OLVCS Updates

Congratulations to our Classroom Spelling Bee finalists: Clare Blackstock, Caroline Hanlon, Ryan Geise, James Page, Luke Heinlein, Ben Sillner, Zooey Sparks, Serena Mikesic, Julia Miller, Rocco Hahn, Hudson Roe, and Penny Shevock.

Our School Spelling Bee was held last week, with Serena Mikesic, Luke Heinlein, and Penny Shevock advancing as the top finalists. We are proud to announce that, for the second year in a row, Penny Shevock was named our School Spelling Bee Champion!

Penny will compete tomorrow at the Diocesan Spelling Bee at St. Matthew’s. We wish him the very best of luck!

At the end of this school year, we will say farewell to Mrs. Andrea Englehart as she finally retires — Mrs. Englehart first joined OLVCS in 2001 and has faithfully served in a variety of roles throughout the years. Most recently, she stepped in this past August as our 3rd grade aide “until we could find a replacement,” and thankfully for us, she chose to stay for the entire school year. We are deeply grateful for her many years of dedication and service to our school community.

We will also be saying goodbye to our newest staff member, Miss Ava Christman. Miss Christman joined OLVCS in January as our 1st grade aide while completing her senior year at Penn State University. Originally from California, Ava will be heading back home after graduation this weekend, where family — and the California sunshine — are calling her back.

We thank both Mrs. Englehart and Miss Christman for their commitment, care, and service to OLVCS, and we wish them all the best in their next chapters.

With saying those goodbyes, we have openings for classroom aides for the 2026-2027 school year.

Classroom Instructional Aide: Support the teacher and students by assisting with daily classroom activities

• Provide individual or small-group academic support

• Hours: 8:00 - 12:45; assist with lunch and recess

• Possible addition of an afternoon aide 11:00 - 2:30

• Hourly pay, and a tuition break

• One of the most rewarding aspects of this role is the opportunity to work with the students

• Please send an email of interest to weaklands@olvcs.org

Finally, tonight is the Art Show and Band & Strings Concert. Doors (gym and music room) open at 5:00pm make your way upstairs for the Art Show. The concert begins at 6:30. I look forward to seeing you tonight.

Make it a Great Day,

Samantha

Notable Dates:

Thursday, May 7th: Art Show and Band & Strings Concert

Friday, May 8th: Mass (May Crowning)

Thursday, May 14th: Mass Ascension Thursday

Monday, May 18th: Mass

Monday, May 25th: No School

Wednesday, May 27th: Middle School Field Trips

Thursday, May 28th: Mass (last school Mass of the year)

Wednesday, June 3rd: Field Day & Volunteer Lunch

Thursday, June 4th: 8th Grade Mass of Blessing @ 6:30

Friday, June 5th: Last Day of School dismissal @ 11:00

Teacher Appreciation Week has been a wonderful celebration of the incredible teachers and staff who serve our students each day. This year’s theme, Blessed Beyond Measure, has been a beautiful reminder of the faith-filled community we are blessed to have at OLVCS. 💙

• Throughout the week, teachers and staff have enjoyed special treats, gifts, Notes of Blessing from students, and time together in the teachers’ lounge.

• One of the most meaningful parts of the week has been the Prayer Wall located in the teachers’ lounge. Teachers and staff have shared prayer requests, intentions, praises, and encouraging words for one another throughout the week.

• Each day, Homeroom Parents have received these prayer intentions and have been intentionally lifting our teachers and staff up in prayer alongside our school community.

• The thoughtful messages and prayers shared throughout the week have been a powerful reminder of the love, encouragement, and support that make OLVCS such a special place.

Classroom Instructional Aide: Support the teacher and students by assisting with daily classroom activities

• Provide individual or small-group academic support

• Work closely with the classroom teacher to help meet the educational and development needs of the students

• Hours: 8:00 - 12:45; assist with lunch and recess

• Possible addition of an afternoon aide 11:00 - 2:30

• Hourly pay, and a tuition break

• One of the most rewarding aspects of this role is the opportunity to work with the students

Key Responsibilities

• Mission & Culture: Foster an athletic environment consistent with the school's mission and Catholic teachings, promoting "Victory Values" such as integrity, respect, and discipline.

• Program Administration: Oversee all aspects of the athletic department, including scheduling games, practices, and facilities volleyball, soccer, basketball, and track & field.

• Personnel Management: Recruit, hire, supervise, and evaluate all coaches, ensuring they serve as Christian witnesses and mentors to student-athletes.

• Compliance & Safety: Ensure the program adheres to all diocesan policies, state athletic association rules (e.g., PIAA or CYO), and safety standards for facilities and equipment.

• Communication: Serve as the primary liaison between the school, parents, coaches, and other schools.

• Operations & Budget: Manage the athletic department budget, and oversee the purchase and maintenance of equipment and uniforms.

Qualifications

• Faith Commitment: A commitment to the school’s spiritual mission.

• Experience: Previous experience in coaching, teaching, or athletic administration, ideally within a school setting is preferred but not required.

• Skills: Strong organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills; proficiency with athletic management software (e.g., BigTeams or similar platforms) is a plus.

  
  

How to Apply

• Interested candidates should submit an email of interest to Samantha Weakland at weaklands@olvcs.org.

• Timeline: Applications will be reviewed starting May 11, 2026. The position remains open until filled.

Personal School Aide to work with a student with cerebral palsy who will be in 3rd grade next year.

• Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 - 2:30pm (school days only)

• Hired by an outside agency, some additional training needed

• If interested, please reach out to Samantha Weakland for more information.

