Join us for our Fall Pops Concert next Thursday at 7 PM in the school auditorium. The concert will feature our bands, orchestra, and choirs performing popular music selections from jazz, music theater, pop, gospel, and much more. The concert will also feature a World Premier Performance of “Fiddles on Fire." Admission is free!
Monday - NO SCHOOL
Tuesday - Anchor Schedule
Wednesday - 9th Grade All-Day Retreat; 10th/11th Grade PSAT; 12th Grade No School
Thursday - Anchor Schedule
Friday - Anchor Schedule
O'Connell volleyball will be selling dig pink t-shirts during lunch today. All of the profits will go to the Side Out Foundation, which conducts breast cancer research. Also, while selling the t-shirts we want to encourage people to go to our Dig Pink volleyball game on October 15.
There will be a Best Buddies Bake Sale today during lunches. Buy a treat to support this great cause.
Model UN will have a meeting after school at 3 pm on Thursday, October 15 in room 122.
The following college visits will occur on Monday, October 19 in the counseling conference room.
Gardner-Webb University- 8:30 a.m.
University of Mary Washington- 9:00 a.m.
Meredith College- 10:00 a.m.
La Salle University- 11:15 a.m.
Washington College- 11:45 a.m.
The University of Scranton- 1:00 p.m.
Cabrini College- 1:30 p.m.
University of Arizona- 2:00 p.m.
Remember our policy regarding college visits: if a visit is going to occur during any class time you must have a pass signed by your teacher in order to attend. Please register and print out the confirmation from Naviance that you registered and bring it to your teacher at least 2 days before the visit. No students without a signed pass will be able to attend a college presentation. Please remember to swipe in and out of counseling. A counselor must also sign your pass once you leave.
Debate club will have a meeting today, October 15, in Room 321 immediately after school. Please email Ms. Gibeily a copy of your speech to be printed or bring a printed copy yourself. We will make final revisions to speeches and go over the logistics for Saturday's Student Congress.
All Knight Time Peer Mentors must stop by in Room 214 during Knight Time on either Thursday or Friday this week in order to continue serving as a Peer Mentor for Expanded Services.
Knights for Life Monthly Clinic Outreach will be this Saturday, October 17. We will begin with Mass in the Student Chapel at 9 am, followed by a prayer vigil outside the Falls Church Health Center, and ending with breakfast at iHOP. All students, faculty, and families are welcome to join us. Students participating, please pick up a permission form from Ms. Lattie in Rm. 215.
There will be an Art Club and Photo Club meeting during Knight Time on Friday, October 16 in room 302.
There will be an African American Cultural Club meeting during Knight Time on Monday October, 19 in room 302. All are welcome.
There will be a meeting for all interested in Wrestling on Tuesday, October 20 at 3:05pm in room 140.
Thank you to everyone who helped to make Homecoming a HUGE success.The 2015 Spirit Week and Homecoming has come and gone...but we still have the memories. It was a great week to be a Knight!
Read about this year's Alumni Achievement Award recipients and the Athletic Hall of Fame inductees and enjoy photos below from the awards dinner and alumni homecoming events on Saturday.
Attention all SCA officers, councilors, and moderators: there is an SCA meeting after school today in Room 328. Attendance will be taken as well as our yearbook picture.
Students will be able to dress out in all pink tomorrow (Wednesday, October 21)! In order to participate, you must pay $3 and follow the guidelines in the Student Handbook.
Also, next Wednesday all students will be able to dress out for Halloween by following the handbook guidelines as well.
Do you love movies? Would you like to be an armchair critic and discuss film and television with your fellow movie lovers? The DJO film club will be holding its first meeting of the year today (Tuesday) during "B" lunch, and all movie lovers are invited to attend. The meeting will be held in the auditorium and no previous club experience is necessary for any new members who would like to join. If you cannot make the meeting but are still interested to learn more, see Mr. Meehan for complete details.
There will be a meeting for all interested in Wrestling today after school in the wrestling room. All are welcome.
There will be a meeting for all SCA officers, councilors, advisory reps and moderators after school in the Upper Balcony on Wednesday, October 21. Attendance will be taken.
Knights for Life will meet during Advisory on Wednesday in Room 125. New members are always welcome! There will be food.
Attention Expanded Services Knight Time Peer Mentors: If you did not come by room 214 last week, and you wish to continue serving as a Peer Mentor for Expanded Services, please stop by room 214 during Knight Time either today or tomorrow. Thank you very much! Hope to see you all.
