 | | | UPPER SCHOOL NEWS * MIDDLE SCHOOL NEWS * ATHLETICS
THE LENTEN SEASON
Headlong into the third quarter, winter sports are wrapping up,
and the girls are still hoping for a snow day!
Our Ash Wednesday liturgy reminded us all that Lent is not all about giving up, but rededicating ourselves to do for others, increase our positive outlook, look beyond our own lives to those in need. Remember, Thursdays are for making sandwiches...we went from an all-time high count during Spirit Week to an all-time low the following. It's so simple for us all to take one loaf of bread and make sustenance for those who have none. Happy Ash Wednesday! | | | |
| "STATE OF THE SCHOOL" MEETING | | | | | | Wondering how Holy Child is doing? Price of tuition? Changes and building? Come to our annual gathering to hear directly from Holy Child Board members and our Headmistress about the health of the school, future plans, and the community at large. Plan to attend the parents' meeting next
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23 7:00 p.m., Billingsley Hall
This is a marvelous opportunity to get the straight facts and have your questions answered. We look forward to seeing you! | | | |
| MAKE PLANS FOR BINGO | | | | | | ANNUAL BINGO NIGHT FUNDRAISER
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25 from 3:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. in the Gym.
Join in this fun annual event that attracts well over 200 people for games, raffle prizes, food, and support of a great cause! Suggested donation is $5 per person or $25 for a family. Bring the whole crew! Proceeds to benefit Washington Middle School for Girls. For more information or to volunteer, contact Jean Plummer, jplummer@holychild.org … and we will see you at Bingo for a great Saturday afternoon of fun!
Volunteers are needed for set-up and help throughout the day (you can play while you're there!). If you can give any time between 1:00 and 6:00 p.m., let Ms. Plummer know.
RAFFLE: We are raffling off a Kindle Fire ($200 value), so get your tickets now! They are $5 each, 5 for $20, and will be for sale in school tomorrow and Friday, and at Bingo on Saturday.
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| NHS Blood Drive--WE NEED YOU | | | | | |  Only a few have signed up for this year's blood drive. PLEASE do your part: sign up for our annual NHS event: TUESDAY, MARCH 6, between 8:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.
It helps you and the whole community. Remember, each unit of blood donated saves up to three lives!! Medstar Health will be running the drive in our gym, and you can sign up on their website for a convenient time. Click here to register. Parents, juniors, seniors, faculty -- all are encouraged to give! See next page for the basics. | |  | |
| HOLY CHILD GOES GLOBAL | | | | | | On Monday, we usher in 
FOREIGN LANGUAGE WEEK
This annual series of global challenges, celebrations, and great food is presented by our international colleagues. Monday will launch the commemoration of the world's languages and cultures, Tuesday will feature animal identification contests, and Nachos for sale at lunch; the contests continue on Wednesday, topped off with a Bake Sale to benefit Doctors without Borders. Thursday will offer up "Mont Blanc Ice Cream Sundaes" for sale. And Friday tops off this multicultural week with an International Club Assembly and discovery sessions, and an international "faculty feast." Gracias to all who made this possible!
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| FATHERS CLUB | | | | | | The year is moving fast--don't miss these great opportunities to bond with your girls, in fun and supportive events. 
WMSG SERVICE PROJECT--THIS WEEKEND: Thanks to all who participated over the last couple of months to rehab part of the Washington Middle School for Girls facility. Painting and spackling and plumbing and more were completed over several Saturdays. There are two more work sessions planned-- SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25, and SATURDAY, MARCH 24. Click here to sign up--NOW! Any questions, contact Tom Serena tomserena@yahoo.com.
 Father-Daughter SKEET SHOOTING: Gather your buddies and your daughter's BFFs, and show off your sharp-shooting skills (or get some!) at a shoot-'em-up event on Sunday, March 25. Save the date now: the actual registration site will be up soon (stay tuned for upcoming newsletters or check back on the Fathers Club Web page). We will head to the P.G. County Trap and Skeet Range--just ask last year's crew how much fun it was! | | | |
| FAME -- Spring Musical Tickets Now Available | | | | | |  Please make your plans to bring family and friends to what is shaping up to be our best show in years! Get your tickets now at the fab FAME website--the show has three performances,
FRIDAY, MARCH 9 at 7:00 p.m.
