Between the Lions - February 4, 2010
CALENDAR REMINDERS- FEBRUARY
NJHS Pennies for Patients Service Activity All Week
| Monday | 8 | L | Spring Art Cub Registrations Due today Gr. 3 & 4 1pm-Middle Sch.Passport Party-Bolster & Sloboda Advisories 3-4pm-Winter/Spring Chess Club-Parish Hall |
| Tuesday | 9 | I | |
| Wednesday | 10 | O | 7:15pm - PTO Meeting-Vianney Center |
| Thursday | 11 | N | 8:30am-12:30pm-6th Gr. Field Trip-TC Wms.HS-Planetarium (Mr. Abraham) 3-3:45pm-8th Gr.Spanish Review for HS exemption exam-Vianney Ctr 3-4pm-Yearbook Club – Computer room 3-4:15pm-Advanced Drama Club Grs.2-3-4-St. John’s Rm-Parish Hall 3-4:15pm-Beginning Drama Club Grs.3-3-4-Guadalupe Rm.Parish Hall |
| Friday | 12 | S-2 | No Mass 11:30am Dismissal-Extended Day 11:30am-6pm 11:30am-12:45pm-Math Mania Gr. 4 & 5, rm. 21 12:15pm – Faculty Meeting-curriculum mapping-library |
PRINCIPAL'S REFLECTION
With report cards being sent out last week, I thought this short story might help parents help their children. Thank you for your support of Catholic education and all your positive feedback as we celebrated our Catholic Schools Week and our Catholic identity.
“No one is perfect, especially a child in elementary school! Parents are often tempted to step in when their child forgets. It is fine to help out if your child just forgets once in a while. But suppose your child always forgets his spelling book. Each week, you try to fix the problem. Sometimes you drive your child back to school. Sometimes you call around to find out the spelling words. ‘Otherwise my child will fail a spelling test,’ you think. True enough. But are you going to drive your child several miles back to high school when he forgets his math book? Are you going to call his college professor when he forgets to write down his lab project? Probably not! Instead, try letting your child see what happens naturally. Tell him that he is responsible for bringing the book home, and that he’ll have to figure out what to do if he forgets. Might he fail a spelling test? Yes. But sooner or later, he will bring the book home. It is the kind of learning that takes time. But once the lesson is learned, it will never be forgotten.”
Amen
As Always, for the children,
Mr. David DiPippa, Principal
THANKS & PRAISE
- What a wonderful job the students did for our Catholic Schools Week Mass that was celebrated last Sunday. Under the guidance of Mrs. Chris LeBlanc and Mrs. Lisa Schouviller, the following students were instrumental in making this a huge success. Introduction: Raymond M., First Reader: Marybeth W., Second Reader: Olivia R., Petitions: Perry R., Mary Ellen P., Allison P., and Mary B., Offertory Gifts: The Korka Family. The Youth and Junior Choir directed by Kathy White were spectacular. Many thanks to all who gave of their time and talent.
- Special thanks to the Catholic Schools Week Committee: Lisa Schouviller, Carolina Agostini, Adrian Abraham and JoEllen Merrill for all of their time and effort in planning our special activities.
- To Mrs. Dowd and the PTO Board for supporting and organizing our fun-filled skate night at Fairfax Ice Arena.
- To Mrs. Muller, PTO Room Parent Coordinator for coordinating the special cupcake treats for the students. Special thanks to all the parent volunteers for collecting and serving them at lunch.
- Thank you to the Saint Leo Girl Scout Troop and Beth Ward for coordinating a wonderful luncheon for our faculty, staff and maintenance on Thursday.
- To Mrs. Sloboda for coordinating our spelling bee. Special thanks to our volunteer parent judges.
- To Father Baez, Mrs. LaBarge, Mrs. Lyle, Mrs. Polan and Mrs. Sloboda for organizing a special living Rosary for our student body.
- To Mrs. Pepin and Cub Scout Pack 1113 for coordinating a wonderful breakfast on Monday and Tuesday for our faculty, staff and maintenance – yummy!
DIOCESAN HONOR BAND
Congratulations to the following students who were selected to this year’s Honor Band. These students will rehearse with about 100 other students from all schools in the diocese from the weeks of February through May. A final concert is given at Bishop Ireton Hish School with the high school bands. The following students will be representing Saint Leo’s:
Christine F – Flute, Genisis A – Clarinet, Sarah M – Clarinet
Katherine F – Trumpet, Jeff D – Trumpet, James F – Tuba
Andreas B – Trombone, Joseph T – Trombone
Please give a special congratulations to these students and Mr. Ward appreciates all those students who wanted to be a part of this and were not selected.
