Saint Leo the Great Catholic School

OPEN HOUSE – SAINT LEO THE GREAT SCHOOL
2009-2010 School Registration
Saint Leo the Great Catholic School invites interested parents to visit the school and learn what makes us a National Blue Ribbon School! The third Open House for Preschool through Grade 8, for school year 2009-2010 will be held on This Sunday, January 25th from 12:45-2:30pm in the school. Applications will be available for pickup at the open house and during the school day from 9am to 2pm, and for your convenience, they are available on the school website, www.saintleothegreatschool.org. Please RSVP at 703.273.1211, ext.645

All completed applications, with copies of supporting documents, may be sent through the mail or hand-carried to the school between the hours of 9am and 2pm. Acceptance letters for the 2009–2010 school year will be mailed once completed applications are received. Financial aid packets are available @www.factsfinancialaid.com

In the event of inclement weather, please check the website, www.saintleothegreatschool.org, or call the school office, 703-273-1211 for information.

PRINCIPAL’S CORNER
Dear Parents,

I would like to thank the students and parents who were able to attend the March for Life today. Your participation in this event has given a voice to those who have no voice. Please continue to pray for the sacredness of human life of all God’s children-both the born and the unborn!

Tomorrow, January 23rd, report cards will be sent home with each student. Please review these reports with your children. Praise their accomplishments and support them in areas of need and growth. Report cards and envelopes should be signed and returned to school by Tuesday, January 27th. If a conference is needed, please contact individual teachers to set up a mutually convenient time. Thank you for your support of Catholic Education! Together we can help students grow in grace and wisdom.

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

Thanks & Praise

• Parents, Faculty, Staff and Students for their food donations to Saint Vincent de Paul.
• To Mrs. McCarty and parent volunteers for their help with the team and club yearbook photos.
• To all parents, students who participated in the March for Life.

Celebrate Catholic Schools week
with your friends after school at the Fairfax Ice Arena (3779 Pickett Road) on Tuesday January 27, from 4:30 - 5:45. St. Leo's families will receive discounted admission and skate rental! In the spirit of Catholic Schools pledge to service, we will be
collecting donations at the skating session to financially help the family of a 3 year boy with kidney disease. Please bring your loose change.

Skating sure works up an appetite so stop by McDonald's and get dinner on your way home!
A school fundraiser event will be held at McDonald's, near Lifetime Fitness /Fair City Mall that same evening (Tuesday, January 27th, 5:30 - 8:30).

Look for an evite and flyer with details of this event coming
soon.  10% of proceeds will be given back to our school, as well
as a 10% donation on our behalf to Ronald McDonald House.

Catholic Schools Week Schedule 2009 - "Catholic Schools Celebrate Service"

Sunday, 1/25/09 "Parish Day"

• Catholic Schools Week begins with an 11am student led Mass, Rev. Jaffe, PVI Chaplain, presiding.
• Open House for interested families from 12:45-2:30 sponsored by Administration and Parish Development Office.

Monday, 1/26//09 "School Day"

• Daily Morning Readings over the WLEO TV station that focuses on Catholic Values/Traditions and Service
• 2:00pm K-8 Living Rosary Assembly for students led by Msgr. Mahler
• Faculty & Staff Breakfast Provided by the Cub Scouts

Tuesday, 1/27/09 "Student Day"

• Daily Morning Readings over the WLEO TV station that focuses on Catholic Values/Traditions and Service. 
• Faculty & Staff Breakfast Provided by the Cub Scouts
• Advisory activity to reinforce Catholic Service. 
• Student, Faculty and Staff Dress Down Day
• 1pm - Middle School Passport Party - for students who achieved Pride Points
• No Homework, Tests or Quizzes for Wednesday
• K thought 5th special afternoon class activity
• PTO Skate Night 4:30-5:45 – Fairfax Ice Arena

Wednesday, 1/28/09 "Patriotic Day"

• Daily Morning readings over the WLEO TV station that focuses on Catholic Values/Traditions and Service.
• 9am K-4 Assembly – Admiral Walsh
• 10am 5-8 Assembly – Admiral Walsh
• Lunch for Faculty & Staff provided by the Girl Scouts
• Afternoon Activity-Classes buddy-up and make Valentines for the men and women serving overseas in our military.

