Mercy Messenger
Issue 3~ Sunday, September 10 , 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
A Prayer to Honor Mary on Her Birthday (September 8th)
Give me strength humbly to pray to thee. Give me strength to praise thee in prayer with all my powers, through the merits of thy most sacred nativity, which for the entire Christian world was a birth of joy, the hope, and solace of its life.
Principal Update
Sunday, September 10, 2023
Good Morning,
It has been a hot but fantastic first three days of school. It has been a pleasure to see all the happy and smiling faces around the building. As I went into each classroom this week to talk to the students it amazes me on how much energy and enthusiasm that they all possess. On Friday we celebrated our first school Mass together and celebrated the birthday of our Blessed Mother. I talked to the students about our first peacemaker of the month which is respect. In religion classes this month the teachers will be incorporating this virtue throughout their lessons. The peacemaker awards will be given out each month after our monthly mass. I want to thank the home and school association for organizing the ice cream social on Friday night. It was great to see everyone that was able to attend. Thank you to all the teachers that were there scooping ice cream. I am sure all the students were thrilled that their teachers were serving them ice cream. Thank you for all that you do and please contact me if you are in need of anything. Go EAGLES.
In Mercy,
Mr. Bill Delaney
Reminders
- 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)
School of Distinguished Instruction
On September 7th our Assistant Principal Mrs. Caroline Maher went to St. Pius X Church in Broomall and received OLM's award for School of Distinguished Instruction for growth. It is a great accomplishment in which the entire OLM community should be proud of. Thank you Mrs. Maher for accepting this award.
Back To School Night
Back to School Night 9/13 Grades 6-8 only.
6:30-6:45 - Everyone in the gym with principal.
6:50 -7:10- Session 1
7:15-7:35- Session 2
7:40-8:00- Session 3
8:00-8:30- 8th Grade parents only in cafeteria.
A Look Ahead
9/13- Back to School Night- Grades 6-8. From 6:30-8pm.
9/13- Class of 2024 Meeting for Parents in Cafe- 8-8:30pm.
9/15- Tennis Club session #1.
9/19- Tennis Club session #2.
9/20- Back to School Night- Grades PreK to 5. From 6:30-8pm.
9/21- Mercy Day Prayer Service 10:00 am in Church.
9/26- Tennis Club session #3.
Blossom in Stem Program
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
After a relaxing and carefree summer, back to school can be a stressful time for students and parents. Here are some helpful hints to make the transition a bit more smooth.
Get back into a school sleep schedule. Early to bed is best. Try incorporating a winding down activity before bed such as reading, bath or journaling.
Establish a morning and after school routine. Most people do better when they know what to expect, write out steps of your expectations and guide your child through it at the beginning.
Encourage independence. Have your child help to organize and plan the day ahead.
Incorporate healthy habits. Focus on balanced meals and snacks while also promoting daily physical activity or outside time.
Limit screen time. This one is tough but try to set boundaries around screen time and shut off devices an hour before bedtime.
Talk about the first week. Reassure your child that being overwhelmed, nervous or however they are feeling is normal.
Discuss coping strategies. Teach your children to breathe, use positive self-talk, ask for a break or rehearse the night before.
Celebrate the start of a new school year!
If your child needs more support or additional strategies please don't hesitate to reach out to one our school counselors.
The OLM Singers
I am sure everyone is excited to have their children back at school and be in a routine again. As much as I love summer, I love having a routine. Fall is always a busy time of year so be sure to read through as we have some great information.
Thank you to all those who came up to wish their child(ren) a great first day on Parent/Guardian Chalk the Walk. The kids really enjoyed reading the messages left by everyone.
What a great Back to School Ice Cream Social we had on Friday night. So many new and familiar faces. We hope you enjoyed the night as much as the teachers did. Special thank you to our chairs, Jenny Contorno and Molly Vandiver, and everyone else that volunteered to make this such a great event.
Go Birds!
Sheila Cervone
Ski & Board Monday Pretzel Sales: 2 MORE WEEKS TO SIGN UP! MONDAY PRETZELS
MONDAY PRETZELS: The 2023-2024 OLM Middle School Ski & Board Club will be selling soft pretzels again this year to raise money for bus transportation for the ski club! Please sign up via the link provided by September 22nd
Calling all Middle School Students!
