Parent Newsletter

Friday, October 12, 2007

 

2007 – 2008 Fundraising Goal   As stated at the Thursday, September 6, 2007 Curriculum Night this year’s fundraising goal is $80,000.00. During that meeting I outlined the number of fundraising events that are being planned for this year with the option of adding more events should we need them. So far as of Thursday , October 4, 2007 the Fundraising Committee from the Advisory Council has paid $21, 000.00 back to the school budget. As always the fundraising committee is looking for new fundraising ideas and new volunteers to help with our various events. I look forward to seeing all of you at these events. Once again thank you for your continued support of Bishop McDowell Regional School and Catholic education.

 

Faculty In-service Day   On Friday, October 19, 2007 the students in grades PreK – 8 will have the day off. The faculty will be attending two in-services in the school building: Barriers to School Success presented by Gloria Rodriguez and a Stress Management presentation by Dr. Dean NIcholson.

 

Student Mass   On Tuesday, October 16, 2007 at 1:30pm the students in Grades K – 8 will attend mass in the St. Albert the Great Church. The 4^th grade will be ministering at this Mass. All are welcome to attend!

 

Bishop McDowell Regional School Preschool/Kindergarten Rainbows and Butterflies Story Hour   On Wednesday, October 17^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.

 

Marketing and Communications Committee Meeting   The Marketing and Communications Committee will meet on Monday, October 22, 2007 at 7pm in Room 206 to begin planning the Celebrity Readers event that will be held on Friday, November 30, 2007. 

 

November Market Day Orders   All November Market Day order forms are due to the school office on Wednesday, November 1, 2006. Internet orders are due by noon on Thursday, November 2, 2006. Pick up is scheduled for Wednesday, November 8, 2006 from 6pm - 7pm in the Cafeteria of the school building. We are still 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 Harvest Fest   On Wednesday, October 31, 2007, the students in Grades PreK - 8 will participate in the annual Harvest Fest following lunch. The children will celebrate by participating in a costume parade, visit the pumpkin patch, play games and much more. Each student will receive a pumpkin and treat bag. In lieu of sending in traditional treats for your child’s class, we are asking for a $3per student donation to help defray festival expenses. Send your money to the school office by Monday, October 22, 2007. Mark the envelope “Harvest Fest”.

 

Seton La Salle Catholic High School Open House   There will be a Junior High School Student Open House held at Seton La Salle Catholic High School on Sunday, October 21, 2007 from 12:30pm – 3:30pm. This will be an opportunity for parents & students in grades 6 – 8 to explore the varied academic, spiritual, growth and service opportunities offered by Seton La Salle Catholic High School. For more information contact Nancy Rizza @ 412 – 561 – 3583 ext. 129 or email rizzan@slshs.org. See you on October 21^st.

 

Protecting God’s Children   St. Albert the Great Parish is sponsoring a Protecting God’s Children course on Monday October 22, 2007 from 7pm – 10pm. This course will be held in the Bishop McDowell Regional School building. Protecting God’s Children is a requirement by the diocese for any adult working with children. There is no fee. If you have not attended one of these sessions in the past then parents, parent volunteers and volunteer coaches should make every effort to attend. For more information and to reserve your place call the St. Albert the Great Religious Education Office at (412) 884 – 8282. You must register for this course in order to reserve enough materials for each participant.

 

2007 First Nine Weeks Fall Conferences  It’s that time of year to begin preparing for Fall Conferences regarding your child’s progress throughout the first nine weeks. Conferences will be held on Wednesday, November 7, 2007 for students in Grades K – 3 from 4pm – 8pm and on Thursday, November 8, 2007 for students in Grades 4 – 8 from 4pm – 8pm. A letter concerning fall conferences will be coming home on Tuesday, October 16, 2007 in your child’s bookbag. Take time to read all pertinent information and return your conference request form ASAP.  All requests for Conferences will be filled as they come in. Conference Request Forms should be returned no later than Wednesday, October 24, 2007. Your scheduled conference times will come home on Thursday, November 1, 2007.

 

Home Interior Christmas Candle Sale   Our Home Interior Candle fundraiser began on Friday, October 5^th and continues until Friday, November 9, 2007. The top 2 sellers will be awarded $25.00 gift cards from Toys R Us. The top selling class will receive a pizza party. Everyone loves candles and this fundraiser can be a huge success with the help of everyone. With Christmas approaching, candles would make a nice gift. The candles will be delivered in time for Christmas. Look for the order form that is attached with this week’s newsletter. The pick-up date is scheduled for Friday, November 30, 2007. Contact Wendy Wrubleski at (412) 881-1688 for further information. In the school office you will find sample sizes and some of the new fragrances. Last school year we sold over $4,000.00 worth of candles and made a profit of $1,042.00. Let see if we can outdo these numbers this year.

