PTA Newsletter - Poway Unified School District

Midland Elementary School PTA Newsletter
Poway Unified School District
Midland Elementary School
13910 Midland Road
Poway CA 92064
Main 858-748-0047
Attendance Hotline: Ext. 2112
Fax 858 748-8934
Principal: Tracy Liu
PTA President: Jeanie Alford
PrinciPal’s Message
Dear Midland Families,
Vol. 79 No. 3
November 2014
Inside this Issue:
PTA President.................. 2
T-Shirts ......................... 2
New Parent Center........... 3
November is a time of year where many of us set aside time to reflect
on the things we are thankful for. In keeping with this tradition, I want
to take a moment to thank you for the support you provide every day to
your students and to our school. Midland is an extraordinary place,
with extraordinary people, and I constantly marvel at the amount of
dedication that everyone – parents, teachers, specialized staff,
custodians, instructional assistants, office staff, and volunteers – shows
to the well-being of our kids every day of every week of the year. The
ultimate goal that we share for our Rattlers is that every one of them
will be prepared for college or career education beyond their high
school years so that they may become thoughtful, knowledgeable,
responsible, fully contributing members of our society.
I’m also thankful for time that we will have in November for teachers
and parents to meet to discuss each child’s progress during Parent/
Teacher conferences (November 17th – 21st). Please use these
conferences to find out about your child’s overall performance in
school – academically, and socially/emotionally. Be sure to come with
questions, concerns, and even thanks! Use the time to clarify things
that seem confusing, and to communicate the hopes and big dreams you
hold for your child. You’ll find that our teachers will connect with
your dreams and join you in paving the way for those dreams to come
true!
Reflections ..................... 4
Turkey Bingo...................4
Join PTA..........................4
Thank You ...................... 5
Pancake Breakfast ........... 6
Coffee with the Principal ... 6
Minimum Days ................ 7
APEX Fun Run..................9
Safety...........................10
Hanes for Education. ...... 11
PARENT/
TEACHER
CONFERENCES
Dates to Remember:
11/11 Veteran’s Day
No School!
11/17 No School!
11/18-20 Minimum Days
11/20 Turkey Bingo
11/24-28 No School!
12/6 Pancake Breakfast
PTA President’s Message
What an amazing Red Ribbon Week. The kids enjoyed doing activities during the
week while learning to have good character and learning to be drug free. Thank you
to the volunteers who helped out during the week.
All Reflections entries are in. Our Rattlers were all very creative with their entries.
Great job!
The PTA will be selling a Midland Cookbook filled with fabulous recipes from our staff
and families. An order form will be coming home soon.
Fall is upon us. We have some fun activities coming up. Our annual Turkey Bingo
along with our PTA Association Meeting will take place on Nov. 20 at 6:00pm in the
MPR. Join us for some family fun and possibly win a turkey. On Dec. 6 we will have
our Pancake Breakfast and Holiday Craft Fair starting at 8:00am. Come support our
PTA, do some shopping and eat some pancakes.
I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday with family and friends.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Jeanie Alford, PTA President
[email protected]
T-SHIRTS FOR SALE!
If you still would like a Midland T-Shirt
they can be purchased at ESS for $10.
Make checks payable to Midland PTA.
PAGE 2
VOL. 79 NO. 3
