Parent Newsletter

Friday, April 11, 2008

 

Sadecky’s Puppets Assembly   On Tuesday, April 15, 2008 at 10am on the main floor of the Bishop McDowell Regional School building the students in Grades K - 8 will attend “Everybody Respects Raymond” presented by Sadecky’s Puppets. The show is about a boy named James who can’t figure out why nobody respects him, but everybody seems to respect his twin brother Raymond. To find the answer, James suggests they switch places for a week. James expects to be treated with respect while pretending to be Raymond, but he soon finds the opposite is happening. Meanwhile Raymond is gaining respect while pretending he’s James. It is quickly apparent that just because the brothers look alike, doesn’t mean they’ll be treated the same. What happens next to James will require you to attend the up coming performance. We look forward to seeing you there!

 

2008 – 2009 Registration & Re-registration   All information regarding registration and re-registration for grades K – 8 was sent in the mail on Friday, March 7, 2008. It is very important that you take time now to look over and complete all registration or re-registration forms. Make note the registration fee has increased to $100.00 for the 2008 – 2009 school year. A final reminder that registration will not be considered complete until the registration fee is received.

 

2008 – 2009 Registration Incentive   Those families turning in their registration already 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. Remember until your registration is received 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. Reminder registration will not be considered complete until the $100.00 registration fee is received.

 

Families not returning for the 2008 – 2009 academic year   Any family not returning for the 2008 – 2009 academic year must notify the school office in writing in order for your child(ren) to receive the same privilege to dress down every Monday and Friday in May along with dressing down for the entire week of Monday, June 2^nd – Thursday, June 5^th. If you do not state your intentions in writing then your child is expected to wear the regular school uniform every Monday and Friday in the month of May and the entire week of June 2^nd - 5^th until your written notification is received. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.

 

2007 – 2008 Uniform Shorts Dress Code & Policy   Starting on Monday, April 21, 2008 the students in Grades 1 - 8 will be permitted to wear the Uniform Shorts & gym shoes every day for the remainder of the 2007 - 2008 academic year. Parents take time to see that your child’s uniform shorts are in good repair and the proper length. A phone call will be made home to ask for a change of clothing if this policy is not strictly followed. Thank you for your cooperation in helping to finish the academic year on a positive and upbeat note.

 

“Pompadours and Poodle Skirts” After School Rehearsal   All students participating in the spring musical “Pompadours and Poodle Skirts” will have a mandatory after school rehearsal on Monday, April 21, 2008 from 2:30pm until 4:30pm. This rehearsal will take place on the main floor of the Bishop McDowell Regional School building and will include all actors, actresses and dancers. Take time to prioritize this date on your calendar.

 

“Pompadours and Poodle Skirts” 2008 Spring Musical Evening Dress Rehearsal   On Wednesday evening, April 23, 2008 from 6pm - 9pm there will be a mandatory Dress Rehearsal at Seton LaSalle Catholic High School Auditorium for all members of the cast, dancers, and crew of “Pompadours and Poodle Skirts”. Please be on time for the Dress Rehearsal. There are many things that need to be accomplished in a short period of time. We appreciate your cooperation.

 

“Pompadours and Poodle Skirts” 2008 Spring Musical   The students of Bishop McDowell Regional School will be performing “Pompadours and Poodle Skirts” at 7pm in the Seton LaSalle Catholic High School Auditorium on Thursday, April 24, 2008.

 

School Musical Refreshment Table   The School Musical “Pompadours and Poodle Skirts” is scheduled for Thursday, April 24, 2008 at 7pm in the Seton-La Salle High Catholic School Auditorium. The Bishop McDowell Regional School Activities Committee is sponsoring a refreshment table for the evening performance. To cut down on the cost of the refreshments: we are asking families to donate either pop or cookies. Your refreshment donation will depend on what grade your child is in. If you have children in the primary grades as well as upper grades then you make the decision as to what you would like to donate.

Grades K – 4 Pop (2 liter bottles) or Juice Bags and Grades 5 - 8 (Cookies or Chips/Snacks)

 

NCEA Assessment of Catechesis Religious Education (ACRE) Assessment Program   The students in Grades 5 & 8 will be taking the ACRE Assessment on Monday, April 21, 2008. The assessment will test the knowledge of each student in the areas of Religious Knowledge, Personal Beliefs, Attitudes, Practices, and Perceptions.

 

Activities Committee Meeting   The next Activities Committee meeting will take place on Thursday, April 17, 2008 at 9am in the Bishop McDowell Regional School building. The agenda will focus on Spring Dance decorations, Amateur Night, 7^th & 8^th Grade Spring Outing, Spring Musical Refreshment Table and the End of the Year Picnic. Take time now to mark your calendars and thank you for your support of our school activities.

 

Spring Dance Decorating Committee   The Activities Committee is looking for anyone who is able to help decorate the Cafeteria beginning at 10am on Friday, April 18, 2008 for the Spring Dance. Any amount of time is greatly appreciated. We are looking to borrow Christmas lights as a part of our dance decorations.

