Our Lady of the Wayside School

Our Lady of the Wayside School Our Lady of the Wayside School is dedicated to enriching our students’ minds, fostering a deep and meaningful faith in each child, and expanding their talents.

Our Lady of the Wayside School is a 2015 National Blue Ribbon School that serves over 400 students in preschool through eighth grade. OLW School is dedicated to enriching our students’ minds, fostering a deep and meaningful faith in each child, and expanding their talents. The school was established in 1954 and is a ministry of Our Lady of the Wayside Parish.

🎉 After-school clubs are still open! They’re a fun way for kids to learn new skills, try something new, and make friends...
09/10/2026

🎉 After-school clubs are still open! They’re a fun way for kids to learn new skills, try something new, and make friends. Details, costs, and sign-up links are in Monday Memos.

♟️ Chess Club: Tuesdays, 3:10–3:55 p.m. — starts Sept. 15
Calling all beginners and chess pros! Students will build focus, creativity, problem-solving, and social skills through quick lessons and guided play.

🤖 Love coding, robotics, or game design? Check these out:
🎬 Scratch Jr. (K–2): Fridays, 3:15–4:15 p.m. — starts Sept. 18
Kids will create animated stories, design characters, and explore coding basics in a playful way.
🍄 Minecraft Code: Super MarioCraft (3rd–8th): Fridays, 3:15–4:15 p.m.
Students will use JavaScript to build Mushroom Kingdom levels, program character moves, add power-ups and obstacles, and create fun challenges.

First graders are naturally eager to learn and help others. For this project, they discussed ways they can support one a...
09/10/2026

First graders are naturally eager to learn and help others. For this project, they discussed ways they can support one another throughout the year, then created patterns and assembled a “helping hands” quilt. Learning patterns strengthens math skills, while thinking carefully about how they help others builds kindness and character.

A little about Mrs. Filipp -- it's her 12th year teaching and my first "full year" at OLW. She's a mom of 2 with a daugh...
09/09/2026

A little about Mrs. Filipp -- it's her 12th year teaching and my first "full year" at OLW. She's a mom of 2 with a daughter going into fifth grade and a son going into kindergarten. "Even though I've only been at OLW for a short time, I've really enjoyed all the teachers and students."

Fun Facts:
- Favorite book she read this summer: We Were Liars by E. Lockhart
- Favorite restaurant: Tracks in Cary - spicy chicken tacos (yum!)
- Hobby: diamond art painting :)
- Childhood summer vacation memory: Going to camp like Nike Tennis Camp at Notre Dame or Horseback Riding Camp in Fond du Lac
- Things to do in winter: Go skiing and sledding
- College job: Coffee shop Barista
- Memorable travel places: Australia and New Zealand
- Teacher that made an impression on her: I have two! Mrs. Morton, 3rd Grade, consistently took the time to help, always with a great attitude and Professor Conway, Undergraduate Professor, recognized my teaching skills and recommended I become a Teacher Assistant in college classes.
- How does she prepare for the new year: Lots of printing, laminating, and cutting :)

🎉🎶 Happy Birthday, Mr. Pancratz! 🎶🎉 Thank you for filling our school with music, joy, and plenty of reasons to sing! 🎵 Y...
09/09/2026

🎉🎶 Happy Birthday, Mr. Pancratz! 🎶🎉 Thank you for filling our school with music, joy, and plenty of reasons to sing! 🎵 Your passion and creativity inspire our students to find their voices, share their talents, and make beautiful music together.

