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 OLL Families,

The last few weeks at Our Lady of the Lake School have been incredibly exciting, and we're deeply grateful for our school community's active involvement. Last Friday's PreK - 4 special persons dance was a wonderful event that brought joy to our youngest students and their loved ones. This week, we're looking forward to The Great Kindness Challenge. I encourage you to review the schedule in our newsletter and motivate your children to participate throughout the week.

Our school takes pride in being a community of kind students, dedicated teachers, and supportive parents, which is truly what matters most. This foundation of kindness creates a positive learning environment and sets our school apart. As we engage in The Great Kindness Challenge, let's remember that these values are not just for a week but are an integral part of our school's identity.

Thank you for your continued support in making Our Lady of the Lake School a nurturing place for both bright minds and compassionate hearts. Your involvement plays a crucial role in creating the vibrant and caring atmosphere that defines our school community. Together, we're fostering an environment where kindness flourishes and our students can thrive both academically and personally.

Have a beautifully blessed week,

Mr. Conroy

*REMINDER: School Mass Tuesday morning at 8:30 a.m. We hope to see you there!

February is Black History Month! What began as “Negro History Week” in 1926 became a month-long celebration in 1976, honoring the achievements of African Americans. At Our Lady of the Lake School, we’ll highlight inspiring figures each week, celebrating their lasting impact on history and our lives today. Join us!

As we celebrate Black History Month, we recognize the brave individuals who fought for justice and equality. One such group is The Clinton 12, a courageous band of African American students who helped desegregate public education in the South, reshaping history with their resilience.

Who Were the Clinton 12?

On August 27, 1956, twelve Black students integrated Clinton High School in Tennessee, making it the first state-supported high school in the South to desegregate. Their enrollment followed the 1954 Supreme Court ruling in Brown v. Board of Education, which deemed school segregation unconstitutional. However, despite the legal victory, the Clinton 12 faced immense resistance.

The twelve students who made history that day were:

Jo Ann Allen Boyce, Bobby Cain, Anna Theresser Caswell, Minnie Ann Dickey, Alvah J. McSwain, Maurice Soles, Ronald Gordon Hayden, William Latham, Robert Thacker, Regina Turner, Alfred Williams, James Earl “Buddy” Gunter

Challenges & Resistance

From the start, the students endured harassment, threats, and violence from mobs opposed to integration. In December 1956, riots erupted, prompting Tennessee Governor Frank Clement to deploy the National Guard—the first time state forces were used to protect Black students in the South.

The hostility escalated, and in 1958, Clinton High School was bombed in an act of racial hatred. Despite these setbacks, Bobby Cain graduated in 1957, becoming the first Black student to complete a desegregated public high school education in the South, followed by Alfred Williams in 1958.

A Personal Connection: Cameron Boyce

One of the Clinton 12, Jo Ann Allen Boyce, is the grandmother of the late Disney actor Cameron Boyce (Descendants, Jessie, Grown Ups). Cameron was deeply proud of his grandmother’s legacy and used his platform to promote social justice. Jo Ann Allen Boyce later co-authored This Promise of Change: One Girl’s Story in the Fight for School Equality, offering a firsthand account of her experiences.

Their Lasting Impact

The Clinton 12’s courage paved the way for future civil rights efforts, including the Little Rock Nine in 1957. Their legacy is honored at the Green McAdoo Cultural Center and Museum in Clinton, Tennessee, where visitors can learn more about their historic fight for equality.

By learning about the Clinton 12, we honor their courage and continue working toward a future where education is truly equal for all.

To help connect with the story of the Clinton 12 and reflect on its significance, here are some engaging activities that families can do together:

📖 Read Together – Explore books that highlight the struggle for school integration:

• This Promise of Change: One Girl’s Story in the Fight for School Equality by Jo Ann Allen Boyce and Debbie Levy shares a firsthand account of Boyce’s experience as a member of the Clinton 12.
• Let the Children March by Monica Clark-Robinson is a beautifully illustrated book that introduces younger readers to the Civil Rights Movement.

🎥 Watch & Discuss – The documentary The Clinton 12 (2006), narrated by James Earl Jones, features interviews with the surviving students and offers a powerful look into their experiences.After watching, discuss as a family:

• How do you think the Clinton 12 felt walking into school on that first day?
• What would you have done if you were in their shoes?
• Why is it important to learn about these stories today?

