Seniors who are scheduled to go on retreat this week need to bring their bags to the chapel hallway. 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 the cafeteria for items such as clothing/accessories that are also in lost and found.

Cafe Vaticano will be closed today, Wednesday and Thursday.

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

The debate club will be meeting today, December 8th 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.

Several students came to room 201 yesterday during Knight Time and enjoyed cookies and coding. Students built Flappy Bird games, solved the Angry Bird maze, and created ice skating art with Frozen's Elsa. Others worked through the MineCraft and Star Wars activities. Why don't you join us for lunch today as the Hour of Code continues in Room 300 during all lunches? Pizza and cookies will be served. There will be lots of hands-on activities, including access to the two Raspberry Pi mini-computers. Take part in the Hour of Code and create with code along with millions of others around the world.

Next week O'Connell will be holding a voter registration drive. If you were born on or before November 8, 1998, you are eligible to register to vote in the presidential election, and in the primaries too, but only if you register first. The event will take place in the cafeteria during lunches next week from December 14 - 18. Come sign up and be a part of the future. This is our time! If you have any questions, please reach out to Diego Garcia, Will Keyes, Emily Shawkey or Mr. Haas.

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. Tickets are free! Light refreshments will be offered during intermission. ONE NIGHT ONLY: Thursday, December 10, at 7pm.

Have a holly jolly good time at O'Connell's second annual Sadie Hawkins Dance next Saturday, December 19th. Tickets are $10 for a single and $15 for a couple and will be sold next week. If you plan on bringing a guest from another school, please stop by Mr. Britt's room (231) for a guest form. Be sure to wear your very best Christmassy attire. If you have any questions please reach out to any member of the Senior SCA.

Join Fr. Thompson and Ms. Funk for "Mount 2000", a dynamic retreat experience specifically for high school students, is being held at Mount St. Mary's University during the weekend of February 5-7. The retreat features great speakers, music, opportunities for confession, Mass and Eucharistic Adoration. The cost for the weekend is $80 and includes food, transportation, and admission. Please contact Ms. Funk by December 22 if you are interested. Spots are limited. Please stay tuned:

Happy Feast Day to all our IHM Sisters!

Several members of the faculty and staff went bowling last week and showed off their skills! Congratulations to the winning team, The Holy Rollers, with the highest overall scores: Mrs. Iacobucci, Mrs. Miller, Ms. Rubando, and Ms. Zimmerman. Congratulations also to Sister Tracey and to Mr. Bernhard for the highest individual game scores at 151 and 167 respectively and again to Mr. Bernhard and to Miss Lattie for the highest scores for two games combined at 297 and 268.

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 the cafeteria for items such as clothing/accessories that are also in lost and found.

Anime club will meet for our Christmas Party today, Thursday, Dec. 10, in 327. Please bring your Christmas goodies or drop them off in 327 before school.

Join us for the Christmas Carrol, tonight at 7pm, tickets are free!

The Career Cafe program will take place on Monday, December 14th from 11:30am to 12:00pm in the counseling conference room. Kathryn Elliot, an alumni that graduated in 2008, will be speaking about her career in journalism.

All sophomores, juniors, and seniors are welcome to come.

Next week O'Connell will be holding a voter registration drive. If you were born on or before November 8, 1998 you are eligible to register to vote in the presidential election, and in the primaries too, but only if you register first. In order to register you'll need to have your social security number, so make sure you have that on hand. Tables will be set up in the cafeteria during all lunches from December 14th - 18th. Come and take a few minutes to register. It's your future. The homeroom with the highest number of registrations will receive a doughnut breakfast. If you have any questions, please reach out to Diego Garcia, Will Keyes, Emily Shawkey or Mr. Haas.

Have a holly jolly good time at O'Connell's second annual Sadie Hawkins Dance next Saturday, December 19. Tickets are $10 for a single and $15 for a couple and will be sold next week. If you plan on bringing a guest from another school, please stop by Mr. Britt's room (231) for a guest form. Be sure to wear your very best Christmassy attire. If you have any questions please reach out to any member of the Senior SCA.

Join Fr. Thompson and Ms. Funk for "Mount 2000", a dynamic retreat experience specifically for high school students, is being held at Mount St. Mary's University during the weekend of February 5-7. The retreat features great speakers, music, opportunities for confession, Mass and Eucharistic Adoration. The cost for the weekend is $80 and includes food, transportation, and admission.

