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Honoring Veterans

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On this Veterans Day, we at Bishop O'Connell take the time to thank all the veterans who have so unselfishly served our country. Our faculty and staff wear Buddy Poppies as a reminder to thank and pray for all veterans, especially our administrators, faculty and staff who have served our country with honor and courage.

This morning our school assembly was devoted to honoring our veterans. Special guest speaker for the gathering was U.S. Army Col. Fern O. Sumpter (ret.), who most recently served as Joint Base Commander of Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall. Her career began as an enlisted Soldier in the Army Reserve, before entering onto active duty as a commissioned officer assigned to a Signal Battalion in Germany. She served in operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, and later was deployed to Operation Enduring Freedom, where she served on the International Security Assistance Force Joint Command staff in Afghanistan.

To begin her presentation, Col. Sumpter took a moment to recognize all the O'Connell students in the audience who are children of military parents. She thanked them for the special way that they serve, especially when times can be difficult because of their parents' absences. She continued by reflecting on her career in the U.S. Army, in a presentation she called "Answering the Call," where she shared how her personal values of Faith, family, honesty, discipline, helping others and wisdom played a central role in her career in the military.

Col. Sumpter closed her remarks by asking the assembled students to honor veterans by doing well in school, acting on their calling, working in their community and growing in their Faith.

The school also used the opportunity at the assembly to recognize and show appreciation to members of its staff who have served in the Armed Forces:

Michael Bernhard (Math Chair) – U.S. Navy
Reno Cassidy (Math Teacher) – U.S. Army
James Ewings (Football Coach) – U.S. Marine Corps
Joseph Giaquinto (Softball Coach) – U.S. Navy
Paul Gerton (Science/Engineering Teacher) – U.S. Army
Tom Glynn (Science Chair) – U.S. Coast Guard
Quinn Hollomon (Tennis Coach) – U.S. Navy
Mary Quinn (Field Hockey Coach) – U.S. Army
Don Rooney (Social Studies Teacher) - U.S. Army
Joseph Vorbach (Head of School) – U.S. Coast Guard

The O’Connell jazz band provided music as the community gathered, and then returned later in the assembly to perform a medley of songs from the armed forces, including The Air Force Song (Air Force), The Army Goes Rolling Along (Army), Semper Paratus (Coast Guard), The Marine’s Hymn (Marine Corps) and Anchors Aweigh (Navy). As is the tradition at most school gatherings, the O’Connell Singers opened the assembly with an a cappella rendition of the National Anthem.

May God bless our veterans!


Nov. 13, 2015

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The Men’s Varsity Soccer team takes on PVI on Saturday night at 7:30 at VCU for the STATE championship title! 
Let’s also cheer on the men’s cross country team – who are competing for a state title as well!
Come out and support the Knights!
Science Honor Society Forms are due today. Please be sure to hand in your forms to Mr. Glynn.
Today, adoration and confessions will be held during periods 1, 2, 4, 5, and 7. During these periods, students may go to confession during class time unless a test or quiz is being administered. Additional confessions will be heard during lunches A and C. Mass will be celebrated during B Lunch in the student chapel. Please remember to swipe at the chapel entrance.
The Career Cafe program will take place on Monday, November 16th from 11:30am-12:00pm in the Counseling Conference room. Laura Mika, an alumni that graduated in 2009, will be speaking about her current job as a neonatal intensive care nurse at GW Hospital in DC. All sophomores and juniors are welcome to come.
Attention all students: Many new opportunities have been posted outside the Christian Service Office to volunteer in the upcoming weeks. Get a jump on your project now!! See Ms. Hogan if you have any questions about your project details!
 Seniors, Please make sure you have applied to Mary Washington today if you are interested in being instantly admitted on the 19th. Instant admissions will occur from 11 am to 1 pm in the counseling conference room.
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!
Chair or Co-chair forms are due Monday November 16

Global Studies Hears About Congress

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The Global Studies Program at Bishop O'Connell welcomed Gary Andres as their guest speaker on Nov. 11.

