At Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic School, we believe in a strong partnership between parents and the school. This partnership is crucial in helping every student succeed academically, emotionally, and spiritually. Our commitment is to create a safe and supportive environment for all our students, and we rely on parents to work closely with us in achieving this goal. Open, effective communication is the key to addressing concerns and ensuring each child’s growth.

1. General School Questions

If you have general questions about the school, we recommend starting by checking our website. Many answers, including details on policies, schedules, and programs, are readily available there. Fellow parents can also be a great resource for common inquiries. For more specific or detailed information, please reach out via email at [email protected]. This email ensures your question is routed to the right person, helping you get the most accurate and timely response.

2. Classroom Concerns

When concerns arise in the classroom, such as issues with the teacher, curriculum, or classmates, we ask that you first communicate directly with your child’s teacher. Our teachers are well-equipped to resolve most issues and provide the support your child needs. We aim to empower our teachers to address challenges effectively and create a positive learning environment. If the issue cannot be resolved with the teacher, the next step is to involve the appropriate school-level leader to work with the parent and teacher to reach a resolution.  We believe strongly that the teacher must remain involved during the entire process.

For PreK, Mrs. Dawson (Director of Early Childhood) is available to help. For K-4, Mrs. Farkas (Elementary Asst. Principal) can provide support, and for 5-12, Mrs. Owens (5th-12th Grade Asst. Principal) will assist. These leaders collaborate with teachers and families to find solutions when more complex issues arise. If no resolution is found, a formal administrative review will be conducted, involving some or all members of the school’s leadership team; Mrs. Kenny, Mr. Kullman, Father Scott, or Father Stephen. This process is reserved for serious matters that require the highest level of attention and decision-making.

We ask that all parents respect the integrity of this process to allow our very talented teachers and division leaders the chance to find a productive resolution. 

3. Athletic Concerns

For athletic concerns, we ask that parents first communicate directly with their child’s coach. Coaches are in the best position to address and resolve any issues within their teams. If a resolution cannot be reached, Mr. Malek, our Athletic Director, is available to help. This process ensures that athletic concerns are handled efficiently and fairly, starting with the individual's closest to the issue.

We also stress the importance of maintaining confidentiality when dealing with school issues. Openly discussing concerns related to teachers, students, or incidents in the broader community can be harmful and may hinder progress toward a resolution. While parents naturally discuss their children’s experiences, we encourage you to avoid public assumptions or exaggerations that could negatively impact the school, staff, or other students.

As a school, we take confidentiality very seriously. When it comes to discipline or academic matters, we will not share any details about other students, including how another child was disciplined or the steps taken to resolve an issue with other students. The only information that will be shared pertains to actions or expectations for your own child. This ensures fairness and respect for all students and their families.

At Our Lady of the Lakes, we are dedicated to maintaining a strong partnership with parents to support the well-being and success of every student. By following the appropriate communication channels and respecting the processes we have in place, we can work together to resolve concerns efficiently and ensure the best outcomes for our children.

We value your trust and partnership. Together, we can make Our Lady of the Lakes a place where every child is empowered to achieve their full potential in faith, academics, and life. Thank you for your continued support in making our school community strong and thriving.

Last updated September 2024