For the third year in a row, the Bishop O'Connell field hockey team has hosted a special "Play 4 the Cure" game to raise the visibility of cancer research needs. This cause is particularly close to many of the players whose families have been affected by cancer, and they are inspired by head coach Mary Quinn who underwent cancer treatment not long after she began coaching the team in 2011.

The National Foundation for Cancer Research (NFCR) featured the Lady Knights and their "Play 4 the Cure" game in a recent video.

If you are unable to view the video below, visit the NFCR YouTube page.

Bishop O’Connell is proud to partner with the University of Notre Dame’s Play Like a Champion Today Character Education Through Sports program. This partnership is part of Play Like a Champion’s national initiative to support schools and sports organizations in making sports more safe, fun, and developmentally enriching. Athletic Director Joe Wootten of Bishop O’Connell welcomed the opportunity to work with Play Like a Champion, saying: “Play Like a Championemphasizes presenting sport as a form of youth ministry and challenges us to view sports as a means of developing the whole person: physically, mentally and spiritually.”

The Play Like a Champion program is designed to provide children and adolescents with the highest quality sports experience possible. Drawing on the expertise of members of the Notre Dame coaching staff and the research of developmental, moral, and sport psychologists, Play Like a Champion aims to renew youth and high school sports by educating coaches and parents to nurture children’s personal and spiritual development as whole persons along with athletic excellence.

By partnering with Play Like a Champion, Bishop O’Connell brings both coach and parent clinics to their community. University of Notre Dame Play Like a Champion Program Director Kristin Sheehan will join Athletic Director Wootten and O’Connell leadership on December 7^th and 8^th to conduct the clinics. O’Connell is the first area school to partner with Play Like a Champion in elevating their sports culture.

Play Like a Champion Today workshops are nationally accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Coaching Education (NCACE.) Play Like a Champion has partners in over forty cities across the United States and Canada, and has educated over 30,000 coaches and 20,000 parents who in turn have impacted the lives of over a million athletes.

Pope Francis recently spoke in his Vatican Radio address about “the importance of sport in moral education, since the sporting spirit is one that teaches the need for discipline, effort and sacrifice to succeed and achieve excellence – becoming a constant reminder of the sacrifices necessary to grow in the virtues that build the character of a person.”  Play Like a Champion works to instill these virtues in young athletes, their parents, and coaches across the country. “If Catholic-sponsored sports programs are going to achieve their full-potential as envisioned by Pope Francis, Catholic schools and dioceses must invest in preparing coaches and sport parents to understand sports as a vehicle to teach gospel values. When sport programs partner with Play Like a Champion, they run a program in sync with our Christian community and effectively develop young people to become disciples of our Church.” says Kristin Sheehan, Play Like a Champion Program Director. 

Find out more about our school's program at www.bishopoconnell.org/playlikeachampion.

Earlier this week, the O’Connell Health Services Club held the first of two blood drives scheduled for this year. Members of the club, led by Olivia Giaquinto, worked hard to promote and staff the event, which was one of the school’s most successful drives to date. As a result, 61 units of blood were donated through INOVA Blood Donor Services to meet critical needs in Maryland, D.C. and Virginia. This can ultimately provide blood for 183 patients.

Special thanks--and a very cool T-shirt--were extended to all blood donors, with particular recognition given to many first-time donors, and others who stepped up to give blood when they heard more donors were needed.

“It warms my heart knowing our community totally supports these blood drives, answering the call when the need is great,” said Kathy Black, the club moderator. “As a recipient of someone’s gift of life, I am alive today. For that my family and I are truly grateful.”

During the holidays there is usually a critical blood shortage. If anyone would like to be a blood donor, please visit an INOVA Blood Donor Services center. On Tuesday, Mar. 24, O’Connell will host the spring blood drive. Be a donor by giving the gift of life.

Hear Ye! Hear Ye! Tickets are now on sale for The Trials of Robin Hood during all lunches.  You will not want to miss the trial of the century... YOU, the Audience, gets to decide if Robin Hood is guilty or innocent! This show is one you will not want to miss.   Tickets are ONLY $5 FOR STUDENTS!  You can also show your support for a friend in the show by purchasing a flowergram! For more information, please visit the ticket table during your lunch. HUZZAH!