"At this Christmas when Christ comes, will He find a warm heart? Mark the season of Advent by loving and serving the others with God's own love and concern."

This week O'Connell will be holding a voter registration drive. If you were born on or before November 8, 1998, you are eligible to register to vote in the presidential election, and in the primaries too, but only if you register first. In order to register you'll need to have your social security number, so make sure you have that on hand. The homeroom with the highest number of registrations will receive a doughnut breakfast. If you have any questions, please reach out to Diego Garcia, Will Keyes, Emily Shawkey or Mr. Haas.

All music students are invited to spend Monday's Knight Time in the Band Room, bringing the music stands and percussion equipment down onto the auditorium stage. Thank you for your help!

The Career Cafe program will take place today from 11:30am to 12:00pm in the counseling conference room. Kathryn Elliot, an alumni that graduated in 2008, will be speaking about her career in journalism. All sophomores, juniors, and seniors are welcome to come.

Model UN will have a meeting Tuesday, December 15 in room 122 at 3pm

Knights for Life will meet during Advisory tomorrow (Tuesday) in room 125. We will begin planning for the Spring semester. Hopefully, there will be food...

Catholic Charities Feeds the Hungry, Clothes the Naked, Houses those who need refuge, and protects Life. Lets help them help others by supporting the dress holiday this Friday. Pay $5 in Advisory this week to dress out this Friday.

Students from St. Michael's parish are reminded that there is a pizza luncheon being hosted for you tomorrow, Wednesday, by Fr. Carr & Fr. Pokorsky. Please report to the Trinidad Lobby, by room 226, at the beginning of your lunch period for pizza and soda.

Knights for Life invites everyone to join us in prayer this Saturday, December 19th at the Falls Church Healthcare Center. We will meet at DJO at 9 am for Mass, followed by peaceful prayer at the clinic, and then brunch at iHop. PVI will be joining us and all students, faculty, and families are encouraged to attend. Permission forms can be picked up in room 215 or Center Office.

Any freshman or sophomore students from St. Anthony need to see Ms. Hogan for a service opportunity with your parish!

All French Club members are invited to attend the French Club Christmas party in Room 317 after school on Friday, December 18. See Mr. Hobson or officers Kathryn Baker or Isabel Fernandez for details.

Join Fr. Thompson and Ms. Funk for "Mount 2000," a dynamic retreat experience specifically for high school students, is being held at Mount St. Mary's University during the weekend of February 5-7. The retreat features great speakers, music, opportunities for confession, Mass and Eucharistic Adoration. The cost for the weekend is $80 and includes food, transportation, and admission. Please contact Ms. Funk by December 22 if you are interested. Spots are limited. Please stay tuned:

You won't want to miss the 15th annual Bishop O'Connell Gala & Auction, so mark your calendar for Saturday, Jan.30 for A Crystal Anniversary Gala - A Knight to Shine.

Parents, alumni, faculty and friends of O'Connell are all invited to this flagship fundraising evening to support student programs at Bishop O'Connell.

Special anniversary pricing is good for reservations through Dec. 31, and all reservations received by that date will be automatically entered into a drawing for a free hotel stay at the McLean Hilton for the night of the Gala.

Get all the details and reserve your spot today.

Attention all SCA officers and Councilors – We will have a meeting today immediately after school in room 328, please be prompt. Thank you.

Thank you to everyone who submitted applications to be part of this year's Superdance Committee. The list of committee chairs and co-chairs is posted on the SCA\Activities Door. Please keep in mind that we had a huge outpouring of student volunteers and a set number of spots. There are still many ways to contribute to Superdance outside of these committees so please do not lose heart. If you have questions, please see Mrs. O'Reilly or Ms. Hogan. Thank you again. The 1st meeting with the Superdance Chairs will be on Thursday, December 17, in room 328.

Christmas is a time for giving, so send your peeps some sweets! Candy cane candy grams are on sale now during all lunch periods. You can send two for just one dollar! Candy grams will be delivered Next Monday during advisory, so get yours today!

Make sure you come out to the Varsity Girls basketball game tonight... here at 7:30... as our Lady Knights take on Bishop Ireton. In case you missed their game last Friday night, the Lady Knights walloped McNamara and are currently on a 3-game winning streak! Come on out and show your school spirit! Go Knights!

