Pittsburgh Steelers Black n' Gold Dress Down Day - On Friday, September 9, 2011 the students Grades PreK - 8 will have a Pittsburgh Steelers Black n' Gold Dress Down Day in honor of the Pittsburgh Steelers home opener for the 2011 - 2012 season. Students will be permitted to wear shorts of the appropriate length, jeans, sweatpants, gym shoes and Pittsburgh Steeler gear. Absolutely no face painting or hair coloring is permitted. Keep it fun and simple! Go Steelers!!!

Diocese of Pittsburgh Database Application - As you know, the Diocese of Pittsburgh is committed to providing a safe environment for the children entrusted to our care. The Office for the Protection of Children and Young People is continuing to make efforts to provide a safe environment for your child. In order to comply with the requirements of the USCCB's Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, Bishop Zubik and the Diocese of Pittsburgh has mandated that anyone, including both paid and volunteer staff, (parents, coaches, lunch & playground volunteers, field trip chaperones etc.) on the school level that has direct contact with minors (under 18 years old) are required to complete an on-line application that will include a national criminal background check. It is mandated that if you plan on volunteering anytime with student programs in the school or field trips including the Sports Program, PTG Activities & Lunch Program you MUST complete this on-line application ASAP. ALL parents that have children registered for the 2011 - 2012 academic year are required to complete this application. The school computer lab will be made available upon request for anyone not having Internet service at their house or needing assistance. The application process will only have to be done once and will take approximately 15 - 20 minutes to complete. For the Protection of our Children and for providing a continued safe environment for our children, take time to complete this application. If you have already completed an application on-line you do not have to reapply for this school year. Reminder the requirements for the Diocesan Safe Environment program are not an option, all parents and school volunteers have to be in compliance. You may contact Mr. Grgurich in the school office at 412-882-9900 if you have any questions.

2011 - 2012 Curriculum Night - On Thursday, September 8, 2011 St. Sylvester School will hold Curriculum Night for parents who have enrolled their child(ren) in our K - 8 program. The parents of students in Grades K - 8 will meet at 7pm in the St. Sylvester Parish Church Hall for a presentation about the new school year along with faculty introductions. After the presentation the faculty will hold individual classroom sessions for the parents. These sessions are an opportunity to listen to the explanation and general overview of the curriculum your child(ren) will be learning this year. Also, this evening gives each faculty member an opportunity to explain the discipline policy, go over your child's schedule, discuss their homework policy, and classroom expectations. Mark your calendar now and remember this is the first step in establishing an open line of communication with your child or children's teachers in order to have a successful academic year. We look forward to seeing you.

Opening School Mass - Our Opening School Mass for the 2011 - 2012 academic year is on Friday, September 9, 2011 at 8:30am in the St. Sylvester Church. The Faculty will minister at this Mass. Come and Celebrate with us as we begin a new academic year. Please make note that school Masses will be on Friday this school year unless otherwise noted.

2011-2012 Cellphone / IPOD / Digital Camera Policy - The Cellphone / IPOD / Digital Camera Policy for the 2011 - 2012school year is the same as last year. Cellphones / IPOD's / Digital Camera's will be collected daily by the homeroom teacher, placed in a box and sent to the Mr. Grgurich's office each morning. At the end of the day the Cellphones / IPOD's / Digital Camera's will be returned to the homeroom and given back to the student who owns it. If you send a Cellphone / IPOD / Digital Camera to school with your child take time to clearly mark them for easy identification. Therefore, any Cellphone / IPOD / Digital Camera etc. found on a student or being used by that student during the day will be considered a Level 2 Offense as related to the discipline policy. Any further questions can be directed to Mr. Grgurich regarding this policy.

2011-2012 School Discipline Policy - The 2011 - 2012 School Discipline Policy is was attached with last week's newsletter. The faculty has already spent time in the classroom going over the policy with their students and each student has signed the Student form showing their agreement. I ask that the parents take time this to review the school discipline policy, sign off on the Parent Signature form and return the form to your child's homeroom teacher. Returning this form shows your agreement and complete support of the policy.

Student Absenteeism - A reminder to parents of students in Grades K - 8, it is your responsibility to call the school office no later than 8:30am to let Mrs. Long know if your child(ren) will be absent for the day. Attendance is a very serious part of your child's education. We keep records on attendance for each child every day and it is important that we keep accurate records. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated. A reminder as well if your child(ren) has been sick or not feeling well within the last 24 hours it may be a good idea to keep them home for a day until those symptoms pass. It is important that we try to prevent the spread of germs as best as possible.

