This Week at Our Lady of the Lake!

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,

I can hardly believe we’ve made it to the end of another school year! As I reflect on these past months, I’m filled with gratitude for our wonderful school community and all we’ve accomplished together.

First and foremost, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to all our parents for their unwavering support throughout the year. Your partnership has been instrumental in making this school year successful.

This past week has been incredibly busy with celebrations across all grade levels:

• A special thank you to Father Peter for presiding over a beautiful Baccalaureate Mass to celebrate our 8th-grade students. The service was a meaningful way to mark this important transition in their educational journey.

• Congratulations to our 8th-grade graduates who have made us all so proud. We wish them the very best as they move on to high school!

• Our PreK 3 and PreK 4 graduations were absolutely delightful. Watching our youngest students showcase all they’ve learned brought joy to everyone in attendance.

• Field Day was a tremendous success, filled with fun, friendly competition, and beautiful weather.

• Our Kindergarten Moving Up Ceremony was another highlight, celebrating these young learners as they prepare to enter first grade.

LakeFest was simply amazing this year! I’m thrilled to share that we are very close to reaching our fundraising goal. Stay tuned for the final numbers in next week’s update! A special thank you to Mrs. Schray and her dedicated crew for organizing such a wonderful community event.

I would also like to express my gratitude to Mrs. Swartz and Mrs. Mercurio for coordinating the lovely 7th-grade post-graduation reception after our graduation ceremony. Your efforts made the evening even more special for our graduates and their families.

Summer Assignments
This week we will be posting summer assignments for all grade levels. Please be on the lookout for these important materials to help your children maintain their academic skills during the summer months.

As we head into summer, please know how much we appreciate being part of your children’s educational journey. Have a safe, restful, and joy-filled summer break!

Have a beautifully blessed week,

Mr. Conroy

Friendly reminder: During the last week of school (June 9–13), we will have early dismissal every day at 12:10 PM. Since there won’t be afterschool care that week, please plan accordingly. Thank you so much for your understanding and support as we wrap up the year!

As we say goodbye to the 8th Grade Class of 2025, our hearts are filled with pride, gratitude, and hope. You have grown into leaders, role models, and faithful stewards of Our Lady of the Lake School. From your first steps in our hallways to your final walk at graduation, you have left your mark in countless ways, with your kindness, your talents, your laughter, and your love for one another.

Though you leave our school, you will always remain part of the OLL family. Carry with you the lessons you've learned, the friendships you've made, and the values that have shaped you. We can't wait to see all the amazing things you will do in high school and beyond.

Go forth with courage, faith, and joy, your future is bright, Class of 2025!

Last week, our littlest learners in PreK 3 and PreK 4 celebrated a big milestone with sweet Moving Up Ceremonies followed by joyful family picnics! The students proudly sang songs, shared special moments, and were all smiles as they marked the end of a wonderful year. It was a beautiful day of sunshine, laughter, and community as families gathered to honor just how much these young learners have grown. We’re so excited to watch them continue to blossom next year! 🌼🎶🧺

Last week, we celebrated our amazing Kindergarteners as they officially “moved up” and wrapped up a year full of learning, laughter, and growth. The ceremony was filled with proud smiles, sweet songs, and special moments as some of our youngest learners marked this important milestone. We can’t wait to see all the wonderful things they’ll do in first grade! 🌟📚💛

Mission accomplished! Our "Mission: Motion" Field Day was a high-energy adventure from start to finish and it wouldn’t have been possible without our incredible team. A heartfelt THANK YOU to all of our parent volunteers who kept the mission running smoothly with their time, support, and enthusiasm. Your help made all the difference!

Special thanks to Mrs. Salsano and Ms. Garcia, our Field Day captains, whose planning, creativity, and leadership helped launch this action-packed day into orbit. From start to finish, you kept our students moving, laughing, and working together!

Because of you, "Mission: Motion" was more than just a theme, it was a joyful celebration of fun, fitness, and community. Thank you for making it unforgettable!