Principal’s Message
Continued from Page 1
Another thing that I am thankful for is the
opportunity that several of our staff members had to
attend the No Excuses University (NEU) Annual
Convention in October. Our five PUSD NEU
schools all sent staff members who spent three days
learning about new and exciting ways to improve the
six systems that contribute to success in an NEU
school. Those systems are A Culture of Universal
Achievement, Collaboration, Standards Alignment,
Assessment, Data Management, and Interventions.
When all of these systems are working exceptionally
together, our students WILL achieve at extraordinary
levels. Our attending staff members will be sharing
their learning with the whole staff and planning for
how to make our systems exceptional. Further, in
January, we will be sending our five new staff
members to the San Diego NEU Institute, where they
will be introduced formally to the NEU network and
trained in what it means to be a NEU teacher!
Adding to my list… I am thankful to be able to
spend my days on Midland’s beautiful campus - a
school that is surrounded by an extraordinarily
committed community.
I am thankful for every single Rattler - for the
enthusiasm they have for learning, for their
willingness to strive hard to do well, and for the
smiles they bring to my face each and every single
day.
I am thankful for our staff - for their relentless efforts,
their deep commitment to our school, their flexibility,
and for their belief that every child can succeed.
I am thankful for our families – for the trust they
have invested in us, and for all they do to support our
efforts to educate their children.
I am thankful for the support and encouragement we
receive from our PTA and Foundation who provide
curriculum supplements, new technology, field trips,
entertaining assemblies, and family events to ensure
each Rattler receives a well-rounded education at our
school.
Lastly, I am genuinely thankful as I reflect on my
year as a member of the Midland family. As we
approach the Thanksgiving holiday, I hope that you
will be able to find time and space to reflect on the
things in your lives for which you can be deeply
thankful.
With Great Rattler Pride,
Tracy Liu
We have opened a Parent Center in the
front office! Inside the Parent Center are
books about children and education, brochures that contain varied kinds of information of interest to parents, postings of
community events, and two internet-capable
computers that can be used by parents who
do not have internet access at home. Feel free to come in and
browse. We look forward to seeing you!
RATTLESKIN
PAGE 3
Reflections 2014-2015
Thank you to all that have submitted entries
for the Reflections Contest! We collected
many great art works! All the drawings, photos,
poems, music and more
have been given to qualified judges from our
community.
GOBBLE, GOBBLE
JOIN THE MIDLAND PTA
TODAY!
It’s not too late to join the PTA.
Membership is only $10 per person. Please help
support your children and your school. You can
pick up a membership envelope in the office.
Where can I get more information?:
If you would like to talk to
someone on the PTA at Midland contact?:
Jeanie Alford, PTA President at
[email protected],
Angela Crowell, PTA Vice President at
[email protected]
Heather Miller, Membership at [email protected].
PAGE 4
MIDLAND TURKEY
BINGO NIGHT!
Win your Thanksgiving turkey or pie! Entry
is only $1.00 for a night of bingo, prizes and
fun!
Thursday, Nov. 20th
6:00 to 7:30 p.m. in the MPR!
Parent must be present for child to
participate in this fun activity.
VOL. 79 NO. 3
A SPECIAL THANK YOU GOES OUT TO...

