PTO Newsletter - August 2012 - Conley Elementary School
PTO Newsletter - August 2012 - Conley Elementary School
PTO Newsletter - August 2012 - Conley Elementary School
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CONLEY ELEMENTARY<br />
<strong>PTO</strong> SCHOOL NEWSLETTER<br />
Volume 1 <strong>August</strong> <strong>2012</strong><br />
PLEASE WELCOME CONLEY’S NEW STAFF<br />
KATE BAUMANN<br />
ALISON FEINBERG<br />
LEYSSA HELGESON<br />
MICHELLE KEARNEY<br />
MARI KIMBREL<br />
KATELYN LANG<br />
LARRY LEE<br />
KAREN LEVESQUE<br />
ASIA ROSS<br />
JAMES SADLER<br />
MEGAN SCHULZE<br />
LAURA SHEPPARD<br />
KATHY SONDEL<br />
LINDA WEITZEL<br />
K -1 COMBINATION<br />
3 RD GRADE<br />
4 th GRADE<br />
3 RD GRADE<br />
3 RD GRADE<br />
KINDERGARTEN<br />
CUSTODIAN<br />
3 RD GRADE<br />
1 ST GRADE<br />
CUSTODIAN<br />
1 ST GRADE<br />
1 ST GRADE<br />
CUSTODIAN<br />
MEDIA SPECIALIST<br />
Save the Date…<br />
The <strong>Conley</strong> Yellow Jacket Swarm<br />
is buzz’n your way!<br />
On Saturday, November 3, <strong>Conley</strong><br />
<strong>Elementary</strong> <strong>School</strong> will be hosting<br />
the 2 nd Annual <strong>Conley</strong> Yellow<br />
Jacket Swarm. This event will<br />
feature a 10K race, a 5K race, and<br />
1 mile fun run / walk through the<br />
beautiful neighborhood streets of<br />
SouthWood.<br />
More information to come.<br />
Important Upcoming Dates:<br />
<strong>August</strong>-<br />
Tuesday, <strong>August</strong> 14 th – Pre-K Orientation at 6:00 pm<br />
Thursday, <strong>August</strong> 16 th – Orientation for K through 5 th grade (12-1:30 pm)<br />
Monday, <strong>August</strong> 20 th – <strong>School</strong> Starts<br />
Tuesday, <strong>August</strong> 28 th – Curriculum Night 2 nd (5:30 pm) / 3 rd grade (6:30 pm)<br />
Thursday, <strong>August</strong> 30 th – Curriculum Night K (5:30 pm) /1 st grade (6:30 pm)<br />
September-<br />
Monday, September 3 rd – Labor Day Holiday – No <strong>School</strong><br />
Tuesday, September 4 th – Curriculum Night 4 th (5:30pm) /5 th grade (6:30pm)<br />
Wednesday, September 5 th – Business Partner Breakfast (9:00 am)<br />
Thursday, September 6 th – Picture Day (Individual & Classroom Pictures)<br />
Wednesday, September 12 th – PBS Store<br />
Friday, September 14 th – Spirit Night<br />
Wednesday, September 19 th – Blue Pop Money Collection<br />
Tuesday, September 25 th – Spirit Night<br />
Wednesday, September 26 th – Progress Alerts
Principal Brooks’ Welcome Back Letter<br />
Dear <strong>Conley</strong> Families and Friends,<br />
<strong>August</strong> is here and the beginning of the <strong>2012</strong>-13 school year is just around the corner. Students return on <strong>August</strong> 20,<br />
<strong>2012</strong>. We have another exciting year ahead of us. 2011-12 was a super year that culminated with a great<br />
International Celebration and an A grade for our school! We are ready for an even bigger and better year!<br />
There are some changes you will notice when you return to school on <strong>August</strong> 20, <strong>2012</strong>. Two additional portables<br />
have been added at the end of the five hundred building. These will house third grade classrooms. In fact, all of the<br />
four existing portables will be third grade classrooms. As many of you know, we have been tracking a wave of<br />
growth since our school opened. This year the wave hits the third grade. I believe our enrollment will break 900<br />
shortly after the start of the school year.<br />
A few changes to our playgrounds have taken place. Last year, <strong>PTO</strong> installed the first phase of shades on both<br />
the Pre-K/K playground and on the main playground. During the summer a concrete pad was added to the main<br />
playground. Students will be able to play four square and other hopscotch games on the new pad. Phase Two of the<br />
shades is just around the corner and tether balls are coming. Thank you, <strong>PTO</strong>!<br />
You will also notice several new faces around campus and you will miss a few, as well. Those joining us are listed in<br />
this newsletter. Those who have moved on to be closer to family or pursue a different chapter in their lives are: Janet<br />
Childers, DeSoto Trail <strong>Elementary</strong>; Kathy Chomat, Montford Middle <strong>School</strong>; Lindsey Cole, Oregon; Gary Davis,<br />
Killearn Lakes <strong>Elementary</strong>; Lindsey Matulia, Eustis; Tamica Morris, Florida High; Kimberly Pugliese, Orlando; and<br />
Shanna Sadler, St. <strong>August</strong>ine. We wish all of them well and will always consider them to be part of the <strong>Conley</strong><br />
family.<br />