The Swim and Dive team will have a kick-off meeting for all interested swimmers, divers and their parents on Wednesday, October 21st, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the library. Please bring separate checks for dues and to purchase a team suit.
The following college visits will occur on Wednesday, October 21st in the counseling conference room.
Wofford College 8:30 a.m.
Boston University 9:40 a.m.
Baylor University 11:00 a.m.
Notre Dame of Maryland 1:00 p.m.
The following college visits will occur on Thursday, October 22nd in the counseling conference room.
St. John's University 8:00 a.m.
DeSales University 9:00 a.m.
Emanuel College 11:30 a.m.
Siena College 12:00 p.m.
Assumption College 12:30 p.m.
Hampden Sydney College 1:00 p.m.
University of Virginia 1:30 p.m.
Please remember our policy regarding college visits: if a visit is going to occur during any class time you must have a pass signed by your teacher in order to attend. Please register and print out the confirmation from Naviance that you registered and bring it to your teacher at least 2 days before the visit.
No students without a signed pass will be able to attend a college presentation. Please remember to swipe in and out of counseling. A counselor must also sign your pass once you leave.
This Friday October 23rd immediately after school there will be a meeting for all returning members of the Spirit and Leadership Team. The meeting will be in Room 125 right after school.
The boys and girls cross country teams compete in the WCAC meet this Saturday, Oct. 24 at Lake Fairfax in Reston. They would love to have DJO come out and support them. The girls race takes off at 11:30 a.m. and the boys start at noon. Go Knights!
The Anime Club will meet today, October 22, at 3 pm in room 327.
There is a Disney Club meeting today after school for a viewing of Hercules. Everyone is invited. Popcorn, drinks and snacks are available. Free popcorn for all active club members. Come relieve the stress of the end of the Quarter by singing along with the Muses. Who put the GLAD in gladiator? HERCULES!
Attention Seniors: The sign-up sheets for senior retreat groups will be taken off the bulletin boards by the end of the lunch periods today. If you have not already signed up for a group, please do so before the end of your lunch period. You will be randomly placed in a group over the weekend, if you do not select a group today.
Attention NHS Members: We will have our regular meeting today after 7th period in room 231. Please be prompt. The meeting will be short and we will adjourn to the courtyard to have the yearbook picture taken. Attendance is mandatory unless excused. If you need to be excused, see Mr. Cassidy or Mrs. Jester.
The following college visits will occur on Thursday, October 22nd in the counseling conference room.
St. John's University 8:00 a.m.
DeSales University 9:00 a.m.
Emanuel College 11:30 a.m.
Siena College 12:00 p.m.
Assumption College 12:30 p.m.
Hampden Sydney College 1:00 p.m.
University of Virginia 1:30 p.m.
The following college visits will occur on Friday, October 23rd in the counseling conference room.
University of South Carolina 8:30 a.m.
Christopher Newport University 9:30 a.m.
The following college visits will occur on Monday, October 26th in the counseling conference room.
Champlain College 11:00 a.m.
College of the Holy Cross 12:30 p.m.
Don't forget that your Yearbook Survey Questions and Senior Superlative forms are due Friday, October 23. You may either give them to your Advisory teacher or drop them off in Room 223. Don't miss this chance to be a part of your yearbook!
This Friday, October 23rd immediately after school there will be a meeting for all returning members of the Spirit and Leadership Team otherwise known as SALT. The meeting will be in Room 125 right after school.
Bring $3 to the cafeteria on Friday after school and enjoy a refreshing FROYO.
Model UN will be meeting Monday, October 26, at 3pm in room 122.
The boys and girls cross country teams compete in the WCAC meet this Saturday, Oct. 24 at Lake Fairfax in Reston. They would love to have DJO come out and support them. The girls race takes off at 11:30 a.m. and the boys start at noon. Go Knights!
Students scheduled to participate in the ASVAB Test today: please report to the upper gym immediately after 12:00 dismissal. For questions, please see Dr. Stabile.
Today immediately after school there will be a meeting for all returning members of the Spirit and Leadership Team otherwise known as SALT. The meeting will be in Room 125 right after school.
FROYO outside after school today; bring $3 and enjoy a refreshing FROYO.
Freshmen, please bring your device for the college readiness presentation that will be held during Knight Time Monday the 26th and Tuesday the 27th. You will need to use it.
