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.

Email: jmcgrath@olmrcs.com
Website: www.olmrcs.com
Location: 29 Conwell Drive, Maple Glen, PA, United States
Phone: 215-646-0150
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Our-Lady-of-Mercy-Regional-Catholic-School-1427959374084742/?ref=bookmarks

Holy God! Tomorrow, we remember Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s struggle for equality, justice, and dignity for African Americans that inspired so many other reform movements that seek to highlight the plight of the oppressed in society.

We pray that all of those in civil and religious authority be reminded that we all have been created in your image, and that there is an intrinsic dignity in each of us that calls for uplifting every man and woman, young and old.

We pray that your Holy Spirit remind us all that you show no partiality with regards to nationality, race, ethnicity, or gender, and to do so is to go against your great commandment of love toward one another.

We pray that the church will not be complicit of injustice by being silent, but that it can rise up with a prophetic voice that speaks truth to power and advances the values of your Kingdom.

We pray these things in the name of our blessed redeemer, Jesus Christ. Amen.

PLEASE JOIN US AT OLM TOMORROW FROM 10AM TO 12PM FOR SERVICE. THANK YOU AND HAVE A GREAT WEEK! JCM

January 15

MLK Day - NO SCHOOL (see below about service project)

LAST DAY FOR CHICK-FIL-A ORDERS

January 16

Mary Poppins Parent Meeting, 7PM in cafe

January 17

Grade 4 Class Mass, 9AM

CHICK-FIL-A DAY AT LUNCH

January 19

Dress Down Day - to support THON

Club/STREAM Day

Ski Club, 2:45PM

MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY OF SERVICE AT OLM

On January 15, we will have service activities at the cafeteria at OLM for anyone who would like to participate. We will be in the cafeteria from 10 am until noon. Children in the Middle School Academy may be dropped off and picked up, and we ask that a parent/caretaker be present for children in the lower grades. The activities will include:

Sweet Cases for Together We Rise

Together We Rise is a non-profit organization whose mission is “to improve the lives of foster children in America. TWR works with hundreds of foster agencies, social workers, CASA advocates, and other partners to bring our programs to foster youth across the nation. Our foundation has allowed us to provide thousands of foster youth across the country with new bicycles, college supplies, and suitcases so that children do not have to travel from home to home with their belongings in a trash bag.”

The Sweet Cases are duffel bags filled with essentials like a hygiene kit, blanket, teddy bear, coloring book and crayons. On MLK day, we will have Sweet Cases to be filled and decorated. The Sweet Cases will then go to local foster care agencies to be given to foster children in our area.

Operation Gratitude

The mission of Operation Gratitude is to “thank every American who serves.” On MLK day, the children will make letters for veterans, active duty service members, and first responders. These letters will get sent to Operation Gratitude and included in the care packages that they send out worldwide.

Cradles to Crayons

“Cradles to Crayons provides children from birth through age 12, living in homeless or low-income situations, with the essential items they need to thrive – at home, at school and at play. We supply these items free of charge by engaging and connecting communities that have with communities that need.”

On MLK day, we will collect items to be donated to Cradles to Crayons. Do you have clothes/coats/shoes that your children have outgrown? This is the perfect time to get rid of old stuff!! The items that Cradles to Crayons will accept are:

• Clothing (youth sizes 0–14/16 and adult sizes small)

• New socks & underwear

• New pajamas (except 0-24 months will be accepted in like-new condition)

• Shoes, boots, sneakers, and sandals (infant/child sizes 0–13; adult sizes 1–9)

• Heavy coats, lightweight jackets, winter hats, gloves/mittens

• Books (baby board books through grade 6)

• New arts and crafts

• New school supplies

• Baby supplies (baby carriers, diaper bags, tubs, etc.)

• Baby hygiene (infant washcloths, towels, shampoo, lotion, wipes, etc.)

• Infant bedding (bassinet and crib only)

• Diapers

• Baby equipment, especially strollers and car seats less than five years old

• New and like-new toys (see below for exceptions)

• New batteries

Cradles to Crayons cannot accept the following:

• Furniture and?household goods/items

• Cribs of any kind (due to recalls)

• Car seats and other infant safety items more than five years old

• Over-sized plastic play structures and backyard toys

• Stuffed animals

• Used sports safety equipment (helmets, shin guards, etc.)