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHY BEE
Mrs. Sloboda’s 7th and 8th graders competed in the National Geography Bee sponsored by the National Geographic Society. The Bee entails seven preliminary rounds to narrow the four classes to the top finalists who then compete in a series of elimination rounds. Saint Leo’s is proud to announce that in this year’s Bee Julia D (7th gr.) won first place, and Marybeth W. (8th grade) won second.
FROM GUIDANCE
Johns Hopkins CTY will be holding a special testing for the SAT exam on This Saturday February 6, 2010 at Longfellow Middle School (2000 Westmoreland St. Falls Church, VA). CTY is providing this special testing opportunity to students in grades 7 and 8 who are interested in participating in the CTY Talent Search. The deadline for registering is January 29th. Please check Mrs. Polan's webpage on the Teacher Pages for more information.
SCIENCE FAIR JUDGES NEEDED
We are still 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 requesting your assistance. Please consider helping out with this special 7th and 8th grade science activity. Special thanks to Mrs. Gormley who will coordinate the event this year. 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. As we are still in need of judges, and If you are able to help us, please return the flyer to the front office immediately. Thank you.
SAINT LEO SCORES BIG FOR SAINT VINCENT DE PAUL FOOD PANTRY
Once again, we have successfully completed our second food drive with a final total of over 2,300 food items donated for the needy families of our parish—surpassing our planned goal of 2,000 cans! How proud we are that our school is actively practicing this year’s Catholic Social Teaching of The Dignity of the Work and the Rights of the Workers.
QUIZ BOWL
Get ready for an evening of fun!! Come to St. Leo's Annual Quiz Bowl, Saturday, March 6th from 7-9:30pm. If you are new to school or have never played Quiz Bowl; this event involves groups (teams of 8-10) completing against each other to answer trivia questions. Coffee and dessert are provided - players are invited to bring their own food and drinks. Doors open at 6:30pm. Tickets are $100 a table or $14 a person. Individuals will be placed on a team with other individuals. For more information or to help out please contact Kristin & Evan Bolster - 703-569-1830 or jacksmom@teacher.com
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 not go past the tops of your ears. Thank you.
FUTURE OPEN HOUSES
are going to be held at Saint Leo the Great School on the following days:
- 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.
Got Milk?
Apparently not for many students. We are noticing 30-40 bottles of milk leftover after each lunch period daily - this means 90-120 students who have purchased milk are not picking it up. Milk is provided everyday for those who have purchased, regardless of having purchased the hot meal. Please remind your student to pick up their milk and to select the correct flavor- too many chocolate milks are being taken that have not been ordered. Contact the kitchen (please NOT between 11:30 AM and 1 PM) if you need a reminder of what you have ordered or if a change is needed: kitchen@saintleothergreatschool.org or 703 359-6650.
From the library
Thank you to the Baldacci family for their book donations in honor of Olivia S's (Mrs. Sloboda's class) birthday. Also, thank you to Madelyn O in Mrs. Merrill's class for her donation to the Easy Reader section of the library. For information about library book donations, please contact Mrs. Craven or Mrs. Ruta.
AN ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE FAIRFAX COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT
The Fairfax County Health Department and the Virginia Department of Health have entered a new phase the H1N1 vaccination campaign, reminding everyone that it's not too late to get vaccinated. H1N1 Vaccine is now widely available and offered daily, free of charge, at our five health department district offices located throughout Fairfax County. H1N1 clinic locations and schedule are posted at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/flu.
STRIVE for FIVE CHALLENGE
February 8-15th -- It's time for our annual Strive for Five School Wide Challenge! In order to encourage our students (and their families) to increase fruits and vegetables in their diet, Saint Leo the Great School is focusing on the importance of eating fruits and vegetables. Any five days between February 8th and February 15th that a student eats five fruits and vegetables will count. All forms of beans, though technically a legume, will count for this challenge as a vegetable. Fruits and vegetables provide vitamins, minerals and fiber and should be a part of everyone’s daily diet. This is a great time to get in the habit of sending in fruit or vegetables for snack in grades K-5and pack extra fruit or vegetables in all student lunches. When: The Strive for Five focus will occur between February 8th and February 15th. All forms are due to the homeroom teacher (not middle school science teacher or advisor) on or before Thursday February 18, 2010. No late forms will be accepted . Please see the Health and Wellness site for additional information and extra forms. If you have any questions please email me at tferlotti@saintleothegreatschool.org
PRESCHOOL Parents:
In the event of another snowfall please remember that we follow Fairfax County School. You can also find information on the TV news, the school website and on the Parents Handbook. Just in case here is how it will be for Preschool if we have a 2 hour delay: Am classes will star at 10:20 and dismiss at 12:20. PM class will meet at 1:00 and dismiss at 2:55 If there is a 1 hour delay AM classes will meet at 9:20 and dismiss at 11:20. PM class will have a regular schedule. If you are in doubt always check what Fairfax Co. is doing.
