Between the Lions - October 15, 2009

CALENDAR REMINDERS-  OCTOBER - Red Ribbon Week

PRINCIPAL'S REFLECTION
Next week, the Saint Leo the Great School community will participate in our Red Ribbon week. Red Ribbon Week will focus on many health related topics that include living a drug and alcohol-free lifestyle. Students will pledge that they are committed to live a healthy life style by eating better, exercising and being drug free. Special thanks to Mrs. Polan, Mrs. Washington and Mrs. Ferlotti for organizing and supporting this Red Ribbon program.

On Saturday, October 24th the school community will gather for our PTO sponsored Family Fun Night which begins at 6:30-8:30 pm in the school gym. Thanks go to the PTO Board, Mrs. Woodward and Mrs. Bolster and many parent volunteers for organizing this special event. I know the children are very excited to attend.

Friday, October 30th marks the end of the First Quarter. Students will be receiving their report cards on Friday, November 6th. Parents are asked to review these report cards with the children and return the signed report card and envelope on Tuesday, November 10th. Reminder: Parent-Teacher Conferences will be held November 12 and 13 starting at 12:40pm. Please return your confirmation of appointment to the homeroom/advisor by Monday, October 26th.

Please keep in your prayers, Mrs. Monica Craven, who will be having scheduled surgery this Friday, October 16th. Mrs. Chris LeBlanc, with able assistance from Mrs. Ruta, will be filling her shoes while she is recovering. We all wish her a speedy recovery!

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

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Remember, if you ever need a helping hand,
you’ll find one at the end of your arm .
As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands…
one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.
--Audrey Hepburn

THANKS & PRAISE

• To parents/students/faculty/staff who continue to support Holy Childhood Association Charity with their donations.
• To Mrs. Bolster for organizing and moderating our after school Art enrichment program

FLU UPDATES from Mr. DiPippa
As we enter the flu season, your child’s health is our top priority. We are working closely with the Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to monitor flu conditions and make decisions about the best steps to take concerning schools. As you may know, flu can be easily spread from person to person. Saint Leo the Great School is taking steps to reduce the spread of flu. Here are a few things you can do to help:

• Teach your child good hand hygiene etiquette. Hands should be washed frequently with soap and water, and hand washing should last for at least 20 seconds. You can set a good example by doing this yourself. If hands are not visibly soiled, hand sanitizers containing at least 60 percent alcohol are also effective
• Teach your children not to share personal items like drinks, food or unwashed utensils, and to cover their coughs and sneezes with tissues. Covering up their coughs or sneezes using the elbow, arm or sleeve instead of the hand when a tissue is unavailable.
• Learn the signs and symptoms of the flu. Symptoms of the flu include fever (100 degrees Fahrenheit, 37.8 degrees Celsius or greater), cough, sore throat, a runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, and feeling very tired. Some people may also vomit or have diarrhea.
• Keep sick children at home. Any child who is determined to be sick while at school will be sent home. It is also important to keep sick children at home for at least 24 hours after they no longer have fever or do not have signs of fever, without the use of fever-reducing drugs. Keeping children with a fever at home will reduce the number of people who may get infected.

Plan now for your children’s care if you or your children become ill with the flu and need to stay at home. Talk to other family members, friends or neighbors about helping with child care or possibly sharing care in such a situation.

Stay informed: I encourage you to visit www.flu.gov or call 1-800-CDC-INFO for the most current information about the flu. I will continue to keep you updated of any additional changes to our school’s strategies to prevent the spread of flu.

FROM MRS. WASHINGTON: TOMORROW
October 16 begins the winter uniform season. Please refer to page 70 in the school handbook for detailed information. All K-5 students should have the school cardigan sweater everyday. Middle School students are required to wear either the sweater vest or long sleeve sweater everyday. Black Uniform Pants are a new option for K-8 girls and are now available through Flynn & O’Hara. These new pants should be worn with a belt, their white peter pan blouse and cardigan sweater for grades K-5 -- or for grades 6-8, a belt, their white blouse and vest or long sleeve sweater.

All K-8 students should be wearing the PE sweatshirt and sweatpants on every PE day. It is optional to wear the T-shirt and shorts underneath. All K-8 boys wear the school striped tie. All girls may wear tights under the skirt/jumper (see p. 70 for specific colors) and school sweatpants may be worn under the skirt/jumper for arrival, dismissal, and recess times. Students remain in the winter uniform until April 11, 2010. Please remember, girls should not wear nail polish or makeup (including eyeliner & mascara) to school.

