Mercy Peek & Ponder by Mr. McGrath
Volume II Issue 16 Sunday, December 20, 2015
Our Lady of Mercy Regional Catholic School
Email: jmcgrath@olmcatholicschool.com
Website: www.olmcatholicschool.com
Location: 29 Conwell Drive, Maple Glen, PA, United States
Phone: 215-646-0150
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Our-Lady-of-Mercy-Regional-Catholic-School-1427959374084742/?ref=bookmarks
Principal's Christmas Messaag
I would like to acknowledge the contribution of our faculty, staff, parents and students to OLM this year.
Walt Disney once said ‘"You can dream, create, design and build the most wonderful ideas in the world, but it requires people to make the dream a reality."This is certainly the case as a principal. The reality is that the learning experiences and projects that have taken place this year could not have happened without a great deal of commitment and support from the faculty, staff, parents and students.
This year, as a school we welcomed the Board of Specified Jurisdiction, the Next Generation science standards, and the new Tier Three Reading Intervention Program . The faculty and staff is to be applauded for the way in which they have embraced the rewards and challenges of change and have embraced it with positivity and enthusiasm. I am privileged to be a part of a school with highly capable and committed teachers and staff. One of the critical factors of any successful school is the faculty and staff. There has never been a time when being a teacher has been more demanding or challenging. To our teachers and staff, thank-you for your energy, passion and enthusiasm. What a privilege to be able to witness the joy that comes with the understanding or satisfaction of a problem solved, or the wonder of living the mission of OLM.
Our teachers are privileged each day to participate in their student’s academic journey. They recognize and applaud just how hard their students try. They celebrate their students’ achievements whether they be great or small and they share with pride the progress their students make with their learning. Not a week goes by that we are not as a school celebrating the successes of our students, whether these successes be in the classroom, playing an instrument, providing service to the community, ......
As a school community we also treasure the opportunities where we worship together and celebrate our faith at the morning assemblies. It is through these opportunities that we experience the message that God loves us in creative and engaging ways. This year we have celebrated many successful school events such as our OLM loves Philadelphia Auction. The success of such events would not be possible without staff, parents and students working together collaboratively.
There are many exciting things set to take place for 2016. We have just concluded an 18-month self-study. We are scheduled for re-accreditation in April. This self-study was a true collaboration with faculty, staff, and parents.
When I reflect on my time as principal of what I consider to be an awesome school, I have many fond memories. As our school is a part of our faith, it should be cherished and celebrated. All of the experiences of this year have contributed in some way to ensuring we offer our students the best education. I believe we have a unique place for students to learn through loving and living.
Thank-you to all of the OLM families who continue to promote Our Lady of Mercy in a positive manner.
Merry Christmas to all and have a safe, happy and holy holiday season.
John McGrath
OLM Spreads MERCY!
Auction Prize: Baking with Mrs. Moore & Mrs. Cox!
And the winner is....
Bob the Goofy Reindeer
Upcoming Events
December 21
Christmas Door Decorating Contest Judging
Christmas Band & Choir Performance for School, 2PM
December 23
Noon Dismissal
December 24-January 3
NO SCHOOL
January 4
Classes resume
There will be no Mercy Peek & Ponder distributed on Sunday, December 27th
Fourth Sunday of Advent
All of us can imagine Jesus, Mary and Joseph going home. We can imagine their daily lives. We can ask for the grace to live in God's presence, just as they must have done, and for the grace to be sensitive to each other and care for each other as they must have. We can ask that we might imitate their busy lives, trusting and dependent on God. Looking on their hidden life together, we can grow in a desire to be more humble, in a peace with greater simplicity, in a courage to let God take care of us. Whether we experience the poverty of that holy stable or the ordinary simplicity of daily routine, we can enjoy this week as a special opportunity to be drawn to a greater closeness with Jesus.
Scrip! How Do You Benefit?
We give 85% of the rebate to YOU, which is deducted from your tuition if you use your own account. The remaining 15% is put in the Scholarship fund to help struggling families with financial difficulties continue to educate their children at OLM.
