Our Lady of Peace School Tiger Pillars Support Our Faith and Character Development: Faith, Respect, Justice, Integrity, Growth Mindset, and Responsibility
Re-Imagining and RE-Connecting Our School Community for the Future!
Easter is Coming Soon!
Welcome to Our Lady of Peace Catholic School and the 2022-23 School Year!
It continues to be a joy to serve you as OLP principal. I am proud of all we have accomplished during the past two years amidst many obstacles. I encourage you to let your teachers know how much you care about them. It’s hard to know what happens behind the scenes, but I assure you that it has involved long hours, lots of reflection, organizing, teamwork, attending to protocols and LOVE for your kids! You are the best partners a school could ask for and we look forward to what’s ahead. We have a community that is loving, diverse, and strong in faith. It's an example for the future.
Here are some highlights ….
We had a very successful Summer School session thanks to all the teachers and Mr. P's direction. Over 45 students attended and the survey results ranked us from average to excellent in all areas. We will have summer school again this year with a theme of making it a ROARING Summer! Information and registration is being distributed in late March. It is open to everyone!
Last our fundraising efforts improved with a successful Tiger Run, Wine Tasting, Read-a-thon, See's Candy sales and a wonderful Book Fair. This year, The Tiger Run surpassed our goal, grossing $27,000. We had a very successful Book Fair and will be hosting the Wine Event in late spring.
Our enrollment has grown, although we still need about 40 more students. Our goal is to have at least 150 students. Please refer us to friends, family and anyone in public schools. We have multiple financial programs to assist families, free lunch for those who qualify, and our office provides a Spanish speaker and all information in both Spanish and English.
STAR scores have gone up significantly in math and reading, catching the notice of the Archdiocese.
This year, we have provided new curriculum for religion (Finding God) that aligns to the new Archdiocese standards. We also "inherited" about $10,000 worth of Benchmark reading materials from San Fernando Elementary School! In the last two years, we have updated math and reading materials and resources as well as classroom libraries.
Over the summer, we developed a brand new website, revised the Family Handbook, and did a lot of cleaning out: dated materials and broken furniture were hauled away. We thank our many parents who helped in this effort.
Team professional development this year includes: a deeper dive into Benchmark writing and reading assessments, AIR (Accountable Independent Reading) with 1:1 conferring, new religion standards training, Art Trek training and 6 days of a Math Institute for two teachers and the principal.
We continue to organize and refresh all of our systems and protocols to be efficient, friendly and well communicated.
Thank you all for your continued partnership as we reimagine and reconnect to, our school community!
May the Holy Spirit continue to inspire us with hope and energy as we move forward.
We are excited to journey this next school year together with you and your children!
Ms. Testacross, Principal
About Me......
Credentials:
BA degree in Dance
BA degree in English
Ba degree in Classical Studies
M.Ed in Educational Leadership, Policy and Governance
Teaching and Administrative Credentials from Washington State
Currently working on ICF International Coaching Certification
Originally from Philadelphia, our family moved to California for a brief time when I was 9 years old. I had big hopes of becoming a surfer girl but God had other plans. Instead, my family moved to Phoenix, Arizona and we all turned into cowgirls and cowboys! I attended Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, AZ for two years and then transferred to the University of Washington in Seattle to complete my degrees. I taught English, dance and U.S. history at the middle and high school levels.
After several years, I returned to dance training and performance. To support my "dance habit" I developed aerobic classes and directed the exercise program at a local health club. After training in NYC at the May O'Donnell Company, I came home and opened a studio for several years until I realized I missed teaching. So I returned to the classroom and was encouraged to go into leadership. I was married at St. Therese Church in Seattle and we have two grown daughters; Chloe and Alexandra.
I gradually took on increasing leadership positions, eventually serving as principal in very diverse schools....including public, private, and Catholic schools. During the last five years I have also served as a facilitator and coach for Catapult Learning and the DODEA literacy project (Department of Defense). I have learned first hand what it means to teach online! I am so grateful for the incredible opportunity of working with colleagues around the world.
Although I never became a surfer, my daughters have! And they are pretty good at it! My own hobbies have included dance, sailboat racing, scuba diving, water skiing, travel, and continual practice in speaking Spanish! I also hit the gym on a regular basis. I am delighted to be here at Our Lady of Peace. It is a very genuine and loving community. Our team is extremely dedicated and works relentlessly on behalf of our students. Your warmth and welcome made me feel at home almost immediately. I look forward to the joyful endeavors ahead on behalf of our young Tigers!