Our Lady Of The Lake

Our Lady of the Lake offers flexible full- and half-day preschool options, as well as full-day Kindergarten. Our fully accredited curriculum meets all state standards, and prepares young students for life-long success.  We educate the whole child, in a caring and supportive setting with lots of individual attention and a full range of resources. Students benefit from access to all our quality facilities, including:

April 7: Living Stations of the Cross, 8:00pm

Each year the 6th graders at Our Lady of the Lake School become inventors, through an innovative program provided by Invention League. Invention League is an inclusive, educational, non-profit organization that offers year-long educational support, Inventor Experiences and the Invention and Entrepreneurship State Final Competition to students, schools and districts of Ohio, all at no cost to the families or districts. Invention League is aligned with the STEMIE Coalition and the National Invention Convention and Entrepreneurship Expo (NICEE). All of which means that students right here at Our Lady of the Lake School have access to high-quality, national resources that help inspire their creative genius.

Two more Our Lady of the Lake students were caught being talented this week! Maggi Trickett and Jaylin Hammond, both students in Mrs. Patterson’s fourth-grade class, were awarded first and third-place prizes, respectively, for their poster entries in this year’s World Water Day competition, sponsored by Drink Local, Drink Tap. For many years, Our Lady of the Lake students have learned about water as a vital resource, as part of an engaged, hands-on science curriculum introduced by Mrs. Hribar. This year, students were challenged to help educate themselves and their communities about Water Waste with creative and informative posters. Not only did Maggi and Jaylin win awards and goodie bags – they also got to adopt a shark at the Greater Cleveland Aquarium, and were given passes to go to the Aquarium so they can visit their shark! Their posters will also go into an exhibit being displayed at Public Square on April 11. What a fun way for students to learn about our environment, and help to make our world a better place. OLL School is so proud of these talented students – and of the difference all our students are making in the world. 

Our Lady of the Lake is proud to be providing a welcoming and supportive environment for preaching the Sunday Lectionary from a woman's perspective this season. Please join us in praying the Lenten Scriptures at 7:00pm these four Thursdays in March at Our Lady of the Lake, 19951 Lakeshore Blvd.

Power of the Pen is a powerful program! Through this after-school writing program, students at Our Lady of the Lake are developing skills that can take them far in life. Every Tuesday, throughout the school year, fifteen 7th and 8th grade students meet for 40 minutes to hone their persuasive, literary and expository skills – and to compete against other students across the region. Approximately 10,000 students in Ohio take part in this program each year, and OLL students are up for the competition. In the past five years of offering the program, OLL teams have gone to regionals every year, and for the last three years have gone to State level competition. Both the 7th and 8th grade teams are heading to regionals this year, so wish them luck on April 1, when they’ll be competing for top prizes at Padua High School.

“No man ever steps into the same river twice, for it's not the same river and he's not the same man.” said Heraclitus. This quote perfectly exemplifies how my life has been changed because of Scouting. Scouting has propelled me into achieving many accomplishments not just in scouting but in academics and personal development. To begin I joined the Cub Scouts and steadily progressed through the ranks, eventually achieving the rank of Webelo and encouraging me to cross over to the Boy Scouts. From there it was onward and upward, learning scouting characteristics and applying them to my everyday life. The Boy Scouts’ highest rank is the Eagle Scout. This rank is more than just a badge, it is an accomplishment that will follow you throughout the rest of your life. To achieve this rank, you must do an Eagle Project -- a project that the scout is in charge of and that will benefit the community. My eagle project was a flag collection system in Euclid. The flag stations are placed in public areas like the library, City Hall and churches. The flags will be collected and taken to proper places where the flag can be retired with respect. 

Our Lady of the Lake is happy to welcome you -- during Holy Week and throughout the year. Come and see!

Please join us for these upcoming events at Our Lady of the Lake.

The annual Life on the Lake fundraiser is one of Our Lady of the Lake’s most popular traditions. Each year, hundreds of school families, parishioners, friends and neighbors pack the hall, enjoy good food, entertainment, and an impressive array of raffle baskets and auction prices – all to support quality Catholic education in our community.

Every year Catholic Schools Week at the end of January celebrates the qualities that make Catholic education special. OLL will be celebrating all week long, with a spelling bee and a geography bee, community day, science day with a visit from COSI, an Outback Ray assembly, student and teacher appreciation, and much more. Two events are open to visitors interested in learning more about quality Catholic education.

Our Lady of the Lake School takes learning beyond the classroom in all kinds of ways. Using cutting edge technology and engaged learning, teachers find new ways to get students excited about learning.

