color logo

Saint Timothy Catholic School
Tuesday Tidbits
Tuesday, August 30, 2016
Quick Links:


Dear Parents,

1st day of school
Welcome to a new school year! We look forward to partnering with you on behalf of your children.

First, I'd like to update everyone on our latest staffing decisions. I am pleased to announce that we have hired two new instructional assistants. Mrs. Dawn Gartner, our new KA instructional assistant, comes to STS with 11 years of experience as an instructional aide and primary grade teacher. She holds a B.S. (Dietetics) from Radford University and is looking forward to joining the STS kindergarten instructional team.        

Ms. Ashleigh Kapetanakis comes to us with experience as a Patient Care Coordinator. She holds a B.A. (Global Affairs, International Development) from George Mason University and is taking classes toward her Masters in Education (History).  She is looking forward to working in 1C with Mr. Scoffone. Both instructional assistants will be joining us in the next two weeks. Until that time, Mrs. McLaughlin will continue to work in 1C and Mrs. Connelly will continue to work in KA. 

One brief note on Carpool; thanks to all of our families who are following the process. This will insure for the safety of the children and shorter wait times. I appreciate your patience as we work through the kinks in the process. Each day, with your help, we make significant improvements in time, efficiency and, most importantly, in safety. 

Each year, with the help and guidance of the Holy Spirit, our school community embraces a scriptural theme that provides a framework for our faith based activities and formation efforts throughout the year. The theme this year comes from a quote from Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI and nicely complements our focus on Pursuing Excellence in all that we do.  This year's theme is "You are not made for comfort, you are made for greatness".   You will be hearing more about this theme and its significance to our school's mission throughout the year.    

I'm pleased to highlight some of the recent academic initiatives an d facilities investments made at St. Tim's that improve the quality of teacher instruction, enhance the learning environment and heighten our safety efforts.
    
Academic Initiatives:
  • Repurposed the STEM Lab to include an interactive section where students will be exposed to the latest instructional technologies and apps.
  • Added two full time instructional assistants in second grade and another full time aide in kindergarten to help individualize instruction.
  • Hired three remediation specialists for Math & Language Arts, to work with students and assist  the classroom teachers in grades 3rd through 5th.
  • Hired a new dedicated 6th grade Math teacher; this allows us to have two middle school Math teachers in each class.
  • We are piloting the Saxon (Spiraling) Math Program in our 4th grade classes.
  • Expanded our Advanced Academics Program (Math and Language Arts) to include 1st and 2nd grades (in addition to grades 3, 4 and 5).
  • Expanded our reading remediation program to include Title I resources (a new teacher) and also added an additional resource teacher to help meet the individual learning needs of our students.
  • Unveiled our new student anti-bullying program, based on a virtues focused approach created by the Nashville Dominican Sisters.
  • Purchased two new mobile interactive Smart Boards for student and teacher use.
  • Upgraded the first grade math program to include more manipulatives and additional hands on learning opportunities.
  • Added a new middle school "Expect Excellence" elective to expose students to project based learning, organizational and time management skills, remediation and enrichment opportunities and homework help.
  • Implemented a formal training program for our instructional assistants to provide them with the tools to further differentiate our instructional approach in the classroom.
 
Facilities:
  • Two new classrooms were added to accommodate enrollment growth.
  • New front entrance will be completed in three weeks. This will greatly enhance student safety.
  • A new Pre-K Playground was added last spring.
    playground
  • Added 22 new surveillance cameras throughout our campus to expand our commitment to student safety.
  • Upgraded all of our school bathrooms.
  • We've upgraded our lighting (to LED) in numerous classrooms and across our campus.
  • Installed  a new sound system in the gym and cafeteria.
  • Purchased a new mini bus to accommodate our families in Haymarket and Gainesville.
  • Expanded our use of Chromebooks  to include the 5th grade classes; to help prepare them for our middle school one-to-one device program.  
  Back in June our enrollment management committee distributed a parent survey to solicit helpful feedback on our school's strengths and opportunity areas. The committee will be sharing these results with the community in the coming weeks. Many of our strategic school improvement efforts for this coming school year are focused specifically on enhancing the strengths, and addressing the weaknesses and opportunity areas identified in the survey responses. To that end, we will be implementing specific strategic initiatives to:
  • Enhance our Science, Language Arts and Math curriculums.
  • Increase the quality and quantity of our parent communications, especially in communicating academic progress (Scantron Testing) , advanced academics, our use of instructional technologies and more details  associated with our expansion plans (for student enrollment and facilities).
  • Develop, implement and track our teacher professional development efforts focused on understanding and leveraging student performance data, designing lessons and assessments for differentiation and enabling a heightened focus on establishing and achieving individual goals.
  • Attracting, hiring, training and retaining high quality teachers and staff.
  • Establish partnerships with local college teacher preparation programs.
  • Continue to enhance our school safety and emergency response efforts.
  • Expand STREAM programs to expose children to 21st Century skills
    robotics
    (Robotics and Math Competitions, extracurricular programs, STS business partner sessions, etc.) 
  • Implement teacher performance incentives to reward teachers for student performance gains and exemplary performance.
  Saint Timothy Catholic School remains committed to providing our students with an individualized, supportive, faith based learning environment. I greatly appreciate your active support of our wonderful school.
 
