Parent Newsletter

Friday, September 28, 2007

 

Bus Safety Assembly   The student in grades K – 5 will be participating in a Bus Safety program sponsored by the Baldwin Whitehall School District Bus Garage. This will be a great opportunity to remind the children of basic bus safety procedures. The Baldwin Whitehall Bus Garage will bring a bus that will actually serve as the classroom for this presentation. There will be 3 individual presentations (K & 1 9:15am, 2 & 3 9:50am, 4 & 5 10:25am) with each presentation lasting approximately 35 minutes.

 

2007 – 2008 Fundraising Goal    Once again just a reminder to the Bishop McDowell Regional School community that our fundraising goal is $80,000.00, should we not make this goal due to a lack of participation by school families of the scheduled fundraisers and fundraising events it will not be the responsibility of the sponsoring parishes to make up the difference. Please remember that every school family makes up the fundraising committee. Therefore I am personally inviting each family to help with as many fundraisers and as many fundraising events as you can. I know each family feels strongly about Catholic education and will do their part in helping to meet our $80,000.00 goal for the 2007 – 2008 academic year. Please remember the $80,000.00 goal is not an option, we are counting on this money to meet our overall operating expenses for the 2007 – 2008 school budget.

 

Guardian Angel Mass   On Tuesday, October 2, 2007 at 1:30pm the students in Grades K – 8 will attend mass in the St. Albert the Great Church. The 6^th grade students will be ministering at this mass. Bishop Winter will be the celebrant for this Mass. During this Mass we will remember our Guardian Angels in a special way. They are our unseen protectors and guides. God sends them to bring us comfort and peace.

 

Advisory Council Meeting   The Advisory Council will meet on Monday, October 8, 2007 at 7:30pm on the main floor of the Bishop McDowell Regional School building in Room 206.  All are welcome to attend.

 

Bishop McDowell Regional School Calendar Party   The 6^th 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 office. Everyone’s help and participation in this fundraiser is needed and appreciated.

 

Calendar Party Classroom Chinese Auction Donations See attached letter for classroom requests.

 

2007 Enjoy Book   Bishop McDowell Regional School is selling the 2007 Enjoy Book for $25.00. They are available right now for purchase in the school office. Call in your order or stop by the school office, make your payment and pick up your Enjoy Book ASAP.

 

2008 Entertainment Book Fundraiser   Bishop McDowell Regional School is selling the 2008 Entertainment Book. The cost of each book is $20. If you are interested in purchasing a book, stop by the school office. 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.

 

October Market Day Pick-up   Pick up is scheduled for Wednesday, October 3, 2007 from 6pm - 7pm in the Cafeteria of the school building. We are always 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.

 

Online RVS GradeBook User ID and Password   A reminder to parents that your User ID and Password for the online RVS GradeBook is the same as last year. If you have any problems getting to the logon screen or problems with your User ID or Password call the school office and ask to speak with Mr. Grgurich. Please note the messaging system on the RVS GradeBook is not to replace regular written and verbal communication with the teacher or the school. If you need immediate attention about missing assignments, poor test or quiz grades, projects, class work, homework etc. do not use the RVS GradeBook messaging system contact the teacher by phone or written communication.

 

2007 - 2008 School Uniform Policy   Reminder Monday, October 15, 2007 begins the policy of no uniform shorts until May 2008.  If we happen to have a late Indian summer spurt at the end of October there may be an exception made to the uniform shorts policy depending on how warm it gets. This will be a last minute decision. Remind your child(ren) that when the no uniform shorts policy goes into effect gym shoes are only to be worn on Wednesdays (Gym day K – 3) or Thursdays (Gym day 4 - 8). Also, the mornings are a little cooler now make sure your child(ren) brings the proper uniform sweater or uniform sweatshirt to wear in the building. Parents please remind your child(ren) that Coats, Jackets, Hooded Sweatshirts etc. are not permitted to be worn in the classroom, in the cafeteria during lunch or at ANYTIME during the school day. Please refer to the school dress code or contact Mr. Grgurich for clarification.

