Bulldog Bytes

Bulldog Bytes - May 22, 2010
THANK YOU!
	As this school year comes to a close, we would like to thank all of our OLPS parents and other supporters. Once again, we made great strides in education, technology and fundraising. Our students have received many honors and awards throughout the year that shine as examples of the excellent educational environment we offer. There is so much more to come! None of the accomplishments that OLPS earns each year would be possible without the continued support of our parents and OLPS advocates. Easy fundraising programs, special events and our volunteer base have made it possible for the OLPS Home & School Association to provide over $65,000 worth of educational items this year for our students and teachers, items such as consumable workbooks that go along with our text books, playground equipment additions and maintenance, teacher “Continued Education” financial assistance, teacher appreciation luncheons and bonus support, a Catholic Schools Week speaker and new cafeteria tables just to name a few. Many additional technology improvements have been or will be implemented this summer, such as a managed computer cart - including 24 new laptop computers, a new server and email host, several new desktop computers and printers, a new laminator, several Promethean interactive whiteboards along with projectors and sets of interactive ActiVotes for the students, and the annual subscription for the School Reach phone tree system. Thank you again to everyone for sending your children to OLPS School and for supporting our daily efforts to provide the best quality education, care and love for our students through your time, talents and generous contributions. Continue to Save & Collect Please continue to save your aluminum cans, General Mills Box Tops, Community Coffee labels, ink cartridges and cell phones through the summer. Use your Albertson’s, Kroger’s, Target cards, and present our school ID number (#70041236) or indicate that you are an OLPS supporter when shopping at Office Depot. Continue to dine at our loyal “Dinner Nite” contributors over the summer. Outlaw’s BBQ, Taco Bueno, Popeye’s Chicken, Beef O’Brady’s and Texas Roadhouse have all been very generous to OLPS through their monthly “Dinner Nites” and donations. THANK YOU for all you have done for OLPS. It’s been a great year! Together we have made a true difference! See you next year!
Bulldog Bytes - May 15, 2010
FIELD DAY 2010
	This past Friday, May 14^th, OLPS students, faculty/staff and parents enjoyed of a day of fun and frolic at the annual OLPS Field Day under the direction of Mrs. Bea Jones. The day began with Mass and continued with exciting games ranging from egg races to the highly competitive Tug-of-War between the Red, White and Blue teams on each grade level. After a picnic lunch, all attention was drawn to the annual kick-ball game between long standing rivals: the 6^th grade class vs. OLPS faculty/staff. The day came to a close with high emotion and smiles as the 2010 6^th grade class said goodbye to OLPS School.
Bulldog Bytes - May 8, 2010
MAY POLE AND MAY CROWNING
	The month of May is both named for and dedicated to Mary, the Lord’s Mother. She is the perfect follower of Christ. She listened to God's word and kept it in her heart. Mary set the highest example for all to follow and won the "crown of life" that is promised to those who follow Christ. Thursday, May 6^th, marked the 24^th year that OLPS 4^th grade students led the school in the grand tradition of the “May Pole” celebration. This spring event marks the revival of life in early spring. The celebration first began in Europe with the English and Romans gathering flowers and decorating their homes and churches and choosing a King and Queen of May. Villagers danced around a “Maypole” weaving ribbons around the pole until it was covered in beautiful colors. In France, young girls were enshrined as May Queens in the church and led processions in honor of the Virgin Mary. Since ancient times, Catholics have honored Mary each May by placing a crown on her image. OLPS students took part in this most holy tradition on the morning of Friday, May 7^th. Before Mass, the 1^st through 6^th graders processed into church and offered fresh flowers to the Virgin Mary. After Mass, the May Crowning Court, a group of 6^th graders chosen by their teachers and peers along with three 2^nd grade students, placed a wreath of fresh flowers on the Blessed Mother’s statue. At OLPS, honoring the Virgin Mary during the month of May is what the celebrations of the May Pole and May Crowning are all about.
Bulldog Bytes - March 31, 2010
STATE SCIENCE FAIR
	Congratulations to 6^th graders Heath Hilton and Lindsay Moran who both placed at the Louisiana State Science Fair this past Monday in Baton Rouge. Heath Hilton was awarded 1^st place in the Energy & Transportation category for his hover craft project named “An Affair with Air.” Heath’s project compared what the biggest variable was in the flight of a homemade hover craft. His research and experiments revealed that the main variable was the number of holes located in the bottom of the skirt of the craft. At maximum, his hover craft had 21 holes and hovered at four inches above the ground. Lindsay Moran was awarded 2^nd Place in Computer Science for her project named, “Guess Who, Guess Where, Guess Everywhere”. The object of the project was to find out who was faster at finding hidden objects in a picture in an on-line search, boys or girls. Lindsay created several “hidden pictures” through an on-line program and timed both boys and girls while they identified hidden objects. Her hypothesis of boys being faster was correct. Congratulations, Heath and Lindsay.
