Middle States Visit & Self Study - Just a reminder to the St. Sylvester School community the Middle States team will arrive on Tuesday, December 6, 2011 at 5pm and complete their visit on Friday, December 9, 2011 around 12pm. Also, 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 Welcoming Program - All of the students in the 4th and 5th grades have been preparing to be a part of the welcoming reception for our visiting Middle States Team on Tuesday evening, December 6, 2011 at 5:30pm, in the Gym. The children should report to the Music Room at St. Sylvester's 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. They can be picked up in the Music Room. Dress for the performance will be school uniforms. They 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.

Early Dismissal, Wednesday, November 23, 2011 - The students in Grades K - 8 will have an early dismissal at 11:30am on Wednesday, November 23, 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 Wednesday, November 23, 2011.

2011 Thanksgiving Vacation - Thanksgiving Vacation for the students in Grades K - 8 will begin on Wednesday, November 23, 2011 at 11:30am and continue through Monday, November 28, 2011. School resumes on Tuesday, November 29, 2011 at 8:10am.

Fall Sports Pep Assembly / Blue and White Dress Down Day - On Wednesday, November 23, 2011 at 10:00am in the school gym, the Student Council we will have a Pep Assembly in honor of all the fall sports participants (Cross Country, Soccer and Girls Varsity and Junior Varsity Volleyball). Students in Grades K - 8 are asked to show there school spirit by wearing blue and white school spirit wear along with sweatpants or jeans (no shorts) and gym shoes Any shirt (absolutely no sleeveless shirts / crop tops / tank tops etc.) that is blue, white or blue and white may be worn with exception to GORY decals, sayings or symbols that go against the Catholic nature of our school. As always Mr. Grgurich reserves the right to deem what is inappropriate attire. If you are not sure if something you might wear would be considered inappropriate call the school office. Keep it fun and simple.

Primary Department Thanksgiving Feast - This year our Primary Department (Grades K - 3) will be celebrating Thanksgiving by having a Thanksgiving Feast on Tuesday, November 22 2011. The students will be dressing up as Pilgrims, Native Americans and even Turkeys. We will be making hats to represent these Thanksgiving symbols. Feel free to send in a costume (hat, clothing, paper bag vest, etc.) to wear for our feast. We will gather in the Church Hall to eat and reflect upon the many gifts God has given us as we remember the first Thanksgiving. We will not be having regular lunch. Parents are invited to get involved with this special day. We need parents to help set up and serve, as well as clean up. If you could help even an hour, we would appreciate it.

Mama Joe's Pies of Amherst, Ohio Pie Sale - Just in time for Thanksgiving the Mama Joe's Pies of Amherst, Ohio Pie Sale picked up is scheduled for Saturday, November 19, 2011 from 4pm - 5:30pm and Sunday, November 20, 2011 from 8:30am - 1pm.

December Market Day Orders - December Market Day order forms are due to the school office on Tuesday, November 22, 2011. Internet orders are due on Wednesday, November 23, 2011 by 11pm. Pick up is scheduled for Thursday, December 1, 2011 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.

Student Council $1 Dress Down Day for Children's Hospital - The Student Council will be sponsoring a $1.00 (minimum) casual dress down day on Wednesday, November 30, 2011 in order to raise money to purchase Christmas presents for the children at Children's Hospital. Casual dress down day means (jeans, sweat pants, Capri's, and gym shoes). Also, any type of long or short sleeve shirt (absolutely no sleeveless shirts/tank tops/crop tops/ etc.) 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 simple. Reminder phone calls will be made to parents for inappropriate clothing.

December Activities Committee Meeting - There will be an Activities Committee Meeting on Thursday, December 1, 2011 @ 7pm in the Teachers Lounge. Anyone interested in volunteering for the Santa Shop, Faculty Luncheon / Student Activity or Family BINGO should make this meeting a priority. Any further questions can be directed to Deneen Skalniak @ 412 - 885 - 2263. We look forward to seeing you there!