Knights for Life will meet during Advisory today in room 125. We will begin planning for the Spring semester. Hopefully, there will be food...

A representative from Johnson and Wales University in Providence R.I. will be here at 11:30 a.m. on Wed. Dec. 16th. If interested please ask your teacher for a pass to attend. Johnson and Wales specializes in 4 year degree programs in hospitality, restaurant and hotel management, culinary arts and the travel industry. The meeting will be in the counseling conference room

This week O'Connell will be holding a voter registration drive. If you were born on or before November 8, 1998, you are eligible to register to vote in the presidential election, and in the primaries too, but only if you register first. In order to register you'll need to have your social security number, so make sure you have that on hand. If you have any questions, please reach out to Diego Garcia, Will Keyes, Emily Shawkey or Mr. Haas.

Catholic Charities Feeds the Hungry, Clothes the Naked, Houses those who need refuge, and protects Life. Lets help them help others by supporting the dress holiday this Friday. Pay $5 in Advisory this week to dress out this Friday.

Knights for Life invites everyone to join us in prayer this Saturday, December 19th at the Falls Church Healthcare Center. We will meet at DJO at 9 am for Mass, followed by peaceful prayer at the clinic, and then brunch at iHop. PVI will be joining us and all students, faculty, and families are encouraged to attend. Permission forms can be picked up in room 215 or Center Office.

Any freshman or sophomore students from St. Anthony need to see Ms. Hogan for a service opportunity with your parish!

Join Fr. Thompson and Ms. Funk for "Mount 2000", a dynamic retreat experience specifically for high school students, is being held at Mount St. Mary's University during the weekend of February 5-7. The retreat features great speakers, music, opportunities for confession, Mass and Eucharistic Adoration. The cost for the weekend is $80 and includes food, transportation, and admission. Please contact Ms. Funk by December 22 if you are interested. Spots are limited. Please stay tuned...

Have a holly jolly good time at O'Connell's second annual Sadie Hawkins Dance this Saturday December 19th! Tickets are $10 for a single and $15 for a couple and will be sold this week in the cafeteria. If you plan on bringing a guest from another school, please stop by Mr. Britt's room (236) for a guest form. Be sure to wear your very best Christmassy attire. If you have any questions please reach out to any member of the Senior SCA

All French Club members are invited to attend the French Club Christmas party in Room 317 after school on Friday, December 18. See Mr. Hobson or officers Kathryn Baker or Isabel Fernandez for details.

Congratulations to the Lady Knights Varsity Basketball team who defeated Ireton in last night's quick, aggressive, defensive, super shooting, basketball hooping game. Outstanding performances by the entire team! Congratulations, Lady Knights, you rock!

St. Michael's parish visit has been postponed. A new date will be announced at another time.

Attention all SCA Officers, Councilors, and advisory reps – we will have a meeting directly after school in the auditorium balcony, please be prompt. Thank you

TODAY is the last day the Cafe Vaticano will be open until school resumes in the new year.

Attention all Knight Time and Class Time Peer Mentors for Expanded Services:Join us in Room 214 for a Christmas Party THIS FRIDAY, Dec. 18th during B and C lunches. If this is your lunch period, bring your lunch along. We will have holiday treats to share! Check your DJO email for more details!

Catholic Charities Feeds the Hungry, Clothes the Naked, Houses those who need refuge, and protects Life. Lets help them help others by supporting the dress holiday this Friday. Pay $5 in Advisory this week to dress out this Friday.

Knights for Life invites everyone to join us in prayer this Saturday, December 19th at the Falls Church Healthcare Center. We will meet at DJO at 9 am for Mass, followed by peaceful prayer at the clinic, and then brunch at iHop. PVI will be joining us and all students, faculty, and families are encouraged to attend. Permission forms can be picked up in room 215 or Center Office.

Any freshman or sophomore students from St. Anthony need to see Ms. Hogan for a service opportunity with your parish!