Andres is the staff director for the House Energy and Commerce Committee. He previously worked for the lobbying firm Dutko World Wide, in the area public policy and research. Andres served as deputy assistant for legislative affairs to President George H.W. Bush and was an adviser to President George W. Bush's transition team.

He discussed the role of the legislative branch in the American democracy, and shared his thoughts on the current political climate on Capitol Hill. Students were interested in his comments on what can be done today, at a time when popular approval of Congress might be at a low point in recent history.

Read more about the Global Studies Certificate Program...

 

 

 

Nov. 16, 2015

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Superdance committee chair and co-chair application forms are due today. Thank you.
Attention SCA officers and counselors: There will be a meeting directly after school in Room 328 on Tuesday. Please be prompt.
The Future Business Leaders of America will be kicking off its speaker series after school today at 3:05 PM in room 200. All are welcome to attend.
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. 
On Monday, November 23, there will be a meeting of the French Club immediately after school in Room 317. That's Monday, November 23.

Spring Music Trip - Reminder about payments

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Our students are busy preparing for the Spring Music Trip. In order for the trip to be a smooth-running success, we need your help! If you have not yet paid the second installment for the Spring Music Trip (deadline October 30), please do so immediately. As a reminder, the third installment is due on November 30. If you would like to pay online, you may do so at: https://www.bishopoconnell.org/page.cfm?p=1372&LockSSL=true 


You may also send in a check made out to Bishop O’Connell High School and give it to Mr. Isaacson, Mr. Kadeli, or Mrs. McDonald. If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Danine Welsh at daninewelsh@gmail.com.

District XII Chorus Honors

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On Saturday, Nov. 7, Bishop O'Connell High School hosted the annual District XII Choral Auditions. Over 700 students from Fairfax and Arlington county high schools participated in the auditions with 280 selected for the event. Students receive scores for their audition in the categories of vocal tone, intonation, rhythmic accuracy, interpretation, and sight reading. Twelve Bishop O'Connell students and one first alternate were selected for the District XII Chorus and will participate in a festival on February 18-20.

Pictured above (l to r): Peter Lucas, Vasili Varfis, Joseph Shank, Andrew Oliveros, Besa Bucaj, Ale Rocha, Miranda Smith, Dina Phipps, Ava Coffin, Caileigh Keegan. Not pictured: Rosie Coolidge and Tommy Ritter.


Student-Athletes Sign Letters of Intent

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Congratulations to the nine Bishop O’Connell student-athletes who participated in our fall senior signing ceremony today, in the presence of their families, coaches, school administrators, teammates and friends:

Ako Adams (Basketball) – Rice University
Janiya Clemmons (Basketball) – Columbia University
Randall Gaskins (Basketball) – St. Francis University
Olivia Giaquinto (Softball) – Harvard University
Alicia Gonzales (Basketball) – Case Western Reserve University
Austin Kunde (Baseball) – Virginia Military Institute
Patrick Ryan (Baseball) – College of William & Mary
Jasmine Taylor (Basketball) – Boston College
Raffi Vazquez (Baseball) – Coastal Carolina University

Visit www.bishopoconnell.org/commit for more photos.

 

Nov. 17, 2015

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SCA officers and councilors will meet today in room 328 after school. 
SCA officers, councilors, and advisory representatives will meet tomorrow, Wednesday, after school in the auditorium balcony.
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. 
Knights for Life will meet this Wednesday, November 18th during Advisory. There will be food. Also, this Saturday is our Monthly Clinic Outreach. Mass will begin at 9am in the Student Chapel, followed by peaceful prayer outside of the Falls Church clinic. Permission forms can be picked up in Room 215 or in the Center Office. All students, faculty members, and families are encouraged to attend.
As part of Virginia College Application Week, George Mason University is offering an application fee waiver to students who complete and submit an online application during this week. In order for students to receive the application fee waiver, they should: Check the box on the online application to indicate that they qualify for a fee waiver. 
This is found on the “fee waivers” tab of the application’s navigation menu. Select "VCAW2015" from the fee waiver drop-down menu. Complete and submit the online application before 11:59 p.m. (Eastern Time) on Friday, November 20.
On Monday, November 23, there will be a meeting of the French Club immediately after school in Room 317. That's Monday, November 23.

