Parent Newsletter

Friday, May 30, 2008

 

On-line Centralized Database in the Diocese of Pittsburgh   As you know, the Diocese of Pittsburgh is committed to providing a safe environment for everyone entrusted to our care.  The Office for the Protection of Children and Young People is continuing to make efforts to provide a safe environment for your child. In order to comply with the requirements of the USCCB’s Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, Bishop Zubik and the Diocese of Pittsburgh has mandated that anyone, including both paid and volunteer staff, (parents, coaches, lunch volunteers, chaperones etc.) on the school level that has direct contact with minors (under 18 years old) are required to complete an on-line application that will include a national criminal background check. It is mandated that if you plan on volunteering anytime with student programs in the school or field trips including the Sports Program & Lunch Program you MUST complete this on-line application ASAP. I highly suggest that ALL parents that have children registered for the 2008 – 2009 academic year complete this application. The school computer lab will be made available for anyone not having Internet service at their house or needing assistance. The application process will only have to be done once and will take approximately 15 - 30 minutes to complete. For the Protection of our Children and for providing a continued safe environment for our children, take time to complete this application. Our school website has a direct link to the on-line database. Look for the link on the right side of the website about half way down the page it reads: Diocese of Pittsburgh Database Application.

 

Bishop McDowell Regional School Parade Float   Bishop McDowell Regional School is proud to announce that we will once again participate in both the Baldwin Community Day and Brentwood 4^th of July Parades this summer. The theme of our school float will consist of two parts:  first, a butterfly garden with a trellis, butterflies, flowers and our own children sitting on benches; and second, sports at Bishop McDowell Regional School with some representation from our basketball, volleyball, bowling and hockey programs.  We are planning to assemble the float on the Bishop McDowell Regional School parking lot beginning on Thursday, June 5^th and continuing through Friday, June 6^th in the evenings.  We are in need of volunteers to donate some time during these couple of days to assemble the float.  Also, we are in need of supplies; thankfully, the Facchiano’s will lend us their trailer, but we need large butterflies, flowers, lattice, an arbor/trellis, small picket type fencing/edging, paint & wood(if necessary), park benches, and candy. If you are willing to help out in any way, please email us at bmcd@bishopmcdowellschool.org or call the school office at (412) 884 - 5676 by Wednesday, June 4^th.  What a great opportunity for our school to get some name recognition into the Baldwin & Brentwood communities. We look forward to hearing from you!

 

Baldwin Community Day Parade   The Baldwin Community Day Parade will be held on Saturday, June 7, 2008. Bishop McDowell Regional School will once again enter a float. Line up for the parade begins at 10am at Willett & Vernon Roads. Students in all grades are encouraged to participate by wearing their Bishop McDowell Gray T-Shirts and either ride on the float or walk alongside. When the parade concludes at the Baldwin Borough Building children participating will have to make arrangements to be picked up from the Borough Building. Transportation will not be provided home. We look forward to your participation.

 

End of the Year Prayer Service Grades 1 - 7   The students in Grades 1 - 7 will be attending an End of the Year Prayer Service on Tuesday, June 3, 2008 at 1:30pm on the grounds of the Bishop McDowell Regional School Butterfly Garden. Mrs. DeFrancesco and the Third Grade are preparing the prayer service. Join us as we bring to a close the 2007 -2008 academic year.

 

End of the Year Cook Out   To conclude the 2007 - 2008 school year - All Bishop McDowell Regional School students, faculty, staff and their families are invited to an End of the Year Cookout. The Cookout will take place on the school grounds on Wednesday, June 4^th from 6:30pm - 9:00pm. We are asking each family to bring their favorite side dish or desert to share with everyone. We will provide the beverages, hamburgers and hotdogs. RSVP by calling the school office on or before Monday June 2^nd. We look forward to seeing you there!!

 

Last Day of School   The last day of school for the 2007 - 2008 academic year is scheduled for Wednesday, June 4, 2008. Students in Grades 1 - 7 will receive their final report card of the year, say their good-byes to their classmates and be dismissed at 10am. Bus transportation will be provided for all bus riders. If you have not re-registered for the 2008 - 2009 academic year please do so ASAP.

