Between the Lions - April 15, 2010

PRINCIPAL'S REFLECTION
This past Tuesday, students in grades K through 5 enjoyed a fun-filled PTO sponsored assembly, “Math Magic.” Special thanks go out to Mrs. Schindler, Chair of our PTO Cultural Arts Committee for organizing all of our wonderful educational assemblies this past school year. Thank you to the PTO Executive Board for funding these outstanding enrichment assemblies.

Tomorrow, Friday, April 16th students in grades 1 through 8 will be receiving their 3rd quarter report cards. 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.

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

THANKS & PRAISE

• Congratulations to Julia D. who represented Saint Leo’s in the State Geography Bee in Richmond over the weekend. Out of 100 contestants, there were only 20 females and Julia was one of them!
• Congratulations to the newly inducted members of the National Honor Society who will be installed this evening: Genesis A., Dylan C., Julia D., Matthew F., Lauren H., Sarah H., Mark LaB., Liam L., Raymond M., Da M., Jessica O., Giancarlo P., Christopher R., Nicola T., Joseph T., and Julianna V.
• To Mrs. Kathy White, Mrs. Ann Lyle for moderating our National Junior Honor Society this year and for planning a very special NJHS Induction for our new inductees. Special thanks to alumna, Kristina Jacobs, who came back to share her wisdom and experiences with the new members.
• To Mr. and Mrs. Cronin who moderated our beginning and advanced chess club this year. Students will also compete later on this year at a chess club tournament. Good luck in advance!

NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY CAR WASH
NJHS students will hold a fund raising car wash on Friday, April 16th from 2:00pm to 4:00pm by the front doors of St. Leo School.   Bring your cars!!

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.

MIDDLE SCHOOL SCIENCE
We welcome to our faculty, Ms. Julie Patel, who will be assisting Mr. Abraham in our Middle School Science Program for the remainder of this year. Ms. Patel is a former Middle School Science teacher for the Diocese of Arlington. She received her B.S. in Biology and Chemistry from Salem College and her Masters in Public Health from George Washington University. She currently moderates our 4th and 5th Grade Math Mania Club and teachers 8th Grade High School Placement Test Preparation course for Advanced Student Learning, Inc.

FROM THE KITCHEN
Lunch cards for the month of May were sent home this week. Deadline for turning them in is TOMORROW, Friday, April 16th. We cannot accept late cards so if your child was absent or did not receive theirs, 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.  Questions or concerns, please email Mrs. Cate at kitchen@saintleothegreatschool.org. Thank you.

NEWS FROM ART
The Annual Art Fair is coming May 4th!  The Fair will feature 2 and 3D artworks from all students in grades K-8. The Art Fair will once again be hosted by KidsArt Fair, a company that provides our school with beautiful frames for each child's artwork. The students really enjoyed seeing their artwork in the frames like a real art gallery! Look for invitations coming home next week.  An RSVP will allow your child's artwork to be pre-framed for the Fair. 
Please note: an RSVP is NOT a commitment to purchase the frame.  
Frames will be for sale and all proceeds will go to improve the Ceramics portion of our art program. Any parents interested in helping to set up the Fair please contact Kristin Bolster, kbolster@saintleothegreatschool.org We look forward to seeing you at the Fair!

FROM THE LIBRARY
Thank you to Cullen G (second grade) for his donation of Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Rodrick Rules. It is sure to be checked out often!!   For information on book donations, please contact Mrs. Craven or Mrs. Ruta.

ST. LEO'S SPRING TRACK AND FIELD
Friday, April 16 is the FINAL DAY for registration.  Please visit the website for the three forms and information.   Questions?  Email dkudipietro@viocvirginia.com.

FROM THE PTO

• A link to the PTO Executive Board Ballot is provided. Please vote and return.
• Eat Fresh and Raise Funds...with Baja Fresh on Tuesday, April 20th, from 4-10 p.m. Join us at Baja Fresh - Pan Am Plaza, 3011-A Nutley Street, Fairfax, VA. Dine in, Take out, or Call Ahead to Grab it and Go (703-280-5400). Baja Fresh will donate 15% of the proceeds from the entire evening to St. Leo's PTO.
• The Carnival is coming to town on May 22nd! Be among the first to sign up for the first-ever event of its kind at St. Leo's. We ask for your help in order to make this a fun-filled time for the entire family. Both moms and dads are needed. To volunteer, email Lori Swanberg at LMSwanberg@gmail.com. In advance, we thank you for making this a memorable event for all of our children.

Saint Leo School, in partnership with the PTO
is seeking volunteers to become “welcome family buddies”. These families would be partners for new St. Leo Families who either transfer or begin Kindergarten for the first time. As you may remember, coming to a new school it is often difficult learning the ins & outs and we would like to do as much as possible to make new families feel at home quickly. If you volunteer, your family will be paired with a new family by the school. We provided some suggestions and guidelines to working with a buddy family in the attachment on this email to understand what volunteering entails. If you are interested in being a welcome family, please fill out the attached volunteer form and return it to school to Mrs. Washington. You may print it out or email it to cwashington@saintleothegreatschool.org. Thank you!

PRESCHOOL OPENINGS
If you need an application or information for you or for a friend call me Bianca Figueiredo at 703)273-1211 ext 652.

• 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.
• APRIL 20 AND MAY 19 – City of Fairfax Police in conjunction with the Optimist Club will be offering Safe Assured identification kits between the hours of 12 PM and 6 PM at the City of Fairfax Police Department. Parents will receive a full color photo ID and a mini-CD that contains digital fingerprints, a digital photo, video showing movement and mannerisms, a 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 directly from the mini-CD in English, Spanish and French.  These identifications kits can also be used as a valuable aid for adults with special needs. The Safe Assured ID kits are free and an appointment is necessary. Please call Sergeant Pam Nevlud at 703 385-7966 for further information.
• APRIL 24 5-6pm upper gym–Preview for 7th graders at Bishop O’Connell HS. Explore your options. Students attending will receive a free pass for their families to attend the Festival of the Arts which will be held from 6 - 9 PM! You do not need to RSVP -- we'll see you there!  Questions may be directed to Mary McAlevy, Director of Admissions, at 703-237-1433.
• APRIL 29 – PAUL VI HS – 7pm- “Explore the merits of a Catholic High School Education” for parents of 6th and 7th graders. Reservations 703.352-0925, ext.331 or ehanley@paulvi.net.
• MAY 1 – 7PM - “PANTHER ALL STAR CASINO NIGHT” Wear your favorite player's or team jersey and join us for an evening of fun, friendship, gambling, food and drink in the Activity Center. Register at WWW.PVI.NET-click Casino Night, print and mail in the registration form, or click on the 2nd pair of RED DICE to register on line.  For additional information, please contact Suzanne Knight at Suzanneknight@verizon.net or Katy Mahoney at kmahoney@eckertseamons.com.
• SPORTS CAMPS AT PAUL VI - includes: Boys & Girls Basketball, Cheer, Dance, Ice Hockey, Lacrosse (girls), Boys & Girls Soccer, Softball, Volleyball and Wrestling. Go to www.paulvi.net website under current students and parent link and go camp brochures/information.
• 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 1- 9-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