A list of key dates for the 2014-2015 school year is posted on our web site at
www.bishopoconnell.org/keydates.
Our detailed web calendar can be found at www.bishopoconnell.org/calendar
Our Big News This Week
In case you somehow missed this news...Bishop O’Connell was thrilled to be recognized by the Cardinal Newman Society as a 2014 School of Excellence. The society’s Catholic Education Honor Roll has a ten-year tradition celebrating quality Catholic education throughout the United States. Schools of Excellence are marked by the integration of Catholic identity throughout all aspects of their programs and excellence in academics. Read more...
Clinic News
Inhalers & EpiPens - If your student needs an inhaler or EpiPen in school and you haven't already done so, please submit the required Diocesan form signed by your physician to the clinic ASAP (Download Inhaler Form or Allergy Form). Students are not permitted to have these items on school property with the proper documentation and without our knowledge. This is for the health and safety of your student.
Flu Vaccines - Now is the perfect time to get the flu vaccination for this year. Remember, this is one vaccine that must be given yearly to be effective. The CDC recommends everyone 6 months of age and older should get the vaccine. They are available now through doctors' offices, urgent care centers, and pharmacies and they are covered under most health insurance plans.
Respiratory virus in the news - If you would like more information on the respiratory virus that has recently been in the news, CLICK HERE for a frequently asked questions information sheet.
If you have any questions/concerns, please contact the clinic at (703) 237-1443.
Have You Signed the Handbook Agreement Form?
Please have your student return his or her Handbook Agreement Form and Acceptable Use Policy Form to the advisory teacher by Monday, Sep. 22. Both forms can be found in the back of the student handbook and must be signed by both the parent and the student. Please note, the Acceptable Use Policy Agreement must be returned even if your child will not be bringing a device to school.
Notes from the Counseling Office
School-wide Respect Assembly is Thursday, Sept 25. At Bishop O'Connell we have a culture of respect. This assembly, which is faculty and student run, will highlight the respect we have for one another, for other cultures, and will also focus on our school spirit.
FRESHMEN - Knight2Knight Mentoring is on Tuesday, Sep. 23, during Advisory. Mentors will be going into Advisories to discuss time management in high school. Mentors will also be eating lunch with their freshmen. On Oct. 1, we will have our first freshman parent coffee in the counseling conference room.
SOPHOMORES & JUNIORS - The PSAT is coming up in October. Students will be getting their "Official Student Guide for the PSAT" on Monday and will be using these in their English and math classes to prepare for the Oct.15 PSAT exam. The counseling office is holding a PSAT Information Night for all interested parents on Oct. 1 at 7 p.m. in the auditorium.
SENIORS - College visits scheduled for next week:
Marymount University - Monday, Sep. 22 at 11:00 a.m.
Miami University - Monday, Sep. 22 at 11:45 a.m.
Lynchburg College - Monday, Sep. 22 at 1:00 p.m.
Ferrum College - Tuesday, Sep. 23 at 9:00 a.m.
Washington & Lee University -Tuesday, Sep. 23 at 2:00 p.m.
Mount Saint Mary's University- Wednesday, Sep. 24 at 9:00 a.m.
University of Notre Dame - Wednesday, Sep. 24 at 1:00 p.m.
Elon University - Wednesday , Sep. 24 at 2:00 p.m.
McDaniel College -Thursday, Sep. 25 at 8:00 a.m.
All visits are held in the Counseling Conference room. Seniors must sign up through Naviance and have teacher permission to attend at college visit.
DON"T FORGET: Follow Counseling on Twitter
@DJOCounseling.
Christian Service Notes
Underclassmen Opportunity at Your Fingertips - Bishop O'Connell High School is hosting the last of The Devil's Advocate series sponsored by the Diocesan Office of Family Life, this Monday, Sep. 22. Student volunteers are needed from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. Have your student see Ms. Hogan in the Christian Service Office if he or she would like to sign up.
Summer Service Reminder - Did your students volunteer over the summer? Would they like to see if their summer service hours will be approved for their Christian Service Project? Please encourage them to go to the Christian Service website, click on the INTENT TO SERVE form and fill it out. Students should visit Ms. Hogan in the Christian Service Office during Knight Time for any questions or to discuss their summer hours. Summer service hours submissions are due NO LATER THAN Wednesday, Oct. 1.