A reminder for all French Club Members, be sure to log into the Edmodo group at least once every week. There are recent announcements for you to view.

Juniors! Spirit wear hooded sweatshirts and long sleeve tees are being sold.  See your advisory teacher for an order form. Forms are due with checks today, November 20. Junior Guys, if you are interested in coaching the Junior Powder Puff team, see your SCA leadership .

Spanish Honor Society Members if you wish to continue your involvement in the Spanish Honor Society you will need to submit your dues by Monday, Nov 24. See Ms. Yanine as soon as possible.  You will also need to commit to the society's service projects, either Tuckahoe Tutoring at Tuckahoe Elementary School or St. James Food Distribution. Our next meeting will be on Tuesday, December 2 after Thanksgiving.  Attendance is mandatory. Muchas Gracias!

The Young Mens Executive Club will hold its monthly meeting today, November 20th in room 224 from 3:15 - 4:00pm. Please remember to bring your dues! Please be on time!

Interested in participating in the Diocesan Work Camp with your parish this summer? Come check out the Work Camp Fair in the Upper Gym during Knight Time on Friday November 21st to find out more information and connect with your Youth Minister!! 

If you are a Junior or Senior and would like to be a Chair or Co-Chair of a Superdance Committee forms are available in the SCA room! All forms are due Friday, November 21^st. Thank You!

Cafe Vaticano will be closed today due to the Senior Retreats. The Cafe will reopen for normal business on Friday. Thank you!

Everyone is welcome to join the Medical Missionaries and Interact Clubs today after school as we make Christmas cards for the Youth Group in St. Thhomasique, Haiti. Supplies will be provided. Meet us in room 326 at 3:00!

“The Gamer club will be having a Soul Calibur 4 tournament today after school in room 202. The entry fee will be $2. All proceeds will be donated to charity. There will be a prize for the top player. All are welcome to come out and participate, or just cheer on the contestants.”

Attention all freshman homeroom representatives: there will be a homeroom rep meeting next Monday, November 24 from 1:25-1:50 right after school in room 210. This meeting is mandatory!

Do you know that, after English, French is spoken in more countries than any other language? French was previously recognized as the un-official language of diplomacy, and remains an official language of organizations like the International Olympic Committee and the Red Cross. Among the six official languages of the United Nations, French -- like English -- holds the extra-special status of "functional language.“ Ever wonder just what you could do with an education in French? Contact Mr. Hobson or Ms. Webb to find out! This message was brought to you by the O'Connell French Club and its ongoing celebration of National French Week and International Education Week.

O’Connell, Next week we will all have the chance to spend Thanksgiving eating turkey and all the trimmings.  There are families in our area who won't have any food to put on the table unless YOU help.  Support Mr. Crivella and Mother Teresa's nuns, the Missionaries of Charity, as they provide Thanksgiving food to 300 families.  Give money to the Turkey Blitz. You can give money to your religion teacher or Mr. Crivella. Count your blessings next week, and remember that 300 families are counting on you!

Our students are collecting money through their theology classes to support the 19th annual Turkey Blitz. This is a two-week tradition at Bishop O'Connell, spearheaded by Mr. Joe Crivella, to support the Missionaries of Charity in Washington, D.C. Our school's efforts help provide Thanksgiving meals for more than 300 families served by these local Little Sisters of the Poor.

The Turkey Blitz runs through Monday, Nov. 24.

View this year's student-produced posters below.

On Nov. 17, Bishop O'Connell's dean of student services and director of counseling, Mrs. Erin O’Malley, was the keynote speaker at the John Cook Lecture at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond. The John Cook Lecture is an annual event hosted by VCU’s School of Education’s department of Counselor Education, in conjunction with Counselor Education Student Networking Association, and Chi Sigma Iota National Honor Society. O’Malley’s presentation, “The Realities of Suicide: Prevention, Intervention and Response,” was attended by counselor educators, doctoral and masters students in counseling, area school counselors and teachers.

O’Malley is active in the national school counseling community. She has participated in conversations and listening sessions with Lynn Rosenthal, the White House Advisor on Violence Against Women, and was invited to speak earlier this month at their latest listening session at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. In addition, O’Malley is a member of the American School Counselor Associations selection committee for “School Counselor of the Year.”

