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Between the Lions - December 10, 2009
CALENDAR REMINDERS- DECEMBER
| Sunday | 13 | 3pm- Band Concert-Daniel & Lorraine Sprissler Gymnasium- Students report at 2:15pm | |
| Monday | 14 | L | 10am-Confessions Gr. 3&4 - church |
| Tuesday | 15 | I | Free Dress-down Day for Students whose parents attended CARE seminar. Signed Interim Reports Gr. 1-8 Due today! |
| Wednesday | 16 | O | 9am-Christmas Assembly by Mr. Wilson, Marine Band-Grs.PK,1-3-Daniel & Lorraine Sprissler Gymnasium 10-11:30am-Open House-Guadalupe Rm-Olde Parish Hall, Principal, Welcome at 10am, tour of school to follow 11:30-1:30pm-Faculty & Staff Christmas Luncheon-Faculty Lounge (Hosted by school parents) |
| Thursday | 17 | N | 9:45-12pm-Gr.5 Field Trip Trip-Performing Arts-GMU 3-3:40pm-8th Gr. Spanish Review for HS exemption exam-Vianney Ctr 3-4pm-Last Winter Art Cub-Gr.5-8 Art Room 3-4pm-Yearbook Club meeting-computer room |
| Friday | 18 | NO LETTER DAY-Extended Advisory before and after Mass K-8 wear PE Uniforms today! In Grs.4-8 those participating in CYO teams wear your team uniforms. 9am- Mass – Gr. 5 10:15-11:15-Pep Rally-Christmas Sing-A-Long Gr. K-8 (Middle School attends with Advisory) 11:30am DISMISSAL-No PM Extended Day 11:30-4pm-PTO Dinner Out Fuddruckers-2575 Chain Bridge Rd, FFX 12 Noon-School Building closes 12:15pm-Faculty Meeting Curriculum Mapping-Library |
PRINCIPAL'S REFLECTION
Dear Parents,
As the winter is upon us, I would like to remind everyone of school safety concerns. When driving on the parking lot for carpool, please be sure to drive slowly and have students prepared to exit on the passenger side of the car when directed by adults/patrols. The late bell rings at 8:05am-- when that bell rings students are considered late. We are now closing the CCD doors at 8:05am. Parent should then check your students in the front office for late slips if you see the side doors closed. Please arrange your carpool time to make sure your students arrive in a timely manner. We also ask parents not to cut through the Daniels Run Elementary School front parking lots. We have received a number of concerns from both the school administration of Daniels Run and the Fairfax City Police and Crossing Guards. Thank you for your cooperation.
If your student is going to be absent, please remember to call in the absentee to the attendance office. This will prevent a call to your home.
Today, December 10th, students will be receiving their second quarter interims. Please take some time to review them with your child. Praise them in areas of success, and encourage them in areas of needed growth. These interims must be returned by Tuesday, December 15th. If you need to discuss individual grades, please contact the teacher to set up a conference. Together we can help students “Grow in Grace and Wisdom.”
As Always, for the children,
Mr. David DiPippa, Principal
Parenting for Life Success – TONIGHT 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.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Don’t ask for an easier life; ask to be a stronger person
THANKS & PRAISE
- To Ben and Dorothy Schaffer from the Saint Vincent de Paul Society who packed up all the food and presents from the gift-giving mass last week. It is a pleasure to work with such dedicated people.
- To Mrs. Lyle, Mr. Torma, Mrs. White and the 6th grade for such a wonderful gift-giving Mass last week.
- To the entire student body for their generosity in gifts for the Mass last week. Some children in our area will only receive what has been given at that Mass and it was truly spectacular.
- To Mrs. Cate, Mrs. Corcoran and Mrs. Kochanski for all their help in coordinating our Confirmation reception last week.
- To Mrs. Johnson, Mrs. Faunce and Mr. Ward who chaperone our 7th and 8th grade students at the Saint Joe’s dance last Friday night.
- To Mrs. Byczek for her help in coordinating with Saint Vincent de Paul and Mrs. Schaffer to bring these gifts to the needy.
- To Mrs. Ruiz for her help in coordinating the Catholic Schools Care about Catholic Charities Coat Drive. We had a very good response and thank all the parents that donated coats.
- To Mrs. Bolster for coordinating our successful Winter Art Club in grades 5-8.
- To Mrs. Polan and Mrs. Washington for organizing the CARE seminar for parents with Dr. Pat McCormack.
- To Mr. and Mrs. Cronin for coordinating a successful Fall Chess Club.
For the 2010 and 2011 school year there will be no raise in tuition or fees.
SAVE THE DATE – GRANDPARENTS DAY!!! February 5, 2010
OPEN HOUSES
are going to be held at Saint Leo the Great School on the following days:
- Wednesday, December 16th, 10am in the Guadalupe Room with Principal’s Welcome
- Sunday January 31st, 12:45-2:30pm- Principal’s Welcome - gym
- Wednesday, February 26th -10am in the Guadalupe Room with Principal’s Welcome
- Wednesday, March 17th - 10am in the Guadalupe Room with Principal’s Welcome
A tour of the school will follow all presentations. Please call 703-273-1211 x645 for a reservation. Please let your friends and neighbors know our new dates.
