Between the Lions - December 17, 2009
Our Administration, Faculty, and Staff wish you and your families every joy this Christmas and peace in the New Year!
School and office closed
CALENDAR REMINDERS- JANUARY
| Monday | 4 | L | Classes Resume-Welcome back Students, Faculty & Staff |
| Tuesday | 5 | I | 1-3pm-Diocesan Preschool Directors Mtg.-St. Agnes School |
| Wednesday | 6 | O | 1:30pm-Shakespeare Festival Cmte.Mtg.-St. John’s Academy |
| Thursday | 7 | N | 1-3pm-OCS meeting-Guadalupe Room 3-4pm-Yearbook Club mtg.-computer room |
| Friday | 8 | L | Saint Vincent de Paul Food Drive starts today! Diocesan Extended Day Committee Meeting 9-10am – Gr. 2 (Ms Capen) Community Presentation-Daniel & Lorraine Sprissler Gymnasium |
USE NEON YELLOW COUPON IN TUITION BOOKLET.
PRINCIPAL'S REFLECTION
Dear Parents,
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the school community for their generosity over the past several weeks. Saint Leo the Great School has committed to many community service projects – they have included Saint Vincent de Paul Food Drive, Holy Childhood Association, Catholic Charities, coat drive, Charity Cup Soccer Tournament and the gift-giving mass. We are very fortunate to have such giving parents, students, faculty and staff in our community. What a wonderful example we give to our children at this time of year in these tough economic times -- “It is in giving that we receive.” May each of you have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. The faculty, staff and administration thank you for all of you wonderful surprises and gifts. God Bless!
As Always, for the children,
Mr. David DiPippa, Principal
THANKS & PRAISE
- To Father Whitestone for inviting the Kindergarten, first and second grades over to the rectory to see the Christmas decorations there. Everyone had a great time!
- To the Class of 2010 for their donation of our Christmas tree to our school.
- Thank you to the following parents who feted the faculty, staff and maintenance with a fabulous luncheon yesterday: Jane Roxbrough, Lori Swanberg, Mary Daly, Stephanie Kofman, Marianna Gordon, Michelle Pizzano, Cheryl Sabat, Barbara Bruno, Angie Cochran, Leanna Furey, Virginia Cronin, Marianna Tucker, Kathy Moriarty, Tara Farr, Tara Alba, Suzanne Dowd, Marjorie Eisert, Wendy Kent, Carolyn Muller, Jennifer Conroy, Katie McGovern, Maria Patterson, Julie Gladbach, Lanayah McBurney, Lora O'Toole, Christine Chiarizia, Clara Robertello, Kim Perry, Sue Main, Joyce Cusack, Tanya Salewski, Joann McCarty, Kerry Drummond and Teresa Ketron. A very special thanks to Kim Notarianni for coordinating this wonderful luncheon.
- To Mrs. Byczek, Mrs. Heasly, Mrs. Cronin, Mrs. Shook, Mrs. McGovern, and Mr. Issing for planning, chaperoning our 5th grade field trip to GMU Performing Arts Center.
- To Mr. Ward and Mrs. Khavari for a spectacular Christmas Concert last Sunday. To all the beginning and advanced band students for their outstanding performances.
- To Mrs. Dowd for coordinating our Five Below fundraiser. We earned $117 from the Fairfax location and have not received the amount from Chantilly as of this date. We have extended the fund raiser until December 24th. Great job!
- To Mrs. Washington and Mrs. Polan for planning and executing our wonderful faculty/staff and maintenance breakfast last Friday.
- To the preschool faculty: Mrs. Figueiredo, Mrs. McCarty, Mrs. Ward, Mrs. Sharkey and Mrs. McSoley for the outstanding Christmas Preschool party that was given to all the classes last Thursday. It was a big hit!
- To Mrs. Ruiz from Catholic Charities for organizing our first ever coat drive. We collected 41 men’s, 39 women’s, 128 children, 10 hats, 5 gloves, and 16 scarves. Total of 250 coats! That's 250 refugees who do not have a coat today who will be warm next week prior to this, the Migration and Refugee Services office had not a single coat to give out yet this year!
- To all our students and faculty who donated $1.00 to Catholic Charities for our Christmas dress up day. A total of over $400 was raised. Good Job!
- To Mrs. Nguyen for her fabulous treats of egg rolls for our Monday lunch!
- To Mrs. Pacheco, Mrs. Moriarty, Mrs. Stephenson, Mrs. Murphy, Mrs. Bartholme and Mrs. Akiba for helping K-1 make gingerbread cookies on Monday.
- To Mrs. Schindler, the PTO Cultural Arts Committee for organizing our PK through 3rd grade Marine Duet Christmas Assembly. Special thanks to Mr. Wilson for volunteering this special concert.
- To Sami Sloboda, and Student Government for organizing our annual Winter Pep Rally for the school community.
