Parent Newsletter

Friday, November 16, 2007

 

Thanksgiving Mass   The students in Grades K - 8 will attend a Mass of Thanksgiving on Tuesday, November 20, 2007 at 1:30pm in the St. Albert the Great Church. Mrs. Murawski and the Seventh Grade students will be ministering at this mass. Join us as we give thanks for all God has given to us.

 

Thanksgiving Vacation   Thanksgiving Vacation for the students in Grades K - 8 will begin on Wednesday, November 21, 2007 at 12:15pm and continue through Monday, November 26, 2007. School resumes on Tuesday, November 27, 2007 at 8am.

 

Early Dismissal   The students in Grades K - 8 will have an early dismissal at 12:15pm on Wednesday, November 21, 2007.  We will follow our early dismissal snack procedure with snacks being sold by the HOPE Team members in the Cafeteria beginning at 10:25am. The items being sold are not mandatory to buy; you always have the option of sending in a snack with your child(ren). $1.50 should be more than enough money to purchase a snack and drink

 

50/50 Holiday Raffle Fundraiser   Wondering how you’re going to pay off your Holiday bills? Beginning on Friday, November 2, 2007 Bishop McDowell Regional School has just the solution. We would like you to participate in the 50/50 Holiday Raffle Fundraiser event at Bishop McDowell Regional School by taking a chance on buying a 50/50 raffle ticket for only $1. These raffle tickets can be purchased in the school office Monday – Friday from 7:30am – 3:30pm, and on the weekends after masses at both St. Albert the Great Church and St. Wendelin Church. Also, we are asking all school families to get involved by doing your part in helping to sell as many chances as possible. The more chances sold the higher the prize. Everyone will be able to watch the pot grow as we post the amount on the school website daily, every other day, and weekly. I’m sure the anticipation of the drawing will help everyone to get in on the selling frenzy. Return all sold tickets and money in an envelope to the school office marked: “50/50 School Raffle”. Just a reminder tickets and money must be returned together or we can’t pay the winner. The winning ticket will be pulled on New Years Eve Monday, December 31, 2007, just in time for those first of the month holiday bills. So far $108.00 to the winner.

 

Multiple Intelligence Activity Period   On Monday November 19, 2007 the students in grades K – 8 will be participating in their 2^nd Multiple Intelligence Activity period beginning at 1:15pm in the old church area. This time, the focus will be on the Linguistic Intelligence, which involves sensitivity to spoken and written language, the ability to learn languages, and the capacity to use language to accomplish certain goals. This intelligence includes the ability to effectively use language to express oneself rhetorically or poetically; and language as a means to remember information. Writers, poets, lawyers and speakers are among those that Howard Gardner sees as having high linguistic intelligence. The children will be permitted to dress down in comfortable clothing (jeans, sweatpants, and gym shoes) with exception to any clothing that goes against the catholic nature of our school along with wearing their NEW Gray Bishop McDowell Spirit T-shirt. As usual Mr. Grgurich deems the right to determine what is appropriate and what is not. Make note of the intelligence change.

 

Little Sisters of the Poor Food Drive      Bishop McDowell Regional School and the HOPE Team will continue to accept non-perishable food items through 9am on Tuesday, November 20, 2007 for the Little Sisters of the Poor. Students should continue to bring in their non-perishable items to the school and give them to their homeroom teacher. So far we have collected over 300 items. All donations will be given to the Little Sisters of the Poor. Once again thank you for your contributions and generosity, Bishop McDowell Regional School has made a difference in the lives of many people this Thanksgiving.

 

Dress Down Day, Wednesday, November 21^st   Through the generosity of all the school families of Bishop McDowell Regional School the students in Grades K – 8 have earned a casual dress down day on Wednesday, November 21, 2007 because we will have met our goal of collecting over 300 non-perishable items.  Casual means: jeans, sweatpants, sweatshirts, t-shirts, and gym shoes (no shorts or Capri pants). Any shirt (absolutely no sleeveless shirts/ tank tops / crop tops / etc.) may be worn with exception to INAPPROPRIATE/GORY decals, sayings or symbols that go against the Catholic nature of our school. Appropriate Thanksgiving t-shirts, sweatshirts and sweaters are acceptable. As always Mr. Grgurich reserves the right to deem what is appropriate and what is not. If you are not sure if something you might wear would be considered inappropriate call the school office.

