Saint Leo the Great Catholic School

CALENDAR REMINDERS-  SEPTEMBER

PRINCIPAL'S REFLECTION
Welcome back all returning and especially our new students to Saint Leo School Community! It's truly been a wonderful start to a new school year. While visiting each class this week, I saw many happy faces so it seems that all of our students are glad to be back. Students have had a chance this week to meet with their teachers and all of their Encore classes. Starting Tuesday through Thursday of next week, we will have full days with regular class schedules. Extended Day and Preschool Programs begin. A special thanks to our faculty, staff and parent volunteers who made our first week of school a very smooth and successful transition from the summer months.

I would like to welcome to the Saint Leo the Great School Community Mrs. Tanya Acevedo. Mrs. Acevedo will be teaching K-4 Spanish. She comes with 10 years of experience, BA in secondary education, MA in ESL from University of Turabo, Puerto Rico. Please welcome her, she can be reached at 703.273.1211, extension 632 or tacevedo@saintleothegreatschool.org

Back-To-School Night is your chance to meet with your child's teachers and receive information of class expectations for the year. Back-to-School Night for 6-7-8 grade students is scheduled for Thursday, September 10th. The school will be open at 6:45pm and we will begin promptly at 7pm in the Daniel & Lorraine Sprissler Gymnasium. Back-to-School Night for Grades K-5 will be on Tuesday, September 15th and will follow the same schedule as the Middle School and begin at 7pm. You will have the opportunity to meet with our new and returning faculty member on these two nights. I am looking forward to seeing all of you those two evenings.

As a reminder, Thursday is our "Communication Day." Teachers will be forwarding home information regarding their class/school. The Principal's Thursday Note "Between the Lions" will be emailed to all parents each Thursday (except Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter). Please consult our website (www.saintleothegreatschool.org) and click on calendar, then click on monthly for latest daily updates. This calendar should be used for all last minute information since it is frequently updated on a daily/weekly basis.

The opening all-school Mass will be held tomorrow Friday, September 4th at 9am. We will have an 11:30am dismissal. All parents are welcome to attend.

Thank you for your patience and cooperation with the carpool lanes. The process has run smoothly and quickly for a first week effort. Two extremely important items to remember are to turn off the engine once you pull into a carpool lane and watch for a signal from a teacher as to when you can "start your engines" and leave. A special thank you to our safety patrols, faculty/staff and maintenance for overseeing carpool safety during the first week.

I am very happy that our school year began so well. Please know that I am always willing to discuss any concerns you may have. Feel free to contact me at any time during the school year. Enjoy a safe and happy Labor Day Weekend with your families.

As Always, for the children,
Mr. David DiPippa, Principal

Thought for the Day
The future starts today, not tomorrow.
--Pope John Paul the Great

THANKS & PRAISE

• To Father Whitestone and our Development Committee for all the support they have given to Saint Leo's for getting this new school year off to a great start, especially the renovations in the library, and the new kiln for our art department.
• To J.P. Stegmaier, alumni from Saint Leo's School has been mentioned in Fr. Whitestone's notes in the past Parish Bulletin. Here is what Fr. Whitestone had to say about one of our's: "I would like to thank J.P. Stegmaier and his fellow scouts for the new outdoor Stations of the Cross in front of church! J.P. dedicated much time and effort to bring his Eagle Scout project to fruition - a project which will be of lasting spiritual benefit to all. It is hoped that the installation of these outdoor stations will provide an additional opportunity for prayer and devotion. Through prayer and devotion we are lead into deeper union with God and are transformed by Him. We are filled with His life, and being so filled, are able to possess the serenity which is His gift." Way to make us proud J.P.!
• Congratulations to alumna Colleen Cosgriff (Theatre) and Brooke Sullivan (Art) who were chosen as the joint winners of the 2009 Paul VI Catholic High School Fine Arts Scholarship.
• To Mr. McGrail and the PTO Board for organizing and setting up our successful Open House last Friday morning. We couldn't have done it without you! Both Kindergarten classrooms have received ActivBoards financed through the PTO. Thanks also for your contribution to the art room's new sink and cabinets. We are a real showcase now!
• To all parent and student volunteers who helped at our Open House. Your time and effort is much appreciated.
• To Sid Crowe and the Saint Leo Maintenance Staff for making our school sparkle for the beginning of the school year.
• To the PTO for the August mailing to our parents: Larry McGrail, President, and labeling and stamping thanks to Mary Knapp and Suzanne Dowd.
• To Mrs. Dudley who has graciously stepped up to chair the Development Spring Auction Dinner. Date and further details to be announced.
• To Mr. McGovern who has agreed to head up our PTO Golf Outing. We are still working details on spring vs. fall tournament so details are not available at this time.
• Thanks to Mrs. Hartzell for doing our Innsbrook Gift Wrap sale and visiting our students this week.

NOTES FROM MRS. WASHINGTON, Assistant Principal:
We are off to a wonderful start of a new year. I would like to help with a few reminders...

• Please make sure that your uniforms are properly fitted. Girls' skirts should reach their knees and they are not permitted to wear makeup, including eye makeup.
• Boys & girls wearing shorts should have on a belt.
• All students wear school dress shoes on non-PE days.
• Students may wear their uniform sweater if they are cold with the current uniform.

Also, please note a clarification in the Birthday Dress Up Day section of the handbook, p.74. When it is a child's birthday they have the option of dressing up in their own clothing, something equal or better than the uniform. This dress up day should take place on a non-PE day (even if it's the day before or after their actual birth date) because students may not wear sneakers. Dress Up is a special option, but not mandatory and a child may wear their school uniform if they do not wish to dress up.

AFTERSCHOOL OPTIONAL ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS- LOOK FOR FLYERS/REGISTRATIONS!

