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Panther Prints Inspiring spiritual and

academic growth through

worship, service, education,

and community.

A Note From Mrs. Organ... I N S I D E

T H I S I S S U E :

Message from

Fr. Tom

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March Calendar

& Mass Schedule

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School News 4

PTO Updates 6

School Advisory

Board 7

Parish

Offerings

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M A R C H I S S U E

2020-21

OLP Families,

It is hard to believe that we are getting closer to spring time following the crazy freezing con-

ditions of the last couple of weeks. The students and teachers are so excited to be able to

get outside and enjoy the warmer weather and sunshine and we hope it stays around for a

while.

I pray that you and your family are having a blessed Lenten Season. Each Friday during Lent

our students will (virtually) attend class planned Stations of the Cross at the end of the day.

There are also many things going on in the classrooms during this Holy Season. I would like

to share with you a resource that many of our teachers are using in their Religion classes and

is available to all OLP families as well. Formed.org offers many videos, prayers and resources

that may be of use to you in your spiritual life or that of your family. PTO graciously paid for

this resource for our school and it is certainly worth checking out.

Hopefully by this time you have begun your registration process. Please remember that on

March 1 we open registration to new families and want to ensure a space for all of our cur-

rent OLP family members. We are eagerly anticipating a strong enrollment for the upcoming

school year.

This year Spring Break is scheduled for March 15-19. We look forward to coming back after

that and celebrating in person some of the many things that 4th quarter brings with it that

we were unable to experience fully with our students last year. You will be receiving infor-

mation regarding spring sports, the OLP Auction, First Communion celebrations and of

course, graduation of our 8th graders.

As always, if you have any questions regarding registration or upcoming events we encour-

age you to contact the school office. Thank you all for your support and for trusting your stu-

dents with us at OLP.

Sincerely,

Marianne Organ, Principal

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A message from Father Tom...

We just entered the holy season of Lent last week. We began with a snowy and cold start on Ash Wednesday, but even if you were not able to make it to church for the traditional marking with ash-es, hopefully you have entered into the spirit of the season. The 40 days of Lent give us an oppor-tunity to reflect on our lives and the changes we need to make in preparation for Easter. I encourage you to find ways to focus on the Lenten journey with your children at home. The disciplines of Lent – prayer, fasting, and almsgiving – can be daily reminders of how we are called to deepen our rela-tionship with God and one another. The Lenten Blessing Box project can be a visual reminder of how we can make sacrifices for the good of others. The money that is collected in the Blessing Box-es will go to support our scholarship students in our sister community in El Salvador. As we “give up” things, we can do good things for others.

You can also take advantage of the various Lenten offerings here at Presentation. You can make your Lent meaningful by joining us for our daily and weekend Masses, Friday Stations of the Cross, Friday Fish Fries at Culver’s, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, the Sacrament of Reconcilia-tion, Best Lent Ever daily email reflections, Monday Faith Feeds Zoom gatherings, Agape Wednes-day Constant Contacts with music and reflection, and all the opportunities for prayer and faith en-richment. There are both virtual and in-person offerings. Be sure to read the parish bulletin and vis-it our parish website – www.olpls.org to keep up on all that is happening. If you haven’t been back to in-person Mass yet, Lent is a great time to come back. Let us keep one another in prayer during this holy season.

As open enrollment for new families begins soon, I encourage you to complete the registration pro-cess as soon as possible if you intend to return next year . We have had inquir ies from many new families and already have a waiting list for some grades. We give priority to current families, but we need registration fees paid and tuition payments current in order for enrollment to be com-plete. With the guidance of our Parish Finance Council, we decided to keep the tuition increase for next year to about 1% due to the challenges some are having during these times. Our average in-crease over the last decade has been 2 ½ - 3%. In order to meet the expenses of the school, please remember that in addition to the tuition paid by families and our fundraising events, the parish also subsidizes the tuition of every student in the amount of about $1,100.00. Our hope is that school families who are also parishioners are regularly tithing to the parish and that all school families are supporting our fundraising events to help us keep our tuition amount affordable. We provide an ex-ceptional, quality, Catholic education and are blessed to have a wonderful school community. We thank you for doing your part to keep the school financially sound.

