Between the Lions

PRINCIPAL’S REFLECTION
I’d like to thank all the individuals for their prayers and cards for my family on the passing of my Mother in Law, Joan O’Brien over the Easter Break. Thank you for your support and kindness. It is truly appreciated.

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. Thanks goes out to Mr. Adrian Abraham for preparing them so well!

Friday, April 24th 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. Furey, Auction Chair, 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 St. Leo the Great School Community.

Tuesday, April 28th and Wednesday, April 29th are TerraNova Test make-up days. In addition, 5th and 8th grade students will be taking their standardized Religion test, ACRE, on Wednesday, April 29th. Students will need two #2 pencils for ACRE testing day. Any questions, please call Mrs. Ann Polan, guidance counselor, on extension 649.

PTO BOARD POSITIONS- Nominations have been accepted for the PTO Board positions of Volunteer Coordinators, Larry McGrail-President, Jennifer Conroy-Vice President, Teresa Ketron-Corresponding Secretary, Mary Knapp-Recording Secretary and Randall Jennings-Volunteer Coordinator. Returning to the board are Suzanne Dowd-Officer At Large, Kim Pham-Treasurer, and Dana Schindler-Cultural Arts. Job descriptions can be found on the PTO section of the school website under PTO By-laws. Candidate ballots will be available TODAY with election returns due on the 29th in the front office. The PTO is a great group of people, whose main interest is making our school the best it can be. Through fund-raising efforts and the generosity of parents, the PTO has provided many school enhancements and educational activities for the total school program.

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

THOUGHT OF THE DAY
“And God is able to make all grace abound to you,
So that in all things at all times, having all that you need,
You will abound in every good work.”
-2 Corinthians 9:8

THANKS & PRAISE

• To Mrs. MacKay for moderating a fun-filled Mad Science Program.
• To Mrs. Betack, Mrs. Jones, Mrs. Merrill, Mrs. Hesse, and parent volunteers who helped with our Kindergarten Fieldtrip to GMU Arts Center. Students seemed to have enjoyed this special activity.

CONGRATULATIONS!
To the following Alumni of St. Leo the Great School who are on the Third Quarter Honor Roll at Paul VI Catholic High School:

Principal’s Honor Roll – at least a 4.0 grade point average

• Rebecca Conway
• Michelle Greene
• Danielle Gruenbaum
• Daniel Rowen
• Thomas Sherman
• Scott Simmons
• Stephen Turcol
• Stephanie Wilson

Honor Roll – 3.5 to 3.99 grade point average

• Spencer Baldacci
• Lauren Bruno
• Lindsay Bruno
• Anna DeMarco
• Aaron Frazier
• Timothy Hartzell
• Allison Heinz
• Brian Hope
• Kristina Jacobs
• Cara McCafferty
• Gino Ruta
• Danielle Simon
• Nicole Simon
• Andrew Stegmaier
• James Stegmaier
• Genevieve Turcott
• Jennifer Walsh
• Michelle Young

GOLF TOURNAMENT
Start putting together your golf foursomes as you won't want to miss out on the Fourth Annual PTO Golf Tournament, Monday, May 11th at Heritage Hunt Golf & Country Club. All proceeds go to support our school's technology department. In addition, be sure to order your raffle tickets for a chance to win a week at the Outer Banks in South Nags Head, NC, a 42" LCD HD TV or an 8GB Ipod Nano. Tickets are $10 each. Click here to download your order form. Tickets will be sold through Friday, May 1st with drawing to be held during the golf tournament dinner. You need not be present to win. To see the beach house go to:
http://www.carolinadesigns.com/cdfinal/ASP/INCLUDES/oneprop.asp?propid=704
Any questions? Contact Jack Gallagher at jackgallagher51@hotmail.com]

ATTENTION MORNING CARPOOLS
When exiting the school parking lot in the morning, PLEASE be aware of pedestrians crossing the parking lot towards the school building and the Crossing Guard’s directions. Please proceed with extreme caution, safety being our primary concern with our student walkers and employees attempting to cross the parking lot to the building.

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.