 

Final Report Card   To all parents, if your child(ren) happens to be finishing the school year before Wednesday, June 4, 2008 due to a summer vacation that was already pre-planned or other extenuating circumstances, you will have to come to the school office during the summer to pick up your child’s final report card. They will not be mailed home. Mrs. Schumacher or Mr. Grgurich will be in the school office from Monday, June 9, 2008 - Friday, June 20, 2008 from 9am - 12pm. If you cannot come in during these hours leave a voice message or send a note to make other arrangements.

 

2008 – 2009 First Day of School   Our official start to the 2008 - 2009 academic year will be on Thursday, August 21, 2008 at 8am along with an early dismissal at 12:15pm. As always there may be some changes to the school calendar during the summer months so look for the official 2008 – 2009 Bishop McDowell Regional School Calendar when you receive your summer newsletter in late July or early August.

 

Kindergarten Graduation/End of the Year Program   The students in Kindergarten will have their end of the year program on Monday, June 2, 2008 at 10am on the main floor of the Bishop McDowell Regional School building. Thank you to Mrs. Kuhn for preparing her students for this special day. Following the program there will be a cookie and punch reception. Congratulations to our Kindergarten students for having a successful first year of school and good luck in the future!

 

8th Grade Graduation   The students in 8th Grade will be graduating on Monday, June 2, 2008 at 7pm in the St. Wendelin Church. Following the Graduation Ceremony there will be a reception in the St. Wendelin Parish Center. Thank you to the parents of our 8^th grade Graduates for their commitment to Catholic education and Good Luck next year to our Graduates.

 

June Market Day Orders / New Coordinator   All June Market Day order are due to the school office by Monday June 2, 2008. Internet orders are due by noon on Thursday, June 5, 2008. Pick-up is scheduled for Wednesday, June 11, 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. Also, we are presently looking for a parent to take over as Market Day coordinator for the 2008 – 2009 academic year, if you are interested contact Mr. Grgurich at (412) 884 – 5676.

 

St. Albert the Great Church Summerfest 2008   Beginning on Monday, June 23, 2008 and continuing each evening through Saturday, June 27, 2008 St. Albert the Great Church will hold its annual Summerfest from 7pm - 11pm. Activities will include: Chinese Auction, Tag Sale, DJ each night, Petting Zoo and Pony Rides, Bake Sale, BINGO, Rides etc.. Also, we are looking for volunteers each evening to help work a booth, work the kitchen, work the BINGO or do various other activities. What a great way to do service for your Church. If you are interested in volunteering or need more information about the festival contact the St. Albert the Great Church Rectory at (412) 884 - 7744.

 

Library Book Request   In your travels through your house and clean-up along the way Mrs. Robison is requesting that all Library books be returned to the school office ASAP. Thank you for your cooperation!

 

Bishop McDowell Regional School Annual Calendar Party   On Sunday, October 19, 2008 at the Wendelin Inn Bishop McDowell Regional School will hold its Annual Calendar Party. Ladies, in your travels this summer, start shopping for those incredible bargains; create the most amazing table that everyone wants! Believe it or not, some hostesses have their table themes and are already done shopping! To our 8^th grade moms, you are more than welcome to attend the 2008 Calendar Party as a hostess or guest. What a great way to see old friends and make new ones. To everyone who has attended previous Calendar Parties, thank you for your support and we look forward to seeing you at this year’s event. As we all know the Calendar Party is a fun filled afternoon with lunch catered by Chez Anthony and prizes galore to be won! It has become one of our most popular fundraiser’s for the school. If you have never attended one now’s your chance to get in on the fun. Look for more information in future newsletters.

 

Summer Maintenance Request   The maintenance staff has made a request for rags to be donated for summer cleaning. If you have any extra rags and would be willing to donate them, just send them to the school office. The maintenance staff will make great use of them throughout their summer cleaning.

 

Kennywood Ride-All-Day Passes   You may still purchase Ride-All-Day passes at $19.00 each in the school office until Thursday, June 12, 2008 for your convenience, (Cash or Money Orders only, no personal checks will be accepted.). We have over 70 passes left for sale. Reminder our school picnic is scheduled for Saturday, June 14^th.

