OLVCS Updates

I hope you're enjoying a fun and restful summer! We are preparing for the start of the year, cleaning, ordering and scheduling. Although summer has been productive, we look forward to the return of students.

Mrs. Gorzelnik resigned at the beginning of the break. We thank her for her dedication to Catholic education.

We are pleased to announce that we have hired the following teachers to join our team. They are highly qualified and will be be excellent additions to our team.

• 2nd Grade: Olivia Leskowicz
• 4th Grade: Laura Geise
• 7th/8th LA: Karen Catherine
• MS Science: Colin Caffey

We are still looking for a 5th grade teacher, if you know of anyone that would be a great fit, share my contact information.

A recent settlement has opened the door for our OLVCS 7th & 8th grade students to participate in select PIAA sports offered at SCASD that are not offered at OLVCS. Families will need to complete a google form by Sunday, July 20th. Please see information below.

The Used Uniform Sale is Thursday, August 7 in the Activities Center, from 4:30 -6:30. If you would like to help sort before the sale or day of, please email Brynn Saeler: bsaeler@gmail.com

Make your day a great one!

Samantha

• Back to School Picnic and Open House - Thursday, August 21st, 2025.
• Kindergarten Orientation - Friday, August, 22nd, 2025
• More details to follow regarding these events.
• First Parent Monthly Meeting - Tuesday, September 9th, 2025 at 6:30PM.
• Please see the details below.
• All Parent Monthly Meeting will be held on the second Tuesday of each month with the exception of December. December's meeting will be held on a Friday to accommodate an OLVCS Family Movie Night event.

• The Walk-a-Thon will be held on OLV Day, October 7, 2025.
  
• This event is our school's primary fundraiser, providing vital support for our programs, facilities, and activities.
• Summer offers an ideal opportunity to get a head start on your family’s fundraising efforts.
• Whether you’ll be enjoying time at home or traveling to visit loved ones, there are many simple and meaningful ways to begin working toward your goal:
  
• Host a Lemonade Stand
• Organize a Bake Sale
• Offer a Car Wash
• Do chores for donations
• Sell homemade crafts or artwork
• Hold a yard sale
• Provide dog walking or pet sitting services
• Send handwritten donation letters to family and friends
• Speak with relatives during summer visits to ask for their support
• All donations may be made securely online at: www.olvcatholicschool.org/walkathon

• Every little bit helps, and remember, your summer fundraising efforts will count toward students’ eligibility for individual, family, and class prizes!

• We are grateful for the effort, creativity, and generosity that our school community brings to this event each year.

• We have many volunteer opportunities throughout the school year.

• We are generating a list of volunteers for each of the events that make OLVCS the vibrant community it is.

• Please review the available opportunities by clicking, here, or on the button below and indicate your interest on the google form by signing up for one or more activities.
• You may check as many as you like.
• You will be contacted by the appropriate point person once you have indicated your interest.

Thank you for your commitment to OLVCS!

A recent ruling by the SCASD has opened the door for our OLVCS 7th & 8th Grade students to participate in select PIAA sports offered at SCASD that are not offered at OLVCS. The following sports are available for our students to participate.

• Fall: Football (co-ed)
  
• Winter: Wrestling (boys)
  
• Winter: Wrestling (girls)
  
• Spring: Field Hockey (girls)
  
• Spring: Softball (girls)

Please note, the agreement written by SCASD states that if the sport 'cuts' players the first roster spots will go to SCASD enrolled students. Finally, students must reside in the State College Area School District boundary.

• SCASD requested that we collect the names of the students who are interested in any of the above sports.
• Please complete the following form by Sunday, July 20th. One form per child.

Students who will be playing on the OLV soccer and volleyball teams in the Fall must have their sports physical paperwork before practice for fall sports starts in August. So, don’t wait, schedule your student’s physical now. The clinician needs to complete the PIAA form and you will upload the form to the online Student Central system. The form can be downloaded by clicking the button below. Questions? Contact OLVCS Athletic Director at athleticdirector@olvcs.org.

OLV preschool is happy to welcome the following new employees:

• Mrs. Sarah Housler: Administrative Assistant (M/W/F)
• Mrs. Lori Snyder: Polar Bear Instructional Aid (M/W/F) and Receptionist (Tu./Th.)
• Ms. Kathryn Carruba - Penguins Instructional Aide & ESD Aide
• Mrs. Lauren Ensor - PreK Instructional Aide

We are also happy to announce that Mrs. Braum has accepted the position of lead teacher in the Penguins Room!

Save the dates:

Thursday, Aug. 21st Open House and Family Picnic

Tuesday, Aug. 26th: Meet the Teacher Day, 9:00am-Noon

• A Signup Genius will be sent in early August to reserve a spot.

Wednesday, Aug. 27th: First Day of Preschool!

OLV Preschool will be holding an open house for all new and returning families, as

as well as any interested parishioners after the 9:30am mass on Sunday Aug. 10th.

Come tour the building and meet our staff members. See how Faith, Fun and

Learning come together! We hope to see you there.

• Children at OLV Preschool are taught by highly qualified teachers in a play-based environment.
• Curriculum includes:
• social/emotional skills
• pre-reading skills and language readiness activities
• math and science readiness activities
• participation in music, arts and daily physical activities
• learning about their faith in fun and memorable ways
• Before and after school care is available.
• Program, tuition rates and registration information can be found on the OLVCS website: https://preschool.olvcatholicschool.org/

• Scholarship money is available.

OLV Preschool is currently looking for a morning teacher. If hired to join our preschool staff, you receive a tuition discount for your children enrolled in OLVPS and OLVCS!

• Work in the mornings and have the rest of the day for personal responsibilities

• We have an amazing staff and wonderful environment. It is a great place to work!

Please contact the Preschool Director; Anne Bord, for more information: preschool@olvcs.org or call 814-238-6616.

Great students, great school! For more information go to www.stjoeacad.org or contact Mrs. Christine Lingle at christine_lingle@sjcacademy.org

Have a great time at SJCA Baseball's inaugural Wiffleball Home Run Derby on August 23rd. Only $10! Fun for everyone in the family! Challenger bracket, too! To learn more and register go to www.stjoeacad.org. Can't make it but want to be a sponsor? Contact Mrs. Olga Grove at ocongrove@gmail.com

It may be summer break, but Saint Joseph’s faculty are hard at work getting ready for the new school year. If you didn’t get the Summer Update, email sjcamarketing@sjcacademy.org to be added to the distribution list. In the meantime, you can view the newsletter on the by clicking the orange button on the school’s homepage – www.stjoeacad.org

Saint Joseph's Catholic Academy is still accepting applications for Fall 2025. To learn more and schedule a tour, contact Mrs. Michele Robertson at mrobertson@sjcacademy.org or go to www.stjoeacad.org. Go WolfPack!

• 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.