Parent Newsletter

Friday, January 11, 2008

 

Teacher Clerical Day   The students in Grades PreK – 8 will have the day off on Friday, January 18, 2008. The faculty will use this day as a Clerical Day to enter grades for the 2nd nine weeks report cards.

 

Report Cards for Second Nine Weeks   On Tuesday, January 22, 2008 your child(ren) will receive their report card for the second time this academic year. Take time to sit down with your child(ren) and review their grades they have received for each academic area. Also, this is a good time to have your child(ren) set goals for the third nine weeks in all academic areas and to let your child(ren) know you are very interested in how they are behaving in the classroom as well. If you would like to schedule a phone conference with a teacher to discuss your child’s report card call the school office and leave a message.

 

Multiple Intelligence Activity Period   On Wednesday January 16, 2008 the students in grades K – 8 will be participating in their 4^th Multiple Intelligence Activity period beginning at 12:30pm in the old church area. This time, the focus will be on the Spatial Intelligence which involves the potential to recognize and use the patterns of wide space and more confined areas. The students will be permitted to dress down on Wednesday in comfortable clothing (jeans, sweatpants, and gym shoes) along with wearing the NEW Gray Bishop McDowell Spirit T-shirt. As usual Mr. Grgurich deems the right to determine what is appropriate and what is not. Make note of the date & time change.

 

2007 – 2008 Fundraising Goal   As stated at Curriculum Night on Thursday, September 6, 2007 our Fundraising Goal for the 2007 – 2008 academic year is $80,000.00. As of Friday, January 11, 2008 the Advisory Council has paid $44,000.00 back to the budget. This number puts us about $2,500.00 behind schedule. Everyone up to this point has done an outstanding job in contributing to meet this astronomical goal. I truly appreciate everyone’s efforts and please keep positive in trying to climb this mountain. Once again any new ideas are always welcome. In the meantime don’t forget about the MAGIC Club one of our biggest fundraisers of the year and our upcoming Catholic Schools Week Brunch & Spaghetti Dinner. If we could make over $2,500.00 or more at the Catholic Schools Week Brunch & Spaghetti Dinner it would be huge and at least $14,000.00 at MAGIC Club we would be taking positive steps in the right direction. Thanks again for all you do to keep Catholic Education alive and well in the Carrick & Baldwin communities. I look forward to seeing all of our school families at the upcoming events.

 

Catholic Schools Week Information Packet   The celebration of Catholic Schools Week: Light The Way begins on Sunday, January 27, 2008 and ends on Saturday, February 2, 2008. A packet of information containing the schedule of events, times of specific activities, and RSVP forms is attached with today’s parent newsletter. Take time to go through the information packet, sign all forms that need to be returned and return these forms to the school office. Also, post the schedule of events on your refrigerator in order to be informed of all happenings. Thank you to the Marketing and Communications Committee for planning the week and I hope that everyone enjoys the celebration.

 

Catholic Schools Week Brunch   Why fight the crowds at other eating establishments after church when you can enjoy your family and friends in the welcoming surroundings of our very own school. On Sunday, January 27, 2008 Bishop McDowell Regional School is sponsoring a Catholic Schools Week Brunch from 8:30am – 1pm in the School Cafeteria. The cost for Adults is $10 and $5 for Children (12 and under). Brunch will include sausage, bacon, toast, muffins, orange juice, apple juice, coffee, tea, made to order omelets by Chef Steve-o and more. For tickets contact the school office at (412) 884 - 5676. We look forward to seeing you for brunch. A reminder Sunday January 27, 2008 is a football free day. The Super Bowl is scheduled Sunday, February 3^rd.

 

Catholic Schools Week Spaghetti / Stuffed Shells Dinner   Bishop McDowell Regional School will hold a Spaghetti / Stuffed Shells Dinner to end our week long Catholic Schools Week celebration on Saturday February 2, 2008 from 4pm – 7pm in the Bishop McDowell Regional School Cafeteria. Tickets for the dinner are now on sale. The cost of an Adult Spaghetti or Stuffed Shells Dinner is $7. The cost for a Child 12 & under Spaghetti / Stuffed Shells Dinner is $3. All dinners include: meatballs, bread, salad, dessert and a drink. You may purchase tickets Monday – Friday during school hours from 7:30am – 3:30pm or on the weekends after all masses at both St. Albert the Great Church or St. Wendelin Church. Help to get the word out about our Catholic Schools Week Spaghetti / Stuffed Shells Dinner and then enjoy one another’s company around the dinner table.