 

Bishop McDowell Regional School Lost and Found Basket   As most of you know our school has a lost and found basket located in Mrs. Schumacher’s office. Throughout the school year we accumulate a number if items. Mostly jackets, sweaters, sweatshirts and umbrellas. If your child has lost any of these items throughout the school year it is a possibility that you might find it in our lost and found basket. Any items not claimed by Friday, June 6^th, they will be lost forever.

 

Pizza Hut Fund Raiser Night   On Thursday, June 12, 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 June 12^th and a portion of the sales goes to our school.Remember to tell them at the register to credit Bishop McDowell Regional School 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 (11am) and includes dinner. See you on Thursday, June 12^th and come hungry!!!

 

2008 – 2009 School Supply List   The 2008 – 2009 School Supply List is attached with today’s newsletter. Take time to review it and post it on your refrigerator so when you are out and about this summer you can find what you are looking for. Also, a reminder to parents who will have a child(ren) in grades 4 – 8 this coming school year, the school will be purchasing planners for these student for the 2008 – 2009 academic year. Finally, should you misplace your copy of the school supply list over the summer; this list will be posted on the school website at www.bishopmcdowellschool.org.

 

Entertainment 2009 Book Pre-order    Entertainment 2009 Books will be sent to the school in August 2008.  The cost of each book is $20. We are taking pre-orders for the books now. The preorders will be available as soon as the books are delivered to the school. The Entertainment 2009 Books make great birthday gifts and Christmas presents. See the attached pre-order form with today’s newsletter to place your order today. Get the word out that Bishop McDowell Regional School is the place to go to order your Entertainment 2009 Book. Send in your payment with the pre-order form. Thanks for your continued support of our school and Catholic Education!!

 

Baldwin Library Summer Reading Program Assembly   On Monday, June 2, 2008 beginning at 9am the students in Grades K - 5 will be attending an assembly about the Baldwin Library Summer Reading program. Gina Leone, the Baldwin Library Children’s Service and Program Coordinator, will talk to our students about the importance of reading during the summer months and present the summer reading program the Baldwin library will offer throughout the summer. It should be a great opportunity to get our students in Grades K – 5 excited about reading during their summer vacation.

 

3 & 4 year old Preschool Registration   Bishop McDowell Regional School is presently accepting registrations for our 3 & 4 year old Preschool program for the 2008 – 2009 academic year. At this time we have (7) 3 year olds and (17) 4 year olds registered for the 2008 – 2009 academic year. If you would like to learn more about the program contact the school office at (412) 884 – 5676 and ask to speak with Mr. Grgurich.

 

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!

 

Summer Engineering Experience (SEE) for Girls   Congratulations to Madison Wrubleski, a 7^th grade student, for being accepted into the Summer Engineering Experience (SEE) for girls at Carnegie Mellon University. Madison was granted a full scholarship to cover all expenses. Madison wrote an essay about her desire to one day pursue a career in Biology/Engineering. Through the guidance, support and letter of recommendation, Mrs. Mitchell assisted Madison in obtaining a spot in the program. Madison would like to take this opportunity to thank Mrs. Mitchell for taking Science to another level and for her continued guidance and support.

 

Field Day 2008 Thank You   Finally our prayers were answered. As you know the weather for our Field Day event was outstanding. A HUGE Thank You goes to Mrs. Naylor for planning this year’s event. The games were fun and challenging, the relays were demanding and the overall organization was outstanding. Thank you to our volunteers who help to run the games. As usual without your support the day would certainly not be nearly as successful. A big shout out goes to the following volunteers: Linda Melczak, Judy Blair, Diane Zielinski, Wendy Wrubleski, Karen Cook, Karen Wilharm, Lisa Henning, Ron Henning, Carol Hodermarsky, Donna Dziadyk, Jennifer Darkowski, Diane Lyle, Jane Facchiano, Patty McGuire and Margaret Meade. Congratulations to the Green team for winning 1^st Place. It’s not to soon to start praying for good weather for next year’s event.

 

From the Administration, Faculty and Staff of Bishop McDowell Regional School

we wish you a safe, restful, relaxing and rewarding summer vacation.

We look forward to seeing you in August.

 

* Reminder: Our First Day of School is Thursday, August 21, 2008*