Red and Green Christmas Dress Down Day - On Thursday, December 22, 2011 the faculty, staff and students in Grades K - 8 will permitted to wear red and green Christmas type shirts and socks along with jeans or sweatpants and gym shoes for a Christmas dress down day. Any shirt that is red, green or red and green may be worn with exception to decals, sayings or symbols that go against the Catholic nature of our school. 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. Make sure to keep it fun and simple. Reminder phone calls will be made to parents for inappropriate clothing. (Girls may wear Christmas earrings.)

Early Dismissal - The students in Grades K - 8 will have an early dismissal at 11:30am on Thursday, December 22, 2011. Preschool 4 year old morning and 4 year old full day programs will dismiss at 11am. The 4 year old afternoon program will not meet on Thursday, December 22, 2011.

2011 Christmas Vacation - Christmas Vacation for the students in Grades K - 8 will begin on Thursday, December 22, 2011 at 11:30am and continue through Monday, January 2, 2012. School resumes on Tuesday, January 3, 2012 at 8:10am.

Grades K - 3 Polar Express Day - The students in Grades K - 3 are having a "Polar Express Day" on Monday, December 19, 2011. The students in Grades K - 3 should wear their pajamas to school (regular shoes must be worn outside: morning, lunch, recess and dismissal).

Sylvester School Christmas Band Concert - On Tuesday, December 20, 2011 the students in the St. Sylvester School Instrumental Band program will perform their Christmas Concert at Brookline Regional Catholic School at 7pm under the direction of our band director Mr. Tom Booth. This year's band members include: Jessica Hertzer, Jessica Hudak, Jimmy Lydic, Tyler Bornschlegel, Shane Schmotzer, Noah Sommers, Trent Uhlemann, Kenny Lydic, Victoria Olup, Zana Daghles, Jessica Darkowski, Ella Adams, Bailey Golvash, Griffin O'leary, Emily Olup, Kenny Pegher, Bethany Stolar and Olinda Zusinas. These students have spent a great deal of time preparing for this program so please take time to support our school Instrumental Band program by attending their performance. We look forward to seeing you there!

Grades 1 - 3 "Grinch Day" - The students in Grades 1 - 3 are having a "Grinch Day" on Wednesday, December 21, 2011. We will be building "Whoville" and watching as the spirit of Christmas grows in each one of them. The students in Grades 1 - 3 will need to bring ½ gallon or 1 gallon plastic containers to school.

January Activities Committee Meeting - There will be an Activities Committee Meeting on Thursday, January 5, 2012 @ 7pm in the Teachers Lounge. Make this meeting a priority. Any further questions can be directed to Deneen Skalniak @ 412 - 885 - 2263. We look forward to seeing you there!

School Mass - The students in grades K - 8 will be attending Mass on Friday, January 6, 2012 at 8:30am in the St. Sylvester Church. The 4th Grade students will be ministering at this mass. All are welcome to attend.

"Mommy and Me 2 Year Old Story Time" - On Saturday, January 7, 2012 from 10am - 10:30am the Preschool and Primary Departments will be holding the "Mommy and Me 2 Year Old Story Time". This program is held one Saturday a month, from October to April, so spread the word to family and friends! This month's theme is Snowmen.

January Market Day Orders - January Market Day order forms are due to the school office on Thursday, January 5, 2012. Internet orders are due on Friday, January 6, 2012 by 11pm. Pick up is scheduled for Thursday, January 12, 2012 from 4:30pm - 5:30pm in the Church Hall. As always we are in need of volunteers to help on Market Day, consider giving 1or 2 hours. If you would like to volunteer, please contact our chairperson Mary Gasiorowski at (412) 884 - 7165.

Next BAKE SALE - Our next Bake Sale will be on Friday, January 13, 2012 hosted by the 6th Grade! All bake sale items are .25¢ with a .50¢ purchase limit! All proceeds benefit class field trips unless stated otherwise. The Bake Sale will start at 10:00am by the big bulletin board on the main floor of the school building.

St. Sylvester School 6th Annual Monte Carlo / Night at the Races - The Sixth Annual Monte Carlo / Night at the Races will be held on Saturday, February 4, 2012 at 5:00pm in the Church Hall. Dinner will be served at 5:30pm. Tickets are $15.00 per person (only 200 tickets will be sold). You must be 21 to attend. Please send requests for tickets and horse names into the school office with payment made to "St Sylvester School". If you have any further questions or can volunteer, please feel free to contact Anastasia Herk at 412-605-4827. We look forward to seeing you there.

Parent Meeting for First Reconciliation and First Communion - For parents and guardians of all First Communicants enrolled in the Religious Education Program or in Saint Sylvester School. There will be a meeting on Wednesday, February 8, 2012 at 7pm in the Church Hall to cover the requirements for both the Sacrament of First Reconciliation and the Sacrament of First Eucharist. This meeting is for Parents only. Any further questions should be directed to Carolyn Eisenbarth, D.R.E. at 412-882-8593 extension 219 or ceisenbarth@saintsylvesterparish.org. Make this meeting a priority.

Football Mania December 4, 2011 - We had 4 winners on December 4, 2011. The winning tickets were sold by the following families: Facchiano, Olup, Moon, and Battista. One ticket won $200 and the remaining tickets won $25.

Football Mania December 11, 2011 - We had 5 winners this week. This week's winning tickets were sold by the following families: Kosco, Olup, Moon, Malloy and Aston-Reese. One ticket won $200 and the remaining tickets won $25. The $5 Superbowl tickets will be coming out next week. They will make great stocking stuffers!!

Ultimate Fan Frenzy Ticket Winner and Thank You - Our winning ticket was drawn at the Family BINGO on Friday, December 2, 2011. The winning ticket number pulled was 200 and the winner was Dan Downs. Thank You to the following for donating and helping to make this fundraiser a huge success: Steel Sales of Mount Lebanon and Timothy Uhrich. Once again thank you to all who participated in this fundraiser and Congratulations Dan!

The Administration, Faculty, and Staff of St. Sylvester School
wish you and your family the Peace and Joy of the Christ Child
this Christmas Season and a prosperous New Year.

The next Parent Newsletter will be coming home on Friday, January 6, 2012