DPO - DeMatha Parent Organization

Officers for 2008-09

President - Angela Adams
Vice President - Operations - Terri Wolfley
Vice President - Activities & Events - Mary Johnson
Vice President - Ways & Means - Pat Harper
Recording Secretary - Roz King
Communications Secretary - Denise Gibson Bailey

Faculty Moderators - Tom Ponton, Director of Development
                                    Peggy Stawinski, Catering Director

Support in the Community

Learn more about supporting DeMatha through programs at Giant, Safeway, Target, Office Depot, IGive, SchoolPop and GoodSearch here.

The 2009 DPO Parent Online Book Swap

The DPO is offering parents an online opportunity to buy, sell or exchange books, parent to parent. Please remember to confirm the required books for each course and the ISBN number of each book.  For complete information on posting the books you wish to sell or swap, click details.   

 To see the most recent listing, click October 23 Book Swap Upcoming DPO Events

Freshmen & Transfers Mother's Welcome Tea - August 23rd - We recommend you park in the back parking lot, off of 43rd Avenue for quick access to the Antler Room. (Please note: this event is for adults -- the young men will be here soon enough!)                                                          

First DPO Meeting - September 22nd

DPO Used Uniform and Book Sale

Thanks to all the parents and students who helped at the August 8th sale! 

Are you interested in being a Parent Mentor?

Your experience as a current parent is the only requirement! Please email the DPO at dpo@dematha.org with your name, son's name and grade, address, and contact phone number if you are interested.

Freshmen and Transfer Parents - Welcome to DeMatha!

If you are interested in getting to know the school from a parent perspective, we will gladly put you in touch with a Parent Mentor. These mentors are students currently enrolled in DeMatha, and be able to answer your questions and provide first-hand advice and guidance for you and your son as you navigate through your first year at DeMatha. Should you have a question prior to being contacted by your parent mentor, feel free to e-mail the DPO Executive Board at dpo@dematha.org, or leave a message at 240.764.2180.

 

June 25: Senior graduation pictures are available through Blanton Studios.  You should have received a postcard in the mail with instructions to view and purchase pictures.  Go to  Jackson Blanton Photographers and select "Order Online" from the menu.  Choose "Private Schools", then DeMatha.  A password was mailed to each student.  If you are unsure of the password, please call the Main Office at 240-764-2200

DPO End of the Year Dinner & Tuition Raffle

Parents: Join us for a casual dinner, great resource information for parents on student banking and getting home/school work organized, and be present for the tuition raffle drawing!!

Congraulations to our raffle winners:

$250     Andrew Ryznar -- Sophomore
$500     Deon Heylinger -- Junior 
TUITION  Samuel Lebbie -- Freshmen

DeMatha Parents Organization's 8th Annual Mother-Son Luncheon

                Pictures taken at the luncheon are now available for pick-up in the Main Office

Guest Speaker: Morgan Wootten, DeMatha Basketball Coach Emeritus and the only member of the Basketball Hall of Fame to have coached exclusively at the high school level.

Sunday, April 26, 2009, 1:00 - 3:00 PM in the Antler Room
Tickets are $25 per person and are available online or at the Main Office beginning March 5th.
For questions, please contact Mary Johnson at friendmlj@aol.com or call 703-470-7360.

Dads: We need you to serve lunch -- please let Mary know if you are available.


DeMatha Afterprom Sponsored by the DPO - May 2

DeMatha parents will once again host the DeMatha Afterprom on May 2 from 1 a.m. until 5:00 a.m. at Dave and Buster’s located in Arundel Mills, Hanover, MD. This event is for all DeMatha prom attendees as well as all DeMatha seniors. Bus transportation will be provided for the students from the University of Maryland Conference Center to Dave & Buster’s at Arundel Mills. Students must arrive by 1:30 a.m. and will be required to sign in and show DeMatha school identification. Likewise, upon leaving, students will be required to sign out, the time of departure will be recorded, and there will be no reentry.

Complete Afterprom Details and Directions

Graduation 2009 Video

The DeMatha Parents’ Organization is working with Dr. Gno Video Productions to provide video coverage of the 2009 Commencement. The DVD will take the hassle out of trying to videotape the event from your seat, allowing you to sit back and fully enjoy the graduation ceremony. The cost of each DVD is $40.00, which includes shipping charges. Orders must be placed no later than April 1, 2009.  Complete details and order form available here.

DPO Meeting - Internet Safety

Tuesday, March 17th, 7:00 p.m. in St. John DeMatha Hall
Sponsored by Dematha SADD - Students Against Destructive Decisions
X-Box 360 Raffle Following Program
Do you think surfing can be dangerous?  Do you know what the dangers are and  how to avoid them? What about instant messaging, email, Facebook? The Internet is essential to your education, future careers and lives but many people even the most experienced internet users don’t always understand how to avoid the dangers that lurk the NET. There’s a lot of information we give away online, just by forgetting to click on privacy settings, or by giving more information than we have to. There are three basic ways we can innocently give away information about themselves: by posting personal profiles, by filling out contests and registration forms and by building a website. This presentation is a serious and frank discussion with the students about online dangers. A PowerPoint presentation is used combined with discussion help the students understand the dangers of online activates such as social networking, blogs, wikis and picture/video sharing.

Goal: To make students more aware of online dangers and assist parents in protecting their younger siblings and friends.

We will cover:
  • Discuss the dangers of sharing personal information on social network sites.
  • How you can protect yourselves from becoming a victim.
  • Teaching students the dangers of cell phone text messaging and how predators use teens' new obsession against them
  • Understanding cyber stalking and bullying with the consequences of posting threatening and harmful messages online
  • Knowing that universities and potential employers use online posting when considering potential candidates

Volunteer with The DeMatha Parents' Organization!The DPO is always looking for fathers and mothers interested in assisting with its many projects.Email dpo@dematha.org, or leave a message at 240-764-2180.

Many thanks to all the parents who helped with the DPO Teacher Appreciation Dinner on January and the Teacher Appreciation Breakfast in November.

Stay in Touch with Parent Alert Emails

Receive updated information about school events, cancellations, activities and more by signing up for the Parent Alert.  Information.

Interested in the accomplishments of DeMatha students and alumni?

Subscribe to the DeMatha Express, sent every Thursday via email. Send an email to mlooney@dematha.org and ask to receive the Express.


Ways to Support DeMatha

There are several ways to support DeMatha through workplace giving, local merchants and online shopping. More Information.

DeMatha License Plates - Show Your Pride!

Through the work of the DPO, DeMatha organizational plates are now available from the Maryland MVA. The only cost is the MVA charge of $25. For details and form, call 240-764-2221 or email bcoyle@dematha.org.

Transportation for 08-09

Current bus transportation information and registration forms are available on the link at the upper left. Zip code lists are available in the main office for those interested in forming carpools.

Inclement Weather Policy

View DeMatha's weather policies

PSAT Prep

The PSAT Prep is offered during the school year. Information and application form will be available here.