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Between the Lions - January 14, 2010
CALENDAR REMINDERS- JANUARY
Saint Vincent de Paul Food Drive All Week
| Monday | 18 | Martin Luther King Holiday-School & Office Closed | |
| Tuesday | 19 | I | SPIRIT WEAR DAY-See guidelines below DEADLINE – Registration for Mad Science, Gr. 3,4,5 3-5pm-Middle School Musical Rehearsal-Daniel & Lorraine Sprissler Gymnasium |
| Wednesday | 20 | O | Grandparents Day RSVP forms due today! DEADLINE for registration for Spring Drama Club, Grs.2,3,4. 10-2pm-Office Cath. Schools Inst.Seminar-“Writing Process” Tchrs. Gr 2 & 3 – Guadalupe Rm. 3:45pm-5pm-Middle School Musical Rehearsal-Daniel & Lorraine Sprissler Gymnasium. 7:30pm- Fall Golf Classic Kick-off Cmte.sign up meeting – Auld Shebeen Pub, 3971 Chain Bridge Rd. FFX |
| Thursday | 21 | N | Candid, Teams & Club Yearbook and Advisory Photos & PK 3’s NO PE UNIFORMS TODAY – BRING SNEAKERS! 1:30pm-PK-8 Assembly-Middle School Musical-Daniel & Lorraine Sprissler Gymnasium 3-3:45pm-8th Gr. Spanish Review for HS exemption exam-Vianney Ctr 7:30pm-Middle School Musical-Daniel & Lorraine Sprissler Gymnasium |
| Friday | 22 | L | MARCH FOR LIFE-Excused Absence for students that attend. Bus leaves at 10am from church parking lot after 9am mass. Bus returns at 5pm. RSVP sign up sheet in church hall. 8th graders-Application Deadline for Diocesan Catholic High Schools DEADLINE – for high school FACTS TUTION & GRANT PROGRAM END OF SECOND QUARTER Extended Day Directors In-service Saint Vincent De Paul Food Drive Ends today! |
USE NEON YELLOW COUPON IN TUITION BOOKLET.
PRINCIPAL'S REFLECTION
The eighth grade High School Placement Test results are in and the class average scores are above the National and Local percentiles in all areas! I would like to congratulate the 8th grade students and faculty (PK through 8th grade) for all their efforts in preparing our students for the STS High School Placement Test! The Composite scores, class average (Cognitive Skills and Basic Skills) is 591 (Last year was 573). Ninety-five percent of the 8th grade students scored within the Above Average Range (70-85 percentile). Grade equivalent scores for Basic Skills are: Reading 9.6 grade (last year 9.4); Math 10 (last year 9.6) grade; and Language 9.5 (last year was 9.6) grade. Parents should have received scores home this past week in the mail. Thank you for your support of Catholic education and Saint Leo the Great School!!
“Let’s March for Life!” On Friday, January 22nd, a Parish bus will leave the Saint Leo’s Church parking lot at 10am following the 9am Mass, taking parishioners to the March for Life along Constitution Avenue in Washington DC, and will be retuning around 5pm. Parents, please consider taking your 7th and 8th grade children to be a part of this manifestation of our belief in the sacredness of human life of all God’s children—both the born and the unborn. Students who wish to attend must be signed out by a parent if they come to school. This is the only day allowed by Diocesan Policy for a student to miss a school day and not be considered absent. The 37th anniversary of the Supreme Court’s action decriminalizing abortion is another opportunity to put our faith in action. Our very presence will give a voice to those who have no voice. For more information and to reserve a bus seat, please contact Mary Adams at 703-273-7277. Sign up sheets are also located in the back of the church.
Next Friday, January 22nd, marks the end of the second grading period. Report cards will be sent home on Friday, January 29th with each student. Please review these reports with your children. Praise their accomplishments and support them in areas of need and growth. Report card/envelope should be signed and returned to school by Tuesday, February 2nd. If a conference is needed, please contact individual teachers to set up a conference time. “Together we can help our students to continue to grown in Grace and Wisdom.”
As Always, for the children,
Mr. David DiPippa, Principal
THANKS & PRAISE
- To all the parents who have turned in their re-registration forms before the due date! We still have a few more outstanding. This information is very helpful in planning our upcoming school budget.
- To Mrs. Crosson who coordinated the retake pictures for some of our homerooms and individual students.
- To Mrs. Ball and Mrs. Baker for planning our special Presidents’ Program for our 3rd grade students.
- To Mrs. Capen and Mrs. Hish for planning our second grade Community Presentations. Students seemed to enjoy working on this project with their parents.
- To the students, faculty, staff and parents for their generous donations of canned foods to Saint Vincent de Paul. We are hoping to reach our goal of 2,000 cans by next week.
- To Mrs. McCarty and Mrs. Crosson for moderating our school yearbook and club. Reminder that yearbook orders are due tomorrow, January 15th.
- Congratulations to Mrs. Kelly Paul for running in the Half Marathon on Saturday and Full Marathon on Sunday in Disney World last weekend. Brrrrr! But she made us proud!
