Between the Lions - November 19 & 25, 2009

Thank You Lord for the joy of your forgiveness, for the assurance of Your love and for the blessings of our everyday lives. Those things which, all too often, we take for granted - our families and friends, the comfort of our homes, food, warm clothing, peace and prosperity and freedom to worship You as we want. Thank You, too, for the privilege of being able to come to You with our requests for the needs of others and for our own needs. Amen.

PRINCIPAL'S REFLECTION
Please note that this week’s Thursday note covers two weeks therefore our next schedule weekly newsletter will be on December 3rd. I have been truly moved by the generosity of our students, faculty and staff that supported our Saint Vincent de Paul Food Drive. I am very proud of our students and grateful to be part of this outstanding Saint Leo the Great school community. The overwhelming collection of food items to the needy in our community is a true testament to living our Catholic faith. As parents, thank you for your support and generosity! Thank you for setting this wonderful example for your children!

Our next two service projects will involve students bringing in a Christmas gift for the Saint Vincent de Paul collection. These gifts (gift cards, board games, mitten, scarves, hats, etc.) will be presented at our gift-giving school mass on December 4th. Items needed would be appropriate for the same age group as your child. Please place these gifts, unwrapped, in a Christmas bag so they can be brought to church, Saint Vincent de Paul will distribute them to the family in need.

Catholic Charities have requested from all schools our assistance for raising funds for the Homeless Shelter, Christ House and other Catholic Charity programs. We are asking each student for a $1.00 donation to send to the Office of Catholic Schools on December 11th. Students may Dress UP that day wearing their Christmas finery. This money will be collected in their advisory/homerooms that morning. Thank you for your support.

On Tuesday, December 1st, 8th grade students will be taking the High School Placement Test here at Saint Leo the Great. Students should bring two #2 pencils, get a good night’s rest and eat a good breakfast before coming to school. Please try not to schedule any appointments for this day to avoid going to the alternative high school location on a Saturday for the make-up exam.

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

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
“…that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone—
For kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives
In all godliness and holiness.”
--Timothy 2:1-2

THANKS & PRAISE

• Thanks to the following parent volunteers who also helped with the Middle School Passport Party: Fiona Toole, Joanne McCarty, Kim Pham, Julie McDonald, Vicky Toenshoff, Beth Ward, and Clara Robertello.
• To the Class of 2010, Mrs. Ruta and Mrs. Ferlotti for purchasing the class gift of a lighted Christmas tree for our courtyard.

SPIRIT WEAR GUIDELINES:
Students wearing spirit wear will be allowed to dress out of uniform. Students dressing out of uniform must wear a shirt or sweatshirt with the Saint Leo the Great logo and acceptable jeans/pants.

FROM EXTENDED DAY:
Last day to pay the October bill without a penalty: Friday, 11/20. Wednesday, 11/25 there will be NO Extended day. Students who are not picked up at 11:30am will be charged $25.00 plus the hourly rate. Please remember that school building closes at 12 noon. Thank you!

FROM GUIDANCE: 6TH GRADE STUDY SKILLS REFRESHER
The 6th grade students will be participating in an organizational refresher class which will review the essential elements of successful organization as a middle school student. When they were in 5th grade, the students completed a series of study skills guidance lessons to prepare them for a successful transition to middle school. Mrs. Polan will meet with 6th grade students to discuss how they are actively applying the skills that they learned and will address the struggles that they may be encountering. Since they have completed one quarter as 6th graders, they can speak from first hand experience and fine tune a system that works best for them. Mr. Torma's LA class will be Thursday, November 19th and Mrs. Cosgriff's LA class will be Monday, November 30th.

PARENTING FOR LIFE SUCCESS - THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10TH, 7-9pm
As part of our CARE program, our teachers participated in an educational seminar with Dr. Patricia M. McCormack, IHM. Dr. McCormack will be returning to speak to our parents about fostering self-esteem in children both at home and at school. If helping children to develop self-control, self-esteem, good character and a strong conscience is an interest close to your heart, do not miss this presentation. Guiding the lifelong process of soul formation is the primary responsibility of parents. It is also the mission of Catholic educators. Parents and teachers contribute vitally to the soul formation of a child when they communicate genuine affection and foster lifelong development of security, autonomy, initiative and industry. Together we will reflect on these core elements and consider practical advice that was gathered from teachers and from parents of children in grades K through 12 who were recognized for positive self-esteem and character. Dr. Patricia M. McCormack, IHM is a national formation education consultant who focuses on the whole-person development of children. Her practical experience in education includes both classroom and administration experience at the elementary, secondary, and college levels. Her style of public speaking reflects research with parents, children and teachers. Please join us on Thursday, December 10th from 7-9pm in the Guadalupe Room for this wonderful presentation! Parents that attend will receive a free dress down day pass for their children to be used on Tuesday, December 15th. Please contact Ann Polan with questions, 703-273-1211 x649.