“I embrace these opportunities to engage with counselors from different schools and different areas of the country,” said O’Malley. “Bishop O'Connell has a solid counseling core, and as much as I am proud of the services we provide to our students, we are continually striving to stay connected with best practices around the region and the country. We can never stop learning.”

The District 12 Honors Orchestra will rehearse and perform together at Wakefield High School in Arlington on Saturday, Jan. 10.

Dual Credit students: if you were not able to attend the Marymount orientation last Friday, you need to see Mr.Giska before you go home TODAY.

There will be a Ladies Golf Club meeting after school today in lab 232

Interested in participating in the Diocesan Work Camp with your parish this summer? Come check out the Work Camp Fair in the Upper Gym during Knight Time today to find out more information and connect with your Youth Minister!

DJO sent some amazing musicians to the recent District 12 Honors Orchestra auditions in Herndon, on Tuesday. For those of you that are unfamiliar with this process, it is kind of like trying out for a regional all-star team!! Results are now official, and Mr. Iaasacson is pleased to announce that DJO Senior Fernando Agront scored 8th in our district on Cello, out of 39 auditionees, and made it into the Honors Orchestra. He is also pleased to announce that DJO Freshman Kenneth Rudolph scored 24th in our district on violin, out of over one hundred auditionees, and made it into the 1st Violin section of the Honors Orchestra. The District 12 Honors Orchestra concert will be held at Wakefield High School in Arlington on Saturday, January 10th. Please congratulate these fine DJO musicians on their superior achievement!!

If you are a Junior or Senior and would like to be a Chair or Co-Chair of a Superdance Committee forms are available in the SCA room! All forms are due today, November 21. Thank You!

Junior Class Spirit wear forms and checks can be turned in until Monday.

Spanish Honor Society Members if you wish to continue your involvement in the Spanish Honor Society you will need to submit your dues by Monday, Nov 24. See Ms. Yanine as soon as possible.  You will also need to commit to the society's service projects, either Tuckahoe Tutoring at Tuckahoe Elementary School or St. James Food Distribution. Our next meeting will be on Tuesday, December 2 after Thanksgiving.  Attendance is mandatory. Muchas Gracias!

Attention all freshmen homeroom representatives: there will be a homeroom rep meeting next Monday, November 24 from 1:25-1:50 right after school in room 210. This meeting is mandatory!

O’Connell, Next week we will all have the chance to spend Thanksgiving eating turkey and all the trimmings.  There are people out there who won't have any food to put on the table unless YOU help. Support Mr. Crivella and Mother Teresa's nuns, the Missionaries of Charity, as they provide Thanksgiving food to 300 families.  Give money to the Turkey Blitz. You can give money to your religion teacher or Mr. Crivella. Count your blessings next week, and remember that 300 families are counting on you!

Good luck to senior Royalettes, Tarah Fisher and Josephine Glorioso, who will be in New York City next week representing O'Connell and performing in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade!

The Trials of Robin Hood production is tonight, and tomorrow at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Thursday’s performance was a great success; be sure not to miss their awesome performance!

Senior John Patterson was honored at a recent awards dinner hosted by the Catholic Business Network of Northern Virginia (CBN-NV). He was among four diocesan high school students who were named 2014 Yes! Award recipients for their community service and leadership.

Patterson is editor of the O'Connnell school newspaper, president of the senior class, a member of the cross country team, and an honors student. He also participated in the school's mission trip to Haiti last summer.

Although all awardees were present at the event, CBN-NV created a special video that included interviews of each of the recipients. Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde, who was an honored guest at the event, said he was impressed by the personal video testimonies of the students because they were articulate, inspiring, humble and Christ-rooted.

Read more about the event in the Arlington Catholic Herald.

View John Patterson's interview video below, or CLICK HERE if you are having trouble viewing it here.

O’Connell, This week we will all have the chance to spend Thanksgiving eating turkey and all the trimmings.  There are people out there who won't have any food to put on the table unless YOU help. Support Mr. Crivella and Mother Teresa's nuns, the Missionaries of Charity, as they provide Thanksgiving food to 300 families.  Give money to the Turkey Blitz. You can give money to your religion teacher or Mr. Crivella. Count your blessings this week, and remember that 300 families are counting on you!

