Saint Leo the Great Catholic School

CALENDAR REMINDERS-  OCTOBER

FROM FAIRFAX COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT
We now have additional information about the population that will be served at the October 24, 2009 H1N1 clinic.  Based on the quantity of vaccine available, and in an effort to vaccinate those at high risk of influenza-related complications, the clinic will be open to all children 6 months to 36 months of age and pregnant women. Children in this age range and pregnant women are among the target groups identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to receive the 2009 H1N1 vaccine when it first becomes available. Information and consent forms are available on our web page at http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/flu/  The Oct. 24 clinic will not be the only opportunity to receive 2009 H1N1 vaccine. The Fairfax County Health Department is committed to vaccinating target populations as quickly as vaccine becomes available. Depending on the quantities of vaccine available each week, vaccine will be distributed through the Health Department’s district offices or mass vaccination clinics.

PRINCIPAL'S REFLECTION
This 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.

Next 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.

Classroom teachers assign homework on a regular basis because practice is needed before your child fully understands a new skill or concept. By recognizing the value of homework, you will help your child understand why it is important. Below are some tips to make homework easier:

1. Help your child develop a homework schedule. Tell him/her they can decide when to tackle homework within a set time frame – say, between 4pm and dinner. Giving them choices will motivate them to begin.
2. Provide a suitable place for studying. Occasionally change the routine by taking your child to the library or to a park on a sunny afternoon to do his homework.
3. Talk with your child each day about his homework assignments. Ask questions about his homework, check to see that the work is complete, but don’t do his homework for him.
4. While your child works, sit nearby and read or do paperwork. Homework time will be a special time when shared with you!

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

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
“For we are God’s workmanship…”
--Ephesians 2:10

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.

THANKS & PRAISE

• To Mrs. Nguyen for delivering some Asian sweets to the faculty last Friday.
• To Mrs. Ruta, Mrs. LeBlanc, Mrs. Cate and parent volunteers for organizing our book fair this past week.
• To Mrs. Schlinder and the PTO Cultural Arts Committee for sponsoring our second school-wide assembly. Students seemed to enjoy these special activities.

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.

SOCCER CHARITY CUP!!!!
Saint Leo’s is scheduled 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.

OPEN HOUSE at Saint Leo the Great – tell all your friends!
Wednesday, November 18th. Principal’s Welcome begins at 10am in the Guadalupe Room of the Olde Parish Hall. A tour of the school will follow. RSVP 703-273-1211 x645.

SAINT VINCENT DePAUL AUTUMN FOOD DRIVE
SVDP first food drive will be held from Friday, November 6 through Thursday, November 19. The focus on this month’s drive is the virtue of STEWARDSHIP, CARING FOR God’s creations. This virtue involves sharing our food with other members of our Church community. By practicing stewardship, we show others how deeply we care about them, especially in their times of need. Any canned or packaged food is greatly appreciated, but some examples of food items that are especially needed include:

• Pancake mix & syrup, Hot & Cold cereals, Rice
• Canned meats & meat meals, Canned Fruit, Sugar
• Jelly and peanut butter, Flour, Tuna

On November 6th, a special Dress Down Day will be given to those students who donate two cans of food to this food drive!! By remembering those in need, we show Jesus how truly concerned we are and how important it is to practice this virtue in our everyday lives. May God bless you for opening your hearts to others. The Saint Vincent de Paul Team: Mary Sabina Byczek, Scott Allen, and Dave DiPippa.

ATTENTION BAND STUDENTS/PARENTS:
All Cherrydale fundraising orders are now due.  Please send your orders to the front office addressed to Mr. Ward or Mrs. Khavari no later than Monday, October 26.

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.

BACKGROUND PACKET DEADLINE:
Saint Leo the Great School mails all background packets t o the Diocese via UPS with a tracking number. This ensures the safety of your documents arriving in a swift and confidential manner. Once the documents are received at the Diocese, it is much easier to contact them regarding your clearance for volunteering.  The last day that the school will mail background packets that have not yet been turned in yet is Friday October 30th. After that time, you will have to mail their own completed packets to the Diocese. This may delay your ability to volunteer. If you still need background materials. Please contact Theresa Ferlotti at 703-359-6646.

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.

VISION AND HEARING SCREENING
Vision and Hearing screening will take place on November 5, 2009. Permission forms for grades 1, 3, 5,and 7 will be going home this week. The Virginia Department of Health requires screening for grades 3 and 7. We will screen students in those grades first, then fifth and first grade. If you have a child in grades 2, 4, 6 or 8 that you would like screened, please contact the clinic or your child's teacher for a permission slip. Students cannot be screened without a signed permission slip from the parent.

FROM THE PTO:
Mark Your Calendars now and look for more information about upcoming St. Leo's PTO Restaurant and Retail Fundraisers!  As always, these events are voluntary, but if you are planning to eat out or do some shopping, please consider these events which will help the PTO raise funds to support St. Leo the Great School.  Contact Suzanne Dowd if you have any questions, suggestions, or ideas.

• Chick-fil-a (Fair Oaks Mall) - Kicks off November 10 from 5-8pm, All day Nov. 11 and 12, and Nov. 13 until 5pm
• Fuddruckers (Chain Bridge Road) - December 18 - 11:30-4pm
• Five Below (both Fairfax and Greenbriar/Chantilly locations) - November 27-December 3

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!

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.

THE 2010 PRIDE:
Congratulations to the following students who were chosen to be on this year’s yearbook committee: Ryan T, Ryan M. Katherine F, Genesis A, Maily P, Maryn Mc, Matthew H, Dah M, Jessica O, Sabrina I, Kaitlin J, Molly A, Caleb C, Brigitte R, Havy P, Christine F. Thank you to all of the students who submitted applications! The first meeting will be October 22 from 3-4pm in the computer lab. The following are the dates for the meetings through November: October 22 and 29, November 5 and 19. Students must be picked up at the CCD entrance promptly at 4pm.

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!

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
• THIS SUNDAY 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.
• THIS WEEKEND 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 7 – 2009- Washington DC Alliance for Lupus Research (ALR) Walk with Us to Cure Lupus Walkathon, at Washington Monument Grounds.  100% of all contributions to this event go to support lupus research programs. Lupus has no cure. One of our parents, Mrs. Linda Dupuy will be doing this event. If you would like to sponsor her, her Personal ID Number is DC-210238 which should be put on the memo line of your check. Make checks payable to the Alliance for Lupus Research.  Forward your checks directly to the ALR office at 28 W. 44th Street, Suite 501, New York, NY 10036.
• 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.