SOCCER CHARITY CUP!!!!
Saint Leo’s is schedule to participate in the Charity Soccer Cup games on November 7th to raise money for Catholic Charities. We have invited Holy Spirit School to participate. The teams will be co-ed, games will be held at the PVI HS soccer field from 8:30am-12:30pm (5th grade game at 8:30, 6th grade game at 9:30, 7th grade game at 10:30 and 8th grade game at 11:30) that Saturday. Our coaching staff is: 8th grade: Mr. Allen and Mrs. Bolster. 7th Grade: Mrs. Harkes and Mr. Torma. 6th Grade: Mr. and Mrs. Velasquez, 5th Grade is Mr. Chiarizia and Mrs. Heasly. Thank you for your contribution. Student permission forms to participate will be given to the students tomorrow, Friday, October 16th and need to be returned on Tuesday the 20th to the front office.

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.

ATTENDANCE
Parents please note on page 28 of the Parent/Student Handbook: “Saint Leo the Great Catholic School requires that a parent/guardian or responsible adult leaves a message in the Attendance voice mailbox, accessed through the main school number (703-273-1211 press 1), available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, when the child will be tardy or sick. These calls should be received by the office by 9am. Upon arrival, a written excuse or the parent/guardian or responsible adult must accompany the child to the office.”

You can continue to email the teacher your student’s absence, but you must call into the attendance line as well.

ALL MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS:
The National Junior Honor Society is hosting a middle school dance for 6th, 7th and 8th graders on Friday, October 30th. The dance will start at 7pm and end at 9pm. It is Halloween themed so you can wear a costume or just black and orange. Tickets will cost $6.00. The price includes entry, one drink and one snack. Snacks and drinks will be available for purchase, so bring extra money. There will also be a raffle for a Halloween basket. Raffle tickets cost 50 cents or three for a dollar. We hope you can come!

ALL PARENTS:
As the weather changes, please remember to have students in a jacket, sweater, etc. for your child. We go outside all year for lunch recess! Also, please be sure that as your middle school student exit their carpool, that they are wearing outer garments. Thank you so much!

Innisbrook Fundraiser:
THANK YOU PARENTS for your generous support - you have raised over $11,500 for our PTO!     Orders will arrive October 27th.  Parents wishing to pick up orders early (to avoid the carpool cram) may do at 11 am in the gym.  All other orders will come home with your students that day.   Students winning either $25 cash or a trip in the Hummerzine to Burger King on November 4th. Thank you for all your support.  Any questions, contact Marian Hartzell 703 359-8963

PTO Directories:
The directories were distributed and were sent home through the students.  If you joined the PTO and did not receive a directory, check with your child and if they did not receive one, contact Kathy Johnson at 703-620-0690 or greggkathyjohnson@cox.net.

COMING SOON.... Family Fun Night hosted by St. Leo's PTO
Saturday, October 24, 2009, 6:30 - 8:30 pm in the Daniel & Lorraine Sprissler Gymnasium.
Look for your pre-order form coming home soon! For more information contact Becky Woodword bwoodward6@verizon.net or Kristin Bolster kbolster@saintleothegreatschool.org

FROM THE LIBRARY
Thank you to Anna R (1st grade) for her Birthday book donation of "Stink and the Great Guinea Pig Express".  Be sure to check it out from our series collection in the library!   For information on how to make a birthday book donation, please see either Mrs. Craven or Mrs. Ruta.

BOOK FAIR
Start your Christmas shopping early!! The Fall Bookworm Plantation Book Fair will be held in the school library on Sunday, October 18th (10-1) through Thursday, October 22nd (Monday-Thursday hours are from 8:30 -3:00). Please stop by and support the library!!

FROM THE KITCHEN
November lunch cards were sent home this week. Deadline for turning them in is TOMORROW, Friday, Oct. 16th. If your child was absent or did not receive one for some reason, please print out a menu from the school website, list your child’s name, circle their choices and send in with payment to my attention. There are also extra cards in the front office. Contact Mrs. Cate in the kitchen for further help.