Junior Class Spirit wear forms and checks must be turned in today. Thank you!

Attention all freshman homeroom representatives: there will be a homeroom rep meeting today Monday, November 24 from 1:25-1:50 right after school in room 210. This meeting is mandatory!

Today (Monday) during B lunch, the film club invites any interested movie lovers to join us in the auditorium to discuss Tim Burton's holiday classic "The Nightmare Before Christmas.” Stop by and join us for a spirited movie discussion! All are welcome!

The Nap Club raises money to send mosquito nets to help prevent malaria and other blood borne pathogens. Meetings are fun and we encourage a casual atmosphere, but remember our goals and why we're here. There will be a Nap Club meeting TODAY, in Room 124, at 3pm

Spanish Honor Society Members if you wish to continue your involvement in the Spanish Honor Society you will need to submit your dues by today, Monday, Nov 24. See Ms. Yanine as soon as possible.  You will also need to commit to the society's service projects, either Tuckahoe Tutoring at Tuckahoe Elementary School or St. James Food Distribution. Our next meeting will be on Tuesday, December 2 after Thanksgiving.  Attendance is mandatory. Muchas Gracias!

Good luck to senior Royalettes, Tarah Fisher and Josephine Glorioso, who will be in New York City this week representing O'Connell and performing in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade!

The next Global Studies event will be in the library directly after school on Wednesday, December 3 the day after we return from Thanksgiving break. Our honored guest speaker will be Michael Keays, an FS-1 Political Officer with over 20 years in the U.S. Department of State’s Foreign Service. Mr. Keays’ previous diplomatic postings overseas include the U.S. embassies in Tel Aviv, Warsaw, Moscow and Kingston. 

Seniors: If you have not yet applied to colleges, please see your college counselor as soon as possible. Thank you!

Just a reminder that there is a Fine Arts Boosters Meeting tomorrow night (Dec. 3, 2014) at 6:30 in the school library. (The library is right inside the main entrance to the school.)

An e-mail was sent out today with the following attachments:

• Information on the Spring Music Trip to Boston with payment information
• A copy of our current by-laws
• A copy of the by-laws with proposed changes.
• Minutes from last month's meeting

Items to be discussed at our meeting tomorrow night:

• Spring Trip update and questions. The students are very excited, and our committee is working very hard to make this one of the best trips ever!
• Proposed changes to the by-laws
• Recent purchases for the music department
• Opportunities to volunteer to work concessions for athletics to earn money for the Music Trip.
• Upcoming events (Broadway Deserts, Music Concerts, etc.)

We have a full agenda planned. Please join us.

Congratulations to the following students who have been named Bishop O'Connell Student-Athletes of the Week.

Michael Hurley ‘15
Boys Soccer – Goalkeeper
Hometown – Arlington, Va.

• 1st Team All-WCAC. Recorded 13 shutouts (from 19 played games) during 2014 season. Team Captain. Varsity starter since sophomore year. Received WCAC and All-State honors as sophomore, junior and senior
• 4.36 GPA
• Student leader for the Wreaths Across America - Wounded Warrior Project
• National Honor Society, German Honor Society, German Club, Best Buddies Club
  

Anthony Howard ‘15
Football – Running Back and Defensive Back
Hometown - Temple Hills, Md.

• 2nd Team All-WCAC. Holds full scholarship offers from West Virginia Wesleyan, WV State, and Shepherd University
• 3.45 GPA
  
• Plays in the concert band and plays organ for church on Sundays. Volunteers at local homeless shelters  
  

Elizabeth Farrell ‘16
Tennis – Doubles Team
Hometown – McLean, Va.

• Finished 7-1 in conference play; WCAC champions
• 4.3 GPA
  
• SCA, Spanish Honor Society, Spirit and Leadership Team. Serves as a volunteer at SOME (So Others Might Eat)
  

Lula Hailesilassie ‘16
Tennis - Doubles Team
Hometown – Alexandria, Va.

• Finished 7-1 in conference play; WCAC champions
• 3.61 GPA
  
• French Honor Society, Math Honor Society. Volunteers at an assisted living facility

The winners of the advisory door decorating contest will be announced tomorrow morning with a delivery of doughnuts! Thank you to everyone who participated; the hallways look terrific!