 

2007 Magic Classic Basketball Tournament   The Athletic Association would like to thank all those who worked their scheduled times this past weekend. Without your participation our athletic programs would not be as successful. For your convenience, the concession stand and door schedule along with the clock and book schedule can be found on the school’s website. Also, here are the times when our school teams are scheduled to play this weekend. The Junior Varsity Girls play Friday, November 16^th at 5:45pm, Varsity Boys play Friday, November 16^th at 9pm, the Varsity Girls play Saturday, November 17^th at 1:20pm and Junior Varsity Boys play Sunday, November 18^th at 3:20pm. Hope to see you there! Reminder students that come to watch the games MUST be accompanied by an adult / guardian. A reminder there are only 2 weeks left, try to get out and support our teams.

 

2007 Santa Lunch   Our annual Santa Lunch is scheduled for Saturday, December 8, 2007 from 12pm – 3pm in the Bishop McDowell Regional School Cafeteria. Come join us for lunch, ice cream sundaes, raffles, door prizes, crafts and a visit from Santa. All tickets will be $8 a person and must be purchased by Friday, November 30, 2007. For more information call Lisa Henning at (412) 884 – 6138.

 

2007 Santa Christmas Shop   The Bishop McDowell Regional School Santa Christmas Shop will begin on Monday, December 3, 2007 with the school sale concluding on Friday, December 7, 2007. Items will be priced from approximately $10 and under. A schedule of when each class is going to shop and an envelope for shopping with an itemized list on it will be sent home on Tuesday, November 27, 2007. For more information about the Santa Christmas Shop contact Wendy Wrubleski at (412) 881 – 1688.

 

Annual Poinsettia, Wreath and Centerpiece Sale   Bishop McDowell Regional School is holding its Annual Poinsettia, Wreath and Centerpiece Sale. The sale began on Friday, November 9, 2007. All orders are due to the school office by Friday, November 30, 2007. For additional information call the school office to request an order form. Make all checks payable to: Bishop McDowell School. Proceeds from this sale benefit Bishop McDowell Regional School. Thank you for your support and have a blessed and happy holiday season.

 

2007 SARRIS Christmas Candy Pick-up   The Sarris Christmas Candy Pick-up is scheduled for Wednesday, December 12, 2007 from 2:30pm – 4pm and 6pm – 7pm in the school office. If you have any other questions concerning pick-up, contact Kathy Moeslein at (412) 885 – 5628. Once again thank you for your continued support of Bishop McDowell Regional School and Catholic education. 

 

Savory Homemade Cookie Dough and Ashley Farm Pie Pick-up   On Monday, November 19, 2007 all Savory Homemade Cookie Dough & Ashley Farm Pie orders can be pick-up at the school from 2:30pm – 4pm or 6pm – 7pm. Just in time for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. Make note of the pick-up date change.

 

2008 Magic Club   Reverse Raffle and Dinner Dance- Applications for memberships are now being accepted.  Memberships make great Thank You gifts or Christmas presents.  Why not show your appreciation for that special someone you just don’t know what to buy. Go get a jump on your holiday shopping.  For more information call Janet Grgurich at (412) 885-1752 to answer any questions you might have about this exciting evening. If you need an application call the school office and we will send one home. Don’t be left, it’s a great evening and can be quite profitable.

 

December Market Day Orders   All December Market Day order forms are due to the school office on Monday, December 3, 2007. Internet orders are due by noon on Thursday, December 6, 2007. Pick up is scheduled for Wednesday, December 12, 2007 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 call the school office at (412) 884 – 5676.

 

December Monthly Lottery Tickets   The December Monthly Lottery Tickets were sent home in your child’s bookbag on Monday, November 12, 2007.  We ask that each family try to sell at least (10) tickets each month. The cost is $5 per ticket and is based on the evening drawing of the 3-digit number. Once again this fundraiser has proven to be a great source of income for the school. We have the potential to make over $2,000.00 a month if all the tickets are sold. If you are able to sell more that (10) tickets, contact Judy Parente at (412) 881 - 8478 and she will send you additional tickets. Way to Go!! A reminder all ticket stubs and money are due back to Judy Parente by Friday, November 30, 2007 including unsold tickets.