The new "buzz" words around campus this year will be Common Core State Standards. We are excited about these<br />
new standards. They are built upon the best practices in teaching. Our faculty and school have been involved in<br />
Inquiry Teaching and Learning since our inception. These principles are foundational to the Common Core<br />
Standards. So we are excited that we are ahead of the game! First, it is important to understand why and how the<br />
CCSS came about. This educational initiative was not born out of a state or federal department. Instead, the National<br />
Governors' Association and the Council of Chief States <strong>School</strong> Officers began the ground swell of identifying<br />
common standards / expectations for our children’s education across the United States. There was a desire to have<br />
common expectations so as people move about the state and country there is consistency and as we compare our<br />
progress to others we have a common link. An even more compelling reason was the desire to provide the type of<br />
education that our children will need to perform in and contribute to an ever-changing, global society. The NGA and<br />
CCSSO worked with several organizations to research and develop these new standards, they involved the National<br />
Parent Teacher Association and as many different groups as possible to get input (the business world, private sector,<br />
public sector, etc.). An important fact about the CCSS is they were developed with the end goals in mind. The<br />
developers took the outcomes that were identified for students completing 12 th grade and went backwards in<br />
indentifying the standards that supported those outcomes. You will have opportunities as the year progresses to<br />
become more knowledgeable about the Common Core State Standards and their implications for teaching and<br />
learning.<br />
In preparation for the year, please take note of the following details:<br />
As you are out and about getting your school clothes shopping done, be mindful of the school's dress code. It is found<br />
within this newsletter. Supply lists can be found on the <strong>Conley</strong> website or you can drop by the school and pick one<br />
up. Wal-Mart and other stores, also have copies available.<br />
Please make note of the change in the school start time. It is ever so slight, five minutes, but oh so important<br />
because we work so hard to make the most of every minute. The school day begins at 8:25 a.m. and ends at 2:50 p.m.<br />
Supervision begins at 7:45 a.m. and ends at 3:20 p.m. Please work with us to minimize having tardy students. Being<br />
tardy disrupts the day and gets students off to a hurried start that affects the remainder of their day. Tardy students are<br />
a disruption for the teacher and other students who have already begun the activities of the day. We will be more<br />
diligent this year to contact those parents whose student's attendance is problematic. Please refer to the district's<br />
attendance policy. This information is contained in the parent folder your child will bring home on the first day of<br />
school.<br />
(continued)
(continued from Page 2)<br />
Before school drop off and after school pick up remains the same with one exception. The front gates will be closed<br />
from 7:30 a.m. until 8:15 a.m. Only buses, faculty, staff, and parents dropping off students enrolled in before school<br />
care will be allowed in those gates. All other parents dropping off students will enter the gates at the east side of the<br />
campus. At 8:15 a.m., the front gates will reopen for parent drop off. This will create two places where students may<br />
be dropped off from 8:15 a.m. to 8:25 a.m. Please DO NOT drop students in any place other than the curb<br />
designated as "Student Drop Off." If you park in the parking lot, please escort your child (ren) from the parking<br />
area to the interior of the campus. Do not allow children to walk from any of the parking areas unescorted. All gates<br />
and doors on the east side of the campus and Pre-K area at the back of the school will be locked at 8:25 a.m.<br />
Parents arriving at 8:25 a.m. will need to park in the parking lot and escort their child (ren) to the front office<br />
to be signed in and given a tardy pass to enter class.<br />
Again, the front gates will be closed at 2:30 in the afternoon. Only buses will be allowed to enter. Parents picking up<br />
students will use the gates on the east side of the campus. There will be no left turn into the east gate in the afternoon<br />
between 2:30-3:15. Parents are asked to continue east on Orange Avenue to the end of the street and then circle back<br />
using the west bound lane of Orange Avenue before turning right into the parent pick up drive. This will allow the<br />
