Roanoke Catholic School
SINCE 1889
Blending learning with18891889
faith and faith with daily life
January 10, 2014
From the Administration: Happy 2014! For this new year, with all the high hopes and expectations it brings, may you and
yours enjoy good health, peace, success, growth, prosperity, happiness, and, most importantly, a closer walk with God.
We are quickly approaching the half-way mark of the academic year with January 14 th marking the end of the second quarter. Thank
you to all of our families for your continued support and faith in our mission. Look for report cards on January 23 rd.
National Catholic Schools Week 2014, marking the 40th anniversary of the annual event, begins January 26th. The events of the week
will focus on this year’s theme, Catholic Schools: Communities of Faith, Knowledge and Service, “three measures by which all
Catholic schools can and should be judged.”
We look forward to celebrating our relationship with God, our standards, which help each child
reach his or her potential, and our giving of one’s time and effort to help others as an expression of
both faith and good citizenship. Thank you for all you do to make this possible.
Peace and blessings in this New Year,
Kathleen Futrell
Upper School Assistant Principal
Thanks to the Celtics Athletics Booster Club: Please join me in offering great thanks to our Celtic Athletic Booster Club!
They have blessed Roanoke Catholic School over the Christmas Holiday with a generous gift of $20,000 that will be designated for
related athletic expenses for this year and beyond. The CABC also contributed to our After Prom account from parents generously
volunteering their time. These efforts really paid off, raising $300! So far this year the CABC has given over $25,000 to Roanoke
Catholic School in support of our students. Please continue your support of our CABC, and express thanks to our Boosters in their
efforts to help with extracurricular programs at Roanoke Catholic School. Members of the CABC Executive Committee are: Karen
Carpenter, Mark Grinde, Paul Begeman and Laura Thompson. Please also join me in thanking Karen Deer for her leadership with all
of the BINGO efforts this year. Karen and her team have done a fantastic job recruiting volunteers and could use our help with filling
remaining positions going forward. Membership in the CABC is only $35.00 per year and is tax-deductible. Please consider joining
this group of parents and supporters.
Patrick Patterson
Principal and Head of School
Financial Aid Information: Please begin gathering your paperwork for the first round FACTS deadline on Feb. 28. Further
information will follow, but keep in mind that all information and documentation must be filed and verified by Feb 28th.
Required Documentation for Feb. 28th, 2014 deadline:
Depending on your application some or all of the following documents may be required.

Copy of 2012 or 2013 IRS Federal Form 1040, 1040A or 1040-EZ U.S. Individual Income Tax Return. If applicant
and co-applicant file separately, we require both tax returns for the same tax year.

Copies of all 2013 W-2 Wage and Tax Statements for both the applicant and co-applicant.
Please Note: If you are applying before you have received all the 2013W-2 Wage and Tax Statements, please submit
them as soon as they become available.

Copies of all supporting tax schedules if you have income/loss from any of the following*:
o
Business - (Form 1040 Line 12) send Schedule C or C-EZ and Form 4562 Depreciation and Amortization
o
Farm - (Form 1040 Line 18) send Schedule F and Form 4562 Depreciation and Amortization
o
Rental Property - (Form 1040 Line 17) send Schedule E (page 1)
o
S-Corporation - (Form 1040 Line 17) send Schedule E (page 2), Form 1120S (4 pages), Schedule K-1 and
Form 8825
o
Partnership - (Form 1040 Line 17) send Schedule E (page 2), Form 1065 (5 pages), Schedule K-1 and Form
8825
Estates and Trusts - (Form 1040 Line 17) send Schedule E (page 2), Form 1041 and Schedule K-1
o
* IMPORTANT: If you file a tax return but do not have W-2 wages because you are self-employed, you will be required to submit a
copy of your 2013 Federal Form 1040 Tax Return.

Copies of all supporting documentation for household Non-Taxable Income such as: Social Security Income,
Welfare, Child Support, Food Stamps, Workers’ Compensation, and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
(TANF).
Enrollment:
Although RCS is available for tours daily, our official Open House is scheduled for Wednesday, January 29th from 10:00-2:00. At
this time, our school will be open for visitors to come and see us in action. Parents of students in grades PK-10 are invited to have a
tour of the school, meet with faculty and staff, and get a feel for the campus. Parents and students, tell your friends and neighbors
about RCS!
New Three-year-old PK: We are considering developing a 3-year-old pre-K program. Please let Mrs. Harrilla know if you or
someone you know would be interested in enrolling a student in this class.
Special PK-K Event: We invite prospective Pre-K (3- and 4-year-olds) and Kindergarten students to join the classroom for an hour
(10:00-11:00) while their parents join our enrollment director for coffee in the library for a Q&A session. Spaces are limited and
reservations must be made by calling 540.982.3532 Ext. 2128 or emailing sharrilla@roanokecatholic.com.
