October 22, 2012 - PTA Weekly NewsFlash  

Table of Contents 

Latest News:

Latest News


PTA Fall Book Fair is Here!!!!!

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The Book Fair will be open:

  • Monday, October 22nd – 11:00 – 4:00
  • Tuesday, October 23rd – 9:00 - 5:00
  • Wednesday, October 24th – 9:00 – 4:30 and Family Night from 5:30-7:30 with Potomac Pizza, Carmen’s Italian Ice, DJ and fun activities
  • Thursday, October 25th – 9:00 – 5:00
  • Friday, October 26th – 8:30-4:30 

Please see the schedule of class visits HERE. (Click on either the "Class Visit Schedule by Grade or Day" tab at the bottom of the page)

Wednesday night is Family "Reading is Fun" Night from 5:30-7:30PM.  You won't want to miss it.  Many of your favorite teachers will be there including the whole kindergarten team, Ms. Daugherty, Ms. Pierpoint, Ms. Rank, Ms. Israel, and Ms. Wong.  And our amazing acting principal, Mrs. Rogovoy, will get us started with the first book reading in the media center at 5:40PM.  We still need both parent and student volunteers to help out at the activity tables.  Please email Christine Hutchison (christine_hutch@hotmail.com) if you would like to help out.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid : The Third Wheel is coming out November 13th.  You may pre-order your copy at the book fair or send in the pre-order form with cash or check in an envelope marked "PTA Book Fair" by October 26th.  The book will be shipped to school and we will send it home with your child.  Please click HERE for the pre-order form.

Questions? Please contact Christine Hutchison (christine_hutch@hotmail.com), Audrey Romano (abromano@gmail.com), or Karen Hagan (karenhagan@comcast.net)



Fall Box Tops Promotion Update

And the Winner is...

 
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The Fall Box Top Competition was an amazing success.  In the first 8 weeks of school, we raised nearly $1500.00 by collecting Box Tops.  Congratulations College Garden students, parents, teachers, and staff for collecting nearly 15,000 Box Tops.
Oh…did you know that Ms.Armi (front office) also helped our cause by submitting Box Tops too.  Thanks Ms. Armi!!!

Now to what everyone has been waiting for… the class that collected the most Box Tops is Mrs. Hernandez’s First Grade Class.  Her first grade class turned in a whopping 785 BOX TOPS. Congratulations Mrs. Hernandez’s Class.  Your POPISCLE PARTY IS COMING SOON.

Just because this competition is over doesn’t mean you should stop collecting Box Tops.  Next week, we will be starting a NEW competition with NEW prizes.  And this time, we will be collecting both Box Tops and Labels for Education (i.e., Campbell Soup labels, Pepperidge Farm, Swanson, etc.).  So start collecting both Box Tops and Labels for Education.



Spirit Wear orders are due this Friday

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CGES t-shirt & sweatshirt orders are due to the Main Office this Friday, October 26th.  (See Order Form w/ photos)



Volunteering?

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Do you know that our school gets rewarded by the number of volunteer hours we log? Volunteering is easily accounted for when it is in school because volunteers log in to the system and the administration can print out those reports. A lot of time is donated to the school outside of school hours and needs to be accounted for. Please remember that I need to report volunteers hours on a monthly basis. If any of the following things that are not accounted for in the computer system:

  • class parties
  • chaperone field trips
  • cutting lamination
  • emailing class parents
  • at home projects 

While this is different from parent involvement (i.e. emailing a teacher about my own child, meeting with my child’s teacher about their progress), parent volunteerism stretches further than we might think! We want to account for all of these hours to the county so we can get recognized for our hard work as a school with an outstanding volunteer program.

Please email hahleewude@verizon.net with "Volunteer Hours" in the subject line by the 5th of ever month. Since I missed September, count those hours towards your October hours which I would need by November 5th. Please remember, these should only be hours are are NOT accounted for when signing into the system (giving your id) in the main office. Questions? Concerns? Let me know. And do not worry, I will be sure to remind you before the 5th!

