Contact 13-7 Mar - Paxtonia Elementary PTA

Paxtonia Elementary SchoolTheCONTACTMarch 1, 2011PTANewsletterVolume 13, Issue 7Dear Parents,From the Principal’s Desk ...Tom ToonePrincipalIcontinue to be amazed at the staff,students, and parents of Paxtonia ElementarySchool! We are blessed withdedicated teachers, enthusiastic students,and supportive parents. I am confidentthat we will more than prove our“academic worth” on the upcoming PSSAtests. Equally important to me, I am alsoconfident that we will continue to proveour “social worth” through our charitableevents and by treating each other theway we would want to be treated.Roller Skating Party - March 6th!Don’t miss all the fun! Come joinus at the upcoming Paxtonia PTAroller skating party on Sunday, March6th. The roller skating party will beheld at Olympic Skating Rink in Enolafrom 4:30 – 6:30 pm.Due to budget constraints,admission to the roller skating partywill be $1.00 per person. Skate rentalYOJO Is Coming - March 10thThe PTA is thrilled to have the everpopularYoJo back on March 10 th toshare his insights to students in 3 rd thru5 th grades on how to “Ace Your PSSA.”This timely production will help studentswith very specific standardized testtakingstrategies such as paying closeattention to all instructions, questions… no Educational Trip requests willbe approved during the PSSA testingPSSA Testing DatesRemember, grades 3-5 will be takingthe PSSA Reading and Math tests March16 – 23; 5 th grade will be taking the PSSAWriting test March 28 – 30; and 4 th gradewill be taking the PSSA Science test April4 – 5. No Educational Trip requests willbe approved during the PSSA testingdates.Birthday Party EtiquettePlease do not have your child distributebirthday party invitations at schoolunless every member of the class is invited.It is disheartening for a child to beexcluded. Remember that kids havefeelings, too. Simply use the U.S. mailis $1.00 and rollerblade rental is $3.00.Adult supervision is required. If yourchild is coming with another adult,please remember to provide themwith a signed permission slip (flyerswill come home that week).F o r d i r e c t i o n s g o t owww.olympicskatingcenter.com or call732-9168. Karen Bloom & Julie Marolfand answer choices, previewing testsections and budgeting test time wisely,the proper way to fill out answers onanswer sheets, writing ‘open-ended’ constructedresponses clearly and neatly,and supporting constructive responseswith proof, evidence and detail.when inviting smaller numbers. Thanks.Traffic FlowIf you choose to drop your child off infront of the school in the morning,please consider making a right-hand turnONLY onto Jonestown Road. This willhelp immensely with the congestion infront of the school building. Thank you.Just a Personal ObservationAfter more than 20 years working inelementary schools, please allow me toshare an observation. I have noticedthat students who have access to electronicequipment in their bedrooms (i.e.,TV, cell phone, computer or hand-heldgames) average less sleep and lowergrades than their classmates who get agood night’s sleep without the temptationof electronic distractions.Again, thanks to everyone for makingus all “Paxtonia Proud”!March Calendarof EventsMar 2Mar 3Mar 4Mar 6Mar 7Mar 10Mar 11Mar 15Mar 22Mar 27Talent Show, CDMS, 6 pmTalent Show, CDMS, 6 pmK-2nd Sub Orders dueRoller Skating Party, 4:30-6:30 pmPTA Meeting, 7 pmYOJO AssemblySchool In Session (snow make-up)3rd-5th Sub Orders dueK-2nd Sub Pick-up, 3:30-6 pm3rd-5th Sub Pick-up, 3:30-6 pmFriendship Center Family Fun NightPlease ask your children about whatthey learned during this program andreview these important lessons so thatthey may do their very best on the PSSA!

The ContactPage 5Science Night Review - 2011On the evening of Friday, February18 th , Paxtonia held its EleventhAnnual Science Night. The warmweather brought a larger crowd andeven more excitement. We had manyexhibits return including The HersheyCompany, Lower Paxton Police, PAWildlife Management, Drayer PhysicalTherapy, HACC and Keystone RadioControl Society. This year we welcomedHarrisburg University of Science andTechnology whose Robotics exhibit wasvery interesting. Our parent experimentsincluded What’s that Taste?,Bowling Ball – Float or Sink?, and SpudPressure. Nine 5th grade studentswere chosen to perform experimentsthis year. They enlightened us withRattlebacks, Lifeboats, Oobleck,Telegraphs, Illusions, and Swingers. Iwant to thank all of the professionalsand parents whose time and dedicationmade this night possible especially JulieMarolf who took over many duties Iwasn’t able to perform. Finally, thanksto Triangle Press for again donating thebooklets and flyersfor Science Night.Of course, it isour hope thatthrough our ScienceNight program, wespur the interest of some Paxtonia studentsto delve into the wonderful worldof Science and perhaps become futurescientists!Dawn Fry, Science Night chairpersonSave the Date - Moms & MuffinsHere’s a friendly reminderto keep the dates open forthis year's annual Moms andMuffins Breakfast event. It isscheduled for Thursday, May12 th , and Friday, May 13 th from8:00 - 8:45 each morning. Wewill send the details home withyour children as we get closerto May. To any men ofPaxtonia who would like tolend a helping hand, pleasecontact Scott Miller - 608-0236or bethandscott@verizon.net.Thank you.Family Fun NightFriendship Center Family Fun Night ison Sunday, March 27 th from 6:15-8:15 pm. Cost is $5 per person. Comeout with your family and enjoy yourPaxtonia friends at the FriendshipCommunity Center. The pool, gyms, andworkout area will be open. Stay tunedfor information on how to purchase yourtickets.PTA DonationsDon’t forget, you canmake a taxdeductible donation tothe PTA Fund in combination with or inlieu of participating in the fundraiser!Paxtonia PTA spends approximately$50 per child each school year.Because of your much appreciatedparticipation with previous fundraisingefforts, our target goal is only $35 perfamily. Please know, we are thankfulfor any amount your family can offer.It all adds up. If you elected not toparticipate in previous fundraisers,please consider participating at ahigher level if you are able.100% of funds are used to enhanceyour child’s experience at PaxtoniaElementary. You can find the form fory o u r c o n t r i b u t i o n a twww.paxtoniapta.com or contact SuzyJones for more information. Thanksfor your generous support.Daylight Savings TimeBegins March 13th!Don’t forget to ...Check out the PTAon the Paxtonia Websitewww.PaxtoniaPTA.com