A Message from Our Head of School

We have had a very exciting and fun-filled week! What a blessing it was on Wednesday to welcome over 250 Grandparents and Very Important People to our Parish and School campus. Many thanks to 5th and 7th grade families for inviting their guests of honor to share Mass with us, visit classrooms, and tour the new building. Next week we will welcome over 250 more Grandparents and Very Important People with our 1st and 3rd graders.

Marathon week will conclude tomorrow (Saturday, October 1) with an all-school and family celebration from 9:30 - 11:00 AM. We have an exciting Color Run planned and of course there will be donuts, refreshments, and music. Thank you for making this Marathon a huge success. Currently we have over 90% participation and have raised over $119,000! We appreciate your support and I look forward to seeing you tomorrow!

God Bless,

Mike McGinty

Head of School

A Message from Our School Principals

On Monday, part of our faculty workshop was starting a professional development series on social/emotional learning from a Catholic perspective. The session reviewed what it means to be human, made in the Image and Likeness of God. In future sessions, we will develop our understanding and how we can support students dealing with their emotions, anxiety, anger, and how to foster positive teacher-student and peer relationships. This training will help our teachers develop the whole child, academically, spiritually, emotionally and socially. What a blessing it is to be at a school where we can integrate faith into every aspect of the educational experience!

From Julie: The teachers and I appreciated the faculty workshop time on Monday for both professional development and collaboration. We talked about creating a positive reward system based on virtues. We would like to teach a ‘virtue of the month,' and recognize students we see displaying or practicing this virtue. We also had the opportunity at the end of the day on Monday to meet with the parish staff and have what we call “Faith and Fellowship.” Faith and Fellowship is a time to first pray together and then socialize. It is a joy to be able to practice the Catholic faith at my job!

From Jim: We had our first middle school virtue convocation this week. Every Thursday, the entire middle school will meet to start the day off with prayer and virtue formation. The Catechism defines virtues as “…firm attitudes, stable dispositions, habitual perfections of intellect and will that govern our actions, order our passions, and guide our conduct according to reason and faith. They make possible ease, self-mastery, and joy in leading a morally good life. The virtuous man is he who freely practices the good” (CCC 1804). We desire all our students to live virtuous lives, to be living saints. We will continue to form, promote, and recognize the virtues seen in our students so that all of our middle school students can “freely practice the good.”

Thank you to all who donated to Marathon this week. Your donations make our important Teacher Assistants and Technology possible - and our students had a great week as well! See you tomorrow for the Color Run!

Julie Moran & Jim Dahlman

Elementary & Middle School Principals

Last Chance to Join 1st Grade Girls Daisy Troop!

Register by Tuesday, October 4

Calling all 1st grade girls to join our newly formed Daisy troop! Find new ways to practice kindness and generosity, gain confidence and pride in abilities, explore the outdoors, practice simple ways to protect our earth, and earn special badges as a reminder of newly learned skills (with NO cookie sales!).

Our troop will meet once per month on Fridays, October to May immediately after school at OLG. Our first meeting date will be Friday, October 14 from 3:30 - 4:30 PM. Parent/chaperone requirement is one meeting/year. 

Click here to register. Use the Zip Code 55436, then search for Troop #18760. Membership, dues, and tunic/vest costs amount to about $150 - financial assistance is available. Email your troop leaders with any questions - Shannon Anderson, Cesi Blondet and Katie Frandrup.

Grade Level Parent Nights Out

Edina Country Club Tennis House, 6:30 - 8:30 PM

As our students return to the classroom, it's perfect time to gather as parents to get to know one another and build community. Please join us for a casual and fun evening with light bites and cocktails at the Edina Country Club. More details to follow. Looking forward to meeting you in person!

RSVP Required to Attend:

• 3rd Grade - October 5
• 2nd Grade - October 6
• 4th Grade - October 12 - RSVP Here by 10/5
• 6th Grade - November 9
• 7th Grade - November 15
• 8th Grade - November 16

K-8 Extended Care November Release Days

Enroll by Friday, October 7

• Tuesday, November 8 - Science Museum of Minnesota
• Wednesday, November 23 - Old Log Theater's "Once Upon a Mattress" and Maple Maze

Click here to enroll and email Sharon Hierlmaier with any questions.

Book Your Slot for Santa's Secret Shop Photos!

Saturday & Sunday, October 8 & 9, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

It’s that time…Santa's Secret Shop holiday photos/ornament event is coming on October 8 & 9 as the official kickoff to OLG’s Santa’s Secret Shop (SSS) held in December! Weekend photo sessions take place outdoors at OLG and are for all families in the OLG school and parish community.

This year’s holiday backdrop is a beautiful vintage couch and a handmade old fashioned hot chocolate stand. Digital photos are typically emailed within a week. Photos can also be printed on your choice of a metal or glass photo ornament.

Click here for more information and to sign-up for a slot.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: We are also looking for 5 parent volunteers for the day of. Please check out our Sign-Up Genius to sign up for a slot.

Email Jenny Helmer with any questions. 

Middle School Young Rembrandts Workshops

Mondays, October 3 - 31

Young Rembrandts is offering some new courses this fall. Take a peek at what we are offering and register before workshops start!

Flyer - Registration Link 

Middle School Math Team

Calling all 6th - 8th grade mathematicians! Our Lady of Grace will participate in the MN Junior High Math League this year (MNJHML).

