Saint Leo the Great Catholic School

CALENDAR REMINDERS-  NOVEMBER - Saint Vincent de Paul Food Drive continues

HOLY SPIRIT/ST. LEO CHARITY CUP TO BENEFIT CATHOLIC CHARITIES: This Saturday, November 7th, at Paul VI HS !
The Saint Leo Community will join with Holy Spirit to benefit Catholic Charities 5th through 8th grade students will participate in a soccer tournament which begins at 8:30am (5th gr), 9:30 (6th gr), 10:30 (7th gr) and 11:30 (8th gr). Admission is $1.00. Students and fans that attend will be given a free spirit wear day on Monday, November 9th. Help show some school spirit and have a great time while participating in this worthwhile event! Students who require medication are asked to have parents bring that to the event so that they are able to receive their medication if needed. Each time a goal is scored by either team, a can for cash donations will be passed through the fans. All money raised will be sent to Catholic Charities on behalf of both schools. On behalf of the Saint Leo Student Government and Mr. DiPippa, thank you for your support!

PRINCIPAL'S REFLECTION
Parent/Teacher Conferences will be held on Thursday and Friday, November 12 and 13 from 12:40 to 3:55 – 5 to 7pm. Please contact core teacher or student advisor if you have any questions regarding conferences. Together, we can help our students to “Achieve and Grow in Grace and Wisdom.”

Conference Success: Meeting with teachers is an important way to support your child’s education. Make the most of Parent Teacher Conferences with these tips.

• Get your child’s input before you go, perhaps there is something he/she would like you to ask the teacher for news he/she wants you to share.
• Start off on the right foot as the conference begins say something positive about the teacher or the school.
• Create a plan to solve any concerns. Include steps that your child, the teacher and you will take. Review the plan with your child. Contact the teacher in a few weeks to see how it is working.

I would like to share two special service activities that our school community is supporting. Our first activity will be a food drive for Saint Vincent DePaul Pantry. This drive begins tomorrow, November 6th and ends on Friday, November 20th. Our school goal for these two weeks will be 3000 cans of food. If you can help us reach this goal, I know that many needy families in our local community will be grateful. Thanks for your help! Our second service activity is for the Holy Childhood Association. This drive will support needy children and missions around the world. Our school goal for this drive which ends in December will be $1,000. Students can bring in loose change each Friday and fill our classroom global banks. Thanks again for your support in showing our children the joy in helping others who are in need.

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

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Life is like a game of soccer; you need goals.
--Author Unknown

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

• Special thank you to Mrs. Nguyen who brought all the faculty fabulous eggrolls this week.
• To the chaperones of the middle school dance on Friday: Mrs. Kathy White, Mrs. Ann Lyle, Carol Ann Forrest, Robert Ratay, Cathleen Gormley, Christopher Wieczorek, Nina Deboeck, JoAnne Ratay, Amos Lock, Dennis Cate, Kristin Bolster, Paula Ruta, Cynthia Washington, Lee Cena, Theresa Ferlotti, Dave Torma, Lisa Cosgriff and Ann and Drew Polan. It was a huge success for the National Honor Society. Special thanks to the National Junior Honor Society Officers for planning a fun-filled event!
• To the chaperones for the 3rd grade field trip to the Bureau of Engraving and Printing:
  3-14: Mrs. Cooke, Mrs. Chelena, Mr. Main, Mrs. McGovern, and Mrs. Nader. 3-15: Mrs. Moran, Mr. Blanda, Mrs. Knapp, and Mr. Slivka.
• To the chaperones of the 6th grade trip to Madeira: Mrs. Allis, Mrs. Cosgriff, Mrs. Lyle, Mrs. Polan, Mr. Torma, Mrs. Washington, Mrs. Dowd, Mrs. McDonald, Mrs. Schindler, and Mrs. Storey.
• To Mrs. Hardy and Mrs. Schouviller and the 4th class for their special First Thanksgiving Play. It was a reminder of how thankful we are for the many things that God gives us.
• To Mrs. Hartzell and Mrs. Polan for their organization of the Hummerized Innisbrook field trip to Burger King on Wednesday.
• To Mrs. Betack and Mrs. Merrill for their planning and organization of the Kindergarten presentation of Mother Goose and Johnny Appleseed. Students seemed to really enjoy the story telling and dress up!
• To Officer Bartholme for presenting to our Kindergarten and First Grade classes safety lessons.
• To the 8th grade parent volunteers, room mothers, Mrs. Sloboda and Mrs. Cosgriff for organizing our traditional Pumpkin Carving for our 8th grade students.

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.

From Guidance: CARE Survey Thank You
Thank you to all the parents, faculty, and students who participated in the CARE surveys in September. Your input and insight is proving to be very helpful. We will be using the information to improve our current CARE program and to implement a variety of activities for our students, parents, and faculty members.

SAINT VINCENT DePAUL AUTUMN FOOD DRIVE
SVDP first food drive will be held through Friday, November 20th. 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.

8TH GRADE SPANISH REVIEW:
Mrs. Cozzarelli will be offering several after school review classes for interested 8th grade students only starting November 5th from 3-3:40pm in the Saint John Vianney Center. If your student attends, please pick them up in the front office by 3:45pm or they will be checked into Extended Day. This review is an extra opportunity for students preparing to take the High School Spanish Placement Exam in the spring. Any questions? Please contact Mrs. Cozzarelli at LCozzarelli@saintleothegreatschool.org.