Students Attend Concert Against Hate

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On Nov. 16, a group of Bishop O'Connell students—chaperoned by school counselor, Dan Stabile, and German teacher, Monica Stabile—attended the Anti-Defamation League’s 21st annual Concert Against Hate at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. This is the eighth consecutive year that O’Connell students have attended this event which honors heroes in the fight against intolerance, extremism and terrorism. Stories are told about individuals who have performed extraordinary acts of valor and courage when confronted with bigotry, hate and other discriminatory acts.

The 2015 honorees included: retired Jordanian General Mansour Abu Rashid, founder of the Amman Center for Peace and Development, whose goal is to bring together the people of the Middle East; Ambassador Jakob Finci, leader of the Jewish community of Bosnia and Herzegovina; and Megan and Grace Phelps-Roper, grandchildren of the founder of Westboro Baptist Church, who have dedicated themselves to forging relationships with communities they once condemned.

This year’s concert was hosted by Meg Ryan, Taye Diggs, Delroy Lindo and Archie Panjabi. The program opened with a tribute to France, which included a playing of both the U.S. and the French National Anthems. The National Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Emil de Cou, also performed selections from Respighi, Shostakovich, Bernstein, Bach and McBroom.

“A splendid evening,” was how Dr. Stabile described the event.

 

Nov. 18, 2015

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SCA officers, councilors, and advisory representatives will meet today, Wednesday, after school in the auditorium balcony.
A paintball club has been started at O'Connell. There will be an interest meeting immediately after school this Thursday in room 231. Come check it out!
As part of Virginia College Application Week, George Mason University is offering an application fee waiver to students who complete and submit an online application this week. Seniors, please see your guidance counselor for assistance if you are interested in taking advantage of the application fee waiver for George Mason. 
Attention all Juniors and Seniors: Jill's House is in need of help on December 11 through 13 for a weekend retreat! See the flyer outside the Christian Service Office for details. It's a local, great opportunity to be outdoors and do fun activities with children with intellectual disabilities. 
Seniors, if you would still like to order a senior sweatshirt, you can turn in an order form to Mr. Britt or to the Center Office through Monday, November 23.  Sweatshirts will be delivered soon after Thanksgiving Break.  We apologize to all seniors who ordered a small sweatshirt and have not yet received their order.
On Monday, November 23, there will be a meeting of the French Club immediately after school in Room 317. That's Monday, November 23.

Sophomore to Play in District Honors Orchestra

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Congratulations to sophomore violinist Ken Rudolph, who was chosen to participate in the District 12 Honors Orchestra. Out of 65 local high school violinists who auditioned earlier this week at Longfellow Middle School in McLean, 44 were accepted. 

Ken earned a rank of 5th place, and will sit in the orchestra as principal second violinist.  Last year, as a freshman, Ken earned a rank of 26th place on violin.  

The 2016 District 12 Honors Orchestra will rehearse Jan. 7-8, and will perform on the afternoon of Jan. 9.

Read more about our Arts programs and upcoming concerts...

Nov. 20, 2015

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Hot chocolate and Chik-fil-A will be sold at the powderpuff game. So come on down and join in on this long-standing O’Connell Thanksgiving tradition!

The DJO Flute Choir will be rehearsing today, during "B" and "C" lunch in the band room. Please eat lunch during "A" lunch. If you need a pass, please see Mr. Isaacson.

Mr. Isaacson and the DJO Music Department are very pleased to announce that sophomore Ken Rudolph was accepted to the District 12 Honors Orchestra. Out of 65 students that auditioned on Tuesday, Ken earned a rank of "5th place", and will sit in the orchestra as Principal second violinist. The District 12 Honors Orchestra will perform on the afternoon of January 9th. Congratulations and BRAVISSIMO, Ken!

As part of Virginia College Application Week, George Mason University is offering an application fee waiver to students who complete and submit an online application this week. Seniors, please see your guidance counselor for assistance.