SCIENCE FAIR COORDINATOR/JUDGES NEEDED:
We are in need of volunteers to judge the school science fair. It will be held on February 26th from 12-2:30pm in the Daniel & Lorraine Sprissler Gymnasium. A flyer has been sent home today requesting your assistance. Please consider helping out with this special 7th and 8th grade science activity. We are also in need of one or two individuals to coordinate the judging of the student project categories. Special thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Kent who helped to coordinate this event last year. Please call Mr. DiPippa at 703-273-1211, ext.644 or email Ddipippa@saintleothegreatschool.org if you are able to give some time to the worthwhile middle school activity. Thank you for your help. Last year Saint Leo the Great placed first in the Diocesan-wide Science Fair held at Paul VI High School. We are very, very proud of that accomplishment. Thanks again to Mr. Abraham for all his hard work. If you are able to help us, please return the flyer to the front office as soon as possible. Thank you.
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. Please see Parent/Student Handbook (page 72) for acceptable attire for our out of uniform days.
UNIFORM REMINDERS
Girls- We are half way through the school year! It's time to check how tall you have gotten since August! Please make sure your skirt reaches your knees. We will be checking to make sure the length is appropriate for school.
Boys- Your hair should be cut so that it does not touch the collar of your shirt, does not fall below your eyebrows and does go past the tops of your ears. Thank you.
PE UNIFORM REMINDER:
Please remember that the PE winter uniform includes sweatshirt and sweatpants (K-5) and either the wind pants and jacket or sweatshirt and sweatpants (6-8) – no combinations allowed! Students must have their pants and sweatshirt/jacket on when they come to school and when they travel from class to class. Students may ask their teacher for permission to remove the sweatshirt/jacket when they arrive in class, but should put it back on before moving to the next classroom. PE pants may be removed during PE class only, with permission from Mr. Allen, but must be put back on before leaving the gym.
FROM THE KITCHEN
February lunch cards were sent home this week. Deadline for turning them in is TOMORROW, Friday, Jan. 15th. Please note the Science Fair is on Friday, February 26th and all students must bring a lunch from home. It is not on the 19th as listed on the card. 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.
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 - Daniel & Lorraine Sprissler Gymnasium.
- Friday, 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.
JANUARY SAINT VINCENT DE PAUL PANTRY
Saint Vincent De Paul’s Pantry will hold its winter food drive from Jan 8th to Jan 22nd. The virtue studied for this month is honesty. It should remind us that the “Christ within us” wants us to become trustworthy and act with integrity in all we do. So, we, as Catholics, should honestly attempt to try to meet the needs of others, too, by helping in any way possible. With this teaching in mind, let us remember the needy of our community. Of course, any food donation is greatly appreciated. The following food items are desperately needed in the pantry:
- Pasta, syrup & pancake mix, powdered milk, canned fruits
- Cereals (cold or hot especially oatmeal), Rice, tuna fish or any canned meat
Thursday, Jan 14th will be a Student/Faculty/Staff Dress-down Day with a donation of 2 food items for this drive. Thank you for your continued support. SVDP School team: David Di Pippa, Mary Sabina Byczek, and Scott Allen.
FROM THE LIBRARY:
Thank you so much to the Corcoran family, Mrs. Corcoran works in our kitchen, for their donation of "You Are Special". It is a wonderful addition to our easy reader section. For information on how to donate a library book, please contact Mrs. Craven or Mrs. Ruta.
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."
FROM THE PTO
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.
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.
- JANUARY 23rd- Alice in Wonderland Father-Daughter Dance - Sponsored by the Girl Scouts of Saint Leo’s. Dance is from 7-9pm. Cost is $15.00 per couple and $5. for each additional daughter. For more information, please contact Beth Ward at 703.273.6289, or billyjoe@cox.net.
- JANUARY 30 – PVI – All 8th graders and their families are invited to be our guest for dinner and two varsity basketball games. 4:15pm – Varsity Girl’s Basketball in the Activity Center (complementary tickets will be available at the door) 5:30pm-Dinner - Join PVI coaches and players from all of our athletic teams for pizza and soda. You will have ample time to ask questions and learn about the exciting world of PVI sports. 6:00pm – Varsity Boy’s Basketball in the Activity Center (complementary tickets will be available at the door) Parents and 8th Graders should feel free to attend all or part of the evening. RSVP to ehanley@paulvi.net
- BEFORE FEB 1ST- FAIRFAX LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL 2009 SPRING REGISTRATION IS OPEN. Registrations 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.
- FEBRUARY 2-3-4 - PROSPECTIVE TEACHER OPEN HOUSE: If you are interested in teaching for the Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Arlington, there are three Open Houses being held in February. Please come and learn about the opportunities and advantages of teaching in our Catholic Schools. No registration is required. On February 2nd at St. Thomas More Cathedral School in Arlington, from 7-9pm. On February 3rd, at St. Francis of Assisi School in Triangle Virginia from 1-3pm, and on February 4 from 1-3pm at All Saints School in Manassas, Virginia.
- FEBRUARY 6 – O’Connell Cheerleading Clinic, 9-12pm—Ages 9-14 Required signed consent form and $30 fee which includes clinic, t-shirt and pizza. Enter Upper Gym (entrance 8). Please register no later than 1-19-10 at diocheerleading@gmail.com. Parent invited for performance & pizza 11:30am-12pm.