Thursday, 1/29/09 "Clergy-Staff-Parent Day"

• Daily Morning readings over the WLEO TV station that focuses on CatholicValues/Traditions and Service.
• 10am-K-4 Assembly – Sr. Bernadette McManigal, BVM, Acting Superintendent of Catholic Schools.
• 10:30 Gr,5-8 Assembly – Sr. Bernadette McManigal, BVM, Acting Superintendent of Schools.
• 2pm Diocesan Spelling Bee for grades 7 & 8 in school gym (parents welcome)
• Grades 3-6 class Spelling Bee winners recognized.
• Teachers and Staff providing dinner for Priests and maintenance staff
• Student thank you card activity for Parents

Friday, 1/30/09 "Grandparent Day"

• 8:15am – Reception for Grandparents – gym
• 9am – Mass – hosted by the Student Council
• 10:00am – 3rd grade Music Program for Grandparents
• 10:45am - Grandparent Classroom Visits

From the library…
Save the date – Spring Book Fair, March 29-April 3rd

FROM OUR CROSSING GUARD:
On days of inclement weather or days when school projects or special activities are planned, there is an inordinate amount of traffic in Area II. Those parents that normally are assigned to Area I use Area II during these special days and it is creating a back up on Old Lee Highway. Therefore, when entering Area II for morning drop-off on these special days, if the cars are starting to stack up, please form a double entrance lane going into the parking lot and your lane will be directed by a staff member when to proceed into the drop off lanes.

PLEASE DO NOT DRIVE THROUGH DANIELS’ RUN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL!

Tickets are going to be issued by Fairfax City police if this practice continues.

MOTHERS’ PRAYER GROUP
Please join us for a Mothers' Prayer Group Meeting on Thursday, January 15, right after morning drop off, in the St. Mark's Room (Parish Hall). We will follow readings from the liturgical calendar, reflections from the book "The Better Part" and prayers for our school, teachers and families. We will end praying The Rosary. For questions, please contact Marcia Capizzani at mloureiro2002@aol.com. All are welcome.

On Nov. 20 the St. Leo Junior and Youth choir groups were invited to sing at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. They sang for two Masses, both of which will be televised on Channel 32 (WHUT -- Howard University's PBS station). The Mass dates are Jan. 25th and Feb. 8th at 8:30am. The children did a wonderful job with Mrs. Mulherin, our parish music director, leading them, and Mrs. White as the accompanying cantor.

OPEN HOUSES
are going to be held at Saint Leo the Great School on the following days:

• Sunday January 25th, 12:45-2:30pm- Principal’s Welcome - gym (Catholic Schools Week)
• Wednesday, February 18th -10am in the Guadalupe Room with Principal’s Welcome
• Wednesday, March 18th - 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. Applications are available for pickup during the day at the school from 9am-2pm, at the Open House and online at www.saintleothegreatschool.org. All completed applications with copies of supporting documents may be sent through the mail or hand carried to the school at the above hours. Acceptance letters for the 2009-2010 will be mailed once completed applications are received. Financial Aid packets are available in the front office or online at www.factstuitionaid.com.

FROM GUIDANCE:
Small Groups: The Guidance Office will begin holding small group discussion sessions during lunch. The groups will consist of 4-6 students and will meet approximately once per week for 6-8 weeks. Group topics include Academic/Study Skills, Anger Management, Changing Families, and Friendship/Social Skills. Group descriptions are available at the Counselor’s Corner on the St. Leo website. If you would like your child to participate in one of the small groups, please contact Ann Polan in the Guidance Office at 703-273-1211 x649 or apolan@saintleothegreatschool.org.