SATURDAY, MARCH 10 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
As always, if you would like to get involved, please email Ms. Elsbeth Fager, Director 301-365-0955 // efager@holychild.org | | | |
| Book Club--NEXT WEDNESDAY | | | | | |  Hope you've been reading away; the two selections for this month, with key questions about motherhood, should generate some deep discussions. We look forward to seeing you next week; plan to come to the library on WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 29, at 7:00 P.M.
Our selections are Expecting Adam by Martha Beck and The Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother by Amy Chua. Questions or comments, please contact Meg Mayo, mmayo@holychild.org. | | | |
| | | | | | | SOPHOMORES, Juniors, Seniors: MarineLab Oceanography Field Trip to Key Largo, Florida
 There are six spaces left on the trip to Key Largo, Florida to explore the Everglades, the coral reefs, and the open ocean during the week following graduation, so we have opened this great opportunity to Sophomores. If you are interested in this trip, heading to Florida the first week of June, please request an information packet from the Upper School Science Department.  We will need a firm commitment from students by Friday, February 24, 2012 and a $500 deposit by Friday, March 2, 2012.
Any questions? Email Ms. Sutton (jsutton@holychild.org) or Meaghan Hollenbeck (mhollenbeck@holychild.org).
Dates: Tuesday, June 5 through Saturday, June 9
For an example of a 5-day, 4-night program, click here. And for background on the Marine Lab, click Read More. | | | |
| SPRING GALA -- THE LIST IS GROWING | | | | | |  Before you decide to "make the scene" at this year's Gala, do your part and donate something fabulous. (Maybe it's even something you'd like to have, an experience or an item that you know your spouse would LOVE!) Just click on the star to find the online giving form.
Here are some amazing items that are already "in the house":
APRIL 28, 2015
  HIS & HERS' BEACH BIKES
A CRAB FEAST FOR EIGHT
REDSKIN TICKETS (with a tailgate party)
A SUMMER WEEK AT A REHOBOTH BEACH HOUSE
Not sure what to donate? Go in together with other families or friends, and put together a special package, such as:
dinner at a favorite restaurant's chef’s table, with a limo thrown in
the world of watersports--a kayak, a water bike, surfboard, boogie boards or rafts...
a beautiful "tablescape" with an assortment of serving plates, glasses, dishes, linens; have fun with a theme, be it beach or retro or Tuscany or that complete Fiestaware look...How sixties of you!
tickets to the concert of the summer...is it Toby Keith? Coldplay or Dave Matthews? The Nissan Megaticket? If you can get backstage, all the better!
 No ideas at all? CLICK ON THE STAR to get to our Amazon Wish List. All you have to do is find something that appeals to you, hit purchase, and the item and your donation will come directly to School! Could it be any easier?
Just be sure to let Michele Rathbone know so we can match the delivery with your name!
For added information--donation forms, advertising information and forms, underwriting opportunities--click here. You can support our biggest fundraiser in numerous ways. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE! | | | |
| AUTHOR, AUTHOR | | | | | | Once again, our librarian, Sarah Stonesifer, has arranged a wonderful event for our girls to spark their excitement about reading.
On TUESDAY, MARCH 13, during J block/elective, two popular Young Adult writers will visit and talk with the students about their work, what's it like to be a published author, and how they come with great ideas, characters, and actually get paid to do what they love. It's a great honor to have both of these writers here on the day their new volumes are being released! 
Ally Carter is the best-selling author of the Gallagher Girls series. These New York Times-bestselling young adult novels feature Cammie Morgan attending an all-girls boarding school for “especially gifted students” that is actually a spy training program. Carter also wrote Heist Society (2009) and its follow-up Uncommon Criminals (2011). On the day that she visits us, the fifth volume of the Gallagher Girls series will be released, Out of Sight, Out of Time.
 Rachel Hawkins’ Hex Hall series began with the eponymous book released in 2010. This series tells the story of the teenage witch, Sophie Mercer, who is shipped off of the magical reform school for those fantastical beings that cannot control their powers. The third book, Spell Bound, will also be released on March 13.
