All Saints Catholic School | Manassas, Virginia

The Sentinel – Volume 12, Issue 22

All Saints School — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 12:33:14 +0000

Seek Christ in one another; welcome Him into your heart.

Principal’s Message

Last Wednesday I had the opportunity to attend a meeting hosted by the White House in honor of Catholic school educators across the country who have made significant contributions to their local communities. In an auditorium with other guests from surrounding dioceses, it was an honor to hear first-hand of the appreciation that the administration has for those in the field of Catholic education and the difference they make in American society.

During the presentation, nine honorees were asked to reflect on their work and experiences in Catholic education. From a Jesuit priest who founded schools serving impoverished youth in Kenya to the success stories of administrators serving underprivileged communities in our own nation, I was reminded of the fact that Catholic schools are beacons of hope. In the words of one of the presenters, it is simply remarkable to observe what happens when a Catholic school opens in a community and it is equally remarkable to see what happens when a Catholic school pulls out of a community. At the end of the presentation, I left feeling reaffirmed for the good work that we accomplish each day and reminded of the fact that we are, indeed, deeply blessed.

On this occasion of Catholic Schools Week, we pause to celebrate our heritage and reflect on our mission. Let us always remember that it is not our strong academics and sense of structure and order that set us apart, though these are tell-tale signs of a Catholic school. Rather, it is the fact that our students encounter daily the person of Christ through prayer, the Sacraments and one another. This experience, repeated day after day, month after month, year after year, is nothing short of life-changing and life-giving.

As a Catholic school, we do share in a tradition of academic excellence. Within our classrooms and hallways, faculty & staff provide our children with the very best educational opportunities. We are truly blessed to have such a talented and dynamic group of professionals working with the children each day. Through their daily example, their passion for educating young people, and their professionalism, they have taken our school to great heights. Through their commitment and with the generosity of our parish community, our students are afforded a first-class educational experience that integrates 21^st Century learning tools with well-established best practices.

Of course, without the support of parents and our wonderful PTO, we would not have the tools and resources that are such an important part of our daily life. At All Saints, parent involvement is recognized as fundamental to the success of our school and we are immensely grateful for the steadfast partnership that we enjoy with you.

On behalf of the faculty & staff, I wish to thank you for entrusting your children to us. It remains a great privilege for us to have the opportunity to work closely with you in support of your child’s development. We thank you for choosing All Saints and look forward to having your family as part of our “school family” for years to come. Happy Catholic Schools Week!

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Today each family will receive re-registration forms for the 2012-2013 academic year. Parents are asked to complete all of the forms and return them to the office no later than Wednesday, February 15^th. Since registration of new students will begin on February 8^th, it is important that parents return the enclosed forms by the deadline in order to insure that a place is reserved for each child who will be returning in the fall.

(Please note: Registration of students new to All Saints, including siblings who will be eligible by age for Pre-Kindergarten, will begin on February 8^th. Separate forms related to this initial registration process will automatically be sent home to parents who have expressed interest in enrolling another child in our program.)

The 2012-2013 Re-Registration packets that were sent home yesterday were missing the re-registration form. Please click on the following link for the re-registration form: http://www.allsaintsvaschool.org/index/wp-content/uploads/downloads/2012/02/Re-RegistrationForm_2012-13.pdf

This form is a writable PDF file and you can fill in the blanks on your computer, print out the document (front & back preferred), sign it and send it in with the rest of the forms in the re-registration packet.

Tuition for grades K-8 will increase by 3% for the upcoming year. Pre-Kindergarten tuition will increase from $2100 to $2250. The registration fee, which has remained unchanged since the 1990’s, will increase from $105 per family to $125 per family.

This equates to the following increase per month:

1 Child $14.20

2 Children $22.90

3 Children $31.00

4 Children $39.20

One of the reasons that we are able to maintain affordable tuition rates is through the continued support of our parish community. In addition to providing significant funding for maintenance and utilities costs, the parish continues to provide subsidy to the school in the amount of $240,000 per year. (Subsequently, parishioners are extended a “discount” and are asked to pay less than what it actually costs the school/parish to provide educational services. The parish is able to offer this discount with the understanding that those same families are contributing to and participating in the life of the parish on a regular basis.) We also continue to benefit from the generous support of our PTO. In generating approximately $80,000 in annual revenue, the PTO helps defer the costs of both special projects as well as operating expenses.

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On Saturday, February 11^th the PTO will host the annual Casino & Auction Night at the Portuguese Community Center beginning at 6:30 p.m. In addition to being one of our largest fund-raising events of the year, the annual auction provides a wonderful opportunity for parents, faculty, staff and community members to celebrate the success of our school. I hope that many of you will be able to join us for this special evening which has become a cherished event at All Saints. (A special note for those who have never participated in a casino night: The games are great fun and the hosts very gracious. It is, indeed, a relaxed and enjoyable evening.) Ticket order forms are due THIS FRIDAY: $25 per person in advance ($30 at the door).

