Families choose to attend Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic School for many reasons. The list of benefits of being a Laker is long and diverse. However, not many would have included a robust and functioning distance learning network on their list.  Until now, that is. Three weeks ago, staff met with the intention of setting up a short term contingency plan in the event that the building were to close temporarily. The coming days brought drastic change, and this plan needed to be changed to follow suit. The building closed, teachers and administrators were sent home, and work began to implement these changes remotely. The rest is, and will be remembered by all, as history.  

Currently, teachers are working to maintain a purpose driven virtual learning environment for students. Our Lady of the Lakes is a brick and mortar school, designed for face to face instruction. However, investment in 1 to 1 technology for students, forward thinking teachers, and a commitment to growth from the community, has positioned OLL to adapt. While many schools in Michigan have limited or prohibited instruction, OLL has remained focused on its mission to deliver the best spiritual and academic opportunities that our circumstances allow. All grade levels, PK-12, are spotlighting essential topics and essential skills. Teachers have been asked to provide resources, guidance, and feedback each week designed to engage students in learning these essential elements.  

Our Lady of the Lakes has established some guiding principles for this new temporary normal:

1. Remember our Catholic mission to support our students spiritually and with love 
2. Staying purposefully focused on what is most important in the curriculum
3. Strive for consistency while allowing for flexibility

Many companies have made resources available to teachers during this stay-at-home period. While teachers have been encouraged to explore how to best reach students, they are also encouraged to utilize the familiar. Check out some of the ways in which Our Lady of the Lakes teachers are connecting with students below. 

Ms. Zaleski’s home office is where she recording instructional videos.


Fourth graders participate in class discussion on their iPads.


Pre-Kindergarten practices spelling names with found items in nature.

High School Yearbook uses Zoom is discuss how to cover Distance Learning in the 2020 Yearbook.

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