Students can borrow the books from the McShain Library. Politics & Prose is also offering an ordering option for Ally Carter’s I’d Tell You I Love You, But Then I’d Have to Kill You and the new Out of Sight, Out of Time as well as Rachel Hawkins’ Hex Hall and Spell Bound. | | | |
| | | | | | | Middle School Music Circus: It’s time to mark your calendars for the 5th Anniversary Edition of the Middle School Connelly Music Circus. The performances will take place on Thursday, March 22 at 7:00 p.m., with a daytime edition on Friday, March 23 at 10:00 a.m. You won’t want to miss it! Because this school year also marks the 50th anniversary of the founding of Holy Child in Potomac, all the music for the Circus will be from 1961 and 1962. Stay tuned to Happenings for more details. Rock on!
Eighth Grade Parents – Mark your calendars! This year’s trip to Echo Hill Outdoor School will take place March 26-30. This is an essential part of the eighth grade science curriculum and all eighth grade students are expected to attend. Echo Hill, located in Worton, Maryland, is a nature camp overlooking the Chesapeake Bay. For five exhilarating days, the girls will learn about science and ecology, history and the human environment, themselves and each other. Echo Hill provides positive experiences in the outdoors that are exciting, interesting and fun. The outdoor classes help the girls explore the colors, sounds, and smells of the Chesapeake Bay and supplement the eighth grade science curriculum.
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| ATHLETICS | | | | | | DON'T FORGET ISL BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT -- STARTS FRIDAY!
Friday's game will be HOME at 5:00 p.m., vs either Madeira or St. Andrew's; in this single elimination tournament, if we win, Saturday and Sunday games will be at Sidwell (either 2:30 p.m. or 4:15 p.m. on Saturday, championship Sunday at 2:45 p.m.).
SPRING TRYOUTS BEGIN MONDAY AFTER SCHOOL!
All those Upper School students interested in playing a spring sport should plan to attend tryouts beginning Monday, February 27, immediately after dismissal. Note that 8th graders may try out for the JV squads. Teams will be announced later in the week, depending on the schedule of each coach.
Spring sports for Middle School begin on TUESDAY, MARCH 6.
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| RESULTS | | | | | | BASKETBALL
Varsity topped Madeira on their last regular season game, "Senior Night" for Caroline O'Donnell and Kelsey Warren. Working toward the final score of 61-38, Colby put in 18 points, with 5 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 assists; Mary Claire Byrne added 8 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals, and 3 blocks--many other contributed, along with points and blocks from both senior players.
JV capped a strong season with a three-point win over Madeira in their final contest.
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| SCHEDULES | | | | | | Thursday, February 23
3:15 PM MS Basketball @ Fourth Presbyterian
Friday, February 24
2:45 PM MS Basketball vs. GDS (A) HOME CANCELLED
5:00 Varsity BB ISL TOURNAMENT --
HOME vs. Madeira
Saturday, February 25
2:45 PM OR 4:15 PM Varsity BB ISL TOURNAMENT
vs. TBD @ Sidwell (if win Friday)
Sunday, February 26
9:00 AM V Equestrian Horse Show @ Nothing Fancy Farm
2:45 PM Varsity BB ISL TOURNAMENT
Championship
Monday, February 27-
Thursday, March 1
SPRING SPORTS TRYOUTS
Friday, March 2
4:15 PM V Softball @ Bullis (scrimmage)
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| | | | | | THURSDAY, FEB. 23
"STATE OF THE SCHOOL"
Parents Meeting
7:00 p.m., Billingsley Hall
FRIDAY, FEB. 24
TAG DAY
Varsity BB ISL Tournament
5:00 p.m., gym, vs. Madeira
SATURDAY, FEB. 25
BB ISLs
2:30 p.m. or 4:15 p.m. @ Sidwell
(if win on Friday)
BINGO for WMSG
3:00-5:00 p.m., gym
SUNDAY, FEB. 26
BB ISL CHAMPIONSHIP
2:45 p.m. @ Sidwell
(if win on Saturday)
MONDAY, FEB. 27-
FRIDAY, MAR. 2
FOREIGN LANGUAGE WEEK
MONDAY, FEB. 27
SPRING Varsity/JV SPORTS TRYOUTS BEGIN
after school | | | |
| | | | | HOLY CHILD NEEDS YOU!