FROM 5TH GRADE:
On Thursday, October 29th, the 5th grade took a field trip to our nation’s National Zoo in Washington, DC. Science teacher, Mrs. Patrice Heasly, arranged for small groups to view specific exhibits at the zoo. One group enjoyed “The Invertebrates Exhibit” with an emphasis on ‘Life Cycles,” while another explored the wonders of “The Tooth and Skull” exhibit at Amazonia, and a third group was entertained with a exhibition of “The Birdhouse.” Throughout the day, the fifth graders were enthralled with a gorilla and her newborn, snakes—all shapes and sizes, and a brief sighting of the panda among other animals! With a beautiful autumn day, the excursion was enjoyed by all. A special thanks to our chaperones: 5-10: Mrs. Notarianni, Mrs. Callahan, Mrs. Potter, Mrs. Korka, and Mrs. Kofman. 5-11: Mrs. Toenshoff, Mrs. Bauer and Mrs. Saba. We thank you all so much for sharing your time and for all your help!

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.

From Extended Day:
The bills for October are ready for you to pick up when you drop off your child in the morning or at pick up in the afternoon, if you don't see your bill, please, ask for it. The bills not picked up by Wednesday afternoon, will go home on Thursday with your child. Please remember to ask your child for the bill. Thank you!

FROM THE LIBRARY
Thank you so much to Jake (7th grade) and Libby (5th grade) for their poetry and non-fiction birthday book donations to the library.  For information on how to make a birthday book donation please email Mrs. Craven or Mrs. Ruta.   Thank you so much to our students and parents for your generous support of our fall book fair.  It was a great success!

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE St. Leo's Tennis Federation
team that finished the regular season undefeated!  They came in first in the Northern Division.  Yesterday, they played in the first round of the playoff championship series and beat St. Andrews (5-0)!  The team will be playing in the Championship match this Sunday. The players are:  Mary Ellen, Collin, Brandon, Bobby, Genesis, Jessica, Emily and Joey. Good luck Sunday!

CONGRATULATIONS ALSO TO WIMBLEDON 1
This hardworking team consists of St. Leo's 4th and 5th graders.  They will be playing this Saturday in the finals against St. Ann's School.  The players are:  Kate, Nicholas, Cooper, Pascal, John, Zoe, Emma, Katy, and Madeline.

THE PRIDE- YEARBOOK 2010
The Yearbook Committee is requesting pictures from the following events from last school year- spring track, medieval day, kindergarten graduation, first communion, field day, awards ceremony. Although we will be taking a great deal of pictures this year, we would still like to have more! Please remember the yearbook when you are at school sport events, field trips, scout events, club activities (math, chess, art, etc). Any candid pictures. Pictures can be emailed to jmccarty1@cox.net or crosson46@yahoo.com. Or you can put them on a CD. Thank you!

ADVENT CALENDARS:  Back by Popular Demand....!
During the next few weeks the 8th grade class will be selling Advent Calendars, all profits will go toward their graduation expenses.  Each calendar has a chocolate surprise for each day counting down to Christmas.  These calendars are a great gift idea - what a treat for all the children in your family, neighbors, co-workers and friends.  Calendars can be ordered through school or purchased after all Sunday masses in November.  New this year you will be able to purchase a calendar for one of our wounded soldiers at the Bethesda Naval Hospital.  Please buy an extra calendar and the 8th grade will deliver some holiday cheer to our wounded soldiers.  Thank you for supporting our 8th Grade Students!  Questions please call Terry Kelly 703-266-0374.

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

Let's Dish is a great way for busy families to spend less time in the kitchen and raise money for St. Leo's!
Let's Dish customers can make delicious, freezer-ready meals, such as Chicken Parmigiana, Country-Style Chicken with Herb Dumplings, Swedish Meatballs over Noodles, Chile-Lime Pork Chops with Black Bean Salsa, and Thai-Style Shrimp and Noodles.   Let's Dish offers full meal portions (to serve 6 people), split portions (split into 2 meals for 2-3 people), and now "halves" portions (one meal to serve 2-3 people).  Some sessions allow a child (age 8 and above) to accompany a parent, so that your child can assist with preparing dinner for the family.    Dishing is a fun, social experience that can be enjoyed by friends, classes, clubs, or teams....plus, everyone goes home with a cooler-full of meals and St. Leo's will receive 10% of sales from St. Leo families!  Please contact Suzanne Dowd if you are interested in coordinating a Let's Dish session.  More information will be provided soon.

• THIS WEEKEND - November 6th – Bishop O’Connell 8th grade dance – 7-10pm in the cafeteria. $10 admission-sponsored by the senior class. Please have a ride available promptly at 10pm.
• THIS WEEKEND - November 7th - 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.
• THIS WEEKEND - 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.
• NOVEMBER 12-13-14-15 PVI Players present “THE PINK PANTHER” at Paul VI Catholic High School. Th. Performance 7pm, Fri & Sat 7:30pm, Sun 2pm. Tickets $5 student/seniors, $10adult, $30 max for families (2 parents & children). For more information contact PVIproducers@yahoo.com.
• November 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 20 –Due date for order forms for “Wreaths Across America” Saint Leo the Great Cheerleading Fundraiser.
• November 20-November 22 - “Our Town” presented by Georgetown Visitation. Campus Auditorium (1524 35th St, NW)
• DECEMBER 5 – 10AM-3PM-PVI Cheerleading offering a Holiday Cheer Clinic. Ages K-gr.8 at PVI gym. Cost is $75/per student. They will learn cheers, chants and a short dance to be performed at the end of clinic. Wear tennis shoes and workout clothes. Lunch and Water provided! To register: contact kkbrady@fcps.edu.