Attention Senior Girls, It is not too late to turn in your Father-Daughter Dinner RSVPs. If you have not done so already, please bring them to SCA room tomorrow. Thanks!

All members of the Keyette Club will be celebrating Christmas in the faculty lounge after school today. Remember to bring a gift if you want to participate in the gift exchange.

Attention French Club members, the club photo will be taken today, Dec. 8, after school.

Congratulations to the senior class for their big win against the juniors in the Powder Puff game on Friday. The super seniors dominated the GI juniors with a score of 35-7 with touchdowns from Jenna Ferraro, Alisa An, Sofia Echeverria, and Sara Wilson. However, the juniors put up a good fight with a touchdown from Grace Boras. Good job ladies!

Attention:  Seniors going on the December retreats: The retreats begin tomorrow, Tuesday, December 9th. Bring your bags directly to the chapel hallway in the morning. Please make sure your name is on each bag. You may dress out for the retreat day according to the handbook guidelines. Please remember to put your name on any medication you may bring along.  Bring only the medicine you will need while you are on retreat. Leave all cell phones and electronic devices home.  Bags will be checked for electronics before leaving DJO. Departure is at 3:00 pm on the Trinidad side of the building (by room 226).  Please come to the buses promptly from your last class. Parking will not be available curbside on Trinidad Street Tuesday or Wednesday of this week.

SALT will meet on Wednesday, Dec. 10, at 3 p.m. in Room 220.  See you then!

The Gamer Club will be having a Minecraft-Hunger Games challenge competition on Thursday, December 11, after school in Rm. 202. The contest entry fee will be $2 per player. All proceeds will be donated to charity.  All are welcome to come out and participate. See you there!

Today marks the beginning of Computer Science Education Week, Dec. 8-14.  Bishop O'Connell will be actively participating in this week's observance, through the Hour of Code.  O'Connell's Hour of Code will take place during Knight Time on Friday, in which students will be able to participate in various coding activities and events in Rooms 201, 202, & 300. More information is soon to come, so plan on having a fun and creative learning experience this week!  DJO ROCXXX!

The Spanish Club yearbook picture will be taken immediately after school on Friday, December 12 at 3 p.m. in room 313. Please arrive on time and remember to bring your dues if they are still unpaid.  ¡Gracias!

Congratulations to the following students who have been named Bishop O'Connell Student-Athletes of the Month.

Tarah Fisher ‘15
Royalette Dance Team – Co-Captain
Hometown – Fairfax, Va.

• 4-year dance team member and current co-captain
• Selected as All-American by Universal Dance Association and invited to participate in Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and London’s New Year’s Parade
• 4.2 GPA, enrolled in 5 AP classes and one honors course
• Summer service trip to Haiti
• Member of the National Honor Society, Rho Kappa Social Studies Honor Society and Keyettes

Michael Galvan ‘15
Varsity Football - QB
Hometown - Leesburg, Va.

• 2-year starter, garnering 2nd team All-WCAC honors, throwing for over 2,000 yards, 23 touchdowns, including 7 rushing touchdowns
• 4.5 GPA, enrolled in 4 AP courses
• Conducted independent scientific research project
• Member of the National Honor Society, Participated in Dulles Plane Pull for Special Olympics
• Currently considering Duke, Northwestern, Yale or the U.S. Naval Academy

READ ABOUT PREVIOUS STUDENT-ATHLETES OF THE MONTH

As we prepare for our Christmas Concerts, please remember the following guidelines for attire.  If students are not in proper attire, they will not be permitted to perform.

Sunday, December 14^th
GENTLEMEN: 
Black dress pants, white long sleeved dress shirt, black dress shoes, black socks.

LADIES: Black long skirts below the knees (when sitting) with black tights/hose or black dress pants with black socks. White long sleeved dress shirt tucked in. Black dress shoes. 

NOT acceptable: skirts above the knees, jeans, stretch pants/leggings, athletic shoes.

Please note:
Members of the Jazz Band will be wearing their new blue vests and members of the Concert Band will be wearing their new blue ties and cummerbunds. 
Singers will be wearing their tuxes and gowns.

If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Isaacson or Mr. Kadeli. 