Come out to support your Royalette Dance Team at their first competition of the year at the UDA Fairfax Dance Championship this Saturday at PVI. The Royalettes will be performing at 1:40pm and 4:15pm. RDT solos start at 9:15am. Doors open at 8:00am. Go Knights!

Knights for Life's Monthly Clinic Outreach is this Saturday. We will meet at 9 am in the Student Chapel. PVI's Pro-Life Club will be joining us this month, so come and unite in prayer! Permission forms are available in Room 215 and the Center Office. All students, faculty, and families are encouraged to attend!

Juniors and seniors: Jill's House is in need of help on December 11 through 13 for a weekend retreat! See the flyer outside the Christian Service Office for details.

Seniors, if you would still like to order a senior sweatshirt, you can turn in an order form to Mr. Britt or to the Center Office through Monday, November 23. Sweatshirts will be delivered soon after Thanksgiving Break. We apologize to all seniors who ordered a small sweatshirt and have not yet received their order.

On Monday, November 23, there will be a meeting of the French Club immediately after school in Room 317. That's Monday, November 23.

Good luck to senior Royalettes: Annie Nguyen, Bridget Heppes, Karen Cusmano, Madison Rubley, Maris Ratliff, Sam Niezgoda and Sherron Thompson who will be in New York City next week representing O'Connell and performing in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade!

Don’t miss this year’s awesome production of The Crucible! Opening night is this evening at 7:00; Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7:00 pm, and Sunday at 2.

Dec. 1, 2015

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All SCA Officers, Councilors, and Advisory Reps … mandatory All Hands meeting in the cafeteria immediately after school today. Please be prompt!
Senior Ladies…you will not want to miss this opportunity to spend an amazing evening with your dad at O’Connell’s one and only Father\Daughter Dinner. Please bring your rsvps to the SCA office today and don’t forget our special guest will be there with his elves.  Santa Claus!

Dec. 2, 2015

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Senior Ladies…you will not want to miss this opportunity to spend an amazing evening with your dad at O’Connell’s one and only Father\Daughter Dinner. Please bring your rsvps to the SCA office today and don’t forget our special guest will be there with his elves.  Santa Claus!
CRAFTERNOON - Please join us in the library this Thursday afternoon, Dec. 3 from 3-4 pm.  We will be learning how to make gift boxes from poster board and other paper products.  Supplies will be provided and all you need to bring is your creativity and a desire to make something useful.  Snacks will also be served.

Dec. 3, 2015

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Please join us in the library this afternoon from 3-4 pm. We will be learning how to make gift boxes from poster board and other paper products. Supplies will be provided and all you need to bring is your creativity and a desire to make something useful. Snacks will also be served

On Fridays of Advent, the 7 a.m. Mass will be celebrated in the School Chapel and will be followed by a light breakfast in the Chapel Lounge. All are welcome to join us.It's a great way to observe Advent!

Model UN will have a meeting, Tuesday, December 8 at 3pm in room 122.

Any students who were invited to go on the Salvation Army service trip need to see Ms. Hogan today to pick up their permission forms!



Fall Blood Drive Success

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In late November, the O'Connell Health Services Club held the first of two blood drives scheduled for this school year. Members of the club, led by senior Olivia Giaquinto, began working weeks in advance to promote the event and register donors. On the day of the drive, the club members were responsible for signing donors in and providing support, comfort and snacks to all those who gave blood. Before and after the event they all pitched in to set up and clean up, too.

As a result, 52 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 156 patients.

"I was overwhelmed by the generosity of the O'Connell community," said Alicia Doran, athletic trainer and first-year Health Club moderator. "And I am especially grateful to the club members who did a tremendous job preparing and executing this event."

The spring blood drive is scheduled for March 15. Be a donor by giving the gift of life.

Dec. 4, 2015

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Please check Student Life's lost and found. There are wallets, Vera Bradley items, cell phones etc. Please claim your lost items. All unclaimed items will go to goodwill. There will be a table set up in cafeteria for items such as clothing/accessories that are also in lost and found.

On Fridays of Advent, the 7 a.m. Mass will be celebrated in the School Chapel and will be followed by a light breakfast in the Chapel Lounge. All are welcome to join us. It's a great way to observe Advent!

