Olgschoolconnect

: June 11, 2023

Dear friends of Our Lady of Grace School,

It seems amazing that we are finishing off a school year! It has been one filled with ups and downs, but I am pleased to report that we sent off our 22 eighth grade graduates to several area High Schools including Bishop O’Dowd, Moreau and St. Joseph in Alameda along with Castro Valley High among others.

We also promoted 23 Kindergartners the majority of whom will be joining Miss Castaign for their first year in the “big building”. Our “Star scores” were outstanding and the fact that we differentiate our instruction to include a variety of learning styles is a source of personal pride.

Due to staffing issues which forced me into the 5th grade classroom for a great part of this past year, we are not as far as I had hoped in our transition to a dual-language immersion model. However, with God’s help, we shall continue to press forward. We have been told by families that all of the currently enrolled transitional Kinder students (age four) have come to OLG precisely because we offer instruction in both English and Spanish. I know that we are competing with Castro Valley public schools who are also adopting this model, but it is my hope that our smaller classes along with our additional focus on religion as well as math in two languages will prove to be an incentive.

Lastly, to continue promoting kindness and harmony, our school is adopting a model of student peer mediation that has proven to be a success in the United States and in many other countries. The entire faculty and staff were trained in this model of “Community Based mediation” on June fifth and the plan is to train student leaders the first week of August so that the program is ready to roll a few weeks after school begins.

In closing, I give thanks to God for a successful first year. I continue to enjoin you to spread the word about Castro Valley’s only Catholic School and please pray for our students, faculty, and staff as we begin a month-long summer program and then move on to our summer break.

In Our Lady’s Name and Love,

Gena McGowan, Principal
Our Lady of Grace Catholic School

: 5/7/2023

Happy beginning of the last month of school! Here at Our Lady of Grace Catholic School we are doing many things to brighten the Easter season.

First, we are celebrating a new playground structure to be blessed and dedicated after Mass on May 3. We are proud that it was paid in its entirety through the fundraising efforts of the school scholars. The cost of just under $40,000 was the result of a combination of Fun Run and some donations.

Second, we are celebrating this year’s successful Fun Run. The net profit was also close to $40,000 and will result in new technology for all Junior High as well as some “smart boards” and other technological advances in our classrooms. I shall keep you posted.

Third, we are really focusing on increasing our school enrollment. Thanks to the pastor of Transfiguration, we shall begin to aggressively advertise there as well as place a sign on Castro Valley Boulevard in order to raise awareness in the larger community. Anything that you can do as individual parishioners is also much appreciated.

I look forward to seeing many of you at our Havana Night school and parish dinner-auction on May 6th . It should be a night to remember!

In Our Lady’s Name and Love,

Dr. McGowan

: 9/4/2022

Dear Our Lady of Grace Family,

I am writing to report that your parish Catholic school is up and running! It is good to see all the students back on campus, as well as to welcome many new colleagues to O.L.G. God’s grace could be felt all around, and Our Blessed Mother’s gentle smile was almost discernable!

I would like to extend a very special invitation to all parish members to join the school community at our weekly Eucharistic liturgy. It takes place on Wednesdays at 8:15 a.m. and features the students in the roles of lectors and servers, and faculty and staff serve as Eucharistic ministers. I know that we would all love to see parish members become more involved in the activities of the school and Mass is a great place to start.

I also wanted you to know that we are still looking for a part time classroom aide for our lower elementary grades. If you are a retired teacher or a person who loves being around children and helping out our busy teachers, please give me at call at the school office (510.581.3155).

Please save the date for our very first all school celebrations. They will take place on the weekend of September17 with a Mass celebrated at 5:00 p.m. by Bishop Barber. Our former pastor, Fr. Tom will join Father Ray in welcoming our bishop to this important celebration of the 75th anniversary of the parish and school.

On Sunday, September 25, our families are encouraged to attend the 9:00 a.m. Mass and then come onto the grounds for a celebration of our school and parish family. Food, games, and various student performances will be among the highlights of this important day. Let’s continue to spread the positive and loving spirit that has already marked this academic year as we “return full force” to in person instruction and celebrations.

Have a wonderful week and weekend ahead.

In Our Lady’s Name and Love,

Dr. McGowan, Principal