temporary back up of cars in the west bound lane of Orange Avenue and not at the four way stop in front of the school<br />
or between the four way stop and Capital Circle. Once cars begin to move at 2:50 p.m., as school is dismissed, the<br />
traffic begins to flow rather quickly. Of course, the Leon County <strong>School</strong> District does provide transportation at no<br />
cost for our zoned families that live outside a two mile radius of our school. More students arriving via bus can help<br />
decrease the traffic around our school. Parents, please consider this option for your child(ren). If you have questions<br />
regarding bus transportation, you may call the school at 414-5610 or the district's transportation office at 488-2636.<br />
Routines before school will be different this year and will begin on Wednesday, the third day of school. Before<br />
school supervision will be provided by the teachers, support staff, and administrators. Campus will not be open until<br />
7:45 a.m. From 7:45 until 8:15 students will be supervised in specific grade level holding areas. Students eating<br />
breakfast will go directly to the cafeteria and remain there until 8:15 a.m. Grade level areas are:<br />
• Kindergarteners will gather in the media center from 7:45 a.m. until 8:15 a.m.<br />
• First graders will gather in the computer labs from 7:45 a.m. until 8:15 a.m.<br />
• Second graders will gather in the cafeteria from 7:45 a.m. until 8:15 a.m.<br />
• Third through Fifth graders will gather for a "walk and talk" time at the P.E. field.<br />
• Provisions for inclement weather have been established.<br />
<strong>Conley</strong> <strong>Elementary</strong> does provide, for a fee, a before school program (7:00 a.m.-7:45 a.m.) and an after school program<br />
(2:50 p.m.-6:00 p.m.). If you have questions regarding these programs, please contact Ms. Danielle Dilbeck at 414-<br />
5610.<br />
Please mark your calendars for Orientation. Pre-K Orientation will be held <strong>August</strong> 14, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.<br />
Orientation for students in Kindergarten through 5 th grade is scheduled for <strong>August</strong> 16, from 12 noon to 1:30 p.m. This<br />
is an informal event that can be attended any time during the scheduled window. Parents and students will be able to<br />
find out their new teacher and room visit their room and campus. <strong>Conley</strong>'s <strong>PTO</strong> will be hosting hotdogs and drinks<br />
for those who may be using their lunch break to attend.<br />
A school calendar is available on the <strong>Conley</strong> <strong>School</strong> webpage and already has many dates assigned. You will want to<br />
take a look. Also, our listserv is a wonderful way to stay up with current events and happenings at school. It only<br />
takes a couple of minutes to sign up via our homepage.<br />
Thank you for attending to the details set forth in this letter as it will certainly help us to start the year out in a positive<br />
way. We are all looking forward to the new year. Should you have further questions, please feel free to call the<br />
school at 414-5610.<br />
As always, it is a privilege and honor to serve as your school principal.<br />
Sincerely,<br />
Laura Brooks
Recycling and Fund Raising<br />
– <strong>Conley</strong> Needs Your Help<br />
Please collect the following and turn into your<br />
classroom or to the collection boxes in the cafeteria:<br />
‣ Campbell’s Labels<br />
‣ Box Tops for Education<br />
‣ Lays Potato Chip Bags (all sizes)<br />
‣ Capri Suns (empty and clean, please)<br />
All are collected by <strong>PTO</strong> to raise funds for <strong>Conley</strong>.<br />
Business Partner Request<br />
Leon County Partners in Excellence Program builds long term relationships<br />
with local businesses, civic organizations, and community groups in support of<br />
our schools. By making donations, mentoring, and volunteering for campus<br />
activities, these groups meet the needs of our students and teachers.<br />
<strong>Conley</strong> <strong>Elementary</strong>’s local businesses have done a wonderful job contributing to<br />
our student recognition and teacher appreciation programs in the past years and<br />
we look forward to another successful year!<br />
If you know of any local businesses or organizations that would benefit<br />
from our program and be interested in taking part this year,<br />
please contact Jen Turner - Business Partner Coordinator,<br />
turnerjst@gmail.com or by phone (850) 445-3769.<br />
Riddle: What is as big as an<br />
elephant but doesn’t weigh<br />
anything?<br />
Answer: The elephant’s shadow!
