Good afternoon Eagle Nation! Here are the three things you need to know this week from the desk of Mr. Berry.
1) A surge in Applications - Complete your enrollment today!
What's New: As a result of our unique ability to safely reopen our campus to students this fall, combined with the recent redistricting of the Minneapolis Public School system within our immediate community, Our Lady of Peace has experienced a surge in applications for the upcoming school year. As promised, and in accordance with the protocols outlined in our Pandemic Preparedness & Response Plan (PPRP), all classrooms will be capped at 18 students, to ensure we are able to accommodate proper physical distancing. As of today, Kindergarten, 2nd, 4th & 7th grades have reached capacity and other classes are close behind.
Why It's Important: If you or someone you know has been considering enrolling at OLP for the upcoming school year, the window is quickly closing, and those families should apply immediately. In addition, it is imperative that those families who have not completed their enrollment agreements with OLP do so immediately so that those families currently on waiting lists can be offered a spot should one become available.
What's Next: If you are waiting to apply, stop waiting and apply now! If you haven't completed your enrollment agreement, stop waiting and complete it now! If you are unsure of your enrollment status for the 2020-21 school year, email Cathy Bergen (cbergen@olpmn.org) for additional information.
2) Fall Sports & Extracurriculars Update
What's New: In order to ensure a safe return to campus, Our Lady of Peace (along with the SSYO Conference) has postponed all 2020 Fall sports until Spring 2021.
Why It's Important: Early research indicates that the best returns to campus have been successful in large part by limiting the intermixing of students to smaller group settings. Therefore, restricting our class sizes to 18 students and limiting (or in most cases, eliminating entirely) other assemblies or group gatherings is in our best interest at this time.
What's Next: Those families that have already registered for a fall sport or activity will receive reimbursement for any registration fees paid within the coming weeks. Any update on the expected return of these activities will be communicated when it becomes available.
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3) OLP is Paying it Forward
What's new: During this tumultuous time, that is impacting all corners of our globe, Our Lady of Peace is continuing our commitment to service by helping others both here in our own small community, as well as those thousands of miles away. Locally, we are pleased to provide gently used uniforms, free of charge, to those families who may find themselves needing the next size up for this coming school year. Globally, earlier this week, OLP donated four carloads of used textbooks, novels, and other materials to Books for Africa, a local non-profit dedicated to ending book famine in Africa.
Why It's Important: Part of our Catholic identity calls us to serve others. This includes small actions like practicing proper hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette in order to protect the health & safety of others, as well as larger efforts like those mentioned above. In order to expect this behavior from others, we must lead by example.
What's Next: If you or someone you know is interested in some of our gently used uniforms, please email Cathy Bergen for more information. If you would like to donate any used books or other materials to Books for Africa, please email Deirdre Jameson. In the future, we will continue to highlight the various ways OLP is paying it forward. If you have an example that should be featured, please let us know here.
Fly High!