If you use the OLM account, the entire savings goes into the Scholarship fund.
For Example:
You go to Giant every week and spend $200 on groceries. By purchasing a $200 Giant Scrip card, you still pay $200 for the same groceries, but you also GET $6.80 back. If you continue to do this for 36 weeks, that is $244.80 towards your tuition.
With Christmas coming up, the savings will really add up.
- A $25 Honey Baked Ham card for your aunt = $2.55 (12% rebate)
- Purchase $25 GAP or Old Navy cards for your 6 nieces & nephews = $17.85 (14% rebate for both cards)
- How about a $100 gift card at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse for Mom & Dad = $8.50 (10% rebate)
- Don't forget the mailman, UPS man, bus driver and garbage men. 10 of the $10 Dunkin Donuts cards = $2.55 (3% rebate)
- Don't know his size? How about a Nike card? Nike pays 12%. Pick up 2 Nike cards and that's $10.20 to you.
So, between your Giant grocery rebate and the Christmas gifts (which you would purchase anyway!), you just received $286.45 towards your tuition. It really is that easy.
Orders placed by Tuesday can be picked up on Fridays.
If the order is intended for the teachers, we can put them all together in one envelope and give it to the homeroom parents.
Attached is the SCRIPS retailer list which highlights the cash back for each retailer. If you have any questions about setting up your account or if you need your login information, contact Stephanie Sapp @ stephanie.sapp@gmail.com
You can pay online using PrestoPay and then order right from your phone and take advantage of the eCard and re-loadable cards and never have to wait to pick up physical cards.
Signing up is easy:
Go to www.ShopWithScrip.com and click Register, then click Join a Scrip Program.
Enter our enrollment code. By entering this code, your account will be associated with OLM so you can begin earning rebates!
Fill in all required personal information and click ‘I Accept.’
Choose two security challenge questions from the list and provide answers.
Enrollment Code: 8E8L5AC76615
Scholarship Awards for the Class of 2017 as of 12/13/2015
We are so happy and proud to announce scholarship awards to the following students in the OLM Class of 2016. The list will be updated as more awards are announced.
Shannon Reilly: Mount St. Joseph Academy: Founders Academic Scholarship
Maeve Gallagher: Mount St. Joseph Academy: Fontbonne Academic Scholarship
Micaelina Carter: Mount St. Joseph Academy: Fontbonne Academic Scholarship
Maggie Fitzpatrick: Mount St. Joseph Academy: Eugenia F. Comerford ’37 Alumnae Award
Carrie Johnston: Gwynedd Mercy Academy: Legacy Scholarship
Thomas McLaughlin: Bishop McDevitt: Lancer Leadership Scholarship
Nicholas Signoretta: LaSalle High School: Principal Scholarship
Lansdale Catholic: Msgr. Joseph Schade Scholarship
TOTAL AS OF 12/17/15: $138,000
Mercy 5K - Saturday, March 19, 2016
2016-2017 Registration
If you register prior to 03/31/2016, registration fee is $250 per family.
If you registered after 04/01/2016, the registration fee is $350 per family.
Our registration fees cover: the cost per student of the student information database (MSP), Religion books, certain instructional classroom supplies, and administrative fees for the operation the FACTS system. Please note, registration fees are non-refundable.
Additional Smart Aid Information
OLM SCHOOL CODE 91026
ALL OLM families are encouraged to complete and submit and application. This application replaces PSSA (BLOCS) and Smart Aid will handle all financial aid for OLM (and the Archdiocese of Philadelphia) - including BLOCS, Heritage of Faith Funds, and other scholarship opportunities - both system-wide and at OLM.
While we believe that Smart Aid will help us to more effectively and efficiently provide financial aid services to our families, we also know that the strategic use of financial aid is crucial to achieving and sustaining our enrollment goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who should complete this aid application?
A: Whomever the child resides with should fill this application out, whether it is a parent, grandparent, aunt/uncle, or legal guardian. There is a section within the application where you can enter contributions from non-custodial parents and relatives.