Casino Night & Auction Highlights:

Classic casino games for raffle tickets towards great prizes – a portable grill, i-Docking station and more
Auction items include an HP all-in-one Wireless printer, a laser tag party at UltraZone in Chantilly, sterling silver jewelry, collectable Madame Alexander dolls, framed & autographed photo of former Redskin Darrell Green and more
Celebrity Dealers – including the Mayor of Manassas and Father Bob
Silent and Live Auction
50/50 Raffle
Prize raffle (including a Kindle Fire, Flat Screen TV, and $200 Gift Card for Flynn & O’Hara)
Heavy hors d’oeuvres, dessert and cash bar.

Virtue of the Month ~ Honesty

Admit when you do something wrong. Don’t put the blame on others.
Do all of your own work and put your best effort into it. Don’t look at other student’s papers.
Be true to your word and your beliefs.
If you forget your homework, tell the truth. Accept the consequences.
If you find money try to find out who it belongs to.
Always ask before borrowing something.
Give back what you borrow in good condition.
Be honest when you correct your own paper or someone else’s. Circle all the mistakes.
If you make a promise, keep it.

Prayer of the Month ~ Prayer for Honesty

Lord Jesus,

You know me well and you see what is going on in my heart.

I am sure you understand me and want to help me.

Please give me the courage to resist temptations of all kinds,

and practice the virtue of Honesty in all I think, say, and do.

Let your Spirit rekindle in my heart the desire to act right,

and give me wonderful ideas to help others act right too.

Amen.

Catholic Schools Week Schedule

Thursday, February 2^nd Student Appreciation Day ~ Optional Dress Down Day ($1.00 in support of our diocesan seminary); Free Ice Cream at Lunch & No Homework

Friday, February 3^rd School Mass

Students will make small gifts for their teachers

Teacher Appreciation Day ~ Faculty & Staff Luncheon, hosted by the PTO, following Noon Dismissal

Spirit Activity: Chick-fil-A (6:30-9:30 p.m.)

Saturday, February 4^th PTO sponsored Bingo & Pizza Night (Knights’ Hall/5:00-9:00 p.m.)

Judges still needed for Science Fair

Please contact Gina Michak at ginamichak@gmail.com or Val Loague at valerie@skycass.com ASAP if you can help.

We are still in need of judges ~ Are you curious about the natural world, wonder how things work, or enjoy learning new things? If you answered yes to any of these questions, or if you just enjoy reading and learning about scientific topics, please consider serving as a Science Fair Judge for our school fair on Thursday, February 23 from 8:00am to 1:30pm (includes lunch).

Thanks to those who have already responded to the call! We are seeking 20 – 25 volunteer judges to evaluate the academic and creative efforts of our middle school students. Judges are needed in the following categories: Behavioral and Social Sciences, Biochemistry, Botany, Chemistry, Earth and Space Sciences, Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Medicine and Health, Microbiology, Physics, and Zoology.

Spirit Event ~ Chick-fil-A

We’ve got spirit, yes we do…We’ve got spirit, show yours too! Come on down to the Chick-fil-A on Liberia this Friday February 3^rd 6:30am to 9:30pm. Come on your way to school, for lunch, or after school for dinner. You can even hit the drive-thru! Good food, great fun, and Christian fellowship! Let’s do it again, support the most wonderful school around. Remember 20% the proceeds benefit All Saint Catholic School!

Attention all Scouting Families

It’s not too late to sign up for the Ten Commandments Hike this Saturday, February 4^th. Registration is from 8:30 – 9:00 AM Saturday at the Parish Activity Center at All Saints Church. There is a flyer linked to the newsletter with more information.

Open House at Pope John Paul the Great

JP the Great invites all students in grades 5 – 7 to preview high school by attending our Open House on Thursday, March 15, from 4 – 6pm. Meet the faculty and students at JP, while learning more about our academics, athletics, clubs, admissions requirements, and more. Wolfie the mascot will be available for photos, and there will be plenty of fun snacks! All are welcome, including rising 9^th, 10^th and 11^th grade students looking to transfer to JP next year. For more information, please visit www.jpthegreat.org or call (703) 445-0300.

IMPORTANT REMINDERS

Tuition Assistance Applications for 2012-2013

Applications for tuition assistance for the 2012-2013 academic year are now available in both English and Spanish at the front office. Again this year the Diocese of Arlington has contracted with FACTS Grant & Aid Assessment Company. FACTS has established an on-line application process that can be initiated through the company website (www.factstuitionaid.com.)

The due dates for applications and supporting documentation are as follows:

High School January 23, 2012

Elementary School March 19, 2012

NOTE: All families with children enrolled in both high school and elementary school will need to submit an application by the January high school deadline.

Please note that ALL applications and supporting documentation must be received by FACTS by the date listed above, not postmarked. Applications are not considered complete until FACTS has received the supporting documentation. Additionally, only those families who are verified by FACTS as having submitted all of the required supporting documentation will be eligible for diocesan tuition assistance.

An overview of the Diocesan Tuition Assistant Program can be found at the following link:

http://www.arlingtondiocese.org/catholicschools/tuitiongrant.php

Those families interested in applying for tuition assistance for the Pre-Kindergarten program are invited to complete a separate application available in our front office. As the diocesan tuition assistance program pertains only to those students enrolled in grades K-12, the Pre-Kindergarten assistance program is distinct and managed by All Saints rather than FACTS Tuition.

