Bellow Springs PTA

Bellow Springs PTA Home‎ > ‎bellows‎ > ‎

PTA News - January

Bellows Spring PTA News

 

Volume No. 4 Issue No. 5

January 2009

 

President’s Remarks

As you make your New Year’s resolutions or set your goals for this coming year, why not put Bellows Spring PTA on your list? With half the year left, there is still much for us to accomplish together. Your participation, at whatever level you feel comfortable, will make a difference!

 

In December, two parents, who had never volunteered for the PTA, came forward separately with good ideas. The first idea was to have another restaurant night at Three Brothers Restaurant. This parent coordinated the entire evening and for a few hours work, the PTA raised $221. The second parent offered to purchase books from the Scholastic warehouse sale for the Media Center. The PTA donated $80 and with two $10 coupons, the Media Center was the recipient of 24 new hard cover books. Again, the effort only took a few hours, but the payoff was big. Have a good idea? Contact me at beachgirl1227@verizon.net and let me know how I can help you make it happen!

 

In the coming months PTA will sponsor a number of events. Check this newsletter and the News & Review to find the one event that you will help make a success by volunteering even one hour of your time. We need each and every one of you to participate in order to realize all of our goals.

 

Happy New Year!!

 

Laurie Lerman

PTA President

 

 

 

 

 

 

Watch D.O.G.S.

We are halfway through the 2008-2009 school year, and almost four months in to this years' Watch D.O.G.S. program. The PTA, Administration and Watch D.O.G.S. coordinators would appreciate any feedback from teachers, students and participants.

Additionally, Watch D.O.G.S scheduling can be a bit tricky, especially for the "Dad" with children in multiple grade levels. There are two slots open - one for K-2 and one for K-5. If you have one child in - let's say - the first grade, and another in the fourth, please sign up for the K-5 slot. If that slot is full, you may sign up for the K-2 slot, and the school and teachers will do their best to accommodate you.

Bellows is extremely proud of and grateful to all of our Watch D.O.G.S. If you have any questions about openings or scheduling, please contact Scott Tribble at
bellowsalphadog@gmail.com.

 

The Bellows Spring Watch D.O.G.S. program is proudly featured in this month’s Maryland Family Magazine. To view the article online go to:

http://news.mywebpal.com/news_tool_v2.cfm?pnpid=929&show=localnews&newsid=942252

 

Family Bingo Night

On Friday, Feb. 13th, the PTA will be sponsoring a 'Family Bingo Night'. The bingo will be held from 7 to 9 pm. and we will be asking for a $4.00 donation
per person.  It promises to be a fun-filled evening for all with exciting prizes and raffles. Refreshments will be sold during the bingo.

Tickets to the bingo will be pre-sold, so be on the lookout for a flyer regarding purchasing tickets in the weeks to come.  Plan on getting your tickets early, as we have limited seating in the cafeteria and the event may sell out! We are still in need of volunteers to help with the bingo. If you’re interested in helping, please contact Karen Phipps at 443-445-3757 or email kjphipps@comcast.net.

 

Chick-Fil-A Night

Save the Date! The PTA will be sponsoring a restaurant night at Chick-Fil-A (located on Executive Park Drive, off Route 100) on Tuesday, February 24th. More information to come!

 

 

Winter Activities for the Whole Family

It’s winter, the holidays are over, and it’s cold outside.  Do you have the winter doldrums?  A little family togetherness can cure the toughest boredom bug. Try these fun, simple activities and see how quickly winter goes by:

  • Take homemade cookies to an elderly neighbor.
  • Have a snowball fight INSIDE, using rolled up socks.
  • Put on your favorite music and dance!
  • Build a tent with blankets. Tell stories by flashlight and sleep in sleeping bags.
  • Feed the birds! Make a birdfeeder: cut an orange in half and scoop the insides out (don’t forget to eat the fruit); spread peanut butter on the inside; add a handful of birdseed; set it outside for the birds to enjoy. Option: hang with string from a tree branch.
  • Have an indoor picnic: lay a blanket on the floor, pack a lunch, sit, and enjoy. Talk about summer!
  • Visit your local library.
  • Have a crazy, mixed up day—wear your pajamas all day, read a book from back to front, enjoy popcorn and a movie in the morning, and eat breakfast for dinner.

 

Internet Safety

The holidays may have brought brand-new computers into many homes. It is amazing how fast kids learn how to use the Internet and other forms of technology. Therefore, it is important for children to know the information they encounter on the Internet could be deceptive or encourage them to explore in ways that might put them in jeopardy.

Parents need to establish boundaries for Internet use. This can be done by writing a contract that outlines appropriate computer and Internet use for your children to sign. The contract should spell out clearly what the consequences will be if the rules are deliberately (not accidentally) broken. The signed contract should be posted in a prominent place near the computer as a reminder.

Some basic rules that might be included in the contract include:

  • If I see or do anything that makes me feel uncomfortable when I am on-line, I will immediately turn off the computer monitor and go get my parents or a trusted adult to deal with the situation.
  • I will tell my parents or a trusted adult if a person I don't know or any other on-line resource (e.g., a music download company that requires registration) asks me for personal information such as my name, address, phone number, or asks to meet in person.
  • I will not be rude or mean when chatting on-line. If I receive a message that is mean or rude, I won't respond. I will, instead, tell my parents or a trusted adult.

This process should be the start of an ongoing dialogue on Internet safety. It is important that children feel comfortable talking about all their on-line experiences, both good and bad, with their parents. Threatening to take away computer privileges as a punishment should be avoided; children probably will just find another way to access the Internet, and this time they may not tell anyone about what they are doing there.

 

Mark Your Calendar at BSES

  • Jan 16: Variety Show, 7pm, Cafeteria
  • Jan 19: Schools Closed
  • Jan 22: 5th Gr. Band/Chorus Concert, 7pm, Long Reach H.S.
  • Jan 23: Early Dismissal, 12:55pm
  • Jan 23: 70s Dress Up Day
  • Jan 26: Schools Closed
  • Jan 28: 4th Gr. Band/Chorus Concert, 7pm, Long Reach H.S.
  • Jan 28: Market Day pickup, 7pm
  • Feb 4: Awards Assemblies, Gr 1-2, 10am; Gr 3-5, 2:30pm
  • Feb 9: PTA Meeting, 7pm, Media Center

 

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.*