Parent Newsletter

Friday, May 2, 2008

 

A Note from Mr. Grgurich   Just a reminder it’s not to late to register for 2008 - 2009 academic year and while your at it tell a friend about how the children here at Bishop McDowell Regional School are growing in God’s love through faith and education daily. Also, remind them about the caring and nurturing environment and academic excellence our children experience each and every day. Know in your heart that your choice of Bishop McDowell Regional School is a great opportunity for your child to be a part of Total Catholic education where they experience God in everything they do. I ask that everyone continue to pray for each family in our school community as we get ready to end this school year and prepare for the start of a new one. I personally thank you for your continued support of Bishop McDowell Regional School, Catholic education and the many sacrifices you make on a daily basis. Have a great end to the school year!

 

Gateway to the Arts Assembly “A Vocal Journey with Etta Cox”   Etta Cox & the Al Dowe Quintet will present the show titled “A Vocal Journey with Etta Cox” on Monday, May 5, 2008 at 9am.  This group of musicians will take the students in Grades K – 8 on a vocal journey with Etta Cox demonstrating the African American influence on American vocal music over the past 300 years. The students will discover the common threads in call-and-response songs, spiritual, gospel, bebop, blues, jazz, doo-wop, rock’n roll and the rap music of today.

 

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. For tickets contact the school office at (412) 884 - 5676. 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 this 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 contact Wendy Wrubleski at (412) 881 – 1688. A schedule of when the students will be shopping was sent home with the April 25^th Parent Newsletter.

 

2008 Kennywood Ride-All-Day Passes   On Wednesday, May 14, 2008 personnel from Kennywood ticket sales will be in the school building at approximately 11am for your convenience to purchase Ride-All-Day passes at $19 each (Cash or Money Orders) for our school picnic, scheduled for Saturday, June 14^th. No personal checks will be accepted.

 

May Market Day Orders   All May Market Day orders are due to the school office on Monday, May 5, 2008. Internet orders are due by noon on Thursday, May 8^th.  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.

 

May Advisory Council Meeting   There will be an Advisory Council Meeting on Monday, May 5, 2008 at 7:30pm in the Bishop McDowell Regional School building, Room 206. All are welcome to attend.

 

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.

 

Diocese of Pittsburgh Spelling Bee   Sixth year student, Zacharey McGuire will represent Bishop McDowell Regional School at the Diocese of Pittsburgh Spelling Bee sponsored by Harcourt School Publishers. The Spelling Bee will be held on Wednesday, May 14, 2008 at St. Paul’s Seminary. After some very tough competition among fourth, fifth and sixth grade students Zacharey won his spot in the bee. Good Luck Zacharey we are rooting for you!

 

2008 Battle of the Books Competition   Good luck to 4th and 5th grade teams who will be representing Bishop McDowell Regional School in the Junior Division of the Battle of the Books Competition. The 4^th & 5^th grade teams are comprised of the Chili Peppers: Alexia Facchiano, Britney Fitzgerald, Amanda Henning and Christiana Shields and the Super Readers: Nina Baker, Giavanna Facchiano, Antonio Parente and Alyssa Blair. Good luck to the 6^th and 7^th grade teams that will be representing Bishop McDowell Regional School in the Senior Division of the Battle of the Books Competition. The 6^th & 7^th grade team comprises of the 6^th & 7^th Grade Readers: Madison Gallucci, Jena Grgurich, Shannon Redding, Elise Zielinski, Michael Mankos and Megan Mient. All of these students were challenged to read 10 books in a one month time period, and now their knowledge of these books will be tested in a competition on Tuesday, May 6, 2008 at Bishop McDowell Regional School beginning at 6:30pm. Our teams will be competing against teams of students from schools throughout the Baldwin-Whitehall area.  Thanks to Ms. Wolfe, & Ms. Devlin, for coaching both the 4^th & 5^th grade and the 6^th & 7^th grade division teams. All are welcome to come and cheer on their favorite team.

 

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 their child’s test results on the Terra Nova Standardized Test that were administered in March 2008.  Each faculty member in Grades 2 - 8 has 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 on Tuesday, May 13^th in a sealed envelope. Reminder these are open conferences, this means 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 their child’s progress during this fourth nine weeks.

 

Muffins with Mom   On Wednesday, May 7, 2008 on the main floor of the 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 any late RSVP’s to Mrs. Schumacher by Monday, May 5, 2008. A reminder due to the Muffins with Mom celebration the school breakfast program will not be available on Wednesday morning May 7^th.

 

Last Call Bishop McDowell Regional School Golf Outing   On Saturday, May 10, 2008 Bishop McDowell Regional School is sponsoring a Golf Outing at Seven Springs Golf Course located in Elizabeth, PA. The cost per person will be $75. This price will include 18 holes of golf with a cart, drink and hot dog at the turn, 50/50, Chinese Auction and lunch. There will be a continental breakfast at 7:30am before the 8am tee time. We are still looking for businesses, individuals or families to sponsor a hole for our golfing 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.