• Bicycles or ride-on toys

• Any toy larger than 2' x 2' (must be small enough to fit into a carry-on suitcase)

• DVDs/CDs/VHS tapes/computer games

• Violent toys/games

• Electronics

• Books and clothing with family related messaging (“I Love Mommy,” “Daddy’s Little Girl”)

• Used bathing suits

• Used underwear, socks, or pajamas

• Used hygiene or feeding products or bottles

• Baby food

• Used arts and crafts/school supplies

We will need help sorting through the items and organizing by gender and age.

Aid For Friends

Aid For Friends provides home cooked meals to individuals who are home-bound in and around the Philadelphia area. On MLK, we will be collecting food to assemble into meals and bringing the meals to the freezers at our local parishes. Here is a link to sign up to bring in the requested food. http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0f48a5ac2ca0f85-dayofservice. Please bring the cooked food to the cafeteria and we will assemble the meals that day.

Please send an email to register to attend to Meghann Chiappa at chiappa.meghann@gmail.com, and please feel free to email with any questions!

Catholic School Week is right aroundthe corner. There will be something exciting and fun planned every day!

1. APPRECIATION LUNCHEON

In honor of our amazing and dedicated faculty and staff here at OLM, please consider helping out with our Appreciation Luncheon to be held the Wednesday of Catholic School week (1/31).

Please see the sign up below on how you can help! We can't do it without you.

http://www.signupgenius.com/go/60b084baaaf29a31-cswfaculty

Contact Danielle Moore at ddinapol@aol.com with any questions.

2. BAGELS & BANANAS WITH A BUDDY

On Monday, January 29TH (family last names with last name A-L) and Tuesday, January 30TH, (M-Z) students are welcome to come to school with a family member and enjoy a bagel and a banana with them between 7:45-8:30. More information to follow, but we wanted you to be aware so you can plan accordingly.

3. MINI-THON

The fifth grade is proud to sponsor OLM's sixth annual Mini-Thon to help fight pediatric cancer. Our Mini-Thon is for all OLM students and will take place on Friday, February 2nd at 9:00 AM with more details to follow. We are selling t-shirts to help raise money for this worthy cause. The t-shirts will feature a Mini- Thon design and may be worn to the Mini-Thon and on gym days. All proceeds benefit the Four Diamonds Fund and pediatric cancer research. Please see the attached order form. All orders are due by Wednesday, January 17th.

4. FAMILY BINGO NIGHT

We are finishing Catholic Schools Week with Family Bingo Night! On Friday, Feburary 2nd, families are welcomed to come for a night that promises to be filled with excitement, laughter and, for a lucky few winners, prizes!

When: Friday, February 2nd, 6:00 - 8:00 PM

Cost: $7.00 per person with a $25.00 family maximum. Price includes pizza and drinks. Please bring a dessert.

Please check your child's backpack / homework folder for the RVP flyer.

We are looking for volunteers. If you are interested, please see the Sign Up Genius: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/409094ea4ab2aabfa7-catholic

Any questions, please contact Megan Dougherty @ 215-219-4057 or Jackie Sponosa at 215-582-6329.

Busy...busy...busy describes the many events quickly approaching. Thanks to the many of you who have already sent in your Designer Bag Bingo responses and money. We have over 100 tickets sold and they keep coming in each day. Remember if you are interested in donating or have a connection to someone who may be able to donate, please contact Megan Romano.

6th Annual OLM Run For Mercy - The 6th Annual 5k and 1 Mile Fun Run will be held on Saturday, March 24th at 9:00 a.m. Early Bird Registration is now open! Early bird pricing will end on February 5th, so register soon!

Click on link below to register:

https://olmcatholicschool.ejoinme.org/MyEvents/6thAnnualOLMRunforMercy5K1MileFunRun/RegistrationTshirtorders/tabid/928797/Default.aspx

Also please "like" us on the OLM Annual 5k Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pg/olmannual5k/community/

* Check our OLM's very own TROOP 540!

*We meet on Mondays from 7PM to 8:30PM in the cafeteria; we gp camping each month.

*You can join scouts if you are 11 or older. (boys can be scouts from ages 11 to 18)

*Please stop by to join us or contact us in you are interested or have questions.

Contact: Scoutmaster Dan Orr

Email: 540scoutmaster@gmail.com

Web: http://www.troopwebhost.org/Troop540Ambler/

Dear Parents,

Students at OLM will be putting their problem solving skills to the test as they design and construct solutions to STREAM challenges.

What does STREAM stand for?

Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, the Arts, and Math

In order for our students to be successful, they will need lots of recycled materials. And that is where you come in - we need your CLEAN trash!

Please send the following materials to school by 1/30 in a clean bag labeled “STREAM Stuff.”

All materials must be empty and very clean, please!

• Empty toilet paper or paper towel rolls

• Empty cereal boxes with plastic removed

• Styrofoam any size or shape

• Cotton batting or foam

• Tissue paper

• Newspaper

• Empty oatmeal cylinders, yogurt cups, or berry baskets

• Small empty boxes

• Plastic containers for strawberries, blueberries, etc.

• Bubble wrap

• Grocery bags

• Empty colored soda bottles

• Empty clear water bottles

• Empty egg cartons

• Scraps of fabric (fake fur would be appreciated!)

• Empty tissue boxes

• Empty Clorox wipe cylinders

• Balls of yarn

• Crocheting hooks

• Broken/old toys (electronics that can be disassembled and reassembled)

• Screwdrivers

Questions? Please contact Miss Masucci at mmasucci@olmrcs.com.

Thank you for your help!

God wants us to do what we know and feel is right. Decision-Making…is regulating your thoughts and actions so that you stop any pressures from within or without and act the way you know and feel is right. Developing loving habits helps us to respond lovingly to others in our choices and actions.

Decision-Making:

• Has a positive, confident sense of self and others
• Adapts to situations in light of the common good
• Thinks reflectively to solve problems
• Applies effective communication, decision-making, problem-solving & resource management skills
• Reflects on personal values, abilities and aspirations
• Participates in leisure and fitness activities for a balanced and healthy lifestyle.

During the month of January, students will be learning more about good decision-making. The Blessed Mother, under the title of Our Lady of Hope, will be our model. Peacemakers for the virtue of decision-making will be recognized after our School Liturgy on Wednesday, February 14th at 9AM.

Scholarships: Class of 2018

Mount St. Joseph:

Mary McGrory: Founders Academic Scholarship

Sarah Hughes: Founders Academic Scholarship

Anna Emma: Fontbonne Academic Scholarship

Margaux Barrett: Founders Academic Scholarship

Cassidy Palazzo:Maguire Academic Scholarship

Gwynedd Mercy:

Margaux Barrett: Trustee Academic Scholarship

Sarah Hughes: Trustee Academic Scholarship

Bianca Coleman: Maguire Academic Scholarship

LaSalle:

Nick Araco: Principal Academic Scholarship

Eddie Donovan: Principal Academic Scholarship

Jake Barton: Leadership Academic Scholarship

Archbishop Wood:

Gary Martin: Neumann Academic Scholarship

Alex Sheak: Neumann Academic Scholarship

Margaux Barrett: Presidential Academic Scholarship

Peter Reilly: Viking Academic Scholarship

Cesar Guerra-Solano: Presidential Academic Scholarship

Olivia Coer: Administrative Academic Scholarship

Anna Emma: Viking Academic Scholarship

Gwyn Craney: Presidential Academic Scholarship

Total as of 12/18/17: $493,752

Friday, January 12, 2018 (8 a.m. to 2 p.m.)

Friday, January 19, 2018 (2:45 p.m. to 9 p.m.)

Wednesday, January 24, 2018 (2:45 p.m. to 9 p.m.)

Friday, February 2, 2018 (11:45 a.m. to 6 p.m.)

Wednesday, February 7, 2018 (2:45 p.m. to 9 p.m.)

Wednesday, February 21, 2018 (2:45 p.m. to 9 p.m.)

Heavenly Father, we thank you and praise you this week for the gift of life. We thank you especially for those who celebrate their birthdays this week. Thank you, Father, for gifting our lives with these individuals. Fill them with many blessings throughout the year. Make them good sons and daughters, sisters and brothers, and fellow classmates. Allow them to be good role models to all those they meet. Give them the gifts of peace, joy and happiness throughout this year. AMEN.

Sunday, 01/14

Joaquin Carrasco

Nicholas Sapp

Monday, 01/15

Vincent Vacchiano

Tuesday, 01/16

Cassidy Carroll

Wednesday, 01/17

Thursday, 01/18

Jaxson Carroll

Ella Pensabene

Friday, 01/19

Alexander Sheak

Gabriella Youngers

Saturday, 01/20

Conor Bryce

Monday: Valentina Mallozzi

Tuesday: Mary McGrory

Wednesday: Michael McMullen

Thursday: Mark Reilly

Friday: Peter Reilly