2026
The Joyful Word Old Mission School
MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Dear Friends of Old Mission School,
As another school year comes to a close, I can’t help but think about all of the wonderful traditions and new events that have taken place this past year - the St. Francis of Assisi Animal Blessings, school Masses, Discovery Days, the Living Rosary, retreats, overnight science camps, and a carnival similar to the old Fun-In, Falcon Fun Day. Another highlight was our 150th Celebration with alumni and teachers in May! I am grateful to Lauren (Villa) Campbell (Class of ‘99) for her many hours of thoughtful work that made the event a success. It was a blessing to see so many people attend. The food provided by our alumni and current families was delicious, and Mr. P’s band did not disappoint. Here’s hoping for many more wonderful gatherings that make our community so special!
Here’s also hoping for another 150 more years of phenomenal education opportunities for current and future OMS scholars! For the 2025-2026 year, Old Mission School provided over $155,000 in tuition assistance to our scholars! It is through the generosity of our donors that our Old Mission School can make Catholic education possible for all of our families. We are committed to providing our scholars with solid foundations in our Schoolwide Learning Expectations of Faith, Scholarship, Leadership, and Service. Catholic education is an advantage for life!
With a grateful heart,
Tess Barket (Class
of ‘83)
Principal
“May
the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Romans 15:13
UPCOMING EVENTS
Aug. 17
New Student & Parent Orientation, 10-11 AM
Aug. 18
First Day of School
Parent Club Welcome Back Tea
Aug. 26
Parent Back-to-School Night & Fingerprint Clinic
Sept. 18
Family Donut Day
Sept. 24
Parent Club Family Bingo Night
Celebrating 150 Years of Faith, Tradition, and Community
Old Mission School was founded 150 years ago by the Daughters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Our founders firmly believed in the value of Catholic education when they opened the doors to our school in 1876.
On May 16, we celebrated the momentous milestone of a century and a half of educational excellence by welcoming home alumni, faculty, and staff spanning several generations to Old Mission School’s campus. The event featured music by the Bill Stapley Band and cuisine from OMS alumni and family-owned restaurants. It was a joy to welcome everyone back and see them reunite, reconnect, and celebrate this historic occasion together.
We are grateful to the following Old Mission School family and alumni owned businesses for their support: Ancient Peaks Winery, Benny’s Pizza, Field Recordings Winery, Firestone Grill, The Galley Seafood Grill & Bar, Madonna Inn, Pearl Luxe Events, and Wooly’s of Pismo Beach.
We are especially grateful to our Director of Alumni Relations, Lauren (Villa) Campbell (Class of ‘99), for bringing together generations of OMS alumni to celebrate 150 years of Catholic education.
Stay connected and celebrate the memories and experiences that shaped you.
Please take a moment to complete our Alumni Connection form.
www.omsslo.org/alumni
A Legacy of Faith and Service: Margaret Gresens, Class of ‘76, Named Old Mission School’s Inaugural Distinguished Alumna
During the 150th Alumni Celebration, Old Mission School recognized and awarded Margaret (Lanigan) Gresens, Class of 1976, with Old Mission School’s inaugural Distinguished Alumni Award. Her impact spans generations through her time as both a student and teacher at Old Mission School. Today, she continues to inspire generations of students and alumni through Faith, Scholarship, Leadership, and Service in her role as the Religious Education Team Coordinator at Old Mission School.
Margaret began her legacy at Old Mission School in the late 60’s as a first-grade student in Sister Anastasia’s class. Margaret fondly remembers all the teachers at Old Mission School, including her mother, Mrs. Lanigan. She also treasures the connection and education she received from the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, including Sister Ellen, Sister Anne, Sister Francis, Sister Felice, Sister Rita, and Sister Mary.
Some of her favorite memories include the long-standing Old Mission School traditions, such as Mary’s Day Crowning and musicals like Anchor’s Way, as well as her amazing English, Math, and Drama teachers.
Margaret is currently the Religious Education Team Coordinator at Old Mission School, guiding our students in their spiritual journeys, leading our schoolwide Masses, and facilitating our beloved para-liturgical traditions and celebrations, including the Blessing of the Animals, Our Lady of Guadalupe play, the Living Rosary, and Stations of the Cross. Through her enduring dedication, Margaret continues to strengthen the faith and traditions that have long defined the Old Mission School community.
In reflection, Margaret is grateful for the longtime connection with Old Mission School and the lifelong relationships she has built. She meets regularly with her classmates and dear friends from the Class of 1976 for lunch and reunions.
Today, Margaret finds joy in watching the Old Mission School traditions she once participated in as a student continue through new generations of OMS students. She has especially enjoyed watching three generations of Old Mission School students come through. Margaret loves that her former students have children currently attending Old Mission School and that some of the grandparents of our current students were taught by her own mother, Mrs. Lanigan, in the 60s and 70s.
Parent Club Year in Review
Throughout the 2025–2026 school year, the Old Mission School Parent Club brought the school community together through a variety of fun and meaningful events. Thanks to the incredible generosity of our families, volunteers, and sponsors, these events not only created lasting memories but also provided vital financial support for student programs, school initiatives, and local charitable organizations.
The school year kicked off in September with Family Bingo Night, where families enjoyed an evening of friendly competition and community. Proceeds from the event directly supported our fifth and sixth-grade science camps, with a total of $3,550 donated to help support the cost of these enriching educational opportunities.
