Bellows Spring PTA News

 

Volume No. 4 Issue No. 3

November 2008

 

President’s Remarks

What has the PTA done for Bellows Spring during the 1^st quarter of this school year?

 

• Provided the staff a “Welcome Back” breakfast
• Purchased $2,000 worth of gift cards for staff to be used for classroom/program enrichment
• Coordinated the Lavender’s Fundraiser; the fundraiser which funds a majority of the PTA’s goals
• Supported the first Boy’s Night Out for 3^rd-5^th grade boys
• Coordinated and supported Fall Festival
• Provided scholarships where necessary
• Arranged Abrakadoodle & TGA Golf after school programs
• Funded and coordinated performances by Billy B. and Crystal Brown (Cultural Arts)
• Coordinated McDonald’s Restaurant Night
• Provided the staff a hot homemade dinner during conference week
• Launched a successful kickoff of the Watch D.O.G.S. (Dads of Great Students) program
• Supported Cheetah Achievers
• Purchased reusuable bags for each Bellows family as part of the Green School Initiative
• Supported PACE program by getting dinner donations for several of their meetings
• Sold Fall Spiritwear so that students could show pride in their school
• Collected gently used coats for the PTA’s County Coat Drive
• Participated in Giant, Safeway, Food Lion, Campbell Soup, Target, & Tyson programs which raise money for our school
• Wrote a monthly PTA newsletter to keep everyone informed
• Supported Market Day program by placing orders and handling delivery of these orders
• Maintained a PTA bulletin board at school to keep you informed of programs, events, etc.

 

If you volunteered to help with any of the above events or programs, THANK YOU! Without you these events & programs would not have run as smoothly. We have much more to accomplish this year!  Contact me at beachgirl1227@verizon.net to let me know how you would like to help.

 

A special thank you to Bruce Helmsing (a Bellows Spring parent with a son in 2^nd grade) and Hubbard Funeral Homes, Inc. for a very generous donation. This donation will help fund an additional program for all the students at Bellows Spring. In addition to this, Mr. Helmsing has also agreed to fund the printing of the PTA monthly newsletter for the 2008-2009 school year. While our fundraiser is officially over, donations of any kind are always appreciated and accepted throughout the year.

 

Laurie Lerman

PTA President

Cultural Arts

On Thursday November 6 and Friday November 7, the Pre-K and Kindergarten classes had the opportunity to have Crystal Brown visit their classrooms.  Mrs. Brown is a storyteller who has the children participate in her storytelling by dressing up as the characters she tells about.  She presented Sleeping Beauty to the classes this year.  If you have a child in these classes please be sure to have him/her tell you the story that was heard. 

 

Watch D.O.G.S. Program

The Watch D.O.G.S. monthly calendars for November, December and January still have openings, and the February and March calendars have just been posted. Take a minute during conference week to review the dates and get your name down.

Reminder: Due to the program’s popularity, we are limited to two D.O.G.S. per day—one K-2 and one K-5. Don't miss out on this amazing opportunity to share in your child's education.

 

General Membership Meeting

GECA- Greater Elkridge Community Association, representing the 1st Election District of Howard County, will hold their General Membership Meeting on Thursday, November 20th at the Elkridge Volunteer Fire House at 7:30pm.  The guest speaker will be County Executive, Ken Ulman.  All are welcome to attend.

 

Parent-Teacher Conference Tips

The first parent-teacher conference of the school year provides a great opportunity for you and your child's teacher to share insights and information. At this meeting, you can develop a relationship with the teacher and present yourself as a team player in your child's education.

 

Here are some guidelines to keep in mind during the conference:

 

• Let the teacher "lead" the conference. Be friendly, open, and appreciative of the positive things he/she does for your child.
• Allow the teacher to express views, but make sure your priority concerns are addressed. This should be a give-and-take exchange. Hear the teacher out before you make any final requests or suggestions. New information, insights, or ideas may alter the approach you take.
• For concerns you and the teacher agree on, ask how you can work together. For example, if your child has trouble staying organized, ask the teacher how he/she plans to help your child. If he/she offers to create an assignment sheet with due dates for your child to track homework and projects, you can offer to help your child mark his/her own calendar at home and coach to check the calendar daily or weekly.
• If you haven't already done so, ask the teacher how — and how often — the two of you will stay in touch. Will you make contact daily, weekly, or only as needed? Will you communicate by notes, telephone, email, or in person? Making such arrangements sends the message you're a team player in your child's education. It also helps you and the teacher plan for two-way communication throughout the school year.

 

 

PTA Membership Discount

PTA and T-Mobile have partnered together to bring PTA members exclusive discounts on wireless mobile service and equipment.  All PTA members will receive the following special promotions:

 

* 14% discount on monthly service plans

* FREE Activation (savings of $35) and FREE 2-Day Shipping

 

Custom pricing on the following devices:

*FREE Nokia 6301
*FREE Motorola RAZR
*FREE Nokia 5310
*FREE Blackberry Pear
*T-Mobile Sidekick for $49.99

 

*PRICES ABOVE ARE NET OF ALL INSTANT/MAIL-IN REBATES

THIS PROGRAM IS NOT AVAILABLE IN RETAIL STORES AND REQUIRES A NEW LINE OF ACTIVATION 

 

To take advantage of these and other special offers, please call 1-866-464-8662 and mention promo code 9788TMOFAV.

 

If you are already a T-Mobile customer, please call 1-877-453-8824 to receive the PTA discount! Don’t forget to mention your “Local PTA Unit Number” as a reference.

 

Mark Your Calendar at BSES

• Nov 17-21: American Education Week
• Nov 19: Market Day pickup, 7pm
• Nov 21: “Read Me” Day
• Nov 24-25: Turkey Trot
• Nov 24-25: Early Dismissal, 12:55pm
• Nov 26-28: No School
• Dec 8: PTA Meeting, Media Center, 7pm

 

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.*