Saint Leo the Great Catholic School

PRINCIPAL’S REFLECTION

Thank you to all the parents that voted in our PTO election this week. I want to personally thank our outgoing PTO Board members this year for all their hard work: President: Mary Beth Crossin, Vice President: Theresa Storey, Recording Secretary: Lynn Williams, Corresponding Secretary: Jennifer Callahan. Continuing on the board are: School Directory: Kathy Johnson, Treasurer: Kim Pham, Officer at Large: Suzanne Dowd, and Cultural Arts: Dana Schindler. We welcome our new officers: President: Mr. Larry McGrail, Vice President: Jennifer Conroy, Corresponding Secretary: Teresa Ketron, Recording Secretary: Mary Knapp and Volunteer Coordinator: Mr. Randall Jennings

Next Thursday, May 7th, 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 12th to your homeroom teacher or advisor.

On behalf of all of us here at Saint Leo the Great Catholic School, I want to thank everyone who was able to attend or support the annual auction dinner. It was a wonderful time for all of us to gather together to celebrate the wonderful things our school has to offer as well as an opportunity to support the school as we continue to provide our students with the excellent academic experience they deserve. There are many people who have worked long and hard to make this night both fun and rewarding. In particular: Leanna Furey, chair of the Development Committee and Auction Dinner Gala, Mary Beth Crosson, President of the PTO, and in addition: Julie Gladbach, Laura Morillo, Debra Dunbar, Ginny Cate, Terry Hope, Joanne McCarty, Michelle Baldacci, Cynthia Washington, Theresa Ferlotti, Joanne DeMarco, Andy Walsh, Kim Notorianni, Lynn Betack, Lou Hartnett, Laura Morillo, Jane Roxbrough, Betty Van Morrough, Dana Schindler, Angela Anderson, Erin Cooke, and Donna Haines-Williams.

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 Mr. Abraham and all the students who participated in our local and Diocesan Science Fair. Saint Leo the Great School took first place overall at the Diocesan Science Fair at PVI last weekend. Our students were very well prepared and represented us extremely well. Congratulations to Mr. Abraham it is a huge honor to our school.
• Mrs. Muller and parent volunteers from Mrs. Mead, Cosgriff and Abraham's advisories for organizing a fun-filled middle school passport party for our students.
• To Mrs. Doss, Mrs. Holleran, Mrs. Capen and Mrs. Hish and parent volunteers for a very special "Jesus Day" for our second grade students as they prepare for their First Holy Communion over the next two weekends.
• To Mrs. White and Mrs. Lyle and parent volunteers for chaperoning the 8th grade National Junior Honor Society field trip on the 30th.
• To Mrs. Nguyen for surprising the faculty last week with her fabulous egg rolls - great!
• To all the parents who helped to get the students here early this past week for our TerraNova and ACRE standardized testing. Keep it up-we had great carpool and very few late arrivals!!!

PANDEMIC FLU
As defined by the Virginia Department of Health, pandemic influenza is a global outbreak of disease that occurs when a new influenza A virus appears in humans, causes serious illness and then spreads from person to person worldwide. Although there are no reported cases of Avian or Swine Flu in Virginia or any other illness that creates pandemic situations, the Office of Catholic Schools has asked that we prepare a plan in the event of the need for closing school for an extended period of time. If a pandemic situation occurs, Saint Leo the Great School will communicate information to parents/students and the community through:

• Our regular Thursday newsletter
• Our School's website/school and/or teacher email/webpages
• The recorded message on our school's phone system
• The Emergency School Messenger notification system.

PANDEMIC SCHOOL PLAN
St. Leo School will follow the guidelines of the state, county, and diocese in regard to pandemic situations. This includes criteria for closing school.

