Inspiring Minds and Hearts

Articles abound on creating the perfect classroom space – from flexible seating, modular tables, and other cooperative learning tools; to technology features like projectors, Smartboards, and iPad carts; to basic comforts like lighting and temperature. At OLSH, we pride ourselves on our facilities, featuring various classroom configurations, air conditioning, and arguably the cleanest school in Pennsylvania (thanks to our outstanding maintenance crew)! But it’s what you find on the walls of the classrooms at OLSH that I’d like to take a moment to focus on. In each classroom at OLSH, you’ll find the San Damiano crucifix. When St. Francis of Assisi was praying before the crucifix in the chapel of San Damiano, he heard the voice of the Lord coming from the image of Christ and asking him to rebuild His house. This encounter profoundly affected Francis, and the effects have rippled down through the centuries to the present in the various orders associated with the Fra...

Sleep is key to success on exams. As students prepare for midterm exams next week, English teacher and Director of the OLSH Writing & Learning Center, Mr. Tyler Rodgers, prepared a fun special announcement with a serious message about the importance of sleep! Below is the transcript of Mr. Rodgers' message - good advice for all of us, but especially students preparing for exams! Good Morning OLSH I hope you are all well rested and alert this morning! I am here to talk to you about…..Midterm study tips and …. Well…. Being well rested and alert. Using all of my scientific mind and the power of the internet and “RELIABLE RESOURCES AND RESEARCH” I have compiled some interesting data for you all. As we approach the week of Midterms you should all be thinking about studying. Recent research suggests that while studying is vital to doing well on tests, staying up late to cram and losing sleep is counter productive to scoring well. According to UCLA “If a student sacrifi...

Now that we are a week into the new school year and students have figured out the basics (how to get into their locker, where their homeroom is, and the quickest way to the cafeteria at lunchtime), it’s a great time to think about ways to make the new year a successful one. A new school year is a great time for a fresh approach to attitudes about school work or even interacting with others. Organization is key! For some students, the range of courses, teachers, and expectations in high school can be overwhelming. Staying organized with a planner is key to keeping track of projects and due dates. Using a paper calendar can be helpful, as the act of writing something down actually helps you remember what you wrote! For others, transferring assignments to an online calendar is helpful since you can set reminders to alert you when a due date is approaching. Be the kind kid Whether it’s the simple act of saying hello as you pass people in the halls, inviting someone to sit with yo...

When schools or other organizations (ministries) are sponsored by a religious order, they carry out the mission and good work of that order. Often the order provides the ministry with some level of financial support, staff members, and other operational support, and guides the mission and values of the ministry. As a sponsored ministry of the Felician Sisters, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart High School carries out the mission of the Felician Sisters of North America. Sisters live on the school’s campus and their Chapel is a shared space. There are many benefits of being a sponsored ministry of the Felician Sisters; howeverr several rise to the top. The opportunity to interact with some really amazing women. A staple of the OLSH Open House experience is a greeting from Sr. M. Alexander Klawinski. The petite octogenarian (and honorary OLSH alumna) can be found near the registration table or with the business office staff (she served on the Finance Committee of the OLSH Board until re...