OLM Haunted Hayride
All 6th, 7th, and 8th grade OLM students and parents are invited to join us for some Halloween fun on our annual OLM Middle School Haunted Hayride and Corn Walk of Horror at Winding Brook Farm in Warrington, PA, on Friday, October 21, from 7:15 pm to 9:15 pm. For $25 per person, the evening includes a haunted hayride through the deep, dark forest of the farm and an optional walk through a live villain Corn Walk. The fun continues with food and a bonfire. Here is the link to our online registration form: https://forms.gle/x79yS3DYz9vvBeZW6
All forms and payment are due no later than October 2nd, as space is limited. More information about the events can be found on www.windingbrookfarm.com or by emailing OLM parent, Bea Lemanowicz at bml@lemanowiczlaw.com. See you soon for thrills and chills!
Ski & Snowboard Club Interest Survey:
We are excited to announce that the OLM MIDDLE SCHOOL SKI & SNOWBOARD CLUB is once again gearing up for more fun at Bear Creek Mountain Resort in Lehigh Valley, PA in 2024! Look for our new dates in the attached Save the Date flier. Ski Club is so popular year after year that we also need a preliminary headcount to provide to Bear Creek as they plan to open the 2023/2024 ski season. Your response to this survey will also help OLM determine how many buses we need for the ski club season, as well as determine our transportation costs and fundraising needs. Our full registration is coming in late October. All interested OLM 6th, 7th, and 8th-grade families should complete the head count survey by October 2nd so you can be added to our email list for any updates from Bear Creek. Winter is coming! We hope you can hit the slopes with us! Survey Link – Click here: tinyurl.com/OLMSkiSurvey24
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)
Supporting Home & School
- Box Top For Education is digital! Visit www.boxtops4education.com today to get the app and start earning for OLM -- use the referral code XXJZ0B0U when you sign up to earn a minimum of 20 Bonus Box Tops when you scan your first receipt! September 18th kicks off National Box Tops Week so be on the lookout for additional info regarding opportunities to earn bonus box tops! More detailed instructions and special NBTW offers will be posted in our Instagram stories and highlights @olmhsa.
- 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.
September 2023 Lunch Volunteers
Uniform Policy
ALL uniform rules will be enforced starting this week. 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 brought to our two approved vendors: Flynn & O’Hara or Lands’ End.
● All formal and gym uniforms must be bought at 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.
Our Lady of Mercy Catholic School is proud to provide extended services for our students through CARES program. Afternoon CARES will operate from 3:00 – 6:00 pm on days when OLM is in full session. On days when school dismisses early, CARES is available until 3:00 pm, except for Thanksgiving break.
Unfortunately, due to the lack of interest, Morning CARES WILL NOT be offered during the 2023-2024 school year.
Our CARES program is designed to provide a safe and secure environment for students while providing students with an afternoon light snack, outside play (weather permitting), homework time and organized activities. All rules and policies of the school, outlined in the OLM Student-Parent handbook, apply to CARES. For the safety of all children, a parent or designated adult must sign out your child.
The pricing for the 2023-2024 school year is as follows:
After CARE pick up before 4:30 pm $17.00
After CARE pick up after 4:30 pm $19.00
Early Dismissal CARES 12:00 to 3:00 $25.00
Late Fees: Students who are picked up late will be assessed a late fee, which will be added to the daily fee.
6:00 – 6:15 Additional $8.00
6:00 - 6:30 Additional $10.00
CARES fees will be processed at the end of the month through your FACTS accounts. There is a $30.00 family registration fee to cover start-up costs associated with the program.
TO REGISTER PLEASE USE THIS LINK:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/10MGL4_98gmcwkVWPecpeDT_CdHQKOQm34RuuhORfO3M/edit
DROP IN CARES SERVICE
At OLM we recognize that situations may arise in which parents need to utilize CARES, but they have not formally registered for the program. For these days, we are pleased to offer our “Drop-In CARES” services. This Drop-In service provides the same hours and same benefits as our regular CARES program and can be arranged by calling the main office before 2:00pm. The cost of this service is: $25 per student when pick up before 4:30, or $30.00 per student when pick up after 4:30.
EARLY DISMISSAL DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER: CARES WILL NOT be available on days that school dismisses early due to inclement weather. On this occasion, please contact the front office to advise how your child should go home (bus or car).
If you have any questions, please contact the CARES coordinator at esolanodeguerra@olmrcs.com
Birthdays this week
September 10th
Ryder Filewicz
September 12th
Cheyenne Jordan
Cael Thompson
Brynn Hemberger
September 14th
Emily DiRaimondi
September 15th
Simon Schmalbach
Paisley Peterson
September 16th
Lauren Devlin
Artrell Breakfield, JR
Altar Servers
Tuesday 9/12
Sean McErlean
Luke McDonald
Wednesday 9/13
Henry Lemanowicz
Nate Henrich
Thursday 9/14
Katie Canalley
Victoria Heath
Friday 9/15
Will McMullen
Thomas Hungerford