Between the Lions - April 22, 2010

PRINCIPAL'S REFLECTION
On Friday, April 30th the Saint Leo the Great school community will come together to participate in our annual Dinner Auction at International Country Club. I want to thank in advance Mrs. Dudley, Auction Chair, Mrs. Furey, Chair of the Parish/School Development Committee and all the wonderful parent volunteers who have given much time and energy in planning this special event. I know that the students, faculty/staff will benefit from their outstanding efforts. Thanks again to all of the individuals who are able to attend and support in many ways this wonderful event. We look forward to an outstanding social evening with the Saint Leo the Great School Community. Tickets can be purchased no later than Monday, April 26th so send in your ticket order request form by this Monday or buy them online. In addition, raffle tickets are still on sale. Please turn your raffle order in by Monday, April 26th.

Best wishes go out to our middle school science students who will be participating in the Diocesan science fair this weekend at Paul VI High School. Last year Saint Leo’s placed First out of all the Diocesan elementary schools! Thanks go out to Mr. Adrian Abraham for preparing them so well!

Monday, April 26th and Tuesday, April 27th are TerraNova Test make-up days.  In addition, 5th students will be taking their standardized Religion test, ACRE, on Tuesday, April 27th. Students will need two #2 pencils for ACRE testing day.  Any questions, please call Mrs. Ann Polan, guidance counselor, on extension 649.

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

THANKS & PRAISE

• Oops, one of our outstanding students was left off the list of those being inducted into the National Junior Honor Society. Congratulations to Maily P!
• Thank you Mrs. Nguyen for the wonderful donuts for the faculty after Mass last week!
• Congratulations to the National Junior Honor Society that raised $600.90 in last week’s car wash. Thanks also go to Mrs. White and Mrs. Lyle, Moderators and Mrs. Barna and Mrs. Ferlotti for all their help and assistance.
• Thanks to all the parents, faculty and staff that supported the NJHS car wash last week. Everyone was so very generous.
• To Mrs. White for preparing the Parish Youth and Junior Choirs for the Diocesan Music Festival held this past weekend at John Paul the Great High School.
• To Mrs. Dowd for organizing our Dinner Out at Baja Fresh this past week.
• Special thanks go out to Mrs. Williams for coordinating our Spring Mad Science class for our 3rd, 4th, and 5th scientists. The club was enjoyed by all.
• KUDOS to our St. Leo alums Matt B, Ethan C, Teige C, Colleen C, Eleina E, Allison H and 3rd graders Antonio DeM and Aidan McS for truly spectacular performances this past weekend of "The Music Man" at Paul VI.

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.

PENNIES FOR PATIENTS-UPDATE! Total raised: $2301.00
Top Classroom: Mrs. Ball $348.48 (second year in a row to raise the most money). Honorable mention: Mrs. LaBarge $321.35. Our school earned two pizza parties, which will go to Mrs. Ball's class and the NJHS. Saint Leo's will receive the Lifesaver's Award for raising more than $2010 and a Penny Plaque for raising over $1000. Mrs. Ball's and Mrs. LaBarge's classes will be entered into a raffle for a chance to win a VIP trip to a DC United game. They will each also each receive a gold pennant (for raising at least $300).  Mrs. Heasly's class will receive a silver pennant (for raising at least $200). Fantastic job everyone! Thank you all for bringing in those coins and thank you parents and teachers for their generous donations. We have made a huge difference in the lives of many people fighting a blood cancer!

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 Computer Lab... Internet Safety
In these days of cell phones, text messages, social networking (Facebook, Youtube, Twitter, etc.) and frequent Internet use, it's more important than ever to monitor our children's cyberspace activities. Here are some tips on how to help your children keep safe:

• Remind your child(ren) that NOTHING on the Internet is truly private, despite so-called “Privacy Settings.” Once something is on the Internet, it is there forever.
• Keep computers in “high-traffic” areas of the home, such as the kitchen, tv room, den, etc.
• Stress to your child(ren) to NEVER give out or post personal information (full name, address, phone number, photos, etc) without parent or guardian permission.
• Remember that people on-line might not be who they say there are. If someone says they are a 12-year-old girl, they could really be an older man.
• Posting, emailing, or texting mean things about other people is considered “cyber-bullying”.
• Tell your child(ren) that if they come across anything on the Internet that makes them feel sad or uncomfortable in any way, they should show you immediately. Assure them that you are supporting them.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Mrs. Allis. Her email is pallis@saintleothegreatschool.org

FROM THE PTO

• The PTO sponsored Carnival Is Coming to Saint Leo's!!! May 22nd 11am to 3pm (rain Date June 5th). Fun for the entire family! Rides, Games, Dunking Booth, Popcorn, Cotton Candy, Make your own Pucker Powder, Snow Cones, Drinks and more! All day pass (pre-purchase) $10.00 per person or $15.00 at the door. All Day Pass includes all rides, games and dunking booth--Come and see who you can dunk! Tickets for concessions, drinks, souvenirs, and rides (if you do not want to purchase the all day pass) are $1.00 each. They will be available pre-purchase and at the door. Ticket/All Day Pass Orders--RETURN by May 14th, 2010. Questions??? Contact Pam Morrison at bempsmsjm@yahoo.com or Katie Blanchard at Katie_blanchard@verizon.net. Click here (PDF) for a copy of the flyer that was sent home.
• VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! 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 volunteer form in PDF or Word 2003 and return it to school to Mrs. Washington. You may print it out or email it to cwashington@saintleothegreatschool.org. Thank you!

SAVE THE DATE!!!!
PTO Fall Golf Outing will be held on Thursday, October 7th at the Westfield’s Country Club, starting at 11:30am. For sponsor opportunities, as well as a link to register for the event, please go to www.golfdigestplanner.com/14251-stleogolf.

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 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 24 – KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS “NIGHT OF MAGIC!” - 6pm in the Saint Leo the Great Gym. Cost: $10 per adult, $5 per child (under 12) with a maximum family cap of $30. Cost includes two slices of pizza and a beverage. RSVP to Pat Leffas at pleffas@gmail.com or by phone at (703) 436-2717.
• APRIL 27 – OPEN HOUSE OAKCREST SCHOOL – 6:30-8:30pm meet with faculty, review teaching materials, learn about the mission and philosophy. View plans for the new campus in Vienna. For more information: hhartge@oakcrest.org
• 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.
• MAY 1ST - CALLING ALL BOYS & GIRLS WHO LOVE TO SING!! AUDITION FOR THE CHILDREN’S CHORUS OF WASHINGTON! Call NOW (202) 237-1005 to schedule an audition!!  - Auditions are held by appointment only. First date is May 1st. Open to boys and girls with unchanged voices, ages 9-16. Auditions are easy – no preparation or experience is necessary to audition, just a love of singing! Tuition scholarships are provided to all students in need. CCW was founded by Joan Gregoryk -- CCW choristers have exciting and prestigious performance opportunities, including domestic and international tours, and performances with the NSO and adult professional choruses at venues like the Kennedy Center and Strathmore. Auditions and twice weekly rehearsals take place at Metropolitan Memorial United Methodist Church in Washington, DC (across from American University) www.childrenschorus.com
• 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.
• 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