We are pleased to announce the return of the<br />
<strong>Conley</strong> Clothing Closet<br />
Our mission is to meet the basic clothing needs of<br />
students within our school community. As you clear<br />
out your child’s closet each season, please consider<br />
donating any unwanted clothing items to the <strong>Conley</strong>’s<br />
Clothing Closet.<br />
We are in need of all school age clothing, age 3, and up.<br />
Winter and summer clothing is utilized; belts, shoes,<br />
jackets, and pants are some of the most needed items.<br />
Any donations can be sent to the office, please mark to<br />
the attention of Mrs. Louviere.<br />
What Are <strong>Conley</strong> Spirit Nights?<br />
Please join us at <strong>Conley</strong>’s Spirit Nights that will be held twice a month at<br />
different locations around Tallahassee. Spirit Nights are a great way for<br />
you and your child to get more involved with <strong>Conley</strong>. Parents and kids have<br />
the opportunity to meet and socialize with other families while participating<br />
in a fun activity, and at the same time raising money for the <strong>PTO</strong>.<br />
Our Spirit Night Business Partners’ that we set up the evenings with give<br />
10-20% of the proceeds back to the school.<br />
If you have a business or know someone that does and would like to<br />
participate with this program, please contact Jen Turner – Business Partner<br />
Coordinator (turnerjst@gmail.com / (850) 445-3769) and we can set a date<br />
to do a Spirit Night with you!
A Letter from Kim Bundage, <strong>Conley</strong>’s <strong>PTO</strong> President<br />
The <strong>Conley</strong> Parent Teacher Organization (<strong>PTO</strong>) was able to fund a variety of projects for <strong>Conley</strong> <strong>Elementary</strong><br />
during the 2011-<strong>2012</strong> school year. These projects covered a wide range of requests from school improvements,<br />
school beautification, staff and student recognition, and much needed classroom resources.<br />
Last school year classrooms received approximately $3,000 in funding from the <strong>PTO</strong>. These grade level requests<br />
covered<br />
\<br />
everything from field trip assistance, supplies, funding for special projects, equipment, and even<br />
playground toys, such as sand tables for the Pre-K area.<br />
During the 2011-<strong>2012</strong> school year, <strong>PTO</strong> implemented our first phase of playground shade. We were able to<br />
provide some cover on both the main playground and the Kindergarten/Pre-K area. To date <strong>PTO</strong> has spent<br />
$7,000 on improvements to enhance our outdoor play areas. Additionally, over the summer a concrete pad was<br />
poured adjacent to the main playground, expanding the recreation area for <strong>Conley</strong>’s students.<br />
Other examples of <strong>PTO</strong> expenditures include $500 for the Welcome Garden, $300 for the music department to<br />
tune the piano, and $200 for water to hydrate students during the FCAT exams. Also, as part of our student<br />
recognition program, each student was treated to a free blue pop on field day.<br />
<strong>PTO</strong> was able to host a wonderful Teacher Appreciation Week last year. And as always, we purchased an end<br />
of the year gift card for each member of our <strong>Conley</strong> Staff.<br />
<strong>Conley</strong>’s wonderful volunteers were also honored with a volunteer breakfast, catered by Jason’s Deli, while<br />
enjoying a student musical performance. Volunteers who logged over 100 hours were also recognized with an<br />
additional thank you gift in the form of a $10 Target gift card.<br />
The largest fundraiser <strong>Conley</strong> held this year was our BoosterThon Fun Run. The event had a net profit of<br />
$16,002.23. The <strong>PTO</strong> board voted to allocate all profits to the purchase of 12 new laptops for the 4 th and 5 th<br />
grade teachers. Upgrading these laptops allowed for more reliable technology in our classrooms as well as<br />