- The following 5th grade students were our student greeters at our Open House yesterday: Emily D, Joshua D, Isabella G, Kathleen H, Nick T, Benett K and Rosemary Mc. Thanks for doing such a fabulous job!
SAVE THE DATE – GRANDPARENTS DAY!!! February 5, 2010
FUTURE OPEN HOUSES
are going to be held at Saint Leo the Great School on the following days:
- 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.
The Diocese of Arlington is please to provide a Tuition Assistance Program for parents of students attending our Diocesan Catholic schools. Interested parents are asked to submit the student aid application form, as well as a processing fee of $25 to FACTS Management Company. FACTS is the company contracted by the Diocese of Arlington to provide a confidential and objective financial analysis in determining a family’s ability to pay for Catholic School education.
In order to become eligible for receiving funds from this program, K-12 students (preschool is not eligible) must satisfy all of the criteria described below:
- A baptized Catholic or convert officially received into the Church
- Family resides within the boundaries of the Diocese of Arlington
- Family is registered and an active member of the parish or
- Family belongs to a military post parish
- Student attends or is accepted by a Catholic school in the Diocese of Arlington.
The funds from the program will be paid directly to the school that the qualifying student attends. Schools will then credit the tuition accounts for those families who have been approved to receive aid for that school year. When submitting your application, please be sure to answer all the questions on the student aid form and include all the documentation requested in the instructions. Applications can also be completed online (www.factstuitionaid.com). The deadlines for filing applications are January 22, 2010 for high school tuition and grant program, and March 5, 2010 for elementary tuition and grant program. A packet of information and its program is also available in the front office.
GOLF COMMITTEE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED:
It is hard to believe but it is time to start our initial planning effort in support of the Saint Leo the Great School's Annual Golf Tournament. Although this year's event has been changed to SEPT/OCT 2010, and it may seem like we have plenty of time to get ready--that is not the case. We are competing in a challenging sponsor market with events that occur throughout the year; hence, we are scheduling the initial kick-off meeting for:
Wednesday, 20 JAN at Auld Shebeen Irish Pub and Restaurant at 7:30pm
3971 Chain Bridge Rd, Fairfax VA 22030, Corner of Chain Bridge and North St
I know that your time is valuable but this event brings thousands of dollars to the school each year in support of its technology fund but it needs volunteers like you to make it a reality. You don't have to be a golfer to participate on this committee; just bring a positive attitude and willingness to have some fun! If you can not make it on the 20th and would like to volunteer, sponsor or know someone who would like to sponsor, please contact me at tfmcg@cox.net.
Looking forward to seeing you on the 20th. Tom McGovern, Tournament Director."
YEARBOOK PICTURES NEEDED
The Yearbook Committee is working to meet the first deadline of the year at the end of January. We are still in need of candid pictures from all grades. Other pictures we can use are from Confirmation or any class activities over the holidays (gingerbread house making, class parties, mass, etc). Please email pictures to either Joanne McCarty at jmccarty1@cox.net or Mary Beth Crosson at crosson46@yahoo.com. 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.
FROM THE PTO
Fuddruckers Celebration and Fundraiser
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. You must have a flyer for St. Leo's to receive credit. Flyers will be distributed at school and available on the school website.
Five Below - Thanks & More Deals!
Thank you to everyone who participated in the Five Below Fundraiser and helped us earn over $150 for St. Leo's. To show their appreciation for our support, Five Below has offered to host another fundraiser at both locations from December 18-24. So if you are shopping for any last minute gifts or stocking stuffers, stop by Five Below with the St. Leo's flyer for 10% to be donated back to St. Leo's. Flyers will be distributed at school and available on the school website.
Remember that the Let's Dish Fundraiser continues through January. The "Parent and Kid" sessions are a great way to involve your children in meal preparation and planning and a wonderful activity for Scouts. Please contact Suzanne Dowd with any questions or if you are interested in planning a group session. Flyers are available on the school website.
FROM 5TH GRADE:
Last week the 5th grade students enjoyed their first hands-on experience with dissecting squids. It was a fun and fascinating event for all -- for both students and parent volunteers! We are very fortunate to have Mrs. Heasly encouraging an interest in science at this young age. By the end of the experiment, the students looked eager to tackle whatever challenge may occur next in Mrs. Heasly's science class! Great job, 5th graders!
FROM EXTENDED DAY:
On the last newsletter the dismissal time for 12/18 was wrong the right time is 11:30am. November bill went home with your child; please remember that on January 4th, a late fee will be applied to all unpaid bills. The Staff of St Leo the Great Extended Day wishes you a most blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year. We'll see you back on Monday January, 4th, 2010!
FROM THE BOX TOPS CORNER:
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
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!
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.
- THIS WEEKEND!!! 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.
- DECEMBER 23-24- Bishop O’Connell Winter Hitting Camp for ages 8-14, 10-12pm, $100 per applicant. Players need to bring their own equipment. Call 571-238-9447 to register, limited enrollment.
- 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.