This Week at Our Lady of the Lake!

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Our Lady of the Lake School is committed to the Word of God through living out the Good News of Jesus Christ. A supportive educational team of students, staff, parents, and community aims at providing a creative, Christian learning environment. An emphasis is placed on developing students’ individual abilities, promoting social awareness, and encouraging them to become responsible, contributing members of church and society.

Dear Our Lady of the Lake Families,

October has arrived in grand style, and what a week it has been at Our Lady of the Lake!

We celebrated our second school Mass of the year, in honor of Our Lady of the Rosary. Hearts and voices joined together in prayer, and it was a beautiful reminder of the faith that unites us as a school family.

On Tuesday evening, we held our first School Advisory Board meeting of the year. Thank you to our dedicated board members for generously giving their time, wisdom, and energy to guide our school community.

On Thursday, Mrs. Marino led our first Parent Workshop of the year, and it was a tremendous success! Thank you to all of the parents who joined us and made it such a meaningful and engaging evening.

And what a morning it was for our annual Walk to School Day! Thank you to everyone who laced up their sneakers and joined us. Seeing so many smiling students, parents, and staff members start the day together was an amazing sight, and it truly captured the spirit of our community.

Please remember that there is no school on Monday, October 12th, in observance of Columbus Day. Enjoy the long weekend with your families!

As we settle into this beautiful season, thank you for your continued support, generosity, and partnership. It is a blessing to walk alongside you in the faith formation and education of your children.

Have a beautifully blessed week,

Mr. Conroy

With cooler days on the way, we’ll switch to winter uniforms beginning Monday, November 2! As you get your child’s wardrobe ready, here’s a handy reminder of our cold weather uniform requirements, worn from November through April:

• Boys, K–4: Navy trousers, a white knit shirt with the school logo, and a dark belt.

• Boys, 5–8: Navy trousers, a white long- or short-sleeve shirt, plaid tie, grey sweater vest, and a dark belt.

• Girls, K–3: Blue plaid jumper, a white long- or short-sleeve blouse, navy or white socks or navy tights, and a navy sweater when needed.

• Girls, 4–8: Knee-length uniform skirt, a white long- or short-sleeve blouse, grey sweater vest, and navy or white knee socks or navy tights. Navy slacks are also an option.

Girls may also wear school sweatpants under their uniforms for outdoor activities on chilly days. Thank you for helping our Lakers stay comfortable and ready to learn!

Our school family gathered for our second school Mass of the year in honor of Our Lady of the Rosary. Together, we lifted our hearts in prayer, celebrated the gift of the Eucharist, and reflected on Mary’s loving guidance as she leads us closer to Jesus.

We warmly invite our families to join us for our next school Mass on Monday, November 2, as we come together once again in faith and prayer.

A friendly reminder: On Mass days, we ask that students please wear their regular fall uniforms.

What a fun way to start the day! Our OLL families came together for Walk to School Day, filling the morning with smiles, school spirit, and time with friends. Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make our walk such a success. Every step was a little sweeter together!

A big thank-you to our Student Council officers for bringing Hispanic Heritage Month to life in our cafeteria! They decorated the bulletin board with colorful flags from Hispanic countries and have been updating it every few days with inspiring figures and fun facts. We love seeing our student leaders help fellow Lakers learn about and celebrate Hispanic cultures and contributions!

Sadly, our snack stand was only able to open twice last week because we didn’t have volunteers to staff it. We are extremely short-staffed and would be so grateful for your help!

If you can spare a lunch period, please sign up below. Even one shift makes a difference and helps keep this little lunchtime treat available for our students. Thank you for supporting our Lakers!

There are only TWO WEEKS LEFT to vote for Best of Essex 2026, and we need our entire OLL community to help us bring home GOLD for the second year in a row!

We know how special OLL is, now let’s make sure everyone else does too! Parents, grandparents, family members, friends, and neighbors can all vote. Share the link, spread the word, and encourage everyone you know to show their Laker pride!

Voting ends October 15th, so don’t wait! Every vote helps us get one step closer to making it two years of GOLD!

Click the link below to cast your vote!

Let’s keep our annual Pink Out tradition going! Last year, our Lakers raised over $300! Students are invited to wear pink and bring in $1, to be given directly to their homeroom teacher that day, as we raise funds in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Established in 1985, Breast Cancer Awareness Month promotes education, early detection, and support for those affected. Thank you for helping our Lakers make a difference again this year! 💗

Join us for candy, costumes, Halloween games, and a live DJ! Admission is $25 per family, or FREE if you host a trunk! Hosts should arrive between 4:30–5:00 PM to set up. Candy will be provided, but extra treats are always welcome!

Check out the flyer below for alllll the spooky details! 👻

Complete the Google Form below to RSVP or host a trunk.

