posted Apr 1, 2010 7:09 PM by Celeste Wooten
In this Newsletter...
- Environmental Service Project - Monday, April 12th @ 4 pm
- Get Fresh Fruits, Vegetables, Eggs, Honey and So Much More Delivered from Local Farms to Fulton Elementary for Your Family to Pick-Up – Community Supported Agriculture available now at Fulton Elementary and Reservoir High School
- PTA Meeting - Wednesday, April 14th @ 7 pm in the Media Center - Featured Topic: Internet Safety
- Golf Tournament - 5/21 11:30 a.m.
- Tentative: Fulton Family Fitness 5K/1K Fun Run/Walk - 6/5 9 a.m.
COME HELP BEAUTIFY OUR SCHOOL ON THE MONDAY WE GET BACK
Environmental Service Project - Monday April 12th @ 4 pm
On Monday, April 12th, the Fulton Elementary PTA will host volunteers from the national environmental initiative, Pick-Up America ([ http://pickupamerica.wordpress.com/), ]http://pickupamerica.wordpress.com/), as part of an environmental project to repair its outdoor soil garden from snow storm damage, weed the flower beds, and clean-up outdoor trash. PTA President, Brian Meshkin explains, “As America’s First Green PTA, we incorporate triple-bottom line priorities in all we do. We have an amazing PTA Environmental Club and they have organized this service project to show how volunteers can be used to save our schools money, how students can learn through hands-on environmental experiences, and how a community can come together to make a difference.” Pick-Up America’s Director of Community Outreach, Kelly Klein, states, “We have learned so much on our walking tour which started on the Atlantic Ocean about a month ago. We have walked from Assateague Island, up through Salisbury and made our way to Howard County. It is special to engage this many volunteers at Fulton in such a worthy project.” Klein, a graduated of River Hill High School, explains that Pick-Up America will work its way across the country ending its tour in the San Francisco Bay Area next year. As part of this environmental project, the Fulton Elementary PTA is hosting a community forum starting at 5 pm on how volunteers can get involved with care for their school environments. The Fulton PTA community forum will have participants from the Howard County Public School System, University of Maryland Extension Master Gardeners, Teachers, Administrators, Parents and Students. The service project will be held from 4 pm to 5 pm on Monday, April 12th and the Community Forum on Volunteer Involvement in School Maintenance will be held from 5 pm to 6 pm at Fulton Elementary School.
GET FARM-FRESH PRODUCE DELIVERED TO FULTON FOR YOUR FAMILY – STARTING IN LATE MAY (DEADLINE TO SIGN-UP MAY 1st)
Get fresh produce, eggs, and other groceries straight from farms here in Howard County delivered to Fulton Elementary every Wednesday from 4:15 to 6 pm. You will support local farms, improve the environment by not buying products shipped across country, and provide your family with fresh, local food. Coordinated by Breezy Willow Farm in West Friendship, families can buy one “share” of the CSA or multiple families can buy a “share” together. Here’s an example of a given week in June: 1 quart of strawberries, 1 pint of blueberries, spring lettuce mix, spinach, 3 lbs. of potatoes, 1 quart of beans, 1 bunch of spring onions, 1 lb. of asparagus, your choice of bread and a dozen eggs. Here’s how it works: At first pick up, you agree to pay $140.00 and will continue to make monthly payments, due the first week of the following months until a total of 6 payments have been made. If you decide to pay for the entire season in the beginning, the check amount would be $840.00. You can also choose to pay in 3 installments of $280.00. Total weeks are 24 for the season at $35.00 per week. The Fulton PTA earns a portion of the amount paid as a fundraiser. As part of our Triple Bottom Line commitment to financial, social and environmental responsibility, the PTA will donate our portion to the local food bank, as they are experiencing record need for food from Howard County families. If you are interested, please visit the Documents section of the FESPTA.org web site and download your form ( [ [ http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=sites&srcid=ZmVzcHRhLm9yZ3x3d3d8Z3g6M2IyNDY1ZDYyOWM2OTE3Yw) ]http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=sites&srcid=ZmVzcHRhLm9yZ3x3d3d8Z3g6M2IyNDY1ZDYyOWM2OTE3Yw). ][ http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=sites&srcid=ZmVzcHRhLm9yZ3x3d3d8Z3g6M2IyNDY1ZDYyOWM2OTE3Yw) ]http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=sites&srcid=ZmVzcHRhLm9yZ3x3d3d8Z3g6M2IyNDY1ZDYyOWM2OTE3Yw).
NEXT PTA MEETING - Wednesday, April 14th at 7 pm in the Media Center
Topic: Internet Safety
GOLF TOURNAMENT 5/21/2010 11:30 a.m.
The Fulton PTA is soliciting items to place in the silent auction that will be held at the post-golf dinner social. If you are willing to donate sports items (i.e. tickets for the Orioles, Redskins, Ravens, Nationals, college sports, etc.) or a service, please contact Prasad Karunakaran @ prasad@zenyon.com. Please, if you are able, consider helping with this cause. Also, the dinner social is open to everyone, so please join us for the festivities.