[Note: Please run this as a sidebar or boxed text along with the accompanying graphic and photos]

Our Lady of the Lake parish is known for its strong music ministry. Music Director Melissa Gali Bird is herself a multi-talented musician with a deep understanding of liturgy. And she also loves working with young people, helping them develop both their faith and their love of music through her work.

Our 2016-2017 school year at Our Lady of the Lake has gotten off to a wonderful start!  We have added classrooms and now have two classes in each grade.  We will introduce our new teachers in the next edition.  Our preschool is nearly at capacity and it has been wonderful to see all of our returning families and to welcome all of our new families. 

Several years ago, Barb Pistillo started gathering neighbors on her porch in Euclid, as a fun way to get to know each other. She’d put out a little sign, and that was the signal to gather and share refreshments, stories and a little time together. Anyone was welcome – no formal invitation required – and it became a great way to meet new people, learn about good things happening in the neighborhood, and build a sense of community.

Water has a central place in the practices and beliefs of many religions for two main reasons.

Our Lady of the Lake continues a cherished annual tradition, with the Backpack Blessing on August 21. For this special youth Mass we invite students and families to gather for a blessing before starting back to school. It's a wonderful opportunity to support and encourage all our young scholars. All are welcome!

Please set as sidebar with subhead: First Day of School August 24.

I remember the excitement surrounding the start of a new school year when our five children were in elementary school.  We would spend hours at Schoolbelles on Lakeside Avenue choosing jumpers, skirts, pants and shirts.  Then there were the all-important school supplies, choosing just the right book bag, pens, pencils, and notebook assortment.  This was always a special family time.  We would wonder which teacher each child would be assigned and counted down the days to that first day of school.  Now, years later, as a principal, I always try to put myself in our parents’ place and remember how exciting, but also stressful this time of year can be!  It can be especially challenging if you happen to be starting at a new school.  At Our Lady of the Lake School, we try to be as welcoming, supportive and encouraging as we can be.  We understand that families are sharing their precious children with us for a good portion of each and every day.  That is why we work very hard during the summer months to have everything in place for the start of our year together.  What can we look forward to in our 2016-2017 school year?  Here are a few thoughts:

The annual parish picnic is a much-loved tradition at Our Lady of the Lake, a chance to celebrate Mass in a different setting, and to visit with friends and family outside church. The volunteers who put this year's event together outdid themselves again, with great food, ice cream, live music, games and prizes for the kids, a balloon clown, dunking game, and even a caricature artist. These are the summer memories children and families look back on, and we so appreciate the chance to make these memories together.

While we’ve been out enjoying summer fun, the hard-working team at Our Lady of the Lake School have been busy working on more ways to make school great for the kids when they come back. Right now they’re planning after-school programs, to make sure both the fun and the learning carry on when the school day ends. Last year, OLL School launched a slew of new after-school offerings, including music lessons, a very popular sewing group, and the Grub Club – fun cooking classes for kids. This year they plan to have even more to offer, including Spanish Club and Chess Club. We can’t wait to see all the good programs they cook up!

Among the many signs of hope that we see every day at Our Lady of the Lake is the partnership we have with the Scouts.  Just recently one of the scouts (also one of our parishioners), Connor McSween, initiated a project to paint the entrances to our church hall as part of his requirements to become an Eagle Scout.  Connor also participated as a volunteer in our Vacation Bible School.  Several other scouts volunteered to serve as an honor guard at the funeral for Senator George Voinovich.  All of these partnerships, initiated by the young people in the Scouts themselves, are signs of hope for all of us as we continue to serve our parish and wider community.

NOTE: Please run this under the same heading as the soup food drive article by Cathy Gentile. Thanks!

Each year, third grade students at Our Ladyof the Lake organize a Souper Bowl food drive, to collect canned food for the Euclid Hunger Center. The children learn about compassion, caring and systems of support. The lesson was obviously well learned – this year one student took it a step further – he organized a food drive at his birthday party. Instead of receiving gifts for himself he gave a gift to needy families in our community. We are so proud of how our students live their faith!

Please join us for an all school art show and open house on Thursday May 5 from 6:30 - 8:00 pm at Our Lady of the Lake School. Artwork created by all students will be displayed on all floors of the school, and our talented student choir vocalists will be performing on the main floor at 6:45. Students can also visit the art room and create a paper mask.

