PTO Newsletter - August 2012 - Conley Elementary School

CONLEY ELEMENTARY
PTO SCHOOL NEWSLETTER
Volume 1 August 2012
PLEASE WELCOME CONLEY’S NEW STAFF
KATE BAUMANN
ALISON FEINBERG
LEYSSA HELGESON
MICHELLE KEARNEY
MARI KIMBREL
KATELYN LANG
LARRY LEE
KAREN LEVESQUE
ASIA ROSS
JAMES SADLER
MEGAN SCHULZE
LAURA SHEPPARD
KATHY SONDEL
LINDA WEITZEL
K -1 COMBINATION
3 RD GRADE
4 th GRADE
3 RD GRADE
3 RD GRADE
KINDERGARTEN
CUSTODIAN
3 RD GRADE
1 ST GRADE
CUSTODIAN
1 ST GRADE
1 ST GRADE
CUSTODIAN
MEDIA SPECIALIST
Save the Date…
The Conley Yellow Jacket Swarm
is buzz’n your way!
On Saturday, November 3, Conley
Elementary School will be hosting
the 2 nd Annual Conley Yellow
Jacket Swarm. This event will
feature a 10K race, a 5K race, and
1 mile fun run / walk through the
beautiful neighborhood streets of
SouthWood.
More information to come.
Important Upcoming Dates:
August-
Tuesday, August 14 th – Pre-K Orientation at 6:00 pm
Thursday, August 16 th – Orientation for K through 5 th grade (12-1:30 pm)
Monday, August 20 th – School Starts
Tuesday, August 28 th – Curriculum Night 2 nd (5:30 pm) / 3 rd grade (6:30 pm)
Thursday, August 30 th – Curriculum Night K (5:30 pm) /1 st grade (6:30 pm)
September-
Monday, September 3 rd – Labor Day Holiday – No School
Tuesday, September 4 th – Curriculum Night 4 th (5:30pm) /5 th grade (6:30pm)
Wednesday, September 5 th – Business Partner Breakfast (9:00 am)
Thursday, September 6 th – Picture Day (Individual & Classroom Pictures)
Wednesday, September 12 th – PBS Store
Friday, September 14 th – Spirit Night
Wednesday, September 19 th – Blue Pop Money Collection
Tuesday, September 25 th – Spirit Night
Wednesday, September 26 th – Progress Alerts

Principal Brooks’ Welcome Back Letter
Dear Conley Families and Friends,
August is here and the beginning of the 2012-13 school year is just around the corner. Students return on August 20,
2012. We have another exciting year ahead of us. 2011-12 was a super year that culminated with a great
International Celebration and an A grade for our school! We are ready for an even bigger and better year!
There are some changes you will notice when you return to school on August 20, 2012. Two additional portables
have been added at the end of the five hundred building. These will house third grade classrooms. In fact, all of the
four existing portables will be third grade classrooms. As many of you know, we have been tracking a wave of
growth since our school opened. This year the wave hits the third grade. I believe our enrollment will break 900
shortly after the start of the school year.
A few changes to our playgrounds have taken place. Last year, PTO installed the first phase of shades on both
the Pre-K/K playground and on the main playground. During the summer a concrete pad was added to the main
playground. Students will be able to play four square and other hopscotch games on the new pad. Phase Two of the
shades is just around the corner and tether balls are coming. Thank you, PTO!
You will also notice several new faces around campus and you will miss a few, as well. Those joining us are listed in
this newsletter. Those who have moved on to be closer to family or pursue a different chapter in their lives are: Janet
Childers, DeSoto Trail Elementary; Kathy Chomat, Montford Middle School; Lindsey Cole, Oregon; Gary Davis,
Killearn Lakes Elementary; Lindsey Matulia, Eustis; Tamica Morris, Florida High; Kimberly Pugliese, Orlando; and
Shanna Sadler, St. Augustine. We wish all of them well and will always consider them to be part of the Conley
family.
