Dear OLMC Community,

The Home & School Coffree on Friday had a wonderful turn out! Thank you to so many of you who came out to learn about and be a part of the Home & School Board. I will send more information about the volunteer opportunities in case you were unable to attend. 

Here is information for the last week:

*Thursday is Mass for 5th and 6th grade. Please have your child wear his/her mass uniform. 

This past week, in addressing our 8th grade graduates, Fr. John referenced Charles Dickens' great work A Tale of Two Cities. The opening line, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times...” is easily one of the most recognizable even outside of literary circles. No doubt, the year 2020 will hold the distinction of being among “the worst of times” for the foreseeable future. But, as is so often the case, the worst of times brings out the best in people. Nowhere was that more apparent than among this community! Parents, students (big and small), grandparents, extended family, OLMC parishioners, community members--the list of people who helped make our school year a success is long. Each one contributed in a unique way and all should rightfully share in the joy and celebration of what has been accomplished!

One evening, years ago, while working in the emergency room, a young physician did something that left a lasting impression on me. Things were moving along at the usual rapid pace when we were alerted to two patients from a serious motor vehicle accident, en route. For the next hour, many of the nurses and doctors worked to resuscitate and stabilize these patients. Meanwhile, people who had come to the ER for treatment of injuries and illnesses of a less acute nature, waited. This did not sit well with one patient.

Dear Parents, 

This is the last FULL week of school! Hard to believe that we are here! I have a few reminders for the upcoming week:

*Monday - We are having the 8th grade retreat at the Newman Center. If you have an 8th grader, please refer to the email I sent on Friday for more information. 

*Wednesday - Mass day for grades 5 and 6. Children must wear their Mass uniform. We will have our 8th grade graduation this evening. Please keep them in your prayers. This is only open to the families of the 8th graders. 

Dear OLMC Community,

First I want to wish all of the Mothers, Grandmothers, Sisters and Aunts a very Happy Mother’s Day! I hope you are having a wonderful day as you deserve it!

The beginning of May has started off so beautifully! On May 1st we had our last two Confirmation and First Holy Communion Masses. The children did a beautiful job and I am so thankful for the teachers who worked so hard to prepare them.

This past week, the pharmaceutical company Pfizer applied to the FDA for emergency use authorization of its COVID vaccine in those 12-15 years of age (current authorization is for those over the age of 16). It is expected that EUA will be granted this week and the Pfizer vaccine could be available to your children within two weeks. In all aspects of healthcare, prior to administering treatment we seek “informed consent”. That means that the patient is given all the necessary information, based on sound scientific data and the clinical experience of medical professionals, to make a decision that is best for them.

Dear OLMC Community,

Yesterday we had our last round of Confirmations and First Communion ceremonies. The children were amazing- it is so beautiful to see them celebrate the sacraments with each other. I am so thankful to Mrs. Abbott and Mrs. Hartley for how well they prepared the children- it certainly showed!

Thank you for all of the well wishes, cards, flowers and drinks for Principal Appreciation! Mr. Groseta and I felt very loved! You are too generous!

Over the past several weeks, many have asked why the infection mitigation strategies we have used since reopening, especially pertaining to mask wearing, have not been removed. These same issues have been discussed, at length, with the Maricopa County Department of Public Health’s School Health Team. At this time, we are engaged in what we in healthcare call “watchful waiting”. That may sound like nothing. In fact, it is something. Webster defines watchful waiting as “a policy of taking no immediate action with respect to a situation or course of events but of following its development intently.” (Merriam Webster Dictionary)

Dear OLMC Community,

Thank you to all of the parents who ran for the School Advisory Board. I appreciate their willingness to commit the time to serve on the board. There are three open positions on the School Board. One is voted in by the community, one is chosen by the Principal and the last is chosen by the Pastor. The three new members of the School Advisory Board are Mrs. Stephanie Hicks, Mr. Scott Keppel, and Mrs. Bankston. 

Thank you to everyone who supported the Jimmy John’s Fundraiser. It was by far the most successful food fundraising event. Over $1000.00 was raised for the school. 

I remember, as a child, playing on the teeter-totter with my best friend (the kids are all like, “A WHAT??”). The ups, the downs and the occasional hard bump, were all good fun. But, the greatest thrill lay in that strangely magical rare moment when we found ourselves perfectly balanced in mid-air. No teeter, no totter. Just two friends, on the opposite ends of a linear board, enjoying a tranquil state of equilibrium and stability--until one decided to jump off! 

Dear Parents,

This next week is the start of ITBS week. Children in grades 1st through 8th will be administered the test. The third and sixth graders will take an additional test, the coGAT. We will begin testing first thing in the morning, so please have your child/children to school on time. These are long days for the children. Remind them to eat breakfast and pack a water bottle! They also need sharpened, #2 pencils.

Congratulations to Emma Baker who was the recipient of the 2021 Catholic Community Foundation Scholarship for $17,000! For her eighth grade year $1,000 will go towards her tuition at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel and $4,000 a year will be sent to the Catholic High School which she will be attending. What a huge honor!

During the 4th century B.C. Philip II of Macedon sent notice to the Spartans, “If I invade Laconia you will be destroyed, never to rise again.” Famously, the Spartan magistrates replied with a single word--”IF”.

Over the past year, we have had to deal with many “Ifs” – those terrifying predictions of future circumstances that may or may not occur, but challenge us to be prepared. Most recently, public health officials have raised concerns over the potential for another surge in COVID cases throughout Arizona, based on what is occurring in other parts of the country, and the threat posed by emerging variant strains of the coronavirus.

Dear OLMC Community,

I hope you had a beautiful Easter with your family. As we are moving into the home stretch of the school year, I have some reminders.

1. Your child needs to pack a water bottle for school. It is getting hot and they need to remain hydrated.
2. If you come to pick up your child early from school, call the office before you leave the house so we can have your child/children ready in the office. 
3. Students in grades 1-3 will begin practice ITBS tests this week. The teachers in the upper grades will go over test taking skills in preparation. The ITBS testing week is April 19-23. Please arrive at school on time and try not to schedule any appointments so the children do not miss a portion of the test.
4. The last day of school has been moved to Thursday, May 27.

Scranton, Pennsylvania, the birthplace of President Joe Biden and the affable Michael Scott, was recently ranked number one on the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America’s “2021 Allergy Capitals: The Most Challenging Places to Live With Allergies''. While it seems everyone here is sniffing and sneezing, it may come as a surprise that Phoenix doesn’t show up until #68 on the list. Allergic conditions are among the most common medical conditions affecting people in the United States with more than 50 million Americans suffering from allergies every year (AAFA 2021 Allergy Capitals). Given the date on the calendar, and our recent weather, spring indeed has sprung and with it allergy season.