additional units for students to utilize on a daily basis. The old teacher laptops will be repurposed for student<br />
use. This purchase will result in two additional mobile computer labs, which may be accessed by all grade levels.<br />
Any remaining funds from the BoosterThon are being used for other technology needs within the school.<br />
All funds raised by the <strong>Conley</strong> <strong>PTO</strong> are put directly back into the school. This upcoming school year we will<br />
have a very limited number of events. Currently scheduled are the <strong>Conley</strong> Swarm (November 3 rd ), the<br />
BoosterThon Fun Run (tentatively scheduled for the early spring), Spirit Nights (two each month), and Blue Pop<br />
(monthly) sales. Please continue to support our <strong>PTO</strong> fundraisers, as they make a huge impact for our school,<br />
staff, and students.<br />
How Can You Make a Difference at <strong>Conley</strong>?<br />
Join other parents and teachers as a member of the <strong>PTO</strong> or the <strong>School</strong><br />
Advisory Council (SAC).<br />
<strong>PTO</strong> raises funds for our school to support our administration, teachers, and<br />
students, and create a positive school environment.<br />
The SAC assists in the preparation and evaluation of the <strong>School</strong> Improvement<br />
Plan (SIP), and assists in the decision making process at the school regarding<br />
budget, training, instructional materials, staffing, student support services and<br />
other matters of resources as they relate to the SIP.
Riddle:<br />
What baby is born<br />
with whiskers?<br />
Answer:<br />
A kitten!<br />
Blue Pops – What They Are & What They Do For <strong>Conley</strong><br />
Your <strong>PTO</strong> is committed to giving back to the school, staff, and students in everyway possible. Each<br />
year the <strong>PTO</strong> commits several hundred dollars to each grade level and our special area teams (music,<br />
PE, art, media, and language). Our main source of funding for this effort comes from the sale of Blue<br />
Pops!<br />
Blue Pops are provided by Bruster’s Ice-Cream (one of our great business partners!) and consist of a<br />
single scoop of Italian Ice. They are blue raspberry flavor and blue in color, hence the name. While<br />
we understand the concern over sugar being part of your child’s diet, we also like to think that a<br />
special treat once in a while is great, as long as it is in moderation. A Blue Pop contains less sugar<br />
than a can of soda and less than some of the fruit juices on the market.<br />
Blue Pops are always enjoyed on the 3 rd Friday of the month. This year they will be sold from<br />
September to November and January to May. Blue Pops cost $2 each and the school gets to keep $1<br />
of every sale. We usually average around $400 in profits for each sale, just the perfect amount to fund<br />
our grade level grants!<br />
The way <strong>PTO</strong> has structured the Blue Pops availability gives teachers the flexibility to decide when<br />
their classroom enjoys the treat; it could be after lunch, after or during recess, or as they wind down at<br />
the end of the school day.<br />
The $2 for Blue Pops is due the 3 rd Wednesday of the month and<br />
they must be pre-paid. All money should be submitted to the<br />
teachers by 8.30 am on Wednesday, all students who pre-paid<br />
will enjoy their cool treat on Friday. A reminder will be sent out<br />
each month, usually the week before the money is due. Look for<br />
more information about a prepayment option for the year in an<br />
upcoming listserve.<br />
Our first Blue Pop sale is scheduled as follows: Money due to<br />
the classroom by Wednesday, September 19 th (no later than<br />
8.30 am, please). Blue Pops will be given out on Friday,<br />
September 21 st .<br />
Blue Pops are the perfect way for the <strong>PTO</strong> to raise revenue to<br />
help out the teachers with much needed funds. Plus the kids<br />
really enjoy them!