The new "buzz" words around campus this year will be Common Core State Standards. We are excited about these
new standards. They are built upon the best practices in teaching. Our faculty and school have been involved in
Inquiry Teaching and Learning since our inception. These principles are foundational to the Common Core
Standards. So we are excited that we are ahead of the game! First, it is important to understand why and how the
CCSS came about. This educational initiative was not born out of a state or federal department. Instead, the National
Governors' Association and the Council of Chief States School Officers began the ground swell of identifying
common standards / expectations for our children’s education across the United States. There was a desire to have
common expectations so as people move about the state and country there is consistency and as we compare our
progress to others we have a common link. An even more compelling reason was the desire to provide the type of
education that our children will need to perform in and contribute to an ever-changing, global society. The NGA and
CCSSO worked with several organizations to research and develop these new standards, they involved the National
Parent Teacher Association and as many different groups as possible to get input (the business world, private sector,
public sector, etc.). An important fact about the CCSS is they were developed with the end goals in mind. The
developers took the outcomes that were identified for students completing 12 th grade and went backwards in
indentifying the standards that supported those outcomes. You will have opportunities as the year progresses to
become more knowledgeable about the Common Core State Standards and their implications for teaching and
learning.
In preparation for the year, please take note of the following details:
As you are out and about getting your school clothes shopping done, be mindful of the school's dress code. It is found
within this newsletter. Supply lists can be found on the Conley website or you can drop by the school and pick one
up. Wal-Mart and other stores, also have copies available.
Please make note of the change in the school start time. It is ever so slight, five minutes, but oh so important
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.
Supervision begins at 7:45 a.m. and ends at 3:20 p.m. Please work with us to minimize having tardy students. Being
tardy disrupts the day and gets students off to a hurried start that affects the remainder of their day. Tardy students are
a disruption for the teacher and other students who have already begun the activities of the day. We will be more
diligent this year to contact those parents whose student's attendance is problematic. Please refer to the district's
attendance policy. This information is contained in the parent folder your child will bring home on the first day of
school.
(continued)

(continued from Page 2)
Before school drop off and after school pick up remains the same with one exception. The front gates will be closed
from 7:30 a.m. until 8:15 a.m. Only buses, faculty, staff, and parents dropping off students enrolled in before school
care will be allowed in those gates. All other parents dropping off students will enter the gates at the east side of the
campus. At 8:15 a.m., the front gates will reopen for parent drop off. This will create two places where students may
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
designated as "Student Drop Off." If you park in the parking lot, please escort your child (ren) from the parking
area to the interior of the campus. Do not allow children to walk from any of the parking areas unescorted. All gates
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.
Parents arriving at 8:25 a.m. will need to park in the parking lot and escort their child (ren) to the front office
to be signed in and given a tardy pass to enter class.
Again, the front gates will be closed at 2:30 in the afternoon. Only buses will be allowed to enter. Parents picking up
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
between 2:30-3:15. Parents are asked to continue east on Orange Avenue to the end of the street and then circle back
using the west bound lane of Orange Avenue before turning right into the parent pick up drive. This will allow the
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
or between the four way stop and Capital Circle. Once cars begin to move at 2:50 p.m., as school is dismissed, the
traffic begins to flow rather quickly. Of course, the Leon County School District does provide transportation at no
cost for our zoned families that live outside a two mile radius of our school. More students arriving via bus can help
decrease the traffic around our school. Parents, please consider this option for your child(ren). If you have questions
regarding bus transportation, you may call the school at 414-5610 or the district's transportation office at 488-2636.
Routines before school will be different this year and will begin on Wednesday, the third day of school. Before
school supervision will be provided by the teachers, support staff, and administrators. Campus will not be open until
7:45 a.m. From 7:45 until 8:15 students will be supervised in specific grade level holding areas. Students eating
breakfast will go directly to the cafeteria and remain there until 8:15 a.m. Grade level areas are:
• Kindergarteners will gather in the media center from 7:45 a.m. until 8:15 a.m.