• One of the most rewarding aspects of this role is the opportunity to work one-on-one with an incredible student while being meaningfully involved in every part of their day.

Reviews and testimonials that publicly share stories about parent, caregiver, student, and teacher experiences at OLVCS are critical for helping new families discover our school and understand what it’s really like. I’m reaching out to ask you to leave a brief review on Niche to help other families consider
OLVCS for their child.

Click here to be taken to a web page where you can leave your review. It only takes a few minutes!

Here a few helpful tips for a strong review:

• It doesn’t need to be long—2-3 sentences is plenty!

• Be specific about your role in our community (e.g., parent/caregiver, grade, how many years you’ve been part of the community, etc.)

• Write about your own personal experience interacting with teachers and staff members

• Write about your child’s experience in and out of the classroom or personal/social/emotional growth

• Write about the OLVCS community/culture

That’s it! And as an added bonus, you’ll also be entered to win $1,000 from Niche for sharing your family’s story. Click here to leave your review today!

OLVCS is hosting its first ever Robotics Summer Camp! Budding engineers will learn the basics of computer science and work together on teams to program robots to complete tasks and challenges.

Click the button below to find more information about the camp and to register for a reminder email on the day registration opens.

What? OLVCS Robotics Summer Camp

When? August 10-14, 2026; 9:00AM-1:00PM

Who? Rising OLVCS 5th-8th graders

Registration Time/Date: May 8, 2026 @9:00PM

Registration Fee: $175

What: OLVCS Senior Parade

When: Thursday, May 21st, 2026 - 2:00pm

Where: Our Lady of Victory Catholic School

Attire: Please bring your cap and gown

This parade celebrates their achievements as OLVCS alumni and their time spent at OLVCS while looking forward to the bright futures that await them all.

Please plan to check in at the main office by 1:45pm to ensure a timely start to the festivities.

We eagerly anticipate seeing all of the graduating seniors there and celebrating together. Please help us spread the word!

In celebration of the 125th anniversary of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown, all the faithful are invited to a Mass of Thanksgiving celebrated by Bishop Mark on May 31 at 2:00 p.m. at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Altoona. Priests, deacons, and men and women religious will be in attendance. All the faithful of the diocese are welcome and encouraged to attend the Mass. Anyone interested in being part of the festival choir for the Mass may contact Cathedral Music Director Robert Long by emailing him at rlong@dioceseaj.org.

We will need your help! This annual event consists of fun, outdoor stations in the morning. The K-4 students will be at stations in the back of the school, and 5-8 will have their stations in the front. Parent volunteers are needed for 'running' the stations, as classes rotate through. No experience necessary!

Who- You

What- Run a field event

When- 8:00 am - until about 11:30, Wednesday, June 3rd (no rain date)

Where- Meet in the Gym, where you will be given more information.

A sign up Genius will be sent out at the beginning of May.

OLV Volleyball Camp for Girls

For Girls Entering Grades 5 - 7 in Fall 2026

• June 15 - 19, 2025
  
• 9:15 - 11:45 AM
  
• New Location with TWO Indoor Courts:
  
• Saint Joseph's Catholic Academy
  
• Cost: $125 if registered before May 15th
  

Information and Registration at
https://www.olvcatholicschool.org/activities/athletics/summer-sports-camps/afterschool-girls-volleyball-club

If you have any questions, please, reach out Kathy Peters at petersk@olvcs.org

Please share this information with your family, friends, and neighbors!

Attached is the Camp flyer.

We are excited to see how the girls grow in volleyball skill and love of the game!

Children at OLV Preschool are taught by highly qualified teachers in a play-based environment. In addition to learning about their faith, children who attend OLV Preschool learn social/emotional skills, pre-reading skills, basic numeracy, participate in the arts and daily physical activities to develop fine and gross motor skills. We offer 2, 3 and 5 day classes.

Our new Tues/Thur. Mixed Age Class is open to students who turn 3 yrs. by 12/31 of their enrolling year. This program is for students new to preschool and is not a kindergarten readiness program.

Before and after school care is available. Program, tuition rates and registration information can be found on the OLVCS website: https://preschool.olvcatholicschool.org/ Register for preschool today!

Preschool will hold their End of Year Program in the church on Friday, May 22nd @ 10:30am. All are welcome! Dismissal will immediately follow afterwards. There will be no PM ESP on the last day of preschool.

May 13th - Penguins & Polar Bears Field Trip to Arboretum @ Penn State

May 20th - Kangaroos, Koalas & Owls Field Trip to Holmes Foster Park

May 22nd - Last day of Preschool, Concert @ 10:30am in church, No PM ESP

Last week Saint Joseph presented their annual musical. The audience was treated to outstanding performances from Claire Dible, Leah Wright, Hana Ohmoto, and Connor Miller among many others. If you are looking for more from talented SJCA students, come to the school’s annual acapella concert on Thursday 5/21/2026. It’s going to be another great show!

ALL ARE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN CATHOLIC FAMILY FAITH NIGHT at the SPIKES BASEBALL GAME

Friday, June 19, 2026

6:35 PM (Gates Open at 5:25 PM)

Discounted Field Box Section 203 Tickets: $13.00

National Anthem (before the game) and God Bless America (7th inning stretch) will be performed by adults and youth members of the Parishes/Schools

Please Contact: Chris Kirkpatrick, chrisk@ourladyofvictory.com or call 814-237-7832 ext. 421 for information and reservation.

• Bring a friend!
  
• We have space available at all grade levels for enrollment.
• Be sure to spread the word about OLVCS!
• New families can learn about the application process at www.olvcatholicschool.org/admissions or call the school office at 814-238-1952 to schedule a tour or shadow day.