Don't forget that your Yearbook Survey Questions and Senior Superlative forms are due today Friday, October 23. You may either give them to your Advisory teacher or drop them off in Room 223. Don't miss this chance to be a part of your yearbook.
The boys and girls cross country teams compete in the WCAC meet this Saturday, Oct. 24 at Lake Fairfax in Reston. They would love to have DJO come out and support them. The girls race takes off at 11:30 a.m. and the boys start at noon. Go Knights!
The following college visits will occur today in the counseling conference room.
University of South Carolina 8:30 a.m.
Christopher Newport University 9:30 a.m.
Model UN will be meeting Monday, October 26, at 3pm in room 122.
The Game Design with Girls in Mind club is meeting Monday, Oct. 26 at 3 o'clock in the Library. Be ready to have your photo taken with the group for the yearbook.
The French Honor Society photo will be taken at 3:00 Monday in the courtyard. You must be in full uniform.
Our TWO-DAY event in our Global Studies speaker series will be in the library directly after school next Tuesday, October 27th and Wednesday, October 28th. Our guest speaker will be DJO alum, Ann Soldner who is joining us from Cambodia. Mrs. Soldner is Co-Founder and Director of Family Care Cambodia, a faith-based volunteer organization, whose goal is to provide opportunities for basic education and build capacity and leadership among Cambodia’s children, particularly the poor and vulnerable, and to assist in childhood trauma healing.
The Christ House Soup Drive is our annual event that literally refills the empty shelves at Christ House in Alexandria. This year, we are supposed to get an unusually cold and snowy winter so please help us reach our goal of 15,000 cans of soup, which equals 15,000 meals to those who are hungry. We only have until next Thursday to collect cans of soup. As an added incentive, the grade with the highest number of donated cans will receive hot, delicious donuts from SCA! Get involved O’Connell. Bring in those cans of soup.
Remember any soup that is a “meal in a can” is acceptable. Progresso, Safeway or Giant Brand, Chunky, Campbell’s Home Style… it’s um um good!
Attention all freshman and sophomore students: On October 31st there is a huge Stop Hunger Now event in our local area. See the flyer on the Christian Service Office window to sign up for a shift! This is a great way to help the hungry in our local area.
Attention all freshmen. Are you interested in making a difference and being a leader at O’Connell? Run for an SCA position this November. Forms are available outside the SCA office in the folder on the wall. They are due October 26. Speeches (to be approved) are due November 2, and speeches will take place on November 5 with elections on November 12.
Next Wednesday, the day before the Living Rosary and the end to our Soup Drive, DJO will celebrate a little Halloween fun. Come in your favorite, appropriate Halloween costume. Contests in the cafeteria for the scariest, funniest, most outrageous, and most original costumes – team costumes are always a plus. Literary characters get extra respect from the English department.
Just a quick reminder to all the Senior SCA members: You will need to be at O’Connell at 5:30 pm to help set up for the 8th grade dance. Please wear orange and black. Also, we need to clean up after the dance is finished so no skedaddling early.
The second payment for our Spring Music Trip to Orlando, Florida is due on October 31st. You may send in a check with your student or you may now pay online: http://www.bishopoconnell.org/page.cfm?p=1298 If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Danine Welsh at daninewelsh@gmail.com.
On the Feast Day of Saint John Paul II, nearly 200 O’Connell juniors participated in a special pilgrimage to the Saint John Paul II National Shrine in Washington D.C.
The group was able to view and learn from the permanent exhibit on the life of Saint John Paul II. They were also treated to a tour of the extraordinary mosaics which were created for the shrine by Jesuit Father Marko Rupnik. These masterpieces adorn the walls of both chapels at the shrine, including the new Redemptor Hominis Chapel, and they depict various biblical scenes, from Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, to the life of Christ. Father Jonah Lynch, who worked with the installation of the mosaics at the shrine, provided the group with insights on these magnificent images.
Father Michele Benetti, who organized the pilgrimage, concelebrated Mass at the shrine. He later reiterated the words from the readings to the O’Connell group when describing the personal significance of the day: “Bring Christ into our being…Let Christ be born in you.”
“This pilgrimage has made an indelible spiritual impact on not just our students, but also the chaperones,” said Dr. Daniel Stabile, who accompanied the O’Connell group.
Read more about this pilgrimage in Mr. Roque's weekly blog on student life.
For more information on the shrine, visit www.jp2shrine.org.
Our PTO has rolled out a great new program to support O'Connell programs.
