On-line Centralized Database in the Diocese of Pittsburgh As you are aware, the Diocese of Pittsburgh is committed to providing a safe environment for everyone entrusted to our care. The newly established Office for the Protection of Children and Young People is now preparing to take the next step in that continuing effort. In order to comply with the requirements of the USCCB's Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, Bishop Bradley has approved the creation of an on-line centralized database in the diocese. Anyone, including both paid and volunteer staff (parents, coaches, lunch volunteers, chaperones etc.) on the school level that have direct contact with minors (under 18 years old) will be mandated to complete an on-line application that will include a national criminal background check. This application process began on Friday, June 1st. 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 for the 2007 – 2008 academic year you MUST complete this on-line application ASAP. Information needed to complete this on-line application was attached with the June 1, 2007 parent newsletter. If you are in need of another copy of the directions just contact the school office. The fee is $7 for each application completed to be paid by the school. The school computer lab is available for anyone not having Internet service at their house or needing assistance. Just call to make arrangements. Every parent MUST fill out this application. The application process will only have to be done once and will take approximately 15-20 minutes to complete. For the Protection of our Children and for our continued efforts to provide a safe environment for our children, take time to complete this application TODAY.

A Note of Welcome From Mr. Grgurich I would like to take this opportunity to welcome the students, faculty, staff and parents to Bishop McDowell Regional School and to another academic year. As always I am excited about the beginning of the year and I look forward to another year of our students growing spiritually, having academic and athletic success along with enjoying the many fun-filled social activities. I would also like to note that once again our maintenance staff has worked extremely hard this summer and has done a wonderful job in cleaning and making the building spotless for the beginning of the new school year. It looks dazzling!!! Finally, when we meet during Curriculum Night on Thursday, September 6, 2007 I will have an opportunity to share with you the school goals, budget and any important initiatives that have been set forth this year. Until then I hope everyone has a great beginning to the school year.

2007 – 2008 Official School Calendar Date Change As you know, the installation of Bishop David Zubik as the Bishop of Pittsburgh is scheduled for Friday, September 28, 2007. In light of the significance of this event and his desire that this be a special day of celebration throughout the diocese, Bishop Zubik has announced that all Catholic elementary and secondary schools in the Diocese of Pittsburgh will be CLOSED on Friday, September 28, 2007. Mark your calendars!!!

First Full Day of School / Hot Lunch Program Our First Full Day of school for Grades K – 8 will be on Monday, August 27, 2007. Once again the Hot Lunch Program will be served 5 days a week, 4 days (Tuesday – Friday) by Ches Anthony and 1 day by Pizza Hut/Spartan Pizza beginning on Tuesday, September 4, 2007 for $2.85. In the meantime all students in grades K – 8 will have to Brown Bag their lunch for the first week of school, Monday, August 27, 2007 – Friday, August 31, 2007 and may purchase Milk for .40¢ or Iced Tea .75¢. Also the Snack Bar will be available. Thank you for your cooperation as we begin a new academic year.

Morning Breakfast Program The Breakfast Program will begin on Monday, August 27, 2007. The cost of breakfast will be .75¢ which will include Poptarts or Cereal, Toast and Milk.

Kindergarten's First Day I would like to welcome our Kindergarten students as they begin their first day of school on Monday, August 27, 2007 and their parents to Bishop McDowell Regional School. As we all know first time experiences can be stressful and sometimes awkward. At Bishop McDowell Regional School we look forward to providing your child with the best possible school experience and will make every effort to accommodate you and make you feel comfortable. Ultimately we know your child will enjoy their first formal school experience and as parents the school community looks forward to your involvement in school life. Welcome and enjoy the year!

Opening School Mass Our Opening School Mass for the 2007 - 2008 academic year is on Friday, September 7, 2007 at 9am in the St. Albert the Great Church. Mrs. Murawski and 8th Grade students will prepare the Mass. Come and Celebrate with us as we begin a new academic year. Bishop McDowell will celebrate Mass with us.