Thursday, December 18^th 
Ladies and Gentlemen may wear black pants or a long black skirt (below the knees when sitting) with black tights/hose. 
NOT acceptable: skirts above the knees, jeans, stretch pants/leggings, athletic shoes. 

Singers and musicians may also wear a Christmas-colored or themed top (but please no distracting text on the top). 

A reminder to all Senior girls that the Father Daughter Dinner will be tomorrow, Thursday, December 11 in the cafeteria. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to have dinner with your fellow senior girls and their dads! Please turn in your rsvp form to the SCA room as soon as possible. Thank you!

Attention:  Seniors going on the December retreats: Please make sure your name is on each bag. You may dress out for the retreat day according to the handbook guidelines. Please remember to put your name on any medication you may bring along.  Bring only the medicine you will need while you are on retreat. Leave all cell phones and electronic devices home.  Bags will be checked for electronics before leaving DJO. Departure is at 3:00 pm on the Trinidad side of the building (by room 226).  Please come to the buses promptly from your last class. Parking will not be available curbside on Trinidad Street today. Thanks!

SALT will meet today Wednesday, Dec. 10, at 3 p.m. in Room 220.  See you then!

This Friday's 7 a.m. Advent Mass will be celebrated by Father Thompson in the School Chapel. Mass will be followed by pastries, coffee and juice in the Chapel Lounge. This is a great way to prepare for Christmas. All are welcome.

Hey if any of you are interested in wood working or wood crafts, O'Connell is starting a new wood crafters club. There will be an interest meeting tomorrow, Thursday after school in Rm 215.

The Gamer Club will be having a Minecraft-Hunger Games challenge competition tomorrow, Thursday, December 11, after school in Rm. 202. The contest entry fee will be $2 per player. All proceeds will be donated to charity.  All are welcome to come out and participate. See you there!

Computer Science Education Week continues today.  Bishop O'Connell will be actively participating in this week's observance, through the Hour of Code.  O'Connell's Hour of Code will take place during Knight Time on Friday, in which students will be able to participate in various coding activities and events in Rooms 201, 202, & 300. More information is soon to come, so plan on having a fun and creative learning experience this week!  DJO ROCXXX!

The Spanish Club yearbook picture will be taken immediately after school on Friday, December 12 at 3 p.m. in room 313. Please arrive on time and remember to bring your dues if they are still unpaid.  ¡Gracias!

Global Studies students, the next important event in our Global Studies speaker series is in the library directly after school this Friday, December 12th. Our honored guest speaker will be Scarlet Sandoval who will be sharing the extraordinary experiences she has had in her missionary work in Guatemala and Mexico. Ms. Sandoval has been featured in the Catholic Herald and we are fortunate to have her join us.

A message to the young ladies of the Junior and Senior class, Due to high interest, applications for the Young Women's Executive Club will be accepted up until Friday 10/12, but no later. Letters of acceptance will be distributed next week.

The French Honor Society yearbook photo will be Monday, December 15 directly after school in room 319. Come directly after 7th period, and please do not be late or you will not be able to be in the photo.

Planning is under way for the 2015 exchange programs. If you are interested in spending a week in a French-speaking country while trying to learn the language, speak with your parents or guardians and ask them to contact Mr. Hobson asap. There is even a summer opportunity available for one O'Connell male. Space is limited!

A reminder to all Senior girls that the Father Daughter Dinner is tonight, Thursday, December 11 in the cafeteria at 6:30 p.m. The cafeteria will be closed after school in order to set up for this event.

This Friday's 7 a.m. Advent Mass will be celebrated by Father Thompson in the School Chapel. Mass will be followed by pastries, coffee and juice in the Chapel Lounge. This is a great way to prepare for Christmas. All are welcome.

Hey if any of you are interested in wood working or wood crafts, O'Connell is starting a new wood crafters club. There will be an interest meeting today, Thursday after school in Rm 215.

The Gamer Club "Minecraft-Hunger Games" challenge competition has been postponed until next Thursday, Dec. 18th.  We will instead host a Halo Master Chief Collection contest immediately after school today in Rm. 202.  All are welcomed to come on out, participate and cheer.

The Spanish Club yearbook picture will be taken immediately after school tomorrow, Friday, December 12 at 3 p.m. in room 313. Please arrive on time and remember to bring your dues if they are still unpaid.  ¡Gracias!

