic High School
Viking Academic Scholarship - Archbishop Wood High School
The OLM community is very proud of Sean 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.
Counseling Corner
Executive function refers to brain based processes that help us with everyday tasks. People aren’t born with these skills,rather they have the potential to develop them. Some people may need more support than others to develop them. The following website and apps are a good resource to help strengthen these skills.
https://www.commonsense.org/education/lists/best-apps-and-sites-for-improving-executive-function
Remind - Easy to use messaging platform
Evernote- Note taking and task management
24me- Personal assistant to plan and organize
Remember the Milk- Task mamangement
iHomework2- Helps keep track of assignments, due dates and tasks
Workflowy- A tool to get, helps with lists, outlines and notes
Time Timer- Visual time management
Mindful Powers - Meditation lessons and visual timers
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.
Mother/Son Dance - Friday, April 12th!
- This year, we’re taking it to the dance floor! Registration is open for Home & School’s first Mother-Son Dance on Friday, April 12th at OLM! If you don't have Jordans or jersey, wear your drippiest drip and come ready to pop, lock, and drop it on the dance floor! Have a shy guy or not into dancing? This event is so much more. There will be competitive games, including jumbo pong, inflatable ax throwing, mini all-stars basketball, and cornhole. Don’t forget your dollar bills to enter the raffle to win a jersey. Cool Mom title secured! Too much, too extra, too cringe? THat’s what moms are best at-wait til’ the dance! Please take a look at the flyer or contact our chair Meg Graham for more information. Use the link below to register for the event: http://tinyurl.com/mothersondance2024. For volunteer opportunities and donations please use the link provided: http://tinyurl.com/mothersonvol24.
April Dine & Donate - Monday, April 8th
Mark your calendars for the next HSA Dine & Donate! Fireside Bar & Grille in Ambler will host OLM for the next dine and donate. Don’t have time to sit down because of the kids' activities? That’s ok! Take out orders are accepted too! Just make sure you mention “OLM Dine & Donate” when you place your order either on the phone or at the table.
Volunteer Recognition & Refreshments- Wednesday, April 17th
No volunteering job is too little! Without YOU we would not be able to run events at the school! On Wednesday, April 17th the school wants to recognize you at morning prayers (8:00am) followed by light refreshments afterwards. Let us know if you plan on coming. The students can’t wait to show their appreciation for all that you do! https://tinyurl.com/OLMVolunteerRecognition
HSA is looking for new members for the 2024-2025 school year!
On April 9th at 8:15am we will have a HSA meeting and we are inviting anyone who has any interest in Home & School to join us. Can’t make but interested? Email HSA@olmrcs.com to let us know that you are interested in possibly joining.
Uniform Exchange
Checking to see if the uniform still fits? Have uniforms that don't fit anymore? Please feel free to bag them up and drop them in the uniform exchange bin in the school lobby. Every school uniform donation is much appreciated. Spring Uniforms are now available in the uniform exchange if needed!
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.
Join us for our "Decade" themed Trivia Night in the Saint Alphonsus Parish Center on Friday, April 5th! Coordinate with your table of 8 to decorate and/or dress as your favorite decade. Feel free to bring your own food and beverages. There is a $20 per person registration fee. You may register as an individual or full table by clicking the link below! Please sign up by March 20th.
https://forms.office.com/r/4QDYhfKR8M
If you’re interested and able to donate a raffle basket for the Saint Alphonsus Trivia Night on April 5th, please contact the rectory office at
215-646-4600. If you’d like to contribute but are unable to donate a whole basket, please consider donating a bottle of “cheer”.
Car Line Safety
For the safety of our students, faculty and staff please abide by all car line procedures. Please do not pass any cars that are in front of you. Thank you for your cooperation and the safety of our school community.
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
3/24
Charlotte Ryan
3/25
Christopher Miller
Katherine Flite
3/28
Liam Maszczak
Jackson Ryan
3/30
Ryan Welsh
4/1
Sean McErlean
Brendan Moore
Deegan Deibler
Andrew Conway
Abigail Delaney
Hayley McDevitt
4/2
Samuel Wilson
4/3
Hadley Long
Gavin Morris
4/4
Mrs. Quinn
MaKenzie Smith
John Contorno
Joseph Sugan
4/6
Mrs. Ciavarelli
Andrew McGeehan
Maddie Marks
Altar Servers
Tuesday 3/26
James McGeehan
Andrew McGeehan
Wednesday 3/27
Faith Vandiver
Abigail Klein
Tuesday 4/2
Thomas Hungerford
Robert Wilkin
Wednesday 4/3
Lily Samson
Annaliese Amoroso
Thursday 4/4
Maeve Graham
Seamus Graham
Friday 4/5
Sean Morris
John Contorno
Mikey Contorno