If you know of businesses that may be willing to be a sponsor of a golf hole, please have them contact Prasad too. If you have not signed up to golf in the tournament, please do so. More information is available at www.fultonpta.golfreg.com.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS – TENTATIVE – Fulton Family Fitness Fun Run/Walk (5k/1k) - 9 to noon on Saturday June 5th – Stay Tuned for More Details
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posted Mar 16, 2010 9:04 AM by Celeste Wooten
PTA MEETING - THIS WEDNESDAY
Wednesday, March 10th – Discussion Topic: The Facts of Lice
As you know, we have had repeated, limited outbreaks of Head Lice at Fulton over the years. Our administration, teachers, and staff are doing their best to contain the outbreaks, but for any family affected, it is a tremendous challenge. To help avoid further spread of this condition, the PTA has invited MJ Eckert, RN, from Lice Happens (http://www.licehappens.com/), <http://www.licehappens.com/%29,> to come and educate our members about this condition. NOTE: The PTA does not endorse or support any commercial lice removal service.
FULTON FAMILY FITNESS FUN NIGHT
Thursday, March 18th from 6:30 to 7:30 pm - Hosted by Personal Trainers from Wellness Evolution Studio, come and engage in exercise-based physical activities for the whole family to enjoy and play games together. It’s FREE, FUN, and can help keep on your track to meet those New Year’s Resolutions.
COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AGRICULTURE
As part of our certification as the Nation’s 1st CarbonFree Green PTA, we are rolling out a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program across our school cluster (Fulton Elementary, Lime Kiln, Reservoir, etc.). You will be able to subscribe to fresh produce, eggs, and other groceries straight from farms here in Howard County delivered to Fulton Elementary every Wednesday from 4:15 to 6 pm. You will support local farms, improve the environment by not buying products shipped across country, and provide your family with fresh, local food. Coordinated by Breezy Willow Farm in West Friendship, families can buy one “share” of the CSA or multiple families can buy a “share” together. Here’s an example of a given week in June: 1 quart of strawberries, 1 pint of blueberries, spring lettuce mix, spinach, 3 lbs. of potatoes, 1 quart of beans, 1 bunch of spring onions, 1 lb. of asparagus, your choice of bread and a dozen eggs. Here’s how it works: At first pick up, you agree to pay $140.00 and will continue to make monthly payments, due the first week of the following months until a total of 6 payments have been made. If you decide to pay for the entire season in the beginning, the check amount would be $840.00. You can also choose to pay in 3 installments of $280.00. Total weeks are 24 for the season at $35.00 per week. The Fulton PTA earns a portion of the amount paid as a fundraiser. As part of our Triple Bottom Line commitment to financial, social and environmental responsibility, the PTA will donate our portion to the local food bank, as they are experiencing record need for food from Howard County families. If you are interested, please visit the Documents section of the FESPTA.org web site and download your form.
ANNUAL PTA GOLF TOURNAMENT
The Fulton Elementary PTA and Lime Kiln Middle PTA invite you to play in their annual Golf Tournament on Friday, May 21, 2010 at 11:30 a.m. at Waverly Woods. For more information, please contact Prasad Karunakaran (pppprasad@gmail.com) or Jeanne Lineberry (jeanne_lineberry@verizon.net) or find details at www.fultonpta.golfreg.com <http://www.fultonpta.golfreg.com> <http://www.fultonpta.golfreg.com/> .
DRAMA CLUB
Our annual FES PTA Drama Club Winter Musical performances are almost here!!!! Come support your friends as they "get their head in the game" and entertain us all with two great musical productions . . .
GRADE SCHOOL MUSICAL--Thursday, March 11th at 7:00 pm starring our kindergarten, first, and second grade friends!
HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL--Thursday, March 25th at 7:00 pm featuring our third, fourth, and fifth grade actors and actresses!
Admission is free to both performances . . .so come join us as the FES cafeteria transforms into the land of the East High Wildcats!
PTA POSITIONS FOR NEXT YEAR
Next school year, the PTA will need volunteers to fill some critically important positions on the Executive Team, as well as committee assignments for our Cultural Arts (School Assemblies), Drama Club (Performances like those mentioned in this newsletter), etc. If you are interested, please contact a member of this year’s Executive Team.
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posted Mar 16, 2010 9:03 AM by Celeste Wooten
Week of January 4, 2010
Happy New Year from the Fulton Elementary PTA
• Enjoy Your Fulton Elementary School Directory – We hope you were able to review the School Directory sent home in your child’s Friday Folder last week. As the nation’s first CarbonFree Green PTA, we’d like to recognize that this directory was printed using 100% recycled paper and cardstock, 100% wind power, 100% vegetable oil-based inks, and on a waterless printing press eliminating the need for toxic chemicals or high chemical content waste water in the printing process. We would also like to thank Steve English for designing and assembling the directory, as well as his efforts to sell advertising in the directory. Not only was it a Green Directory, but we saved 50% of the normal printing costs and actually made money for the PTA. Thanks Steve for your great work! Please note that it is also available as a .pdf download on the www.fespta.org [ http://www.fespta.org ] web site.