 

Amateur Night 2008   Amateur Night 2008 will take place on Saturday, May 17, 2008 at 7pm in the School Cafeteria. If your child is interested in performing return the participation form by Friday, May 2, 2008. If you misplace your participation form call the school office for another form. Also, there will be a full dress rehearsal on Tuesday, May 13, 2008 during school. At that time all aspects of the student’s performance will determine appropriate or inappropriate by the Activities Committee. Take time now to get your act together and we look forward to seeing your act performed at Amateur Night.

 

April Market Day Pick-Up   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.

 

Bishop McDowell Regional School Preschool/Kindergarten Rainbows and Butterflies Story Hour   On Wednesday, April 18^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 further questions call the school office at (412) 884 – 5676.

 

April Computer Café and Activity Alley   In conjunction with the Rainbows and Butterflies Story Hour the Activity Alley and Computer Café program will take place on Wednesday, April 16, 2008 from 7pm – 8pm. Children will have an opportunity to plant seeds, work puzzles, color spring pictures or visit the Computer Café to explore gardening websites. We look forward to seeing you for a fun evening of spring activities.

 

Mother’s and Father’s Day Boutique   Get ready the Mother’s and Father’s Day Boutique is right around the corner. This year we will have a boutique open during the week of May 5^th – May 9^th. Students, parents and staff will have the chance to shop for those special gifts. The boutique will be similar to the Santa Shop. We will have a variety of items and prices to fit every budget. Gift wrapping will be available. A volunteer list will be sent home soon. As always we count on parent support to make this a success. If you have any questions or would like to volunteer contact Wendy Wrubleski at (412) 881 – 1688.

 

Bishop McDowell Regional School “Spring Dance”   The Bishop McDowell Regional School Fundraising Committee is sponsoring a “Spring 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 playing music from the 70’s and 80’s, a 50/50, a Chinese Auction, beer, setup, and B.Y.O.B. For tickets contact the school office at (412) 884 – 5676. Purchase your tickets in advance and save $1.00 per ticket. All proceeds will benefit Bishop McDowell Regional School.

 

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 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!

 

Bishop McDowell Regional School Sports Banquet   Save The Date - This year the Bishop McDowell Regional School Sports Banquet will be on Sunday May 4, 2008 in the school cafeteria (Doors will open at 3:00pm).

 

Bowling Team Cosmic Bowling Party   The Bishop McDowell Regional School Bowling Team will conclude its season with a Cosmic Bowling Party on Sunday, April 13, 2008 beginning at 12pm – 2:30pm at the Playmor Lanes located on Buttermilk Hollow Road. All bowlers are invited to attend. The cost for anyone else wanting to attend is $10.00. We look forward to seeing you as the bowling season comes to an end.

 

Battle of the “Rock Band” Competition   Look for more information in future newsletters. The date is set for Saturday, May 31, 2008 in the St. Wendelin CCD Building beginning at 9am. Get your band together.

 

Home Interiors Spring Candle Sale   Starting on Tuesday, April 8, 2008 Bishop McDowell Regional School is sponsoring a Home Interiors Candle Sale. All orders and money are due on Friday, April 25, 2008. Make all checks payable to: Bishop McDowell School. Incentives for selling include: a pizza party to the classroom that sells the most and the top two student sellers win a $25 gift card to Toy R Us. Good Luck!

 

May Monthly Lottery Tickets   On Monday, April 7, 2008 the May 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 than (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 by Wednesday, April 30, 2008 including unsold tickets.

 

Nestle Pure Life Go Play   If you or your family and friends drink any size bottles of Nestlé Pure Life bottled water or Nestlé Pure Life Natural Fruit Flavored Water Beverages, or Nestlé Pure Life Green Tea Refreshers, you can help our school earn points toward sports gear, gym equipment and other cool stuff. Simply collect the labels from the bottles and place them in the marked collection box at the entrance of the school.  Each label is worth 2 Go Play! points. The more labels our school collects the more points we earn towards rewards. If you would like to learn more about this great program for our school, visit www.goplaylabels.com or contact Judy Parente at 412 – 881 – 8478 for more information. Thank you for your support!

 

Catholic Charities Diaper Drive   In conjunction with St. Wendelin Church and the St. Wendelin CCD Program, Bishop McDowell Regional School will participate in the Catholic Charities Women’s Need Program by collecting diapers, baby wipes, formula and other essential items. This collection begins today Friday, April 4, 2008 and concludes on Thursday, May 1, 2008. Items can be dropped off in the school office, in the back of the St. Wendelin Church or at the St. Wendelin Parish Center. Let’s make a great effort to collect over 100 items during this month of April.

 

Multiple Intelligence Activity Period   On Friday April 18, 2008 the students in grades K – 8 will be participating in their 7^th Multiple Intelligence Activity Period beginning at 1:15pm in the old church area. This time, the focus will be on the Musical Intelligence which involves skill in the performance, composition, and appreciation of musical patterns. It encompasses the capacity to recognize and compose musical pitches, tones, and rhythms. According to Howard Gardner musical intelligence runs in an almost structural parallel to linguistic intelligence. The students will be permitted to dress down on Friday, April 18, 2008 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 would be considered inappropriate clothing.