The next important event in our Global Studies speaker series is in the library directly after school tomorrow Friday, December 12. Our honored guest speaker is Scarlet Sandoval who will be sharing her extraordinary experiences in her missionary work in Guatemala and Mexico. Ms. Sandoval has been featured in the Catholic Herald and we are fortunate to have her join us.

A message to the young ladies of the Junior and Senior class, due to high interest, applications for the Young Women's Executive Club will be accepted up until tomorrow, Friday 10/12, but no later. Letters of acceptance will be distributed next week.

The culmination of DJO's Hour of Code activities takes place during Knight Time tomorrow (Friday), and everyone is reminded to drop in and participate in the following Hour of Code activities: Rm. 201 - Gaming & Animation w/Mrs. Scott. Rm. 202 - Hour of Code Hands-On w/Mr. Betthauser. Rm. 300 - Hacking 101 & Secure Coding w/Mr. Andrews. Come early, as space and time may be limited!

The French Honor Society yearbook photo will be Monday, December 15th directly after school in room 319. Come directly after 7th period, and please do not be late or you will not be able to be in the photo.

Planning is under way for the 2015 French exchange programs. If you are interested in spending a week in a French-speaking country while trying to learn the language, speak with your parents or guardians and ask them to contact Mr. Hobson asap. There is even a summer opportunity available for one O'Connell male. Space is limited!

Bishop O’Connell Spanish teacher, Faryde Yanine, was honored as a Volunteer of the Year, at the 2014 Youth and Campus Ministry Appreciation Dinner hosted by the Diocesan Youth Ministry Office. The evening program, attended by more than 400, began with Mass celebrated by Bishop Paul S. Loverde. The event included a dinner and awards ceremony, which was held at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Herndon.

For more than ten years, Ms. Yanine has been a humble, but active part of the Bishop O’Connell community. She takes a large group of students to St. James to support their monthly food distribution program, mentors Spanish tutors who go to Tuckahoe Elementary School regularly, and is a Eucharistic minister at school Masses. She has also organized and accompanied students traveling to Spain as a part of a summer abroad program and taken students on alternative spring break mission trips.

“Ms. Yanine is a wonderful role model for our students,” said Head of School Joseph Vorbach. “Her joyful commitment to service has been an inspiration to us all.”

Read more about the 2014 Youth and Campus Ministry Appreciation Dinner in the Arlington Catholic Herald.

Pictured: Faryde Yanine (right) with Bishop Loverde.

The Spanish Club yearbook picture will be taken immediately after school today, Friday, December 12 at 3 p.m. in room 313. Please arrive on time and remember to bring your dues if they are still unpaid.  ¡Gracias!

The library will be CLOSED today, Friday during Knight Time. Please go to other locations for your study and computer needs.

Scarlet Sandoval will be the special guest at today’s Global Studies program in the library after school today. She will be sharing her extraordinary experiences in her missionary work in Guatemala and Mexico.

A message to the young ladies of the junior and senior class - Due to high interest, applications for the Young Women's Executive Club will be accepted up until today, Friday 10/12. Letters of acceptance will be distributed next week.

The hour of code is here! Rm. 201 - Gaming & Animation w/Mrs. Scott. Rm. 202 - Hour of Code Hands-On w/Mr. Betthauser. Rm. 300 - Hacking 101 & Secure Coding w/Mr. Andrews. Come early, as space and time may be limited!

The French Honor Society yearbook photo will be Monday, December 15 directly after school in room 319. Come directly after 7th period, and please do not be late or you will not be able to be in the photo.

"The Chinese Culture Club will be having a meeting after school on Monday, December 15. Please come and join us! Chinese food will be served."

Planning is under way for the 2015 exchange programs. If you are interested in spending a week in a French-speaking country while trying to learn the language, speak with your parents or guardians and ask them to contact Mr. Hobson asap. There is even a summer opportunity available for one O'Connell male. Space is limited!

Congratulations to O’Connell’s hockey team who are ranked by the Washington Post in the number ONE slot! Woohoo!!! Go Knights! And now over to their awesome coach, Mr. Flip Collins, for an important announcement. Thank you Coach.