Parent Newsletter

Friday, March 14, 2008

 

2008 – 2009 Registration & Re-registration   Tuition rates have been set and registration has begun. All information regarding registration and re-registration for grades K – 8 was sent in the mail on Friday, March 7, 2008. It will be very important that you take time to look over and complete all registration or re-registration forms on a timely basis. Make note the registration fee has increased to $100.00 for the 2008 – 2009 school year. Remember registration will not be considered complete until the registration fee is received. The deadline for returning your registration information is set for Friday, April 4, 2008. Your registration must be a priority!

 

2008 – 2009 Registration Incentive   Those families turning in their registration on or before Friday, April 4, 2008 will result in your child(ren) being permitted to have casual dress down days every Monday and Friday in the month of May along with dressing down for the entire week of Monday, June 2^nd – Thursday, June 5^th. If you do not register by Friday, April 4^th then your child is expected to wear the regular school uniform every Monday and Friday in the month of May and the week of June 2^nd – 5^th until your registration is received. Reminder registration will not be considered complete until the $100.00 registration fee is received.

 

St. Patrick’s Day Dress Down Day   The students in grades K - 8 will have a dress down day to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on Monday, March 17, 2008. The dress for the day will consist of jeans or sweatpants, gym shoes, and t-shirts/sweatshirts that are mostly green. This type of attire may be worn with exception to decals, sayings or symbols that go against the Catholic nature of our school in honor of St. Patrick’s Day. As always Mr. Grgurich reserves the right to deem what is inappropriate. There will be absolutely no face/body painting; hair coloring, NO HOODED sweatshirts/shirts of any kind, sleeveless tops/tank tops/crop tops etc. or shorts/Capri’s allowed. If you are not sure of something you might wear would be considered inappropriate call the school office. Keep it fun and simple.

 

Lenten Reconciliation   The students in Grades 6 & 7 will be going to reconciliation on Monday, March 17, 2008 beginning at 1:15pm in the St. Albert the Great Church and the students in Grades 3 – 5 will be going to reconciliation on Tuesday, March 18, 2008 beginning at 1:15pm in the St. Albert the Great Church. Father James Orr and Father Edwin J. Wichman will hear confessions. Our students will participate in a short prayer service for examination of conscience before they go to confession.

 

Lenten Prayer Service   Mrs. Kuhn, Mrs. Dern, the Kindergarten and First Grade students are preparing a Lenten Prayer Service for Tuesday, March 18, 2008 at 10:20am on the main floor of the Bishop McDowell Regional School building. Join us as we conclude our Lenten Journey.

 

No School Teacher Day of Reflection   The students in Grades PreK – 8 will have the Day Off on Wednesday, March 19, 2008. The Bishop McDowell Regional School faculty will be attending a Day of Reflection at Seton La Salle Catholic High School. The day will consist of a keynote speaker, private prayer, group discussion, reconciliation, Stations of the Cross and celebrating the Eucharist with Bishop Zubik.

 

2008 Easter Break   Easter Break begins for students in Grades PreK – 8 on Thursday, March 20, 2008 and continues through Monday, March 24, 2008. School resumes for students in Grades PreK - 8 on Tuesday, March 25, 2008 at 8am.

 

Spring Musical Alert!!!   Musical Practice on Monday, March 17, 2008 will be for the cast members who have solo singing parts ONLY. Musical Practice on Tuesday, March 18, 2008 is regularly scheduled for all cast members.

 

Rescheduled 8^th Grade Parent Meeting   There will be an 8^th Grade Parent Meeting on Tuesday, March 18, 2008 at 7 pm to discuss any further fundraising needed for the end of the year trip, the end of the year trip costs and graduation. One parent for each student is expected to be in attendance. This meeting will take place in the St. Wendelin Parish Center. We look forward to seeing you.

 

Chimbote Mission Dress Down Day   We will have a $1 dress down day to raise money in support of the Chimbote Mission in Peru on Tuesday, March 18, 2008. This will be a casual dress down.  Casual means: jeans, sweatpants, sweatshirts, t-shirts, and gym shoes (No Shorts or Capri Pants). Also, any type of shirt (absolutely no sleeveless shirts/tank tops/crop tops/ etc.) may be worn with exception to decals, sayings or symbols that go against the Catholic nature of our school. As always Mr. Grgurich reserves the right to deem what is inappropriate. If you are not sure if something you might wear would be considered inappropriate call the school office. Keep it simple.