<strong>Conley</strong> <strong>Elementary</strong> <strong>School</strong><br />
Dress Code<br />
<strong>2012</strong>-2013<br />
At <strong>Conley</strong> <strong>Elementary</strong> <strong>School</strong> we strive to promote a positive learning environment by encouraging our students to be at<br />
their best on a daily basis. Appropriate attire is a key component that can limit distractions and enhance the teaching and<br />
learning environment. The <strong>Conley</strong> dress code is designed to promote safety and good hygiene as well as allow students<br />
the convenience of dressing comfortably while at school. Suitable attire and grooming is the responsibility of the<br />
individual student and his or her parents or guardians. Encouraging students to dress appropriately for school will<br />
prepare them to be productive members of society. It is time for back to school clothes shopping, and here are a few<br />
things to keep in mind when purchasing school outfits. We have highlighted in red some of the most frequent dress code<br />
issues. We appreciate your help in keeping the focus at school on learning, academics, and being the best we can we can<br />
be.<br />
1. Shorts, Skirts, Skorts and Dresses: Clothing should reach to the end of the middle finger when the arm and<br />
hand are placed at the side, including slits.<br />
2. Shirts: Shirts, tops, jackets, dresses or blouses should cover all aspects of the bosom, chest, back and sides. If a<br />
jacket or other covering is worn over the top, the shirt, blouse, or dress underneath must meet the dress code. Cleavage<br />
should not be visible. Tank tops with straps less than one inch, tube tops, halters, and spaghetti straps are not permitted<br />
as a primary top. See through materials, extremely tight clothing, beach wear, and sleepwear / pajamas / bedroom clothes<br />
are not appropriate for school dress. T-shirts that have obscene / suggestive slogans and/or refer to drugs and/or alcohol<br />
may not be worn to school. Undergarments should not be visible at any time.<br />
3. Pants: Pants should fit appropriately, without sagging, and hide all undergarments (underwear, boxers, shorts,<br />
etc.). *(Florida’s Sagging Pants Law) requires school boards to adopt dress codes barring clothes that "expose<br />
underwear or body parts in an indecent or vulgar manner."<br />
4. Hats: Head coverings are not permitted during warm weather. When the weather is cold, hats are permitted but<br />
may not be worn inside buildings. This includes but is not limited to hats, hoods, bandannas, do-rags, caps and<br />
sunglasses worn during the school day. Exceptions may be made by the principal for special school activities or if the<br />
student is a member of a legally recognized religious organization requiring head covering or if there is a legitimate<br />
medical necessity.<br />
5. Shoes: Shoes must be worn at all times and conform to the safety requirements of any activity in which the<br />
student will take part. Backless slides, flip flops, or any shoe without a closed/strapped back are not acceptable.<br />
Bedroom shoes, slippers, and Heelys are not permitted.<br />
6. Electronic Devices: Electronic devices should be turned off and stored in a backpack during designated hours<br />
(8:15 a.m. – 2:50 p.m.). Electronic devices are not to be carried on the student’s person and are subject to confiscation if<br />
visible during the designated times. Confiscated items will need to be picked up by a parent or guardian in the front<br />
office.<br />
As per Leon County <strong>School</strong> Board Policy 3.06, students should not wear items of apparel that when worn together are<br />
usually indicative of gang membership. Clothing that is obscene or promotes illegal activities, drugs, racism, alcohol,<br />
violence, tobacco products or sex is not permissible on the school grounds or at any school sponsored activity. Items<br />
capable of causing injury or damage to property (i.e. large metal belts, shoes with wheels, shoes or jewelry with spikes,<br />
chains hanging from the body or clothing / wallets, etc) will not be permitted.<br />
Any administrator or designee shall make the determination concerning questions regarding the appropriateness of dress<br />
for school and for school sponsored functions. This dress code is in compliance with Leon County <strong>School</strong> Board policy<br />
3.06. To review the county policy, refer to your Code of Conduct Booklet.<br />
Please note, students not dressed appropriately will have their parent / guardian contacted to bring more appropriate shoes<br />
/ clothes to school.<br />
<strong>August</strong> Trivia<br />
The first <strong>Conley</strong> student to give the correct answer to Mrs. Abbott, will win 20 Buzz Bucks:<br />
(Within 100) How many islands does the State of Florida have?