Our Lady of the Lakes

Middle School

December 16, 2008

Dec. 18 6^th Grade Field Trip to Charles Wright Museum

Dec. 22-Jan.4 No School, Christmas Vacation

Jan. 3 Happy Birthday Fr. D.

Jan. 14-16 ½ Days of School, Semester Exams, No Dismissal Busses

Jan. 19 No School, MLK, Teacher Record Day

Jan. 22 Rite of Election Mass

Jan. 25 Open House

Feb. 11 Confirmation Parent Meeting

Feb. 16-17 No School Mid-Winter Break

Feb. 18-20 No Bus Service

Merry Christmas!

Third Sunday of Advent

Theme: JOY

As we get closer to Christmas, we change to a theme of JOY. We rejoice because Jesus is soon to come. Jesus will come as a loving and peaceful Savior. I hope as you make your preparations for Christmas that you replace stress for joy.

Try this week to let go of bitterness and resentment. It will gnaw at you unless you let it go. God will surely replace it with peace and serenity.

The pink candle was lit on this third Sunday, Gaudete Sunday. It is a time of rejoicing because we are over half way to Christmas. Our excitement is mounting as we wait in joyful hope for the coming of the Light. As we see Christmas lights in our neighborhoods, keep them as reminders of the Light we hope for.

“The light keeps shining in the dark and the darkness has never put it out.” John 1: 5

Make it a special Advent, pray for one another and spend some time reflecting on what it means to be grateful, compassionate, and unselfish.

Kathy Lewis

All School Mass

We will have an all school mass this Wednesday, Dec. 17^th. This will be a dress up day which means students should wear mass attire or better – no leggings or jeans allowed.

Prayers

Please keep Mr. Clark in your prayers as he recovers from surgery. He will not return to his music ministry until January.

Red & Green Day

This Friday, December 19^th, we will have a red and green jeans day. Students may wear jeans with red or green.

Progress Reports

Progress reports for Mid-Quarter 2 are available online. If you would like your child’s grades mailed, please phone the office at 248-623-2201.

Teachers Luncheon

We are looking for several parents to sit in the classrooms with the students while the teachers enjoy their Christmas luncheon on Thursday, Dec. 18^th. The luncheon is from 10:20-12:00. Please let us know in the office if you are available to help. This is a wonderful Christmas treat for the teachers.

Entertainment Books

We still have entertainment books for sale. Consider purchasing a book for a Christmas gift. They are a real savings in this economy. For instance: there are (4) $5 coupons to use toward Meijer brand grocery purchases. Entertainment books are available in both the middle school and parish offices.

Join the School Board

Are you looking to make a difference at Lakes? Want to get involved but not sure how? The Our Lady of the Lakes School Board is seeking interested parties to fill unanticipated vacancies. There are two immediate openings. If you are interested or have questions contact Mr. Uberti @ 248-623-0340 or come see for yourself at the next meeting on December 17^th at 7:00 in the High School Library.

7^th & 8^th Grade Field Trips

World Strides is accepting registration for the 8^th grade trip to Washington D.C. The $150 deposit is due by January 3^rd. Registration packets are available in the office.

The7^th grade survey indicates there is enough interest to go forward with the Chicago trip in May. We need 45 registrations for the trip to be a go. Registration and tentative itinerary for the Chicago trip is attached to this newsletter. The $75 deposit is due by January 9^th.

Great Gift Ideas
Laker apparel such as OLL hoodies, pants, shirts and hats are now able. Orders can be placed at the parish center. A picture catalog is available for your convenience.

TRIP Update

There will be no TRIP ordering during the Christmas Break. Ordering will resume the week of January 5^th. During the break, gift cards may still be purchased at the Parish Center. Regular weekly orders will be due on Monday, January 5^th by 5:00 p.m. at the Parish Center. For more information, please visit the TRIP website at www.freewebs.com/olltrip

Biggby Coffee gift cards are now available for purchase for TRIP credit in both the school office and Parish Center boxes. The cards are $10.00 punch cards sold at 30% profit to OLL. For each dollar spent, a punch is given. Please be aware, they will not give change.

OLL now has a partnership with Amazon.com. A percentage (from 4%-10%) of sales made through our association will be given back to OLL PTG. You must link to Amazon.com through a special link. This link can be found on the OLL website or TRIP website.

Open House

Tell your friends that on Sunday, Jan. 25^th, Our Lady of the Lakes Elementary and Middle School will host a registration/open house. This is a day to come out and see what Lakes is all about. You can meet the administrators and staff, check out the curriculum and view our facilities. Join us Sunday, Jan. 25^th, 2-4 p.m. and see what Our Lady of the Lakes can offer.

Landscape/Architect

If you know of a landscape architect with connections to OLL or you have special talents in this area, please call Larry Coyle @ 248-529-6258 or e-mail m.coyle35@comcast.net. We are trying to plan for upgrades to our facility.

Buick Open Tickets

How about Buick Open Golf Tickets for $20.00 each? Good for any day - July 27^th through August 2^nd 2009. Tickets are available from Bob Dickerson or any varsity golf student.

Cookie Dough

Cookie dough orders will be delivered tomorrow, Dec. 17^th, 2-4 p.m. in the Commons.

Market Day

Orders sent to school must be turned in to the office by Friday, December 19 (by 3:30) or you can order on line until Dec. 26. Delivery date is Monday, Jan. 6, 2:30-3:30 p.m. All proceeds benefit the elementary school and drama club.

CYO

Boys Basketball

7^th/8^th Grade: Team # 1: Sat., Dec. 20^th, @ St. Clement of Rome @ 9:00

Team # 2: Sat., Dec. 20^th, @ Holy Family @ 3:30

Team # 3: Sat., Dec. 20^th, @ Holy Family @ 1:10

6^th Grade: Sun., Dec. 20^th, @ St. Clement of Rome @ 10:00

Girls Basketball

7^th /8^th Grade: Team #1: Sun., Dec. 20^th, @ St. Clement @ 1:30

Team #2: Sun., Dec.21^st, @ Holy Family @ 7:00

Team #3: Tues., Dec. 16^th, @ Warren Woods Christian @ 6:15

6^th Grade: Sat., Dec. 20^th, @ St. Clement @ 2:30