PTA August Dear Diamond Families,

Transcription

1 PTA BACK TO SCHOOL PACKET A message from our PTA President Hello Diamond Families, On behalf of the PTA, I'd like to welcome every new parent and returning parent to the 2014/2015 school year. Your Diamond PTA is very excited to serve our school staff and children, as we hold them in the highest esteem. This year we greet you with a new principal in Mr. Walder, and several new staff additions to the Diamond Family. I am your PTA President, Darwin D. Johnson, along with our Executive Board: Kristina Wesselink, Vice President of Fundraising; Stephanie Theeler, Vice President of Community; Chris Chimera, Treasurer; Shannon Phelan, Secretary; along with our Cluster Delegate Rick Chimera. We also boast a host of Committee Chairs, and together we gladly and humbly serve the Diamond Family with honor and integrity. This packet is designed to draw your attention to several items that will always keep you informed and eliminate the guess work, as you're a part of a family of parents who care. Join the PTA and go Diamond Dolphins! Catch the wave! Darwin D. Johnson, PTA President

2 Dear Diamond Families, PTA August 2014 The Diamond Elementary School PTA would like to welcome everyone to the 2015/2015 school year! We hope that you had an enjoyable summer break! Enclosed we have provided you with the PTA Back-to-School Packet. Inside you will find the following items: 2014/2015 PTA Membership letter and Form Diamond PTA Yahoo Group Sign-up Information Room Parent and Room Helpers Sign-up Form First & Second Grade Back to School Night Flier and Bar-T child care Form Third, Fourth, & Fifth Grade Back to School Night Flier and Bar-T child care Form Giant A+ Bonus Bucks Program Form Target Take-Charge of Education Information Sign up online Box Tops Education Information Sign up online After School Activities List 2014/2015 PTA Calendar of Events 2014/2015 PTA Executive Board & Committee Chairperson List As you will see on the PTA Calendar of Events, we are planning many exciting family activities. Most PTA Meetings will offer FREE CHILDCARE provided by our in-school provider, Bar-T. In addition, the Cultural Arts Committee plans to schedule several in-school cultural arts assemblies throughout the school year. Over the years Diamond has been incredibly fortunate to have amazing support from our parents which helps us continue to provide Diamond with a wide range of PTAfunded programs. For those of you who have already volunteered for 2014/2015 THANK YOU for showing your support by sharing your time and talents! For those of you that are considering volunteering, please let us know if you have any questions! The PTA welcomes anyone interested in helping. If you are interested, please contact us we love new faces and fresh ideas! We look forward to another successful year at Diamond!!! Diamond Elementary s 2014/2015 PTA Executive Committee Darwin Johnson, PTA President darwin.johnson1214@gmail.com Kristina Wesselink, VP Fundraising littlestewie1@gmail.com Stephanie Theeler, VP Community stheeler@hotmail.com Chris Chimera, Treasurer chrischimera@comcast.net Shannon Phelan, Secretary shannonphelan@gmail.com

3 Who & What is the PTA? Parent Teacher Association Your Diamond Elementary School PTA is comprised of parents like you, teachers and staff members. The PTA serves as advocates for the Diamond ES Community and provides activities and programs to entertain and enrich our children's education. The PTA also works hard to raise funds to purchase some much needed equipment so that our teachers can better serve the students. Why should I join? To support Diamond Elementary School, the teachers and staff, & your children. It takes all of us to provide our children with a well-rounded education and elementary school experience. Joining does not require that you commit to any particular event, although we always welcome volunteers! What does the PTA sponsor? The PTA sponsors a mix of educational, community-based projects, fundraisers and some just plain fun events. Some of the events that we have sponsored include: International Night, Movie Night, Valentine s Dance Cultural Arts Presentations and Assemblies Diamond Gems Newsletter Staff Appreciation Principal s Coffee Classes offered before & after school hours [Foreign Language, Piano, Sports, Art, Cheerleading] Muffins for Moms & Donuts for Dads Andrea Virga Winter Coat Drive & Canned Food Drive Fun Runs (Snowman Shuffle, Dol Finn Dash) *Without your membership, the PTA would not be able to support these activities for our students and Diamond. What do the PTA Fundraisers support? The PTA fundraising not only supports all the PTA activities, but we have been able to purchase some much needed equipment for the Diamond ES classrooms. Sound Equipment speakers, microphones, stands Carpets for the classrooms PE Department (Dol-Finn Dash) After-school activity bus Help teachers offset costs of classroom supplies Provide scholarships for ESOL summer school How do I join? Joining is easy simply complete the PTA Membership Registration form and return it along with your check to your child's homeroom teacher or go to the Diamond Elementary School PTA web site and find the link to pay by credit card: Questions contact Brooke Bernal at brookebernal@yahoo.com