As always I welcome your comments, questions and suggestions.
 
 
God Bless You,
   
Mr. Joseph M. McLaughlin
Principal


last 1st day!
Last 1st day for the 8th Grade Class of 2017!
Welcome back!
Mrs. Snowden
This is my first year starting with the first day of school here
 at St. Timothy and Ithink it went very well!  Thank you to all the parents who brought in their forms and medications last week; it really helped out today!. Please continue to send in any preschool/kindergarten forms that have not been sent in yet or those who have late birthdays. I have high hopes for a healthy year full of preventive measures and an excellent learning environment. 
Please check out the Nurse Webpage for a Ton of great information and for our 2016-2017 Classroom Allergy List as well as a Parent Allergy Letter from Mr McLaughlin and myself with some very helpful information concerning food allergies.
I would appreciate an email for absences/illnesses and please don't forget a doctor's note for any accommodations that your student may need due to a medical issue.  I feel blessed to be able to be a part of your child's educational experience here at St. Timothy.

God bless you!
Mrs. Patrice Snowden, BSN, RN
afterschool clubs
Welcome Back Tigers!
 In a couple of weeks our After School Activities will be up and running once again. 

Our clubs are a fun way for students grow in friendships and faith while having fun!  

Signups are currently taking place for: 
  • Tigers on the Run (Grades K-3), 
  • Lego Club (Grades 2-5),
  • Choir (Grades 4+), 
  • Battle of the Books (Grades 5-6), 
  • Cross Stitch Club (Grades 2+)
  • Chess Club (Grades 4+). 
We are also excited to offer a few new clubs this year. Please keep an eye out for more club signups in the weeks to come!  Contact Mrs. Erin Kelly with any questions or concerns!  Click here to sign up!


KITCHEN NEWS:
school lunch

Mrs. Yee, Mrs. D'Agostino, Chef Tony and the staff are excited to provide students with healthy and tasty lunches again this year! You may view the lunch menu on the front page of the school website. For more specific information, please navigate to the "cafe" tab under parent resources.

Lunch Accounts - Many students have a negative or zero balance. Please remember to view your child's lunch account balance and add funds to their account by visiting  www.myschoolbucks.com. Also, please review your child's pin numbers with them or place a note in their lunch bag for easy access.  You may contact Karen Yee in the kitchen at 703-814-7986 if you have any questions or concerns.

Volunteers needed: The cafeteria is in need of energetic volunteers to hand out straws, napkins, silverware, open milk and assist with clean up. This is a great opportunity to spend time with your child and their peers in the school setting. Hours are  11:00 - 1:15. Days not yet filled are  Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.

Crisis Pregnancy Center Donations: The kitchen continues to collect used (no stains) and new baby clothing, jackets and coats (size newborn to 3T), as well as size 1 and 2 diapers, layettes, blankets, etc.  Please mark your donations "Crisis Pregnancy Center Donat ion" and bring it to the office or cafeteria during morning carpool. Thank you to the families who have recently donated!
This  Friday, September 2, is the first  Friday of the month.  
The STS National Junior Honor Society will sponsor its monthly food drive for the parish St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry.  Classes have been asked to bring in the following items:

K                boxes of low sugar cereal
1                cans of pasta (meat and/or meatless)
2                cans of tuna
3                Mac 'n Cheese
4                Mac 'n Cheese
5                boxes of pasta
6                boxes of low sugar cereal
7                cans of fruit
8                cans of vegetables

Thank you for your continued generosity! Together we are able to support over 200 families in our parish!!
The PTO would like to thank our fabulous hospitality committee and all volunteers who helped make the Back to School Coffee a terrific success!