LakeFest was a blast! This past Friday, our parking lot transformed into a festival of fun with bounce houses, rides, games, food trucks, and nonstop excitement. Our school community came out in full force—kids had a great time, families connected, and together we raised important funds for our amazing school. Huge shout out to McKenna, our incredible HSA, and the many parents and staff who made the day such a success. Thank you for bringing the spirit and support—we couldn’t have done it without you! 🎪🍿🎟️

Dear OLL Families,

It’s that time of year again—school supply shopping made simple! Avoid the lines at Target and Staples and order your 2025–2026 school supply kits online.

🗓️ Sale Dates: May 29 – June 22 ONLY
🛒 Order at: www.shopttkits.com
📦 Use OLL School Code: 34827

Kits will be shipped directly to your home the week of August 17. Students should bring their kits on the first day of school. Please note: arrival dates may vary slightly by location, but all kits will arrive before school begins.

Important Grade-Specific Notes:
📘 Incoming 4th Grade: Please order the following from Amazon (not included in the kit):

• Merriam-Webster’s Pocket Thesaurus

• Merriam-Webster’s Pocket Dictionary
  (Images attached—please purchase the exact versions.)

🧮 Incoming 8th Grade: Please order the Texas Instruments TI-84 Plus Calculator with USB port from Amazon (image attached for reference).

❓Questions? Contact Katiana Louis at louiskatiana@yahoo.com or 973-570-7617.

Thank you for supporting this fundraiser—spread the word!

As parents, it’s important to recognize the signs of emotional distress—not only in ourselves but also in our children as they grow and navigate life’s challenges. Panic attacks are sudden waves of intense fear that can come on without warning and trigger real physical symptoms like chest pain, trouble breathing, or a racing heart. While they can feel alarming, panic attacks are not uncommon and are treatable.

The cause of a panic attack isn’t always clear. It could be a response to stress, a result of past trauma, brain chemistry, or even genetics. Panic attacks often begin in the teen years or early adulthood and are more common in women.

Common symptoms of a panic attack include:

• Sudden, overwhelming fear or anxiety

• A feeling of being out of control or in danger

• Physical signs like dizziness, nausea, chills, shaking, or numbness in the hands

Those who have experienced a panic attack may become worried about having another, which can lead to avoiding certain places or situations.

How you can help your child—or anyone—during a panic attack:

• Stay calm and present with them

• Gently encourage slow, deep breathing

• Remind them the episode will pass

• Move to a quieter place if possible

• Offer grounding strategies like naming objects in the room

• Speak in short, reassuring sentences like, “You’re safe,” or “We’ll get through this together”

When to seek help:
If panic attacks become frequent or interfere with daily life, it’s a good idea to speak with a health care provider or mental health professional. Therapy, lifestyle changes, or medication may help manage symptoms and reduce the frequency of episodes.

Supporting our children’s mental well-being is just as important as their physical health. Knowing what to look for and how to respond makes a difference. If you have concerns about your child’s anxiety or emotional health, don’t hesitate to reach out to your pediatrician or a licensed counselor.

Tick season is here! Whether you're hiking, gardening, or just relaxing outside, it's important to protect yourself and your family. Ticks can carry illnesses like Lyme disease, but a few simple precautions can help keep you safe.

Quick Tips:

• Wear long sleeves and pants—especially at dawn and dusk.

• Use insect repellent with DEET or picaridin.

• Always do a full-body tick check after outdoor activities.

Watch for Warning Signs:

• Unusual bites or bullseye-shaped rashes

• Flu-like symptoms: fever, fatigue, or joint pain

If you notice anything concerning, don’t wait—contact your doctor right away. Stay safe, stay active, and enjoy the summer sunshine!

“Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine.” — Anthony J. D’Angelo

June 9th- June 13th: Early Release Day: 12:10pm dismissal

June 11th: Ms.Jiji Piano Recital (auditorium)- 6pm

June 13th: Last Day of School

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