From the Box Tops Corners
Thank you so much for all the coupons you have been sending me! I will summit as many coupons as I can on 10/28. This will be my last submission for the first part of the year. Please, clip, clip, clip time is running!

Extended Day Program:
Important notice from Bills for September went home on 10/8, please make sure to ask your child for it. You have time to pay without a late fee until 10/20. Reminders: Children attending the Program must: wear sneakers, bring their own snack and lunch on early dismissal days.

LOST AND FOUND
Parents/students please remember to check the lost and found box in the gym. There are already a great deal of lunch boxes, sweats and sweaters in there. Thank you.

From Guidance:

• Attention 8th Grade Parents - Applications for Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology are now available from the Guidance Office. Interested applicants should pick up an application packet from Mrs. Polan in the Guidance office. Applications are due on Wednesday, October 21, 2009. If you have any questions, please contact Ann Polan at 703-273-1211 x694 or apolan@saintleothegreatschool.org.
• 6th Grade Teambuilding Field Trip to Madeira - Permission slips for the 6th grade team building field trip to Madeira are due on Tuesday, October 20, 2009. Please complete both the school permission slip as well as the Inner Quest risk and waiver agreement form and include a payment of $36. Checks should be made out to St. Leo the Great School. Please return permission slips and payment to the front office by Tuesday, October 20th.

Drink Pouch Recycling – by Mrs. Perry and NJHS
Saint Leo’s will be participating in an “upcycling” program.  What is “upcycling”?  It is recycling materials to make something new.  We will be recycling Capri sun pouches (or any other aluminum pouch) to earn money for our school.  For every pouch we turn in, we receive $.02.  What do you need to do?  Nothing!  We will have re-usable grocery bags in every classroom and cafeteria, so if your student does drink any juices in aluminum pouches at school, they can throw them in there.  They do not need to be washed out-only the straws removed.  If you would like to collect at home, as well, you may.  You can then arrange with Kim Perry (703-928-7105) to pick them up from you after school any day.  If you would like to learn more about the program and see some of the neat things they make from the drink pouches (including pencil cases and back packs!), please visit: www.terracycle.net. Thank you for your participation and support!

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 8973. If you are searching for our school, please be sure to spell out Saint or it will not come up as a listing.

Congratulations to all track athletes who participated in the Fall CYO Track Meet on October 3rd and 4th. Way to  go, Lions!
Below are the athletes that scored in the top 6: Please visit http://saintleothegreatschool.org/node/109 to view St. Leo's results.  Way to go, LIONS!

Mary Ellen P Joe K Anna K Mary Ellen P Colleen F

2nd place, 8th grade girl's 1600m run 5th place, 8th grade boy's 200m dash 5th place, 8th grade girl's shot put 3rd place, 8th grade girl's 400m run 3rd place, 8th grade girl's long jump

Mary Katherine B, Amanda H, Anna K, Colleen F - 4th place 8th grade girls 4x100m relay
Mary Katherine B, Mary Ellen P, Pete N, William K -4th place 8th grade 4x200 co-ed relay 

Tommy P Bennet K Aidan K Julia O'T Bennet K Bennet K

6th places, 7th grade boys 400m run 1st place, 5th grade boys long jump 2nd place, 5th grade boys long jump 5th place, 5th grade girls 100m dash 3rd place, 5th grade boys 100m dash 4th place, 5th grade boys 800m run

Rose H, Julia O' , Danielle B, McKenzie K; - 6th place 5th grade girls 4x100 relay
Gray L, Aidan K, Kevin C, Bennet K; - 4th place 5th grade boys 4x100 relay

Raphaella H Antonella H Antonella H Raphaella H Antonella H

2nd place 4th grade girls 400m run 5th place 4th grade girl's 400m run 5th place 4th grade girl's 55m dash 2nd place 4th grade girl's 800m run 6th place 4th grade girl's 800m run

Jacob M, James H, David P, Diego F; -6th place 4th grade boys 4x100m relay

Karla Fl Sierra DiF Sierra DiF Sierra DiF

6th place, 3rd grade girl's softball throw 4th place, 3rd grade girl's 200m run 5th place, 3rd grade girl's 55m dash 2nd place, 3rd grade girl's softball throw

Karla F, Megan C, Amber M, Sierra DiF; - 6th place 3rd grade girls 4x100m relay

GIRL SCOUTS – 2nd and 4th grade Parents
The Girl Scouts are still looking for leaders for troops for these grades.  Nancy Loftus (Nancy.Loftus9@gmail.com) would like to start up a second grade troop but is need of a co-leader or assistant leader to do so.  Please feel free to contact her with any questions or inquiries.  The fourth grade has one parent interested in helping part time, but more help is needed to start up a troop.  Please contact Beth Ward (Billyjoe@cox.net) with any questions. 