Last Call for all 2011 - 2012 School Forms - Reminder to all parents / guardians that all 2011-2012 School Forms should be in the school office, if you have not turned your forms in yet, take time this weekend to sign and return them ASAP. (Memorandum of Understanding, Photo Release, Family Survey, Loan of Text Book, Emergency Information card, Free and Reduced Price Meal Program, and Request for Administration of Medication *on an as needed basis*.)

Hot Lunch Program - The Hot Lunch Program will be served 5 days a week, beginning on Tuesday, September 8, 2011. The cost for a regular lunch is $2.35 daily, reduced is .40¢daily and milk is .50¢. Refer to the September Lunch Menu Calendar for daily entrée choices. This menu is attached with this week's newsletter and is posted on the school website. If you did not receive a lunch menu call the school office to request another. Thank you for your cooperation as we begin a new academic year. See the attached letter for additional information about the Hot Lunch Program.

School Bus Transportation - Just a reminder if your child is a bus rider send in a note to the teacher as to what bus your child is riding. It will help to cut down on confusion at dismissal. Also, if you are having busing issues contact the school office first before contacting the bus garage.

Dropping off your Children in the Morning - Just a reminder that our children are precious gifts of God, please be careful when dropping off your child or children. Be careful to watch out for all children as well. If a parent needs to come into the school building when dropping off you MUST find a parking place in the parking lot. This will keep traffic flowing freely and make it easier for the buses to get to the school entrance and drop off students without too much confusion. Remember to slow down your speed when pulling in and pulling out from dropping off. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.

Visitor Sign - In / Out Procedure - A reminder all Visitors are welcome in the building but upon entering you MUST first report to the school office. At that time Mrs. Long will have a Sign-In binder ready to be signed by all visitors along with a Visitor Name Tag to be worn on your person when in the building. The person will sign their name, state the reason for being in the building along with writing their time in and then out. If you have not signed in and do not have a Visitor Name Tag you are not permitted to be walking through the building. This procedure has been put in place for the safety of the students, faculty, staff and visitor. Once again all visitors are welcome but for safety reasons we have to keep track of who is in the building. In advance thank you for your cooperation and support of St. Sylvester School.

September Market Day Pick-up - Pick up is scheduled for Thursday, September 8, 2011 from 4:30pm - 5:30pm in the St. Sylvester Church Hall. The Market Day program runs year round and requires a few hours of your time one Thursday a month. As always we are in need of volunteers to help on Market Day, consider giving 1 or 2 hours. If you would like to volunteer call the school office at (412) 882 - 9900.

Boxtops for Education and Campbell's Soup Labels - Remember to continue to save Boxtops for Education and Campbell's Soup Labels during the academic year. These are yearlong programs that earn valuable merchandise for our school. These Boxtops and Campbell Soup Labels can be deposited in the three drawer collection box just inside of the school office throughout the 2011 - 2012 academic year. Thank you for your continued support of St. Sylvester School and Catholic education. See attached forms about the Box Tops program.

Shop n' Save SEED Program - The Shop n' Save SEED Assembly Program is made possible through a unique partnership with the Carnegie Science Center and Carnegie Museum of Natural History. In order to qualify for an assembly our school is required to collect $250 per student in Shop n' Save register tapes for each participating student. Beginning June 1, 2011 St. Sylvester School will be collecting Shop n' Save register tapes to receive an assembly through the Carnegie Museum. Our goal is to collect $43,750.00 in register receipts. Start saving your register tapes and bring them to the school office and deposit them in the three drawer collection box throughout the 2011 - 2012 academic year!

St. Sylvester Sports Club Meeting - The St. Sylvester's Sports Club will meet on Tuesday, September 6, 2011 at 7pm in the Church Hall. Board members are asked to make this meeting date a priority. We look forward to seeing you there.

2011 - 2012 St. Sylvester School Sports Club Registration - Attention to all parents/students, it's that time again, time to sign up and become a member of the St. Sylvester School Sports Club Program. The programs available for the 2011 - 2012 school year are: Volleyball, Basketball, Soccer, Cross Country, Track and Cheerleading. If you are interested in joining our sports program this year you may contact Tricia Cerro, Sports Club Secretary at 412-315-8040 or 7cerros@comcast.net for more information. Forms to register can be requested through the school office.