🍬 Donate candy: Donation bins will be outside the main office beginning Monday.
👻 Volunteer: Use the SignUpGenius below to help with setup, admissions, cleanup, and more!

We can’t wait for a spook-tacular night with our OLL families!

Now is a great time to snag an extra bag of candy while grocery shopping! We’re collecting donations for Trunk or Treat, and every bag helps make the night sweeter.

Drop donations in the black bin outside the main office, or send them in with your child, they can bring them down to the office. Thank you for helping us make it a spook-tacular night! 👻

In honor of Veterans Day, we invite veterans from our OLL community to join us for our Veterans Day Assembly on Wednesday, November 11th and share their experiences with our students.

If you or a family member has served in the Armed Forces and would like to participate, please contact Ms. Garcia at jgarcia@myoll.org by Friday, November 6th.

We would be honored to welcome you as we help our students understand and appreciate the meaning of service and sacrifice!

Our Gertrude Hawk Chocolate Fundraiser is here! Stock up on delicious treats for holiday gifts while supporting OLL. Families can order through the brochure or sell online using Organization ID: 115021.

Every student who sells at least one item earns a prize!

Orders are due November 9, with delivery expected the week of December 7. Please make checks payable to OLL HSA.

Check out the flyer below for all the sweet details, and share with family and friends!

A message from the HSA…

Dear OLL Families,

The Home School Association (HSA) warmly invites you to join us for the 4th Annual Gala on Friday, November 20, 2026, from 6–11 p.m. at The Highlawn in West Orange, NJ.

NEW this year, we have added an additional hour to the event, as well as a theme: City of Lights – Masquerade Ball. Drawing inspiration from Matthew 5:14—“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden”—which reminds us that our collective light cannot be hidden, we invite you to put on your mask, step into an unforgettable night, and celebrate the brilliant and radiant light that our children bring into our world.

Enjoy an unlimited beer, wine, and sparkling wine bar, along with a delightful selection of hors d’oeuvres, a charcuterie table, pasta and steak stations, desserts, and more—all while taking in iconic panoramic views of the New York City skyline.

This is the perfect opportunity to mingle with fellow parents, teachers, and community members while enjoying our tricky tray, silent auction, and cash-only 50/50 raffle.

How to Participate:

• Attend: Purchase your ticket to take advantage of early bird pricing, which expires November 6. The first 100 tickets purchased will be entered into a door prize drawing. Family and friends are welcome to attend. The event sold out last year, and ticket sales will close once capacity is reached.

• Donate: Each family is required to sign up for a donation option. Donations are due by November 6. The Fundraising Chairs will reach out to families who do not submit a donation by the deadline. A donation request letter is available.

• Sponsor: Sponsorships help cover event expenses, support our fundraising goal, and allow OLL faculty and staff to receive complimentary event tickets.

• Volunteer: Sign up to volunteer for donation collection or event support.

To learn more about the event, our $32,000 fundraising goal, and how you can get involved, please visit myoll.org/fundraising.

If you have any questions, feel free to email us at fundraising@myoll.org.

Thank you in advance for your support of this important initiative!

Go Lake,

Katiana Louis, HSA President

Jacklyn Bellomo, HSA Fundraising Co-Chair

Brandy Salinas, HSA Fundraising Co-Chair

Flip, Tumble, and Have Fun with KinderGym!

Calling all PreK 3 and PreK 4 families! KinderGym is coming to OLL this fall, giving our little Lakers a chance to move, play, and build confidence after school. Children will explore tumbling, floor gymnastics, balance beams, and obstacle courses in a fun, age-appropriate setting.

The eight-week program meets Mondays at 2:45 p.m., beginning October 19. There is no class on November 2. The cost is $240.

Ready to Kick It at OLL?

Calling all TK–2nd grade future soccer stars! Our fall soccer program is the perfect place to build skills, boost confidence, and have a ball with friends. Players will practice dribbling, passing, shooting, and teamwork through fun, energetic activities. Whether it’s their first kick or they’re already soccer obsessed, everyone is welcome!

Please note: There will be no class on November 11 or November 25.

Give your child a chance to slow down, take a deep breath, and get creative! Our Mindfulness Club for Grades 2–4, led by Mrs. Marino, helps students build calm and confidence through stories, guided meditation, breathing exercises, and fun group activities.

The club meets from 2:45–3:45 p.m. on five Tuesdays:

• October 13
• October 20
• October 27
• November 3
• November 10

Cost: $75.

Sign up using the link below! Please send cash or a check payable to Our Lady of the Lake School to the main office before the first meeting.

Calling all book lovers! Book Club with Ms. Scheidemann is the perfect place for students who love getting lost in a good story, and talking about it afterward!

The club will meet every other Thursday from 3:00–4:00 p.m. in Ms. Scheidemann’s room, with our first meeting on Thursday, October 15. Just like a traditional book club, students will read assigned chapters between meetings and then come together to share their thoughts, discuss characters and plot twists, exchange opinions, and enjoy great conversations with fellow readers (plus a few snacks and refreshments along the way!)