2007 Bishop McDowell Day The administration, faculty, students and parents will celebrate Bishop McDowell Day on Friday, September 7, 2007. The day will begin with mass in the St. Albert the Great Church at 9am. Bishop McDowell will be in attendance and provide the Homily. The day will continue with a Laser Light Show in the Assembly Area on the main floor of the school building beginning at 10:45am. Beginning after lunch the Activities Committee has planned a Safety Day. Also, included with the Safety Day of events will be an opportunity for the students to wet their whistle with the ever popular Rita's Italian Ice. What a great way to kick-off the 2007 – 2008 academic year. Further information about Safety Day will be in next week's parent newsletter.

2007 – 2008 Curriculum Night On Thursday, September 6, 2007 Bishop McDowell Regional School will hold Curriculum Night for parents who have enrolled their child(ren) in our K – 8 program. The parents of students in Grades K - 8 will meet at 7pm on the main floor of the school building for a presentation about the new school year along with faculty introductions. After the presentation the faculty will hold individual classroom sessions for the parents. These sessions are an opportunity to listen to the explanation and general overview of the curriculum your child(ren) will be learning this year. Also, this evening gives each faculty member an opportunity to explain your child's schedule, their own homework policy, and classroom expectations. Mark your calendar now and remember this is the first step in establishing an open line of communication with your child or children's teachers and having a successful academic year. We look forward to seeing you.

Uniform Exchange Program There will be a Uniform Exchange on Thursday, September 6, 2007 during Curriculum Night on the main floor of the school building. Drop off uniforms by Wednesday, September 5, 2007. If you have any questions concerning the uniform exchange contact Judy Perin-Parente at (412) 881 - 8478.

3 & 4 year old Preschool Orientation Bishop McDowell Regional School along with Mrs. Naylor and Mrs. Moeslein would like to welcome back our 4 year old preschool students and their parents and welcome our incoming 3 year old preschool students and parents to the 2007 – 2008 academic year. We are very excited that they have chosen our preschool program and look forward a fun year. To begin the preschool year there will be a 3 year old Preschool Orientation on Tuesday, August 28, 2007 at 9:15am and a 4 year old Preschool Orientation on Wednesday, August 29, 2007 at 9:15am. Both orientations will be held in Meeting Room 206. You may bring your child with you and drop them off in the Preschool Room with Mrs. Moeslein; there will be activities for them to participate in during the orientation meeting. We look forward to meeting with you and having a great school year.

Visitor Sign – In Procedure A reminder all Visitors are welcome in the building but upon entering you MUST first report to the school office. At that time Mrs. Schumacher will have a Sign-In folder ready to be signed by all visitors along with a Visitor Name Tag to be worn on your person when in the building. The visitors will sign their name, state the reason for being in the building along with writing their time in and out. If you have not signed in and do not have a Visitor Name Tag you are not permitted to be walking through the building. This procedure has been put in place for the safety of the students, faculty, staff and visitor. Once again all visitors are welcome but for safety reasons we have to keep track of who is in the building. In advance thank you for your cooperation and support of Bishop McDowell Regional School.

Request for Administration of Medication Forms We are sending home the Request for Administration of Medication and Physicians Instructions Concerning Medication Given at School forms with this week's newsletter. These forms are to be completed on an as needed basis. Read each form carefully and understand that the school is not permitted to administer any type of medication to your child unless permission is given through these forms.

2007 - 2008 School Forms Reminder to all parents / guardians to send in School Forms by Friday, August 31, 2007 (Catholic Memorandum, Internet Policy, Photo Release, Family Survey, Loan of Text Book, Emergency Information Sheet, and School Directory Information). All of these forms are important to your child(ren) having a successful year.

Playground and Lunchroom Volunteers We are always in need of playground and lunchroom volunteers. If you are interested in volunteering for the playground or cafeteria, take time to fill out the forms included with the July 27th newsletter. Should you have any further questions about playground or cafeteria duties contact the school office at (412) 884 – 5676. Our Lunch Schedule is 11:40am to 12:20pm, Grades K - 8.

Dropping off your Children in the Morning Just a reminder that our children are precious gifts of God, please be careful when dropping off your child or children in front of the school building and the Schieck Street side of the school building in the morning. Be careful to watch out for all children as well. If a parent needs to come into the school building when dropping off you MUST find a parking place in the parking lot. This will keep traffic flowing freely and make it easier for the buses to get to the school entrance and drop off students without too much confusion. Remember to slow down your speed when pulling in and pulling out from dropping off. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.