Many Blessings!

Fr. Tom Holder

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Monday, March 1: New Family Registration Begins

Tuesday, March 2: Jason’s Deli Fundraiser, 10:00am-8:00pm PTO Meeting, 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 3: All School Mass - Grades 3/4 attending Wednesday, March 10: All School Mass - Grades 1/2 attending Friday, March 12: End of 3rd Quarter Dress Down Day with $1 donation to our sister

parish in El Savador

Monday, March 15 - Friday, March 19

Monday, March 22: Classes Resume

Wednesday, March 24: 3rd Quarter Report Cards Distributed All School Mass - Grades 7/8 attending Friday, March 26: Tropical Themed Dress Up Day with $1 dona-

tion to Auction class projects

Wednesday, March 31: All School Mass - Grades 5/6 attending

Mass Schedule

March 3

Attending Mass – Grades 3 and 4

Coordinating Class – Oberkrom

Student Lector – Kaiden Bahr

Servers – Allison Anderson and Josie Hazen

March 10

Attending Mass – Grades 1 and 2

Coordinating Class – VanBecelaere

Student Lector – Addie Pearson

Servers – Mary Salanski and Lucas Cianciolo

March 24

Attending Mass – Grades 7 and 8

Coordinating Class – Connors/Watt/Hernandez

Lector – Bella Saluzzi

Servers – Ian McClintock and Carly LeNeave

March 31

Attending Mass – Grades 5 and 6

Coordinating Class – Haggerty

Lector – Kaiden Bahr

Servers – Peter Reddig and Gus Burns

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community

MARCH HOT LUNCH MENU

CURRENT FAMILY ENROLLMENT: The deadline for current families to reserve their spot for the

2021-22 school year is quickly approaching. If you plan to return, please have paperwork com-

pleted and registration fees submitted by March 1. Please know that we have a waiting list for

several grade levels and open enrollment begins on March 1. We look forward to having your

family back with us for the 2021-22 school year! If you do not intend to return to OLP next year,

please notify the office by calling 816.251.1150 or emailing mkay@olpls.org or mor-

gan@olpls.org. This will help us to know what to expect when open enrollment begins.

ANNUAL AUCTION PROCUREMENT: Please take the time

to read through the procurement packet sent home with

students earlier this month and help procure items for this

year’s Aloha Auction. The success of the auction is driven

by the families who put in the effort to help procure auc-

tion items. Not only is it a fun filled evening, but it is our

biggest fundraiser, helps keep our tuition affordable, and it

supports the major needs of our school.

Items may be collected from businesses by signing up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/tabs/1357fda03a6cae9c60-2021. Signing up ensures multiple people are not asking the same businesses and approaching businesses that have already pledged their support.

If you want to purchase an item to donate, please consider purchasing an item from the Auction Amazon wish list and having it shipped directly to the school. https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3U566VU74PEQ?ref_=wl_share.

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End of Quarter Reminders

The end of the 3rd Quarter is quickly approaching, on Friday, March 12. As a reminder, all

accounts must be current, as indicated below, in order for your child’s report card to be re-

leased on March 24.

Tuition payments: Please remember that tuition payments must be paid in full through

February in order for your child(ren)’s report cards to be released on March 24. Pay-

ments received through March 23 will result in released grade cards on March 24. You

may go online at www.sycamore.com to check your tuition balance and to make your

tuition payments. Checks or cash may be dropped off at the school or parish offices. If

you have any questions, please contact the parish Finance Office at 816.251.1100.

Lunch Accounts must be current without a negative balance through March 22. Online

payments should be made directly into your Sycamore account. If questions, please

contact Mrs. Melissa Wade, at mwade@olpls.org.

ACED Accounts must have February monthly charges paid. Online payments should be

made directly into your Sycamore account. If questions, please contact Mrs. Sharon

Cornell, at ACED@olpls.org.

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AUCTION CLASS PROJECTS: The Auction committee is looking for volunteers to complete class projects that be-

come auction items. These are always auction favorites. Not creative but still want to help? That's ok, creative

help is available! Best part is, the auction will cover the expense of the project...simply turn in the receipts for

reimbursement. See the flyer for the classrooms/grades that still need a volunteer. If you have any questions or

would like to volunteer, please contact Shelby Burton at theshelbyd@hotmail.com.