Click HERE to sign up online! Contact Mary Ellen Jorgensen about volunteer slots: mejorgensen@norcotech.com.
BINGO: Help for set-up and clean up; Saturday, February 25--any time after 1:00 p.m. through 6:00 p.m. for clean-up--any time you can give would be appreciated (and girls can play bingo while helping!). Email Jean Plummer, jplummer@holychild.org.
TIGER SHOP VOLUNTEERING
It's easy to schedule your hours for the Tiger Shop; just sign up with Volunteer Spot! Questions, write to Mary Fairbanks ltjkfair@gmail.com.
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| The Fund for Holy Child | | | | | | Thank you to everyone who has donated to the 2011-2012 Fund for Holy Child Campaign! 
A reminder to those who have yet to donate: Did you know that gifts to the Fund help to bridge the gap between tuition and the actual cost of educating a Holy Child student? Without the Fund for Holy Child, tuition would increase, making a Holy Child education less accessible to many families. And a gift to the Fund is 100% tax deductible! Gifts for this year’s campaign are accepted through June 30. Please click here to make your gift today. Thank you!
● As of February 17, the Fund has raised $434,674 to date, versus $374,774 on this date last year--an increase of 15.98%! Our goal is $500,000, so we still need everyone’s support to reach our goal.
● Overall parent giving is 46%, with the freshmen, Class of 2015, still leading, and surging to a great rate of 60% participation. Congratulations to the Garners and Magners for doing such a great job reaching the freshmen parents. Remember, the winning class by May 1 will win an ice cream social sponsored by the Development Office. Parent participation is one of the key measures of a school's strength when we apply for grants from foundations. ANY gift amount makes a difference!
● Current parents have contributed $173,978 to date, vs. $121,417 at this point last year, an increase of 43%.
● The Leadership Reception for donors of $1,500 or more has been scheduled for Thursday, May 3 at the home of Courtney and David Straus. You should have received your "Save the Date"; a formal invitation will follow to all in that group.
* Please click here to make your gift online via credit card.
* Checks can be sent to school to the attention of Dillon Cox, Director of Annual Giving.
For further information, please contact Dillon Cox (dcox@holychild.org), Director of the Annual Fund, or Suzi Montes de Oca, Development Director (smontes@holychild.org).
Thank you again!
Remember,
Every gift makes a difference.
Every girl makes a difference. | | | |
| DON'T GET SICK! | | | | | |  Yes, it's that time of year when we're all passing around those nasty germs, ending up with sniffles at best or a terrible flu. Please take to heart the advice of our nurse (and pass it on to your daughters as well): ~Washing hands is essential! ~Cover your cough! ~Drink lots of water--bring a bottle to drink throughout the day. ~DO NOT SHARE water bottles (or any other drinks or utensils).
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| NEWS FROM ADMISSIONS | | | | | | Acceptances for UPPER SCHOOL are going out tomorrow. Congratulations to all those new Holy Child girls, we look forward to welcoming them to our ranks.
~Remember the program:
Each One Bring One
If you refer an applicant to the Upper School who is accepted and enrolls for the 2012-2013 academic year, you will receive a $500.00 Tiger Pride reduction in your daughter's 2012-2013 tuition bill! If you know someone who has applied, and they get accepted, we're hoping you can help make sure they enroll.
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| STRESS IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD? | | | | | | If your child is exhibiting signs of extreme shyness, clinginess, or other stress-related effects, this seminar may be of interest.
NIMH Pediatric Anxiety Seminar
Thursday, March 1, 2012, 7:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m.
Dunn Loring Center for Parent Services, 2334 Gallows Road, Dunn Loring, VA 22027 Entrance 1, Room 100
Presenter:Erin Martin, Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist, NIMH
Topics Include:
• Common signs and symptoms of anxiety in youth • What parents can do to help a child who is struggling with anxiety
• Understanding treatment options • Current research in pediatric anxiety conducted at NIMH
RSVP: Please register by Friday, February 24, 2012. Seating is limited. Call: 301-402 -8225 TTY: 1-866-411-1010
Email: kidswithworries@mail.nih.gov
Download the flyer here. | | | |
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