 

Bishop McDowell Regional School 50/50 Easter Holiday Raffle Fundraiser   So far we have sold 468 tickets. The winner will receive $234.00. We need to continue to build the winnings so it will be enticing to others as we continue to sell.  Get your tickets and money in we have only 1½ more weeks to sell. Call the school office if you need more tickets and don’t forget to check the school website for updates throughout the week. The winning ticket will be picked on Tuesday, March 18, 2008. Remember the incentive for the school community to sell 1,500 tickets will allow our children in grades K – 8 to have 4 dress down days in a row beginning on Tuesday, March 25^th – Friday, March 28^th. If each family sells 25 tickets ($1 per ticket) we will have met our goal of 1,500 tickets plus. Only 1,094 more tickets to sell! Reminder if we do not meet our goal it will be a regular uniform week for the students in Grades 1 – 8, the week of March 25 - 28. Students will be informed the day of the drawing.

 

Sacrament of Confirmation   On Wednesday, March 26, 2008 at 7pm in the Nativity Church South Park, Bishop William J. Winter will celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation with candidates from St. Albert the Great Church. Congratulations to our candidates!

 

Coming Soon………   Amateur Night, Saturday, May 17, 2008 at 7pm in the school cafeteria. Get Your Act Together. Details to follow. Mark your calendar, it should be a fun evening.

 

3 & 4 year old Preschool Open House / Orientation and Registration Night   Bishop McDowell Regional School will hold its 3 & 4 year old Preschool Open House / Orientation and Registration Night on Thursday, March 27, 2008 at 7pm in Room 206 on the main floor of the Bishop McDowell Regional School building. For the upcoming 2008 – 2009 school year our 3 year old program will meet on Tuesday and Thursday from 8:15am – 11am. In order to participate in our 3 year old program your child must be 3 years old by September 1^st. Our 4 year old program will meet on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8:15am – 11am. In order to participate in our 4 year old program your child must be 4 years old by September 1^st. We look forward to meeting you on Thursday, March 27^th. Help to spread the word to your friends and neighbors that Bishop McDowell Regional School is ready to begin preschool registration for the 2008 – 2009 school year.

 

Bishop McDowell Regional School “Spring Dance”   The Bishop McDowell Regional School Fundraising Committee is sponsoring an “Oldies Dance” on Saturday, April 19, 2008 from 8pm – 12am in the School Cafeteria. The admission is $13 per person and you must be 21 years of age or older to attend this event. The evening will include DJs Rod and Ed, a 50/50, a Chinese Auction, beer, setup, and B.Y.O.B. For tickets contact the school office at (412) 884 – 5676. All proceeds will benefit Bishop McDowell Regional School.

 

Bishop McDowell Regional School “Flea Market / Vendor Sale”   Bishop McDowell Regional School will be sponsoring a Flea Market / Vendor Sale on Saturday, April 12, 2008 from 8am to 2pm, in the School Cafeteria. The cost for a 6 ft. table is $20.00 and an 8 ft. table is $25.00. For more information about this event contact Judy Lee at (412) 882 – 2999 or the school office at (412) 884 – 5676. See the attached form.

 

Activities Committee Meeting   The next Activities Committee meeting will take place on Wednesday, April 2, 2008 at 10am in the Bishop McDowell Regional School building. The agenda will focus on Kite Day, the May faculty luncheon and student BINGO, discussion about Amateur Night and the End of the Year Picnic. Take time now to mark your calendars and thank you for your support of school activities.

 

Bishop McDowell Regional School Spring Golf Outing   On Saturday, May 10, 2008 Bishop McDowell Regional School is sponsoring a Golf Outing at 7 Springs Golf Course located in Elizabeth, PA. The cost per person will be $75. This price will include 18 holes of golf, a cart, a hot dog and drink at the turn and lunch. Also, there will be a Chinese Auction, a 50/50 raffle along with continental breakfast beginning at 7:30am before the 8am tee time. Presently we are looking for businesses to sponsor a hole at the outing. Sponsorship is $50 per hole. Call the school office if you are interested in sponsoring or know of a business willing to sponsor a hole. All checks should be made payable to Bishop McDowell School. In the meantime line up your team or teams, fill out a reservation form and return it to the school office with your payment. If you have misplaced your registration form call the school office for another copy. We look forward to seeing you at the outing! See the attached form.