Open House for 2011-2013 School Year

All Saints Catholic School will host an Open House for prospective parents on Thursday, February 9^th beginning at 9:00 a.m. All parishioners and members of the community interested in learning more about the parish school are cordially invited to attend. Following a presentation and introduction at 9:00 a.m., tours of the facility will be provided. For more information, please contact Mrs. Joyce D’Eugenio, administrative assistant, at (703) 393-1490.

Registration Schedule for the New Year

ø Re-Registration for Current Families February 1-15, 2012

ø Application Period for New Students February 8-March 2, 2012

(Including siblings for Pre-K & K)

Upcoming Events

Wednesday, February 1^stRe-registration begins for 2012-2013

2^nd Quarter Report Cards send home

Golf Tournament Committee Meeting (7:00 p.m.)

Thursday, February 2^nd Student Appreciation Day ~ Optional Dress Down Day ($1.00 in support of our diocesan seminary); Free Ice Cream at Lunch & No Homework

Friday, February 3^rd School Mass (8:30 a.m.) & Virtue Awards Ceremony

Middle School Demerit Free Breakfast

Students will make small gifts for their teachers

Noon Dismissal: Faculty & Staff Luncheon

Spirit Activity: Chick-fil-A (6:30-9:30 p.m.)

Saturday, February 4^th PTO sponsored Bingo Night (Knights’ Hall/5:00-9:00 p.m.)

Tuesday, February 7^th Picture Day: Teams, Clubs & Candids

PTO Executive Board Meeting (PLC/7:00 p.m.)

Wednesday, February 8^th Registration for New Students for 2012-2013 Opens

Thursday, February 9^th Open House (9:00 a.m.)

Friday, February 10^th Race for Education Kick-Off Assembly (2:15 p.m.)

Saturday, February 11^th Casino & Auction Night (6:30-11:30 p.m.)

Coming Home with Oldest Child in grades Pre-K through 7

2012-2013 Re-Registration Packets

Links

Chick-fil-A Spirit Event Flyer ~ http://www.allsaintsvaschool.org/index/wp-content/uploads/downloads/2012/02/2012-2-03Chick-Fil-A.jpg
Flyer for Scouting Families Ten Commandments Hike ~ http://www.allsaintsvaschool.org/index/wp-content/uploads/downloads/2012/02/TenCommandmentsHike.pdf

School Celebrates Mr. Mark’s Retirement

Janis DeVore — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 14:01:17 +0000

All Saints students gathered for a surprise assembly to honor Mr. Mark L’Abbe who retired from our maintenance team after many years of service to both the school and parish.

Catholic Schools Week Schedule

All Saints School — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 15:16:56 +0000

This week, All Saints will join with schools across our country in celebrating Catholic Schools Week, an annual celebration of our heritage and distinct mission. The following is a list of special activities planned for the weeklong celebration.

Sunday, January 29^th - All students are asked to wear their school uniform to Sunday Mass.

Monday, January 30th – Vocation Day Celebration & Prayer Service

Tuesday, January 31^st - Staff Appreciation Day ~ Coordinated by Teachers and Students

Wednesday, February 1^st - Priest Appreciation Day ~ Students will offer special prayers and spiritual bouquets for our parish priests.

Thursday, February 2^nd - Student Appreciation Day ~ Optional Dress Down Day ($1.00 in support of our diocesan seminary); Free Ice Cream at Lunch & No Homework

Friday, February 3^rd - School Mass

Students will make small gifts for their teachers

Teacher Appreciation Day ~ Faculty & Staff Luncheon, hosted by the PTO, following Noon Dismissal

Spirit Activity: Chick-fil-A (6:30-9:30 p.m.)

Saturday, February 4^th - PTO sponsored Bingo & Pizza Night (Knights’ Hall/5:00-9:00 p.m.) - http://www.allsaintsvaschool.org/index/wp-content/uploads/downloads/2012/01/February2012BingoFlyer.pdf

Dave Conroy Attends White House Salute

Janis DeVore — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 18:42:00 +0000

As a prelude to Catholic Schools Week, Mr. Conroy attended “Champions of Change” at the Whhite House, an event that recognized extraordinary individuals that have made a major impact on the students, families, and educators through Catholic schools and universities.

The Sentinel – Volume 12, Issue 21

All Saints School — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:09:00 +0000

Seek Christ in one another; welcome Him into your heart.

Principal’s Message

This week I wish to share with you an important message from our Superintendent, Sr. Bernadette McManigal, on the topic of an upcoming legislative initiative.

Dear Parents:

Parental choice in education is a fundamental right, and one for which the Catholic Church has long fought. Legislative efforts have been underway in Virginia for the last several years to ensure greater educational options and opportunities for more students, and to sustain the long term viability of Catholic and other nonpublic schools, which provide significant benefits for their families as well as all taxpayers. In the upcoming Virginia General Assembly session, parental choice in education will again be a hotly debated topic.

