OLVCS Updates

This year our theme is Called to be Saints. Each class has selected a special saint to focus on throughout the year. Students will not only explore the life and virtues of their class saint, but also be introduced to many other saints—discovering their inspiring stories, the challenges they faced, and the virtues they practiced that led them to become the holy men and women we honor today.

As a reminder we do not have school tomorrow. The teachers will be at a diocesan-wide training at St. Michael’s School, in Loretto.

Walk-A-Thon is well underway. Thank you to all who have already contributed. From field trips to classroom enhancements to 3D Printers and so much more, your donations go a long way and make an impact.

Next week we will have a Dollar Dress Down Day for the Walk-A-Thon on Friday, September 26th.

Make it a Great Day!

Samantha

*Pictured: Community Helpers Day with K-2nd grades.

• Students in K - 8th grade have the opportunity to bring in a dollar and dress down for the day!
• This is an optional event!

• "The Walk-A-Thon is such an essential event for OLVCS. It has a significant impact on the school! The safety upgrades have been especially important to our family. I can't say enough great things about OLV. We love the service-oriented, value-based education along with the strong academic foundation they're building. MOST importantly, OLV is teaching them what it looks like to be good people who care about others and the world around them."
• "I love the Walk-A-Thon day for my children, for all of the ways the funds support our school, especially to make it a safe school and teaching the children the values of service, love, faith, dignity, and integrity as well as working together as a Catholic community!"
• "The Walk-A-Thon is a fun way to raise money to help with specific school needs, such as field trips, technology needs, and athletics."
• The Walk-A-Thon is a great way for the students to come together as a whole. The outpouring of support from the community and families helps to benefit our faith based school in so many ways."
• "The funds from Walk-A-Thon impact our children in so many ways from technology, classroom supplies, field trips, athletics, co-curricular activities, and safety and security enhancements. Our children also get to witness the impact that a faith community can have as the Walk-A-Thon is supported by their friends, families, fellow parishioners, and local businesses."

• Walk-A-Thon is our school's only all-school fundraiser and raises crucial funds for preschool through 8th grade school programs and activities.
• Each school family is asked to raise a minimum of $200 in contributions.
  
• We are dedicated to reaching 100% family participation.
• There are many exciting student, homeroom, and family prizes this year! Check out the chart to see all of the amazing family donation incentives.
• The homerooms that get to 100% participation the fastest will receive an all-class party!
• Donations are due October 1st, 2025 to count towards prize eligibility.
• Business sponsorships are also available.

• Sunday, September 28th, 2025 @ 10:30am in the gym: Parent Only Session (this is informational as well as designed as a brief parent retreat/session)

• Thursday, January 15, 2026 @ 6:00pm: First Reconciliation Retreat with Celebration of First Reconciliation
  

• Wednesday, February 15th, 2026 (Ash Wednesday): Chalice painting for OLVCS 2nd graders
  

• Thursday, April 30th, 2026: @ 6:00pm: First Holy Communion Retreat and Rehearsal
  

• Saturday, May 2nd, 2026 @ 10:00am: First Communion Mass (students arrive by 9:30am)
  

OLVCS has immediate openings for both Girls and Boys Basketball Team Coaches.

Positions for Head Coach and Assistant Coach are available. Coaches are responsible for coaching OLVCS 7th and 8th grade student-athletes in game strategies and techniques to prepare them for athletic competition, as well as motivate student-athletes to develop an appreciation of the sport. For more information and to apply, contact OLVCS Athletic Director at athleticdirector@olvcs.org.

The OLVCS Volleyball teams faced Philipsburg-Osceola this week. The B-Team played hard but dropped both sets. The A-Team delivered an exciting performance, battling through three sets to earn the win! Way to go, Crusaders! 💙🤍 The Crusaders are back in action this Thursday against Sugar Valley Rural Charter School at 3:30pm in the SJCA Gym with SJCA JV and Varsity to follow. Come out and cheer on our OLVCS and SJCA volleyball teams!

Updated from last week to include correction:🏐On Monday, the OLVCS Volleyball teams faced West Branch. Both the A-Team and B-Team battled through tough sets. The A-team ultimately won both games while the B-Team came up short, dropping both. The Crusaders are ready to take on Philipsburg in their next away match on Monday, September 15th. 💙

Our Polar Bears explored their creativity making dots with different colors in honor of International Dot Day, a day that encourages creativity, courage, and collaboration. It is inspired by The Dot, written by Peter H. Reynolds.

Polar bears also learned about families and their importance!

Soccer shots runs on Wednesdays, 9/17-11/05 from 12:30pm-1:00pm. Students do not have to be in the ESP program to participate. Families who dismiss at noon are welcome to return at 12:30pm or sit by the field and eat lunch before class begins. Register here: Soccer Shots @ OLVPS

OLV preschool sells gift cards to GIANT, Waffle Shop, Barnes & Noble and Sheetz throughout the year. 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. Thank you!

Saint Joseph's Chaplain, Fr. Brian, appointed sophomore Claire Peters and junior Julia Albertine to join senior Monika Peters as Eucharistic Ministers for school masses.

Saint Joseph's Girls Basketball will be hosting a basketball clinic for girls in grades 5 - 8 on Saturday, November 15th, 12 - 3PM in the SJCA Gymnasium. Proceeds from the clinic will go to Breast Cancer Fund at Mount Nittany Health. Registration info will be posted soon!

OLVCS 7th and 8th grade classes helped stuffed Bazaar flyers and raffle tickets. Watch your mail for tickets! $1 each. 1st prize= $1000!

Come join the State College chapter of the Troops of Saint George! Troops of Saint George is a collection of fathers and sons seeking to build virtue, honor and fraternity on our way to heaven. The Troops of Saint George apostolate aims to use the outdoors as our canvas and the sacraments as our path to light the way for the formation of Holy Catholic men and boys. Saint George, pray for us! +JMJ+

Next Meetings: 9/8/25 & 10/13/25 6:30 - 8 PM at Pavillion behind Activities Center

Contact the troop Captain at: Troop325@tsghq.org

Checkout the troop website at: https://troopsofsaintgeorge.org/troop/troop-325/

• 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.