News Around Campus

A Message from Ms. B:

Something we noticed in the upper grades: The school issues all students a pair of headphones at the beginning of the year for classroom use. These headphones are often necessary for instruction and technology class, as the Junior High uses various online platforms and programs to enhance whole-class, in-person instruction. Recently we have seen a spike in the number of students without their headphones because they are lost or broken, resulting in an inability to complete an in-class assignment. Beginning next week, students who do not have their headphones will be given an alternate in-class assignment and be expected to complete the original assignment at home. Please check with your student to be sure he/she has this essential supply. If not, earbuds can often be found at the Dollar Store, the school has headphones available for purchase ($1), or students can bring in personal headphones or earbuds from home. Thank you for your continued support and attention to this matter.

This being Catholic Schools’ Week, it is a time to celebrate our privilege of learning about God in a Catholic school.  We have activities and dress code changes, celebrating a special group in our Catholic school, each day.  Be sure to read the pink Catholic Schools’ Week paper sent home on Friday.

Who dey!
Ms. B

A Message from Ms. B:

GRIT: Guts, Resilience, Initiative, Tenacity.

This weekend midterms are coming home as a way to encourage dialogue with your student(s) about their grades and how to best improve them. It is our hope that we have very little to send home in this regard and that the majority of our students are completing their assignments, studying for their tests, and asking for help from the teacher when they are confused or do not understand a concept. We also expect our students to work diligently in class and behave appropriately (not talking out of turn, listening to each other). Some of our students struggle and we try to help them as best we can, providing auxiliary services and/or reviewing work. One thing we have discovered as a staff is some of our students tend to “get down on themselves” rather quickly when they don’t do well the first time on an assignment or test. This is the perfect time for our students to “mess up” or make a mistake! We are here to help our students get up and dust themselves off and try again. But we can only do so much! We want our students to actively be involved in advocating for themselves.

According to renowned psychologist Angela Duckworth, grit is passion and sustained persistence applied toward long-term achievement, with no particular concern for rewards or recognition along the way. It combines resilience, ambition, and self-control in the pursuit of goals that take months, years, or even decades. Grit is a valuable trait in the classroom, the field, and the neighborhood. All of us working together to help our students develop “grit” prepares them for the high school and beyond.

Ms. B

Saturday, January 22nd; 12:00 p.m.

A Message from Ms. B:

One of the simplest things we try to teach every day is the maxim: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Be kind and others will be kind in return. Kindness is shown in many ways, individually or collectively.

The beginning of our second week of break, I assisted Coach Dude in his basketball duties with the 5th grade boys’ team. Not known for my athletic skills, I fell on my face while dribbling a ball (it was not pretty to watch!). A lot of students would laugh when the principal falls doing a simple task but our young men did not laugh and even tried to assist me in getting back up. They quickly exited when the saw the injury and when we had to cancel practice early so Coach Dude could take me to get stitches, no one grumbled or complained. They all wished me well. At that point, kindness was what I needed since not only was my face bruised, my ego was too.

I would love for all of our students to be kind and experience kindness from each other. It can be difficult growing up and realizing the differences we all have. Instead of celebrating the differences, often times, the very things that make us unique become the focal point of jeers and exclusion.

So what can we do, as a community, to teach kindness? Show kindness. I challenge each of you to small acts of kindness standing in line at the grocery store, asking your children to put away their clothes, or even leaving our parking lot at dismissal. Make it a family challenge and priority to show kindness to each other, to adults, to everyone (even those we might not always enjoy the company of or agree with). Encourage your students to share their kindness stories at dinner or in school with their teacher. The more we share the goodness, the less we surround ourselves with negativity. We are the models of kindness for our children.

I truly believe that we are some of the luckiest people on the westside, attending our school and church…not because of the longstanding traditions or excellent education but because of the people.

Keep warm, stay healthy, and Bee Kind, 

Ms. B

A Message from Ms. B:

With all of the potential negative events and emotions that could bombard us, it’s good to remember the real reason for the holiday season.

Charlie Brown: Isn't there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?

Linus Van Pelt: Sure, Charlie Brown, I can tell you what Christmas is all about. "And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, 'Fear not: for behold, I bring unto you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.' And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.'" That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.

Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,
Our Lady of Lourdes

Christmas Eve/Christmas Day Masses at Our Lady of Lourdes Church

We invite your family to celebrate the birth of Jesus by joining us for Mass on Christmas Eve at 3 p.m. or 5 p.m. or on Christmas Day at 10 a.m. Carol singing and the blessing of the Nativity Scene in the Gathering Space will precede the 3 p.m. Mass.

Safe Parish 4th Quarter Training Video Now Due

The 4th quarter Child Protection training video is now available on the Safe Parish web site. Users should have been notified by e-mail of the new video and they have 30 days from the date of posting to complete the training. To remain approved to volunteer with children, please complete the training video by January 8.

Ms. B