📝 Write for Change – Encourage children to write a letter of appreciation to a teacher, principal, or community leader who works to make schools inclusive and welcoming for all students. This helps kids connect history to present-day efforts for equality.

Your hard work, kindness, and dedication to learning truly shine in and out of the classroom. Thank you for being outstanding role models at OLL—we are so proud of you! Keep up the great work!

Kindness Week kicks off this week as part of The Great Kindness Challenge (Feb 10–14)! Students will complete acts of kindness to foster compassion, unity, and respect. They'll use a special checklist to spread positivity and earn Kindness Points through class participation, Penny Wars, relay races, and more. The winning grade will be crowned Champions of Kindness at Friday’s Kindness awards!

Kindness Week Schedule:

• Monday: Penny Wars begins
• Tuesday: Wear a shirt with a positive saying
• Wednesday: Mix It Up at Lunch & School-wide Black History Month Relay Race
• Thursday: Wear OLL Spirit Wear
• Friday: Twin Day & Kindness Awards

How You Can Help:

• Encourage participation in theme days
• Send pennies for Penny Wars (Mon-Thurs)
• Support kindness at home

This program promotes a safe, supportive environment where every child feels valued. Let’s spread kindness together at school, home, and beyond! 😊✨💙

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us for the 8th Grade Pasta Dinner on January 31st—it was an incredible turnout! Special thanks to the HSA for the beautiful decorations and their support, to the generous businesses who donated to the raffles, and of course, to our amazing 8th grade class.

Wishing our 8th graders all the best for the rest of the year and beyond!

What a magical evening we had at the Special Persons Dance this past Friday! From twirling tots to grooving grown-ups, the dance floor was glowing with joy, laughter, and some seriously impressive moves!

A HUGE thank you to the HSA for decking out the space with the most dazzling decorations and to all the special guests who made the night so memorable for our stars. Your love and support make our school shine!

Friday, February 14th is an early dismissal day at 12:10 PM, and Valentine's Day Pizza Kits will be sent home at pick up.

There will be no school on Monday, February 17th, or Tuesday, February 18th, giving students, teachers, and staff a well-deserved long weekend. We look forward to welcoming everyone back on Wednesday, February 19th for a regular school day. Enjoy the break!

Heart disease remains a leading cause of death in the U.S., but awareness can help with prevention and early detection. Here are five important heart health facts to keep in mind:

1. Heart attacks can be silent.
One in five heart attacks occurs without the person even realizing they had one.

2. Heart attacks affect women differently.
Women may experience different symptoms than men, including pain in the back, arm, neck, or shoulder, as well as nausea, fatigue, shortness of breath, and vomiting.

3. Young women are at higher risk than men.
Women under 50 are twice as likely to die from a heart attack compared to men in the same age group.

4. Another reason to hate Mondays.
Heart attacks are more likely to occur on Monday mornings than any other day of the week. Scientists believe this is due to changes in our circadian rhythm over the weekend, leading to increased blood pressure and stress levels.

5. Diet soda may raise heart attack risk.
Drinking one or more diet sodas per day has been linked to a 43% higher risk of heart attack compared to those who drink regular soda or none at all.

Taking care of your heart starts with healthy habits! Stay active, eat a balanced diet, manage stress, and know the warning signs of a heart attack.

Source: National Today, American Heart Month - February 2025

Flu season is here, and getting your annual flu vaccine is one of the best ways to protect yourself and those around you. Here are some key facts to keep in mind:

Highly Contagious: The flu virus spreads easily through droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks.

Symptoms: Common flu symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, and fatigue.

Complications: The flu can lead to serious complications like pneumonia, especially in young children, the elderly, and those with chronic health conditions.

Timing Matters: Flu activity typically peaks in the fall and winter months, so getting vaccinated early is important.

Even if you do catch the flu, the vaccine can help reduce the severity and duration of illness. Stay healthy by practicing good hand hygiene, covering your coughs and sneezes, and staying home if you're feeling unwell.

Source: CityMD

"Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced."

James Baldwin

Forms should be submitted to the main office ASAP, but no later than Friday, February 28.

2/11: School Mass - Our Lady of Lourdes - 8:30am

2/14: Early Dismissal - 12:10pm (Pizza Kit distribution)

2/15-2/18: Winter Break - No School

2/23: School Play Rehearsal - 3pm (every Sunday until 4/28)

3/3-3/7: Read Across America Week

3/5: Ash Wednesday - School Mass - 8:30am

3/14: Science Fair

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