Join Fr. Thompson and Ms. Funk for "Mount 2000", a dynamic retreat experience specifically for high school students, is being held at Mount St. Mary's University during the weekend of February 5-7. The retreat features great speakers, music, opportunities for confession, Mass and Eucharistic Adoration. The cost for the weekend is $80 and includes food, transportation, and admission. Please contact Ms. Funk by December 22 if you are interested. Spots are limited. Please stay tuned:

Have a holly jolly good time at O'Connell's second annual Sadie Hawkins Dance this Saturday December 19th! Tickets are $10 for a single and $15 for a couple and will be sold this week in the cafeteria. If you plan on bringing a guest from another school, please stop by Mr. Britt's room (236) for a guest form. Be sure to wear your very best Christmassy attire. If you have any questions please reach out to any member of the Senior SCA

All French Club members are invited to attend the French Club Christmas party in Room 317 after school on Friday, December 18. See Mr. Hobson or officers Kathryn Baker or Isabel Fernandez for details.

Bishop O'Connell theology teacher, Anne-Marie Funk, and math teacher, Sister Tracey Uphoff, I.H.M., were honored as Volunteers of the Year at the 12th Annual Youth and Campus Ministry Appreciation Mass and Dinner hosted by the Youth Ministry Office of the Catholic Diocese of Arlington last night. The evening program, began with Mass celebrated by Bishop Paul S. Loverde, followed by a dinner and awards ceremony at St. Joseph Catholic Parish in Herndon.

Ms. Funk has been a coordinator of the school's Spirit and Leadership Team and the Theology of the Body educational program. She planned a student trip to the Steubenville Youth Conference, served as a Kairos retreat leader and founded the FIAT Club for female upperclassmen to grow deeper in their relationship with Christ. She also volunteers on a monthly basis at Children's National Medical Center and was recently trained as a Eucharistic Minister at INOVA Fairfax.

Sister Tracey has been a member of the O'Connell community for five years. During her tenure, she has served as a volunteer statistician for the school's baseball team and the co-moderator of the FIAT club. She planned the first-ever O'Connell Kairos retreat last summer, and then planned a trip this past fall for over 200 students to attend events surrounding the World Meeting of Family in Philadelphia.

Our school is blessed with the enthusiasm and selfless service of these volunteers!

Pictured below (l to r): Meghan Lonergan (Dean of Mission), Kathryn Hogan (Christian Service Coordinator), Anne-Marie Funk, Sister Tracey Uphoff, I.H.M., Erin O'Malley (Dean of Student Services), David Owens (Theology Chair), Sister Regina Havens, I.H.M. (mathematics teacher).

Friday's 7 a.m. Mass will be celebrated in the Student Chapel, followed by a light breakfast in the Chapel Lounge. This is a great way to prepare for Christ's coming at Christmas. All are welcome!

It's not too late! You can still send your favorite person a candy-gram. Send one to your honey; send one to your friend's honey; send one to your bff; send one to your fave teacher; send one to Elliott Kunkel. Just send one. They're just 50 cents! Candy cane candy grams are available for sale during lunch periods.

You've already heard from Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders. Now it's time to hear from your classmates. Come to the auditorium this Friday during B-Lunch (between 11:30 and noon) when the Young Republicans Club and the Young Democrats Club take the stage for a debate on issues that are currently in the national spotlight. Come support your fellow students.

Attention all Knight Time and Class Time Peer Mentors for Expanded Services: Join us in Room 214 for a Christmas Party THIS FRIDAY, Dec. 18th during B and C lunches. If this is your lunch period, bring your lunch along. We will have holiday treats to share! Check your DJO email for more details!

Catholic Charities Feeds the Hungry, Clothes the Naked, Houses those who need refuge, and protects Life. Lets help them help others by supporting the dress holiday this Friday. Pay $5 in Advisory this week to dress out this Friday.

All French Club members are invited to attend the French Club Christmas party in Room 317 after school on Friday, December 18. See Mr. Hobson or officers Kathryn Baker or Isabel Fernandez for details.

The next Global Studies event will be in the library directly after school this Monday, December 21st. Our guest speaker will be DJO alum Conor Powell from the class of 1995. He is a foreign correspondent for Fox News based in Jerusalem.

Knights for Life invites everyone to join us in prayer this Saturday, December 19th at the Falls Church Healthcare Center. Please see Ms. Lattie in room 215 for details.

Join Fr. Thompson and Ms. Funk for "Mount 2000", a dynamic retreat experience specifically for high school students, is being held at Mount St. Mary's University during the weekend of February 5-7. The retreat features great speakers, music, opportunities for confession, Mass and Eucharistic Adoration. The cost for the weekend is $80 and includes food, transportation, and admission.

