PTA Roundup November 2016 The Halloween Costume Drive was a success. Thanks to Pam for organizing and Leah & Samantha for helping sort and distribute (my apologies if I’ve forgotten anyone who helped!) We already have a box of costumes donated from Toys R Us for next year! MS sized costumes are going to be needed again. If you have one you can donate – please hang on to it, or you can turn it in to the MS. They will store for next year. Report from MS: The Monster Ball had a good turnout, especially with younger grades. Movie Night was a big success. It was our 2nd year with one specifically for the MS and the attendance more than doubled. The film was Ghostbusters. Pizza and snacks were sold before and after the movie. We covered the expenses of the license of the film. Thanks to Andrea for organizing. Career Day is coming up after Thanksgiving. This year’s chair, Yvonne Ibelli has been doing a great job and has 34 confirmed speakers for the day. Two volunteers are needed to help out during the morning. If you are able to volunteer, please let Mitch or Yvonne know. The Recess Redesign Committee is still working hard: Bulbs planted this fall daffodil and Scilla. Keep a look out in March Raising fence at 4-Square (game for the children) so they stop popping and losing balls! Waiting on Board Approval to work with grounds dept, superintendent & architect/engineers for plans to resurface the rocky, dusty, muddy ball area. Report from WI: Front Garden – For years, Retired teacher, Trudy Dunbar has cared for the garden up front and has worked with the fifth grade students to plant in the spring. Trudy has retired from caring for the WI garden. Leah is still brainstorming with Mrs. Bretti about this. Is it possible to create a garden club to keep it going? PTA has always funded the planting. Instead of limiting the club to just 5th grade, the club can be open school wide. Leah is seeking a long term sustainable course of action to ensure the garden’s success annually. Any ideas? Please share. Book Fair- The book fair set up is scheduled for Tuesday, November 22. The fair will run the week of November 28th, with an evening event on Monday, 11/28. Circus – There is an effort to fundraise for the Circus school-wide this year. There is a walkathon scheduled for the week after Thanksgiving. The children have collected pledges and will do laps of the gym. (Or outdoors weather permitting.) They will also be doing the coupon book fundraiser that was done at the MS last year. It will be done at WI only, but if you do not have a child at WI and want a book, please let Jacki know. Fundraising: Wrapping paper – All deliveries have been received and have been distributed at the schools. If you hear that a parent has an issue with their order, please tell them they need to contact the company (Charleston Wrap) directly. Thanks to Donna for organizing and to all of the volunteers at the schools – Juliana, Tara, Amada, Leah, Nitasha, Samantha (my apologies if I have forgotten anyone who has helped!) We hope that you and your families have a very Happy Thanksgiving! We look forward to meeting with everyone at our next meeting on 12/16!