2011 NFL Pepsi Punt, Pass, and Kick Competition - On Thursday, September 22, 2011 the local NFL Pepsi Punt, Pass and Kick Competition will be held at St. Sylvester School during school hours (in case of rain there is a rain date scheduled for Thursday, September 29, 2011). All students in Grades 3 - 8 (boys and girls) will participate throughout the day. During the competition the participants will compete in these age brackets 8 - 9 year old (boy), 8 - 9 year old (girl), 10 - 11 year old (boy), 10 - 11 year old (girl), 12 - 13 year old (boy), 12 - 13 year old (girl), 14 - 15 year old (boy), and 14 - 15 year old (girl). There is a Release of Liability form that has to be signed by the parent/legal guardian of each participant. Students will receive this form during their gym class next week. Sign and return this form to Mrs. Hoffman-Brown, or Mr. Grgurich.

Request for Administration of Medication Forms - We are sending home the Request for Administration of Medication and agreement of Release and Indemnity and Physicians Instructions Concerning Medication Given at School forms with this week's newsletter. These forms are to be completed on an as needed basis and sent to the school office. Read each form carefully and understand that the school is not permitted to administer any type of medication to your child unless permission is given through these forms. See the attached forms.

School Value for the 2011 - 2012 Academic Year - Every academic year each Catholic School chooses a gospel value to work on as a school. This year St. Sylvester School has chosen Hope. Throughout the 2011 - 2012 academic year we will focus on the gospel value of Faith through our liturgies along with our continued efforts in the area of service, both locally and globally. The main bulletin board in the school building will reflect the gospel value of Hope each month. In particular we will focus on the 7 Gifts of the Holy Spirit. Also, the Student Council is working on providing many service projects for the entire school community to work on throughout the year. Look for details in future newsletters.

Football Mania Update - Please see the important flyer attached regarding Football Mania. If you are interested in more tickets, please complete the indication of interest form and return it to the school office as soon as possible. We have several families that are in need of additional tickets to sell. Due to the huge interest in this fundraiser, we are in the process of ordering more tickets to meet the increased demand. Remember that each ticket sold earns 10 fundraising points for your family.

School Uniform Exchange - Just a reminder that our school uniform exchange is available to all parents who have students in Grades 1 - 8. It is easier than ever to find clean and wearable uniforms. The uniform exchange is located on the second floor in the back stairwell of the right wing of the school building. We encourage parents to use the uniform exchange while making uniform donations that are gently worn. Any question may be directed to Mr. Grgurich.

Scrip Update - We are making the availability of Scrip cards easier for families every day. As a result of the increased availability through sales after mass, our Scrip sales have increased by 50% since July. The means that more and more families are earning tuition credits and fundraising for our school! There are parent volunteers in our school office on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 7:45am until 8:30am selling Scrip cards. The vendors that are listed on the "short" form are available for purchase. These volunteers are also able to fill orders for parents that would like to send in a check and order form with their child on the scheduled days. Special orders are placed through our school office every Monday morning at 9:00am, and will be ready for delivery on Friday of that same week. Please refer to the attached order forms. All checks should be made payable to the St Sylvester Certificate Fund.

Newsletter - Paper or Electronic Format - We are presently creating a database of the number of families that would like receive a paper copy of the newsletter or go to the school website to view the newsletter. If you have not returned your newsletter format form please return it ASAP. If you have misplaced your form contact the school office for another. In the meantime the youngest or only child in the family will receive a paper copy of the newsletter until further notice. In advance thank you for your cooperation.

St. Sylvester Cub Scout Pack 296 - The St. Sylvester Cub Scout Pack 296 is looking for new members. Cub Scouts is open to Boys ages 6 to 10 in first through fifth grade. If you and your son would like to learn more about Cub Scouts please plan to attend one of our recruiting meetings either on Thursday September 8, 2011 at 6:30pm in the Providence Room or on Thursday September 15, 2011 at 6:30pm in the Church Hall. If you are unable to come either of those Thursdays, you may also plan to attend our family fun night on Saturday September 10 at 6:00pm in the Church hall. For more information, please call David Skalniak, cub master, at 412-885-2263 or 412-559-7817.