We appreciate all of your efforts as we kick off the 2016-2017 school year!

The PTO would like to invite all parents to our first PTO meeting of the year.   Friday, Sept. 2 at 8:00am in the Fr.McGivney Room.  Come see what the PTO is planning for the upcoming year and find out how to get involved!  Children are welcome!  We hope to see you there!

We are already looking for volunteers for our various events this upcoming school year.  Please make sure to  visit the Sign Up Genius. 

to see how you can also get involved.
You can also visit our PTO website for all up to date information and to find ways to become active in PTO events this year.

Tiger Spiritwear

The PTO is selling off all spirit wear to make room for new items!  We are offering these at both back to school nights at reduced cost!  Please come and grab some before they are all gone.  Cash and Check Accepted!





bingo
Bingo Night

Friday, September 21st
6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Please RSVP using the  form and return to the front office. Thanks Mary Jans for coordinating this family favorite for our community!!


All pro dad
All Pro  Dads
 Breakfa st 
Every 3rd Thursday of the Month 
at 7:00 a.m.
(Next breakfast is Sept. 15th)

Calling  all  Dads and kids, Join  All  Pro  Dad's Breakfast for a quick, before-school breakfast and a 45-minute program of fatherhood a
nd family topics. You'll take away some great tips and resources to help you be the best 
Dad you can be, and you'll strengthen your
 relationship with your kids at the same time.
RSVP   by clicking here or contact  Paul Hunter  
3rd Thursday Morning of Each Month
Click  here for more information


Boy scouts
Calling all boys... Grades K-5!
 
You are cordially invited to an evening of excitement, fun and information.  Pack 146 is holding our annual "Join Scouting" Night...
 
Date:     Wed., September 7th
Time:      7PM
Place:    St. Timothy School Cafeteria
 
The great magician, Illusions by Vick will be stopping by too!  Come check us out and see what Scouting is all about!
 
For more information about Pack 146 and the adventure of Cub Scouts, please visit our website

International Festival
International

The 4th Annual International Festival will be an all day event on Saturday, October 1st.  

Beginning with Mass at 9:00 a.m.- ending with an Italian Night Dinner and Entertainment.  It is a full day of fun that requires a lot of volunteers  - from set up the day before  - 
to the last broom sweep at the end of the evening.  

Please look at the  website it will give you a brief idea of what goes on that day and the possibly where your ministry can help. 

Please direct all questions to
   Terri Miller or  call 703-585-6336.
 This is a wonderful community building event!

Upcoming Events:
  • Wednesday, August 31, Preschool Come & Visit Day for specific classes; Back to School Night K-5th grade @ 6:30 p.m.
  • Thurday, September 1st - Preschool Come & Visit Day for specific classes; Back to School Night Middle School @ 6:30 p.m.
  • Friday, September 2nd - NOON DISMISSAL
  • Monday, September 5th - NO SCHOOL - Labor Day
  • Tues. Sept. 6th & Wed. Sept. 7th - 1st Day of Preschool
  • Thursday, Sept. 8th - Band Info Night 7:00 p.m.
  • Thursday, Sept. 15th - AllPro Dad's Breakfast
  • Wed. Sept. 21 - Fri. Sept. 23rd - School Picture Days
  • Friday, Sept. 23rd - Bingo Night
  • Saturday, October 1st - Parish International Festival
  • Thursday, April 27th, 2017 - Spring Golf Tournament @ Westfield Golf Course 1:00 p.m. Shotgun start!
  • Thursday, December 15 Christmas Concert 7 p.m.
  • Friday, May 12 - Spring Band Trip
  • Wednesday, May 17 - Spring Band Concert
  • First Day of School Pictures! For more pictures follow us on the Saint Timothy FB page (click the link below!)
  • Saint Timothy Catholic School
    "S.T.S."
    Service Tradition Scholarship
      
    Saint Timothy Catholic School serves God by providing each child with an individualized approach, academic excellence, rich Catholic traditions, a solid foundation in the Catholic faith, and opportunities to serve the community.

    STAY CONNECTED and follow what's happening at school!