Wizard Words Newsletter- October 24

WIZARD WORDS
A newsletter from Washington Elementary and Washington PTA

October 24, 2016

PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE
Dear Washington Families,
Every child counts and every family makes a difference in our Shining Star Fundraiser.
Ask yourself, what value do I place on my child’s education and what level of support can I make in order to make possible the technology, literacy resources, and cultural arts programs that enable my child, and all children, to have a rigorous and engaging education at Washington GT?
 Whether it is $5, $25, $50, $150, $250, or $1000, please make your support of our kids and teachers known. I know we can reach our $20,000 goal and when we do, our kids are excited to earn a school wide “bonus breakout” fun celebration. Let’s do this, together! The key is not how much, the key is making a commitment to our school and the type of programming you want to see!
~Mr. Grant

Upcoming Events
October 24, 6:00 pm: 5th grade Parent Information Session on Middle School Magnet School Choices
October 31: Hurricane Make-up Day- School in Session
November 5, 5:15-7:00 p.m.: Jelly Beans Night
November 8: Election Day- 2 hour delay (SCHOOL STARTS AT 11:20 am)
November 14-18: Scholastic Book Fair
November 17: Arts and Letters Night

EARLY BIRD TEACHER GRANTS FUNDED BY WES PTA
Your donations at work!
Ludwig: Scoop chairs for flexible learning space
Troxler: Sensory materials for AU1 K-2
Kichefski: Fitness-based physio-ball drumming equipment (physio-balls and buckets for base)
Tuttle: Breakout EDU boxes for Instructive Technology for all grades
Ash & the Kindergarten Team: Handwriting Without Tears and supplemental supplies for Kindergarten and CCK
Goodman: Mammals are Amazing/Telling a Story Through Video Field Trip
Bastin: (2) X-Box 360 consoles; cables and (8) controllers; (2) Minecraft Game CD’s for Minecraft gaming station for in-depth problem solving


This week is the last week of Shining Star Fundraiser!!
 Help us reach our goal of $20,000 to fund PTA programs and events THIS year!
You give, PTA plans, Students SHINE!
Donate today at www.wizardpta.org or print a form and send in to you child's teacher


THE "BOOKANEER" BOOK FAIR IS COMING!
Watch your Monday folder next week for exciting information about our upcoming Book Fair, November 14-18!  Sign up to volunteer and get a discount! Go to http://www.wizardpta.org/ or join the Scholastic Book Fair hub on MemberHub at https://washingtongt.memberhub.com/hubs/11294 to get more information about how you can help.

ANNOUNCING NEW WIZARD WEAR!
We will offer short-sleeve t-shirt options in assorted colors, including tie-dye colors, long-sleeve t-shirts and a hoodie option in sport gray. Look for order forms in your Monday folder for cash and check orders. 

CALLING ALL PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS WHO LOVE TO READ TO HELP A CHILD IMPROVE HIS/HER READING SKILLS

 The Washington Weekly Readers Program is looking for volunteers to read with 1st and 2nd graders who need more individual guidance with reading.  Spending 30 minutes a week throughout the school year with a child will greatly improve his/her reading skills. Please consider volunteering to spread the joy of reading.  If interested, please contact Mon Peng Yueh at mpyueh@gmail.com.

JELLY BEANS NIGHT!
WES School Spirit Skate for the entire family on Saturday 11/5 from 5:15 – 7:00 pm. Admission is $5 and includes regular skate rental. Non-skating parents are free, parental supervision required. Look for flyers to come home soon!

BIRTHDAY BOOK PROGRAM
 This year the Media Center and the PTA are collaborating to start an annual Birthday Book Program! This program will help to grow our library collection while formally commemorating your child's birthday. Participation in the program is voluntary, and involves a $15 donation per book. For this donation, your child will choose a new book that will be added to our library collection. Your child’s name will be written on a bookplate that is placed in the front of the book, and he/she will be the first student to check out this book. The books will remain throughout all their years at Washington Elementary. This is a wonderful way to memorialize a very special occasion and to help our library maintain a high-quality collection. Look for a sign-up form in your child's Monday folder!

CLASS DOJO STORE FOR STUDENTS
 Families, the PBIS team and staff are in the process of designing a ClassDojo store for students. This will allow them the opportunity to earn incentives for displaying positive behaviors and growth.  At the Dojo store, students will not need real money to buy items. The store will be connected to their Dojo information instead.  Since the store will not be making a profit, we will need help from you with making it sustainable. If you are able, please donate new or gently used novelty items, toys, snacks, school supplies, etc. We are excited about this opportunity because students will be recognized for making positive choices and no one will be excluded. This aligns with our school improvement focus on creating a safe and inclusive environment.

Did you know that WES PTA earns CASH for Box Tops?
 Send in your Box Tops by October 28th!