SCHOOL SUPPORT

PANTHER PARTNERS: Interested in becoming a Panther Partner? It’s never too late. OLP

will continue to accept donations during the entire school year! Want more information

on becoming a Panther Partner or sponsoring the upcoming Auction event on April 24th?

Visit our school website for details or email the Panther Partner Committee!

OLP is grateful for the support from the 2020-21 Panther Partners! As they have already

pledged their support for this school year, please be mindful not to solicit additional

school donations from the sponsors listed.

EXTRACURRICULAR

SPRING SPORTS SIGN-UP: Registration for the 2021 PLKC spring sports season is now open. You can register for boys volleyball grades 5-8, and girls and boys track and field grades 4-8. Please register at plkc.org. Practice for both sports will begin on March 22. Volunteers are needed to make this a successful spring sports season. If you want to help coach volleyball or track, or if you have any questions, contact Dominic Jacobs at olppanthers@gmail.com.

COMMUNITY

ENROLLMENT AT SMA: Enrollment events at St. Michael the Archangel will take place on March 4 and March 6. Online enrollment contracts due prior to these dates. For more information, contact admis-sions@smacatholic.org. Come be a Guardian!

ST. MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL GUARDIAN BASH TICKETS ON SALE NOW!: Join us Saturday, March 27 for an evening “Livin’ it Up in Kansas City” as we raise funds to support St. Michael the Archangel Catholic High School!

FOX4 Meteorologist, Alex Countee (Archbishop O’Hara, Class of 2013) is proud to return as this year’s emcee representing our Legacy Alumni. Joining him will be spe-cial guest, Lamar Hunt, Jr., Chair of the SMA Board of Trustees, member of the

founding family of the Kansas City Chiefs, owner of the Kansas City Mavericks, and founder of Loretto Compa-nies and Loretto Foundation.

We are pleased to offer the 4th annual Guardian Bash as a hybrid event with limited in-person attendance at SMA, as well as a virtual livestream. Visit //smacatholic.org/guardian-bash for more details.

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NEXT PTO MEETING: The next PTO Meeting will take place on Tuesday, March 2 , 6:30 p.m. Please mark your

calendars! A Zoom link will be shared closer to the date if you are unable to join in-person.

OLP BEANIE SALE: For a short time only, the OLP beanie is now

available! This one size fits all, fur pom pom beanie, is perfect for

those cold winter days. It is available in black, grey, navy, or

white with red embroidery. All proceeds benefit OLP PTO.

Ordering will close on March 4. www.olpspiritstore.com/product

-page/olp-beanie

SCRIP UPDATE: Want to enroll in our Scrip Program? Here is a link to help get you started www.shopwithscrip.com/startearning. This link will walk you through the steps to create an account. **OLP enrollment code is E2LF4D9C8846

Scrip 101 Video. Watch this video to learn everything you need to know about Scrip! vimeo.com/487063681/91336ad1c5

Get Scrip by Mail: Do you have family that lives out of town and they want to support your child’s school? Have them sign up for the RaiseRight app, and they can purchase cards and have them mailed to their house! There is a small shipping and transaction fee. If a family member is purchasing cards on your behalf, please make sure to provide their name to the Scrip Coordinator so your family receives credit.

Selling Cards After School on Tuesdays! Get your cash and checks ready! Gift cards will be sold after school every Tuesday. Look for Brooke Kakuske in the parking lot.

Weekly Order: Every Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. the weekly scrip order is placed. If you need a physical gift card, this is the time to order. Please order cards for your everyday shop-ping or gift purchases.

Scrip Ordering Form: Here is the link to the Scrip ordering form: www.olplsschool.org/documents/2020/9/2020%20scrip%20order%20form.pdf

If you do not want to sign up for the app, print off the form, fill it out, and return to school with your child along with payment.

Help Raise Money For OLP! Please contact Brooke Ka-kuske if you have any questions. scrip@olpls.org

BOX TOP UPDATE: The Box Top contest winner was 2nd grade! They will receive an extra recess for bringing in the most Box Tops during the last contest. Congrats!