• Fulton Family Fitness & Game Nights – First event is this Friday, January 8th. 6:30 to 7:30 pm in the Fulton cafeteria. Next two are 6:30 to 7:30 pm: Monday, February 8th and Thursday, March 18th - Keep those New Years' Resolutions to be more active as a family and spend time together in a free, fun way with friends from school. The fitness and game nights are hosted by the PTA and offered by Wellness Evolution Studio. There will be organized physical activities for the family to enjoy, as well as board games and healthy refreshments in the cafeteria. Bring the whole family!
• Next PTA Meeting – Wednesday, January 13th 6:00 pm in the Media Center immediately before the Musical Concerts at 6:45 pm.
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posted Dec 8, 2009 10:07 AM by Celeste Wooten
3 Things This Week – PTA Meeting on Redistricting This Week, Green PTA Fundraiser, H1N1 Flu Vaccination Clinic (12/17)
1. Fulton Elementary Redistricting – Topic for our Next PTA Meeting on December 9th at 7 pm – Special Guest: Joel Gallihue, Director of School Planning HCPSS
At our regularly scheduled PTA meeting on Wednesday, December 9th at 7 pm, it will be our pleasure to have Mr. Joel Gallihue come from central office to explain the elementary school redistricting feasibility study and the potential scenarios involving the redistricting of Fulton Elementary students.
2. H1N1 Flu Vaccine Clinics – The County recently received a large batch of Nasal Mist H1N1 Flu Vaccine. Thus, we will now have an H1N1 Flu Vaccine Clinic on Thursday, December 17th. Yesterday, consent forms were sent home. These MUST BE RETURNED by Wednesday, December 9th. There have been two waves of H1N1 “swine flu” – one in the spring of 2009 and another in September/early October 2009. The public health authorities suggest that there may be a 3rd wave in the winter. This is an optional program and only children with a completed consent form will receive the vaccine. The PTA will be mobilizing volunteers to help, so if you are interested, please contact us.
3. Thinking of making some end of year tax-deductible donations? We’ve got 2 great options!
1) Become a Falcon Patron and make a direct donation to the Fulton PTA; and/or,
Download the Falcon Patron form from the Fulton PTA website. Click here [ http://sites.google.com/a/fespta.org/www/documents-and-files) ]http://sites.google.com/a/fespta.org/www/documents-and-files).
2) Support our PTA and Make Your Home or Car CarbonFree through our CarbonFree Green PTA Fundraiser
As part of being America’s 1st CarbonFree Green PTA, the Fulton Elementary PTA is holding a CarbonFree Fundraiser. We invite you to make your house and cars CarbonFree with a tax-deductible contribution and our PTA gets 33%.
How much does it cost?
- If you have a home >2500 sq ft, you can make your home CarbonFree with a tax-deductible contribution of $239.50 (and FES PTA gets 33% or $79.83)
- If you have a home between 1500 to 2499 sq ft, you can make your home CarbonFree with a tax-deductible contribution of $149.69 (and FES PTA gets 33% or $49.90)
- If you have a home of less than 1500 sq ft, you can make your home CarbonFree with a tax-deductible contribution of $89.81 (and FES PTA gets 33% or $29.94).
Here is the chart for your vehicles:
Green (41+ mpg) = $32.66 (the PTA keeps $10.89)
Efficient (29-40 mpg) = $43.55 (the PTA keeps $14.52)
Full Size (19-28 mpg) = $65.32 (the PTA keeps $21.77)
SUV (10-18 mpg) = $108.86 (the PTA keeps $36.29)
1 Simply make a check out to Fulton PTA in the amount of the CarbonFree contribution.
2 Complete the registration form available on FESPTA.org and send in with your check.
3 You will receive a letter documenting your contribution, bumper sticker and/or decal for your CarbonFree certification from Carbonfund.org
4 The Fulton PTA will have the resources it needs to continue providing quality cultural arts programs, activities, classroom enrichment, and teacher support throughout the year!
5 Our local Howard County community will have improved air quality, reduced noise pollution, safer highways, and reduced energy usage. Read where the money goes below!
What does the money go to?