Every new student who you refer and who enrolls for the 2014-2015 school year will make you eligible for a
$100.00 tuition discount up to $500.00.
Dates to Remember:
January 26-31
January 29
Feb 28
Catholic Schools Week
Open House 10:00-2:00
FACTS financial aid application deadline
Sharon Harrilla
Director of Enrollment
Development:
Roanoke Catholic School
The Upper School Renovation Campaign Naming Opportunities
Construction will begin May 2014!
The Upper School Renovation Campaign provides opportunities for the entire Roanoke Catholic School community to participate. As
part of the campaign, naming opportunities will be available. The name of our sponsors will appear permanently on a plaque attached
to each individual window and/or door. You may choose to give your gift in honor or memory of someone special. You may also join
another family or an entire class to sponsor a window. Please view the project rendering at www.roanokecatholic.com/window-ofopportunity. The following is an overview of naming opportunities ranging from $1,000 to $33,600.
Covered Entrance $33,600 (sold)
Entrance doors $30,000
Entrance lobby $25,000
Hallway double doors $4,000 (6 available)
Stairwell windows $2,500 (2 available / 2 sold)
Hall window (third floor) $2,500 (sold)
Classroom doors $2,000 (18 available)
Third floor windows (mall) $1,000 (12 available / 3 sold)
Third floor windows (highway) $1,000 (12 available)
Second floor windows (mall) $1,000 (14 available/ 1 sold)
Second floor windows (highway) $1,000 (10 available / 2 sold)
First floor windows (mall) $1,000 (10 available / 1 sold)
First floor windows (highway) $1,000 (12 available)
Your gift is tax deductable. Please contact Debbie Stump, Development Coordinator at 540-982-3532 x2110 or
dstump@roanokecatholic.com for additional information.
Debra Stump
Development Coordinator
St. Patrick’s Day Dinner: Come enjoy a Saint Patrick’s Day dinner and Silent Auction hosted by the Ancient Order of
Hibernians on Saturday, March 15th after the Shamrock Run and Parade! Dinner will consist of a traditional Irish feast by our chef
Peter Radjou. The AOH sponsors a $500 college scholarship for a graduating senior and another RCS scholarship for children of Irish
heritage each year. There will be a drawing for a $1,500 scholarship toward the 2014-15 academic year for each ticket holder.
Tickets are $15 per person and are limited. Please purchase your tickets in the school office.
UPPER SCHOOL
Attention parents of Freshmen, Sophomores, and Juniors: Mrs. Futrell has distributed the scores from the October
PSAT, the test booklet, and a “Parent Tutorial for Understanding the PSAT/NMSQT Results” to students. Please review the results
with your child. If you have any further questions, please contact Mrs. Futrell at kfutrell@roanokecatholic.com.
Upper School Yearbooks: Upper School Yearbooks are for sale! Purchase your hard-back US (8th - 12th grade) yearbook for
$35. You can buy your yearbook online at http://yourschoolphotos.com, then click on “yearbooks.” Or, you can send cash or a check
(made out to RCS) ATTN: Yearbook. For a personalized yearbook, please use the online ordering form. Thank you!
LOWER SCHOOL
E-readers: It appears that many of our students received e-readers of one shape or form for Christmas this year . With that fact
comes questions about their use in the classroom. Each classroom teacher will decide how and when the readers can be used in their
classroom, but there are a few standard guidelines that parents should be aware of. While the readers are allowed at school, the school
will not be responsible for lost, stolen, or broken readers. It is up to you as parents to decide if your child is responsible enough to
carry one. However, we have a zero tolerance policy for the misuse of these readers. You will be notified by the teacher if your child
has lost this privilege.
Winter Uniforms: Please remember that LS girls are allowed to wear tights. You may wish to remind your daughters of this on
these especially cold days during the winter.
Dance: Dancers and dance parents, Thank you all for participating and/or helping with our Christmas production at OLV. I hope
you all enjoyed our visit at the nursing home as much as I did. The dancers did a great job! Many individuals were involved in making
the Christmas show a success, thank you for helping the dance program continue to grow! I am looking forward to our next dance
event in the school Talent Show (date TBA). I hope you all had a Merry Christmas and are having a wonderful New Year!
Remember, dance classes will begin January 13, 2014 at the same times and location.
Spelling Bee: The Roanoke Catholic School Spelling Bee will be held February 6th at 2pm in the cafeteria. There the classroom bee
winners will compete for the title of school champion. To prepare for the classroom and school bees, students can go to
spellingbee.com. This is the official Scripps Spelling Bee website. Click “Parents/Students”, click “Study Tips” and finally “Spell It!”
