Between the Lions - April 1, 2010

PRINCIPAL'S REFLECTION
Lent is a time when we prepare as a faith community to meet the risen Christ at Easter. It is a time for us to turn away from what keeps us living the Gospel, and to remind ourselves that we are called to use the gifts that God has given to live lives rooted in justice. To be just in the biblical sense is to be in right relationship with God and neighbor. As we continue our journey this Lent, we pray for a change of heart toward greater love of God and neighbor; we fast from self-indulgence and indifference to the poor and suffering; and we share our food, our wealth and our time and talents with others.

May the Holy Spirit give us the strength to act justly, the courage to love tenderly and the faith to walk humbly with our God. May we all continue to Grow in Grace and Wisdom during this Lenten season

Today is the end of the Third Quarter. When we return, students in Grades 1 through 8 will receive their third quarter grades on Friday, April 16th. Please review these grades with your children, praise their accomplishments and encourage them in areas of needed growth. Please sign and return the report card by Tuesday, April 20th. Please contact individual teachers for an appointment if a conference is needed. Together we can continue to help our students reach their goals.

The TerraNova Test will be administered to grades 2-7 beginning Monday, April 19th and finishing Friday, April 23rd. Monday, April 26th and Tuesday, April 27th are make-up testing days. Please do not schedule any morning doctor appointments, etc during these test days. Students should get a good night’s rest and eat a balanced breakfast every day, especially this week. Students will need two #2 pencils for all testing days. In addition, 5th grade students will be taking their standardized Religion test, ACRE, on Tuesday, April 27th and 8th grade will be taking the ACRE on Tuesday, April 20th. Any questions, please call Mrs. Ann Polan, guidance counselor, on extension 649.

PTO Board is accepting nominations for candidates to serve on the Board for a two year term. The nomination period is now open, nominations are due Monday, April 12th! Ballots will be available April 15th -- please complete ballots and return to the front office by Friday, April 23rd. Serving on the Board is an opportunity to take a leadership role in school-related educational, social, and fund-raising activities. If interested, please contact Mr. McGrail, PTO President, PTO website: www.saintleopto@saintleothegreatschool.org , or any Board member. Thank you for your consideration.

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

THANKS & PRAISE

• To Mrs. Mackay, Mrs. Wiegand and Ms. Akiba for their help with the photographers on last week’s picture day.
• To Mrs. LaBarge and our teachers and students for making cards for our parish shut-ins. Outstanding job!
• To Mrs. Hardy and the 4th grade students for their very special planning of our three stations of the cross during our Lenten season.
• To Mrs. Dowd for organizing our Five Below fundraiser and our PTO “Dinner Out” at Fuddruckers.
• To Mr. Ward  and the Saint Leo  Advanced Band for an outstanding Festival this past weekend.  The Advanced Band scored a double superior ratings which is the highest ratings awarded. This makes a record 32 Superior ratings in a row by the Advanced Band!!
• To Mrs. Crosson and all the room 4-12 parent volunteers for a very fun and educational Easter egg scavenger hunt.
• To Mrs. Nguyen, who brought in four beautiful cakes on Wednesday for the faculty to enjoy.
• To Marian Hartzell for presenting the story of The Passion to the kindergarten classes earlier this week.

St. Leo the Great 2010 Auction
Tickets are now on sale for this year’s “Bringing the World to Our Children” Auction Gala. This year’s Dinner, Silent and Live Auction will be held Friday, April 30 at the International Country Club in Fairfax, time to be announced. For tickets and registration please visit the auction website: https://stleosch.ejoinme.org/MyEvents/BRINGINGTHEWORLDTOOURCHILDREN/tabid/191480/Default.aspx. Questions regarding donations or sponsorships should be directed to Patty Dudley at StLeosAuction2010@verizon.net.

ATTENTION AFTERNOON CARPOOLS
Some concerns have arisen regarding pets/dogs being brought out of cars at carpool time. I would ask that all pets be kept in cars at all times, to maintain a safe and orderly dismissal. Thank you for your cooperation.

St. Leo's Advanced Band Scores Big at Festival
On Saturday, March 27th, the St. Leo's Advanced Band scored double Superior ratings from both judges. The band performed three selections for adjudication at the Arlington Diocese Band Festival held at Bishop Ireton High School. Both judges were selected from area schools to evaluate all the bands in our diocese. These rating also represent the 32nd time that St. Leo's Band has been awarded Superior ratings, which are the highest ratings in music. Congratulations to all members of the advanced band for their continued greatness. Both the beginners and advanced students are looking towards an end of year concert for parents and a field trip to Hershey Park for the Music in the Parks Band Competition. Congratulation for all the hard work.