Sign-up for the Cause Network where everyday shopping turns into donations to Bishop O'Connell. Many of your favorite merchants (Target), and activities (travel and movie tickets) are available at discounted prices...AND a percentage of your purchase goes to supporting school programs that directly benefit students, faculty, and administrators.
Check out the site...create a FREE account...and start shopping!
Current discounts include: up to 40% off costumes and 30% off home decor at Target; up to 30% off rollback items at Walmart; 25% off Lord and Taylors; discounts on movie tickets and much, much more. There's also a Cause Network app for your mobile device so you can always have your discounts with you. Check it out today, and remember to begin every future online shopping trip at djo.causenetwork.com.
Bishop O’Connell High School’s expanded services for students with intellectual disabilities got a boost yesterday when Leo Alonso and Bill Dalgetty presented a $20,000 check from Porto Charities. On hand to accept the generous gift were members of the administration and classroom teachers.
“I’m happy to see this day at Bishop O’Connell, and I can’t wait to watch this program grow,” said Alonso. “There is a great need for these services in our area, and I am proud that O’Connell is helping fulfill those needs.” Alonso has been supporting programs for the disabled for more than 30 years, through his work with organizations such as Special Olympics, the International Order of Alhambra and Porto Charities. He is also a Bishop O’Connell alumnus from the class of 1969.
“Our goal is ensure that every student in the diocese can have access to a quality Catholic education,” said Dalgetty. “In the end, everyone involved in these services benefits in ways that can’t be measured.”
“As a school we are seeking to provide an environment in which students with intellectual or cognitive disabilities may thrive,” said Susan Rinaldi, director of expanded services at Bishop O’Connell. “We seek to meet each student's individual learning needs while also drawing them fully into the O'Connell school community. This is accomplished not only through the work of our dedicated special education teacher, Mary Desmarais, but also through the support of multiple teachers with whom we have the benefit of working collaboratively for inclusive class opportunities. Additionally, we have a group of fantastic peer mentors who have demonstrated great kindness, initiative, innovation, and enthusiasm in mentoring students we serve. "
“We are extremely grateful for the support of Porto Charities,” said Head of School Joseph Vorbach. “This grant helps us build a strong instructional and programmatic foundation to better serve our community both today and in the future.”
Porto Charities is dedicated to actively assisting people with developmental or intellectual disabilities; their community and their environment. Their mission is to raise and provide funds, resources, assistance, education, residences and overall improved quality of life for people with developmental or intellectual disabilities; and promote education, awareness, friendship and social forums among members, their families and the community.
Read more about Expanded Services at Bishop O'Connell...
Pictured above (l to r): Mary Desmarais, Susan Rinaldi, Bill Dalgetty, Joseph Vorbach, Leo Alonso, Paul Hines (parent), Carl Patton (assistant head of school), Erin O'Malley (dean of student services), Adam Hines (O'Connell student), Janet Hines (parent), and Rev. Gregory Thompson (Chaplain).
O'Connell senior Molly Weaver recently completed her Girl Scout Gold Award with her leadership project, titled “Forever in my heART.” During a series of art classes at The Virginian, a continuing care retirement community in Fairfax, Molly encouraged residents to express themselves through and draw enjoyment from art.
The Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest award a Girl Scout can earn, combines leadership development, community service, and career exploration. Each girl must discover an issue in the community, connect with experts and community members, and take action to effect positive change. It culminates in a leadership project that each girl plans and executes according to her own interests and passions. Only six percent of Girl Scouts nationwide successfully complete their Gold Award.
Molly has been a lover of art since a very young age. She has studied art since she was five years old and her work has been displayed in shows and publications throughout Northern Virginia.
She knows how beneficial art can be for both the artist and his or her family through her experiences with her own grandmother. “When I would visit my Nana, who suffered from Alzheimer’s, her room at her nursing home was always decorated with various paintings and crafts that she had made. Although she couldn’t verbalize her feelings, she always got a big smile on her face whenever we commented on her work. It gave my family a way to connect with her,” Molly said. Molly’s hope for her Gold Award was to use her artistic talent to bring the same joyful connection to other families with loved ones suffering from dementia or similar disorders.
Molly conducted a series of art classes with residents of The Virginian. The residents completed several watercolor and acrylic paintings, decorated mosaic picture frames, and contributed to a group piece of artwork that was donated for display at The Virginian. The project culminated with an art show for all of the residents of The Virginian and for the families of the nearly 20 artists that participated in the art sessions. All of the pieces were framed and put on display at the art show so that the residents and their loved ones could admire them.