Have a holly jolly good time at O'Connell's second annual Sadie Hawkins Dance this Saturday December 19th! Tickets are $10 for a single and $15 for a couple and will be sold this week in the cafeteria. If you plan on bringing a guest from another school, please stop by Mr. Britt's room (236) for a guest form. Be sure to wear your very best Christmassy attire. If you have any questions please reach out to any member of the Senior SCA

It's not too late! You can still send your favorite person a candy-gram, but today is the last day! So send one to Mrs. O'Reilly; send one to the lunch lady; send one to your coach; send one to your fave teacher; send one to Pablo; just send one. People will like you if you send them a candy cane and they're now just two for a dollar!

You've already heard from Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders. Now it's time to hear from your classmates. Come to the auditorium today during B-Lunch (between 11:30 and noon) when the Young Republicans Club and the Young Democrats Club take the stage for a debate on issues that are currently in the national spotlight. Come support your fellow students.

All French Club members are invited to attend the French Club Christmas party in Room 317 after school on Friday, December 18. See Mr. Hobson or officers Kathryn Baker or Isabel Fernandez for details.

Knights for Life invites everyone to join us in prayer this Saturday, December 19th at the Falls Church Healthcare Center. Please see Ms. Lattie in room 215 for details.

Join Fr. Thompson and Ms. Funk for "Mount 2000", a dynamic retreat experience specifically for high school students, is being held at Mount St. Mary's University during the weekend of February 5-7. The retreat features great speakers, music, opportunities for confession, Mass and Eucharistic Adoration. The cost for the weekend is $80 and includes food, transportation, and admission. Please contact Ms. Funk by December 22 if you are interested. Spots are limited. Please stay tuned:

Don't forget to support the varsity ice hockey team this evening as they take on Stone Bridge at 9:30 at the Ashburn Ice House. Go Knights!

Sophomore LIBRARY Ticket To Read winners are the Sophomores in 2K with Señora Pacheco! Nineteen readers or diecinueve lectores! Wow! Awesome! Congrats! Hooray! Your prize of treats is on its way.

Freshmen Ticket To Read to begin in the New Year 2016. The LIBRARY is OPEN. No tickets required.

Join Fr. Thompson and Ms. Funk for "Mount 2000", a dynamic retreat experience specifically for high school students, is being held at Mount St. Mary's University during the weekend of February 5-7. The retreat features great speakers, music, opportunities for confession, Mass and Eucharistic Adoration. The cost for the weekend is $80 and includes food, transportation, and admission. Please contact Ms. Funk by December 22 if you are interested. Spots are limited.

With an early dismissal on Thursday, a group of students from Bishop O'Connell were able to get a head start last week on an afternoon and evening of service in support of the Salvation Army's Angel Tree project in Arlington. Chaperones Kathryn Hogan, Sister Tracey, Liz Rubando, Bill Betthauser, Michael Cresson, Christine Spann and Katie Boyd joined the 23 students who rolled up their sleeves and served as runners and helpers in distributing bundles of Christmas presents for more than 750 local families in need.

Senior David Salas was overwhelmed by the gratitude of those they served. "Even when I was just registering families at the reception desk, they didn't hold back on showing their genuine appreciation for the work of all the volunteers. It really helped that I was speaking Spanish with them, too."

"This is the second year that our group supported this effort," said O'Connell's Christian Service Coordinator, Kathryn Hogan. "I am humbled by the hard work and kind spirit that our students displayed throughout this very long day."

Enjoy photo highlights of the Advent Season at Bishop O'Connell, accompanied by the O'Connell Singers performing Benjamin Britten's "There Is No Rose" from "A Ceremony of Carols."

We wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas!

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THIS VIDEO ON YOUTUBE.

We hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year. Remember to start this year strong and welcome back!

Knights for Life will meet this Wednesday, Jan. 6 during Advisory. Check the Edmodo group and Twitter for classroom updates. We'll be discussing upcoming events for the Spring, including the March for Life. Food? Hopefully... so come join us!

This past Saturday, the O'Connell music program hosted the 2nd Youth Music Festival for middle schoolers. More than 40 musicians attended clinics and performed in informal performances. Many thanks to the professional clinicians, and talented students that attended. Many thanks also to the incredible DJO musicians that helped the festival to run smoothly, who also performed at the festival!