In case school would need to be closed if there were an outbreak of swine flu or some other pandemic:

• The principal or her designate will inform the pastor/parents/news media of school closing
• Parents and students will be notified of a teacher's method of communication by the classroom teacher: our web site, a link to the school web site, email. This information will also be available on our website.
• The teacher will provide daily assignments/readings/worksheets (to be downloaded) to keep the students learning, productive, and in a school 'frame of mind'. Time allotments would be provided so the parents know how to help budget student's time.
• Teachers will 'collect' assignments/readings/worksheets as determined to use as grades from email.
• Quarter grades and final grades will be assessed depending on the length of time school is closed.
• Other decisions regarding activities, programs, assignment to next grade, graduation will be made based upon conditions at the time of the pandemic and its length.

The website/teacher webpages will be further used to provide information to students and parents to allow students to reinforce and review class assignments, to keep their skills sharp. More information on pandemic flu and what the Commonwealth of Virginia has prepared in case of a health emergency is available at: http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/pandemicflu/. Additional information can be obtained from Fairfax County Public Schools at http://www.fcps.edu/news/swineflu.htm.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE FOLLOWING WINNERS AND PARTICIPANTS AT THE DIOCESAN SCIENCE FAIR:
The Saint Leo the Great Team placed 1st place overall in this past weekend's Diocesan Science Fair.

• 1st Place - Chemistry - Mary Barna
• 1st Place - Engineering - Emily Eisert
• 3rd Place - Physics - Will Holley
• 3rd Place - Zoology - Ryan Toole
• Honorable Mention - Zoology - Connor Toole
• Honorable Mention - Physics - Ryan Dowd
• Honorable Mention - Medicine/Health - Anthony Kim
• Participants - Brendan Burke, Katherine Faunce and Colleen Ferlotti

5th GRADE PARENT MEETING
Transition to Middle School will be held on Friday, May 1st, at 12:30pm in the Guadalupe Room for interested parents who would like to gather more information regarding their child's transition to middle school. A short presentation by our middle school faculty, including Encore teachers, will provide helpful information for you and your child. If at all possible, please plan to attend.

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.

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

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 remember to get your Pre-Pay forms to the Extended Day office as soon as possible. If your child is not signed up by the time the Pre-Pay Period starts and attends Extended Day, fees and penalties will be assessed as laid out in the pre-pay letter. If you are in need of another letter and form please contact the Extended Day office.

May is the month of our Blessed Mother, Mary. During this time, we continue to practice the Catholic Social teaching of "Rights and Responsibilities". This teaching involves treating our fellow brothers and sisters in a respectful and Christian way. To be a responsible member of God's family, we must be aware of our community members and learn to assist them in many ways. With generous donation of food items to SVDP's food pantry this school year and Christmas gifts offered to others during our gift-giving Mass, Saint Leo's students have demonstrated their kindness & concern for the Church's community.

Our last SVDP fundraiser, our "Money of Mary's Children" drive begins on May 1st and continues until May 22nd. 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 $1,200 and were used to buy food items like flour, sugar, bread, peanut butter, jelly, and fruit drink mix, bread, and spaghetti which helped to feed others during the summer of 2008. Remember all you need to do is place your coins into the HCA globe found in your classroom.

What better way to honor our Blessed Mother than to serve others in need!

ANNOUNCING: THE SAINT LEO THE GREAT SCHOOL COMMUNITY CHALLENGE TO WALK ACROSS AMERICA
Please remember to turn in your Walk Across America family registration form this week and start counting your steps this Friday! Good Luck
Look for our school's weekly progress posted on the map posted outside of the library and for updates on the Health and Wellness site (under parent resources).
If you have any questions please fell free to contact the school clinic at 703-273-1211 ext 646, or if need new forms, all are posted under the Health and Wellness Link.
Count every step and every step counts!!

MOTHERS’ PRAYER GROUP
Please join us for the Mothers' Prayer Group Meetings on 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.

• Paul VI PLAYERS present "The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood", on Sunday May 17th at 3pm. $5 per person.
• 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.