33% of the proceeds raised in this fundraiser go to our school and 66% go to a tax-deductible contribution to Carbonfund.org’s investments in Truck Electrification Projects, some of which are right here in Howard County. Long haul truck drivers idle their trucks to heat or cool their cab during the federally-required 10 hour rest period for every 11 on the road. Idling results in poor rest for the driver, consumes fuel while moving no product, reduces engine life, requires additional engine maintenance, and pollutes the air. The IdleAire technology allows drivers to shut off their engines by providing heating and cooling wherever long-haul trucks congregate and idle. The only "retrofit" is a $10 window adapter for the truck. IdleAire also provides electrical outlets and a variety of communication and entertainment options for the driver. At the Travel Centers of America Truck Stop in Jessup, Maryland (off of I-95 and Rt 175) – right here in Howard County, Idleaire’s Truck Electrification station is offered. In contrast, all other idling alternatives require thousands of dollars in retrofits to each individual truck that might choose to use the travel center (or other local parking location) at any given time. Other community benefits include: New Jobs as IdleAire maintains an employee presence at the location 24/7/365, Reduced Noise Pollution, Improved Safety/Security, IdleAire personnel carry two-way radios and monitor CB Channel 3 for driver assistance, Safer Highways, Drivers using IdleAire rest better than those resting in the noisy, vibrating, emissions-charged cab of an idling truck, and Energy Conservation. Ultimately, IdleAire conserves one gallon of fuel per hour per truck.
What a great way to promote cost savings in transportation for our businesses, safer highways for our commuters, improved air quality and energy usage for our environment, and energy independence from foreign countries! And your kids directly benefit here at Fulton Elementary. Like our Triple-Bottom-Line PTA budget, it’s a triple-bottom-line benefit – people, profits and planet!
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posted Nov 19, 2009 12:54 PM by Celeste Wooten
3 Things This Week – Redistricting, Holiday Shoppe Volunteers and Green PTA Fundraiser
1. Fulton Elementary Redistricting – Topic for our Next PTA Meeting on December 9th at 7 pm – Special Guest: Joel Gallihue, Director of School Planning HCPSS
At our regularly scheduled PTA meeting on Wednesday, December 9th at 7 pm, it will be our pleasure to have Mr. Joel Gallihue come from central office to explain the elementary school redistricting feasibility study and the potential scenarios involving the redistricting of Fulton Elementary students. Do you have questions regarding the proposed 2011 redistricting? Then you should attend.
Current proposals affect families as far east as the Ashleigh Knolls neighborhood, east of Browns Bridge Road. In the interest of facilitating the flow of information, we would like to provide Mr. Gallihue with a list of YOUR questions prior to this briefing. If there's something YOU would like to know about the 2011 redistricting proposal, please send your question to Laura Squirlock at lmsquir@gmail.com. Laura has volunteered to compile parent questions to be sent to Mr. Gallihue in advance. We want to make this meeting as productive as possible and reduce the number of “I’ll have to get back to you” answers.
2. Holiday Shoppe Volunteers Still Needed - If you are able to volunteer, please email Cheryl Keller at CDiannekeller@aol.com as soon as possible. We will have two shifts each day from 11:00 am – 12:45 pm and 12:30 – 2:15 pm (on Tuesday, our second shift will be from 1:00 – 3:00 to accommodate the third grade field trip) and need about 5-6 volunteers per shift. Although we currently have about 40 people helping, we still need about 10-15 more people!
3. Thinking of making some end of year tax-deductible donations? We’ve got 2 great options!
1) Become a Falcon Patron and make a direct donation to the Fulton PTA; and/or,
Download the Falcon Patron form from the Fulton PTA website. Click here ([ http://sites.google.com/a/fespta.org/www/documents-and-files). ]http://sites.google.com/a/fespta.org/www/documents-and-files).
2) Support our PTA and Make Your Home or Car CarbonFree through our CarbonFree Green PTA Fundraiser
As part of being America’s 1st CarbonFree Green PTA, the Fulton Elementary PTA is holding a CarbonFree Fundraiser. We invite you to make your house and cars CarbonFree with a tax-deductible contribution and our PTA gets 33%.
How much does it cost?
- If you have a home >2500 sq ft, you can make your home CarbonFree with a tax-deductible contribution of $239.50 (and FES PTA gets 33% or $79.83)
- If you have a home between 1500 to 2499 sq ft, you can make your home CarbonFree with a tax-deductible contribution of $149.69 (and FES PTA gets 33% or $49.90)
- If you have a home of less than 1500 sq ft, you can make your home CarbonFree with a tax-deductible contribution of $89.81 (and FES PTA gets 33% or $29.94).
Here is the chart for your vehicles:
Green (41+ mpg) = $32.66 (the PTA keeps $10.89)
Efficient (29-40 mpg) = $43.55 (the PTA keeps $14.52)
Full Size (19-28 mpg) = $65.32 (the PTA keeps $21.77)
SUV (10-18 mpg) = $108.86 (the PTA keeps $36.29)
1 Simply, make a check out to Fulton PTA in the amount of the CarbonFree contribution.
2 Complete the registration form available on FESPTA.org and send in with your check.
3 You will receive a letter documenting your contribution, bumper sticker and/or decal for your CarbonFree certification from Carbonfund.org
4 The Fulton PTA will have the resources it needs to continue providing quality cultural arts programs, activities, classroom enrichment, and teacher support throughout the year!
5 Our local Howard County community will have improved air quality, reduced noise pollution, safer highways, and reduced energy usage. Read where the money goes below!
What does the money go to?