We wish you a birthday filled with happy moments, big smiles, and God’s many blessings! 🥳🎂🙏✨

Ms. Jess Thompson is one of our 3rd grade teachers. Here are some fun facts she shared with us. - Her Favorite non-acade...
09/08/2026

Ms. Jess Thompson is one of our 3rd grade teachers. Here are some fun facts she shared with us.
- Her Favorite non-academic book you read this summer? Midnight, Texas by Charlaine Harris
- Favorite food and/or restaurant? I'm a foodie, so I do love sushi and Chinese food the most!
- Does she have an unusual talent or hobby? I like making fidgets for my students with my 3-D printer!
- What's a childhood summer vacation memory? My favorite memory was going on group camping trips with friends every summer!
- What does she like to do in winter? I enjoy sledding with my kids, reading a good book, and checking out holiday lights!
- What was her job in high school or college? I was a lifeguard at the local wave pool!
- Is there a memorable place she's traveled to? Japan
- Who is a teacher that made an impression? Mrs. Hennessey was my third-grade teacher who really ignited a love for learning and supported me in always trying my best!
- How does she prepare for the new school year? I make a bucket list every summer of things I want to do with my kids, so by the time the summer ends, we've gone on a lot of adventures and I'm ready to get our classroom together!

We're excited that Aegis Construction is supporting us this year as a new Platinum Sponsor. Thank you to the Bisharat fa...
09/08/2026

We're excited that Aegis Construction is supporting us this year as a new Platinum Sponsor. Thank you to the Bisharat family.

Aegis Construction Group, Inc. is a family-owned roofing company serving the Chicago area since 2015.

The Wildcat Prowl is next week and there will be a pop up sale and a parent prowl before our big spirit day! Get all the...
09/07/2026

The Wildcat Prowl is next week and there will be a pop up sale and a parent prowl before our big spirit day! Get all the details in Monday Memos.

The parish offers opportunities for women to connect with each other while they deepen their faith. Mamas and Marys is a...
09/06/2026

The parish offers opportunities for women to connect with each other while they deepen their faith.
Mamas and Marys is a moms' rosary and social ministry and monthly gatherings resume Monday, September 21, from 7:00-8:30pm in the Gathering Place. Come as you are.
SHE ministry is a new ministry where women can be truly seen, known, and loved, as they grow in their relationship with the Lord. Weekly gatherings begin Wednesday, September 16.
You can get more details about either of these in Monday Memos or in Wayside Wednesday, the parish weekly newsletter. If you aren't getting Wayside Wednesday, please send an email to [email protected]

Get to know Mrs. Sarah Hafner - you may recognize her as an OLW mom, but now she's our library teacher for 3rd - 5th gra...
09/05/2026

Get to know Mrs. Sarah Hafner - you may recognize her as an OLW mom, but now she's our library teacher for 3rd - 5th grade.
- Favorite non-academic book you read this summer? Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell. It was devastating!
- Favorite food and/or restaurant? I will never say no to a cheeseburger from Brandt's in Palatine.
- Things you like to do in winter? I love to drink hot chocolate and read while my kids all play in the snow.
- What was your job in high school or college? I was a telemarketer in college- I earned "caller of the week" 30 weeks in a row!
- Memorable place you’ve traveled to? Before I had kids, my husband and I went to Austria and Germany and it was absolutely breathtaking.
- Teacher that made an impression on you? Mr. Leitner, sophomore English. He made literature even more magical than it already was and I will forever remember his love and reverence for American Lit and Emily Dickenson.

Mrs. Lisa Smith is the library teacher for preschool to 2nd grade. She knows OLW well as an alumni parent!Here are some ...
09/05/2026

Mrs. Lisa Smith is the library teacher for preschool to 2nd grade. She knows OLW well as an alumni parent!
Here are some fun facts about Mrs. Smith:
Lisa Smith
- Her favorite book: mystery stories by Louise Penny, a Canadian author. The books are situated in Quebec Canada
- Her favorite food: Mexican food at Mia Cantina in Mount Prospect
-Things she likes to do in winter: ice skate and drink hot chocolate
-High school job: The Gap at Woodfield Mall
-Memorable place she traveled to: Edinburgh and the Scottish Highlands
-Her most impressive teacher: Mrs. Valentine, 3rd grade teacher. Her high heels and dress were always the same color

Address

432 S Mitchell Avenue
Arlington Heights, IL
60005

Opening Hours

Monday 7:45am - 4pm
Tuesday 7:45am - 4pm
Wednesday 7:45am - 4pm
Thursday 7:45am - 4pm
Friday 7:45am - 4pm

Telephone

+18472550050

Website

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