Dear OLVCS Families,

As Christmas approaches, I want to thank you for being such an important part of our school community.

Requests for tours have started to fill my calendar. One question I often get is why do families send their children to OLVCS. I am sure your answers are uniquely wide and varied. I mention faith based education, school safety, strong academics, great test scores, and also, our families. I let potential families know how great you are; a like minded community who places a high value on education and partnership. It is a joy to walk alongside you as we support the faith, learning, and growth of your children.

At this special time, we celebrate the birth of Jesus and the love, hope, and peace He brings into our world. I hope your Christmas is filled with moments of joy, rest, and togetherness. May God’s peace be with you now and in the year ahead.

Make it a Great Day!

Samantha

Tomorrow: Christmas; Dress Down Day: Theme: Comfy Cozy Christmas

Students can wear Christmas attire, sweaters, flannel bottoms,
regular dress down day clothes work too (no one piece suits or tight pajama style clothing)

Notable Dates:

Thursday, December 18th: 3rd Grade Christmas Play (9:00am in the gym)

Monday, December 22nd - Sunday, January 4th: Christmas Break

Monday, January 5th: Mass@ 9:00 (All Grades)

Monday, January 12th: Mass @ 9:00 (4th Grade)

Tuesday, January 13th: Kindergarten Open House

Wednesday, January 14th: Middle School Open House

Thursday, January 15th: Preschool Open House

Friday, January 16th: Preschool: No School- (K-8 In-session)

Monday, January 19th: No School (Preschool - 8th) Teacher In-Service

Sunday, January 25th: Catholic Schools Week Mass @ 9:00 am

Sunday, January 25th - Friday, January 30th: Catholic Schools Week!

Pictured: The Preschool Penguin Class looking with wonder at the nativity in the church.

The Knights of Columbus #4678 would like to thank the following businesses for their contribution of prizes; State College SweetFrog, Get Air, Discovery Space of Central PA / The Rivet, State College Dairy Queen.

AND the Winners Are: ........

Kindergarten - 1st - Beckett Vincent

2nd - Sara Brady

3rd - Isabella Slike

Honorable Mention - Gibson Gavlock

Grades 1-2: 1st - Gianna Pacheco

2nd - Micah Dalton

3rd - Kennedy Rupprecht

Honorable Mention - Elizabeth Bartley, Willow Ganter

Grades 3-4: 1st - Clare Blackstock

2nd - Austin Leakey

3rd - Serenity Ridenour

Honorable Mention - Simmone Santos, Sophie Seprish

Grades 5-6: 1st - Zoey Sparks

2nd - Luke Spencer

3rd - Julia Miller

Grades 7-8: 1st - Maddie Ridenour

2nd - Scarlett Stoehr

3rd - Luciana Vendemia

Honorable Mention - Jane Finke, Anna Miller

.......And a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to each of you and your families!

Respectfully,

Steve Balkey, KoC Council #4678

Family Program Chair

As part of a long-standing OLVCS tradition, our graduating 8th grade students received their Bibles at school Mass. This meaningful gift represents the faith, values, and strong foundation they have developed throughout their years at OLVCS. We are proud of our future graduates and look forward to seeing how they carry these lessons with them into high school and beyond.

Please join us for our upcoming open house!
This is a great opportunity to meet our teachers and learn more about our kindergarten program.
Please spread the word to any families who do not have current students at OLVCS!
RSVP by clicking the button below.
Contact development@olvcs.org with questions.

Click here to RSVP for the OLVCS Kindergarten Open House.

This is a great opportunity for current families with students in 4th and 5th grade.
Middle school offers many new experiences compared to elementary school. Come learn all that OLVCS middle school have to offer!
Please spread the word to any families who do not have current students at OLVCS!
RSVP by clicking the button below.
Contact development@olvcs.org with questions.

Click here to RSVP for the OLVCS Middle School Open House.

We’d love to welcome you to our upcoming Preschool Open House!
This is a wonderful chance to explore our classrooms, meet our caring teachers, and learn more about our preschool program.
Know a family looking for a warm, faith-based preschool community? Please share this invitation!
RSVP by clicking the button below.
Contact development@olvcs.org with any questions.

Click here to RSVP to the OLVCS Preschool Open House.

OLVCS Middle School Pro-Life Service Club will run each Thursday during the month of January after school until 4:00pm. Fun activities are planned for all students in grades 6-8. Students are encouraged to attend when they can. Service hours are available. Snacks will be provided. Activities planned include:

Creating Care Packages for New OLVCS Moms
Diaper Drive for Gabriel Project with talk from Gabriel Project Organizer: Mrs. Allison
Cards of encouragement for OLV new parents and those being baptized
Make cards and spiritual bouquets for the homebound

Sign Up Here: OLVCS Middle School Pro-Life Service Club

Click Here To Sign Up For Pro-Life Service Club

The book fair will run January 20-25th, and will once again be on the stage in the Gym at OLV. Each elementary class will be brought to the fair during their normal library class time, and Middle School will go to the fair during religion class time throughout the week. (envelopes and order form will be sent home so you can list the books/items your child would like to purchase)

The book fair will also be open to parents and families :

Thursday Jan. 22nd from 4-5:30pm

Saturday Jan. 24th from 6-7pm after Saturday Mass.

Sunday Jan. 25th - join us after the Catholic Schools Week Mass for donuts and books from 10:30-1:00pm!

An online link is also available: ignatiusbookfairs.com.

We need help with set up, packing up, and sales throughout the week.

Please sign up here.

Email Melanie Smith (melanie.yonushonis@gmail.com) with any questions.

Click here to sign up as a book fair volunteer.

