Dear OLL Families,
I hope this message finds you well as we enter Week 18 of our school year. I'm thrilled to share some exciting news with our school community. We are delighted to welcome Dia DeAngelis as our new part-time school counselor. Ms. DeAngelis brings valuable expertise to our team and will play a crucial role in supporting our students' social and emotional well-being. She will focus on enhancing students' social skills and social-emotional learning, and will be conducting classroom lessons to engage directly with our students.
We believe that Ms. DeAngelis's contributions will greatly benefit our school community, helping to foster a positive and supportive learning environment for all our students. Please join me in extending a warm welcome to Ms. DeAngelis. If you have any questions or would like more information about our counseling services, please don't hesitate to reach out to the school office.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership in your child's education. We look forward to the positive impact Ms. DeAngelis will have on our school community.
Have a beautifully blessed week,
New Part-time School Counselor
Dia holds an MSW from New York University Silver School of Social Work. During her graduate training, she gained experience in crisis intervention, family and individual counseling, and group counseling for children and adolescents. She has worked as a School Social Worker in a public school, supporting parents, teachers, and administrators to address students' academic, social, emotional, and behavioral needs. In private practice, Dia facilitates social skills groups for children and adolescents facing challenges such as behavioral issues, family conflict, depression, anxiety, and peer relationship struggles. She also offers individual counseling, parent support, and family counseling.
Please join us in welcoming Mrs. Dia DeAngelis to our school community! Starting Monday, January 6th, Dia will be at OLL on Mondays and Wednesdays. She will play an essential role in helping teach students important social-emotional skills, guiding them through conflict resolution, and offering the individualized support typically provided by a school counselor. We're thrilled to have her expertise and care for our students!
What is Family Fitness Month?
Family Fitness Month is a national observance designed to inspire families to get moving and focus on their health together. Celebrated in January, it’s an opportunity to start the year on a positive note by prioritizing physical activity and making it a regular part of family life. The idea is simple: fitness is more fun and sustainable when shared with loved ones.
The month encourages families to explore new activities, set fitness goals, and create routines that promote both physical and emotional well-being. Whether it’s an organized game night, a weekend hike, or even a daily walk, Family Fitness Month is about strengthening bonds while staying active and healthy. It’s a perfect time to start fresh, develop healthy habits, and make lasting memories with those closest to you!
Start a Family Fitness Challenge!
Kick off the month with a family meeting to set fitness goals. Choose a fun daily activity that everyone can enjoy—like a neighborhood walk, stretching together in the mornings, or a backyard dance party. Create a colorful chart to track your progress as a team. At the end of the week, celebrate with a special treat, like making smoothies together or having a family game night. The key is to focus on fun and togetherness while staying active. Let the family fitness adventures begin!
Attention parents and students! The Newspaper Club will be holding its next meeting after school on Tuesday, January 7th. We’ll meet in the art room right after dismissal. Whether you’re a returning member or interested in joining, we’d love to see you there! Let’s work together to create something amazing!
Join Our Winter Chess Club!
Does your 3rd–8th grader love chess? Sign them up for our 8-week Winter Chess Club, meeting on Tuesdays starting this Tuesday, January 7th!
Whether your child is new to chess or already a skilled player, this club offers a fantastic chance to sharpen strategic thinking, boost problem-solving skills, and practice teamwork—all while having fun in an engaging environment.
Let’s make this winter a checkmate!
Starting February 2025!
Instrumental Music Classes are in full swing, and students are making incredible progress! Didn’t get a chance to sign up earlier? Or maybe your student wasn’t ready until now? Great news—I’m excited to add a few more classes starting in February!
We’re especially looking for brass players (grades 3+), including trumpet and trombone. Fun fact: if you played the recorder and always hit the high notes, you might be a natural brass player! If your student wants to give these instruments a try, we’re offering a trial session on January 28. Contact me at Mrs.Tipnis.FMI@gmail.com to arrange it.
I’m also adding Grade 1 and Grades 3+ violinists and woodwinds (flute, clarinet, saxophone) for daytime classes.
If you’re ready to enroll, use this link: FundamentalMusic.org/#/enroll. Grade 1 violin classes will begin in January, and all other new classes will start in February.
Have questions or want to schedule a trial? Feel free to email me at Mrs.Tipnis.FMI@gmail.com. Don’t wait—sign up today while it’s on your mind!
Looking forward to making music together,
Mrs. Tipnis
We Need You!
Catholic Schools Week is just around the corner, and we need your help to make it an unforgettable celebration for our students! From January 26 to February 1, 2025, we’ll host exciting events, activities, and service opportunities that highlight the heart and mission of our school community.
If you're interested in giving your time and talents to help organize and execute Catholic Schools Week for our students , please fill out the form below!
Thank you for helping us celebrate the spirit of Catholic education!✝️📚🏫
We’re excited to share that LAKEWISE, the official blog of Our Lady of the Lake School, is now live!
This blog will be your go-to resource for helpful articles, stories celebrating our community, and highlights of important school accomplishments.
✨ Read Our First Blog Post Here
Be sure to check it out and stay tuned for more engaging content in the weeks to come.
Thank you for being a part of what makes OLL extraordinary!
Calling all parents! We need your help to make lunchtime a smooth and enjoyable experience for our students. Volunteering for lunch duty is a wonderful way to engage with our school community and support our students during their midday break. Whether you can spare one day or several, we’d love to have you on board!
Sign up today to lend a hand during lunch!
Quick Schedule Update Reminder:
- Pre-K to 4th Grade: Lunch remains from 11:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.
- Grades 5 to 8: Lunch is now from 12:15 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Thank you for helping make our school a great place to grow and learn!
The Importance of Kindness in School
Kindness plays a crucial role in school by benefiting students' mental health, academic performance, and social development. By fostering kindness, students and their families create a nurturing environment that supports personal growth and positive relationships.
Benefits of Kindness
- Mental Health: Kindness can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression while boosting self-esteem and promoting optimism. These positive effects contribute to a healthier, more resilient mindset.
- Academic Performance: Practicing kindness enhances concentration and encourages creative thinking, helping students to perform better academically.
- Social Skills: Kindness cultivates empathy, emotional intelligence, and the ability to understand others' feelings. These skills are essential for building strong, positive relationships with peers, teachers, and families.
- Feel-Good Hormones: Acts of kindness release oxytocin, a hormone that promotes feelings of happiness and connection, strengthening bonds within the school community.
- Reduces Bullying: Teaching kindness from an early age helps prevent bullying by fostering empathy and understanding. Students who are kind are more likely to stand up for others and support those who may be marginalized.
Students who are taught the value of kindness from a young age tend to carry these lessons into their daily lives. By embracing kindness, they not only improve their own well-being but also create an environment that celebrates diversity, inclusivity, and mutual respect.
Middle School Makers
Middle School Makers is a weekly 45-minute walk-in craft session for teens and tweens in grades 5 and up on Monday afternoons at 3:15pm in the Maker Space at the Verona Public Library. Hang out after school with your besties to participate in a different guided craft each week. Or you can also choose to color from a selection of our extensive coloring book collection. Supplies will be provided. No registration necessary. Walk-ins welcome. This program is for teens.
Our Lady of the Lake 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