New Student Newsletter
Welcome to Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic School!
Principal's Welcome
Welcome to Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic School! We are thrilled that you and your child(ren) will be a part of our school family. In a Christ centered atmosphere, Our Lady of Good Counsel School seeks to empower students to commit to Christian service, dedicate their lives to Gospel values, and lead with academic excellence. In partnership with parents, we are teaching our students to become the next generation of Catholic leaders. We hope this newsletter, along with our school website, gives you an opportunity to learn more about our vibrant school.
Thank you for your support and prayers for our school. I encourage you to continue to support our work as we advance our mission to provide a transformative education steeped in academics and faith to our deserving students. There is no greater investment for forming our future saints than a Catholic education!
Please carefully review this New Student Newsletter for valuable information, reminders and updates of many important things to come. We thank you for entrusting your children to us and for the sacrifices you make each day to send your child(ren) to Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic School. Welcome to the OLGC school community!
God's Peace,
Mrs. Barbara Riley
Principal
First Day of School & Orientations
Tuesday, September 1, 2020: Kindergarten Orientation - **details to follow
Wednesday, September 2, 2020: Full Day - Kindergarten to Grade 8
Wednesday, September 2, 2020: Pre-K 4 Orientation - **details to follow
Thursday, September 3, 2020: Full Day - Kindergarten to Grade 8
Thursday, September 3, 2020: Pre-K 3 Orientation - **details to follow
Tuesday, September 8, 2020: Full Day - Pre-K 3 to Grade 8
Our 2020-2021 Academic School Calendar is available on our school website HERE.
OLGC Uniforms - Pre-K to 8th Grade
We love our uniforms! Our entire school, including our Pre-K and Kindergarten students, is required to purchase school uniforms featuring Our Lady of Good Counsel School's logo. Our Pre-K and Kindergarten students are only required to wear the Gym Uniform.
Also be sure to check out our OLGC "Uniform Closet!" We have gently used uniforms that are available for you and your family. Below you will find the link to our OLGC Uniform Closet Sign-Up Genius. You may select an item by signing your name or family name next to the item. WE ASK YOU TO PLEASE LIMIT TO 2 ITEMS PER FAMILY each time you sign-up. We also accept any gently used uniform pieces that you wish to donate to our closet.
Medical Forms - Students in Grades K to 8 only
The state of Pennsylvania and Our Lady of Good Counsel School require physical and dental exams at specific times (K - Grade 8), along with up-to-date immunizations for enrollment into school.
Documentation of up-to-date immunizations (as required by PA Department of Health) is due by September 1st for the new school year. The forms can either be mailed into school or emailed to our School Office Manager, Martha Matysik, at mmatysik@olgc.org. Please review the list of required immunizations for attendance in PA schools HERE. Students who fail to meet all immunization requirements risk being excluded from school after 5 days, unless documentation of required immunizations is provided.
**If you have not done so already, a copy of your child(ren)'s birth certificate will need to be sent into school by September 1st. You can include the copy of the birth certificate with your child(ren)'s medical forms to make that process easier.**
Physical exams are required in Kindergarten/1st or on admission to school, 6th and 11th grades. Physical exams must be completed, signed and dated by the physician no earlier than 1 year prior to the start of the school year in which the exam is due.
Dental exams are required in Kindergarten/1st or on admission to school, 3rd and 7th grades. Dental exams must be completed, signed and dated by the dentist no earlier than 1 year prior to the start of the school year in which the exam is due. A completed Health History Form, signed and dated by a parent for students entering Kindergarten (or upon admission to school) is required and needs to be updated as necessary.
The following forms are required at the start of every school year:
Medication Permission Form: If your child should need medication (prescription or over the counter medication) administered during the school day, a Medication Permission Form must be completed, signed and dated by the physician & signed and dated by a parent. The completed form & the medication (in original packaging) must be delivered to the nurse by a parent (or adult). Other than emergency rescue medication (see below), students are not permitted to transport or carry medication at school.
Asthma Action Plan: If your child has asthma, please have the physician complete, sign & date the Asthma Action Plan and return it along with medication in original packaging to the school nurse.
Severe Allergy Action Plan: If your child has been diagnosed with life threatening allergies, please have the physician complete, sign & date the Allergy Action Plan and return it along with rescue medication (in original packaging) to the school nurse.
Seizure Action Plan: If your child is under treatment for a seizure disorder, please have the physician complete, sign & date the Seizure Action Plan and return it along with rescue medication (in original packaging) to the school nurse.