The Virginia Catholic Conference –collaborating with the Catholic Schools Offices in Richmond and Arlington, the Mid-Atlantic Catholic Schools Consortium and the Diocese of Arlington’s Office of Communications – has developed a video (linked at the end of this letter) to promote tax credits for parental choice in education. The Education Improvement Scholarship Tax Credit: Taking Action for a Brighter Tomorrow (produced by Triune Production Studios, LLC) is designed to increase understanding and involvement in legislative advocacy in order to win passage of the Education Improvement Scholarship Tax Credit bill in 2012.

The Education Improvement Scholarship Tax Credit bill will be considered during the 2012 Virginia General Assembly session that begins in mid-January. Its benefits for our local community and Catholic schools statewide are three-fold: It will provide critical support for low-income students desiring a Catholic education. It will save all Virginia taxpayers money. And finally, it will support the long-term viability of Catholic schools throughout Virginia by sustaining enrollments and leveraging greater investments.

For the last two years this legislation has come just two votes short. If it is to pass in 2012, the bill needs strong grassroots support.

I encourage you to watch this short five minute video and then take a few minutes to follow the action suggested at the end. Please share the video with family members and friends who might be interested in viewing it as well. Your help is vitally important to pass this bill in 2012!

On behalf of our school community and all Catholic schools in Virginia, thank you for allowing me to share this message.

Sincerely,

Sr. Bernadette McManigal, B.V.M.

Superintendent of Schools

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In support of this initiative, I am attaching two additional documents for your review. The first is an overview of theEducation Improvement Scholarship Tax Credit bill that addresses some frequently asked questions. The second is a form that you may use to enroll in the Virginia Catholic Conference Email Advocacy Network. As grassroots support is vital in order for this legislation to pass, All Saints parents are strongly encouraged to register as part of the email network.

Finally, there will be a rally in Richmond on February 7 from 11 to 11:45. If any parents in our community are interested in attending, please contact our school office for additional information as well as details regarding the possibility of diocesan organized transportation.

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This week I wish to share with you the news that Mr. Mark L’Abbe, Facilities Manager, is retiring this week after 14 years of service to our school and parish. Mr. L’Abbe began his employment in August of 1998 as Facilities Technician. In September of 2000, he assumed the position of Facilities Director and transitioned to his current position in 2006. Through the years, Mr. L’Abbe has quietly worked behind the scenes to help ensure that our school is in fine working condition and pristine in appearance. We thank him for his years of dedicated service and wish him every good blessing as he begins his retirement!

The school community will gather to thank and honor Mr. L’Abbe at an assembly beginning at 2:15 p.m. tomorrow. Any parents who wish to attend are cordially invited.

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Next week All Saints will join with schools across our country in celebrating Catholic Schools Week, an annual celebration of our heritage and distinct mission. The following is a list of special activities planned for the weeklong celebration.

Catholic Schools Week Schedule

Sunday, January 29^th All students are asked to wear their school uniform to Sunday Mass.

Monday, January30th Vocation Day Celebration & Prayer Service

Tuesday, January 31^st Staff Appreciation Day ~ Coordinated by Teachers and Students

Wednesday, February 1^st Priest Appreciation Day ~ Students will offer special prayers and spiritual bouquets for our parish priests.

Thursday, February 2^nd Student Appreciation Day ~ Optional Dress Down Day ($1.00 in support of our diocesan seminary); Free Ice Cream at Lunch & No Homework

Friday, February 3^rd School Mass

Students will make small gifts for their teachers

Teacher Appreciation Day ~ Faculty & Staff Luncheon, hosted by the PTO, following Noon Dismissal

Spirit Activity: Chick-fil-A (6:30-9:30 p.m.)

Saturday, February 4^th PTO sponsored Bingo & Pizza Night (Knights’ Hall/5:00-9:00 p.m.)

Spelling Bee

Congratulations to the following students who competed in last week’s school-wide Spelling Bee. These students qualified for participation after winning the class level bees.

6A Nate S., Bianca P.

6B Ben C., John S.

7A Erika S., Erika C.

7B Megan W.n; Dane L.

8A Juliana L.; McKenna D.

8B Brett G.; Will P.

Congratulations to Brett G. on winning our school bee! For the second year in a row, Brett will represent All Saints at the upcoming Diocesan Spelling Bee!

Volunteers Needed to Assist Mrs. Hammang with Science Fair

Please contact Gina Michak at ginamichak@gmail.com or Val Loague at valerie@skycass.com ASAP if you can help.

Judges ~ Are you curious about the natural world, wonder how things work, or enjoy learning new things? If you answered yes to any of these questions, or if you just enjoy reading and learning about scientific topics, please consider serving as a Science Fair Judge for our school fair on Thursday, February 23 from 8:00am to 1:30pm (includes lunch).

Thanks to those who have already responded to the call! We are currently seeking approximately 20 – 25 volunteer judges to evaluate the academic and creative efforts of our middle school students. Judges are needed in the following categories: Behavioral and Social Sciences, Biochemistry, Botany, Chemistry, Earth and Space Sciences, Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Medicine and Health, Microbiology, Physics, and Zoology.

Set up the afternoon before ~ Mrs. Hammang needs several parents (and/or high school students) interested in setting up the student projects in the gym the afternoon before (Feb. 22). Volunteers would place backboards in categories and number all backboards. Many hands make light work in this case. Perfect opportunity for high schoolers to earn service hours!! We don’t have many volunteers as of yet. We need parents as well as high schoolers.