As educators we are always seeking the best tools to help our students succeed in the classroom in each subject area.  Phonics is such a key component to reading that we decided to explore how to enhance instruction here at Our Lady of the Lake School.  With the support of Mrs. Kingsbury, and after doing some online research and speaking with reading specialists, we decided to focus on the Wilson Reading Fundations phonics program.   This program is truly all encompassing.  Fundations provides a systematic and explicit approach to reading and spelling with phonics. 

At Our Lady of the Lake School, we value learning by doing. One great way our students experience this is with our annual 8th grade trip to Washington, DC.  It was an amazing experience, and we are very proud of our students.  Our first stop on April 20 was at Gettsyburg, where we could see actual marks on the buildings from gunshots and cannonballs.  Seeing the battlefield and surrounding area, remembering the thousands who gave their lives, made us feel very grateful for our united country. 

Join us for Lenten services

This year's parish mission at Our Lady of the Lake was a big success. We reflected on the Pope's Care for Our Common Home, with presentations, witness talks, conversation and prayer. Thank you to all the many people who joined as witnesses and participants, and helped to make this such a valuable event. We grow stronger in our faith together.

Our Lady of the Lake's next Kindergarten Buddy Day will be March 14. This is a wonderful opportunity for preschoolers to get a real sense of what kindergarten is like, spending a day in the classroom with a kindergarten "buddy" and taking part in lots of fun crafts and activities. Those interested in registering for kindergarten should mark their calendars for our next screening days, as well, which will be  May 4 and May 11.  This is not a test but a developmental assessment that helps us to identify your child’s areas of strengths and challenges. 

For more information, for details on possible scholarships, or to schedule a tour, please call the school office at (216) 481-6824. 

Living Stations has become a cherished tradition at Our Lady of the Lake. We invite friends, neighbors and visitors to join us for this lovely presentation. This year, we'll be presenting Living Stations on Friday, March 18, at 8:00pm. For more information, call the rectory at (216) 486-0850.

Based on Pope Francis’ encyclical “Care for Our Common Home”, Our Lady of the Lake’s newly formed Youth Council planned and facilitated ice breakers, witness talks, and small group sharing activities during our 3 day parish mission. Both grade school and high school teens and friends are anxious to bring our ideas to schools, homes, and community.

Council leaders Brian Bopp and Machala Comenschek are excited about this new initiative. “This council is starting small but it is going to be a great force bringing great energy to our parish,” said Bopp. We agree and are looking forward to many great things to come.

Six New Members Preparing to Join Our Lady of the Lake Parish. Five children and one adult are preparing for Baptism, Confirmation and First Eucharist (Communion) on Holy Saturday, March 26, 2016.  Upon reception of those three “Sacraments of Initiation” these six persons will become full members of Our Lady of the Lake parish.

Our Lady of the Lake School has a tradition of offering quality Catholic education that has served the community for more than 80 years – but they’re not resting on their laurels. “We’re not only committed to offering a faith-based, caring environment,” says Principal Rita Kingsbury. “We’re also committed to offering the very best education for your child.” That means investing in state-of-the-art technology in everyone classroom – from preschool on up – and ensuring that students have access to a broad array of curriculum and enrichment offerings.

Our Lady of the Lake School is proud and happy to introduce their new Physical Education Instructor, Stephanie Omueti. Stephanie joins the talented teaching team at Our Lady of the Lake this January, and brings with her an exciting approach to physical education that promises fun challenges ahead for students.

Our Lady of the Lake celebrated Breakfast in Bethlehem with students in the Parish School of Religion, hosting a fun feast that celebrated the true meaning behind the Christmas Season.

Find out if quality Catholic education is right for your child!

Our Lady of the Lake School will host an open-house on Sunday, January 31, from 11:00am-1:30pm, at 175 E. 200th Street. Visitors are encouraged to come in and see some of the exciting things happening at OLL School, to learn about possible scholarships and discover resources that can help every parent get the best education for their child. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call (216) 481-6824, or email Principal Rita Kingsbury, rkingsbury@ourladyofthelakeschooleuclid.org.

Our Lady of the Lake School celebrates its biggest fundraiser of the year with its Races and Raffles night at the Races on February 6. The event features races, raffles, games and prizes, great food and drink and company and a full evening of entertainment. It all takes place at the East Side Irish American Club, and if you'd like to be there, or be sure that your business or organization is featured as a sponsor, you can call to reserve a space, sponsor a race or place a program ad. Call (216) 486-0850 for more information, or visit www.olleuclid.org.

Ash Wednesday is February 10!

Join us for Lenten services

Living Stations March 18

Palm Sunday March 20

Tenebrae March 23

Holy Thursday March 24

Good Friday March 25

Holy Saturday March 26

Easter  March 27