Attendance & Visitation
Morning Tardies / Attendance / Consequences
As per our Parent-Student Handbook, please be aware that our school day begins at 7:45 am in the gym for all 1st - 8th grade students. Starting the day praying together as a community is part and parcel of our commitment to Catholic education & spirituality. Students also miss out on announcements, celebrations, Words of Wisdom, and other morning activities when they come in late to school.
From our Handbook:
Tardies
Promptness is an indication of good self-discipline. Habitual tardiness seriously disrupts the educational process of other students and affects school performance of the student who is tardy. It is the responsibility of the parents to make sure the student is punctual to school. Habitual tardiness will require a conference between the parents, student, and Principal.
Excessive Absences and Tardies
The following consequences are in place to address excessive absences and tardies:
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8 tardies equal 1 day of absence per 9 weeks quarter.
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18 tardies (maximum for full year) may result in possible blocked enrollment (grades 1st - 7th), and results in elimination from extracurricular activities for the school year.
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8 Unexcused Absences – elimination from extra-curricular activities (per quarter).
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16 Absences (excused or unexcused) may result in possible academic retention or blocked enrollment for the following school year as per TCCED mandate. Exclusion from extracurricular activities for remainder of school year will be implemented.
Additionally, once a 4th - 8th grade student has accumulated four (4) tardies they are automatically assigned to after-school detention (Thursdays from 3:30 - 4:30). All extracurricular activities are forfeited for that afternoon & evening, or forfeited perpetually until they fulfill their detention time the following week. Repeated detentions (for any reason) will result in further disciplinary action.
Campus Visitation
Also as a reminder, all adults who visit the campus must come in through the front office. From our handbook:
Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School is a closed campus. All parents, visitors, and guests are required to check in at the front office and receive an ID pass. A photo ID or Driver’s License may be required. This pass must be obtained for those adults attending morning assembly as well.
The safety of all children and adults on our campus is a top priority, so we ask all parents to please abide by our campus procedures.
Blessings & Peace,
Hugo De La Rosa III
Capital Campaign
Our Lady of Sorrows Parish & School has grown over the years in many ways, both in the number of parishioners who attend and the way those parishioners are being served. Unfortunately sometimes they are not being served to the degree that an active parish should serve the faithful; for example:
- An active Perpetual Adoration ministry has developed, but it cannot be truly “perpetual” because the adoration chapel (the cry room of the church) has to be closed for weekend Masses, and sometimes those trying to pray are disturbed by happenings in the church)
- Organizations want to meet — but there is no place to meet because of other activities, so they either do not meet or have to meet “off campus”
- Even when there is room available, what is available may be too small or too large
As a result, the Parish Council and pastor have authorized a Capital Campaign to provide funds for
- a dedicated Perpetual Adoration Chapel
- a parish hall with adjacent small meeting rooms / classrooms
- additional close-up parking.
This is “Phase 1” of the Capital Campaign to provide facilities and parking for the church. The projected cost is $4 million dollars. A “Phase 2” of the campaign will follow for renovation and construction at the school — based on need and the potential for additional fund-raising.
As of mid-August 2017, $1,352,970 of the needed $4 million dollars has been pledged for the campaign, while $652,197 has actually been collected. Two points about the difference are:
- Whereas some people have paid off their pledges at one time, others will be making payments over a three-year period.
- Unfortunately, some pledges will not be paid in full (people die, lose jobs, move away, etc.).
If you are contacted by members of the parish Campaign Committee, please use your conscience in deciding whether to contribute and how much you can reasonably afford. Then, again with your conscience as your guide, please fulfill your pledge.
(Adapted from the OLS Parish Bulletin)
Blessings & Peace,
Hugo De La Rosa III
Block Scheduling
Jr. High Block Scheduling
Greetings OLSS Community!
This is the second year that our 6th - 8th grade students follow a modified block schedule. This means that some of their classes run for 40 minutes, while others run for 85 minutes. It also means that their 85 minute classes meet every other day (Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday) with a shorter period on Fridays, while their 40 minute classes meet every day of the week (with shorter class times on Friday as well).
Which classes are 85 minutes long? In general:
- English / Language Arts / Literature
- History
- Math
- Religion (Holy Mass takes the place of Religion class on Mass Days)
- Science
What classes are 40 minutes long? In general:
- American Sign Language (semester course for 7th grade only)
- Art (quarter course for 6th grade only)
- Journalism/Yearbook (year-long course for 8th grade only)
- Music (semester course for 6th grade only)
- Physical Education (semester course for 6th grade, year-long course for 7th & 8th grade)
- Robotics (semester course for 7th grade only)
- Spanish (semester course for 6th grade; semester course for 7th grade; year-long course for 8th grade)
- Study Hall (only on Mass Days immediately after Mass for all 6th - 8th grade)
- Technology (quarter course for 6th grade; semester course for 7th grade)
What are the benefits of modified block scheduling?
- longer time to discuss topics in-depth & afford time for questions and critical thinking
- longer class time lends itself to instruction with individual or group work immediately afterwards
- longer class times mean some homework may be started in class with more immediate teacher feedback
- hallways are a bit less crowded when Jr. High students stay in classrooms while younger students move to and from electives
- students have less subjects to focus on each day, while still having the time needed to explore and master each subject per week
What are the challenges of modified block scheduling?
