Dear OLVCS Families,

As a reminder, there is no school Monday, January 19th preschool - 8th grade. The teachers have training on Structured Literacy. Our preschool students are off Friday (tomorrow) for their parent teacher conferences.

Next Sunday, January 25th at the 9:30 Mass kicks off Catholic Schools Week (CSW). For our new families this is a nationwide event that celebrates Catholic Schools. We encourage all to attend. There will be donuts and coffee after Mass in the Activities Center, along with the Ignatius Book Fair. (This change in location is due to the Stage Project.)

In a separate email, we will send a one-sheet containing all the information you will need about the changes and activities for Catholic Schools Week. With the exception of Sunday Mass, these activities take place during the school day and do not require parents to attend. No need to take a day off.

The Ignatius Book Fair kicks off next week and concludes on Sunday, January 25th. This year the fair is in the Activities Center. (details below)

The OLV Women’s Conference will be February 7th; 9:00 am - 4:00 pm and includes Mass, two talks, and opportunities for Confession, Adoration and prayer. Lunch and a light breakfast will be provided. (details below)

Finally, the end of the marking period is Tuesday, which brings us to the halfway point of the year. Time really does fly! The first half of the year has been wonderful, and I am confident the second half will be just as great.

Make it a Great Day!

Samantha

Notable Dates:

Monday, January 19th: No School (PrK - 8th) Teacher In-Service

Tuesday, January 20th: End of Marking period

Sunday, January 25th: Catholic Schools Week Mass @ 9:30 am

Sunday, January 25th - Friday, January 30th: Catholic Schools Week!

Monday, January 26th: NO MASS

Monday, February, 2nd Mass (3rd grade)

Monday, February 9th Mass (2nd grade))

Wednesday, February 18th: MASS Ash Wednesday @ 10:00 am

Monday, February 23rd: Mass (1st grade)

Monday, March 2nd: Mass (8th grade)

Friday, March 6th: No School: Diocesan Safety Inservice

Monday, March 9th - Friday, March 13th: Spring Break

Pictured: Winter sunrise at OLVCS. We are so blessed!

Please note the location change!

The book fair will run January 20-25th, and will held in the Social Hall of the OLV Activity Center due to the ongoing stage renovation project. Each elementary class will be brought to the fair during their normal library class time, and Middle School will go to the fair during religion class time throughout the week. Envelopes and order form will be sent home so you can list the books/items your child would like to purchase. Please see the attached book fair catalog!

The book fair will also be open to parents and families:

Saturday Jan. 24th from 6-7pm after Saturday Mass.

Sunday Jan. 25th - join us after the Catholic Schools Week Mass for donuts and books from 10:30-1:00pm!

An online link is also available: ignatiusbookfairs.com.

We need help with set up, packing up, and sales throughout the week.

Please sign up here.

Email Melanie Smith (melanie.yonushonis@gmail.com) with any questions.

School is out! Meet at The Field for lunch, dinner or take out and help your school!

OLVCS and The Field Burger & Tap are partnering for The Field Gives Back on Monday, January 19th. Between the hours of 11:00am-9:00pm a portion of ALL proceeds from the restaurant will come back to OLVCS to benefit our programs, facilities, and activities for PreSchool through 8th grade students.

Please plan on meeting your OLV Family at The Field for lunch or dinner or make it an easy night and get Take Out!

The Field Burger and Tap is located in the Toftrees Golf Resort at 1 Country Club Lane, State College, PA 16803.

OLVCS Middle School Pro-Life Service Club will run each Thursday during the month of January after school until 4:00pm. The club will meet in the Spanish Room, and students can be picked up near the school's front main entrance. Fun activities are planned for all students in grades 6-8. Students are encouraged to attend when they can. Service hours are available. Snacks will be provided. Activities planned include:

Creating Care Packages for New OLVCS Moms
Diaper Drive for Gabriel Project with talk from Gabriel Project Organizer: Mrs. Allison
Cards of encouragement for OLV new parents and those being baptized
Make cards and spiritual bouquets for the homebound

Sign Up Here: OLVCS Middle School Pro-Life Service Club

Get a team together and join us for the best night of the year! Great food, prizes, and (of course) trivia!

Date: Saturday, February 28th, 2026.

Time: Doors open at 6:30PM, and the trivia fun kicks off at 7:30PM.

Location: OLVCS Gymnasium

Trivia Night benefits OLVCS Extracurricular Programs!

Early Bird Tickets/Tables

**Discounted Rate When Purchased On Or Before February 15th**
Individual: $50
Table (seats 8): $350

Regular Tickets/Tables
**Purchased Between February 16th And 26th**
Individual: $60
Table (seats 8): $400

Need More Info?
Look for a special edition newsletter after the holidays!

Several changes have been made to the calendar for those children receiving First Reconciliation and First Communion this school year. New dates for Reconciliation are as follows:

Friday, April 24th, 2026 @ 10:00am: OLVCS students

Sunday, April 19th, 2026 @ 10:30am: CCD students in Dr. Zazzali’s class

Sunday, April 26th, 2026 @ 10:30am: CCD students in Miss Small’s/Dr. Puts’ class and anyone who missed the prior dates (OLVCS or CCD)

NOTE: Students who are receiving Reconciliation and Communion this year but who are not in 2nd grade should pick one of the CCD Sundays to receive First Reconciliation.

First Holy Communion will still be held on Saturday, May 2nd @ 10:00am (students arrive by 9:30am).

Rehearsal will be moved to Friday, May 1st @ 6:00-7:00pm.

CCD families will complete two extra, at-home assignments, one before First Reconciliation and one before First Communion. Details about the assignments will be emailed to CCD families several weeks ahead of First Reconciliation and First Communion (shortly before and after Easter).

CCD chalice painting will be moved to Sunday, March 1st during CCD class (previously Sunday, February 22nd). OLVCS students will still have Chalice Painting on Ash Wednesday, February 18th.

Registration is now open for the OLV Women's Conference (Saturday, February 7, 2026) and the parish-wide Spirit Night (Friday, February 6, 2026).

Saturday's women's conference will feature Fr. Paul O'Connor, SJ as the speaker. Registration is $30 for adults and $15 for college students. The event is 9:00 am - 4:00 pm and includes Mass, two talks, and opportunities for Confession, Adoration and prayer. Lunch and a light breakfast will be provided.

Friday evening's Spirit Night, which is open to both men and women, is free of charge, with donations being accepted at the door. The event is 6:30 - 9:00 pm and includes music, two talks, and opportunities for Confession and prayer. The featured speakers are Mike Ragon and Mary Beth Garvin, co-founders of Peter's Shadow Healing Ministry.

Both events take place at OLV.

Participants can register at https://olvwomen2026.paperform.co/ or by using the QR for the event.