Q: Why do I need to input my spouse’s information if I am remarried and they are not legally responsible for my children?
A: Smart Aid’s calculation works off of the total household income, therefore including all income, whether the party is legally responsible for your children or not. Our system however, does take into effect your spouse’s expenses as well as their income. It is important to list all expenses that are asked of within the application.
Q: I do not have the required tax documents. HELP!
A: Include the most recent tax documentation you have available. If you are asked for a specific line from a tax document that you have not yet completed, please estimate the projected amount.
Q: How will I know if I qualify for aid or not?
A: We do not disclose information about the results of your application. All final tuition aid decisions, including notification of an award amount (if any); will be made by OLM. For the date award notices is anticipated to be March 2016.
OLM YEARBOOKS!
Believe it or not, it is time to our your 2015-2016 OLM yearbook! The cost of the yearbook is $20. The Class of 2016 does NOT need to order a yearbook as it is included in the graduation fees. All orders are to be completed online this year. Please no cash or checks! To place an order please follow the directions below:
1- Go to www.schoolannual.com
2- At the top of website, select " "Buy Your Student's Yearbook". This will open a new tab.
3- Type in "Our Lady of Mercy" as the school. Be sure to select the correct school since there is another OLM!
4- Order your yearbook and check out! It may ask you to create an account to purchase the yearbook online!
All yearbooks orders are due February 1, 2016!
SPECIAL REQUEST FOR 4TH TO 8TH GRADE LUNCH VOLUNTEERS
We welcome your assistance at Our Lady of Mercy Regional Catholic School. We are most fortunate to have such an interested, committed and involved parent community. Our active volunteer program not only provides valuable hands-on assistance through the school, but also benefits the children by reinforcing ties between the children’s individual homes as well as the community at large, and the school. OLM NEEDS YOUR HELP WITH LUNCH VOLUNTEERS! The Lunch/Recess Duty Volunteer program is a great way to volunteer and become involved at the school. Participating in our volunteer program is a wonderful opportunity to see your children at lunch and work with fellow parent volunteers.
Use the following link for Signup Genius web site:
December Virtue of the Month - JOY
Prayer to Saint Nicholas
O good holy Nicholas,
you who brought joy to children,
put in my heart the spirit of childhood
about which the Gospel speaks.
Teach me how to sow
happiness around me. Amen.
OLM Home & School News
- Save the Date: Please save the date for Home and School's first ever Designer Bag Bingo on Friday, January 22, 2016 ~ Ticket information will be available soon.
- Box Top Collection: Home and School is looking for a few volunteers to help with the collection of box tops. This is a great way to volunteer from home. If you are interested, please contact Eileen Wisniewski at edw1972@yahoo.com
Winston Wear School Store
Birthday Blessings this Week
Frick, Alexandra M. Dec 20 - Sunday
Herron, Noelle Dec 20 - Sunday
Spear, Paul Dec 20 - Sunday
Dennin, Meghan Dec 21 - Monday
Maguire, Kevin Dec 21 - Monday
Martin, Gary Dec 23 - Wednesday
McMullen, Kathryn E. Dec 24 - Thursday
Kunf, Kaitlyn V. Dec 25 - Friday
Donnelly, John W. Dec 26 - Saturday
Greenhalgh, Emma Dec 26 - Saturday
Klemick, Meghan Dec 26 - Saturday
Rosenbaum, Abigail G. Dec 28 - Monday
Father Leva Dec. 30 - Wednesday
Nunez, Roman A. Dec 31 - Thursday
Playground at Lunch Recess
Tuesday, 12/22: Mrs. Kling
Lunch Duty Sign-Up: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0d4daaa622a6f49-lunch4
Two parent volunteers must be on-duty in the school yard - before the playground is open. This ensures the safety of ALL.
Altar Servers 9AM
Tuesday, 12/22: Bella Sapp
Wednesday, 12/23: Nicky Araco
Thursday, 12/24: Jack Gentile