 

Catholic Schools Week Scholastic Book Fair   This year’s Scholastic Book Fair will be held Sunday, January 27^th thru Friday, Feb. 1^st. The Scholastic Book Fair will be open during certain special events during Catholic Schools Week: Brunch on Sunday, Jan. 27^th, Lunch with a Friend on Wednesday, Jan. 30^th, Donuts with Dad on Thursday, Jan. 31^st and Reading Night on Thursday evening Jan 31^st.  We are in need of volunteers to help the children pick out their books each day of the scheduled times and also for the special event times. Contact Laurie Robison at (412) 431 – 5114 if you would like to volunteer or fill out the attached book fair volunteer form and return it to the school office ASAP. In the meantime we look forward to seeing you during our Catholic Schools Week celebration.

 

February Monthly Lottery Tickets   On Friday, January 11, 2008 the February Monthly Lottery Tickets were sent home in your child’s bookbag.  We ask that each family try to sell at least (10) tickets each month. The cost is $5 per ticket and is based on the evening drawing of the 3-digit number. Once again this fundraiser has proven to be a great source of income for the school. We have the potential to make over $2000.00 a month if all the tickets are sold. Just a reminder if you are able to sell more that (10) tickets, contact Judy Parente at (412) 881 - 8478 and she will send you additional tickets. All ticket stubs and money are due back to Judy on or before Thursday, January 31^st including unsold tickets.

 

January Market Day Pick-up   Market Day pick-up is scheduled for Wednesday, January 16, 2008 from 6pm - 7pm in the Cafeteria of the school building. As always we are in need of volunteers to help on Market Day, consider giving 1or 2-hours. If you have any questions about Market Day call the school office at (412) 884 – 5676.

 

Bishop McDowell Regional School Rainbows and Butterflies Story Hour   On Wednesday, January 16^th the Bishop McDowell Regional School Rainbows and Butterflies Story Hour will be held at 6:30pm in the Kindergarten Room of the Bishop McDowell Regional School building. Mrs. Dern our first grade teacher will host this hour of storytelling and activities for Preschool and Kindergarten age children. This program will be open to Preschool and Kindergarten students of Bishop McDowell Regional School as well as children of St. Albert the Great, St. Basil, and St. Wendelin Parishes of Preschool and Kindergarten age. For any other questions call the school office at (412) 884 – 5676 and ask for Mr. Grgurich.

 

January Computer Café and Activity Alley   On Wednesday, January 16, 2008 the Bishop McDowell Regional School Marketing Committee will continue the monthly activity and use of the computer lab program in conjunction with the Rainbows and Butterflies Story Hour from 7pm – 8pm. This month’s activity will be Scrap Booking. Start the New Year off right by getting your pictures organized and in a way that you can enjoy them. Bring your pictures, scrap books or just a page and enjoy the time putting them together. See the attached flyer for more information. We look forward to seeing on Wednesday evening January 16^th!

 

2008 Magic Club   This year’s MAGIC Club Reverse Raffle and Dinner Dance is scheduled for Saturday, February 16 , 2008. Applications for memberships are now being accepted.  Memberships make great Thank You gifts or birthday presents.  Why not show your appreciation for that special someone you just don’t know what to buy. For more information call Janet Grgurich at (412) 885 - 1752 to answer any questions you might have about this exciting evening. If you need an application call the school office and we will send one home. Don’t be left out, it’s a great evening and can be quite profitable.

 

2008 Magic Club “Basket of Cheer” Donations    Every year the Basket of Cheer at the Magic Club seems to get bigger and better each time. It has become one of the most popular items to be auctioned that evening. Once again we are looking for donations in order to create that basket. If you received a bottle for Christmas that you know you won’t use, we will gladly accept your contribution. Your donation(s) of alcohol or a case of beer would be greatly appreciated. You may drop off your donation marked “Magic Club” in the school office during school hours, 7:30am – 3:30pm Monday – Friday.  We can’t do it with out your help! Memberships are still available to one of the most enjoyable evenings & fundraisers of the year.  Join us.

 

2008 Rally for Life and Youth Mass   Please consider participating in the 2008 Rally for Life and Youth Mass to be held on January 22^nd at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C. Doors open at 7am, Confessions at 8am, Rally for Life at 8:45am and 10am Youth Mass. Immediately following will be the March for Life on the National Mall. For more information, call the Department for Youth and Young Adult Ministry at 412 – 456 – 3140.

 

50/50 Holiday Raffle Winner   Congratulations to Carin Abdulovic winner of the 50/50 Holiday Raffle. The Bishop McDowell Regional School community sold a total of 1,146 tickets and the winner received $573.00. Our next 50/50 Holiday Raffle will begin on Sunday, January 27, 2008 during our Catholic School Week Brunch and will continue until Tuesday, March 18, 2008, six days before Easter. Our goal this time is to sell at least 1,500 tickets. Rumor has it the faculty, staff and students really enjoyed the 2 dress down days they had last week and would surely enjoy dressing down the week after Easter. Tickets will be made available in the school office during Catholic Schools Week. Each family will once again be asked to sell at least 10 tickets. So let’s get started!!!