Bulldog Bytes - March 24, 2010
REGIONAL SCIENCE FAIR
	Congratulations to all of the OLPS students who participated in the Regional Science Fair. We are proud to announce that five students placed either 1st or 2nd and will continue onto the State Science Fair in Baton Rouge. Please congratulate the following students for a job well done: Heath Hilton:1^st Place - Energy & Transportation and Overall Regional Science Fair winner; Raymond Constantino: 1^st Place - Animal Science; Lindsay Moran: 2^nd Place - Computer Science, Alexis King: 2^nd Place – Microbiology; Claire Thompson: 2^nd Place - Plant Science; Belle Tudor: 3^rd Place - Behavioral & Social Science, Hannah Marto: Honorable Mention – Biochemistry; Nicholas Scalfano: 3^rd Place - Environmental Science; John Aguillard: 3^rd Place - Physics & Astronomy; Gavin Curcio: Honorable Mention - Materials & Engineering and Sejin Ahn:Honorable Mention - Biochemistry.
MAGAZINE DRIVE
	The Magazine Drive was once again a fun, trouble-free success! Together, we raised close to $10,000. The Magazine Drive is the Home & School Association’s second largest fundraiser - with the least amount of effort. Enjoy your magazines and don’t forget to re-new with OLPS next year! Remember, orders may be placed on-line anytime during the year from the link at www.promptsuccor.org. OLPS students will receive order credit for all on-line orders. Patricia Upton, Katherine Monceaux and the Magazine Drive Committee did a wonderful job.
Bulldog Bytes - March 17, 2010
STANFORD TESTING
	Please keep all OLPS students in your thoughts and prayers this week while they take the Stanford standardized test. The test is designed to test students on skills that are mastered through their grade levels. Make sure your OLPS student gets enough sleep, eats a health breakfast, is relaxed each morning and gets to school on time.
CATHOLIC DAUGHTERS’ CONTEST WINNERS
	The following OLPS students placed in the Catholic Daughters’ Contest. This parish wide contest offers several categories with a theme of either “Joys of God Surround Us” or “The Joys Life Brings Through Others”. Congratulations in the Poetry, Division I category to Madison Donnelly (1^st Place), Kristen Mathews (2^nd Place) and Carly Phillips (3^rd Place); in the Poetry, Division II category to Sarah Catherine Laborde (1^st Place), Ashtin Youngblood (2^nd Place), Lindsay Moran (3^rd Place) and Belle Tudor (Honorable Mention); in the Essay, Division 1 category to Ava Karam (1^st Place), Clay Lambert (2^nd Place), Noelle Dunn (3^rd Place) and Camille Monceaux (Honorable Mention); in the Essay Division II category to Nicholas Scalfano (1^st Place), Emily Canerday (2^nd Place), Sarah Catherine Laborde (3^rd Place) and Mitchell Montanio (Honorable Mention); in the Computer Art, Division II category to Lindsay Moran (1^st Place) and Sarah Catherine Laborde (Honorable Mention).
Bulldog Bytes - March 10, 2010
OLPS CLASS LENTEN PROJECTS
	Lent is a time for prayer, fasting and almsgiving. For many of us, that means making a sacrifice or performing an act of kindness that will impact the life of someone in need. This year, the students at OLPS will do just that by participating in some special Lenten projects. The Pre-K, Kindergarten & 2^nd grade classes are participating in the Cross International “Change a Life in 40 Days” Campaign. Each class has adopted an orphan from a 3^rd world country and will be doing chores and giving up treats to earn money that will help provide food, shelter, education and medical care for the orphaned children. Our 1^st & 3^rd graders are raising funds to assist the retired sisters of our school’s founding organization, the Congregation of Divine Providence (CDP). The 4th through 6^th grade students are participating in the annual St. Jude's Math-a-thon. Through their participation in this program, the students will be giving of their time and treasure. They hone their basic math skills and help St. Jude Children's Research Hospital fight diseases around the world. Please sponsor an OLPS 4^th through 6^th grade student in his or her efforts to support St. Jude’s Hospital.