• First graders will gather in the computer labs from 7:45 a.m. until 8:15 a.m.
• Second graders will gather in the cafeteria from 7:45 a.m. until 8:15 a.m.
• Third through Fifth graders will gather for a "walk and talk" time at the P.E. field.
• Provisions for inclement weather have been established.
Conley Elementary does provide, for a fee, a before school program (7:00 a.m.-7:45 a.m.) and an after school program
(2:50 p.m.-6:00 p.m.). If you have questions regarding these programs, please contact Ms. Danielle Dilbeck at 414-
5610.
Please mark your calendars for Orientation. Pre-K Orientation will be held August 14, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Orientation for students in Kindergarten through 5 th grade is scheduled for August 16, from 12 noon to 1:30 p.m. This
is an informal event that can be attended any time during the scheduled window. Parents and students will be able to
find out their new teacher and room visit their room and campus. Conley's PTO will be hosting hotdogs and drinks
for those who may be using their lunch break to attend.
A school calendar is available on the Conley School webpage and already has many dates assigned. You will want to
take a look. Also, our listserv is a wonderful way to stay up with current events and happenings at school. It only
takes a couple of minutes to sign up via our homepage.
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
way. We are all looking forward to the new year. Should you have further questions, please feel free to call the
school at 414-5610.
As always, it is a privilege and honor to serve as your school principal.
Sincerely,
Laura Brooks

Recycling and Fund Raising
– Conley Needs Your Help
Please collect the following and turn into your
classroom or to the collection boxes in the cafeteria:
‣ Campbell’s Labels
‣ Box Tops for Education
‣ Lays Potato Chip Bags (all sizes)
‣ Capri Suns (empty and clean, please)
All are collected by PTO to raise funds for Conley.
Business Partner Request
Leon County Partners in Excellence Program builds long term relationships
with local businesses, civic organizations, and community groups in support of
our schools. By making donations, mentoring, and volunteering for campus
activities, these groups meet the needs of our students and teachers.
Conley Elementary’s local businesses have done a wonderful job contributing to
our student recognition and teacher appreciation programs in the past years and
we look forward to another successful year!
If you know of any local businesses or organizations that would benefit
from our program and be interested in taking part this year,
please contact Jen Turner - Business Partner Coordinator,
turnerjst@gmail.com or by phone (850) 445-3769.
Riddle: What is as big as an
elephant but doesn’t weigh
anything?
Answer: The elephant’s shadow!

We are pleased to announce the return of the
Conley Clothing Closet
Our mission is to meet the basic clothing needs of
students within our school community. As you clear
out your child’s closet each season, please consider
donating any unwanted clothing items to the Conley’s
Clothing Closet.
We are in need of all school age clothing, age 3, and up.
Winter and summer clothing is utilized; belts, shoes,
jackets, and pants are some of the most needed items.
Any donations can be sent to the office, please mark to
the attention of Mrs. Louviere.
What Are Conley Spirit Nights?
Please join us at Conley’s Spirit Nights that will be held twice a month at
different locations around Tallahassee. Spirit Nights are a great way for
you and your child to get more involved with Conley. Parents and kids have
the opportunity to meet and socialize with other families while participating
in a fun activity, and at the same time raising money for the PTO.
Our Spirit Night Business Partners’ that we set up the evenings with give
10-20% of the proceeds back to the school.
If you have a business or know someone that does and would like to
participate with this program, please contact Jen Turner – Business Partner
Coordinator (turnerjst@gmail.com / (850) 445-3769) and we can set a date
to do a Spirit Night with you!

A Letter from Kim Bundage, Conley’s PTO President
The Conley Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) was able to fund a variety of projects for Conley Elementary
during the 2011-2012 school year. These projects covered a wide range of requests from school improvements,
school beautification, staff and student recognition, and much needed classroom resources.
Last school year classrooms received approximately $3,000 in funding from the PTO. These grade level requests
covered
\
everything from field trip assistance, supplies, funding for special projects, equipment, and even
playground toys, such as sand tables for the Pre-K area.