 

Bishop McDowell Regional School Cookie Dough & Pies Fundraiser   Today Friday, October 12, 2007 begins the Savory Homemade Cookie Dough & Ashley Farms Gourmet Pies sale. There is only a 2 week time frame to sale. The Savory Homemade Cookie Dough come in 11 flavors - $12.00 per tub and the Ashley Gourmet Pies come in 9 different varieties at various prices. The sale ends on Friday, October 26, 2007. Delivery and pick is scheduled for Monday, November 19, 2007. Just in time for the holidays!!

 

November Monthly Lottery Tickets   On Monday, October 1, 2007 the November Monthly Lottery Tickets were 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.

 

November Market Day Orders   All Market Day order forms are due to the school office on Monday, October 29, 2007. Internet orders are due by noon on Thursday, November 1, 2007. Pick up is scheduled for Wednesday, November 7, 2007 from 6pm - 7pm in the Cafeteria of the school building. Please make sure that you get your orders in on time. Also, we are still 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.

 

Giant Eagle Apples for the Students Program   The Giant Eagle Apples for the Students Program begins Sunday October 28, 2007 and continues until Saturday, March 15, 2008. Again this year, you will not need to send in receipts from Giant Eagle. All you need to do is be a registered supporter. If you registered last year, you are automatically registered for this year. If you are not a registered supporter, it’s very easy to become one. Take a moment to register. You will need your Giant Eagle Advantage card handy then call 1-800-742-7753. An automated system will talk you through the process. Our school ID number is 1022. You can also register by visiting the Giant Eagle website at www.gianteagle.com and click on the Apples for Students icon. Each time registered supporters shop at Giant Eagle using their Giant Eagle Advantage Card; they earn points for our school. These points are redeemed for great educational tools. The points are automatically credited to our school through the Giant Eagle Advantage Card. For more information about this program see the attached letter and flyer.

 

Family Fun Night Halloween Party/Dance   On Saturday, October 27, 2007 beginning at 7pm in the Bishop McDowell Regional School cafeteria in coordination with Activities Committee Bishop McDowell Regional School is sponsoring a Family Fun Night Halloween Party and Dance. DJ’s Rod and Ed will provide the music and the Activities Committee will provide the fun; games, costume contest, beverages and snacks. The cost for a family is $20.00 or $5.00 per person. Everyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent. We look forward to seeing you there! Call the school office at 412 – 884 – 5676 for more information and tickets.

 

Dropping off your Children in the Morning   Just a friendly 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 on 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, sign some last minute notes / homework / tests or give out hugs and kisses in the car before dropping off PLEASE find a parking place in the lot to complete all of these tasks. 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 out from dropping off. Your cooperation is needed and greatly appreciated.

 

St. Wendelin Church “Harvest Moon Fest”   St. Wendelin Church will sponsor a Harvest Moon Fest on Sunday, October 14, 2007 from 9am till 5pm at the St. Wendelin Church Parish Center & Parking Lot. The Harvest Moon Fest dinner menu will include: Sauerkraut, Pork, Bratwurst, Mashed Potatoes and German Potato Salad. Dinner is served from 12pm – 6pm. Other items for purchase will include: Hot Dogs & Pizza. Desert will be Apple Pie. Pop & Water will be available as well. The cost for a dinner ticket is $10 per person and $5 for children under 12. Added attractions to the Harvest Moon Fest will include crafters, vendors and a pumpkin patch for the children. We look forward to seeing you!

 

MAGIC Classic Tournament Worker and Concession Stand Schedule   The schedule for the November MAGIC Classic Basketball Tournament sponsored by the Bishop McDowell Regional School Athletic Association is going to be made next weekend – October 20^th - October 21^st. If you have certain time(s) out of the 4 weekends in November that you absolutely cannot work, please put it in writing and send it to the school office marked Attn: Lori Greening. Lori will do her best to accommodate you. Otherwise, it will be YOUR responsibility to have your shift covered by another person. As you know this is a big fundraiser for the Athletic Association and everyone’s cooperation is greatly appreciated. Thanks again for your immediate attention to this request and we look forward to seeing you at the tournament.