Lower School Yearbooks: Last call for Lower School Yearbooks! Purchase your $20 LS (PK- 7th grade) yearbook online
at http://yourschoolphotos.com, then click on “yearbooks." Alternatively, you can send in cash/check for $20 ATTN: Yearbook. For a
personalized yearbook, please use the online ordering form. Thank you!
ALL SCHOOL
Communications: If you aren’t receiving texts about emergency closures or delays, please take the time now to download our
FREE official App and register your phone numbers and emails. Another helpful FREE tool is access to Renweb through the Parent
Portal for the directory, cafeteria balances, attendance records and emergency contacts. Please visit the school website under the
Resources tab for information on obtaining these important communication tools.
Nurse Notes: Flu season is upon us! Please help us contain illness by following the guidelines established in the handbooks:
o
o
o
o
Do not send your children to school with a temperature of 100 or greater
Do not send them back until they do not have a fever/vomiting/diarrhea WITHOUT medication for 24 hours
Children receiving antibiotics are still contagious until they have taken them for 24 hours
Please, whenever possible, send in a doctor’s note when returning to school
Remind your students to wash their hands often and not just take advantage of the hand sanitizing stations around the school. It’s
very easy to get dehydrated during the winter months, so encourage your children to drink lots of water throughout the day. Also
make sure they get plenty of rest, and together we can keep your kids healthy and ready to learn!
Vision Screening: Grades Pre-K - 7, and 10 will be screened again on January 13th. If parents want to opt out and not have their
child(ren) screened, a written note must be sent to the school nurse prior to the screening. Thank you for your participation.
Susan Algeier and Ruth Peterges
School Nurses
Thank you! A giant THANK YOU to everyone who helped fill the Christmas crib to overflowing. What a beautiful way to
celebrate the birth of Perfect Love! We delivered two truckloads of baby furniture, clothes and supplies to the Blue Ridge Women's
Center, and their Baby Boutique was bursting at the seams just in time for Christmas. Congratulations to the 1st grade class who won
the "Cutest Baby Clothes Contest." They will close this Christmas season with a birthday Party for Jesus.
"Whatever you did for the least of these, you did for me." Mathew 25:40
Mustard Seed Prayer Chain News: Each week the Mustard Seed Prayer Chain is posted on the website and at
http://www.schoolrack.com/MustardSeedsPrayerChain/. The purpose of the RCS Prayer Chain is to strengthen the Roanoke Catholic
School community through intercessory prayer and to provide prayer-support for those in need. We would love to include any prayer
requests you have on our prayer chain. If you have any suggestions or ideas you'd like to share, feel free to email kalevy@cox.net.
Cold Weather Closing Information: In the event that there are weather-related changes to our normal school schedule, each
family will first receive a text or app alert with the closing/delay information, then an email, then the information will be posted on
the school website and Renweb Parent Portal. All three major news stations: WSLS 10, and WDBJ 7, and WSET13 and local radio
stations will then be notified so you can check their websites and listen to the airwaves. Decisions will be made and posted by 7 a.m.
RCS does not follow either City or County decisions, so please take into account your safety and road conditions when deciding
whether or not to come to school on inclement weather days. Weather related absences will be excused and your child will be allowed
to make up missed work.
ATHLETICS
Spring Sports: Practices begin for spring sports the last week of February. Offerings include: Boys’ MS and Varsity Baseball,
Boys’ MS and Varsity LaCrosse, Co-Ed Track, Co-Ed Golf and Girls’ MS and Varsity Soccer.* Parents, please fill out and send in a
spring sports registration form and/or email Matt Peck at mpeck@roanokecatholic.com asap if your student is interested in
participating in spring sports so that he can begin assembling rosters.
*Granted each group can field enough players for a team
Swimming: Come out to support our swim team on their next meet, Wednesday, January 15 th. We have a number of swimmers and
teams qualified for the state championship meet!
MS Basketball: The Boys have had a great season so far. They made it to the finals, but lost only in the last second shot. The Girls
recently won the Jingle Ball Christmas Tournament – Congratulations!!
Varsity Girls’ Basketball is currently ranked First in Division III polling for private schools in Virginia! Way to go, Ladies!
Varsity Boys’ Basketball is receiving votes to be placed in the top 10 for Division III polling for private schools in Virginia. Let’s
cheer them on!
Wrestling: has been off to a super start this season. They are ranked in the top 10 in the state for private schools and recently tied for
1st place at the January 8th quad meet here at RCS. Middle School has many wrestlers earning first place in multiple tournaments and
the Bitty program is competing almost every weekend in competitive tournaments.
Go Celtics!!!
Matt Peck
Athletic Director