The Midland PTA and volunteers who helped make PTA Trunk or Treat a successful and fun
event for everyone - kids and adults!

Mrs. Becker for volunteering to organize a Midland team to walk/run in this year’s Susan
G. Komen Race for the Cure on Sunday, November 3rd.

Mrs. Edrington, Mrs. Harris, the entire Kindergarten team, and the entire 5th grade team
for giving up their evenings at home with their families to participate in the first Title I
Parent Night. Our “Sandwich Night” that provided great information about the cognitive,
social, and physical development of K and 5th grade students, was well-received and
much appreciated by all.

Our wonderful group of Playground Supervisors who not only keep all of our students safe
on the playground, but go those extra steps to pay attention to and really care about each
and every Rattler!

Mrs. Pratt, our new Student Council Advisor, for running our epic Student Council
Elections and organizing our student leaders to help make Midland a place where positive
leadership and character count!

Mrs. Pat Farrell, for her work with our ultra-responsible Safety Patrol Crew.

The MEF, for the sponsoring of events that raised enough funds to support the purchase
of 47 Chromebooks that will be used to enhance instruction—Empowering with
Technology to give our Rattlers the world!

The PTA wants to thank all the staff and fabulous families who came out to support the
Trunk or Treat.

The Midland PTA would like to thank the volunteers from the Parent Center for
volunteering their time not only on campus but also at the Trunk or Treat.
RATTLESKIN
PAGE 5
ANNUAL PTA
PANCAKE BREAKFAST
& CRAFT BOUTIQUE
Saturday, December 6, 2014
8:00 - 11:00am.
Breakfast is $4 per plate and includes
pancakes, sausage, fruit, and an assortment
of beverage options. What a deal!
After you enjoy a warm breakfast with
your families, come by the MPR and check
out some of our local craft vendors.
Mr. and Mrs. Claus will be joining us and
will be available for pictures ($2 per photo)
and we will have free holiday crafts for the
kids.
If you know of any local crafty-folks who
would like to reserve a booth at the fair or if
you have additional questions please
contact Jeanie Alford at
[email protected].
RATTLESKIN
You’re Invited!
Please join our Principal, Mrs. Liu,
for coffee and donuts, on Friday,
November 14th, from 8:00 – 9:00
a.m. in the MPR. You’ll have the
opportunity to start your day in the
“Rattler Way” as you listen in on
the morning announcements and
celebrate our STAR students who
have been “caught shining!” You’ll
also hear about our district and
school implementation of the
Common Core State Standards,
and have the opportunity to chat
with Mrs. Liu and other parents.
We can’t wait to see you!
PAGE 6
VERY IMPORTANT REMINDER…
PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCE WEEK
Monday, Nov. 17th
Parent Conferences – NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS
Tuesday, Nov. 18th – Thursday, Nov. 20th
MINIMUM DAYS - DISMISSAL at 12:00pm (gr. K-5)
Friday, Nov. 21st
REGULAR FRIDAY SCHEDULE for students – Dismissal at
12:40 p.m. (gr. K-5)
TK hours remain the same during
Parent/Teacher Conference week ~ 8:00-11:20am daily.
PAGE 7
VOL. 79 NO. 3
NO EXCUSES… PLEASE HELP YOUR CHILD
GET TO SCHOOL ON TIME!
School begins at 8:00a.m. every day at Midland Elementary.
The easiest way to ensure your child is in his/her classroom by
8:00am, is to make sure your child arrives at school
no later than 7:55am (morning line-up).
Please help our Rattlers reach our school-wide goal of getting
100% of our students to school on time so everyone can start
each day in a College and Career-Ready way!
School Site Council
Parents Marai Taylor, Erin Mercer, Terese
Tye, and Stacy Mitchell have been elected to
the School Site Council through June 2016.
They join continuing parent Kelly McKay,
whose term will end in June 2015. Thanks
to everyone who voted through our Survey
Monkey link.
Staff representatives to School Site Council
are Luz Fletcher, Kay Dirks, Kathy Moore,
Connie Hawkins, and Tracy Liu.
In the next several months, this group will
provide their input into the Single Plan for
Student Achievement (SPSA), and consider
and approve our school’s categorical fund budgets.
RATTLESKIN
PAGE 8
The Midland Educational Foundation sponsors the APEX FUN RUN!
Thank you for your support of Midland Elementary and the investments you make in
your children’s lives. We are so excited to introduce you to this semester’s only major
fundraiser, the Apex Fun Run! The Apex Fun Run will last for 2 weeks and will kick off
with a Pep Rally on November 18th at 8:00am.
Please look for your child’s Pledge Kit that they will receive on that day. We will have emails coming
from your teachers. Please feel free to visit www.apexfunrun.com to hear about this interactive program
that helps schools all over the country raise money, while promoting leadership and fitness in the classes.
This year's character theme is Apex Extreme, where students will join the Apex team in a nationwide
Extreme Race to learn what it means to become an Extreme Leader:
Find Your Strengths!
Be Brave!
Stick Together!
Go Big!
Say Thanks!
During the Apex Fun Run, students are challenged to get pledges for the laps they will run on December
5th to help their school. Students will run for 30 minutes and average 26-36 laps, with the maximum
amount of laps being 36 (each lap is 1/16th of a mile). Sponsors can pledge $1, $2, $5 or any other
amount for each lap students run. All participants will receive an access code that allows you to enter
pledges online. Funds raised this year will be going to the school to pay for Technology!
The Apex Fun Run is for every student regardless of financial giving. All students will receive Apex
bands, shirts, race-day lap counters, and team awards. We invite all parents to come to the Apex Fun
Run and share in this great event! The times for the Apex Fun Run are as follows:
Fun Run 1: 2nd & 3rd grades (8am – 9am)
Fun Run 2: TK, K & 1st grades (9am – 10am)
Fun Run 3: 4th & 5th grades (10am – 11:55am)
You can help our school be successful in the following four ways:




Help connect your child to potential sponsors (family/friends) to acquire pledges.
Ask your child about the “Apex Extreme” character lessons, and download the “Apex Fun Run” App!
Come to the Apex Fun Run and don’t forget to invite others to attend our fun-filled community event
on our field.
Help volunteer for the race! We need a few parents to help cheer on students and mark laps. If you
would like to volunteer for your student’s race, please contact Susan at
[email protected].
Thank you again for your continued support—we are so excited to begin this journey with you!
PAGE 9
VOL. 79 NO. 3
Parking Lot Safety
Welcome back Rattlers! Thanks to everyone for following the safety volunteers’ directions in the
parking lot. Although things are going smoothly, we would like to take this opportunity to reiterate a couple of safety tips:
 Stay focused while you
are driving near the school. The parking lot is busy during drop-off
and pick-up times, so please avoid distractions (i.e., talking/texting on your cell phone) that
draw your attention from what’s going on around you. Also please drive slowly while entering
and driving through the parking lot.
 For everyone’s safety, please use the crosswalk when walking between the school and the
parking lot. There are crossing guards and safety volunteers stationed at the crosswalk to ensure everyone’s safety.
If you have any questions, I am available after drop-off in the morning or pick-up in the afternoon
on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Thank you for keeping our Rattlers safe!
Angela Crowell
Counseling Corner
By Tonya Edrington Elementary Counselor
December 4, 2014
6:00 P.M. – 7:30 P.M.
Title 1 Parent Night
RATTLESKIN
PAGE 10
PAGE 11
VOL. 79 NO. 3
Clipping Corner
BOX TOPS!
TARGET
Take Charge of Education
When parents, teachers, and other school
supporters use the REDcard, Target
donates up to 1% of their purchases to the eligible K12 school they designate. Each September, these funds
are distributed to schools nationwide. To learn more,
go to: Target.com/tcoe
We are grateful for Target’s support of our students,
staff, and school community!
is a fundraising
program where
participating retail
partners contribute a
percentage of your grocery loyalty cards, credit cards,
and debit/ATM card purchases to Midland PTA. For
more information, a complete list of participating
retailers, and to sign up for the program go to:
www.escrip.com
One of the easiest ways you can
make a difference for Midland
Elementary is to sign up for the
Box Tops for Education website,
www.boxtops4education.com.
It's easy, it's free, and you'll learn about new ways to help
our school earn the extra cash its needs.
Exclusive online benefits:
 Track our school's Box Top earnings.
 Print money-saving coupons for your favorite Box
Tops brands.
 Enter to win Bonus Box Tops for Midland
Elementary. There is usually a monthly
sweepstakes to earn bonus Box Tops. All you have
to do is enter!
 Make mealtime planning easier with
family friendly recipes
My Coke Rewards
By drinking Coca-Cola products, you can
earn points and donate them to our school.
Your point donations will go towards rewards like
physical education equipment, art supplies, and other
educational resources that help our students learn, play
and have fun. For more information. Visit
www.mycokerewards.com
Save labels, UPCs and beverage caps from participating
Campbell’s products. Earn. Send them in to the school to
earn points for our Midland Rattlers. Help Them Learn!
Our school gets free educational equipment! For details
and a list of eligible products, visit
www.labelsforeducation.com
RATTLESKIN - MIDLAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PTA NEWSLETTER
Midland Elementary School
Poway Unified School District
13910 Midland Road, Poway, CA 92064
Principal: Tracy Liu
E-mail: [email protected]
Office: (858) 748-0047
Fax: (858) 748-8934
Attendance Hotline: (858) 748-0047 ext. 2112
Website: http://powayusd.sdcoe.k12.ca.us/pusdmies
PAGE 12
Midland Elementary School PTA - 2014 - 2015
Affiliated with Palomar Council, 9th District, CCPTS, California & National PTAs
President: Jeanie Alford
Executive Vice President: Angela Crowell
Secretary: Gretchen Roscoe
Treasurer: Glenda Greene
Ways & Means: Monica Mohr
Membership: Heather Miller
Programs: Lisa Kolar
Parliamentarian: Marai Taylor
Historian: Beth Case
VOL. 79 NO. 3