Thanks,
Jen Green - PTA Volunteer Coordinator
Ms. Israel - CGES Volunteer Coordinator 

Calling All Kindergarten Parents

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We are looking to start up the Read to Me Talk with Me program again this year with the kindergarten students. It is an opportunity for kindergarten students to bring home an extra book to work on literacy skills. The focus is for parents and students to enjoy reading together. There is generally an activity at the back of the book for students to work on at home. This activity is not homework and does not get turned in. In order to run the program, we need parent volunteers from all the classrooms to help distribute the books. Generally one to two volunteers per classroom is all that is needed. This program is in addition, to the media center at school. The Read to Me books are checked out for a two week period.

Please contact me if you are interested in volunteering for this program in your child's classroom.  We are still looking for volunteers for the following classes:

  • Mrs. Adams
  • Mrs. Barrett
  • Ms. Gilbert
  • Mrs. Hernandez

Jennifer Halper

 
volunteers_needed

College Gardens Dance Club

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The PTA is seeking to possibly expand the after school dance club at College Gardens Elementary School.  If your child is interested in dance and is in grades K-2, please contact Angie Caulfield at rockvilledancing@gmail.com.  The expansion class would be held Wednesdays after school from 3:45 to 4:45 with Mrs. Caulfield onsite beginning at 3:30.  The expansion class would start in January.



School-based Seasonal Flu Vaccine Clinics Coming Soon

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The Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) will conduct free nasal spray flu vaccine clinics (FluMist) in November for children 18 and under at various MCPS schools.

On Monday, Nov. 5, the county will hold flu clinics at John F. Kennedy, Richard Montgomery and Seneca Valley high schools. No classes will be held on that day because it is a professional day for teachers. These clinics will be open to any school-aged child. All clinics are free, but registration is required due to limited vaccine supplies. For more information on the flu clinics at these three high schools, visit the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services website.

On Monday, Nov. 12, students who attend College Gardens will be able to get the nasal spray flu vaccine (FluMist) for free in the CGES health room between 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. Appointments must be scheduled through Mrs. Forte. If you would like your child to get the vaccine, please call 301- 279-8470 for an appointment.

For students to receive a flu vaccination at any of these clinics, a parent, guardian, or adult must accompany them and bring a completed and signed Consent Form.

The vaccination for seasonal flu is entirely voluntary and is NOT required for school.



Free Tutoring offered by the RMHS GenerationZ Tutoring Club

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Dear parents,

Richard Montgomery High School’s GenerationZ Tutoring club is dedicated to helping students reach their full potential. We offer free weekly one-on-one tutoring for elementary and middle school students. Tutoring sessions are conducted on a weekly basis at local public libraries, such as the Rockville Library, and each session lasts for one hour. The directors of the club assign each student a tutor, and we offer a very flexible schedule as the parents and tutors work together to determine what days of the week and times for the tutoring sessions that will work the best for both of them. All tutors are students of Richard Montgomery High School. We currently have many tutors who are already tutoring students and many that are available to tutor new students. (see flyer)

For more information, please email us at: generationztutoring.rm@gmail.com 

We currently offer instruction in:

  • Math K - Algebra 2

     
  • Reading K - 8 
  • Spanish 1 & 2 

  • French 1 & 2

     

Our Children (This week's feature article)


See the Video: "The IB Experience at MCPS"

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Watch the newly produced video: "The IB Experience at MCPS" (8 min.)

PTA Reminders

Volunteers Needed to Join the Family Math and Science Night Committee

 
 family_math_science_night

Ms. Harris and Mrs. Eldred are looking for volunteers who are interested in joining the Family Math and Science Night Committee, which is scheduled for Friday, February 22, from 7-9 pm.  The first planning meeting will be on Tuesday, October 23rd from 3:30-4:30.  Interested individuals may email Wendy_P_Eldred@mcpsmd.org.

volunteers_needed

Labels for Education

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Dear CGES families,

I am writing to you as the new coordinator for the Labels for Education program. The school has been collecting Labels for Education for several years, but we’d like to increase our participation rate this year to secure some great items for College Gardens. The items benefit the “three A's” at our school – Arts,   Athletics, and Academics.