EXTENDED DAY
March bills are going home with your child on Thursday, April 1st. The staff of Extended Day wishes you a most Blessed Easter.

FROM THE PTO
If you need any toys or treats that the Easter Bunny might forget, remember to visit Five Below anytime from Saturday, March 27- April 3.  Both the Fair City Mall and the Greenbriar Towne Center locations are participating.  Please remember to bring your flyer for our school to receive credit.  A copy is available on the school website.

Please remember to pick-up your Chick-fil-a Cheesecake, if you ordered one, so that you can enjoy it over Easter break!

Thank you to all the families that supported our Fuddruckers Fundraiser this month and helped us earn $200!  We also enjoyed some friendly competition between the basketball teams and grades, and the winner by a landslide was the 6th Grade!  A special prize from Fuddruckers will be awarded to each student in the 6th grade.

THERE'S A CARNIVAL COMING TO TOWN! Mark your calendars and save the date: Saturday, May 22. Watch this space for more details to follow!

HAVE A GOOD IDEA? Send your suggestions for making St. Leo's a better school for our children to saintleopto@saintleothegreatschool.org. Please include the word SUGGESTION in the subject line.

PTO Fundraisers - please remember that flyers are also available on the school website under PTO/Fundraising

• Chick-fil-a Cheesecakes - Don't miss out on your chance to get these scrumptious cheesecakes -- perfect for Easter, dinner parties, and gifts. Cheesecakes are $25 each, and St. Leo's will earn $5 for each one sold. You can place your order between March 15-25 for delivery at the school on March 31 or April 1 or for pickup at the Fair Oaks Mall location on April 1, 2, 8, or 9). If you are going away for spring break, please remember that the cheesecakes can be stored in the freezer for up to 6 months...so you can enjoy it when you return home.
• Five Below - Looking for little goodies and toys to fill those Easter Baskets? Five Below has everything that you need and is donating 10% of dollars spent by St. Leo's families and friends back to our PTO. Shop at the Fair City Mall and Greenbriar Towne Center locations from Saturday, March 27 through Saturday, April 3, and remember to bring your flyer!

PRESCHOOL OPENINGS
Please tell your friends that it takes only a phone call or a visit to decide that St. Leo's the Great Preschool is the place for their children. We only have a few openings left. We wish you a Happy Easter!

BOX TOPS
On Wednesday I will be making the last submission of the 2009-2010 school year.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for your amazing support. It doesn't end here, please keep on clipping and sending coupons. The program runs year around. A soon as I know I will let you know how we did. On Thursday April 1st. we will collecting towards the 2010-2011 school year.
Have a wonderful Easter!

• APRIL 2 Fairfax City Police & the Optimist Club are offering a Safe Assured Identification Kit between 10-3:30 at the Fairfax City Police Department right next to Saint Leo’s. Parents will receive a full color photo ID and a mini-CD that contains digital fingerprints, a digital photo, video showing movement and mannerisms—general physical description, vital personal information and a family code word. Private information is encrypted and accessible only by law enforcement. A missing person poster can be created and printed from the mini CD. These kits are free and an appointment is necessary. Please call Sergeant Pam Nevlud at 703.385.7966 for further information.
• APRIL 16, 17, 18 – PVI Players will be performing Meredith Wilson’s hit “The Music Man” this spring. Two of our St. Leo’s 3rd graders will be performing in the show as members of the “River City Boys Band”, Aidan M and Antonio D. Performances of the famous Broadway musical will start at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, April 16th and 17th, as well as a matinee beginning at 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 18th. More information can be found at www.paulvi.net.
• 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.
• JUNE 28-JULY 1- Bishop O’Connell Soccer Camp, for ages 8-14,at Tuckahoe Park, 9am-3pm $200. Questions or registration: djosoccercamp@verizon.net or 703/894.8844.

• 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
• JULY 12-23 - Summer Experience for Middle Schoolers - Expand your horizons this summer with one and two-week programs for rising 7th, 8th, and 9th graders at O'Connell HS. Signup for the Leadership Academy, The World Around Us, or the Performing Arts program. For more info, visit http://www.bishopoconnell.org/summerexperience or call 703-929-3519