33% of the proceeds raised in this fundraiser go to our school and 66% go to a tax-deductible contribution to Carbonfund.org’s investments in Truck Electrification Projects, some of which are right here in Howard County. Long haul truck drivers idle their trucks to heat or cool their cab during the federally-required 10 hours rest period for every 11 on the road. Idling results in poor rest for the driver, consumes fuel while moving no product, reduces engine life, requires additional engine maintenance, and pollutes the air. The IdleAire technology allows drivers to shut off their engines by providing heating and cooling wherever long-haul trucks congregate and idle. The only "retrofit" is a $10 window adapter for the truck. IdleAire also provides electrical outlets and a variety of communication and entertainment options for the driver. At the Travel Centers of America Truck Stop in Jessup, Maryland (off of I-95 and Rt 175) – right here in Howard County, Idleaire’s Truck Electrification station is offered. In contrast, all other idling alternatives require thousands of dollars in retrofits to each individual truck that might choose to use the travel center (or other local parking location) at any given time. Other community benefits include: New Jobs as IdleAire maintains an employee presence at the location 24/7/365, Reduced Noise Pollution, Improved Safety/Security, IdleAire personnel carry two-way radios and monitor CB Channel 3 for driver assistance, Safer Highways, Drivers using IdleAire rest better than those resting in the noisy, vibrating, emissions-charged cab of an idling truck, and Energy Conservation. Ultimately, IdleAire conserves one gallon of fuel per hour per truck.
What a great way to promote cost savings in transportation for our businesses, safer highways for our commuters, improved air quality and energy usage for our environment, and energy independence from foreign countries! And your kids directly benefit here at Fulton Elementary. Like our Triple-Bottom-Line PTA budget, it’s a triple-bottom-line benefit – people, profits and planet!
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posted Nov 18, 2009 8:44 PM by Celeste Wooten
PTA Meeting - Wednesday November 11th at 7 pm
You are invited to attend our 3rd PTA Meeting of the year. The meeting will
be in the Media Center at 7:00 pm. At Wednesday's meeting, we will be
discussing the upcoming Holiday Shoppe and the CarbonFree Green fundraiser,
as well as putting together a working group to coordinate our efforts on the
elementary school redistricting. This working group will coordinate
questions for Mr. Joel Gallihue's visit at our December meeting. To help
facilitate your participation, we are hoping to have teleconferencing
available. We are working through some phone issues in the media center.
If you cannot attend and would like to listen, our intention is to have you
call-in using the following instructions: 1 (218) 339-2699 and then access
code 164169.
Coat Drive a Success
We would like to thank Kelly Felix and Prasad Karunakaran for coordinating
our annual Coat Drive, along with all the families who donated new and/or
gently used coats, hats, gloves and scarves for needy families in our school
system. What a wonderful reflection on our Fulton Family!
HOLIDAY SHOPPE SCHEDULE
Its that time of year again! The PTA is pleased to offer our annual Holiday
Shoppe held this year from Monday, November 30th through Friday, December
4th. A detailed letter explaining how the shoppe works will be coming home
in your child(ren)’s Friday folders on 11/13.
The following is a schedule of the days when classes attend the shoppe:
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30 Ogden, Wiser, Wolfson, McSkimming, McMurrer, Pall
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2 Rooney, Little, Richter, Kirby, DeWees, Bianchi
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3 Honecker, Cerand, Goldman, Rhodehamel, Berkle,
Williams
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4 Berman, Crouch, Elstins, Eberhart, Bosserman, Otte
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5 MAKE-UP DAY (for anyone absent or who forgot money)
Baxter, Reichner, Conn, Harlan
If you are interested in volunteering in the Shoppe during one of the days,
please email Cheryl Keller at CDiannekeller@aol.com as soon as possible. We
will send out a confirmation volunteer schedule to you the week of November
17th.
Thanks in advance for your support! ~The Holiday Shoppe Commitee
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posted Nov 18, 2009 8:43 PM by Celeste Wooten
Wasn’t last Friday great? A good 2nd PTA meeting of the year, an amazing Fall Festival (as usual), and a Book Fair Family Night – all in one night. By combining these events together, we saved valuable resources (energy costs and custodian overtime) during tight budgetary times and made it easier on parents by reducing the number of visits to school after hours.
We would like to thank Ann Scholz and the many volunteers who made our annual Fall Festival a tremendous success. If we didn’t have volunteers, we could not pull it off and we are so grateful for the dedicated parents in our Fulton community. It was a great event and fun for all.
We would like to thank the parents who came out for our abbreviated PTA meeting before the Fall Festival and for Lisa Martin from Wellness Evolution Studio for hosting our kids in a preview of our Fulton Family Fitness Fun Nights which will start in January.
We would also like to thank Kelly Felix and Prasad Karunakaran for organizing our efforts for the annual PTA Coat Drive and the FILL THAT TRAILER event for National Make a Difference Day as part of our Fall Festival. We had a great response and I know that the many homeless children, children who have immigrated here from warmer climates, and others who will receive our new and gently used jackets, hats, gloves, and scarves will be blessed this winter with our generosity and warmth. Thank you for donating!
