Academy of Our Lady
180 Rodney Street
Glen Rock, New Jersey 07452
201-445-0622
Building the Kingdom … one child at a time.
PRINCIPAL’S NEWSLETTER
NOVEMBER 22, 2013
Dear Families of Academy of Our Lady,
A PRAYER FOR THAKSGIVING
May the blessing of joy abide within you.
May the blessing of peace rest upon you.
May the blessing of love flow throughout you.
May all the blessings of the Lord be yours at this time of gratitude.
In turn, may we praise the Lord who satisfies our desires with all good things.
A Blessed and Happy Thanksgiving! This week, was a celebration of Thanks for the Blue Ribbon Award,
the celebration and award in Washington, DC, was a great exchange and learning experience shared with schools from
all over the country. Although we couldn’t all go, thanks to our photo journalist Mrs. Mason, we will have an album
and a power point shared Thursday to help tell the story. The sharing ideas, the dialogue, the setting in our nation’s
capitol and the support we heard are all a testimony to the wonderful school community we celebrate with this Blue
Ribbon Award. As Bro. Bimonte, President of the NCEA said, “You are the best of the best.” Congratulations TO
YOU and all of AOOL! Keep striving for new ways to demonstrate excellence and new ways to serve others.
The Fall Social will be an amazing display when you see our student’s art work so cleverly transformed into
class compositions. The committee chaired by Isabel Argnani, Laura Kramer and Trish Pender have worked several
late hours perfecting the framing and arrangements. Thank you to Mrs. Barbara who did such a great job. The students
displayed the art work done by each class for Fr. Ron and Fr. Tom at this week’s Pastors’ Meeting. Amazing!! Thank
you to our Home and School for sponsoring this event for educational enrichment – the funds are greatly appreciated
and deep appreciation for the more tangible product, our students’ self expression in art.
This past Tuesday, Mrs. Gagnon, Msgr. Rozniak and Fr. Tom Wisniewski attended an Archdiocesan meeting
held at the Basilica on Lighting the Way. This strategic planning document will unfold over the next three years. It
covers several major topics: governance, finance, development, leadership, Catholic identity, and more. As the timeline
and implementation develop, I will keep you informed.
On Wednesday, the seventh grade went to St. Malachy’s Church, the Actors Chapel for the taping of
Christmas Mass for the televised ministry for the homebound. This is an outreach, prayer filled (we attended two
Masses), trip complimented with beautiful music and architecture. This will be aired nationwide on Christmas
morning. (www.sundaymass.org)
Have a very Blessed and Joyful Thanksgiving, Patricia Keenaghan, Principal
St. Catharine Church
Fair Lawn – Glen Rock
Serving the parish communities of
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church
Ridgewood
CALENDAR
NOVEMBER VIRTUE: CITIZENSHIP
Day
WED
THU
Date
NOV. 20
NOV. 21
Time
3 – 4 PM
11 AM
Event
STUDENT COUNCIL
BLUE RIBBON AWARD ASSEMBLY
PIZZA AND ICE CREAM DAY
FRI
NOV. 22
RED, WHITE AND BLUE DAY FOR THE PHILLIPINES
RADIO CITY HALL CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR
SAT
NOV. 23
SETON HALL PIRATE OPEN
FALL SOCIAL
SUN
NOV. 24
3 PM
YEAR OF FAITH CLOSING MASS
@ BASILICA OF THE SACRED HEART
MON
NOV. 25
MARKET DAY ORDERS DUE
3-3:45
GR. 8 KNIGHTS’ CLUB
7:45 PM
SCHOOL ADVISORY BOARD
TUE
NOV. 26 7:35 AM
GR. 8 LATIN CLUB
FIRST TRIMESTER ENDS
THANKSGIVING CLASS PARTIES
WED
NOV. 27 11:30 AM
THANKSGIVING PRAYER SERVICE
THU
NOV. 28 NO SCHOOL THANKSGIVING DAY ~ THANK YOU GOD
FRI
NOV. 29 NO SCHOOL
SUN
DEC. 1
FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT
MON~WED DEC. 2 -4
SECRET SANTA WORKSHOP – VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!!!
WED
DEC. 4
3 – 4 PM
STUDENT COUNCIL
THU
DEC. 5
9 – 10:30AM OPEN HOUSE FOR PRE-KINDERGARTEN 2, 3 AND 4
7
7 – 8 PM
& KINDERGARTEN ENTERING 2014-15
PIZZA & ICE CREAM DAY
FRI
DEC. 6
10 AM
FIRST FRIDAY LITURGY AND CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING
12:15 PM
EARLY DISMISSAL
*MON
DEC. 9
8 AM
* ST. CATHARINE PARISH MASS IN CHURCH*
**QUIET ARRIVAL DIRECTLY TO CLASSROOM – USE RAMP
ANNOUNCEMENTS
OPEN HOUSE FOR 2014-15 STUDENTS ENTERING PRE-K 2,3 AND 4; KINDERGARTEN!
Help spread the word! Our Open House begins the registration process for all children born prior to
Oct. 1 2009 for Kindergarten, 10/1/2010 for PreK 4, 10/1/2011 for PreK 3, and 10/1/2012 for Pre K 2.
Preference for sessions given to currently enrolled students who return the Re-registration forms.
SCOUTS’ CHRISTMAS WREATH AND POINSETTIA SALE: Order your fresh 16”or 20”1 fully
decorated or 6” (3-5 blooms) or 8” (10-15 blooms) by Nov. 27! Pickup 12/2 or delivery! See flyer on the
Green envelope. Questions? Contact: PeterH4565@aol.com .
SANTA SECRET WORKSHOP: Not all the classes have helpers, please see the green envelope if you
can be an elf and help for one class period! Thank you!
UNIFORMS: Grade 1-8 students are wearing the formal school uniform. The OPTIONAL winter uniform
(turtleneck, slacks for girls, etc.) begins Monday, Dec. 16. Students 1-7 may not wear sweatshirts
unless uniform sweatshirts on gym day.
BEAR HUGS FOR THE HOLIDAYS: AoOL and troop 249 are collecting NEW Teddy Bears, (must
have a tag) from Nov 13th to Dec 11th, Please drop off in the boxes in the lobby. Bears will be donated
to the Same Day Surgery Unit at the Valley Hospital of Ridgewood
PROTECTING GOD’S CHILDREN re-certification by December: All who were trained prior to 2011
require additional updated training. There are three options. Please visit the Archdiocese of Newark
website: www.rcan.org to find the training most convenient for your schedule. If attending a workshop
you must pre register online www.rcan.org
LUNCH REMINDER: No glass containers, please advise your child or label “snack” and “lunch”. Meals
for Kids is our hot meal provider. Lunches delivered by outside providers are not allowed and interrupt
the office as they often set off the alarm. Your cooperation is appreciated.
IN GOD WE TRUST: SERVING OTHERS AS A REFLECTION OF GOD’S LOVE