Bulldog Bytes - March 3, 2010
ZANER-BLOSER HANDWRITING CONTEST WINNERS
	Congratulations to the following class winners of the annual Zaner-Bloser Handwriting contest. The contest promotes legible handwriting development for students in grades 1^st through 8^th across the nation. The winning entries of each grade level will be sent to compete at the State level of the contest. Please extend your prayers and wishes to the OLPS 2010 Zaner-Bloser grade level winners: 1^st Gr. - Lacey Moran; 2^nd Gr. - Spencer Stelly; 3^rd Gr. - Anderson Hebert; 4^th Gr. - Alyssa Rabie; 5^th Gr. - Noah Boone; 6^th Gr. - Lindsay Moran.
STATIONS OF THE CROSS
	Each Thursday during Lent the OLPS 4^th-6^th grade classes will embark upon Jesus’ journey through the Stations of the Cross at 1:15pm in church. All parents and OLPS parishioners are welcome to attend.
HAITI RELIEF
	This year during Catholic Schools Week, OLPS students extended a helping hand to those in need in Haiti after the tragic earthquake caused so much despair. OLPS 1^st through 6^th grade students participated in a Jog-A-Thon during their P.E. classes to raise funds for the cause. They obtained pledges and donations for laps they ran around the OLPS track during the Jog-A-Thon. We are very proud to announce that their efforts, footsteps and your support raised $5,000 for the Haiti Relief fund. Thank you to all the students who participated and all the OLPS supporters who donated to the Jog-A-Thon to improve the lives of so many.
Bulldog Bytes - February 24, 2010
ROBERT “LIL BOO” MADDOX RAFFLE
	“Lil Boo” Maddox, an OLPS Kindergarten student who has been hospitalized at Children’s Hospital in New Orleans since November, is improving daily. OLPS School is joining the community to raise funds to assist his family by participating in the “Boo Maddox Benefit Raffle”. Raffle tickets are $5 each with 21 chances to win prizes donated by local businesses. Tickets may be purchased through an OLPS student, at the OLPS School front office or by contacting 451-0359 or 473-6706. Please continue to keep “Lil Boo” and his family in your daily prayers.
MATH COUNTS
	Each year OLPS sends 5^th & 6^th grade students from the OLPS Math Counts Club, guided by Mrs. Judy Smith and Mr. Charles Cason, to the Regional Math Counts competition held at LSUA. The competition is for students in grades 5 thru 8. This past Saturday, 11 OLPS Math Counts Club members competed in the written category of the competition. OLPS is very proud of all the students who participated and is pleased to offer this opportunity and experience to our students.
GENERAL MILLS BOX TOPS
	General Mills Box Tops can be found on just about any General Mills product and are easy to clip, save and turn in. The Box Top campaign is coming up the week of March 15. Each child who brings in at least 15 General Mills Box Tops will receive an Out-of-Uniform pass. Please collect and send in your Box Tops with an OLPS student and help us to raise additional funds that will further enhance our students’ educational environment.
“BAG’EM IF YOU’VE GOT’EM”
	Drop off your “collection” of aluminum cans the morning of Wednesday, March 3 when you pass through the OLPS morning carpool. The final Aluminum Can drive for the school year will be May 5, 2010.
Bulldog Bytes - February 17, 2010
2010 OLPS Magazine Drive
	The OLPS Home & School Association Magazine Drive is underway. The final turn-in date is February 23. Please take a few minutes to check out the on-line link at www.promptsuccor.org and order your favorite magazine(s). All funds raised through the Magazine Drive help the OLPS H&S Association provide valuable educational materials and equipment that directly benefit the OLPS student body. For more information or to volunteer to help with the drive, please contact Patricia Upton at 473-2657.
OLPS H&S Association Golf Tournament
	As winter winds down and spring approaches, dust off your golf clubs and plan to tee off at the Alexandria Golf & Country Club on Friday, April 9, 2010for the first OLPS Home & School Association Golf Tournament. Foursome team registration forms are available now through an OLPS student or at www.promptsuccor.org under Forms & Letters or contact Tonya Curcio @ 449-9073.