Interested or want to learn more? Email Ms. Fagan to get signed up AND

join us on Thursday morning at 7:45 AM on October 6. Meet in the Lower Level Commons of the new middle school addition (by Mr. Leibl’s room). Let's Solve Problems!

Middle School Robotics Team

OLG is excited to form a robotics team this year! We will be participating in the FIRST Lego League Challenge and, based on interest, we can expand to elementary school students as well. Click here for a summary of the Lego League Challenge. We need parent volunteers to help support our students as they explore the engineering design process. Please email Mrs. Sue Becker if you are interested in volunteering.

Middle School Service Club (MSSC)

Monday, October 3 - Campus Clean-Up

Saturday, October 8 - Little Saints Fall Fest

Monday & Tuesday, October 17-18 - Fall Family Mass & Breakfast

Sign up here!

Nurses Office Needs

Our nurses office is looking for a few items to best serve our students. Donations can be brought to the Nurses Office.

• Boxes of granola bars 
• Bags of lifesaver mints
• Bags of cough drops
• Baby wipes (for preschoolers)

Art Room Needs 1 Gallon Ice Cream Buckets

Need an excuse to eat some ice cream? Amy Slack, Art Specialist at Our Lady of Grace is in need of 1 gallon ice cream buckets. Clean and empty buckets can be brought to the Art Room all year long. Email Amy Slack with any questions. 

Marathon Celebration & Color Run

Saturday, October 1, 9:30 - 11:00 AM

Marathon week will conclude with an all-school and family celebration! Stop by anytime and enjoy donuts, refreshments, music and a Color Run on the OLG track!

• Wear running shoes. White or dark clothes recommended to best show the bright colors. Color powder is expected to wash out of clothing & shoes but recommended to wear old clothes & shoes as a precaution.
• Protective eye wear required, we will have sunglasses for all students. Or feel free to bring your own sunglasses or goggles.
• Optional to wear bandanas or face masks to cover mouths.
• Color powders are 100% FD&C and/or D/C approved. The colors are made with high quality cornstarch, food dyes and baking soda. It is gluten free and does not contain dairy, nuts, wheat or soy.
• Bring a towel to put down in your car, just in case!

Moms of Grace Fireside Fall Social

Monday, October 3, 5:00 PM, Fireplace Commons

OLG Moms, you are invited to the incredible sisterhood that is Moms Of Grace!

Our first gathering will be in the new Fireplace Commons for a Fireside Fall Social. Come solo and meet some moms or join your friends. Please bring a beverage to drink/share. We'll have a few bottles of wine on hand, too! This will be a great season for us to grow in friendship, spirituality and community.

Little Saints Fall Fest

Saturday, October 8, 9:30 - 11:00 AM

Families of toddlers and preschoolers are invited to join the fun of Little Saints Fall Fest! The Teddy Bear Band will be performing so bring your teddy bears. We will also have fall crafts, activities, and snacks. Please register through this link and plan to meet us on the basketball courts. We will email you if the event moves indoors. Hope to see you there!

Church Nursery Reopened!

Our Lady of Grace Church Nursery has reopened in its new space, school room 513! Our childcare staff lovingly welcomes 1 & 2 year old children during 9:30 AM Sunday Mass with no reservation required. We are currently assessing the need to offer childcare during Sunday 11:30 AM Mass. Please email Stephanie Lloyd if you would use childcare during 11:30 Mass.

Men's Club Fall Kickoff

Sunday, October 2, 5:30 - 8:30 PM, Cassidy Hall

Please join the OLG Men’s Club for our annual Fall Kickoff on October 2! This is a free event and will feature food, beverages and new this year, Axe Throwing! We will gather in Cassidy Hall to watch the Sunday Night Football game. This is a 21+ event and a great opportunity to meet and socialize with other men in the parish while you enjoy football, fellowship and learn what the Men’s Club is all about. We look forward to seeing you there!

Marriage Booster Retreat

Saturday, November 19, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Whether you have been married for six months or sixty years, it is never a bad idea to get away together to both celebrate and reflect on your marriage. The Marriage Booster Retreat is a faith-filled, encouraging, and romantic one day retreat designed to let you reconnect, laugh, and talk deeply with the most important person in your life.

We’ll look at communication, intimacy & sex, dealing with conflict, money, parenting, emotional needs, and more. Get ready for a day that will truly bless your marriage!

Cost is $50 per couple and scholarships are available. Click here to learn more and register. Email any questions to Elizabeth Mueller, Director of Marriage and Family.

Catholic Mothers' Retreat

Saturday, October 1, 7:30 AM - 3:00 PM, Holy Family Catholic Church

Catholic Mothers’ Retreat is an apostolate of Mighty Is Her Call, a Catholic Mother’s ministry dedicated to increasing awareness of motherhood as a powerful vocation. Join us for our upcoming retreat that honors mothers by offering a day of restoration and encouragement, giving moms a chance to reflect on the importance of their vocation, relax, and remember just how powerful, meaningful, and Christ-filled their role is as a mother. Click here to learn more and register.

Influenza Vaccination Clinics

Monday and Tuesday, October 10 - 11, 3:30 - 5:30 PM

Edina Public Schools will be hosting two influenza (flu) vaccine clinics at the Edina Community Center City Gym (please park in the Gold Lot and enter Door #8). Click here to register. These clinics are run by Bloomington Public Health (BPH), and all BPH vaccine clinics are open to the public. Scroll down to find the clinic for which you’d like to register. You may register for ANY clinic on this website (not just the clinics hosted by Edina Public Schools).

QUICK LINKS