Science Fair backboard orders due on Monday, Jan 30^th

A letter was sent home with all middle school students this week with information about the requirements for project display boards. Critical to the presentation of the research is the preparation of a quality backboard. To facilitate this process, an order will be placed for backboards, backboard headers, and project title sets through the school. The order form can be found at http://www.allsaintsscience.org/Science%20Fair%20Info.html. If you are interested in ordering through the school, please print out the form and return with payment to Mrs. Hammang no later than Monday, January 30. (Backboards can also be obtained individually, but must conform to the standards provided to the students in the information letter.)

Order Your 2011-2012 School Yearbook Today

The 2011-2012 Yearbook order form is linked to the newsletter. The cost for each book is $21.00. Checks should be made payable to All Saints Catholic School. When returning your order, please place the payment and order form in an envelope marked: “YEARBOOK MONEY”.

Family Bingo Night

The PTO sponsored Family Bingo Night will be held on February 4^th, 5:00 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall. Please see flyer linked to the newsletter for more information and the Bingo and Dinner Pre-Order Form.

PVI Summer Basketball Camps

Paul VI Girls & Boys Summer Basketball Camps. June 18-22 / July 9-13 / July 23-27…Grades 2 – 8. (9 am – 4 pm)
St Leo the Great Mini-Hoopster Camp. June 25 – 28…Girls & Boys in Grades K – 2. (9 am – 1:30 pm)

Please visit www.pvibasketball.com for information and camp registration.

IMPORTANT REMINDERS

8th Grade Confirmation Announced

Confirmation for 8^th grade students enrolled at All Saints Catholic School will take place on Saturday, May 19^th beginning at 2:00 p.m. The rehearsal will take place on May 17^th at 6:30 p.m. in the school gym. In addition, parents of students who will be confirmed are invited to A Parent Evening of Prayer this evening from 7:00-8:00 p.m. in the church.

Tuition Assistance Applications for 2012-2013

The due dates for applications and supporting documentation are as follows:

High School January 23, 2012

Elementary School March 19, 2012

NOTE: All families with children enrolled in both high school and elementary school will need to submit an application by the January high school deadline.

An overview of the Diocesan Tuition Assistant Program can be found at the following link: http://www.arlingtondiocese.org/catholicschools/tuition_grant.php

Open House for 2011-2013 School Year

Registration Schedule for the New Year

ø Re-Registration for Current Families February 1-15, 2012

ø Application Period for New Students February 8-March 2, 2012

(Including siblings for Pre-K & K)

Spirit Event at Bowl America on Friday, January 27th

Looking for something fun to do with the kids on our day off? We have it covered!

Great fun at a terrific price and guess who benefits the most? . . . That’s right, the best school around. Come on out to the next Spirit Event- January 27^th at Bowl America on Balls Ford Rd. between 12 and 8. 10% of the proceeds come back to us. So pack up the gang and have lunch there too. Let’s Bowl up some fun and support us at the same time. It’s a strike with a spare! That’s a win win for us all! See you there. The Bowl America flyer is linked to this week’s newsletter.

Upcoming Events

Wednesday, January 25^th 8^th Grade Parent Evening of Prayer (7:00 p.m.)

Friday, January 27^th Holiday: Professional Development Day for Teachers

Spirit Activity: Bowl America (12:00-8:00 p.m.)

Sunday, January 29^th Catholic Schools Week (see schedule listed above)

Wednesday, February 1^st Re-registration begins for 2012-2013

Golf Tournament Committee Meeting (7:00 p.m.)

Friday, February 3^rd School Mass (8:30 a.m.)

Middle School Demerit Free Breakfast

Noon Dismissal: Faculty & Staff Luncheon

Spirit Activity: Chick-fil-A (6:30-9:30 p.m.)

Saturday, February 4^th PTO sponsored Bingo & Pizza Night (Knights Hall/5:00-9:00 p.m.)

Links

Overview of the Education Improvement Scholarship Tax Credit bill ~ http://www.allsaintsvaschool.org/index/wp-content/uploads/downloads/2012/01/vcctaxcreditinfo.pdf
Virginia Catholic Conference Email Advocacy Network Form ~ http://www.allsaintsvaschool.org/index/wp-content/uploads/downloads/2012/01/LegislationDocument.pdf
The Education Improvement Scholarship Tax Credit: Taking Action for a Brighter Tomorrow ~ Video Link ~http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpbBgWyY5fw
Newsletter from Spanish Teacher – Mary Simms ~ http://www.allsaintsvaschool.org/index/wp-content/uploads/downloads/2012/01/SpanishNewsletter11-12Qtr3.pdf
· Family Foundation’s School Choice Rally Flyer ~ http://www.allsaintsvaschool.org/index/wp-content/uploads/downloads/2012/01/EventPromoFlyer2012-_3_.pdf
· Yearbook Order Form ~ http://www.allsaintsvaschool.org/index/wp-content/uploads/downloads/2012/01/February2012BingoFlyer.pdf
· Family Bingo Night Flyer ~ http://www.allsaintsvaschool.org/index/wp-content/uploads/downloads/2012/01/February2012BingoFlyer.pdf
Bowling Spirit Event Flyer ~ http://www.allsaintsvaschool.org/index/wp-content/uploads/downloads/2012/01/2011-01-21BowlAmerica.jpg
FACTS Grant & Aid Application ~ www.factstuitionaid.com