Seniors Hanna DeMeester and Daniel Catalfamo were recognized at the 5th Annual Courage Award Reception of Catholic Athletes for Christ (CAC), held at Marymount University in Arlington.

DeMeester is parishioner at Our Lady of Hope Catholic Church in Potomac Falls, Va. She is a member of the Bishop O'Connell volleyball team, and is active in the school's FIAT club, which is a young women's organization for students looking to deepen their relationship with Christ. When she is not at Bishop O'Connell, DeMeester serves as a trained Emergency Medical Technician with the Sterling Volunteer Rescue Squad, giving 24 hours of her time each week to this effort.

Catlafamo is a parishioner at St. Theresa Catholic Church in Ashburn, Va. He on the varsity soccer team, and this year also served as a kicker/punter for the varsity football team. Catalfamo is a member of the School of Community at Bishop O'Connell moderated by teacher Father Michele Benetti intended to seek connections between faith and all aspects of life. With the club, he has provided manual labor in support of the Missionaries of Charities in Washington, D.C. He has also participated in four work camps, where he has served communities in New Jersey, North Carolina and Pennsylvania. In his spare time, he works as a physical therapist technician at a practice near his home two days a week.

O'Connell chaplain, Rev. Gregory Thompson, was on hand at the awards ceremony as these students were honored along with student-athletes from other diocesan high schools.

Catholic Athletes for Christ serves Catholic athletes in the practice of their faith and shares the Gospel in and through sports. The organization work with athletes at all levels of sport in an effort to promote a Catholic sports culture. CAC was formed in response to Pope John Paul II's call to evangelize the world of sports and his establishment of the Vatican's Office of Sports.

Pictured below (l to r): O'Connell chaplain, Rev. Gregory Thompson; Hanna DeMeester, Daniel Catalfamo and Head of School, Dr. Joseph Vorbach.

Knights for Life will meet this Wednesday, Jan. 6 during Advisory. Check the Edmodo group and Twitter for classroom updates. We'll be discussing upcoming events for the Spring, including the March for Life. Food? Hopefully... so come join us!

Are you a singer or know someone who is? Are you interested in performing a music theater or popular song? Come audition for Bishop O'Connell's annual Broadway Desserts this Thursday, Friday, and Saturday! Information and sign-up can be found on the music room door.

The next Career Cafe program will take place on Friday, Jan. 8 from 11:30am-12:00pm in the counseling conference room. All sophomores and juniors are welcome to come. Gracie Hollis, an alumni who graduated in 2010, will be speaking about her career in financial services consulting and her business degree.

Attention freshman and sophomore students: There is an opportunity to get 5 of your Christian Service hours completed on Jan. 16 here at DJO! See Ms. Hogan to sign up for a shift and help at our 8th Grade Confirmation Retreat!

Music Parents - Save the Date

Please note that there will be a mandatory meeting for all students attending the Student Music Trip and their parents:

Wednesday, Feb. 3
6:30 p.m.
in the auditorium

Topics to be covered:
- DIscussion of drop off and pick up times
- Discussion of what to bring on the trip with respect to clothing, carry on, and spending money
- DIscussion of student conduct
- Review of emergency procedures
- Review of paperwork
- Question and Answer

We look forward to seeing you there!

Just before the Christmas break, Conor Powell '95 stopped by Bishop O'Connell to share some of his career experiences with Global Studies students.

Powell is a foreign correspondent for Fox News Channel. He is based in Jerusalem and he covers much of the Middle East. In addition to discussing the complex relationships between countries and peoples in that area of the world, Powell shared career advice with the students.

"In graduate school at Cambridge, I went to as many seminars and discussions in the area that I could," he said. "I embraced the opportunity to meet interesting people."

Even with a master's degree in hand, Powell had this perspective, "Sometimes starting at the bottom is your best chance to learn a craft."

He also credits those he met along the way with helping him get where he wanted to go in his career. "Don't be afraid to email a connection you might have."

"Travel when you have the opportunity."

"Talk to people."

"Write."

During the Q&A period, one of the students asked him about some of his favorite places visited in his travels. He paused for a few moments and then mentioned two places—Cappadocia and Petra. Some students nodded in agreement, others took notes.

For more information on the Bishop O'Connell Global Studies program, visit www.bishopoconnell.org/global.