 

Amateur Night Dress Rehearsal   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 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. See the attached performance form.

 

Genesis of Pittsburgh Collection   Genesis of Pittsburgh is a pro-life service organization that offers practical help for woman facing unplanned pregnancies. Tutoring, baby clothing and equipment, counseling, emergency housing and adoption referrals are just a few of the many free services provided to women of all ages. Genesis is a volunteer group that does not make a profit. The students of our school have been asked to help with the yearly Genesis Tag Day at St. Wendelin Church. Students and/or families are needed to offer rose appliqués in return for donations. The collection will take place after the Saturday, May 17^th 4pm Mass and after the 8:30am and 11am Masses on Sunday, May 18^th. Contact Mrs. Dern by calling the school office at (412) 884 – 5676 for more information or to volunteer. This is a wonderful way to show honor to our Blessed Mother and all mothers in the month of May.

 

Pizza Hut Fund Raiser Night   On Thursday, May 8, 2008 at the Brentwood Towne Center Pizza Hut, Bishop McDowell Regional School will have a fund raiser day. Eat in and carry out orders for lunch and dinner are eligible on May 11th and a portion of the sales goes to our school. Just bring the attached coupons WITH TODAY’S NEWSLETTER to Pizza Hut that day and Pizza Hut will donate 20% of your purchase to the school. As an added bonus---buy your Pizza Hut certificates at the school or after mass and use them to pay for your pizza that night, you will get credit towards your tuition as well! Reminder this fundraiser begins at lunchtime and includes dinner. See you on Thursday, May 8^th and come hungry!!

 

2008 – 2009 Registration & Re-registration   It is very important to 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. A reminder those families turning in their registration on time has resulted 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 have not registered yet it’s not too late but in the meantime 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 ASAP 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 have not yet stated 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.

 

Re-Registration & Not Returning Family Dress Down Days   The families that have returned their registration or notified the office in writing about not returning allows your child(ren) to dress down on Mondays and Fridays in the month of May and for the entire week of Monday, June 2^nd – Thursday, June 5^th. 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 are permitted to be worn Gym Shoes are always a good choice.

 

School Mass   On Friday, May 16, 2008 at 1:30pm the students in Grades K – 8 will attend a School Mass in the St. Albert the Great Church. The 2^nd grade students will be ministering at this mass. All are welcome to attend.

 

Rock Band Competition   We could use help planning and running the Rock Band Competition. We need help with the following areas: plan and run the concession stand, registration, door, collecting items for one large Chinese auction item, being a judge and help with setting up the equipment and lining up the contestants. Without parent involvement we will not be able to have this fun day for the kids. The Reverb Communications Company is providing us with one Rock Band unit for us to use that day, we would hate to send it back unused. Please contact Karen Cook at 412-885-0646, 412-445-6258 or karendavid12@aol.com, by Friday, May 9, 2008.

 

Bishop McDowell Regional School Preschool/Kindergarten Rainbows and Butterflies Story Hour   On Wednesday, May 14^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. This will be the final story hour for the 2007 – 2008 academic year. Mrs. Dern and the administration of Bishop McDowell Regional School would like to thank you for coming to our story hour, we hope you enjoyed spending time listening to the stories along with your child participating in the related story activities. We invite you to come back next school year and look forward to seeing you beginning on Wednesday, September 17, 2008.

 

Last Multiple Intelligence Activity Period   On Tuesday, May 20, 2008 the Bishop McDowell Regional School students in Grades K – 8 will participate in the final multiple intelligence activity period of the year, interpersonal intelligence. The interpersonal intelligence is concerned with the capacity to understand the intentions, motivations and desires of other people. It allows people to work effectively with others. Educators, salespeople, religious and political leaders and counselors all need a well-developed interpersonal intelligence. The students will be permitted to dress down on Tuesday, May 20, 2008 in comfortable clothing (jeans, sweatpants, shorts, Capri pants 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.

 

Field Day 2008 Volunteers   Field Day is scheduled for Wednesday, May 28^th with a Rain Date scheduled for Thursday, May 29^th. At this time we are looking for parent volunteers to help direct our field day stations. If you are interested in volunteering fill out a Field Day volunteer form and return it to Mrs. Naylor. As always we appreciate your involvement in helping to make Field Day a huge success! See the attached Field Day Volunteer form.

 

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.

 

8^th Grade Parent Meeting   There will be an 8^th Grade Parent Meeting on Thursday, May 8, 2008 at 7 pm to discuss the end of the year trip and final preparations for 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.