All Saints Open House – February 9th

All Saints School — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 16:45:01 +0000

All Saints Catholic School will be hosting its final Open House for prospective parents for the 2012-2013 school year on Thursday, February 9^th beginning at 9:00 a.m. Following a presentation and introduction, tours of the facility will be provided. Plan to attend and experience the dynamic, Catholic environment of All Saints Catholic School. For more information, please contact Mrs. Joyce D’Eugenio at (703) 393-1490 or jdeugenio@allsaintsva.org.

Registration Schedule for the New Year

Ø Re-Registration for Current Families – February 1-15, 2012

Ø Registration for New Students – February 8-March 2, 2012 - (Including siblings for Pre-K & K)

Tuition Assistance Applications

Applications for tuition assistance for the 2012-2013 academic year are now available in both English and Spanish at the front office. The Diocese of Arlington has contracted with FACTS Grant & Aid Assessment Company. FACTS has established an on-line application process that can be initiated through the company website (www.factstuitionaid.com.)

The due dates for applications and supporting documentation are as follows:

High School January 23, 2012

Elementary School March 19, 2012

NOTE: All families with children enrolled in both high school and elementary school will need to submit an application by the January high school deadline.

2012 Spelling Bee

Janis DeVore — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 20:33:37 +0000

The finalists from each grade level advanced to a school-wide spelling competition on Wednesday, January 18th. Brett Goerl was the All Saints spelling bee champ for a second straight year and will advance to the diocesan competition.

The Sentinel – Volume 12, Issue 20

All Saints School — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 14:55:06 +0000

Seek Christ in one another; welcome Him into your heart.

Principal’s Message

Prior to the Christmas holidays, all parents were invited to participate in the Net Promoter Survey, an electronic questionnaire by which the school can periodically assess the level of parent satisfaction in our community. The use of the survey is aligned with one of the goals of our five year plan, that of seeking additional means for soliciting parent feedback and promoting meaningful dialogue.

The following is an overview of the survey instrument and a summary of results. I wish to thank Mrs. Janis DeVore, our Director of Marketing & Development, who administered the survey and compiled all of the data.

From November 16 – December 4, 2011, All Saints Catholic School conducted a Net Promoter survey to measure parents’ overall satisfaction with the school and its programs. The Net Promoter Survey model yields a “Net Promoter Score,” a customer loyalty measurement developed by Fred Reichheld, Bain & Company, and Satmetrix. The metric was introduced in a 2003 Harvard Business Review article, and is used by organizations around the world to measure customer satisfaction.

The Net Promoter Score is obtained by asking parents a single question: “How likely is it that you would recommend our organization to a friend or colleague?” Respondents are asked to rate the organization on a 0 to 10 scale, where 10 is “extremely likely” and 0 is “not at all likely.” Additional follow-up questions are asked to gather specific feedback that can be acted upon to improve an organization’s interactions with its customers.

Based on the responses, parents are categorized into one of three groups:

Promoters (9–10 rating)
Passives (7–8 rating)
Detractors (0–6 rating)

The percentage of Detractors is then subtracted from the percentage of Promoters to obtain a Net Promoter Score (NPS). An NPS can be as low as -100 or as high as +100.

Overall, 186 parents (54%) responded to the survey. In total, 111 survey respondents rated All Saints a 10, and 26 survey respondents rated All Saints a 9. Based on the total number of responses (186), the percentage of Promoters was 74% (137/186).

A total of 30 survey respondents rated All Saints a 7 (10 responses) or 8 (20 responses), and 19 survey respondents, rated All Saints a 3 (2 responses), 4 (1 response), 5 (12 responses), or 6 (4 responses). Survey respondents who rated All Saints in the 0-6 range are considered Detractors. Based on the total number of responses, the percentage of Detractors was 10% (19/186). This gives All Saints a Net Promoter Score of +64.

Click on the following link for Net Promoter Results graph: http://www.allsaintsvaschool.org/index/wp-content/uploads/downloads/2012/01/NetPromoterSurveyGraph.pdf

Positive/Negative Feedback Analysis

Out of the 186 surveys completed, All Saints received 109 positive and 37 negative comments from survey respondents. In the interest of transparency and in the knowledge that you might appreciate seeing how other parents have responded, we are including a summary of these narrative responses. Note: Similar narrative comments representing 2% or less of respondents has been considered statistically insignificant and has not been included in the summary.

In reviewing the data related to negative responses, no more than 6% of respondents shared a concern about one particular aspect of our program. This indicates that there is not a particular challenge or concern that is currently prevalent among the parent population. However, while the data does not convey the need for change in any particular area, it can serve to further inspire the faculty, staff, and administration to refine current practice to even more effectively meet the needs of our students and families.