COMBINED FEDERAL CAMPAIGN/UNITED WAY/AMERICA’S CHARITIES:
Thank you to the many parents who, in the past, designated our school as the recipient of their Combined Federal Campaign/United Way or America’s Charities donations. The fall campaign is just getting underway and we would be grateful to receive your donations once again. Our designated number for Combined Federal Campaign is 91500 and for United Way it is 8973.

If your place of employment uses America’s Charities, you may designate our school through their campaign by including our school name, address, phone and EIN# 54-0572701. As always…we are so grateful for your support and generosity!

Financial Aid – School Year 2009-2010
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 $20 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 an application are February 6, 2009 for the first round, and March 16, 2009 for the second round. A packet of information and its program will also be available in the front office.

Attention All Girls at Saint Leo:
Saturday, January 24th the Girl Scouts at Saint Leo the Great will host our Annual Father/Daughter Dance. The theme this year is a Winter Wonderland. Please bring your dad or another special person to share a night out with dancing and plenty of fun! We ask that each couple bring in a donation for the food pantry at St. Vincent de Paul, which will give you a ticket to win the door prize. You must fill out and return the registration form that is available on the school website. If you have any questions, please contact Beth Ward at Billyjoe@cox.net or 703-273-6289.

Save the Date:
Monday, May 11th at 10am for the Saint Leo the Great Annual Golf Outing at Heritage Hunt Golf and Country Club. More details will be coming in the New Year from Mr. Manning and Mrs. Toenshoff.

2009 Yearbook
Pictures Needed -- We are in need of pictures from Field Trips and 8th Grade CONFIRMATION, tennis, basketball, cheerleaders. Each grade, preschool through 8th grade, also has a "candid" photo page and we will need pictures for those pages throughout the year. You can put pictures on a cd or email pictures to Joanne McCarty at jmccarty1@cox.net or Katie Blanchard Katie_Blanchard@verizon.net. 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 the school website, or listen to the radio or T.V. 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, consult the school edline website or listen to WMAL 630 AM or WTOP 103.5 FM, channel 4 and channel 7 for any school closings or adjustments in opening times.

Delayed Openings
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.)

Extended Day Program
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.

AROUND THE COMMUNITY

• Knights of Columbus Fr. Diamond Memorial High School Scholarship for any qualified 8th grade student. Please call 703.273.9436 or email hmslydia@msn.com for an application.

FROM THE DIOCESE:

OPEN HOUSES FOR PROSPECTIVE TEACHERS

Are you interested in teaching in the Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Arlington? The Diocese of Arlington has 44 schools, and provides educational opportunities for students from preschool through high school. The Diocese has opened 6 new elementary schools in the past 10 years and opened a new diocesan high school in Prince William County in the fall of 2008.

Perhaps your certification has expired, or perhaps you are thinking of changing careers or returning to teaching after a period of absence. Do you have questions about the qualifications needed to teach? Would you like to learn more about the mission of teaching in a Catholic School in a nurturing and caring, Christ-centered environment? Please come to one of the following Open Houses for Prospective Teachers scheduled throughout the Diocese and meet with Sister Patricia Helene, IHM, Former Assistant Superintendent of Schools for the Diocese of Arlington, and Elizabeth A. Roach, Assistant Superintendent for Instruction and Personnel, from the Diocesan Office of Catholic Schools, to learn more about the opportunities and advantages of teaching in our Catholic Schools. No registration is required.

St. Thomas More Cathedral School
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
105 North Thomas Street
Arlington, VA 22203
703-528-1547

St. Francis of Assisi School
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon
18825 Fuller Heights Road
Triangle, VA 22172
703-221-3868

All Saints School
Thursday, January 29, 2009
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon
9294 Stonewall Road
Manassas, VA 20110
703-368-4400