- when students are absent they may miss more material (the equivalent of two normal teaching periods for each block missed)
- extended classes are harder on young adolescents if no movement or variation is introduced
- 6th graders need additional assistance adjusting to a block schedule coming from a self-contained classroom experience in 5th grade
To help address the challenges, students all have a 15-minute homeroom period with the same teacher every day. This teacher can help with scheduling, questions, or just give students a few moments at the beginning of the day to pray, get their bearings, and take care of any last minute needs before beginning first period. Every Mass day they have an extended advisory period / study hall time with their homeroom teacher as well. Especially for 6th grade, these points of contact help ground them and give them the tools needed to begin to navigate their new schedule. Most teachers also introduce a short break or stretch time in their block periods, or plan for group work to help give students a chance to move around, collaborate, and burn off a bit of energy.
Our prayer is that participating in a modified block schedule will help our Jr. High students prepare for High School and beyond as we challenge them to rise and become part of our tradition of excellence centered on Jesus Christ.
Blessings & Peace,
Hugo De La Rosa III
Catholic Identity
Catholic Identity
As a Diocesan Catholic School, our first and primary aim is to partner with parents in forming the minds, hearts and souls of their children to better reflect the light and love of God. To help with this endeavor, every classroom and hallway in our school has visible and tangible symbols of our Catholic faith. Classroom altars, holy water fonts, statues, posters, books (the Holy Bible, The Catechism of the Catholic Church, etc.) and more can be found liberally sprinkled throughout campus. Here is a small selection of what can be seen around our school to help keep the presence of Jesus in every faculty & staff, student, parent and visitor at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School.
ParentsWeb
Accessing ParentsWeb
RenWeb School Management Software gives parents an opportunity to get more involved in their child’s academic progress and future success – all via the Internet!
RenWeb’s ParentsWeb is a private and secure parents’ portal that allows parents to view academic information specific to their children, while protecting their children’s information from others. You may view your child’s grades, attendance, homework and conduct, as well as other useful school information. You can also communicate with teachers and other school staff online whenever necessary. All you need is an Internet-capable computer, tablet or phone.
Here’s how to access our easy-to-use RenWeb ParentsWeb if you don’t already have an account:
- Make sure that the school has your email address in RenWeb (Mr. De La Rosa or Ms. Camarena can check for you).
- In Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari, Edge, or Chrome go to Renweb and click Logins (Internet Explorer is the preferred browser, but other browsers should work as well – if you’re having issues, please try Internet Explorer).
- Type the school's District Code: OLS-TX
- Click Create New ParentsWeb Account.
- Type your email address and click Create Account. An email will be sent which includes a link to create your ParentsWeb login. The link is active for 6 hours.
- Select the Click to Create your ParentsWeb login link.
- A web browser displays your Name and RenWeb Person ID.
- Type a User Name, Password, and Confirm the password.
- Click Save User Name and/or Password.
- A message displays at the top of the browser, "User Name/Password successfully updated."
- You may now log in to ParentsWeb using your new User Name and Password.
- ParentsWeb allows you to access:
- Student attendance and grades
- Report cards
- Lesson plans and homework
- School events and lunch calendar
If you already have an account from previous years you can use your same username and password. If you cannot log in (forgot user name, forgot password, etc.) – please contact Mr. De La Rosa or Ms. Camarena for assistance in retrieving user names and resetting forgotten passwords.
Blessings & Peace,
Hugo De La Rosa III
Dismissal Procedures
Second Day of School Greetings OLSS!
Here are some brief reminders about dismissal procedures (Ms. DeLeon sent most of this information Monday as an email) to help streamline our afternoons and ensure that everyone (children, staff, families) stays safe each day.
Most Important Dismissal Commandment: the dismissal site for a family will be where the youngest student in the family is sent
- PK 3 & 4 + their older siblings dismiss from the Small Playground
- K5s + their older siblings dismiss from the Large Playground
- 1st / 2nd graders + their older siblings dismiss from 11th Street
- 3rd / 4th graders + their older siblings dismiss from the East Side of the Main Church (the side of the Church closest to 10th St)
- 5th - 8th graders dismiss from the West Side of the Main Church (the side next to the Adoration Chapel and the Knights of Columbus Hall)
- Students on either of the Main church dismissal sites (West & East side dismissal) return to 11th Street @ approx. 3:15 pm and may be picked up there
Please do not panic if your child is not at your dismissal site! The excitement of seeing their friends the first few days of school sometimes distracts them and they end up with their friends instead of following their dismissal teacher. Staff carry radios to have children sent to the correct site if this happens.
Please note: these dismissal sites may change for you when CARPOOLS begin on August 21st. Afterschool care begins on August 21 as well.
The most important tip we can give parents this first week is to remember that your children are supervised outside until 3:30 pm and then brought into the cafeteria. Please take your time rather than arrive early and wait in a line for 20 - 30 minutes!
Finally, please note that the McAllen Police Department will issue tickets if waiting vehicles block Hackberry Ave. If you see a long line forming on Hackberry, please come back in 10 - 15 minutes.
The following diagrams may help as well:
Blessings & Peace,
Hugo De La Rosa III