 

Mother’s Day Brunch   Calling all Mom’s! Why fight the crowds at other eating establishments this Mother’s Day when you can enjoy your family and friends in the welcoming surroundings of our very own school. On Sunday, May 11, 2008 Bishop McDowell Regional School is sponsoring a Mother’s Day 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 scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, potatoes, pancakes, toast, muffins, fresh fruit, orange juice, apple juice, coffee, tea, and made to order omelets by Chef Steve-O. Pre-order by Thursday, May 1^st and save $1.00 per ticket purchased. We look forward to seeing you for brunch

 

Bishop McDowell Regional School Athletic Association’s “Night At The Races”   “Night at the Races” will be Saturday, April 5, 2008 at 6:00pm in the School Cafeteria. We will need your help to make this fundraiser a success! The success of this “FUNDRAISER” benefits our children in many ways. It supports the Athletic Program as it is today. It also provides necessary funds for the “Sports Banquet”. Please continue to show us your spirit by making this event a success for our children. Request for the Horse ownership deadline is Tuesday, March 25, 2008 ($5/horse). There are still horses available at this time. Send your request for tickets ($10/ticket) to the school office. We are asking for a couple of scratch off lottery tickets and a bottle of liquor (basket of cheer) from each family whose child/children are involved in the Athletic Program. The Bishop McDowell Regional School Athletic Association thanks you in advance for your generosity.

 

April Market Day Orders   All April Market Day order forms are due to the school office on Monday, April 7, 2008.  If you have access to the Internet you can place your own order. It’s easy! Go to Market Day.com for step by step instructions. Internet orders are due by noon on Thursday, April 10, 2008. Pick-up is scheduled for Wednesday, April 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 would like to volunteer or have any questions about Market Day call the school office at (412) 884 – 5676.

 

Catholic Schools Night at PNC Park   On Friday, May 9, 2008, 7:05pm at PNC Park, the Diocese of Pittsburgh will have a wonderful opportunity to join with the Pittsburgh Pirates (Lumber Co. Bobblehead Series- Willie Stargell) in celebrating our 12^th annual Catholic Schools Night. Catholic Schools Night began in 1997 to showcase and recognize all of our Catholic schools and students in our diocese. The Pirates will return a portion of the proceeds for each ticket purchased in the form of a check that will be presented to a Diocesan official that evening for the Bishop’s Education Fund. Since PNC Park opened in 2001, the Pirates have donated $62,506.00 to the fund. The Pirates have set a cut - off date for ticket orders by Friday, April 18, 2008 for seating. Since this game is a Fireworks Night the Pirates are expecting a sell out. Send your ticket orders directly to Bishop McDowell Regional School no later than Friday, April 11, 2008. At that time we will send your orders to the Pittsburgh Pirates. Thank you for supporting Catholic Schools Night.

 

Parent Newsletter on the Bishop McDowell Regional School Website   This is just a reminder to all school parents. The weekly parent newsletter can always be found on our school website each week and it’s easy to find. Go to the Internet and launch our website www.bishopmcdowellschool.org. Then look for the word newsletter on the menu, just click and you will see a list of all the parent newsletter dates from the beginning of the school year to the present. Choose the newsletter date you would like to view and click on it. It’s as easy as 1-2-3. Also, if you browse our school website on most Thursday evenings you can get the early edition. This is just an FYI in case your child tells you they forgot the newsletter in school or didn’t receive one.

 

Junior Achievement Bishop Donald W. Wuerl Scholarship   The Diocese of Pittsburgh in collaboration with Junior Achievement of Southwest Pennsylvania, Inc. established the Bishop Donald W. Wuerl Scholarship in 2004 in honor of Bishop Wuerl’s participation in Junior Achievement as a high school student. The purpose of this scholarship is to assist 8^th grade students currently attending an elementary school in the Diocese of Pittsburgh with scholarships to continue their education at a Diocese of Pittsburgh High School. To be considered for a scholarship, all applicants must meet the following criteria: minimum of two years attending an elementary school within the Diocese of Pittsburgh, minimum participation in at least two Junior Achievement programs (validated by the school), GPA of 2.3 or higher, must write and submit a one-page essay (250 words) and students must meet the scholarship requirements as set forth by the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) through the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program (SOS Tuition Assistance fund). For more information contact Mr. Grgurich to see the brochure that explains the program in further detail.

 

 

The Administration, Faculty, and Staff of Bishop McDowell Regional School

extend to you and your family a most Joyous Easter Season.

 

*The next Parent Newsletter will be coming home on Friday, March 28, 2008*

 

*School resumes on Tuesday, March 25, 2008 at 8am*