SCRIP FOOD CARDS
Sponsored by the Fr. Diamond Knights of Columbus. SCRIP is sold for Giant, Safeway and Shoppers Food Warehouse. Profits go toward Scholarship funds and the ST. Leo’s PTO. Call Larry Novak 703.978.6127 or email ALRN01@aol.com for information. Available at Providence Hall every weekday at 2pm or the school parking lot on early release day and Knights of Columbus Meetings.

AROUND THE COMMUNITY
• TONIGHT!! October 15th – 7:30pm Alexandria Band is presenting a free concert (donations accepted), "Movies and More," featuring saxophonist John Kocur. NOVA Campus, Rachel Schlesinger Hall.
• THIS WEEKEND!! October 16th – PVI Junior High “Night Under the Lights” The Student Government and Parent Organizations at Paul VI HS extend a special invitation to all 7th and 8th graders and their families. Please join us for Rally in the Alley and the varsity football game. The Rally will begin at 5:30pm with free food, tee shirts and tons of fun, games and prizes for all everyone. The Football game begins at 7:00 PM. All 7th and 8th graders will receive free passes to the game
• THIS WEEKEND!! October 17th - The Columbiettes, the Ladies’ Auxiliary for the Fr. Diamond Council Knights of Columbus, is hosting a craft fair at St. Leo’s church on Saturday October 17, 2009. We are now accepting registrations from vendors interested in renting booth space for this fair. Please contact Linda Baringhaus at 703-385-9455 or columbiettes6292@yahoo.com for registration information.
• THIS WEEKEND!! October 18th - Oakcrest School Open House – 1-3pm, Tour of School.
• October 20th - A 4-session overview of the semester class “Principles of Ethics” is being offered for adults at Pope John Paul the Great HS. Principles of Ethics is the second course of the 4-year Bioethics Curriculum at JP the Great. There is no cost for the seminar, though the text book, “Called to Happiness: Guiding Ethical Principles”, by Sister Terese Auer, will be available for purchase for $10. Please RSVP by calling 703-445-0300, or via email to rsvp@jpthegreat.org
• October 25th - 16th Annual Valvoline Instant Oil Change Goblin Gallop 5K/1K Fun Run. It's an event for the whole family, and many run/walk in costume! Visit http://www.goblingallop.org/ for more information or to register.
• October 25th - Bishop Ireton HS Open House - 1-3pm. Presentation begins at 1pm.
• October 31st - National Autism Walk – at the National Mall, Saturday. For more information, please visit online at www.NationalAutismWalk.org or call 202.955.3111.
• November 1st - Paul VI Fall Open House - for 8th grade parents and students, Sunday from 1-4pm
• November 2 - Calling all wrestlers and coaches. The PVI HS Wrestling Team in conjunction with American University is sponsoring a clinic and wrestle-off for both wrestlers and coaches in the PVI Auxiliary Gym. The clinic will feature both All-American and Olympic Wrestlers. The clinic will at 4:30 and will be followed by the wrestle-off at 7:00. Admission is free to all.  Please contact Tom Healy, Head Wrestling Coach at (703) 352-0925 x459 or thealy@paulvi.net
• November 3rd and 17th – A 4-session overview of the semester class “Principles of Ethics” is being offered for adults at Pope John Paul the Great HS on Tuesdays, October 6 and 20. “Principles of Ethics” is the second course of the 4-year Bioethics Curriculum at JP the Great. There is no cost for the seminar, though the text book, Called to Happiness: Guiding Ethical Principles, by Sister Terese Auer, will be available for purchase for $10. Please RSVP by calling 703-445-0300, or via email to rsvp@jpthegreat.org
• November 8th – Pope John Paul the Great HS - open house from 2 – 4pm. You’ll learn all about JP the Great programs, meet the faculty, and tour the state-of-the-art campus.