Between the Lions - May 6, 2010

CALENDAR REMINDERS-  May
Donations for Mary’s Children-St. Vincent dePaul all week
PE Presidential Fitness Testing, Grades 1-8 all week

Monday	10	S-2	11:30AM DISMISSAL-Extended Day till 6pm 1-3:30PM-Faculty Meeting-library-Diocesan Curriculum Mapping
Tuesday	11	I	8:20-9:30am-8th Gr.Foreign Language Exam 8:10am-1pm-Battle of the Books-St. Joseph School 8:30-2:45pm-Kindergarten PALS Testing-Parish Hall 8:50-11:45am-4th Gr. Field Trip to Blenham Museum 1:30-3:30pm-Foreign Language in-service-Holy Spirit School
Wednesday	12	O	Diocesan Principals Meeting-St. Theresa’s School 8:30-2:45pm-Kindergarten PALS Testing-Parish Hall 6:30pm-PTO transition meeting-old and new board members Coyote Grill.
Thursday	13	N	Interims Gr. 1-8 Sent home today! Technology Coordinators Meeting 8:30-2:45pm-Kindergarten PALS Testing (Merrill Only)-Parish Hall 6:45pm-First Communion Rehearsal-Church-Mrs. Doss’ class
Friday	14	L	PTO Carnival Ticket Order Form due today 3-4pm-LAST Math Mania Activity, Gr.4&5-Rm 20 & 21
Saturday	15		10:30am-First Communion- Mrs. Doss’ class.

PRINCIPAL'S REFLECTION
This past Monday, we celebrated Teacher Appreciation Day. On behalf of the faculty, staff and school administration, we would like to thank the students for their kind notes and flowers. Special thanks to the PTO Board for hosting our fabulous luncheon and parents for sending special gifts to mark the occasion.

I’m sure that all of the parents and students join me in this opportunity to thank the teachers and instructional assistants for the outstanding services they provide to our students and families. At Saint Leo the Great School we use the word “teacher” to include all the wonderful individuals who take responsibility for the instructional program for the children. Teachers are certified general education teachers, instructional assistants, librarians, reading specialists, Extended Day, fine arts and physical education teachers, specialists, administrator, and the custodial and secretarial staffs as well. All of the professionals and the paraprofessionals at the school contribute to the success and learning of the students.

Teaching is a very interesting occupation, being as much as a calling as a job. Surely, we all get paid for our time at work but teachers regularly invest themselves through the dedication of their efforts, time and emotional involvement. Teachers provide academic guidance and emotional understanding as children go through their most tender periods of development. Teachers have an innate sense of what motivates children and how high to place the bar to inspire rather than discourage. Teachers are the only people on the earth who can manage 25 (or more) active personalities and organize them to achieve a common goal. Teachers are among the few whose job description includes a contracted eight-hour day plus an additional 1-3 hours of “homework” every night. Teachers are the men and women who dedicate their lives to our children and love every minute of it. I am extremely proud to work with the outstanding staff at Saint Leo the Great. I thank them for all they do every single day.

Thursday, May 13th, marks the mid-quarter of the 4th grading period. Progress reports will be sent home for students in grades 1-8. I would ask parents to review these reports with your children. Praise their accomplishments and encourage them in areas of needed growth. Please return signed progress reports by Tuesday, May 18th to your homeroom teacher or advisor.

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

THANKS & PRAISE

• Congratulations to all Saint Leo's Track and Field athletes for their fantastic performance at this past weekend's CYO Track meet.  All meet results will be posted on the St. Leo's website under "track."  Way to go, Lions, and good luck at the upcoming FPYC meet!
• Congratulations to the Saint Leo's Chess Team that earned a 2nd place finish out of 25 teams at the Silver Knights Chess Team Tournament held at Our Lady of Good Counsel School last Sunday!  Congratulations to the following members who participated:  2nd grader Thomas C., 3rd graders Sadie D., John G., Aidan M., Alessandro S., Mark V., Brad W., 4th graders Alex B., James D., 5th graders Kevin C., Nicholas T., and 6th grader Ryan W.  In addition, 4th grader James D won all 4 of his matches!
• To Mrs. Nguyen for the wonderful bagels last Thursday and the delicious egg rolls to celebrate National Teachers’ Day.
• To Mrs. Bolster and parent volunteers for all of their help in our annual K-8 Art Fair. Students seemed to enjoy displaying their masterpieces!
• To Mrs. Betack, Mrs. Merrill, Mrs. Hesse and Mrs. Jones for organizing our Kindergarten field trip to George Mason Center for Performing Arts. Students seemed to enjoy riding the bus and watching a special performance.
• To Mrs. Doss, Ms. Capen, Mrs. Holleran and Mrs. Hish and parent volunteers for all their hard work in organizing our very special Jesus Day for our second grade students.
• To Mrs. Bolster for moderating our Spring Art Club for students in grade 3 and 4.