In October, students gathered for the annual Trunk or Treat at Reis Family Mortuary, where creative parent volunteers transformed their vehicles into imaginative displays for a trunk-decorating competition.
Parent Club hosted its annual Thanksgiving Dinner Raffle featuring generous donations from Tolosa Winery and the Portessi and Mello families. Lucky winners received
frozen turkeys, wine, apple cider, pumpkin pie, and more. The raffle raised $250, which was donated to support Old Mission School’s production of Disney’s Aladdin Jr.
December brought one of Old Mission School’s most beloved traditions, the Christmas Boutique, where students enjoy shopping for hand-crafted gifts for family and friends. A total of $1,667 was raised through boutique purchases, including a $500 donation to Restorative Partners.
January featured the annual Blue & Gold Dinner & Auction, Parent Club’s signature fundraising event.
PHOTO CREDIT: DEEG DESIGNS
Held at the Historic Margarita Ranch and themed in honor of Old Mission School’s 150th anniversary. The event raised $40,517 to support essential school programs, campus improvements, and educational opportunities for our students.
The year concluded with the OMS Spotlight Showcase in April, an evening celebrating the incredible talents of our students. Families enjoyed performances while supporting the 8th-grade end-of-year trip. Thanks to the generosity of our community and local business sponsors, $2,150 was raised to help fund the students’ trip to Los Angeles, including a Dodgers game and stadium tour.
These events reflect the heart of the Old Mission School community—families coming together to support one another, enrich student experiences, and strengthen our school. Thank you to every volunteer, donor, sponsor, and participant who made this year’s events such a tremendous success.
The Old Mission School Parent Club looks forward to another exciting year of building community and making a lasting impact together. Events for the 2026–2027 school year will include favorites such as Bingo Night, Trunk or Treat, the Christmas Boutique, the Blue & Gold Dinner and Auction, and the OMS Talent Show, along with a new tradition—a Family Turkey Trot!
School Advisory Council (SAC) 2025-2026 School Year Wrap Up
During the 2025-2026 academic year, Old Mission School’s School Advisory Council (SAC) focused on developing a strategic plan to define and prioritize objectives that will guide Old Mission School over the next three to five years. Old Mission School and the SAC have partnered with Catholic School Consulting (CSC), a division of Consulting Solutions of Christian Brothers Services, to assist in the development of the new plan. The process began in January of 2026 and will conclude no later than August of 2026. CSC has been working closely with school leadership and other community members to create forward-looking strategic initiatives. This collaborative effort will help ensure the mission and vision of Old Mission School continue to thrive well into the future.
Old Mission School’s School Advisory Council (SAC) is an advisory body/school board that assists with strategic planning, policy formulation and evaluation, financial planning and financial management, institutional advancement/development, communication, and mission effectiveness. SAC meetings are held bi-monthly during the school year, while committees meet during the other months. SAC consists of the pastor of Old Mission Parish, the OMS principal, and seven to nine voting members appointed from the school community for a three-year term. The Parent Club President and a teacher representative attend meetings to share highlights from their committees and provide input during discussions on their committees’ behalf.
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Rooted in Faith, Inspired by Creative Hope: Celebrating the Class of 2026
On May 22, our eighth-grade graduating class of 2026 officially became alumni of Old Mission School. We are incredibly proud of these forty-three graduates and their diligent commitment to embracing and growing in our Schoolwide Learning Expectations of Faith, Scholarship, Leadership, and Service.
Throughout this school year, Old Mission School embraced the theme Inspired by Creative Hope, a charism that calls us to trust in God’s promises, approach challenges with courage, and actively bring hope to others through our words and actions.
We recognize the eighth-grade class for their commitment to living out Creative Hope and our Schoolwide Learning Expectations each day. Their kindness toward one another, willingness to support and encourage their classmates, and the special relationships they built with their four- and five-year-old buddies reflected the heart of our school community and exemplified the spirit of Faith, Scholarship, Leadership, and Service. Their journey at Old Mission School has been marked by perseverance, growth, and a willingness to embrace opportunities to learn, lead, and serve. Through their dedication, they have exemplified what it means to be Inspired by Creative Hope.
The teachers and administrators have enjoyed watching these students grow in their faith and as scholars and leaders. It has been a privilege to accompany them on their journey and witness the many ways they have contributed to our school community. As they begin this exciting new chapter, we pray that they continue to embrace the gifts God has given them and seek opportunities to make a positive difference in the world. May they carry forward the lessons learned at Old Mission School and continue to bring hope to all those around them.
PHOTO CREDIT: OWEN MAIN PHOTOGRAPHY
Growing in Faith: Celebrating Our Second-Graders’ First Eucharist
On Sunday, May 17, several of our second-grade students celebrated a beautiful and meaningful milestone as they received their First Eucharist at Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa. Surrounded by family, friends, and the parish community, they took an important step in their faith journey, opening their hearts more deeply to God’s love and presence.
The end-of-year school-wide Mass marked an exciting milestone in their faith journey as they participated as cohosts alongside the fifth-grade students, taking on important roles serving as lectors, altar servers, gift bearers, and petition readers.
We offer our heartfelt congratulations and prayers to our second-grade students and their families. May this sacred moment be a source of lasting grace and inspiration as they continue to grow in faith, deepen their relationship with Christ, and embrace the many blessings that lie ahead on their spiritual journey.