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Over a year has passed since I last wrote a message to you all and it has been quite a

year. Last year I was reveling in the Super Bowl victory and looking forward to St. Patrick’s Day

and Spring Break, with only periphery knowledge of the news about a spreading virus. Mere

weeks later, our world dramatically changed. I distinctly remember the events in my life prior to

the shutdown: On Wednesday, March 11th, my son had a Cub Scout Den Meeting and we gath-

ered a group of 8 or 9 boys with at least one parent per child in the upstairs room of the yellow

house for a night of excitement. The next day was the start of Spring Break and the talk among

the boys and parents was of our plans for travel and fun-filled activities around town. We had a

few discussions about COVID, but I expressed my belief to those around me that this virus, like

SARS or the Bird Flu, would quickly pass without really interrupting our lives. Little did I know

how wrong I was or that the meeting would be my last indoor gathering with more than 10 peo-

ple for quite some time. As the rest of the week unfolded, it became apparent that this virus

was not going to disappear and that things were about to change for our friends, family, and

the OLP community. At work, I discussed with my boss the move to staggered schedules and

working from home. The family ski trip to Colorado for Spring Break was canceled—all ski

slopes were closed for the season. Finally, as Spring Break came to an end, OLP announced they

would be switching to virtual learning.

Starting with that week it has been a trying year for all of us. With the support of our

family, friends, and OLP community; along with our faith, my family has continued to thrive.

The OLP teachers and administration went above and beyond adapting to virtual learning with

essentially no time to prepare and my kids kept learning for the last quarter of the school year.

Watching the messages from OLP as a family each morning and the fun planned activities like

fort building and drive through greetings, broke up the monotony of staying home. The friends

we have made through the school offered us emotional support and at times a way to forget

about our problems and just enjoy life. When school returned to in-person learning last fall, I

was hopeful we could remain open, but not optimistic. I am happy to see my pessimism was

unfounded. The teachers, staff, and administration at OLP have done an exceptional job keep-

ing our children safe while giving them the in-person school experience that is important, not

only for their education, but for their emotional growth. I also want to thank every OLP parent. I

believe their family vigilance in these times, keeping children home when symptoms are detect-

ed, has allowed the school to remain a sanctuary for our children rather than a place for the

virus to spread. Maybe we have all had a long year, but as my late grandmother, who was a

teenager during the last pandemic, would say when times were tough for our family, “This too

shall pass!” We are a strong community, if we stick together, have faith, and help each other,

we will pass to the other side of this pandemic stronger. I have faith that there are brighter days

ahead for our entire OLP community.

In closing, as this is the March Panther Prints and I am Irish, I will leave you with a sim-

ple prayer from St. Patrick, who spent six years as a slave and certainly knew about tough times.

He wrote in The Confession of Saint Patrick, “I pray to God to give me perseverance and to

deign that I be a faithful witness to Him to the end of my life for my God.” May the Lord help

preserve us all through these trying times, enjoy small and big moments with our families, and

smile in anticipation of the good times to come when we can all join hands in faith as a strong

and proud Our Lady of the Presentation Community.

Brady X. Twenter, School Advisory Board

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LENTEN BLESSING BOXES: Support our Annual Lenten Blessing Boxes. Each OLP family

should have received a blessing box that will help support our Parish and 4th grade

service partner San Rafael Cedros, El Salvador. The money collected through our Len-

ten Blessing Boxes funds our 32 school scholarships for students in San Rafael Cedros.

WOMEN’S LENTEN RETREAT: Join us for a spiritually uplifting evening of reflection

and sharing for women Tuesday, March 9, 7:00-9:00 p.m. Fellow parishioners will

share stories of loss, relationships and unexpected life experiences. We will explore

how these experiences have the capacity to draw us closer to God and give us a deep-

er understanding of His ever-present love and mercy during all phases of our life.

Attend in-person or via Zoom-online! Check out the registration form for details - Reg-

istration Form or register and pay online at www.olpls.org, click on Women’s Retreat.

FIRST EUCHARIST

Parent and Child Gathering March 4th and 6th

Sign-up Genius: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409054da9aa2fa20-reconciliation

For more information contact

Jo Engert at jengert@olpls.org