A Couple Reminders…
• Tomorrow, many classes are having a fall/Halloween party. If you have children in your classes with food allergies (like peanuts), you can find baked goods at Mars, Whole Foods Market, Roots, and M.O.M.’s that are allergen-free.
• Our next PTA Meeting will be Wednesday, November 11th in the Media Center starting promptly at 7 pm. Please come out to discuss our game plan for redistricting and the upcoming winter events.
• If you have not submitted your membership for the PTA, please do so now. You can download the form on our web site www.fespta.org [ http://www.fespta.org ] .
• Spirit Wear Orders are DUE TOMORROW. If you would like to order tee-shirts, sweat outfits, shorts, or our new polos, please download the form on our web site (www.fespta.org [ http://www.fespta.org ] ) and send in tomorrow – the latest Monday.
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posted Nov 18, 2009 8:43 PM by Celeste Wooten
Dear Friends –
I hope this message finds you well.
I am writing today about the redistricting process that will be occurring for Elementary Schools in the county two years from now.
Over the past couple weeks, I have gotten some phone calls from concerned parents about a report presented in June to the Board of Education mentioning some scenarios involving Fulton Elementary.
Growing up in Howard County, we didn’t ever worry about these issues, as back then, we had feeder schools. I was grateful that my friends from Bushy Park continued with me into Glenwood Middle and then Glenelg. But since then, the Board of Education has made this process far more complicated. Unfortunately, the old feeder system was done away with and now we have these very confusing overlapping districts. It’s hard to know whose on first, if you know what I mean.
Last year, I had the privilege of meeting with and hearing Joel Gallihue speak about the process. He manages the school planning and redistricting for the HCPSS. He reports into Terri Alban who is the Chief Operating Officer of the HCPSS. Since receiving these calls from concerned parents, I have spoken to both Joel and Terri to confirm my understanding of the process and how we involve Fulton parents in this effort.
Rest assured, no elementary redistricting will happen in this school year or for the next school year (2010-11). But it appears that there will be some YET TO BE DETERMINED changes for the following school year in 2011-12.
For next school year, the Board of Education will make some basic changes to High School district eliminating some overlapping areas where parents could choose between schools. The upcoming public hearing and vote is only on these changes.
The next round of redistricting will involve Elementary Schools and unfortunately, it appears likely that Fulton Elementary will be affected. I love our school community and it breaks my heart that there will be any changes. Regardless, it is critically important for Fulton Elementary to be represented on the next Attendance Area Adjustment Advisory Committee. It is non-negotiable that we must have parent input in this process from the beginning to the end. I have personally spoken to Terri Alban and she has assured me that she will stay in close contact about the process to ensure that Fulton Elementary parents have a seat at the table.
Here’s what I propose to you:
1. We must be educated early about the process. To positively affect the process, we must understand the process. So, let me review how the timeline will work. Because the next redistricting will be in 2011, the process will begin with enrollment projections in January 2010. Subsequent to those projections, the central office staff will conduct an analysis and present it to the Board of Education. The proposed redistricting from the central office analysis will likely involve Fulton Elementary. There are several factors placing us within the cross hairs including:
- The southeast corner of the county is one of the fastest growing areas of the county.
- One of our neighboring schools, Dayton Oaks Elementary, is significantly under capacity so the system would like to shift more students there.
- The economic downturn has changed growth patterns.
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So, once the feasibility study is presented next June, sometime next year, an Attendance Area Adjustment Advisory Committee will review the feasibility study and make changes. That committee will then make a proposal to the Board of Education to review. Then, the Board of Education will collect input and finally act upon the elementary redistricting by the end of 2010 for the 2011-12 school year. The recommendations in the report before the Board right now are just one scenario and forecast based upon January 2009’s projections.
2. We must be involved early in the process. I have spoken to Joel Gallihue and invited him to come out and present to our PTA and take questions. He has been very willing to make himself available to us. Mr. Gallihue will attend our December 9th PTA Meeting. At our October meeting, I will review this overall issue with the membership. At our November meeting, we will convene a sub-group of parents to coordinate our effort and questions, and then have Mr. Gallihue join us in December to present and answer questions. I recommend that we have a continuous dialogue with the decision-makers and invite as many parents as possible to attend these PTA meetings to get their questions and concerns addressed. As a PTA, I believe you would agree with me that we should stand up for the interests of our kids and minimize the negative impact of this redistricting. This first meeting with Joel is a good first step. As they use to say in Chicago, “Vote Early and Often”, well I believe we need to be heard early and often in this process. So, we will start with a meeting with Joel in December 2009, and then stay in close contact with central office staff. I would highly recommend that a parent from Fulton serve on the Area Attendance Advisory Committee that will be formed for the Elementary School redistricting.
3. We must insist on transparency in decision-making. Let’s be honest, re-districting is a “hot potato” issue and it is going to be controversial. As parents, we must insist that the data, discussions and ultimate decisions be transparent to us. As a PTA, we should insist that our parents are included in and not excluded from the process.
