Parent Newsletter

Friday, April 25, 2008

 

Ascension Thursday Mass   The students in grades K – 8 will attend Ascension Thursday Mass in the St. Albert the Great Church on Thursday, May 1, 2008 at 9am. Join us as we celebrate the Ascension of the Lord – 40 days after Easter- when Jesus returned to his Father in heaven, so he could be with all people everywhere, forever and ever!

 

Month of May / June Dress Down Days   The families that have returned their registration or have notified the office in writing about not returning by Wednesday, April 30th will result in your child(ren) being permitted to dress down on Mondays and Fridays in the month of May. These days will be casual dress down days which means: Shorts (No short shorts), Jeans, Sweatpants or Capri Pants. Any kind of long sleeve or short sleeve shirt may be worn with exception to tank tops, sleeveless tops, crop tops or shirts with sayings or symbols that go against the Catholic nature of our school. Absolutely NO Sandals/Open Toe Shoes of any kind are permitted to be worn. Gym shoes are always a good choice.

 

2008 – 2009 Registration & Re-registration   All information regarding registration and re-registration went home in the mail on Friday, March 7, 2008. It will be very important for you to look over and complete all registration or re-registration forms ASAP. In order for registration to be complete it must be accompanied by the $100.00 registration fee. Your cooperation in returning your registration is greatly appreciated. Reminder those families turning in their registration on or before Wednesday, April 30, 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 Wednesday, April 30^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.

 

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 on or before Wednesday, April 30^th 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 by Wednesday, April 30^th 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.

 

“Pompadours and Poodle Skirts” Musical Review   Well, the verdict is in and the Students of Bishop McDowell Regional School have once again brought the house down with their spectacular performance of “Pompadours and Poodle Skirts”. A BIG and well deserved Thank You goes to Mrs. DeFrancesco, Mrs. Stasik, Mary “De” Wilson, and Mark DeFrancesco for all their time and effort they put forth into making our musical production a huge success. Thank you to our faculty and their contributions to making the musical a success as well. Thank you to the parents who helped to transport, put the set together and disassemble the set at the high school along with everyone that worked and contributed to our refreshment table.  Finally, thank you to the administration of Seton-LaSalle Catholic High School and especially Tim Zugates director of admissions/guidance for allowing us to put on our show in their auditorium. It was a great experience for all. I look forward to next year’s production!

 

2007 – 2008 Fundraising Goal   At the present time the Advisory Council Fundraising Committee has paid $65, 000.00 back to the school budget as of Friday, April 18, 2008. This total continues to put us about $1,000.00 behind our target to finish the year at $80,000.00. In order to keep close to our goal the Mother’s and Father’s Day Boutique, Golf Outing, Mother’s Day Brunch and Certificate Program all need to be very successful. As always I am very interested in new fundraising ideas for the new school year, new members for the fundraising committee and new volunteers to help lead our various events. If you are interested in taking the plunge, call Mr. Grgurich at (412) 884 - 5676. Once again thank you for your continued support of Bishop McDowell Regional School and Catholic education. Next year’s fundraising goal for the 2008 – 2009 academic year will be $80,000.00.

 

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!

 

Mother’s and Father’s Day Boutique   Get ready the Mother’s and Father’s Day Boutique begins in 1 week. The boutique will be open Monday, May 5^th – Friday, May 9^th. Students, parents, staff, parishioners, grandparents, etc. 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. As always we count on parent support to make our boutique a success. If you have any questions or would like to volunteer you may fill out the volunteer form or contact Wendy Wrubleski at (412) 881 – 1688. Attached is a schedule of when the students will be shopping.

 

Muffins with Mom   On Wednesday, May 7, 2008 on the main floor of the Bishop McDowell Regional School building from 7am - 8am Bishop McDowell Regional School is sponsoring Muffins with Mom in honor of Mother’s Day. Don’t forget to send in your RSVP to Mrs. Schumacher on or before Friday, May 2^nd. Also, a reminder to all parents that due to the Muffins with Mom event the School Breakfast Program will not be offered on the morning of Wednesday, May 7, 2008. See the attached RSVP form.

 

Amateur Night Dress Rehearsal   There will be a dress rehearsal on Tuesday, May 13, 2008 during school beginning at 9am. At that time all aspects of the student’s performance will be determined as appropriate or inappropriate by the Activities Committee. Amateur Night 2008 will take place on Saturday, May 17^th at 7pm in the School Cafeteria. We look forward to seeing your act performed at Amateur Night.

 

3 & 4 year old Preschool Registration   Bishop McDowell Regional School is now accepting registrations for our 3 & 4 year old Preschool program. We presently have (4) 3 year olds and (14) 4 years olds registered. If you know of anyone interested in our 3 & 4 year old Preschool program tell them to contact the school office @ 412-884-5676.

 

Faculty Appreciation Luncheon and Student BINGO   On Friday, May 9, 2008 beginning at 11:40am the Activities Committee along with the entire Bishop McDowell Regional School community has planned a Faculty Appreciation Luncheon for the faculty of our school in appreciation for their tireless efforts in the classroom in order to encourage each child to grow in God’s love. Also, the students in Grades K – 8 will play BINGO with their buddies while the faculty and staff are enjoying their lunch. Sounds like a great afternoon of fun for the faculty, staff and students.

 

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 are not interested in golfing but would like to join us for lunch in the clubhouse the cost for lunch will be $12.00per person. Lunch will be served between 12:30pm & 1pm.We look forward to seeing you at the outing!

 

Terra Nova Test Scores Grades 2 - 8 / Open Conferences   On Monday, May 12, 2008 there will be open conferences for parents of students in Grades 2 - 8. These conferences are for parents to learn more about your child’s test results on the Terra Nova Standardized Test that were administered in March 2008.  Each faculty member in Grades 2 - 8 have interpreted the individual profile results and are now ready to share the scores with their homeroom parents. If you are unable to attend a conference your child’s test scores will be sent home in a sealed envelope after the conferences. Reminder these are open conferences, which mean no specific scheduled time, just come to the school on Monday May 12, 2008 beginning at 5:30pm and ending at 7:30pm and wait your turn. Each individual conference will be 10 minutes. Conferences will end at 7:30pm. Also, parents of students in Grades K & 1 are invited to attend open conferences with their child’s homeroom teacher to discuss your child’s progress during this fourth nine weeks.

 

May Market Day Orders   All May Market Day order forms are due to the school office on or before Monday, May 5, 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, May 8, 2008. Pick-up is scheduled for Wednesday, May 14, 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.

 

National City 2008 African American History Contest   Congratulations to Alyssa Taylor, a 7^th grade student, for winning second place in the Art category, ages 10 – 13, of the National City 2008 African American History Contest. To honor her achievement, Alyssa will be recognized at an awards ceremony on Tuesday, May 6, 2008 at the Carnegie Science Center.

 

Catholic Charities Women’s Need Program   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 as many items as we can during this month of April.

 

Battle of the “Rock Band” Competition   Continue to look for additional information in future newsletters. The date is set for Saturday, May 31, 2008 in the St. Wendelin Parish Center & CCD Building beginning at 9am. In the meantime get your band together for the competition. See the attached registration form.

 

Athletic Uniform Return   The Bishop McDowell Regional School Athletic Association is requesting that all basketball uniforms be returned to the School Office by Friday, May 2^nd. Please place your clean uniform(s) in a plastic bag with your child’s name attached to the bag. In the meantime we look forward to seeing you at the Athletic Banquet scheduled for Sunday, May 4, 2008 in the School Cafeteria beginning at 3pm.