OLP School Re-Opening Letter

I would like to give my sincere thanks to the faculty and staff for all their hard work this summer. I would also like to give thanks to those members of our community who volunteered their time and talent to the Our Lady of Peace Task Force: Thomas Benadum, Gina Connor, Kate DeStephen, Laura Hartman, Katie Leonard, Cena Pedro, Andrea Perry, Darla Reardon, and Scott and Jodi Renshaw.

School Calendar:

A new copy of the revised school calendar is at the end of this letter. Our opening day for all students is Tuesday, September 8. However, the week before we will be asking different classes to come in for the day.                         

                                Monday, August 31- Grades 8 & 1

                                Tuesday, September 1- Grades 7 & 5

                                Wednesday, September 2- Grades 6 & 2

                                Thursday, September 3- Grades 4 & 3. ½ of Kindergarten (A-G)

                                Friday, September 4- Grades 6,7,8. ½ of Kindergarten (H-Z)

The school hours will be normal that week (7:55-2:40). Students should wear school uniforms including physical education uniforms on days specified in grades 4-8 (see below). Students need to pack lunch and drink that week and there will be no After Care that week.

Students on academic support plans will be contacted by your child’s teacher to arrange a zoom meeting by the end of September as our teachers get to know your children. Please do not hesitate to contact the teacher at any time if you have immediate concerns. With our long absence from the building, we will be assessing where all of our students are, both academically and socially.

Sunday, August 23: Any adults who are willing to help are asked to assemble in the school gym at 1:15 pm with masks and gloves to help move furniture.

Uniform Exchange will also be on Sunday, August 23 from 8:30-1:30 outside the school building, weather permitting or in the cafeteria if raining. Masks please at either place.

Parents and students are invited to tour the school building and drop off school supplies during the weekend of the 29th and 30th of August during the following times:

Saturday, August 29 from noon until 5pm.

Sunday, August 30 from 8-3pm.

Teachers will not be there that day. The wearing of masks is mandatory.

Yearbooks will be available that day for pick-up if you ordered one last year.

In place of our traditional Meet the Teachers’ Night your child’s teacher will be hosting a short 25 minute zoom meeting for parents on the following evenings:

Monday, August 31- Kindergarten 7pm.

Tuesday, September 1- Grade 1} 6:30 pm. Grade 5} 7pm.

Wednesday, September 2- Grade 2} 6:30 pm. Grades 6,7,8} 7pm.

Thursday, September 3- Grade 3} 6:30pm. Grade 4} 7pm.

We welcome the following new staff members to our school:

-Mrs. Nicole D’Orazio and Mrs. Kelly Casey will be serving as classroom aides for our teachers.

-Mr. Paul Gualtieri will be serving as our recess supervisor for our multiple recess periods and working with our middle school students in physical education. He is the brother of our administrative assistant, Mrs. Susan Gualtieri and is a well- known figure on the local soccer scene.

-Ms. Kathy Haninger will be teaching Kindergarten along with Mrs. DeStephen. Kathy is a graduate of Bishop Watterson High School and has experience working with the Diocese of Toledo, Trinity Catholic Elementary School and Columbus Montessori Education Center.

-Mr. David Oddi will be teaching physical education here and at St. Catharine School. Dave has many years of experience in our Catholic schools including St. Andrew, St. Mary Magdalene and Bishop Ready High School.

-Mr. Mason Prater will be teaching middle school social studies as Mrs. McMahon moves into a part-time position as technology coordinator and eighth grade science. Mason has a B.S. from Bowling Green and a M.A. from Muskingum in education. He is a member of John XXIII Parish in Canal Winchester.

-Ms. Corrie Sheshull is our new first grade teacher coming to us fresh from the University of Dayton and two years of teaching experience in a Dayton Catholic school.

As we have done all summer, we will continue to be in consultation with the Diocese of Columbus regarding changes necessitated by the on-going health pandemic. The safety and health of our students and staff remain our top priority!

Let us continue to pray for one another!

Jim Silcott