A. Positive Feedback

All Saints received positive feedback regarding many aspects of the school. Themes voiced by a majority of survey respondents included the following:

Faculty and Staff – a significant number of survey respondents indicated that they rated All Saints highly due to the caring, concern, dedication, commitment and effectiveness of the teachers and staff.
School Environment – a significant number of survey respondents indicated that All Saints offers a warm environment and welcoming community.
Focus on Faith – a significant number of survey respondents indicated that they were pleased with the faith foundation being provided for their children.
Academics – a significant number of survey respondents indicated that they believe All Saints provides a quality education for their children.
Leadership – a significant number of survey respondents indicated that they were pleased with the leadership of the school.

B. Negative Feedback

All Saints received negative comments regarding the following issues:

Projects and Homework – four survey respondents who gave All Saints a 7/8 rating and two survey respondents who gave All Saints a 3 to 6 rating expressed concerns regarding homework. In addition, there were five negative comments concerning projects, resulting in a total of 11 (6%) negative comments related specifically to homework and projects.
Negative Tone – five survey respondents who gave All Saints a 7/8 rating and three survey respondents who gave All Saints a 3 to 6 rating expressed concerns over what they perceive is a negative tone in the classroom. A total of eight (4%) negative comments related specifically to this issue.
Uniform – five survey respondents who gave All Saints a 7/8 and one survey respondent who gave All Saints a 3 to 6 rating expressed concerns related to the new uniform. A total of six negative comments were related to the school uniform; the majority of these responses were from survey respondents who rated All Saints a 7 or 8. (3%)
Class Size – one survey respondent who gave All Saints a 7/8 and four survey respondents who gave All Saints a 3 to 6 rating expressed concerns related to large class sizes. A total of five negative comments (3%) were related to class size; the majority of these responses were from survey respondents who rated All Saints a 3, 4, 5 or 6.

In conclusion, we are very grateful to the many parents who responded to the survey and appreciate the candid feedback we received through the process. The results are, in many ways, an affirmation of what we have together established at All Saints through the years. Of course, the purpose of the survey is to provide us with key information that may be used for future planning. Most importantly, it ensures that we are “in step” with the thinking of the parents and responding accordingly.

As such, we are implementing several specific strategies based upon the feedback. For example, one of the areas that we will focus on in a more strategic manner is that of “tone”. We are committed to ensuring that we always model the level of respect that we strive to foster in our students, thereby creating an environment noted for its level of professionalism as well as a warm and caring atmosphere. Our goal is to provide you with an experience of faith, learning and interaction that you simply will not find elsewhere. Secondly, we will continue our efforts to monitor homework expectations and also create a rubric that clearly outlines procedures and learning goals for all projects.

Again, please know of our sincere gratitude to all who took the time to share their thoughts about their experiences at All Saints. The process has yielded a wealth of insights and observations that are already shaping the life and culture of our school. Most importantly, thank you for choosing All Saints for your family. We are so happy to be in partnership with you as we strive to provide the children with a world-class environment of faith and learning!

Volunteers Needed to Assist Mrs. Hammang with Science Fair

Please contact Gina Michak at ginamichak@gmail.com or Val Loague at valerie@skycass.com ASAP if you can help.

Judges ~ Thanks to those who have already said they could help. Science Fair is February 23. It would take place from 8 am until about 1:30. This includes a lunch after judging is over. The more judges we have, the faster the morning will go. Currently we have a few volunteers; 20 or more are needed.

Set up the afternoon before ~ Mrs. Hammang needs several parents (or high school students) interested in setting up the student projects in the gym the afternoon before (Feb. 22) this involves placing backboards in categories and numbering all backboards. Many hands make light work in this case. Perfect opportunity for high schoolers to earn service hours!! We don’t have many volunteers as of yet. We need parents as well as high schoolers!

Runners ~ Parents are needed to supervise students during the fair, assist Mrs. Hammang with small details the morning of the fair, and chaperone small groups of students between the gym and middle school wing while judging is taking place. We currently have 3 volunteers. One or two more would be helpful.

Breakfast food items ~ Mrs. Hammang likes to offer judges a variety of muffins, bagels, fruits, juices and bottled water before and during the Fair. If you can send in items, let Gina or Val know. Breakfast foods would have to be sent in on February 22, as breakfast is set up very early the morning of the fair. If you would like to assist with set up, or coordinate food donations, let us know.

News from Pope John Paul the Great Catholic High SchoolI

New ‘Shadow’ Program at JP the Great! And, Time to Apply! ~ Considering Catholic high school? Pope John Paul the Great invites rising 9^th, 10^th, and 11^th graders to spend a day on campus to see what life is like as a JP Wolf! Participate in the new ‘shadow’ program by registering at www.jpthegreat.org. ALSO, applications for admission to JP are currently being accepted. All rising 9^th, 10^th, and 11^th grade students are encourage to contact JP soon in order to be included in first-round admission and financial aid decisions. For more information, please visit:www.jpthegreat.org or call: 703-445-0218.