During the 2011-2012 school year, PTO implemented our first phase of playground shade. We were able to
provide some cover on both the main playground and the Kindergarten/Pre-K area. To date PTO has spent
$7,000 on improvements to enhance our outdoor play areas. Additionally, over the summer a concrete pad was
poured adjacent to the main playground, expanding the recreation area for Conley’s students.
Other examples of PTO expenditures include $500 for the Welcome Garden, $300 for the music department to
tune the piano, and $200 for water to hydrate students during the FCAT exams. Also, as part of our student
recognition program, each student was treated to a free blue pop on field day.
PTO was able to host a wonderful Teacher Appreciation Week last year. And as always, we purchased an end
of the year gift card for each member of our Conley Staff.
Conley’s wonderful volunteers were also honored with a volunteer breakfast, catered by Jason’s Deli, while
enjoying a student musical performance. Volunteers who logged over 100 hours were also recognized with an
additional thank you gift in the form of a $10 Target gift card.
The largest fundraiser Conley held this year was our BoosterThon Fun Run. The event had a net profit of
$16,002.23. The PTO board voted to allocate all profits to the purchase of 12 new laptops for the 4 th and 5 th
grade teachers. Upgrading these laptops allowed for more reliable technology in our classrooms as well as
additional units for students to utilize on a daily basis. The old teacher laptops will be repurposed for student
use. This purchase will result in two additional mobile computer labs, which may be accessed by all grade levels.
Any remaining funds from the BoosterThon are being used for other technology needs within the school.
All funds raised by the Conley PTO are put directly back into the school. This upcoming school year we will
have a very limited number of events. Currently scheduled are the Conley Swarm (November 3 rd ), the
BoosterThon Fun Run (tentatively scheduled for the early spring), Spirit Nights (two each month), and Blue Pop
(monthly) sales. Please continue to support our PTO fundraisers, as they make a huge impact for our school,
staff, and students.
How Can You Make a Difference at Conley?
Join other parents and teachers as a member of the PTO or the School
Advisory Council (SAC).
PTO raises funds for our school to support our administration, teachers, and
students, and create a positive school environment.
The SAC assists in the preparation and evaluation of the School Improvement
Plan (SIP), and assists in the decision making process at the school regarding
budget, training, instructional materials, staffing, student support services and
other matters of resources as they relate to the SIP.

Riddle:
What baby is born
with whiskers?
Answer:
A kitten!
Blue Pops – What They Are & What They Do For Conley
Your PTO is committed to giving back to the school, staff, and students in everyway possible. Each
year the PTO commits several hundred dollars to each grade level and our special area teams (music,
PE, art, media, and language). Our main source of funding for this effort comes from the sale of Blue
Pops!
Blue Pops are provided by Bruster’s Ice-Cream (one of our great business partners!) and consist of a
single scoop of Italian Ice. They are blue raspberry flavor and blue in color, hence the name. While
we understand the concern over sugar being part of your child’s diet, we also like to think that a
special treat once in a while is great, as long as it is in moderation. A Blue Pop contains less sugar
than a can of soda and less than some of the fruit juices on the market.
Blue Pops are always enjoyed on the 3 rd Friday of the month. This year they will be sold from
September to November and January to May. Blue Pops cost $2 each and the school gets to keep $1
of every sale. We usually average around $400 in profits for each sale, just the perfect amount to fund
our grade level grants!
The way PTO has structured the Blue Pops availability gives teachers the flexibility to decide when
their classroom enjoys the treat; it could be after lunch, after or during recess, or as they wind down at
the end of the school day.
The $2 for Blue Pops is due the 3 rd Wednesday of the month and
they must be pre-paid. All money should be submitted to the
teachers by 8.30 am on Wednesday, all students who pre-paid
will enjoy their cool treat on Friday. A reminder will be sent out
each month, usually the week before the money is due. Look for
more information about a prepayment option for the year in an
upcoming listserve.
