"Mommy and Me 2 Year Old Story Time" - On Saturday, December 3, 2011 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 Gingerbread Men.

Middle States Visit & Self Study - Just a reminder to the St. Sylvester School community the Middle States team arrives this Tuesday, December 6, 2011 at 5pm and will complete their visit on Friday, December 9, 2011 around 12pm. The completed self study has been posted on the school website under the Parent's Link. Look for the Middle State Self Study link. Happy Reading!

Middle States 4th & 5th Grade Opening Program - All of the students in the 4th and 5th grades have been preparing to be a part of the opening program for our visiting Middle States Team on Tuesday evening, December 6, 2011 at 5:30pm, in the Gym. The students should report to the Music Room at St. Sylvester School no later than 5:15 pm. The program begins at 5:30 pm. The students will be free to go home about 6:15 pm. Students can be picked up in the Music Room. Dress for the performance will be the school uniform. The students will be singing about six songs as part of the opening program. Full participation of all of the 4th and 5th grade students in this short, but very important program is encouraged. We thank you for your cooperation in allowing your child(ren) to be a part of this exciting time here at St. Sylvester School.

Feast of the Immaculate Conception Mass - The students in Grades K - 8 will attend Mass on Thursday, December 8, 2011 at 10am in the St. Sylvester Church as we remember the feast of the Immaculate Conception. We celebrate our belief that Mary was full of God's grace from the first moment of her life. God gave Mary this honor because she would be invited to be the mother of our Savior. The United States has been dedicated to Mary under this title. Americans keep this holy day by celebrating the Eucharist together. This is a St. Sylvester Parish Mass. The entire St. Sylvester School community is welcome to attend. Members of the Student Council will minister at this Mass.

2011 Santa Lunch - Our third Santa Lunch is scheduled for Saturday, December 10, 2011 from 12pm - 3pm in the St. Sylvester Parish Church Hall. 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 Wednesday, December 7, 2011. A ticket order form can be picked up in the school office. For additional information call Donna Dziadyk at (412) 952 - 7647.

School Choice Update "The Battle for Justice Continues" - A reminder there are two legislators in our area that are either opposed or undecided about school choice Senator Wayne Fontana, opposed (fontana@pasenate.com) 412-344-2551 and Representative Harry A. Readshaw, undecided (hreadsha@pahouse.net) 412-881-4208. Take time to email or call Senator Fontana or Representative Readshaw and let them know how you feel about School Choice and how your tax dollars should be spent in regards to educating your child. See the attached School Choice Myth. We will print one myth about school choice for the next 6 weeks. Look for each one as an attachment with the weekly newsletter.

Football Mania - We had 6 winners this week. This week's winning tickets were sold by the following families: Davis, Budd, Ferranti, Baumgart, Hill, and the Rectory. All the tickets won $25. We are half way through the 10 weeks and have had 34 winners so far!

Student Council School Dance - On Saturday, December 17, 2011 the Student Council has put together their first school dance for the 2011-2012 school year. The dance will be held in the St. Sylvester Parish Church Hall from 7pm -10pm. Dress attire for the dance is casual. Students will be permitted to wear jeans or sweatpants (NO SHORTS) and gym shoes. Any type of long or short sleeve shirt (nothing sleeveless) 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. Keep it fun and simple. Tickets are $4.00 each and will be on sale in the morning in room 107 or in the church hall during lunch. Student Council looks forward to seeing you at the dance.

2011 Christmas Musical "Super Gift from Heaven" - Grades K - 4 have been busy preparing for our annual Christmas program. Join us on Friday, December 16, 2011 at 7pm in the St. Sylvester Parish Church for an evening of drama and singing as the students in Kindergarten present a Medley of Christmas Carols and the students in Grades 1 - 4 present the musical "Super Gift from Heaven" under the direction of our music teacher Mrs. Julie Sexton. You are guaranteed to have an enjoyable evening. So, put all the Christmas shopping and baking aside and join us in seeing the children perform for the Christmas holiday.

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.

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.

2011 Santa Shop - The St. Sylvester School Santa Shop will begin on Monday, December 12, 2011 and conclude on Friday, December 16, 2011 in the School Library. Items have been priced from approximately $8.00 and under. A schedule of when each class is going to shop, and volunteer form is attached with today's newsletter. For additional information about the Santa Shop contact Deneen Skalniak at (412) 885 - 2263. The Santa Shop Schedule has been posted on the school website, click on the Upcoming Events link.

2011 Faculty Christmas Luncheon / Student Activity - On Friday, December 16, 2011 from 11:10am - 12:35pm the Activities Committee has planned a Christmas Luncheon for the administration, faculty and parish staff members. Also, during this time the committee has planned Movie Time for the students in Grades K - 8. Popcorn and a drink will be given to each child during their Movie Time. In order for both of these events to be successful the PTG is requesting the help from any parent who might be available to volunteer their services for the Faculty Luncheon or Movie (supervision). If you are able to help volunteer for one or both of these activities contact Deneen Skalniak at (412) 885 - 2263.

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!