Baseball Camp ~ Baseball players in grades 6 – 11 are invited to participate in the Third Annual Spring Training Baseball Camp at Pope John Paul the Great Catholic High School. Coaches work with players on the fundamentals of hitting, throwing, and fielding. February 18-19 and 25-26. For more information, and to register, please visitwww.jpthegreat.org or contact baseball coach, Brian Dunleavy: 703-445-0331 or brian.dunleavy@jpthegreat.org.

IMPORTANT REMINDERS

8th Grade Confirmation Announced

March for Life

On Monday, January 23^rd the students of All Saints will join their prayers with the thousands who will gather in Washington, D.C. at the annual March for Life. As a school community we will pray for an end to abortion and for an increase in respect for the sanctity of life at all stages in our society. While children who wish to attend the March for Life with their parents will be marked as absent, please know that this absence will not affect a child who otherwise would earn “Perfect Attendance” at the close of the year. If your child will be attending the March, please notify his or her teacher via a note by the end of next week.

Tuition Assistance Applications for 2012-2013

The due dates for applications and supporting documentation are as follows:

High School January 23, 2012

Elementary School March 19, 2012

NOTE: All families with children enrolled in both high school and elementary school will need to submit an application by the January high school deadline.

Please note that ALL applications and supporting documentation must be received by FACTS by the date listed above, not postmarked. Applications are not considered complete until FACTS has received the supporting documentation. Additionally, only those families who are verified by FACTS as having submitted all of the required supporting documentation will be eligible for diocesan tuition assistance.

An overview of the Diocesan Tuition Assistant Program can be found at the following link:

(http://www.arlingtondiocese.org/catholicschools/tuition_grant.php).

Open House for 2011-2013 School Year

All Saints Catholic School will host an Open House for prospective parents on Thursday, January 19^th beginning at 9:00 a.m. All parishioners and members of the community interested in learning more about the parish school are cordially invited to attend. Following a presentation and introduction at 9:00 a.m., tours of the facility will be provided. For more information, please contact Mrs. Joyce D’Eugenio, administrative assistant, at (703) 393-1490.

Registration Schedule for the New Year

ø Re-Registration for Current Families February 1-15, 2012

ø Application Period for New Students February 8-March 2, 2012

(Including siblings for Pre-K & K)

Spirit Event at Bowl America on Friday, January 27th

Looking for something fun to do with the kids on our day off? We have it covered!

Upcoming Events

Thursday, January 19^th Open House (9:00 a.m.)

Meet & Greet with Mrs. DeBruyne, new 8^th Grade Teacher (3:30-5:00)

Friday, January 20^th Ms. Coto’s Last Day

Monday, January 23^rd End of 2^nd Quarter – Adoration & Benediction (2:15 p.m.)

Application Deadline for Catholic High Schools

Wednesday, January 25^th 8^th Grade Parent Evening of Prayer (7:00 p.m.)

Friday, January 27^th Holiday: Professional Development Day for Teachers

Spirit Activity: Bowl America (12:00-8:00 p.m.)

Coming Home with Student

BoxTops for Education Activity

Links

Net Promoter Survey Graph ~ http://www.allsaintsvaschool.org/index/wp-content/uploads/downloads/2012/01/NetPromoterSurveyGraph.pdf
FACTS Grant & Aid Application ~ www.factstuitionaid.com
Bowling Spirit Event Flyer ~ http://www.allsaintsvaschool.org/index/wp-content/uploads/downloads/2012/01/2011-01-21BowlAmerica.jpg

Bully Awareness & Prevention Assembly

Janis DeVore — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 18:41:11 +0000

To kick-off Bully Awareness & Prevention Week, All Saints was treated to an assembly by Jed Doherty which included magic tricks, stories and illusions with a message that encourages children to live as Jesus taught.

Volunteers Needed to Assist Mrs. Hammang with Science Fair

All Saints School — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 15:40:42 +0000

Please contact Gina Michak at ginamichak@gmail.com or Val Loague at valerie@skycass.com ASAP if you can help.

Coordinator needed ~ Mrs. Hammang needs a person/team of persons to assist with Coordinating orders for backboards. For those new to the science fair, parents in the middle school have the opportunity to order science fair backboards through the school. They are the same high quality you’d see in stores, only delivered to your child through science class. Parents are not required to order through the school, but it sure does make for one stop shopping!

This individual/team would send out the order form to all students in the middle school (Mrs. Hammang has a template), tally the orders/money (no monies come home, it’s all sent to the school office), place the order, and then hand out orders to each student when the backboards arrive. Mrs. Hammang is available to give further details on this.

Judges ~ Thanks to those who have already said they could help. Science Fair is February 23. It would take place from 8 am until about 1:30. This includes a lunch after judging is over. The more judges we have, the faster the morning will go. Currently we have a few volunteers; 20 or more are needed.
Set up the afternoon before ~ Mrs. Hammang needs several parents (or high school students) interested in setting up the student projects in the gym the afternoon before (Feb. 22) this involves placing backboards in categories and numbering all backboards. Many hands make light work in this case. Perfect opportunity for high schoolers to earn service hours!!
Runners ~ Parents are needed to supervise students during the fair, assist Mrs. Hammang with small details the morning of the fair, and chaperone small groups of students between the gym and middle school wing while judging is taking place. This is great exercise for 3 hours.