 

2007 NFL Pepsi Local Punt, Pass and Kick Winners   Congratulations to all participants and winners of the NFL Pepsi Local Punt, Pass and Kick Competition that was held on Thursday, September 21^st. Thank you to Mrs. Gerri Naylor & Mr. Ron Henning for helping and officiating at the NFL Pepsi Local Punt, Pass and Kick Competition. All First Place Winners now move on to the Punt, Pass and Kick Sectional Competition to be held at Blueberry Hill Park Football Field in Franklin Park on Saturday, October 13, 2007 at 11am. Our First Place Winners are: Lauren Klimo, Alexia Facchiano, Alyssa Taylor, Michala Facchiano, Corey Reimond, Michael Facchiano, Zachary McGuire, and Eddie Lyle.

 

Bishop McDowell Regional School Athletic Sports Registrations   A reminder if your child(ren) is in grades 3 - 8 and interested in participating in a sport for the 2007 – 2008 academic year, now is the time to return your sports registration forms. If you have misplaced the registration forms contact the school office at (412) 884 – 5676 and request another set.

 

Bishop McDowell Regional School Athletic Board Meeting   On Tuesday, October 9, 2007 the Bishop McDowell Regional School Athletic Board will meet at 7:00pm in the Hough Building downstairs in the Concession Stand area.

 

Bishop McDowell Regional School Bowling Program   This year the Bowling program will begin on Friday, October 12th. Bowling will start at 3:15 p.m . at the Playmor Lanes on Buttermilk Hollow Road. The cost for bowling is $5.50 per week and covers the cost of the shoe rental and 2 games of bowling, along with the Christmas party and a end of year Cosmic bowling party. We look forward to seeing your child at the lanes.

 

Bishop McDowell Regional School “Craft Fair”Postponed   Due to a lack of participation at the present time the Bishop McDowell Regional School Craft Fair has been postponed for a later date. Look for further information in an upcoming newsletter. Thanks again for you continued support of Bishop McDowell Regional School and Catholic education.

 

Pizza Hut Fund Raiser Night   On Thursday, October 11, 2007 at the Brentwood Towne Center Pizza Hut 11am – 9pm, Bishop McDowell Regional School will have a fund raiser day. Eat in and carry out orders for lunch and dinner are eligible on October 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, October 11^th and come hungry!!

 

November Monthly Lottery Tickets   On Monday, October 1, 2007 the November Monthly Lottery Tickets will be sent home in your child's book bag.  We ask that each family sell at least (10) tickets each month. The cost is $5 per ticket and is based on the evening drawing of the 3-digit Pennsylvania lottery 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 you may contact the school office at 412-884-5676 or contact Judy Parente at (412) 881 - 8478 or by email at pens@pitt.edu and she will send you additional tickets.  If you would like to request a favorite number or numbers for December please contact the school office or Judy.  All ticket stubs and money are due back to Judy by Friday, October 26, 2007 including unsold tickets.

 

Shop n’ Save SEED Program   The Shop n’ Save SEED Assembly Program is made possible through a unique partnership with the Carnegie Science Center and Carnegie Museum of Natural History. In order to qualify for an assembly our school is required to collect $250 per student in Shop n’ Save register tapes for each participating student. Beginning June 1, 2007 and continuing through March 11, 2008 Bishop McDowell School will be collecting Shop n’ Save register tapes to receive an assembly through Carnegie Museum. Our goal by March 2008 is $20,500.00 in register receipts. Start saving your register tapes and bring them to the school office to deposit!

 

2007 – 2008 Junior Achievement Program   We are very excited about the beginning of the new school year and the start of the Junior Achievement program K – 8 at Bishop McDowell Regional School. Over the past four years our school has been recognized by Junior Achievement of Western Pennsylvania for the Impact Award. This award is given to schools who participate in the Junior Achievement program K – 8. It is quite an honor to be recognized by Junior Achievement of Western Pennsylvania. At the present time we are looking for parent volunteers to teach grades 2 – 7. All materials are provided for the 5 class course. If you are interested in volunteering to teach or team teach you may contact Mr. Grgurich in the school office at (412) 884 – 5676. Dates and times can be flexible and fit into your schedule.

 

Hangers Needed for the Uniform Exchange   We are looking for hangers for the Uniform Exchange Program.  Shirt hangers, pant hangers any type of hanger you can donate would be appreciated.  Please send your hangers to the school marked "Uniform Exchange".  If you have any questions please contact Judy Parente at 412 - 881 - 8478.  Thank you for your help.