Below are some wonderful learning moments and FUN at OLOG followed by some key important information items and then a brief snapshot of our Week ahead …

Holy Week is this Week as we get ready for the JOY of EASTER!

Lent 2024 Continues … and today is Palm Sunday, also called Passion Sunday, and for Catholics, this is the first day of the Holy Week. Palm branches signify goodness and victory and are placed before Jesus’ path as he entered Jerusalem. This week at Our Lady of Grace, we will honour Holy Week.

We will continue to explore the Passion Story and Jesus’ Way of the Cross, using our Resurrection Eggs to reflect on our calling of who we are called to be to make the world the best it can be. This truly is a solemn and focused week and each classroom will engage in activities as part of our religious instruction and deepen our understanding of Lent and Holy Week. We will also hold a Passion Liturgy on Thursday to pray and reflect on the true meaning of Easter – Resurrection and New Life.

At Easter we focus on the Triduum. What is the Holy Triduum?

The Triduum is the three days commemorating the crucifixion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Holy Thursday is the day of the last supper, and it was also the First Holy Communion, as it was the first time Jesus turned bread and wine into his Body and Blood.

Good Friday is when we remember the crucifixion and death of Jesus. The day sounds bad, but it is called good because we remember that Jesus loved us so much that he was willing to die for us.

Holy Saturday is a vigil day, a day of waiting and watching for something to happen. It is the day before Easter when Jesus lay in the tomb.

* Important Reminder * There is NO SCHOOL on Good Friday (March 29th) or Easter Monday (April 1st).

OLOG Easter Food Drive Continues – Ends This Week on Holy Thursday, March 28th – Thanks!

OLOG is the little school with the BIG Heart and we are looking for your HELP.

We are working closely with the Food Bank of Waterloo Region as the need is great right now and they were so very grateful for our help at Christmas too!

Please consider sending in some non-perishable food items as this will be the final week. We already have 8 boxes of food (GREAT!) and hope to keep helping during this special HOLY WEEK time of Faith and Helping Others.

Again, thanks for your kindness and generosity Gator Nation!

Public Health Vaccinations – ISPA – Immunization Suspension Pupils Act – March 27th

We are now at the point at which students who do not have their immunizations up to date will be suspended from school; this is not something that anyone wants and several communications have been sent home to parents throughout our school board and OLOG School. For those Gator Parents who have been contacted, please continue to share the necessary paperwork with Public Health to ensure that student records and vaccinations are up to date by March 27th.

Updating Information Reminder – Please do not send confirmation of your immunization information to the school – it must be shared and confirmed with Public Health. As we approach March 27th, they will continue to let the school know which students are not up to date and at that point, we will send home suspension letters on Public Health’s behalf.

Each School will get an updated list on Tuesday, March 26th and thankfully, most of the students will have been removed as parents do what they can to update Public Health … BUT if your child’s name is still on that list come Tuesday, they will need to REMAIN HOME FROM SCHOOL, on Wednesday, March 27th and going forward – until their name is removed from that list.

Again, thanks for your attention to this important matter!

PIZZA ORDERING FOR APRIL IS STILL OPEN – BUT CLOSES TONIGHT @ 11:59 pm!

Pizza Thursdays for the month of April is still open for orders on School Cash Online but closes tonight March 24th, at 11:59 PM!

BOTH “pepperoni” AND “cheese” slices are being offered !

Payments and ordering must be made via School Cash Online (https://www.schoolcashonline.com/)

Again, Please ORDER TODAY if you have not already, as these orders are due by 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, March 24th, 2024.

After this time, ordering for April pizza days will NOT be available.

If your child is absent on a pizza day, please make arrangements for it to be picked up. Pizza will not be held overnight and we cannot issue refunds. Thank you for your continued support!

Nutrition for Learning – Popcorn Days – Order Now for April!

We are very fortunate to have the Nutrition for Learning Program here at Our Lady of Grace School! Nutrition for Learning is a charitable organization that runs food programs at many schools in our region including Our Lady of Grace – every week, healthy snacks are made available to all students in their classrooms.

We are selling popcorn in support of this worthwhile program! Popcorn orders are now available on School Cash Online for the month March – bags of Salt and Butter popcorn will be available for purchase at $1.25 per bag and will be distributed to those students who purchase it on Wednesdays, starting Wednesday, April 3rd! Please note that popcorn sales will be done through School Cash Online only and NO late/cash orders will be accepted. These orders are due by 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, March 24, 2024.

Thank you for your support!

WCDSB Kindergarten Registration is Still OPEN!

It’s Time to Sign Up for School! JK Kindergarten Registration For Next Year – NOW OPEN!

New Junior Kindergartens Wanted, No Experience Required!