 

Shop n’ Save SEED Program   The Shop n’ Save SEED Assembly Program is made possible through a unique partnership with the Carnegie Science Center and Carnegie Museum of Natural History. In order to qualify for an assembly our school is required to collect $250 per student in Shop n’ Save register tapes for each participating student. Beginning June 1, 2007 and continuing through March 11, 2008 Bishop McDowell Regional School will be collecting Shop n’ Save register tapes to receive an assembly through Carnegie Museum. Our goal by March 11, 2008 is $21,000.00 in register receipts. Continue saving your register tapes and bring them to the school office to deposit! So far the school community has collected $19,074.43 in receipts. We need another $1,925.57 in receipts to attain our goal. Keep on saving!

 

Giant Eagle Apples for the Students Program   The Giant Eagle Apples for the Students Program begins Sunday October 28, 2007 and continues until Saturday, March 15, 2008. Again this year, you will not need to send in receipts from Giant Eagle. All you need to do is be a registered supporter. If you registered last year, you are automatically registered for this year. If you are not a registered supporter, it’s very easy to become one. Take a moment to register. You will need your Giant Eagle Advantage card handy then call 1-800-474-4777. An automated system will talk you through the process. Our school ID number is 1022. You can also register by visiting the Giant Eagle website at www.gianteagle.com and click on the Apples for Students icon. Each time registered supporters shop at Giant Eagle using their Giant Eagle Advantage Card; they earn points for our school. These points are redeemed for great educational tools. The points are automatically credited to our school through the Giant Eagle Advantage Card.

 

Bishop McDowell Regional School Bowling Program   A reminder to our students that participate in the bowling program, bowling has been canceled for Friday, January 18^th, bowling will resume on Friday, January 25^th. See you then!

 

Bishop McDowell Regional School Junior Sports Programs   The Junior Sports programs will begin this month and run through the middle of February. Junior Basketball will begin this Saturday, January 12, 2008 at the Hough Building (formerly the St. Wendelin High School Gym) from 9am – 10:30am for students in grades K – 3 under the direction of Athletic Director Anthony Parente. A reminder the registration cost to participate in the Jr. Sports Program is $15.00 per sport per child.

 

St. Wendelin Church “Soup Bowl Sunday”   On Sunday, January 20, 2008, the St. Wendelin Church Activities Committee will host “Soup Bowl Sunday” beginning at 9am – 12:30pm in the St. Wendelin Parish Center. Some of the soups to be served are: Broccoli Cheese Soup, Chicken Tortellini Soup, Sausage Tortellini Soup, Vegetable Barley Soup, Annie’s Potato & Cabbage Soup, Split Pea Soup with Ham, Stuffed Pepper Soup, Wedding Soup, and George’s Famous Chili. The cost for a Quart is $5. All soups are Homemade. Come join us and chase away the winter blahs.

 

Calling All Junior Achievement Volunteers   NOW’s the time to begin organizing your materials and setting your schedule to come into the classroom to teach. If you still need the curriculum call Mrs. Schumacher in the school office to make arrangements for pick-up then contact Mr. Grgurich to set your schedule. Our students are eagerly waiting!!! In the meantime if you are interested in becoming a volunteer for Junior Achievement, contact the school office at 412-884-5676.

 

Bishop McDowell Regional School Web Site   We are very fortunate to have among our parents one who has exceptional talent in the area of Web Design.  Mr. Anthony Parente, father of Tone 5^th grade and Dante 2^nd grade has made our school web site attractive, very informative in many areas and award winning.  Our website includes the weekly newsletter, monthly calendar and lunch menu, athletic schedules, upcoming school events & fundraising events, school registration information, pictures from recently held special events along with links to various venders that will pay the school money each time someone purchases from them through our Web Site.  In addition there are advertisements down the side which if visitors to our web site explore them our school receives a small fee.  Mr. Parente even has a link to a vendor which carries merchandise with a newer logo that he designed utilizing our logo and positioning statement.  Why not make our school web site your home page? Thank you to Mr. Parente for all of his time and energy that he puts into our web site on a weekly basis. (www.bishopmcdowellschool.org)

 

Veronica Veil Players Auditions   Auditions for those wishing to be in the cast of the Veronica Veil Players are Thursday, January 17, 2008 from 6pm – 8:30pm. Parents of any interested students may call 412 – 431 – 5550 to schedule an audition time. These are many roles available. This is a tremendous opportunity to bring God’s word alive for hundreds of people in this coming Lent.