Week of January 20, 2025

There will be no school on Monday in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, but we will have school on Friday to make up the day. Martin Luther King Jr. Day honors Dr. King’s leadership in the Civil Rights Movement and his commitment to justice, equality, and nonviolence. His work challenged discrimination and inspired lasting change, reminding us to stand up for what is right and treat others with respect and kindness. Enjoy the day off, and take a moment to reflect on the impact of his legacy!

Attention 8th grade families! The clock is ticking on fundraising for the Notre Dame and Chicago trip, and we need to hear from you! If you are still planning for your student to attend, please contact Tunwin Tamera or Annika as soon as possible to confirm your participation. As a reminder, each family is responsible for personally raising $500 toward their child's trip. The deadline to meet this goal is March 1, 2025, so we can purchase flight tickets on time. We appreciate all your efforts in making this incredible experience possible for our students. Let’s keep the momentum going!

This week, students at Wíŋyaŋ Wakȟáŋ Owáyawa – Our Lady of Lourdes will begin MAP Growth testing, an important opportunity to measure their academic progress and tailor instruction to their needs. Last week, students reviewed their fall scores and discussed their growth goals—we encourage families to continue these conversations at home by talking with your child about their RIT goals and how they can work toward them.

Please click on the picture above to access the testing schedule for grades 5-8. Students in grades K-4 will complete their assessments during their literacy and math blocks. The MAP Challenge encourages students to set goals, stay engaged, and celebrate their growth throughout the year.

We appreciate your support in ensuring students come to school well-rested and ready to do their best!

Thank you for being partners in your child’s learning journey! 📚✨

At OLL we are committed to providing the best possible experience for our students and families. As we prepare to implement a new enrollment plan starting next month, we want to hear directly from you about what makes OLL special and why families choose our school. Your input will help us strengthen our enrollment process and continue building a learning environment where every child thrives.

Please CLICK HERE to take the short, five-question survey!

Winter is here! As students enjoy sledding at recess, we want to ensure they can participate safely while staying warm and dry. Parents are welcome to pack an extra set of clothes if students don’t have snow pants. While we don’t want to exclude any child from sledding, we do ask that students are dressed appropriately to prevent injuries and avoid sitting in wet clothes for the rest of the day. Please make sure your child has warm layers, gloves, hats, and waterproof clothing to stay comfortable during outdoor play.

Lastly, student physicals are still required for those participating in sports. If you haven’t submitted one yet, please make sure to do so as soon as possible.Thank you for helping keep our students safe, warm, and ready to learn! ❄️🏀

Practice starts on Tuesday January 21, 2025. As with our other sports practice schedules, players will have rides on ASP days (Tuesdays and Wednesdays). Players will need their own rides on Mondays and Thursdays. Please make sure you get your sports physicals into Megan as soon as possible!

We are excited to share that our After-School Program (ASP) is now using a rotation model, allowing students to experience multiple sessions throughout the year. So far, students have really enjoyed the change! This new structure not only keeps things fresh and engaging but also allows teachers to design more meaningful sessions while helping prevent student burnout. They are participating in the following sessions:

• Arts and Crafts
• STEM
• Lakota Arts (beading)
• Music Appreciation
• Gaming
• Photography

We are also offering study hall for students who may need additional support. Teachers will recommend students on a weekly basis depending on their classroom performance.

The 21st Century field trip to the Rapid City Outdoor Campus has been rescheduled for January 31! This exciting trip will provide students with hands-on learning opportunities in an outdoor setting. Attendance will be closely tracked to determine eligibility for this field trip, so we kindly ask for your support in ensuring your child’s consistent attendance at school. Let’s work together to make sure all students have the opportunity to participate in this memorable experience! 🚌🌿

Upper elementary students at Winyan Wakan Owayawa are diving into an exciting five-week journey to prepare for their upcoming science fair! Using the scientific method, they are exploring questions that matter to them, drawing from their own experiences, observations, and curiosity. Each project is designed around topics relevant to their daily lives, encouraging hands-on experimentation and critical thinking. Through this process, students are building valuable research skills while discovering the connections between science and the world around them. We can’t wait to see their discoveries come to life!

We are excited to welcome Jesuit Novice Bobby Nichols to Wíŋyaŋ Wakȟáŋ Owáyawa – Our Lady of Lourdes! This semester, Bobby will be assisting Sr. Mary with religion classes and supporting other teachers in various areas, including student engagement. He has already made a positive impact on our learning day, and we are grateful for his presence in our school community.

Bobby comes to us as a second-year Jesuit Novice from Louisville, Kentucky, bringing a deep commitment to faith and education. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Theology and Peace Studies from Xavier University and spent six years teaching Theology and serving as Associate Director of Campus Ministry at his high school alma mater. His passion for education led him to Villanova University, where he pursued a master’s degree in Theology and Education, followed by his role as rector of Keenan Hall at the University of Notre Dame.

Beyond his academic journey, Bobby is an avid walker and pilgrim, having twice hiked the Camino de Santiago across Spain in 2016 and 2019—journeys that deepened his faith and commitment to serving others. In August 2023, he took the next step in his spiritual journey by joining the Jesuit community.

We are grateful for Bobby’s presence at OLL and look forward to the many ways he will enrich our school community this semester!

Practice starts on January 21st! The Season Schedule will go out next week!

• Mondays and Thursdays: 3:30pm - 5:00pm - Players need their own rides!
• Tuesdays and Wednesdays: 3:30pm - 4:15pm - Players will ride the ASP bus.

Please make sure to get your physcials in to Megan!

A huge wopila tanka to our families, Coach Dave, and our incredible student-athletes for a fantastic girls’ basketball season! Our team faced some tough competition, but they showed resilience, teamwork, and determination every step of the way. Through every challenge, they carried themselves with grace and dignity, representing Wíŋyaŋ Wakȟáŋ Owáyawa – Our Lady of Lourdes with pride. We are so proud of their growth, hard work, and sportsmanship this season. Thank you for your dedication and support—go team! 🏀💙

If you need to make any changes to your child's transportation, please call the office to inform us. This includes picking up your child instead of having them take the bus. We relay this information to bus drivers to ensure we always know your child's whereabouts. Please make sure to call in any changes by 2:30 p.m., except in cases of extreme emergencies.