I hope you will be able to attend our next few PTA meetings as we discuss the redistricting issue, and other important programs. Also, please mark your calendar for Wednesday, December 9th when we will have our 4th PTA meeting of the year with a special guest, Mr. Joel Gallihue.
I hope this letter has provided you with further information and clarification about the elementary school redistricting that will occur in two years. As your PTA, we will do our best to ensure that we are all aware and involved in this process, and most importantly that our voice is heard at the highest levels of the HCPSS decision-making. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Thank you for all you do to make Fulton Elementary a great community and family!
Sincerely,
Brian Meshkin
PTA President |
posted Nov 18, 2009 8:42 PM by Celeste Wooten
Dear Friends –
It’s hard to believe that the fall chill is in the air and the leaves are already changing. Isn’t it amazing how quickly time flies?
In this week’s newsletter, we will be reviewing certain upcoming news, events, and volunteer opportunities. We hope you find these newsletters useful. We look forward to seeing you at our 2nd PTA Meeting of the year on Friday, October 23rd at 6 p.m. – right before our Fall Festival that starts at 6:30 pm.
Events
1) PTA Meeting – Friday, October 23rd 6 pm – In Mr. Honza’s Technology room, we will hold the 2nd PTA meeting of the year during the 30 minutes preceding the Fall Festival. Please bring your kids as we will have a PREVIEW of the Fulton Family Fun Fitness Nights that will start in January. The kids will get to preview some of the exciting activities that will happen in Q1 2010 in another room while the adults get some PTA business done. We look forward to a very well attended meeting. Items on the agenda include: Redistricting, Holiday Shoppe, and other interesting items of discussion. See you there!
2) Fall Festival and FILL THAT TRAILER Service Project – Friday October 23rd 6:30 pm – Rain or Shine - We will be holding our annual Fall Festival this year. What a great way to meet your kids’ friends and their parents, play games together, and bond with our kind Fulton Elementary Family! There is a cost to buy tickets for the games and to purchase food, so make sure you are prepared. As part of incorporating service into our activities this year, we participating in National Make a Difference Day. We are collecting new or gently used, clean coats and heavy sweatshirts that are ready to wear (ALL zippers, snaps and buttons must be in working order) in sizes pre-K through high school sizes. Hats and gloves are also welcome. Please make sure they are CLEAN and ready to wear! We are collecting these items for over 500 homeless children and other needy children in our school system. With our FILL THAT TRAILER event, we will be collecting items all throughout October in a box in the school lobby and hope to fill a trailer on the night of the Fall Festival. Please bring your items in a plastic bag, as per recent guidelines issued by the school principals.
PLEASE VOLUNTEER - We need 60 volunteers to run the games for about 45 minutes. Please volunteer as this event can only be offered with the support of our amazing school community. To volunteer, please contact the event coordinator, Ann Scholz at annscholz@comcast.net.
CALLING ALL BAKERS – it’s time for the Fall Festival Cake Walk!
The Cake Walk is one of the most popular events of the Fall Festival. Don’t know what a Cake Walk is? Words can’t properly define it, but let’s just say it’s a phenomenon as big as Bunko! Bring your cake and your walking shoes, then stand back and enjoy the craziness! We're happy with whatever cake you can provide - homemade or store-bought, layer cake or flat cake, decorated or plain, or a plate of cookies or brownies instead of cake. You can drop off your cake in the Staff Lounge during school hours on Friday, October 23rd or bring to the festival that night. Remember to wrap or box your goodies and use a disposable plate or box. Send an email to Lena Wood to let her know you are providing a cake, or if you have any questions woodclan-cakes@yahoo.com <[ http://us.mc842.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=woodclan-cakes@yahoo.com ]http://us.mc842.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=woodclan-cakes@yahoo.com> . See you at the Cake Walk!
3) Scholastic Book Fair - The Same Night as Fall Festival – Friday, October 23rd - Fulton is having ONLY ONE book fair this year and it is just around the corner. Students will visit the fair during their scheduled media class, make a wish list, and be given the opportunity to purchase books. We will be open late for your shopping convenience two evenings, once during the Fall Festival on Friday, October 23rd. The Festival activities will be in place of our usual family night. The second late night shopping will be on Thursday, October 29th. On October 30th we will stay open until 4:30 pm for any families that want to shop after the Halloween parties. Make sure to check out our Classroom Wish List display to donate to a classroom library – and don’t forget to visit the photo booth and have your child’s photo taken for the bookplate! Or purchase a gift certificate for your children, teachers, or friends. Remember, all gift certificates MUST be redeemed during the Book Fair. Once again we will accept cash, checks (made out to Fulton Elementary), and all major credit cards for your shopping convenience.