Notes from the Chaplain's Office
Knights of Faith Blog - This week's entry is entitled, Holy Hour 101. It is designed for students and parents who may never have participated in Adoration before and are wondering how to spend their time in prayer. CLICK HERE to read this week's blog, and don't forget to select the blue ALERTS button to subscribe.
Have you signed up to be a "Knights Intercessor" - Fr. Thompson is inviting parents, guardians, alumni, and parents of alumni for Adoration and Confession in the St. Paul Chapel on certain Tuesdays and Fridays to pray for the school community. Times of prayer will be available during the following blocks: 8-9 a.m., 9-10 a.m., 10-11 p.m., 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m., and 1:30 -2:30 p.m. The PTO Spiritual Life Committee has set up an online sign-up system to help ensure that all time blocks are covered.
SIGN-UP FOR ADORATION HERE
This ministry is sure to provide comfort and much spiritual fruit to the entire DJO community. We hope that you will be able to make a holy hour at our school for your children and the students and faculty throughout the year. For questions on the "Knights Intercessor" ministry or to become a member of the Spiritual Life Committee, please contact Lori Koch at ptoedspirit@bishopoconnell.org.
A Prayerful Ministry - Sister Clare Hunter has posted an article on her blog about her experience praying at an abortion clinic with our O'Connell students. Your can find the article at http://encourageandteach.wordpress.com/2014/09/18/worth-the-shouts-and-stares/.
Stocking the Chaplain's Lounge - The Chaplain's office is willing to accept donations of peanut butter and jelly to help us with our Cafe Vaticano ministry. As you know, students are welcome during lunch to come to the cafe to have a Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwich, popcorn, and decaffeinated coffee. It is also an opportunity for the chaplain to interact with students on a more personal basis. Please contact the Chaplain's secretary, Valarie Ellis at vellis@bishopoconnell.org if you wish to make a donation.
Global Studies - First Speaker is O'Connell Alumnus, Paul Singh '99
All students registered for the Global Studies program are reminded that the kick-off event in our Global Studies speaker series for 2014-2015 will be Wednesday, Oct. 15 directly after school in the library. Our honored guest speaker will be Bishop O'Connell alumnus, Paul Singh, founder of Disruption Corporation and general partner of Disruption's post-seed venture capital arm, Crystal Tech Fund. Disruption provides research, investment and advice in the maturing private market. Until recently, Singh was a partner at 500Startups, an accelerator and venture firm headquartered in Silicon Valley where he oversaw the investments in 450+ companies across 30+ countries. He has founded a few of his own startups and spent some time at PBworks, AOL and Symantec.
Think your sophomore or junior might be interested? Find out more about the Global Studies program and how students can enroll at www.bishopoconnell.org/global.
Game Design with Girls in Mind
Does your daughter enjoy puzzles? Drawing? Making up stories? Coding? How about putting all these activities together to create a game? That's what the members of the Game Design with Girls in Mind club does. Encourage your daughter to join us for the first meeting in Room 300 on Monday, Sep. 22, at 3 o'clock.
Class Ring Ordering Has Been Extended
Representatives from Herff Jones will continue to be in the building next Wednesday and Thursday during lunches for any junior (or senior) who would still like to order a class ring. Questions? Contact Julie Adkins in the activities office at 703-538-3306 or jadkins@bishopoconnell.org.
Youth Field Hockey Clinic - THIS Saturday
The O'Connell field hockey program will host a free youth clinic this Saturday, Sep. 20 from 12:30 to 2 p.m. The varsity plays a game vs St. James at 10 a.m. followed by the JV at 11:30 a.m. Please encourage your friends and neighbors to come out and cheer on the Knights and attend the youth clinic. Field Hockey equipment is not required to attend, but if they have it, they should bring it.
Sports Blog - Field Hockey Team Turns the Corner
This week Tommy Orndorff highlights the season taking shape for the field hockey team.
Read "The Week That Was" at www.bishopoconnell.org/sportsblog and be sure to click on the blue ALERTS button to get regular updates when new entries are published.
Did You Know?