• Drama Club - moderator Mrs. Cate - Grades 2,3,4
• Chess Club - moderators Mr. and Mrs. Cronin, Grades 2,3,4,5,6
• High School Placement Test Review - Student Advanced Learning, Grade 8 only.
• Math Mania - Student Advanced Learning, Grades 4, 5
• Mad Science of Washington - Parent/Moderator needed (Call Mr. DiPippa)-Grades 4,5
• Art Club - moderator Mrs. Bolster - Grades 3, 4

FINANCIAL AID
Thank you to all the parents who have generously given a donation to the financial aid fund. Father Whitestone will match all the donated funds from our parents and friends of Saint Leo's. Any questions -- Please contact Mary Lou Gross at the rectory, 703-273-5369.

TUITION PAYMENTS:
Reminder that tuition payments are due the 10th of each month. Thank you for being timely. If you have a concern or question, please call Mary Lou Gross at the rectory at 703-273-5369. A $30.00 late fee will be implemented for late tuition payments after the 20th of each month.

VOLUNTEER COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS
Parents, grandparents, and siblings over 21 years of age who want to volunteer in the school must complete all requirements of the Diocese of Arlington. Please refer to page 46-48 of the 2009-2010 Parent/Student Handbook for details. Background packets are available through the front office of the school. Please plan ahead and get your background materials in as soon as possible. Questions? Please call Mrs. Ferlotti at 703-273-1211, ext.646.

VIRTUS - Protecting God's Children
There will be a seminar held at St. Leo the Great School on Saturday, September 5, 2009 at 10am. You must register ahead of time at www.VIRTUS.org. Please provide confirmation of your attendance to the front office. Questions? Please call Mrs. Ferlotti at 703-273-1211, ext.646. The VIRTUS seminar is also being given in Spanish on Saturday, September 12, 2009 at 1pm in the Guadalupe room at Saint Leo the Great. You must register for this seminar also.

Innisbrook Gift Wrap Sale: September 3-24.
It's time for our major PTO fundraiser of the year. Thanks to your generosity in the past, we have purchased our beautiful new school marquis and sponsored school assemblies such as the Chinese acrobats. Look for the catalog envelopes coming home today.

Again we have EZ order entry methods. When ordering, go to Innisbrook.com, enter school code 102926, and follow instructions. Turn in your printed receipt and checks by September 24th for delivery to the school by October 30th. Pay online with a credit card you will receive your items within 5 days, postage paid on orders totalling $80 or more. If you have trouble ordering online, you may call Innisbrook Customer Service (877) 525-5608, OR simply turn in all paperwork and monies collected and we will enter your orders for you. Incentives: Any student grades K-4 selling 40 or more items goes on a Hummerzine ride to Burger King for a free lunch and playtime. Students in grades 5-8 selling 40 or more items receives a $25 Visa gift card. These prizes are in addition to all of the wonderful thank you packages described in your sales catalog envelopes. Innisbrook also has "instant" winners which all orderers are eligible for. Last year Olivia Ratay won $100 gift card to Best Buy, and other families won gift packs, simply by having the orders entered online. For any questions, please contact Marian Hartzell (703) 359-8963, tjhartzell@verizon.net

Room Parent Volunteers.
If you are interested in a Room Parent K-8, Advisory and home base in the middle school position in your child's classroom, please return the purple signup sheet that was sent home earlier this week. If you have any questions or did not receive the sign-up form, please call Carolyn Muller at 703-352-3340 or cfmuller@verizon.net

THE ANNUAL OLD FRIENDS/NEW FRIENDS COFFEE
will be held in the Old Parish Hall in the Guadalupe Room on Tuesday, September 14, 2009, from 8:30am to 9:30am. Siblings that are not in school are welcome. Mr. DiPippa, our principal, Fr. Whitestone, our pastor, Mrs. Washington, our Assistant Principal, and Mrs. Polan, our guidance counselor, and the room parents for each grade, will stop by as well. This is a wonderful opportunity to visit with old friends and make new friends. Hope to see you there! :)

PLEASE NOTE:
We have been notified that our NEW United Way number from the United Way of the National Capital Area Campaign for 2009-2010 is 91500. If you are searching for our school, please be sure to spell out Saint or it will not come up as a listing.

ATTENTION ALL TRACK AND FIELD ATHLETES!
Just in case you missed it at Open House- all forms are due by FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11. Forms may be sent into school to the Front Office. Athletes may do both Cross Country and Track if they wish, but must fill out separate forms, one fee of $10. Reminder: CYO Meet Oct 3 & 4. Practices will be:

• Tues, Sept 22: Grades 3, 4, and 5, 3 PM to 4:30 PM
• Thurs, Sept 24: Grades 6, 7 and 8, 3PM to 4:30 PM
• Tues, Sept 29: Grades 3, 4 and 5, 3 PM to 4:30 PM
• Thurs, Oct 1: Grades 6, 7 and 8, 3 PM to 4:30 PM

Questions? Please email dkudipietro@viocvirginia.com. For forms, please visit:
http://www.nvjcyo.org/Forms/PARTICIPANTAGREEMENTtrack.pdf
http://www.nvjcyo.org/Forms/medicalform.pdf

• Friends of the Poor Walk - Saturday, 9/26 - 5 K walk and cookout at Frying Pan Park, Herndon, Virginia. 8:30-9:30am registration, 10am - walk. For more information: www.svdpfriendsofthepoorwalk.org. This is to benefit the St. Leo Conference for the Saint Vincent de Paul Food Pantry.
• Paul VI Fall Open House - for 8th grade parents and students, Sunday, November 1 from 1-4pm
• National Autism Walk - at the National Mall, Saturday, October 31st. For more information, please visit online at www.NationalAutismWalk.org or call 202.955.3111.