February 8, 2010 Update: 50's celebration is being rescheduled for Thursday the 25th.
February 7, 2010
Dear Parents,
I am pleased to announce that we have two winners of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution American History Essay Contest: Kaitlin Rogers (7th grade) and Emma Wulfhorst (6th grade). Congratulations girls!
Apparently, we are having a 50's day on the 11th. Mrs. Newberry and the PTA have arranged a special celebration which includes a 50's dress down day. Please know that this doesn't necessarily mean that all the girls should wear poodle skirts or the boys need to buy leather jackets. Please feel free to roll up their jeans, wear bobby socks with sneakers, maybe a scarf around their neck or their hair slicked back, t-shirt and jacket, and call it a day. This should be fun for the children and easy on the parents.
On a serious note, we began a Kindness Campaign on Friday. I am including the speech given by the President of the Student Council, Michael O'Connor, for two reasons. I could not have done it better, and I am honored that an eighth grade student, who happens to be the grandson of Elena Torragrossa, the previous Principal, could have written something so impressive.
Kindness: Pass It On
We just listened to a very famous passage from one of St. Paul’s letters where he clearly states: Love is Kindness. When Mrs. Kowit asked me to help kick off the school’s “Kindness: Pass It On” campaign, I thought long and hard about what I would say. I struggled, but then I realized I was making something that is so fundamentally simple far more complicated than it actually is. You see, there is no truer principle in life than the fact that kindness is contagious. It follows from that principle that a single act of kindness can have a rippling effect so massive that it can accomplish great things.
Too often, kindness is seen as a sign of weakness, but, in reality, it takes far greater strength to stand up for what is right and to show kindness and compassion to one another. We have a great opportunity, here at Saint Leo’s. We are fortunate to be part of this community: we have the freedom to pursue our education and dreams, which is something many people in this world do not have. But we cannot just be content with our own privileges. We must pursue our personal goals with a mind toward passing our light on to others. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a Baptist minister firmly rooted in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, once said, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, what are you doing for others?” His undying message and belief was that kindness and compassion would, and will, always overcome hatred and evil. He proved that by one man’s example a whole world can change.
I believe these principles whole-heartedly, and I know we can put them to work here; to make Saint Leo’s an even better place. Let’s be honest, who hasn’t had the experience of walking into an awkward place or situation, your insides twisted in knots, fearing the worst, when suddenly - maybe it’s just one person who flashes you a smile, cracks a joke, or just simply says “hi” – and your anxiety lifts. That is the kind of stuff that is so easy to do for another person. That is the kind of stuff that can make a huge difference.
It’s the small and random acts: offering an open seat to a lonely child sitting at a vacant lunch table, holding the door open, just saying “hello” when you pass someone in the hallway. Simply having the courage to walk away or to take a stand when confronted with unnecessarily mean treatment of another person can have far greater impact than standing by silently and letting it happen. It doesn’t take much, but what we do can go very far. Each one of us is important and no one is invisible here. Each one of us should be treated with dignity and kindness, and show the same to others. Some of you may remember when my grandmother used to tell us that if we all lived by one Christian teaching it should be “do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” It’s a very simple rule that really makes sense. Now, Mrs. Kowit reminds us of the very same thing. If we just stop and think before we act, and treat others the way we would want to be treated in the same situation, think of how much better off we’d all be. Kindness spreads, it’s that simple.
With this campaign, we remind ourselves that we are only as good as the kindness we show to the people around us. This is a great place, but I think we should challenge ourselves to make it better. Let’s work together to make Saint Leo’s a place where everyone is comfortable, where everyone is welcome, where you can drop a five dollar bill and count on the fact that the person behind you will pick it up and give it back to you, instead of buying some extra pizza at lunch. If we start here, and work our way out into the world, there is no telling what kind of impact we can make.
So, I hope I’ve had your attention for a few minutes today, but what will we do tomorrow? Let’s challenge ourselves to actually do this. As you leave the church you will find bracelets that read “Pass It On.” Please take one as you leave and keep it as a reminder of the power you have to affect the lives of the people around you. Remember, your impact on others can be positive or negative – it’s your choice. Don’t let anyone tell you that showing another human being respect is not “cool.” Kindness is not weakness. Kindness requires courage. Kindness: Pass It On.
God Bless our Students and all their lessons learned,
Joanne Kowit
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Take a look at our PM (Peace of Mind) program. We do Homework!
We have instituted an EZ Lunch program.
Students are able to use a swipe system to purchase lunch. Credit cards can be used to put money on account (we know how everyone likes to accumulate points), but more importantly, it makes it easier for parents to pay for lunches. Details can be found on our site under "Lunch".
Please remember our next major exciting event: The PTA annual casino/dinner/dance will be held at Mike Doolan's on February 27th.
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PM Program Information & Registration
Pre-school Extended Care Registration Form
ACCEPTING APPLICATION FOR 2010/11
Application Form
February 2010 Calendar
Falls Restaurant and Lounge
- From now until the end of February if you say that your child/ren attend Saint Leo the Great School, 10% of the check will be donated back to Saint Leo's. Excludes already discounted checks (ie Happy Hour and BOGO's). See our new 2010 menu and pricing. New Happy Hour from 3pm-6pm.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
- "Lincoln", PTA Sponsored Program Grades 4-8
Thursday, February 11, 2010
- Re-registration/Tuition Forms Due
- Fifties Day, Information to follow
Friday, February 12, 2010
Monday, February 15, 2010
Tuesday, February, 16, 2010
- Fat Tuesday, information to follow
Wednesday, February, 17, 2010
Thursday, February, 18, 2010
- Spring Sports Sign Up, Cafeteria, 8am-10am & 6pm-8pm
Sunday, February 21, 2010
- Coffee Sunday sponsored by Athletic Association
Monday, February 22, 2010
- 7A & 7C Confirmation Retreat, Cafeteria, 4pm-6:30pm
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
- 7B Confirmation Retreat, Cafeteria, 4pm-6:30pm
Friday, February, 26, 2010
- 2nd Grade Trip, "Le Grande Cirque"
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