News
Bay Day – A Ground-Breaking Success! – The PTA would like to congratulate our Environmental Committee Co-Chairs, Christina Mudd and Sandi Olek, along with the many parents and others who made this year’s 2nd Annual Bay Day on October 12th a tremendous success. As the nation’s 1st CarbonFree Green PTA, we are thrilled to keep this tradition going consistent with our values of promoting conservation. We are pleased at the rave reviews we’ve heard from students. Thank you to all of the volunteers that made Bay Day a huge success. In particular we would like to recognize Harris Teeter for their contribution of 800 reusable grocery bags and Cross Roads Pub, located on Ten Oaks Road in Dayton, for their donation of 24 live blue crabs! Alicia Moore from the Howard County Department of Public Works Recycling Program; Alex Dunbar from the Master Gardener Program; Laura Rowan and Christine Hintz from the Department of Natural Resources; and Ben Hobb’s uncle John VanAlstine, a Chesapeake Bay Waterman really helped make this day special for the students. And of course it could not happen without the 60 parent volunteers who helped not only on Bay Day but also worked in the rain garden and collected and assembled supplies to get ready.
Spirit Wear – Order Forms Due on October 30th. Visit our web site www.FESPTA.org <[ http://www.FESPTA.org ]http://www.FESPTA.org> to download your form and order today.
Harris Teeter – link your VIC card to the Harris Teeter, Together In Education # for Fulton Elementary 7453
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posted Oct 6, 2009 11:38 AM by Celeste Wooten
Dear Friends –
We hope you are enjoying this beautiful beginning to October. This newsletter is posted on the Fulton PTA website at ...
Volunteers
Bay Day – October 12th, still needs a few volunteers to support Fulton’s wonderful hands-on educational experience for children to learn about the Chesapeake Bay. To volunteer and for more information, please contact Chrissy Mudd or Sandi Olek (Environmental@fespta.org).
Fall Festival – October 23rd, needs volunteers to help support various activities at the event. To volunteer to help run the games (~45 minute time commitment) and for more information, please contact Ann Scholz (annscholz@comcast.net). Remember, we cannot have this event without volunteers!
Upcoming Events
2nd PTA Meeting of the Year – Friday October 23rd – 6 to 6:30 pm – Come and participate in our PTA meeting to plan upcoming events and programs to enrich our children’s education. During the meeting to occupy our kids before Fall Festival begins, we will be having guests from Wellness Studio in Columbia and Outrageous Occasions in Fulton to preview the Fulton Family Fitness Nights which will begin in January. This will keep the kids engaged while we work through PTA stuff.
Fall Festival – Friday, October 23rd – 6:30 to 9 pm – Come and enjoy our traditional fall celebration of games, crafts, food, and fun. Remember the Coat Drive (see below!).
News This Week
Spirit Wear Orders Due October 30th -
Click here to download this year’s order form: http://tinyurl.com/FESPTASpiritWearOrderForm. We’ve added navy polos for men and women, as well as for kids too.
PTA Coat Drive – Going on Now! – Bring in to school between now and the Fall Festival (October 23rd) or FILL THAT TRAILER at the Fall Festival with new or gently used, clean coats and heavy sweatshirts that are ready to wear (ALL zippers, snaps and buttons must be in working order) in sizes pre-K through high school sizes. Hats and gloves are also welcome. Please make sure they are CLEAN and ready to wear! FACT - HCPSS currently lists over 500 homeless students. FACT - Howard County has the highest unemployment rate in its history. So we know many many children need our help. There will be a SUV vehicle and trailer parked just next to the ticket table. We want to FILL THAT TRAILER with donations!! Head to the store or clean out your closets. The HCPSS Pupil Personnel Workers will ensure your donations are sent to those in need.
Advertise in the School Directory - Every year, the Fulton Elementary School PTA publishes a school directory. It is distributed to nearly 500 families living in the immediate area, as well as over 100 members of the Fulton staff. This year the PTA is asking for support from local businesses in the form of monetary donations. In return for any contribution you are able to make, we will include your business’ information in the 2009-2010 School Directory as a token of our appreciation.
Your donation will help fund many programs and services that the PTA provides to families in the Fulton Elementary community.
- A $25 donation will generate a small, multi-line listing in our School Directory that can include your business name, address, phone number, URL, and type of business.
- A $50 donation will be rewarded with a business card-sized space for you to publicize your business.
- A $100 donation will benefit from a quarter-paged ad placed within the directory pages.
- A $300 donation will be given special priority: a quarter-page or larger ad on the inside of the front cover or on the outside of the back cover, where it will receive the most exposure.
A donation of any kind would be greatly appreciated and we believe you will see immediate returns from this highly targeted free advertising. We kindly ask that you reply by October 15, 2009. Please send your business card or camera-ready artwork with a check made payable to Fulton Elementary School PTA to the school address listed above.
Fulton PTA Membership – Remember to Get Your Membership Dues if you haven’t done so - $7 per adult, $14 for the family. You can download the form on our website www.FESPTA.org
Fulton Patron Program – We rely upon many direct donations for important student assemblies and programs. If you, a family or friend, or a business want to make a direct donation to the Fulton Elementary PTA, please download the form on our website at www.FESPTA.org.
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