We’ll kick things off with Divergent and The Inheritance. Club dues are $75, which will help cover the cost of books, snacks, and other Book Club activities throughout the year. Payment can be cash or check made out to Our Lady of the Lake School.

Grab a book, bring your opinions, and get ready for some great reads and even better conversations!

Interested in joining OLL Forensics? We’re gathering interest from students in Grades 5–8 for our public speaking and drama club!

Bring stories to life, deliver powerful speeches, and make audiences laugh in categories like Dramatic Reading, Declamation, Drama, and Humor, while competing against other schools in our league. It’s a fun way to build confidence, sharpen speaking skills, and join a team with a proud history of bringing home awards!

We’re simply gathering interest at this time. An official start date and practice schedule will be shared once plans are finalized.

Click below to show your interest!

Does your child love writing, sharing stories, or asking questions? Newspaper Club is a great place to put that curiosity to work! Students will team up to write articles, interview others like real reporters, and bring their creative ideas to life.

No sign-up needed, just join us for the first meeting on Monday, October 19, after school in the Art/Spanish Room! We can’t wait to see our future journalists in action!

PreK families, please help us keep our little Lakers healthy by making sure your child has a current physical on file and receives their annual flu shot. Your child must receive their flu vaccine, and proof must be submitted to Nurse Kim, by November 30.

Children who have not received their flu shot and submitted proof by November 30 will be unable to attend preschool beginning December 1, unless they have an approved medical exemption. OLL accepts medical exemptions only; religious exemptions are not accepted. Children may return once they receive the vaccine and provide documentation, turn 60 months old, or the flu season ends on March 31.

Please send physical forms, proof of vaccination, and any other health documentation to Nurse Kim at nurse@myoll.org. If you have questions about your child’s records, please reach out—she’s happy to help! Thank you for partnering with us to keep our school community healthy.

As parents, there’s nothing more concerning than seeing your child sick or injured and not knowing what to do next. Should you call the pediatrician, head to urgent care, or go straight to the emergency room? Making that decision can feel overwhelming, especially when your child isn't feeling well.

This week, we're sharing helpful advice from Dr. Christina Melchionne Miseo of Goryeb Children's Hospital at Morristown Medical Center to help our OLL families feel a little more prepared when unexpected medical situations arise.

What Every Parent Should Know

1. Know when to seek emergency care. If your child is experiencing a serious medical emergency, don't hesitate to call 911. When in doubt about whether it's safe to drive, emergency medical services can help.

2. Consider a pediatric emergency room. While the nearest ER is always the best choice in an emergency, pediatric ERs have doctors specially trained to treat children. They're also designed to make medical visits less frightening for young patients.

3. Your pediatrician is a great first resource. If your child isn't in immediate danger, call your pediatrician for guidance. They can help determine whether your child needs care at home, an office visit, urgent care, or the ER.

4. Keep Poison Control's number handy. If your child swallows something potentially harmful but is awake and alert, contact Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 for guidance. If your child is unconscious or seriously unwell, call 911 immediately.

5. Try to stay calm and take notes. Children often pick up on their parents' emotions. If possible, keep track of when symptoms began, how long they've lasted, and any important changes. This information can help doctors provide the best care.

6. You don't need to leave a fever untreated. If appropriate for your child's age and medical needs, fever-reducing medication can be given before an ER visit. Just be sure to follow proper dosing instructions.

7. Patients aren't always seen in arrival order. Emergency rooms prioritize patients based on the seriousness of their conditions. Someone who arrives after you may be treated first if their situation is more urgent.

8. Be prepared for a potentially long visit. ER visits can sometimes take several hours. If time allows, bring a favorite comfort item, snacks, and a phone charger to make the wait easier.

9. Don't be surprised by repeated questions. Different members of the medical team may ask similar questions or repeat parts of an examination. This is a normal part of the care process, particularly at teaching hospitals.

10. Specialists may require a follow-up visit. Not every specialist is available in the emergency room.

Depending on your child's condition, you may need to schedule a separate appointment for additional care.

Nurse Kim's Tip

Preparation can make a stressful situation a little easier! Keep your child's pediatrician's number, important medical information, medication list, and emergency contacts somewhere easily accessible. Most importantly, trust your instincts. You know your child best, and if something doesn't seem right, don't hesitate to seek medical guidance.

Here's to keeping our Lakers safe, healthy, and cared for!

Source: Atlantic Health, Goryeb Children's Hospital — 10 Things to Know Before You Take Your Child to the ER.

Email: tconroy@myoll.org
Website: https://myoll.org/
Location: 26 Lakeside Avenue, Verona, NJ, USA
Phone: 973-239-1160
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ollverona