Come support your Royalette Dance Team at the East Coast Regional Championship on this Sunday, January 12 at West Springfield High School. 12 RDT solos starting at 9:30am, and Team Performance slots are 3:45pm, 5:00pm and 6:05pm.

Congratulations to all instrumental musicians on an amazing concert on Wednesday evening. Concert Band, String Orchestra, Symphonic Band and Jazz Band all performed incredibly well, and the concert was appreciated by everyone in attendance. Congratulations also to vocal soloists Emma Powers and Ava Coffin for their performances with Concert Band and Jazz Band, respectively.

There will be a Fiat meeting on today at 11:30 in Room 220. All junior and senior girls are welcome. Please see Ms. Funk with any questions.

Attention Freshman and Sophomore students: There is an opportunity to get four of your Christian Service hours completed on Jan. 16 here at DJO! See Ms. Hogan to sign up for a shift and help at our 8th Grade Confirmation Retreat!

The next Career Cafe program will take place on Friday, January 8 from 11:30am-12:00pm in the counseling conference room. All sophomores and juniors are welcome to come. Chris Inglese will be speaking about business and accounting. He is currently a Certified Public Accountant.

Freshman and Sophomore students have another service opportunity available February 5th for the Catholic Charities Ball! See sign up information at the Christian Service Office!

Calling all entertainers, singers, bands, and dance groups! Superdance 2016 wants you to come audition to perform in the Assembly on February 5th. All people are welcome to come to the auditions on Tuesday, January 12th in Mrs. O'Reilly's Room 328 after school from 3:00 to 4:30. A sign-up sheet can be found outside the Activities Office on the blue door! Don't be shy and stop on by!

There will be a model UN meeting Tuesday, January 12 at 3pm in room 122.

Attention all Superdance chairs and co-chairs! There is a meeting today, Thursday, January 7 after school in Room 328.

We are still looking for singers for Broadway Desserts! Please see the sign-up sheet on the music room door! Speak with Mr. Kadeli if you have any questions.

For students belonging to St. Michael's parish: You should have received a flyer invitation in your advisory class the other day. The invitation is for a pizza party hosted by Fr. Carr & Fr. Pokorsky on Wednesday, January 13th. Anyone who belongs to St. Michael's parish and did not receive a flyer should stop by the campus ministry office to pick one up.

Crafternoon will be today, Thursday, Jan. 7 from 3-4 PM in the DJO Library! Bring your artistic talents and join us in the Library this afternoon for rock painting. Small stones and markers will be provided and snacks will be on hand for all you starving artists.

If you won a senior superlative and have not yet submitted your quote for the yearbook, please be sure to do that today. You may drop them off in Mrs. McDonald's Room (Room 223) or give them to a member of the Yearbook staff. Thank you!

The next Career Cafe program will take place on Friday, January 8th from 11:30am-12:00pm in the counseling conference room. All sophomores and juniors are welcome to come. Chris Inglese, will be speaking about business and accounting. He is currently a Certified Public Accountant.

There will be a Fiat meeting on Friday at 11:30 in Room 220. All junior and senior girls are welcome. Please see Ms. Funk with any questions.

Attention Freshman and Sophomore students: There is an opportunity to get 5 of your Christian Service hours completed on January 16th here at DJO! See Ms. Hogan to sign up for a shift and help at our 8th Grade Confirmation Retreat!

The next Career Cafe program will take place on Friday, January 8th from 11:30am-12:00pm in the counseling conference room. All sophomores and juniors are welcome to come.

Freshman and Sophomore students have another service opportunity available February 5th for the Catholic Charities Ball! See sign up information at the Christian Service Office!

Calling all entertainers, singers, bands, and dance groups! Superdance 2016 wants you to come audition to perform in the Assembly on February 5th. All people are welcome to come to the auditions on Tuesday, January 12th in Mrs. O'Reilly's Room 328 (?) after school from 3:00 to 4:30. A sign-up sheet can be found outside the Activities Office on the blue door! Don't be shy and stop on by!

There will be a model UN meeting Tuesday, January 12 at 3pm in room 122.

The 15th Anniversary Gala & Auction is just around the corner. We hope you can join us on Saturday, Jan. 30 for a night to celebrate Bishop O'Connell High School. Reservations close on Jan. 22, so don't delay in reserving your spot today.

Visit www.bishopoconnell.org/gala for all the details and to book your seats.