8th GRADE FOREIGN LANGUAGE EXEMPTION EXAM
On May 11th, all 8th grade students will be given the Spanish Foreign Language Exam during the first period class. The exam lasts one hour, students need a good night’s rest, a hearty breakfast and bring two No.2 pencils to class for this exam. Exam results and class placement will be provided by the Diocesan Catholic high schools. Criteria for placement in Level II Foreign Language instruction are as follows:

• Passing the 8th grade foreign language course
• Scoring 77% or above on the diocesan foreign language exam
• Receiving teacher recommendation for placement in Level II

The high school reserves the right to place the student at the appropriate level based on the established criteria.)

6TH GRADE PARENTS
Science Fair Boards are going to be available for sale and pickup next week, on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, May 11-12-13. These will be sold for $5.00 cash or check (made payable to Saint Leo the Great School) in the classroom during the school day and pick up will be in the Middle School Science room after school till 3:30pm.

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 Silvia Neves at silviamn@verizon.net 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 VINCENT de PAUL’S SUMMER DRIVE
Money for Mary’s Children – May 7th through May 28th

May is the month of our Blessed Mother, Mary. During this month, we are practicing the virtue of FAIRNESS. This teaching involves practicing justice, equity, and equality towards others in a respectful and Christian way. Saint Leo’s students have proven to be responsible members of God’s family, by showing how aware they are of the needs of our community members and by how they have assisted others throughout this school year. With generous donations of food items to SVDP’s Autumn, January, and Lenten food drives this school year and Christmas gifts offered during our gift-giving Mass, our students have demonstrated their concern and generosity for the Church’s community.

Our last SVDP fundraiser, our “Money for Mary’s Children” drive begins on May 7th and continues until Mary 28th. By bringing nickels, dimes, quarters, or dollars and placing them in your classroom’s HCA globe, your donations will be used by the Pantry to purchase necessary food items throughout the summer months of June, July and August. Last year donations totaled over $1,350 and were used to buy food items like flour, rice, sugar, bread, peanut butter, jelly and fruit drink mix, bread and spaghetti which helped to feed others during the summer of 2009.

Remember all you need to do is place your coins into the HCA globe found in your classroom. Let’s honor our Blessed Mother by serving the children she loves!

TO ALL PARENTS WHO USE AREA II AT ANY TIME
Please note that Extended Day and Track and Field use the parking lot after school is dismissed.  Parents please do not move the chain or cones to enter Area II.  Please park in front of the Church beyond the speed bump instead to pick up your child from whatever activity they might be attending.   Please help keep all of our children safe!

PTO SUPPLIES
It is that time again to order your school supplies for 2010-2011.  Make your life easier and support the PTO by ordering through Saint Leo's.  Letters and order forms will come home this week. You can also download a copy on the school's website.  If you have any questions, please contact Lisa Sharkey at 703-279-7809.  Thanks for your support!!

FROM EXTENDED DAY:
The bill for April that hasn't been picked up is going home today Thursday, May 6th along with a form that you will have to fill up if you think that you are going to be using the program during the month of June. Friday May 7th is a 12:10 dismissal and Monday May 10th is an 11:30 dismissal, please remember to pack lunch for child for those days. Thank you! HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!!

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.

St Leo the Great Mini-Hoopster Basketball Camp T-Shirt Sponsors Needed
Mr. Allen is looking for business sponsors on his basketball camp T-Shirts this summer at Paul VI and St Leo’s. This is a great way to advertise your business on the back of over 350 camp T-shirts plus hand-out information at each camp registration to over 400 campers and parents. Please contact Scott Allen at 703-856-7157 or coachsallen@aol.com for further information.

AROUND THE COMMUNITY

• MAY 15 – Saturday-Junior High BASH sponsored by Office of Youth Ministry. At Pope JP the Great in Dumfries, VA, from 4pm to 1pm. Cost is $10 per person (includes dinner). For reservations, contact Nina Deboeck at 703.591.6089.
• MAY 19 – Wednesday, the 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.
• SPORTS CAMPS AT JOHN PAUL THE GREAT HIGH SCHOOL – includes: Cheerleading, Football, Men’s soccer, Field Hockey, Men’s Basketball, Women’s Soccer and Women’s Basketball. For more information please go to: camps@jpthegreat.org or call Rachael Wright: 703.445-0305
• SUMMER ENRICHMENT CAMPS AT JP THE GREAT HS: Theater, Acting, Introductory Rocketry, Applied Chemistry and Biology, Ceramics Studio, Spanish Recharger, Creative Writing Fantasy Workshop, Introduction to Computer programming. camps@jpthegreat.org.
• 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