Our Lady students participate in a variety of extra-curricular academic, religious, cultural, and athletic opportunities throughout the school year. Some of the many opportunities available are listed here along with information on how to get involved. Additional activities often arise throughout the school year and are communicated with school parents. We're always happy to provide new and exciting things for our students so if you are interested in volunteering to offer something new, please reach out to our principal, Mrs. Frio, at friod@olphbeth.org.
Sports & Athletics
Our Lady's Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) teams provide a variety of athletic programs at the elementary level including soccer, cross country, track and field, basketball, and volleyball. Contact information and updates about registration for these opportunities can be found on our CYO website.
Additionally Our Lady's middle and upper grade students may participate in softball, volleyball, basketball, and football through our high school feeder programs: Little Hawks (Bethlehem Catholic High School) and Little Crusaders (Notre Dame High School). Also available through the high schools are cheerleading and wrestling programs. Details about these opportunities are sent home with students via flyers, and communicated in our weekly electronic newsletters to parents as soon as we have registration information.
Weekly Masses
Students attend Mass as a body on Fridays at 8:45am during the school year, and on Holy Days. Each time, a different grade will participate as readers and gift bearers. Not only does this allow students to share a special part in the service, but it provides students with an opportunity to speak publicly as well. Parents and families are welcome to attend. The school calendar will list which grade has any given Mass. Sacramental preparation for First Communion and First Reconciliation takes place in second grade and eighth graders are prepared for the Sacrament of Confirmation.
Altar Servers and Sacristans
Beginning in Grade 5, students may choose to become altar servers during Mass, or sacristans helping before and after the service. These opportunities are typically placed before the class by the teacher. However, interested families may also email Deacon Ralph at deaconralph@my-olph.org.
Youth Choir
All students in grades 1-8 may join the youth choir and have opportunities to sing at school Masses which are held each Friday. For more information or to join the youth choir please email our parish music director, Mr. John Keglovits, at olphmusicdirector@gmail.com.
Bell Choir
Upper grade students may join Bell Choir. This opportunity typically begins for grade 5 students, but if there is availability, grade 4 students may also join. For more information or to join the bell choir please email our parish music director, Mr. John Keglovits, at olphmusicdirector@gmail.com.
Instrumental Band
Our Lady offers instrumental band to students in grades 4-8 through Northeastern Music Programs. A music demonstration for students and an informational meeting for parents is held at the beginning of the school year. You can also contact our band teacher (Mrs. Brooke Horne) directly with any questions at bhorne@nemusicprograms.com.
MathCounts Club
Our Lady is proud to offer MathCounts, a national math club that provides a two-fold experience for the mathletes! Firstly, it is a math club open to grades 7 and 8 students to play math games, do math puzzles, or just work on intriguing math problems. Secondly, up to 10 participants can be selected to compete in the Lehigh Valley chapter area MathCounts Competition held each February. MathCounts Club typically meets every other week in the advanced math and algebra classroom. For more information, or to join MathCounts, please email Mrs. Pat Sabino at sabinop@olphbeth.org.
Academic Bowl
Select upper-grade students may participate in Academic Bowl, an all-around Academic Trivia face-off. The club meets regularly and competitions are scheduled with other Catholic school teams throughout the year. Click here for more information about the format of Academic Bowl competitions.
National Junior Honor Society
Our Lady is proud to offer the opportunity for 7th and 8th grade students to be inducted into the National Junior Honor Society. Academically eligible 6th and 7th grade students receive an invitation to submit additional information for consideration by the chapter’s faculty council. An explanation of our chapter and how eligible students can submit an application can be found in the NJHS by-laws link. Accepted candidates will be notified prior to the end of the school year and those students will be inducted into the National Junior Honor Society at the start of their 7th/8th grade school year. We look forward to providing this leadership opportunity to our students! For more information about NJHS please email Mrs. Lauren Lessig at lessigl@olphbeth.org.
LAUNCHPAD - STEM Club
Do you have a serious interest in STEM? Students in grades 4-8 can be a part of LAUNCHPAD, Our Lady's STEM Club. Our moderator, Mr. Joseph Anthony, is a parishioner, a retired HP engineer, and former middle school science teacher. There is a $15 club fee to cover the cost of materials.
National Geography Bee
Students in grades 4-8 may participate in our Geography Bee.
French Club
French Club typically meets on Tuesdays after school during the school year. To join French Club, please contact Mrs. Dergham at caroline.ghaleb@teknolabusa.com.
Spelling Bee
Students in grades 6-8 may participate in an Our Lady Spelling Bee competition. Finalists move on to compete within our region, and then to the final Diocesan Competition.
Declamation Competitions
In addition to reading during church services, students in grades 7 and 8 may practice public speaking through declamation competitions.
Cub Scouts & Boy Scouts Programs
Our Lady of Perpetual Help parish has both cub scout and boy scout programs open to parish and school families. More information about boy scouts can be found here.
Girl Scouts
Our Lady of Perpetual Help parish has a girl scout group open to parish and school families. To join girl scouts, please contact Mrs. Kristine Borges at 610.867.4129.
Youth Group
The parish youth group is open to all students in grades 6-12. For more information please contact our youth minister, Ms. Jordyn Thomas, at thomasjo18@icloud.com or (863) 968-3358.