Market Day 2007 - 2008 Welcome Back! It's the start of a new academic year and time to continue one of our most popular fundraisers, “Market Day”. Internet orders are due on Thursday, August 30, 2007 by noon. Pick up is scheduled for Wednesday, September 5, 2007 from 6pm - 7pm in the Cafeteria of the school building. The Market Day program runs year round and requires a few hours of your time one Wednesday a month. As always we are in need of volunteers to help on Market Day, consider giving 1or 2-hours. If you would like to volunteer call the school office at (412) 884 - 5676.

Bishop McDowell Regional School “Craft Fair” Bishop McDowell Regional School is sponsoring a Craft Fair on Saturday, October 6, 2007 from 9am 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.

Bishop McDowell Regional School Calendar Party The 6th Annual Bishop McDowell Regional School Calendar Party will be held on Sunday, October 21, 2007 at the Wendel Inn. Come enjoy a relaxing, social afternoon with friends, good food, a super Chinese Auction, door prizes, a 50/50 raffle and great fun. Doors open at 12pm, lunch will be served at 1pm. Admission tickets are $12 per person. In order to host a table, to purchase tickets or for more information, contact the school office at (412) 884 – 5676.

Donations are Needed for the Calendar Party We are looking for items to use as door prizes and Chinese Auction items. Donations can be monetary, gift certificates, home, kitchen or decorating items or anything else. Send donations via the school marked “Attn: Calendar Party” or contact the school office at (412) 884 – 5676. In addition, anyone interested in helping to obtain donations from local businesses, call the school. Everyone's help and participation in this fundraiser is needed and appreciated.

2007 – 2008 Lottery Calendar Fundraiser Our annual $40 Lottery Calendars will be sent home with your child on Friday, August 24, 2007. The Lottery Calendar runs from October 1, 2007 thru September 30, 2008 with prizes each day. The winning number is based upon the evening drawing of the PA Daily Lottery. We ask that each family sell at least ten (10) calendars. Our Lottery Calendars have been a very successful fundraiser in past years and it is our goal that it will continue to be as successful this year. Make every effort to do your part. All money is due back to school on Friday, September 21st. In advance thank you for your continued support of Bishop McDowell Regional School and Catholic education.

Bishop McDowell Regional School Four Ball Scramble Fall Golf Outing On Saturday, September 29, 2007 Bishop McDowell Regional School is sponsoring a Four Ball Scramble 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 and continental breakfast beginning at 7:00am before the 7:30am 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. Continue to look for further details in future newsletters. In the meantime line up your teams, fill out the reservation form that is attached with today's newsletter and return it to the school office with your payment. Please note the wrong starting tee time was printed on the reservation form. The correct starting tee time is 7:30am.We look forward to seeing you at the outing!

Entertainment 2008 Book Fundraiser Bishop McDowell Regional School is selling the Entertainment 2008 Book. We are accepting pre-orders right now along with your payment. The cost of each book is $20. If you are interested in purchasing a book, stop by the school office to place an order. As soon as you receive your book you may begin using the coupons. No need to wait until November. These books make great birthday presents, thank you gifts or even Christmas gifts. So, don't delay get your order in now, we have a limited supply of books.

2008 Enjoy Book Bishop McDowell Regional School is selling the 2008 Enjoy Book for $25.00. The 2008 Enjoy Book are available for purchase in the school office stop by the school office and pick up your copy.

“5% Back to School” Program at Office Depot Through the “5% Back to Schools” program, Office Depot gave more than $3 million in credits to schools last year. This year we have the same opportunity to increase our schools credit by providing the School ID# 70088372 to faculty, students, parents and friends. The more people who use the School ID# 70088372 when purchasing school supplies, the more credit our school can earn. These credits mean extra supplies for our students throughout the 2007 - 2008 academic year. The “5% Back To School” program is a year long program.

Boxtops for Education and Campbell's Soup Labels Remember to continue to save Boxtops for Education and Campbell's Soup Labels during the academic year. These are yearlong programs that earn valuable merchandise for our school. These Boxtops and Campbell Soup Labels can be deposited in the three drawer collection box just inside of the main entrance of the school building throughout the 2007 – 2008 academic year. Thank you for your continued support of Bishop McDowell Regional School and Catholic education.