The Labels for Education program collects points from UPC labels and bottle caps from many products you may already purchase, such as Campbell’s soup, Pop Secret popcorn, Pepperidge Farms cookies and crackers, Prego sauces, Dannon Kids yogurt, Post cereal, and BIC pens. A complete list is at http://www.labelsforeducation.com/Earn-Points/Participating-Products. Some “labels” are actually bottle caps (V8 juice, Prego sauce, and Wolfgang Puck sauce), so please check the Participating Products web page to confirm you collect the correct item.

We have set a goal of 4,000 points, so the school needs your help in meeting that goal! Most products are worth 1 point, but some are worth 5 or 10 points! Start saving now and stay tuned for our first Labels for Education collection event, which will begin in a couple of months.

If you have any questions, please contact me at lauralauden@yahoo.com or 301-996-1122.

Many thanks
Laura Laudenberger  

Submit Your Family Movie Night Suggestions

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The PTA will host three FAMILY MOVIE NIGHTS again this year, and we are seeking movie recommendations.  Remember, they need to appeal to boys and girls ranging in ages from five to 11. We show G-rated movies as much as possible, but PG movies are also shown.

Please email your suggestions to Karen Creel at kkushner7@yahoo.com.

Movie dates are Nov. 30, Jan. 18 and Apr. 26, so mark your calendars.

Past selections:

  • Monsters Inc.
  • Monsters vs. Aliens
  • Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs
  • Megamind
  • Despicable Me
  • Up
  • Wizard of Oz
  • Dolphin Tale

"Race to Nowhere" screening at Beall ES on 10/30

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The Beall Elementary School PTA is hosting a screening and discussion of the documentary "Race to Nowhere" on Tuesday, October 30th at 7:00 pm in their Media Center (see flyer).

If you would like to attend, please RSVP at http://www.beallpta.org/5/race_to_nowhere_movie_screening_discussion.  There will be a request for donations to help cover the cost of the room rental and film license.



5th Grade Parents/Guardians,
We need you...

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Our children will be promoted to middle school before we know it!   We are forming a committee to decide on the logistics and fun events.

Please email Nicole Cathey nicolemcathey@gmail.com directly to volunteer your expertise and support.  Thank you in advance.



Save the Date! MCPS Inaugural State of the Schools Event Set for Nov. 12

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Superintendent Joshua P. Starr will deliver his first State of the Schools address-Building the Future Together–at the Music Center at Strathmore on the morning of November 12, 2012. This event is free and open to the public. It will begin at 7:30 a.m. with a light breakfast and student performances and artwork throughout the Music Center at Strathmore. At 8:30 a.m., Dr. Starr will present his State of the Schools address. Please join Dr. Starr as he shares his vision for the future and we gather to celebrate the outstanding students of

Montgomery County Public Schools. Please RSVP by November 1, 2012 on the State of the Schools website.



Community Conversations with the Board of Education

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The Montgomery County Board of Education would like to hear from you concerning the values that should guide the school system. Parents, staff, students and community members are invited to participate in a Community Conversation with the Board of Education on Wednesday, Nov. 14, at 7 p.m. in the Richard Montgomery High School cafeteria. The input gathered at this event will help the Board as it seeks to update its strategic plan. Registration for the event will begin in mid-October. Foreign language interpretation and child care will be available. For additional information and to register for the event, call 301-279-3617.



Get Free Homework Help with Homework Hotline Live!

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Homework Hotline Live! (HHL) is back for its 27th season, offering students in Grades K-12 free homework assistance from MCPS teachers. Students can contact HHL teachers from 4–6 p.m. on the phone or 4–9 p.m. online on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Students have several ways to reach HHL. They can ask questions by:

  • Making a phone call to 301-279-3234
  • Visting the HHL website 
  • Sending a text message to 724-427-5445
  • Sending an email 
  • Posting a message to Facebook
  • Posting a “tweet” to Twitter

HHL will answer text, email and Facebook homework questions from 4–9 p.m. Questions from 4–6 p.m. will be answered live on TV. Questions submitted from 6–9 p.m. will receive a text or email response.

Students and staff can watch Homework Hotline Live! on MCPS-TV (Comcast 34, Verizon 36, RCN 89).



gator The PTA NewsFlash is edited by Eric Van Ryzin

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