7^th Annual Bishop McDowell Regional School Trim a Tree   Join us for one of our favorite traditions at Bishop McDowell Regional School on Friday December 7, 2007 at 7pm. In the spirit of giving this holiday season, we will be donating gifts to the Womensplace of Pittsburgh. The school will be making up gift bags to send to the women, any beauty items you can donate would be appreciated, (shampoo, perfume, lotions, etc.). Send these items to school by Thursday, December 6^th. The children's unwrapped gifts can be brought the night of the Trim a Tree event. If you are unable to attend you can send your gift to school. Thank you to everyone who can help brighten a child's Christmas. See the attached flyer for more information.

Activities Committee Meeting   There will be an Activities Committee Meeting on Wednesday, December 5, 2007at 9am in the Cafeteria of the school building. The Activities Committee will make final plans for the Trim-a-Tree Event scheduled for Friday, December 7, 2007 and plan the Faculty Christmas Luncheon for Friday, December 14, 2007. More details about this event will be posted in a future newsletter. All committee members are asked to make this meeting a priority and as usual new members are always welcome.

 

Pizza Hut Night   On Thursday, December 13^th at Brentwood Towne Center Pizza Hut, Bishop McDowell Regional School will have a fundraiser night. Just bring the attached coupons WITH TODAY’S NEWSLETTER to Pizza Hut that night and Pizza Hut will donate 20% of our 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!!! See you on Thursday, December 13^th and come hungry!!

 

Bishop McDowell Regional School Sports Picture Day   Sports Picture Day has been scheduled for Sunday afternoon December 2, 2007 beginning at 1pm in the Bishop McDowell Regional School building. An order form for team individual photos will be sent home. A schedule will follow. If you have any further questions about Sports Picture Day contact Anthony Parente at (412) 881 – 8478.

 

Gino Startari Photography School Picture Retakes   On Friday, November 30, 2007, Pre-K 3 & 4 and any Kindergarten through Eighth Grade student that was absent on picture day or would like a retake can have their picture taken or retaken by Gino Startari Photography. Those students having a picture taken or retaken due to being absent on school picture day or a retake will be permitted to dress up in an appropriate manner on this day or wear their school uniform. This is NOT a dress down day: No JEANS / SHORTS, NO GYM SHOES, NO T-SHIRTS OR anything of an inappropriate nature is permitted to be worn. Call the office at (412) 884 – 5676 if you need an extra form for retakes.

 

Halloween Fun Night Family Dance Thank You   The activity committee would like to thank everyone that attended the Halloween Dance. Everyone had a really good time. Thank you to the following parents for helping to decorate. Dina Jacobs, Michele Zink, Brenda Schneider, Joy Baker, Gail Facchiano, Cathy Kwiatkowski, Donna Dziadyk, Diane Lyle, Jane Facchiano, Patty Kastroll, Melody Bennet and Jane and Michael Kosco. These ladies put in many hours to transform the cafeteria into a spider filled forest. They started decorating on Thursday and finished up on Saturday Morning. Adam Lopata for loaning us some really great decorations. We hope to make this a yearly event. If you were unable to attend hope to see you next time.

HarvestFest 2007 Thank You   What a great time the children had playing the games and decorating their pumpkins. It was a perfect fall day to be outside. Thank you to the following parents who helped make this day possible. Dina Jacobs Michele Zink, Brenda Schneider, Jane Kosco, Patty Kastroll, Judy Blair, Jane Facchiano, Gail Facchiano, Wendy Wrubleski, Diane Lyle, Donna Dziadyk, Cathy Kwiatkowski, Lisa Henning, Joy Baker, Amy Lopata, and Melody Bennet, John Facchiano for providing the hayride for us all to enjoy. Mike Facchiano for running out and buying a new fog machine just so we would have one for that day. Facchiano Contracting for donating Sponge Bob and Patrick. St. Wendelin Church for donating the pumpkins for the HarvestFest. I really want to thank the children for making this and all the activities fun and enjoyable. Without the wonderful support from the parents this day would not be possible. Thank you again for all the hard work. I really appreciate it and so do the children. Finally a special thank you goes to Karen Cook for all her creative ideas and leadership in organizing this event every year. We look forward to seeing everyone at the Trim a Tree event on Friday December 7^th.

 

Giant Eagle Apples for the Students Program   The Giant Eagle Apples for 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 1-800-474-4777. 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.

 

The Administration, Faculty and Staff of Bishop McDowell Regional School

wish you and your family a joyous and most blessed Thanksgiving.

 

The next Parent Newsletter will be coming home on Friday, November 30, 2007