PACKING PEANUTS AND BUBBLE WRAP NEEDED
Teige Corcoran, St Leo Class of 2006, needs packing peanuts and bubble wrap for his Eagle Scout Project. If you have any in your homes or offices that would otherwise be thrown away, please drop them off in the designated box by the front trophy case at school by Friday, Dec. 4. Questions may be directed to tcpanther@gmail.com or 703-716-0696

PENNIES FOR SAINT MARTIN
The second grade is collecting for Saint Martin of Torres this year to help buy gifts for the gift-giving mass. Please send your pennies to your classroom the week of November 30th and ending on Thursday, December 3rd. The second grade is going to go around and collect all week from the classrooms. Thank you for you participation.

MIDDLE SCHOOL HEALTH PROGRAM
Mrs. Ferlotti and Mrs. Polan are continuing to provide health classes to the middle school students through Science and PE. Please remember that class participation and homework completion will factor into each student's PE grade. Information for health classes can be found on the Health and Wellness webpage as well as Mrs. Polan's Guidance webpage (under Teacher Pages). If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Ferlotti or Mrs. Polan.

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.

HOMEWORK DURING ABSENCE - REMINDER
In Kindergarten through Grade 5, parents/guardians calling in an absence to the attendance line may leave the request for homework to be sent home with a sibling, sent home with another student or left in the main office to be picked up between dismissal and one-half hour after school.

CHESS CLUB
The following students will be representing St. Leo's Chess Club at the Elementary Team Charity Chess Tournament on Nov 21 in Washington DC:  from 2nd grade Thomas C., from 4th grade Alex B., from 5th grade Kevin C., Aidan K., Nicholas T., and from 6th grade Alex T. Special thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Cronin for providing this opportunity for our Chess Club members.

MOTHERS’ PRAYER GROUP
Share in the love of Christ and pray the Rosary with the intention of the school children, teachers and families. Come join us on Tuesday. Nov. 24. Meetings are held at 8:10am, right after drop-off in the parish hall, St. Mark’s room. For more information, contact Marcia Capizzani at mloureiro2002@aol.com

THE ST. LEO'S CROSS COUNTRY TEAM
did an incredible job winning all 3 team events we were entered in at the Annual CYO Meet held Nov.8th. It was an awesome showing! Congratulations to all our runners who worked very hard this year!

• 1st place in Frosh Girls (3rd & 4th grade) Raphaella H.(1st),  Antonella H.(2nd), &  Megan C.
• 1st place in JV girls (5th & 6th grade) Lexi K. (1st), Karlye K. (5th), Rose H.(10th).
• 1st place JV Boys – Alex T. (4th), Bennett K. (5th), & Aiden K. (8th).

ST. LEO CHOIR SINGS AT NATIONAL SHRINE
On Thursday, Nov. 12, the St. Leo Junior and Youth choir groups were invited to sing at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C.  They sang for two Masses, both of which will be televised in January.  The Mass dates are Jan. 17 and Jan. 31.  The children did a wonderful job with Mrs. Mulherin, our parish music director, leading them.

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.

• THIS WEEKEND!! NOVEMBER 20 –Due date for order forms for “Wreaths Across America” Saint Leo the Great Cheerleading Fundraiser.
• THIS WEEKEND!! November 20-November 22 - “Our Town” presented by Georgetown Visitation. Campus Auditorium (1524 35th St, NW)
• THIS WEEKEND!! NOVEMBER 21 & 22 - Come see a beautiful performance of “The Nutcracker” featuring Saint Leo students Alexis B, Libby and Lauren S, Audrey C and McAllister T. Shows are Saturday and Sunday at 6pm. Tickets can be purchased online at www.buffas.com.
• THIS WEEKEND!! NOVEMBER 21 – Free tickets to the FFX Symphony. The program includes Gershwin's RHAPSODY IN BLUE. Go to www.fairfaxsymphony.org or call 703-563-1990 today- only a limited number of free tickets are available.
• 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.
• JANUARY 9TH - O'Connell to Host Girls Soccer Tournament - The 7th annual Lady Knights Indoor Classic will be held.  All girls U-9 through High School teams are invited to participate.  Registration closes December 4, and the fee is $175.  For more information and the tournament application, visit www.leaguelineup.com/ladyknightsindoorclassic
• JANUARY 10 – 4pm - Disney’s “Mulan” in partnership with Imagination Stage in Bethesda, Md to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Family will revisit the film live on stage! After show--family fun with tastes of the Orient, games and other surprises. Tickets $29/child, $39/adult. For more information, contact Kelly Kent at 703.399.2938 or www.lls.org/ncamulan.