Get a team together and join us for the best night of the year! Great food, prizes, and (of course) trivia!

Date: Saturday, February 28th, 2026.

Time: Doors open at 6:30PM, and the trivia fun kicks off at 7:30PM.

Location: OLVCS Gymnasium

Trivia Night benefits OLVCS Extracurricular Programs!

Early Bird Tickets/Tables

**Discounted Rate When Purchased On Or Before February 15th**
Individual: $50
Table (seats 8): $350

Regular Tickets/Tables
**Purchased Between February 16th And 26th**
Individual: $60
Table (seats 8): $400

Need More Info?
Look for a special edition newsletter after the holidays!

GET YOUR EARLY BIRD/TICKET/TABLES NOW!

Several changes have been made to the calendar for those children receiving First Reconciliation and First Communion this school year. New dates for Reconciliation are as follows:

Friday, April 24th, 2026 @ 10:00am: OLVCS students

Sunday, April 19th, 2026 @ 10:30am: CCD students in Dr. Zazzali’s class

Sunday, April 26th, 2026 @ 10:30am: CCD students in Miss Small’s/Dr. Puts’ class and anyone who missed the prior dates (OLVCS or CCD)

NOTE: Students who are receiving Reconciliation and Communion this year but who are not in 2nd grade should pick one of the CCD Sundays to receive First Reconciliation.

First Holy Communion will still be held on Saturday, May 2nd @ 10:00am (students arrive by 9:30am).

Rehearsal will be moved to Friday, May 1st @ 6:00-7:00pm.

CCD families will complete two extra, at-home assignments, one before First Reconciliation and one before First Communion. Details about the assignments will be emailed to CCD families several weeks ahead of First Reconciliation and First Communion (shortly before and after Easter).

CCD chalice painting will be moved to Sunday, March 1st during CCD class (previously Sunday, February 22nd). OLVCS students will still have Chalice Painting on Ash Wednesday, February 18th.

OLVPS students will perform their annual Christmas Concert:

Date: This Friday, 12/19

Time: 10:30am

Place: OLV Church

Preschool Dismissal: Directly After the Concert

NO Afternoon ESP

OLV preschool sells gift cards to GIANT, Waffle Shop, Barnes & Noble and Sheetz throughout the year, and especially during the holiday season. A percentage of the sales go to the preschool. If you are interested in purchasing one or more to use as gifts, or for your own personal shopping needs, please contact their administrative assistant, Sarah Housler: houslers@olvcs.org or send her a completed order form with payment. Please provide ample notice for an order over 10 cards so that we can be sure to have enough cards available for sale. Thank you!

Thank you to all Preschool Families who donated gifts to families in need. You made a big difference for those who are struggling to make ends meet. May God bless you for your generosity!

December

1. 12/19: Christmas Program in the church @ 10:30am. Dismissal directly after. No ESP.

2. 12/22-01/02: Christmas Break

January

01/15: Preschool Open House @ 4:30pm

~ The whole family is welcome!
~ Invite your friends to see how faith, fun and learning come together!
01/16: No School: Preschool Parent/Teacher Conferences

01/19: No School: Teacher In-Service

01/25-01/31: Catholic Schools Week

Volunteers are needed for the Living Nativity at the 6:30pm Christmas Eve Mass. A mandatory rehearsal will be held in the church on Monday, December 22nd from 6:30-7:30pm. Please select your child's 1st, 2nd, and 3rd preference for their role. Roles are as follows:

Grades K-5th grade: Angels, Shepherds, Sheep

Grade 2 and up: Wise Men

Grade 3 and up: Donkeys, Mary, Joseph

Grade 6 and up: First Reading, Second Reading, and Intercessions/Petitions

Please sign up using this link: https://forms.gle/sSqBG1z5Lo23utc48
The deadline to sign-up for the Living Nativity is Saturday, December 20th, 2025.

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.

OLVCS Updates

December 18th, 2025

Dear OLVCS Families,

Get a team together and join us for the best night of the year! Great food, prizes, and (of course) trivia!

Dear OLVCS Families,

2025 Keep Christ in Christmas Poster Contest 2025 Keep Christ in Christmas Poster Contest

8th Grade Bible Presentation 8th Grade Bible Presentation

Save The Date - Upcoming OLVCS Open Houses Save The Date - Upcoming OLVCS Open Houses

Have an upcoming kindergartener? Have an upcoming kindergartener?

Calling all families with upcoming middle school students! Calling all families with upcoming middle school students!

Have a future preschooler? Have a future preschooler?

OLVCS Middle School Pro-Life Service Club OLVCS Middle School Pro-Life Service Club

The Book Fair is coming back to OLV! The Book Fair is coming back to OLV!

Trivia Night 2026 Trivia Night 2026

Early Bird Tickets On Sale Now At A Discounted Rate! Early Bird Tickets On Sale Now At A Discounted Rate!

Get a team together and join us for the best night of the year! Great food, prizes, and (of course) trivia!

Reconciliation and First Communion Updates Reconciliation and First Communion Updates

What's For Lunch What's For Lunch

PreSchool News PreSchool News

Preschool Christmas Concert Preschool Christmas Concert

Need Gift Cards For Christmas Gifts? Need Gift Cards For Christmas Gifts?

St. Vincent DePaul Christmas Giving St. Vincent DePaul Christmas Giving

Coming Events! Coming Events!

SJCA News SJCA News

Parish News Parish News

OLV Living Nativity OLV Living Nativity

Community News Community News

Nittany Aritsans Face Painting Nittany Aritsans Face Painting

Get Air Gives Back Get Air Gives Back

We are always looking to add to our OLVCS family! We are always looking to add to our OLVCS family!