FROM EXTENDED DAY
Please ensure that your child brings or wears athletic shoes to Extended Day. Uniform shoes mark up the gym floor and we do not allow students in regular uniform shoes to play in the gym. Also, during track & field practices (Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays), the parking lot will be blocked off at the speed bump. Parents picking up children from Extended Day before 5pm will need to park in front of the church. Thank you!

ST. VINCENT DE PAUL LENTEN FOOD DRIVE RESULTS!!
Our Saint Vincent de Paul Lenten food drive with its theme, “Be rich in good works & ready to share” (1Timothy 6:18), was a huge success with over 1000 food items collected for the needs of others in our Church community. St. Vincent de Paul and our school committee are so appreciative of the children’s donations.

FIFTH GRADE LENTEN ALMSGIVING PROJECT—A ROARING SUCCESS!!
With donations of diapers, powder, lotions, stuffed animals, and many, many baby clothes of all types and sizes, both fifth grade classes overwhelmingly fulfilled their Lenten promise of almsgiving by generously donating these items to the newborn babies of the Divine Mercy Center of Fairfax, a division of the Tepeyac Family Center. These items are placed in “Baby welcoming baskets” and given to those families in need. What a wonderful example of what Christian caring is all about!!

ANNOUNCING: THE SAINT LEO THE GREAT SCHOOL COMMUNITY CHALLENGE TO WALK ACROSS AMERICA
From Health and Wellness, during the month of May, as a school community we challenge our students and families, faculty and staff to walk as much as possible and see how far we can go across America!. Each week, the miles walked will be plotted on a school map of the United Sates to see how far we can go. Walking is a great form of exercise and a great way to spend family time in the evening or weekend or use up some energy at recess. All information is coming home this week with your student via oldest and only. Please check your student’s folders for the information. All information will also be posted on the website, under Parent resources, Health and Wellness link. Every step counts and count every step!

ANNUAL ART SHOW
St Leo’s 3rd Annual Art Show and Fair is on May 5th from 5:30pm to 8:00pm. Your child’s artwork will be showcased in the Gym. During the event your child’s artwork will be framed and matted for display. This is part of a fundraiser for the PTO in conjunction with KidsArt Fairs. You may CHOOSE to purchase the frame and mat and 20% will come back to the school. However, this event is an opportunity for our parents to see our children’s artwork and purchasing any products is VOLUNTARY. Once the event is over the artwork is returned to your child to bring home. We look forward to seeing you at this wonderful event. Any questions please contact Pam Morrison at bempsmsjm@yahoo.com or 703-322-9696 or Kristin Bolster at kbolster@saintleothegreatschool.org

MOTHERS’ PRAYER GROUP
Please join us for the Mothers' Prayer Group Meetings on April 23, May 14, and June 4, 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 atmloureiro2002@aol.com. All are welcome.

AROUND THE COMMUNITY

• Paul VI All Night Grad Party Fundraiser: Tuesday 4/28. Anyone who eats at Baja Fresh in Fairfax Town-Center from 5pm-8pm, 15% will go to Paul VI's All Night Grad Party.
• Paul VI Girls & Boys Summer Basketball Camp: June 15-19 / July 6-10 for Girls & Boys going into 3rd - 9th grades (9am - 4pm). $180 single camp fee/ $300 for both. Please contact Scott Allen at Coachsallen@aol.com (703-856-7157) to sign-up. Camp is filling up fast.
• St Leo The Great Mini-Hoopsters Basketball Camp: June 22 -26 / July 13-17 for Girls & Boys going into 1st - 3rd grades. $100 Single Camp Fee /$175 for both. Boys 9 am-12 pm / Girls 1pm - 4pm (Mon - Fri). Please contact Scott Allen at Coachsallen@aol.com (703-856-7157) to sign-up. Camp is filling up fast.
• PVI Soccer Camp Summer 2009 - June 22-26, 9-3 pm - all day - ages 7-15 are welcome to attend. For more information call 703-352-0925.
• BISHOP O’CONNELL SOCCER CAMP: Tuckahoe Park, Arlington, VA - June 29-July 2, 9:00am - 3:00pm (8-14 year Olds, $195* includes t-shirt) Morning: Skills, Tactics, Contests and More – Afternoon: Small and Large Sided Play - 1 hour lunch break (bring your own lunch ). For more information, please contact DJOsoccercamp@verizon.net or call 703-894-8844.