It’s time to sign up for the 2024-25 school year – and registering to attend one of Waterloo Region’s 44 Catholic elementary schools has never been easier.

Children born in 2020 are eligible for Year 1 Kindergarten (JK).
Children born in 2019 are eligible for Year 2 Kindergarten (SK).

REGISTER HERE: Kindergarten Registration

To finalize your child’s registration, please contact your local Catholic school directly.

QUICK Facts

~~ When registering your child to attend a Catholic elementary school you must be prepared to provide proof of the child’s date of birth and either the child’s Catholic baptismal certificate or the Catholic baptismal certificate of at least one parent or guardian.

~~ If you are non-Catholic (including a non-Catholic newcomer to Canada), but wish to explore a Catholic education for your child(ren), please review the WCDSB Admissions to Catholic Elementary Schools policy. Our secondary schools are open to students of all faiths.

~~ A complete list of WCDSB schools that will offer the Extended Day Program in 2024-25 will be web-posted before the end of this current (2023-24) school year. Please call your school directly for information about the Extended Day Program. A complete list of WCDSB schools currently providing the program is available via this link: Extended Day Program.

~~ For information about French Immersion programs in Kitchener, Waterloo and Cambridge, please click here: French Immersion Registration Information.

Upcoming Assessments

The following assessments are coming up soon and they provide a wonderful window into our student’s strengths and areas for next steps whereupon improvements can be worked on.

Please note the dates below and where possible, avoid any unnecessary absences or lates … Thanks!

CCAT Grade 4 March 20-27

CAT-4 Grade 7 April 10-17

EQAO Grade 3 & 6 May 8-June 12

Engagement Evening – Guest Speaker and Parent Information Night – Online Safety

WCDSB is pleased to present a virtual parent and guardian information evening on Cyber safety, digital literacy, and esports gaming on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, from 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Matthew Johnson, the Director of Education from Media Smarts, will speak about online safety and digital literacy and discuss resources available to families from Media Smarts.

Katina Papulkas is the Senior Education Strategist at Dell Technologies and will provide guidance on online gaming and how parents and guardians can support their children’s passions, explore career opportunities, and appreciate the engagement it provides.

Register: https://bit.ly/WCDSBesafe 

Have a wonderful week Gator Nation!

EVENTS FOR THIS COMING WEEK …

Monday, March 25th

Holy Week’s is underway at OLOG School, beginning with Palm Sunday and looking toward the JOY of EASTER WEEKEND!
Indoor and Outdoor Shoes – Thanks for your help parents, the weather is STILL very much UP and DOWN and our field can get quite muddy or filled with snow at times, 2 pairs of shoes are needed – thanks!

Tuesday, March 26th

Resurrection Eggs Continue – this is a great tool to reflect on Jesus’ Way of the Cross and the celebration of the Resurrection as we look to EASTER this coming weekend …

Wednesday, March 27th

Immunization Pupil Suspension Act – IPSA Day – those students notified by Public Health will STAY HOME TODAY AND UNTIL they are cleared by Waterloo Region Public Health
Spirit Wear Day – wear your Gator clothing or our Gator Colours to show your school spirit
Last day for CCAT Testing

Thursday, March 28th

Holy Thursday – Stations of the Cross Assembly (AM)
Pizza lunch for those students who ordered for MARCH Pizza Days
Gator Birthdays for the week called over the PA – ALL Students with a Birthday this week will be called to the office – AWESOME! Happy Birthday Gators!

Friday, March 29th

Good Friday – NO SCHOOL TODAY

LOOKING AHEAD – Please NOTE These Important Dates

2024

March 31^st– Easter Sunday

April 1^st– Easter Monday – NO SCHOOL TODAY

Tuesday, April 2^nd– World Autism Day- Wear Blue!

Monday, April 8^th– PD Day … This is the **NEW DATE** re the ECLIPSE that is to take place on this date – Be Safe Gators!

Monday, April 22^nd, 2024- Earth Day!

Tuesday, April 23^rd, 2024- Bus Driver’s Appreciation Day!

Wednesday, April 24th– Administrative Assistant Appreciation Day! (3^rd Wed in April each year)

May 5^th-10^th– Catholic Education Week

May 6^th-10^th– Mental Health Awareness week- Canada

Sunday, May 12th- Mother’s Day

Monday, May 20th, 2024- Victoria Day

Thursday, May 23rd – JK – Welcome to Kindergarten Information Night (6-7:00 pm)

Friday, May 31^st– PD DAY- EA/CYCW Appreciation Day

Sunday, June 16th- Father’s Day

Tuesday, June 25^th– Term 2 Report Cards Go Home

Last Day of School for students Thursday, June 27^th– regular Dismissal

Friday, June 28^th– PD Day