From the library...
A big thank you to Nicolas (Third Grade, Mrs. Baker's class) for his Birthday book donation of "The Mad, Mad, Mad Treasure Hunt" by Megan McDonald. You can find it the fiction shelves in the library. For information on how to donate a birthday book please contact Mrs. Craven or Mrs. Ruta.
FROM THE KITCHEN
January lunch cards were sent home this week. Deadline for turning them in is TOMORROW, Friday, Dec. 11th. We cannot accept late cards so if your child was absent or did not receive theirs 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. There are also extra cards in the front office. Contact Mrs. Cate in the kitchen for further help: 703-273-1211, ext. 650 during school hours or kitchen@saintleothegreatschool.org. Thank you.
Lost!
Parents, please check out the lost and found in the gym. There are sweaters, lunch boxes, PE uniforms and coats. Thank you.
COLD WEATHER IS HERE!
Now that the cold weather is definitely here, please ensure that your child wears warm outer clothing to school, appropriate for winter temperatures. We all want them to stay warm when going outside for morning or lunch recess. Thank you!
FROM THE PTO
Celebrate the last day of school before Christmas break by joining us at Fuddruckers on Friday, December 18 from 11:30 - 4pm. Fuddruckers will donate 20% of sales from St. Leo's family and friends to the PTO. Anyone can participate as long as they have a flyer. Flyers will be distributed at school and available on the school website.
FROM EXTENDED DAY:
Bills that were not picked up by Wednesday are going home with your child today, Thursday 12/10. Please make sure you ask your child about the November bill. Remember to keep the bill ( we do not need it back)if you need it for tax or child care refund purposes. Another remainder, there is not Extended day on the afternoon of Friday 12/18 which is a 11:30 dismissal.
BOX TOPS:
Hi! Here I am again reminding you to save those cute little coupons. One from Jack another one from Tara, it makes a huge difference. Have a wonderful December! Mrs. Figueiredo
Inclement Weather/School Closings
When the Fairfax County Schools are closed because of hazardous road conditions, Saint Leo the Great School is also closed. If Fairfax County makes a change in the opening or closing of school due to weather conditions, Saint Leo the Great does the same. It is the parent/guardian's responsibility to consult first the school website, or listen to the radio or TV for this information. PLEASE DO NOT CALL THE SCHOOL. In cases of inclement weather, or other non-weather related emergencies, and the cancellation of classes once school is in session, calls from the children to the parents/guardians will be discouraged. Since our school is air-conditioned, we DO NOT FOLLOW Fairfax County School closings due to intense heat.
If Fairfax County Schools are not in session and Saint Leo the Great is in session, first consult the school website or listen to WMAL 630 AM or WTOP 103.5 FM, channel 4, channel 8, channel 9, and channel 7 for any school closings or adjustments in opening times.
Kindergarten through Grade 8
- If there is a ONE HOUR DELAYED OPENING ON ANY 11:30AM OR 12:10PM DISMISSAL DAY, classes are dismissed at 12:10PM.
- If there is a TWO HOUR DELAYED OPENING ON ANY 11:30AM, 12:10PM, or 1:40PM EARLY DISMISSAL DAY, classes are dismissed at 3:00PM. Please be sure to send a lunch and drink with your child if it would have been a regular 11:30AM or 12:10PM dismissal day since neither lunch nor milk is provided on those days.)
The Extended Day Program always opens one hour before school:
- Delay of one hour: open at 7:50AM
- Delay of two hours: open at 8:50AM
When school closes early all children must be picked up from the Extended Day Program within two hours of dismissal. Parents/guardians are responsible for listening to the radio or T.V. for announcements.
If Fairfax County cancels after school activities, the Extended Day Program will close within two hours of dismissal.
Making meals at Let's Dish! is fun, and the more the merrier!
If you are interested in participating in the St. Leo's Let's Dish! fundraiser, which will run from November, 2009 through January, 2010, go to www.letsdish.com and select an in-store session or their pick-up service (Dish-n-Dash). Enter promotional code F9-SLTG when entering your billing information. You can share our fundraiser code with friends and family to help raise funds. You may also use the promotional code as many times as you want during fundraiser. Let's Dish! will donate 10% of the proceeds back to St. Leo the Great PTO. The more people who participate, the more money we can raise! Please contact Suzanne Dowd with any questions.
- DECEMBER 20- Nutcracker Tea, Westin Arlington Gateway Hotel, 2-4pm. Come dressed in your holiday best for a very special Nutcracker Tea. Proceeds from this fundraiser benefit the Ballet Nova scholarship. For ticket information www.balletnova.org. Deadline is December 15th. Call 703.779.3008 for further information.
- 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 10TH – 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.
- FAIRFAX LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL 2009 SPRING REGISTRATION IS OPEN. Registrations prior to February 1st for AA-Juniors and February 16th for T-BALL, Single A and Seniors receive a $25 discount. You may register online at www.fairfaxll.com.