Bellows Spring PTA News
Volume No. 4 Issue No.1 September 2008 President’s Remarks Welcome back to another great year at Bellows Spring! PTA membership forms and volunteer forms went home in last week’s Friday folder. Thank you to those of you who have sent in your PTA dues. Your dues show your support of this very important organization. Be sure to have all adult members of your household join PTA; mom, dads, stepparents, grandparents, aunts & uncles. Remember, our goal is 100% parent & staff participation. Please do your part to help make this happen! Membership forms are available on the school website on the PTA page.
Joining PTA is the first step in supporting our organization. It does not obligate you to attend meetings or to volunteer. However, the board and I would like to see more new faces at our board meetings and have as many new volunteers as possible. The success of our organization depends on YOU! Volunteer forms are available on the school website on the PTA page.
PTA board meetings are generally held on the second Monday of the month (check the website for exact dates) at 7PM in the Media Center. If you are unable to get childcare and have a child who can sit in a separate part of the Media Center and read, do homework, or a quiet activity for about an hour, they are welcome to come. You do not have to be on the board to attend the meetings. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend!
Have an idea or suggestion you would like to share? Contact me anytime at beachgirl1227@verizon.net.
Laurie Lerman PTA President Lavender’s Fall FundraiserThe Lavender Fundraiser only has 1 more week to go! Please, we need everyone's support to help us reach our goal this year. The proceeds from the fundraiser are used to support many of the wonderful activities we enjoy here at Bellow Springs like Teacher Appreciation Week, International Night and Fall Festival.
Fall FestivalFall Festival will be October 16th! This event is one of our most popular events of the year. Planning for this year’s Fall Festival is in full swing. In order for this night to be a success we need many volunteers; more than 40 to be exact. If you have 45 minutes to spare that night to help out, please e-mail one of our co-chairs; Kristyn O’Reilly at kristynoreilly@verizon.net or Nicole Epstein at nicoleepstein@yahoo.com . Cultural ArtsOn October 14th, Billy B., The Natural Science Song and Dance man will be performing at our school. His show is titled Recycle Mania. He will sing and dance and discuss the importance of natural resources and landfills and how to get people to recycle. All grades will have an opportunity to see Billy B. perform. Watch D.O.G.S Kickoff for 2008-2009 On September 25th, the Watch D.O.G.S. program will kickoff the 2008-2009 school year with our second annual pizza night. Invitations are in today’s Friday folder. We are looking forward to seeing men who served as Watch D.O.G.S. last year, as well as meeting any fathers, or father figures interested in spending a day at Bellows Spring with their special student. Anyone interested in volunteering to help make the Watch D.O.G.S. pizza night a success should contact Scott Tribble at BellowsAlphaDog@gmail.com. Watch D.O.G.S. will be back in the school in early October. It is not necessary to attend the pizza night kickoff to serve as a Watch D.O.G.S., but all Watch D.O.G.S. must complete a new registration slip one week prior to volunteering.
Grocery Store Sign-up, Target, Labels GIANT, SAFEWAY, FOOD LION:
TARGET: Target has a program called TAKE CHARGE OF EDUCATION and if you would like to sign up your Target Visa Credit Card, Target Credit Card or Target Check Card to Bellows Spring, you can do so. You only need to sign up once, no renewals required. You can check out the website: www.target.com/tcoe and click on the button that says ENROLL. If you have any questions about any of these programs, please contact Trisha Montgomery.
BOX TOP, CAMPBELLS SOUP LABELS: Thank you to everyone who has helped clip and send in Box Tops and Campbells Labels for the school. We have collected over $250 worth of Box Tops so far. Please continue to send them in as every little bit helps. Way to go Bellows Spring!
Back-to-School Transition Getting a new school year off to a good start can influence children’s attitude, confidence, and performance both socially and academically. The transition from August to September can be difficult for both children and parents. Even children who are eager to return to class must adjust to the greater levels of activity, structure, and, for some, pressures associated with school life.
The degree of adjustment depends on the child, but parents can help their children (and the rest of the family) manage the increased pace of life by planning ahead, being realistic, and maintaining a positive attitude. Here are a few suggestions to help ease the transition and promote a successful school experience.
Let your children know you care. If your child is anxious about school, send personal notes in the lunch box or book bag. Reinforce the ability to cope. Children absorb their parent’s anxiety, so model optimism and confidence for your child. Let your child know that it is natural to be a little nervous anytime you start something new but that your child will be just fine once he or she becomes familiar with classmates, the teacher, and school routine.
Remain calm and positive. Acknowledge anxiety over a bad experience the previous year. Children who had a difficult time academically or socially may be more fearful or reluctant to return to school. If you have not yet done so, share your child’s concern with the school and confirm that any problems have been addressed.
Plan to volunteer in the classroom. If possible, plan to volunteer in the classroom at least periodically throughout the year. Doing so helps your child understand that school and family life are linked and that you care about the learning experience.
Mark Your Calendar at BSES
Bellows Spring PTA publishes PTA News Tell us what you think. Have recommendations on newsletter topics? Want more information on how you can help? Email Julie Stokes at jstokes@rwd.com *A special thank you to Hubbard Funeral Home, Inc. for sponsoring this newsletter.*
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