Model UN will have a meeting, Tuesday, December 8 at 3pm in room 122.

With the Hour of Code, computer science has been on homepages of Google, MSN, Yahoo! and Disney. Over 100 partners joined together to support the Hour of Code. Last year, every Apple Store in the world hosted an Hour of Code and even President Obama wrote his first line of code as part of the campaign. These partners have created fun tutorials that everyone can use to start coding. DJO's Hour of Code event, Cookies and Coding, will be held during Knight Time on anchor days in Room 201. On all Block day lunches, the Hour of Code will be held in Room 300 and include lots of hands-on activities, including access to the two Raspberry Pi mini-computers.Please join us for the Hour of Code.

A Very DJO Christmas Carol" is a revival of an old Bishop O'Connell tradition, where faculty and staff play the leading characters in Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. Tickets are free and there will be light refreshments during intermission. All proceeds will benefit the Saint Gabriel Project. ONE NIGHT ONLY: Thursday December 10th at 7pm.

The Providence Players of Fairfax proudly present Snow White and the Family Dwarf starring members of our O'Connell community including Elise Welsh, her family and from the math department Mr. Holland. The show will run from December 10th through the 21st with performances on Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:30 PM and Saturday and Sunday at 2 PM. Tickets and more info can be found online at http://www.providenceplayers.org/


English Teacher Presents at Conference

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Yesterday morning, O'Connell English teacher John Meehan gave an engaging presentation at the Virginia Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development Conference in Williamsburg. This year's theme was "Deeper Learning," and educators and administrators from across Virginia gathered to participate in this three-day conference.

Mr. Meehan's presentation, titled "#Hashtagging Homework," focused on how his English classes have begun incorporating Twitter in nightly reading assignments in order to improve close reading strategies and boost student engagement.

You can learn more about his presentation by following the conference hashtag on Twitter: #VASCDHW

A Very DJO Christmas Carol - Dec. 10

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The O'Connell Players are bringing back an O'Connell Christmas tradition!

ONE NIGHT ONLY - Thursday, Dec. 10 at 7 p.m. in the school auditorium

This special radio show version will star our very own faculty members as some of your favorite leading characters, including Ebeneezer Scrooge, Bob Cratchit, the ghosts of Christmas and more! Students will fill in the supporting roles in what promises to be a fun event for all.

This very special cast includes:

Father Thompson
Mr. John Meehan
Mr. Trent Jones
Sister Tracey
Mr. Joe LeBlanc
Mrs. Michelle Taylor
Mr. Sam Pell
Mr. Joe Crivella

Ms. Kathryn Hogan
Ms. Lisa Monyihan
Coach David Owens
Ms. Allison Lattie
Mr. Jim Shirey
Mrs. Jill Williams
Mr. Frank Roque
Ms. Sara Zimmerman

Admission is free. For more information, contact szimmerman@bishopoconnell.org or 703-237-1448.

Dec. 7, 2015

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Seniors who are scheduled to go on retreat this week need to bring their bags to the chapel hallway at the beginning of the school day. Please make sure that your belongings are marked with your name. Retreat participants may dress out, in accordance with the handbook guidelines, on the day of their retreat.

Please check Student Life's lost and found. There are wallets, Vera Bradley items, cell phones etc. Please claim your lost items. All unclaimed items will go to goodwill. There will be a table set up in cafeteria for items such as clothing/accessories that are also in lost and found.

Cafe Vaticano will be closed Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of this week due to Senior Retreats.

Model UN will have a meeting, Tuesday, December 8, at 3pm in room 122.

DJO's Hour of Code event, Cookies and Coding, will be held during Knight Time on anchor days in Room 201. On all Block day lunches, the Hour of Code will be held in Room 300 and includes lots of hands-on activities, including access to the two Raspberry Pi mini-computers.

A Very DJO Christmas Carol" is a revival of an old O'Connell tradition, where faculty and staff play the leading characters in Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. Admission is free. Light refreshments will be offered during intermission.ONE NIGHT ONLY: Thursday, December 10, at 7pm.


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