Grades K - 8 School Mass - The students in Grades K - 8 will attend Mass on Friday, December 2, 2011 at 8:30am in the St. Sylvester Church. The 6th grade students will minister at this Mass. Come and Celebrate with us.

Next BAKE SALE - Our next Bake Sale will be on Friday, December 2, 2011 hosted by the 8th Grade! All bake sale items are .25¢ with a .50¢ purchase limit! All proceeds benefit class field trips unless stated otherwise. The Bake Sale starts at 12:30pm by the big bulletin board on the main floor of the school building.

St. Sylvester School Family BINGO - On Friday, December 2, 2011 at 7pm in the St. Sylvester Parish Church Hall, St. Sylvester School will hold its annual Family BINGO sponsored by the Family BINGO Committee. Tickets are $5.00 per person. Checks should be made payable to St. Sylvester School. The deadline for tickets is Wednesday, November 30, 2011. Refreshments will be available along with Chinese auction baskets, 50/50 raffle and a Bake sale. Hurry and get your tickets. Don't miss out on this fun event. See you there!

Family BINGO, Friday, December 2, 2011 - The Family Bingo Committee would like to ask families for donations to create gift baskets which will be raffled off at this year's Family BINGO. We will gladly accept any donations; nothing is too big or small. If you are the creative type and would like to prepare your own gift basket for raffling, that would be appreciated as well. Donations can be left at the school office. Please contact Cheri Pegher at 412-884-8111 or pegher4820@verizon.net with any questions regarding donations. Thank you for your donations!

Football Mania - We had 5 winners this week. This week's winning tickets were sold by the following families: Chadderton, Olup, Peters, Keane and Moon. One ticket won $100 and the remaining tickets won $25.

"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.

2011 Santa Lunch - Our second 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 Tuesday, November 29, 2011. A ticket order form can be picked up in the school office. For additional information call Donna Dziadyk at (412) 952 - 7647.

Ultimate Fan Frenzy Ticket Reminder! - Please turn in your sold Fan Frenzy tickets by November 29, 2011. If you have unsold tickets, please turn those in as soon as possible so that other families who have requested additional tickets can have the opportunity to sell them. Any questions, please contact Cheri Pegher at 412-884-8111 or pegher4820@verizon.net. Thank you!

St. Sylvester School Field Trip T-Shirts - St. Sylvester School is ordering T-Shirts to be worn during Field Trips. This is to help promote our school and to make sure that all our students stay together. The T-Shirt will be gray with the Lancer Image on the front. If your child does not have a Field Trip T-Shirt they will not be able to attend the Field Trip. Additionally, the Field Trip T-Shirts are not considered part of the gym uniform. The Activities Committee will cover the cost of the T-Shirt. If you would like to purchase additional T-Shirts, the cost of the T-Shirt will be $5.00. The due date for the order form is ASAP. Just a reminder there is no cost for the student T-Shirt.

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. Form letters can be obtained in the school office and then returned to the school office after you sign the letters. We will forward these letters to Senator Fontana and Representative Readshaw. It is imperative that we do this today! Also see the attached School Choice Myth. We will print one myth about school choice for the next 7 weeks. Look for each one as an attachment with the weekly newsletter.

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 further any questions or can volunteer, please feel free to contact Anastasia Herk at 412-605-4827. Look at the attached flier for additional information. We look forward to seeing you there.

Christopher Nye Author Visit - On Tuesday, November 29, 2011 author Christopher Nye, will be visiting your child's class reading his picture book, The Old Shepherd's Tale. At the same time Christopher will be talking about writing and publishing. This book won a first prize in the Moonbeam Children's Book Awards. The book can be viewed in advance at the school office. For those who would like to buy copies of this book and have them inscribed by the author, please complete the form that was sent home on Tuesday, November 15 2011. Then return the form to the school office no later than Tuesday, November 29, 2011. Checks should be made out to "Housatonic Press." Each hardback book costs $17.95.

The next Parent Newsletter will be coming home on Friday, December 2, 2011