Shari Berman, volunteer coordinator and member of the activities department staff at The Virginian and one of Molly’s Gold Award advisors, “was thrilled to have Molly complete her Gold Award leadership project at The Virginian. Molly was wonderful to work with and her Forever in my heART Program engaged many of our Health Care residents, allowing them to express their feelings, ideas, and creativity through artwork, which they can enjoy with their families."
Congratulations to the O’Connell girls cross country team, who won their ninth straight WCAC championship last week at Lake Fairfax in Reston, Va. Their winning score of 32 points, beat out second place Good Counsel by 18 points.
Isabell Baltimore, a junior at O’Connell, crossed the finish line first, with a time of 20:41. Not far behind was her sister, senior Gabriella Baltimore (4th place), along with Bri Broccoli (7th place), Allison Boboltz (9th place) and Maddie Fleenor (11th place), all of whom were named to the All-WCAC team.
“It was a fabulous team effort,” said coach Cindy Walls. “The girls have been working and training for this goal all season. They were well prepared both mentally and physically, and I am so proud of all of them.”
The O’Connell boys team finished in third place. They were led by senior Kevin Dannaher, who earned All Conference honors with a 5th place finish and a time of 17:09.
“Collectively, our boys ran the fastest times in several years,” added Walls. “This team continues to raise the bar for the O'Connell boys program.”
The sound of clarinets and flutes, violins and violas could be heard from the Bishop O’Connell High School auditorium in Arlington Oct. 31, as more than 80 students prepared for the first Diocesan Honors Music Festival. While there are a number of honors festivals in the area, this festival was the first of its kind for the Diocese at the high school level. The idea for the event came about during a routine staff development meeting at Paul VI Catholic High School in Fairfax last March, according to Bishop O’Connell Music Director Ronald Isaacson.
“We said, let’s do something diocesan-wide for all the high schools,” he said.
Read the entire story by Ashley Buyers in the Arlington Catholic Herald.
Pictured: O'Connell chorus members, Joseph Shank (left), Ava Coffin and Elise Welsh, sing in the Diocesan honors chorus Oct. 31 (photo credit: Ashley Buyers, Catholic Herald).
Freshman advisories, be sure to vote this morning for your class officers. After voting is finished, advisory reps will collect your ballots and deliver them to the SCA room. Thank you.
The debate club will be meeting today, November 11th in room 321 immediately after school. We will be critiquing speeches and finalizing registration for the student congress this Saturday. Please bring a printed copy of your speech if you have not emailed it to Ms. Gibeily already.
The following juniors need to come to the SCA office ASAP: Annie Kissinger, Leah Hammes, Sarah Lawler, Josie Davis, Nora Stechschulte, Alexis Fernandez, Victoria Gordon, Kayla Turner, Frankie Love, Jayla Muse, Nicole Dukas, and Grace Dhondt
The Chinese Culture Club will be meeting after school today in Room 223. Everyone is welcome to attend this meeting! We will play some games, try some calligraphy, and also start planning our Chinese New Year's Festival. We hope to see you there!
Attention Men of O'CONNELL: are you interested in exploring your faith with a group of like-minded men? Are you interested in discussing your beliefs and vocation in a small group? Join us on Friday at B lunch in room 215 for the first Quo Vadis meeting. Any questions please see Mr. Fitzpatrick or Fr. Thompson.
Please make sure you have applied to the Univ. of Mary Washington by Friday, November 12 if you are interested in being instantly admitted on the 19th. Instant admissions will occur on Nov. 19 from 11 am to 1 pm in the counseling conference room.
The Career Cafe program will take place on Monday, November 16th from 11:30am-12:00pm in the Counseling Conference room. All sophomores and juniors are welcome to come. More information to come by the end of the week.
All Juniors, if you are interested in applying for a Governor's Academy in World languages, please contact your language teacher for more information immediately! Only students in level's 4 or higher are eligible.
Juniors, interested in learning Japanese this summer? Each summer there is a Start Talk Governor's Academy for students who are interested in learning Japanese. No previous language experience is necessary! Contact Mrs. Cunningham, Chair of World Languages, in room 318 for more information.
SCA is gearing up for Superdance! If you are a junior or senior, Superdance application forms are now outside the Activities\Christian Service offices. Applications are due back by November 16; please return them to the SCA office. Thank you.
