This Week at Our Lady of the Lake!
Week #14 Update
Dear OLL Families,
As we enter the second week of Advent, our hearts and minds turn to the theme of Peace. This sacred time provides us with a beautiful opportunity to reflect on how we can cultivate peace in our school community, our homes, and in our daily interactions with one another.
At Our Lady of the Lake School, we are committed to creating an environment where peace is not just a concept, but a lived experience. We will soon be implementing conflict resolution programs to teach our students effective communication and problem-solving skills. Additionally, we will be incorporating mindfulness practices, including brief moments of quiet reflection throughout the school day, to help our students center themselves and find inner calm. We also continue to foster a sense of belonging and respect among all students through inclusive activities that celebrate our diversity and shared values.
As parents and guardians, you play a crucial role in nurturing peace within your homes. We encourage you to consider creating a “peace corner” in your house, a designated space for quiet reflection. Practicing active listening with your children can also significantly contribute to a peaceful home environment. Establishing family rituals that promote togetherness and calm can further reinforce the importance of peace in daily life.
In our interactions with others, we all have the opportunity to be ambassadors of peace. This can be achieved through simple yet powerful actions: practicing empathy and understanding, speaking kindly and avoiding gossip, and offering help to those in need without expecting anything in return. These small acts of kindness and consideration can ripple outwards, creating a more peaceful community for all.
As part of our Advent observance, we encourage families to light the pink candle on your Advent wreath this week, symbolizing joy and peace. As you gather for this ritual, take a moment to discuss ways your family can spread peace in your community. It can be a wonderful opportunity for reflection and setting intentions for the week ahead.
Let us all remember the profound words of St. Francis of Assisi: “Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.” May we strive to embody this prayer in our daily lives, bringing peace to our school, our homes, and our community.
As we continue our Advent journey, I wish you and your families a peaceful and blessed second week. May the spirit of peace fill your hearts and homes during this special time.
Please join us tomorrow morning at 8:30 a.m. for our School Mass - Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception.
Have a beautifully blessed week,
Mr. Conroy
Half Day on December 20th
Please note a change to our school schedule: Friday, December 20th, will now be a HALF DAY for all students and staff instead of the originally scheduled full day. Dismissal will occur at 12:10pm.
We appreciate your flexibility and understanding as we make this adjustment. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the main office!
Thank you for your continued support!
Join us in celebrating the season with festive music and joyful performances by our talented students!
Kindergarten through 3rd Grade Christmas Concert will take place on Thursday, December 19th at 1:30 p.m.
4th Grade through 8th Grade Christmas Concert will take place on Tuesday, December 17th at 7:00 p.m. in the Church.
Just a friendly reminder to parents to ensure that students are dressed warmly for outdoor recess as the weather gets colder. Please make sure your child has a jacket, gloves, hat, and any other layers they may need to stay warm and comfortable during playtime outside. Thank you for helping keep our little ones cozy!
Holiday Travel Adventures!
This December, Ms. Langan's Kindergarten class is embarking on a festive journey around the world! They’re exploring how different countries celebrate Christmas or other holidays, comparing traditions to those in America. Over the month, they’ll visit 15 countries.
This week’s stops include France, Italy, Mexico, Greenland, and Germany!✈️
Your support would be invaluable in ensuring our students have a smooth and enjoyable lunchtime experience.
Additionally, we want to inform you of an important schedule change.
- While Pre-K to 4th grade will continue to have lunch from 11:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m., please note that the lunch period for grades 5 to 8 has been adjusted to 12:15 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
HIGH FEVERS IN CHILDREN: ESSENTIAL TIPS FOR PARENTS
When your child feels hot to touch and the thermometer reads higher than usual, it’s natural to feel concerned. However, a fever is often the body’s way of fighting off infections and not every high temperature requires a trip to the pediatrician.
Following is a GUIDE how to recognize the signs of a high fever, the most common causes, what you can do at home to manage it and when it is time to seek PROFESSIONAL HELP.
SIGNS OF A HIGH FEVER IN YOUR CHILD:
- TEMPERATURE of 100.4 F or HIGHER
- HOT to the TOUCH on their FOREHEAD, BACK or STOMACH
- SWEATING or CHILLS
- IRRITABILITY or FUSSINESS
- LETHARGY
While a high fever alone isn’t always cause for alarm, it’s essential to monitor how your child is acting. Sometimes their behavior can indicate the severity of the illness more than the number on the thermometer!
COMMON CAUSES of a HIGH FEVER in CHILDREN:
- VIRAL INFECTIONS
- BACTERIAL INFECTIONS
- IMMUNIZATIONS
- HEAT EXHAUSTION
- INFECTIONS in NEWBORNS
Understanding the cause of your child’s fever can help determine the right course of treatment. Some fevers resolve on their own, while others may need medical intervention.
HOW to MANAGE a HIGH FEVER at HOME:
- KEEP them HYDRATED- Fevers can cause fluid loss, drink lots of WATER, JUICE, or ELECTROLYES regularly
- USE FEVER REDUCERS - Tylenol and IBUPROFEN at recommended dosage for age and weight
- KEEP THEM COMFORTABLE- Dress in lightweight clothing and a light blanket if they have the chills
- COOL THE BODY- A lukewarm bath or cool compress can help bring down the temperature without causing chills
WHEN to SEEK PROFESSIONAL HELP:
- FEVER LASTING MORE THAN 3 DAYS
- IF YOUR CHILD IS LESS THAN 1 MONTH OLD
- IF YOUR CHILD LETHARGIC, INCONSOLABLE, HAS A STIFF NECK, HEADACHE, SEVERE ABDOMINAL PAIN OR DIFFICULTY BREATHING THEY SHOULD BE TAKEN TO THE NEAREST EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT
REMEMBER, IF YOU ARE EVER IN DOUBT SEEK PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE!
REFERENCE: CITY MD
Dear Parents,
Our school has partnered with Hallow, the #1 Catholic prayer platform to provide Hallow as a resource to strengthen both the mental and spiritual health of the school community.
Hallow contains over 10,000 audio-guided prayers spanning from quick minute meditations to entire holy hours, dozens of music albums and ‘praylists,’ and everything in between. The app is specifically designed to offer something for everyone, and in the classroom we’ll use Hallow to help:
Through the school's partnership, you have the option to create an account on behalf of your student to access everything on the platform, including hundreds of prayers specifically designed for Kids, Teens, and Families. Pray along on evenings and weekends!
1. Go to https://access.hallow.com/redeem/code
2. Enter the following promo code:
OurLadyoftheLakeNJstudents2425
Here's a short article on how to add a promo code if you need assistance.
If you have any questions or if there is anything we can offer up in prayer on your behalf, please do not hesitate to reach out to us or the Hallow team directly at schools@hallow.app.
Our Lady of the Lake School & Parish
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