OLVCS Updates

As we often say, time flies. It is hard to believe that we are in the final week of school, and that there will be only one more Updates for this school year. Please keep an eye out for Summer Updates, which will be shared approximately once a month through August.

This week we enjoyed both “Resource Officer for a Day” (Walk-A-Thon prize) and “Principal for a Day”! (Trivia Auction Item)

Kaiden Dare joined Mr. Stec in helping patrol the building and keep our school safe, while London Terry stepped into the role of principal and assisted with the day’s responsibilities. One of Principal London’s official decisions was to declare a Dress Down Day for Monday — a choice that was very popular with the students! (see photos below)

As we look ahead to next week, we will not have a school-day Mass. However, we invite all families to join us for the 8th Grade Mass of Blessing on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. as we celebrate and pray for our graduates as they begin a new chapter in their lives.

Our last day of school is Friday, June 5th, with an 11:00 a.m. dismissal and no ASAP that day. The final day for ASAP will be Thursday, June 4th. More details regarding dismissal procedures will be sent home next week.

As this school year comes to a close, so too does my time as principal of this wonderful school community. I would like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt thanks to the students, faculty, staff, and families who make our school such a special place.

When I returned in 2023, I anticipated staying for just one year. However, it is difficult to leave a place that feels like home and a community that is filled with faith, kindness, dedication, and love. I feel truly blessed to have spent these last three years serving as principal, and I am deeply grateful to Fr. George for his support, trust, guidance, and friendship throughout this journey.

Many people have asked what retirement will bring next. My husband and I welcomed our seventh grandchild in April, and we are joyfully awaiting two more grandchildren this summer. We look forward to spending more time with family, traveling, helping where we are needed, and perhaps even finding time to relax.

Although I may be retiring from my role as principal, I will always carry this school and parish community in my heart. Thank you for your prayers, encouragement, and partnership over the years. It has been an honor and a blessing to walk alongside you in the education and faith formation of your children.

May God continue to bless each of your families with a safe, restful, and joy-filled summer. Please keep our graduates, our school, and one another in your prayers.

Samantha

Notable Dates:

Monday, June 1st: Dress Down Day

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 NO ASAP

Pictured: Principal for a Day and Resource Officer for a Day

VOTING IS OPEN! Now through NOON on Thursday, June 6th, help OLVCS win Centre County’s Favorite in four categories!

• Best Private School
  
• Best Elementary School
  
• Best Middle School
  
• Best Preschool
  

Show your support for OLVCS – Preschool through 8th Grade! You can vote FOR ALL 4 CATEGORIES ONCE PER DAY – every vote counts!

• https://www.votecentrecounty.com (Find us under each category in the “Education” section!)
  

Thank you for your daily support!

If you’ve helped out in any way this school year—homeroom parent, classroom helper, event planner, field trip chaperone, committee member or anything in between—we’d love to say thank you! 💙

Join us for a Volunteer Gratitude Gathering right after Field Day!

Date: Wednesday, June 3rd

Time: 11:00 AM

Location: School Library

Please check in at the main office when you arrive. We’re so grateful for your time, energy, and support!

Hosted by Thrivent

• Saturday, June 6, 2026
  
• 6:00 PM - 9 PM
  
• University Wine Company, State College, PA
  

Join us for a special evening as The Jared Box Project celebrates 25 years of bringing joy to children in hospitals. There is no fee to attend, thanks to the generous sponsorship of Thrivent.

Click here to register.

Event Highlights

• Inspiring stories

• Delicious grazing table catered by Graze by TJ

• Sweet treats by Delectable Delights by Heather Luse

• Music by saxophonist, Lee Erwin

• Thrivent-sponsored matching donation campaign

Matching Donation Campaign

Thrivent is sponsoring a special matching donation opportunity from May 7 through June 30. For every $2 donated through the online campaign, Thrivent will contribute $1 (up to $20,000 total). Thrivent will also cover all processing fees for donations made through its online giving platform.

You may also donate at the event. Do not feel obligated to give.

Donate online: https://bit.ly/TheJaredBoxProject

A limited number of extra yearbooks are available on a first come, first serve basis. If you forgot to order a yearbook, and would like to secure one, please email development@olvcs.org.

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.

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!

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

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!

OLVPS students displayed how much they have grown academically, socially, spiritually, and emotionally when they presented their annual Year End Program. They do LOVE OLV Preschool!! Great job boys and girls!

I’m Ryan Smith, Izzy Smith’s dad. Next fall, my wife Meghan and I are going to be the Den Leaders for the Lions for Cub Scout Pack 383 at OLV. Lions is a program for boys and girls in kindergarten. You do not have to be a parishioner at OLV or attend OLVCS to participate. All are welcome. If you think that your child may be interested in participating, please contact me at rms5709@gmail.com or my wife Meghan at meghan.smith310@gmail.com. We’d be happy to speak with anyone about how the program works and provide additional details.

Thank you,

Ryan Smith

Support OLV Preschool Scholarships Through Pennsylvania’s EITC Program

Families and businesses connected to OLV Preschool who have a Pennsylvania personal or business income tax liability are encouraged to consider directing a portion of those taxes to support Our Lady of Victory Preschool Scholarships through Pennsylvania’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) Program.

The EITC Program allows eligible individuals and businesses to redirect state tax dollars to provide scholarship opportunities for students attending eligible educational programs, including preschool.

Eligibility

Individuals and households with:

• An annual income of $115,000 or more, or
• Pennsylvania personal income tax liability of $3,500 or more annually

may qualify to participate in the program.

Eligible business entities include:

• C-Corporations
• Subchapter S-Corporations
• LLCs
• LPs
• LLPs
• Partnerships

Tax Credit Benefits

For contributions made to eligible Preschool Scholarship Organizations, such as Our Lady of Victory Preschool, participants may receive:

• A Pennsylvania tax credit equal to 100% of the first $10,000 contributed, and
• Up to 90% of any remaining contribution, with a maximum annual tax credit of $200,000.

This program provides a meaningful opportunity to support OLV Preschool students while redirecting Pennsylvania tax dollars directly toward scholarships that benefit local families.

If you are interested in learning more about participating in the EITC Program and supporting OLV Preschool scholarships, please contact:

Chris Kirkpatrick
Email: chrisk@ourladyofvictory.com
Phone: 814-237-7832 ext. 421

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.

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.

P.S. you don’t have to sing to join in the FUN.

Make checks payable to: Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church/Spikes game. 820 Westerly Parkway, State College, PA 16801. Deadline is June 10th.

• Flight School (STEAM Camp) June 8-12 Grades 5-8 Philipsburg, PA
• Robotics Camp June 22-26 Grades 5-8 Philipsburg, PA
• Kinder Camp July 13-15 Ages 4-6 Moshannan Valley Elem.
• Clay Camp July 20-24 Ages 5-16 Philipsburg, PA
• Solve It! (STEAM Camp+) August 3-7 Grades 5-8 Pleasant Gap, PA

• 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.