Our first Blue Pop sale is scheduled as follows: Money due to
the classroom by Wednesday, September 19 th (no later than
8.30 am, please). Blue Pops will be given out on Friday,
September 21 st .
Blue Pops are the perfect way for the PTO to raise revenue to
help out the teachers with much needed funds. Plus the kids
really enjoy them!

Conley Elementary School
Dress Code
2012-2013
At Conley Elementary School we strive to promote a positive learning environment by encouraging our students to be at
their best on a daily basis. Appropriate attire is a key component that can limit distractions and enhance the teaching and
learning environment. The Conley dress code is designed to promote safety and good hygiene as well as allow students
the convenience of dressing comfortably while at school. Suitable attire and grooming is the responsibility of the
individual student and his or her parents or guardians. Encouraging students to dress appropriately for school will
prepare them to be productive members of society. It is time for back to school clothes shopping, and here are a few
things to keep in mind when purchasing school outfits. We have highlighted in red some of the most frequent dress code
issues. We appreciate your help in keeping the focus at school on learning, academics, and being the best we can we can
be.
1. Shorts, Skirts, Skorts and Dresses: Clothing should reach to the end of the middle finger when the arm and
hand are placed at the side, including slits.
2. Shirts: Shirts, tops, jackets, dresses or blouses should cover all aspects of the bosom, chest, back and sides. If a
jacket or other covering is worn over the top, the shirt, blouse, or dress underneath must meet the dress code. Cleavage
should not be visible. Tank tops with straps less than one inch, tube tops, halters, and spaghetti straps are not permitted
as a primary top. See through materials, extremely tight clothing, beach wear, and sleepwear / pajamas / bedroom clothes
are not appropriate for school dress. T-shirts that have obscene / suggestive slogans and/or refer to drugs and/or alcohol
may not be worn to school. Undergarments should not be visible at any time.
3. Pants: Pants should fit appropriately, without sagging, and hide all undergarments (underwear, boxers, shorts,
etc.). *(Florida’s Sagging Pants Law) requires school boards to adopt dress codes barring clothes that "expose
underwear or body parts in an indecent or vulgar manner."
4. Hats: Head coverings are not permitted during warm weather. When the weather is cold, hats are permitted but
may not be worn inside buildings. This includes but is not limited to hats, hoods, bandannas, do-rags, caps and
sunglasses worn during the school day. Exceptions may be made by the principal for special school activities or if the
student is a member of a legally recognized religious organization requiring head covering or if there is a legitimate
medical necessity.
5. Shoes: Shoes must be worn at all times and conform to the safety requirements of any activity in which the
student will take part. Backless slides, flip flops, or any shoe without a closed/strapped back are not acceptable.
Bedroom shoes, slippers, and Heelys are not permitted.
6. Electronic Devices: Electronic devices should be turned off and stored in a backpack during designated hours
(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
visible during the designated times. Confiscated items will need to be picked up by a parent or guardian in the front
office.
As per Leon County School Board Policy 3.06, students should not wear items of apparel that when worn together are
usually indicative of gang membership. Clothing that is obscene or promotes illegal activities, drugs, racism, alcohol,
violence, tobacco products or sex is not permissible on the school grounds or at any school sponsored activity. Items
capable of causing injury or damage to property (i.e. large metal belts, shoes with wheels, shoes or jewelry with spikes,
chains hanging from the body or clothing / wallets, etc) will not be permitted.
Any administrator or designee shall make the determination concerning questions regarding the appropriateness of dress
for school and for school sponsored functions. This dress code is in compliance with Leon County School Board policy
3.06. To review the county policy, refer to your Code of Conduct Booklet.
Please note, students not dressed appropriately will have their parent / guardian contacted to bring more appropriate shoes
/ clothes to school.
August Trivia
The first Conley student to give the correct answer to Mrs. Abbott, will win 20 Buzz Bucks:
(Within 100) How many islands does the State of Florida have?