Bulldog Bytes - February 3, 2010
6^th Grade Science Fair
	Congratulations to all of the OLPS 6^th grade students who participated in the Science Fair. The projects exceeded the judges’ expectations. They were overheard saying, “I can’t believe this is the work of 6^th grade students!” We are proud to announce that 35 students will continue on to the Regional Science Fair at LSUA on Saturday, March 13^th. Please congratulate the following students for a job well done: Animal Science: 1^st-Raymond Constantino, 2^nd-Cole Robichaux, 3^rd-Sarah Catherine Laborde & 4^th-Maddie Gallagher Behavioral and Social Sciences: 1^st-Belle Tudor, 2^nd-Brooke Tassin, 3^rd-Caroline Ruggles & 4^th-Emily Saccaro Biochemistry: 1^st-Sejin Ahn, 2^nd-Hannah Marto, 3^rd-Sarah Branton Chemistry: 1^st-Mitchell Montanio, 2^nd-Emily Antoon, 3^rd-Ellie Stehr & 4^th-Caroline Karam Computer Science: 1^st-Lindsay Moran & 2^nd-TJ Matthews Engineering: 1^st-Luke Dauzat, 2^nd-Thomas Cupples, 3^rd-Gavin Curcio & 4^th-Casie Guillory Energy and Transportation: 1^st-Heath Hilton, 2^nd-Blake Johnson, 3^rd-Daniel Vanderlick & 4^th-Chance Parker Environmental Science: 1^st-Keesler Morrison, 2^nd-Nick Scalfano, 3^rd-David Bollich & 4^th-Anna Dobard Medicine and Health: 1^st-Kelly Robertson, 2^nd-Martha Hopewell, 3^rd-Brett Sanders Microbiology: 1^st-Abbie Bradford, 2^nd-Alexis King & 4^th-Annie Karam Physics and Astronomy: 1^st-John Aguillard, 2^nd-Macy Bartow, 3^rd-Mary Hoover & 4^th-Ashtin Youngblood Plant Science: 1^st-Claire Thompson, 2^nd-Haley Deville, 3^rd-Lauren Fowler & 4^th-Emily Canerday Grand Prize Winners: 1^st-Raymond Constantino, 2^nd-Cole Robichaux, 3^rd-John Aguillard, & 4^th-Heath Hilton
OLPS Magazine Drive 2010
	OLPS kicked off their annual Home & School Association Magazine Drive on Wednesday, February 3^rd. Led by Patricia Upton and Katherine Monceaux, the Magazine Drive is one of OLPS School’s most successful fundraisers, raising over $12,000 each year. The Magazine Drive offers the opportunity for OLPS to reach out into the church parish and the Alexandria community for support. Homes and businesses all over town save their magazine renewals and order through our school. We invite you to join our campaign and order your favorite magazine this month through an OLPS student or on-line via the link at www.promptsuccor.org by Feb. 23^rd. All funds raised will directly benefit OLPS School and its students. For more information or to volunteer to help with the drive, please contact Patricia Upton at 473-2657.
Bulldog Bytes - January 27, 2010
OLPS Catholic Schools Week 2010
	January 31^st thru February 6^th is Catholic Schools Week. The Catholic Community across the nation will celebrate Catholic Schools Week through events and activities that embrace all aspects of providing a strong Catholic education: the church parish, the students, the parents, the local community and our nation. OLPS has planned a very active Catholic Schools Week for our students, parents and supporters. Please see the below schedule of events and activities and join us for the celebration through prayer and participation. Sun.: January 31 Dividends for Life: In Our Parish Please attend 10:30am Mass at OLPS. H&S Association Gumbo dinner in School Cafeteria 11:30am – 1:30pm Tues.: February 2 Dividends for Life: In Our Students OLPS Invited Volunteers eating in cafeteria 6th gr. Science Fair in Olinger Hall Mr. Paul George speaks to 4^th – 6^th students in Church from 1:45-2:30pm Open House 5:30-6:30pm followed by H&S Meeting and speaker, Paul George in Olinger Hall Wed.: February 3 Dividends for Life: In Our Nation Magazine Kickoff in the gym (students ONLY) Jog-a-Thon for grades 1-6 to raise money for Haiti relief (during P.E. classes) Thurs.: February 4 In Our Vocations/Volunteers Sixth grade students hand out candy to parents and supporters during morning carpool. 8:00am Mass for grades K-3; K-3 Parents and Grandparents invited Special guests eating in cafeteria today Fri.: February 5 Dividends for Life: In Our Faculty and Staff Students “GEAUX SAINTS DAY!” (jeans w/ Saints’ shirt or black/gold tops) 8:00am Mass for grades 1-6; Gr. 4-6 Parents and Grandparents invited Pep Rally in gym (gr. 1-6) from 1:30-2:20pm; Boys vs. Girls basketball scrimmage (FOR STUDENTS ONLY - THERE IS NOT ENOUGH ROOM IN THE GYM FOR PARENTS)
Bulldog Bytes - January 20, 2010
Geography Bee School Winners
	Congratulations to Martha Hopewell, school winner, and Ian Carney, school runner-up of the 2010 OLPS National Geographic Bee which was held in the school library on January 12. Martha has since taken the State qualifying test. Please pray that she will score well enough to represent our school at the state level.