**All forms may be downloaded and printed by clicking on the following link: Nursing Services Forms**
**All Medical Forms must be completed and handed into the School Office before your child(ren) begins school at OLGC. If you have any questions, please call the School Office at 215-357-1300 (Ext. 117).**
**Our Pre-K students will only need a copy of up-to-date immunization records.**
Transportation - Students in Grades K to 8 Only
The School Districts that provide OLGC with busing are as follows:
Lower Moreland School District
Upper Moreland School District
Please click on any School District above to be redirected to your School District's website.
If your child will not be taking the bus, we offer parent car pick-up and drop-off options as well.
CARES Program
CARES Before & After School Program
Morning Session - 7:00 AM to 7:45 AM
Afternoon Session - 2:30 PM to 6:00 PM
Registration
There is a $50.00 registration fee per family per year for our CARES Program. Families who sign up will also need to download and print a CARES Parent Handbook detailing in full Our Lady of Good Counsel School's CARES Program, as well as additional forms to be read and signed. To register for our CARES Program, please download and print our CARES Registration Form found below. CARES Registration is on-going. You can drop-off or mail your CARES Registration in at any time or can register during the first week of school. The CARES Registration fee must be a separate check or cash from all tuition payments. Thank you!
Tuition
Our tuition is structured around a 10 month payment plan that runs from July to April. Monthly payments are due on or before the 15th of the month. If tuition is not paid on time or becomes delinquent, late fees will be applied. A Tuition Payment Booklet will be mailed to your home in June. This book contains envelopes that will outline the payment plan and allow you to send your tuition payment back into school.
We are also offering two alternative options for tuition payment that will provide discounts to families.
1. The first option is to pay your entire year's tuition in full by June 30, 2020. If payment is received by this date, a 2% discount will be applied.
2. The second option is to pay your entire year's tuition semi-annually. Half of the tuition is due on or before July 1, 2020 and then again on or before December 1, 2020. This option earns you a 1% discount. If this plan is chosen & payment is not made by July 1st, there will be no discount.
3. Monthly Payment Option. Pay in ten monthly installments from July - April.
**Tuition payments during the Summer months must either be mailed into school or can be dropped off at the Trinity Center Office.**
Scrip Tuition Savings Program
What is Scrip?
Scrip is a term meaning “Substitute Money” that can be used to provide tuition credits that reduce the cost of your child's tuition. Scrip is simply another name for “gift cards.” If you have ever used a gift card, then you’ve used Scrip!
When you purchase Scrip, you’re purchasing negotiable prepaid gift cards that are used just like cash. You can use Scrip to purchase everyday expenses like food, clothing and other essentials which will save money on your tuition.
Scrip Purchases Saves Money on Tuition
The Parish purchases gift cards (Scrip) from retailers at a discount. School families buy the gift cards at face value and receive a portion of the discount. Each gift card earns you a commission that will be credited towards your tuition at the end of each month.
No additional costs are incurred when you participate in the program and you pay face value for the gift cards.
Example: A family who purchases $250.00 a week in groceries can save $520.00 a year in tuition when they purchase Scrip. That’s almost 2 whole tuition payments! You will receive a receipt with each purchase showing the percentage and amount of the commission. At the end of the month, the credits are applied directly to your tuition account. Plus, other family members can also purchase Scrip for your family. They can purchase from the Trinity Center as well as from a parish outside of OLGC. The other parish will send a quarterly check to our school on behalf of your family.
Purchasing Scrip - In Person OR Online
There are a few ways to purchase Scrip:
1. Visit the Scrip Office located in the Trinity Center and sign up to purchase gift cards. Some of the gift cards are available at the time of purchase and some can be ordered for pick up at a later date.
Click here to view the Store List for our Scrip Program: SCRIP Store List 2020
**Our Scrip Office is located in the OLGC Parish Trinity Center. The more Scrip you purchase the more your savings add up! Please refer to our new Online Scrip Program Information to learn about how you can get your Scrip instantly online.**
School Supply Lists & Letters From The Teacher
For those parents whose children will be entering our Pre-K and Kindergarten classes, you will also receive letters from your teacher by the end of July/beginning of August with important classroom information.
Summer Office Hours
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Please email our School Office Manager, Martha Matysik, at mmatysik@olgc.org or call 215-357-1300 Ext. 117 for any additional questions you may have or before stopping by the School Office during the Summer months.
Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic School
Mission Statement
"Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic School, under the guidance of Mary, seeks to empower students to commit to Christian service, dedicate their lives to Gospel values, and lead with academic excellence."
Email: marketing@olgc.org
Website: school.olgc.org
Location: 611 Knowles Avenue, Southampton, PA, USA
Phone: 215-357-1300
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/olgc.org/