EXTENDED DAY
Parents: When Fairfax Co Schools open late so do we. For a 2 hour delay we'll be open at 8:50 for 1 hour delay we'll open at 7:50.
Please remind your child to pack in a pair of tennis shoes to play in Extended day. Students wearing regular school shoes won't be able to play in the gym and will have to remain seated. Regular shoes make dark marks on the floor which make the janitor's job so much difficult because it takes a lot of time to remove.
Friday is an early dismissal day, please don't forget to pack lunch for your child.
We provide time for your child to eat snack every day, please don't forget to pack one.
January bills will be available for you to pick up from Extended day, today, Tuesday and Wednesday. Bill not picked up will go home with your child on Thursday.
Parents: I don't know what is happening but I haven't gotten any coupons later. Next month I will make my last deposit of the 2009-2010 school year, if I don't get coupons we won't reach our goal. Do we want to reach our goal? Yes I can't hear you! I should hear a resounding YES!!!! Thank you! Bianca Figueiredo
FROM THE PTO
Mark your calendars! The first PTO General Membership Meeting for the 2009-2010 school year is on Thursday, February 18, 2010, from 7pm to 9pm in the Guadalupe Room in Olde Parish Hall. This meeting is the first General Membership Meeting we've had in a while. They have not been scheduled because few people showed up in the past. Let's change that trend and fill up the room! Come and find out what's happening with your PTO. Please send you suggestions for agenda items to saintleopto@saintleothegreatschool.org before Monday, February 8, 2010. Be on the look-out for the agenda starting Thursday, February 11.
Do what you would normally do and help out the PTO! There are several ways you can help! Did you know that you can help the PTO and St. Leo's simply by doing what you are already doing? So far, this year, we have earned $190 from Chick-fil-a, $220 from Fuddruckers, $90 from Let’s Dish and $160 from Five Below...simply by families shopping or eating at these local businesses. Here are some other ways for you to help:
-Buying Groceries: Every early-dismissal Friday, a Knight from the Knights of Columbus will be available during afternoon carpool for you to purchase "scrip" from your favorite grocery stores, like Giant, Safeway, Bloom and Shoppers. The Knights get part of the proceeds of these sales and generously donate some of their portion to the PTO. Bring your checkbooks to carpool or pay cash! Use the handy order form on the St. Leo’s web site under PTO > Forms. Using grocery scrip can also help you budget your grocery dollars better since you can time your purchase to when your paychecks come in and better track how much you're spending!
- Preparing Freezer-Ready Meals in Advance for those busy nights: Prepare homemade meals ahead of time at Let's Dish! This fundraiser has been extended through April, simply by using promotion code F9-SLTG when you sign up at www.letsdish.com. Making meals at Let's Dish is fun, and the more the merrier, so feel free to share the promotion code with your friends and family. The "Parent and Kid" sessions are a great way to involve your children in meal preparation and planning and a wonderful activity for Scouts. You can also enjoy some adult time with friends and make it a “Mom’s Night Out!” Please contact Suzanne Dowd with any questions or if you are interested in planning a group session. Forms are available on the school website.
- Eating out and socializing with your St. Leo's friends: What could be easier or more fun? Be on the look out for Dinner Out events coming soon at Red, Hot & Blue (January 27 & 28), Baja Fresh, Coyote Grill, Fuddruckers, Chick-fil-a, and Ledo Pizza!
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 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.
- FEBRUARY 16 –Paul VI HS Annual Pancake Supper from 6-8pm in the school cafeteria. Adults $6, children under 6 - $4. Omelet bar additional $3.50. For more information call Campus Ministry, 703.351.0925 x330
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FEBRUARY 21 –First ever Girl’s & Boy’s one day Hip Hop Clinic – separate classes for boys and girls. 12 noon – 4pm. $45. fee includes t-shirt, snacks and pizza. Call Mrs. P at 703-250-5711 to register and receive application. Grades 1 to 8. Taught by PVI Dance Team seniors and local Hip Hop Instructor.
- JUNE 21-25/JULY 26-30 - Paul VI Boys & Girls Basketball Camp $190.00 per camper -- Camp is for rising 3rd - 9th graders. Please contact Scott Allen at coachsallen@aol.com for further information and registration. Camp discounts available per camper for attending two or three camps.
- JUNE 28-JULY 1/JULY 19-22 - St Leo the Great Basketball Camp for Boys & Girls – Mini Hoopster Camps: Boys 9 am - 12 pm - Girls 1 pm - 4 pm....$100.00 per camper. Camp is for rising 1st - 3rd graders from all schools. Please contact Scott Allen at coachsallen@aol.com for further information and registration.
- JULY 12-16 – St Leo the Great Basketball Camp for Boys and girls rising 3rd grade to 9th grade from all schools. $190 per camper. Please contact Scott Allen at coachsallen!aol.com for further information and registration