Disney's Mulan
	OLPS and Family Playhouse presented the third annual OLPS School Play, Disney’s “Mulan” this past weekend at Coughlin Saunders Theater. Over 115 OLPS students from Kindergarten through 6^th grade brought the crowd to their feet during three excellent performances. The production was a little more complex and larger than in the past and the cast members made OLPS and Family Playhouse proud. All children, parents and OLPS supporters who participated conducted themselves with dignity and volunteered their time, talent and love to make this another successful event. Thank you all and see you again for next year’s show!
Bulldog Bytes - January 13, 2010
OLPS H&S Association Sunday Dinner
	Sunday, January 31^st kicks off Catholic Schools Week. To celebrate and raise funds to support our Catholic School, the OLPS Home & School Association is hosting a Gumbo Dinner on Sunday, January 31^st from 9:30am-11:30am at the OLPS Cafeteria. You may dine-in or carry-out your meal, which includes Chicken & Sausage Gumbo, Rice, Corn on the Cob, Crackers and Dessert. Dinner tickets are $6 for individual meals or $30 for a Family Pack of 6 meals and may be purchased through any OLPS School family or at the school’s front office and at the church rectory. An order form to purchase dinners is also included in this week’s church bulletin and is available @ www.promptsuccor.org under Forms & Letters. Thank you for supporting OLPS School and enjoy your meal!
Bulldog Bytes - January 6, 2010
OLPS Blood Drive for Robert Maddox
	OLPS School is hosting a blood drive for Robert Maddox on Tuesday, January 12. The LifeShare Bus will be at OLPS School from 9:00am until 1:00pm. Little Robert Maddox is a Kindergarten student at OLPS. He has been in Children’s Hospital in New Orleans since early November with complications from H1N1 virus. Please help spread the word to all your friends and family, plan to contribute to the blood drive and keep “Lil Boo” and his family in your prayers.
Disney's Mulan
	OLPS and Family Playhouse are producing the third annual OLPS School Play, Disney’s “Mulan”. Over 120 OLPS students from Kindergarten through 6^th grade are working hard to bring the play to the Coughlin Saunders’ stage on January 16^th & 17^th for 3 shows. Tickets are on sale now for $10 each. Ticket forms are available at www.promptsuccor.org under Forms & Letters. Please mark your calendar and plan to attend Disney’s “Mulan” to support your favorite cast member and OLPS School.
Bulldog Bytes - December 30, 2009
UPCOMING EVENTS
	OLPS Students will return to school this Monday, January 4, 2010 and bounce right into several exciting activities. · Each year OLPS students in 4^th-6^th grades compete in the National Geographic Bee. The classroom level of the contest was held the first week of December. Congratulations to the following OLPS students who placed in the contest at their grade level: 4^th grade - Emma Armstrong, Isaiah Baker, Anna Harris and Greere Jones; 5^th grade - Ian Carney, Mark Duncan, John Roy and Stephen Davis; 6^th grade - Martha Hopewell, Christian Sylvester, John Aguillard and Nick Scalfano. They will all compete in the School Geography Bee on January 12^th in the library. · Athletic Director, James Curcio, has been busy organizing teams and recruiting coaches for the 2010 Intramural Basketball season. The season runs for four weeks and will begin the week of January 18^th. Coaches will be in touch with their team members about practice times and games that will be held every Saturday in the OLPS gym from January 23^rd thru February 13^th.
OLPS School Play Coming Soon
	120 students and their family members have been working hard practicing and preparing for this year’s OLPS School play, Disney’s “Mulan”, which will be held January 16^th and 17^th, 2010. Tickets go on sale January 4^th for $10 each. Ticket order forms will go home through the weekly electronic packet and are available at www.promptsuccor.org under Forms & Letters. Please mark your calendar and plan to attend Disney’s “Mulan” to support your favorite cast member and OLPS School.