4 PTA PTA MEMBERSHIP REGISTRATION FORM Join the Diamond Elementary PTA TODAY Make a difference in each child s tomorrow! The Parent Teacher Association (PTA) is comprised of parents and teachers just like you, supporting Diamond s commitment to academic excellence for our children. We serve as advocates for the Diamond community and provide activities and programs that enrich our children s education. Please complete one form per family or staff member and return it to your child s homeroom teacher or the PTA Mailbox. Attach your cash or check made payable to Diamond ES PTA. We now accept credit card payments! Go to the Diamond Elementary School PTA web site and find the link to become a PTA member and submit your payment: Should you have any questions, please contact the Membership Chair: Brooke Bernal: brookebernal@yahoo.com Membership Amounts Family (two adults) $30 Individual $20 Teacher/Staff $10 FUNDRAISER Please contribute extra to support our PTA $ Advocacy and Programs! Membership Information Primary Member Last Name Primary Member First Name Primary Member Home Phone Work Phone Cell Phone Secondary Member Last Name Secondary Member First Name Secondary Member Child's Last Name Child's First Name Teacher Grade *This information is not what goes in the school directory* Directory information comes from the MCPS database CATCH THE WAVE! Join PTA today!

5 3rd, 4 th and 5 th Grade Parents Thursday, September 11, :00 P.M. All-Purpose Room Come and learn about Diamond s goals and visit with your child s classroom teacher. ***CHILDREN SHOULD NOT ATTEND*** However, Bar-T is available for families that need it. Cost: $5.00 per child please attach cash payment Bring your child(ren) to the gym prior to the meeting. *Reservations are required There is a 75 person maximum for Bar-T Please fill out the form below and return it to school no later than Monday, September 8, Back to School Night/Bar T Reservation Form for Thursday, September, 11, 2014 (Print Clearly) Name: Phone: Address: How many (circle): Name(s) of Child(ren): Questions contact Kiona Davis, Director Bar T at Please attach $5 CASH ONLY

6 1 st and 2 nd Grade Parents Wednesday, September 10, :00 P.M. All-Purpose Room Come and learn about Diamond s goals and visit with your child s classroom teacher. ***CHILDREN SHOULD NOT ATTEND*** However, Bar-T is available for families that need it. Cost: $5.00 per child please attach cash payment! Bring your child(ren) to the gym prior to the meeting. *Reservations are required. There is a 75 person maximum for Bar-T. Please fill out the form below and return it to school no later than Monday, September 8, Back to School Night/Bar T Reservation Form Wednesday, September, 10, 2014 (Print Clearly) Name: Phone: Address: How many (circle): Name(s) of Child(ren): Questions contact Kiona Davis, Director Bar T at Please attach $5 CASH ONLY

7 Target Take-Charge-of-Education Target offers 5% OFF ALL PURCHASES made with a Target REDcard (Target Credit Card, Target Visa Credit Card or Target Debit Card ). In addition to these personal savings, you can benefit Diamond Elementary when you shop using your REDcard. Simply go online or call to designate Diamond Elementary, and the school will receive a percentage of each REDcard purchase in the form of an annual check! Every enrollment makes a difference! Grandparents, alumni, neighbors and friends can take part, too. Please contact Kristin Chu at kristinchu@comcast.net with any questions or concerns. Diamond s ID: Website: Thank you for your support! Giant A+ Bonus Bucks Program It s that time of year again! Giant s A+ Bonus Bucks program will begin again in October. This is FREE money for our school, requiring nothing of you but a few moments to designate Diamond as your school of preference. Annual Renewal is Required!!! So, even if you chose Diamond last year, you will have to do so again to participate in the program. You can designate or renew your card at the store, online, or by returning the slip at the bottom of this page with your student or registering online at the web address below. *Every enrollment makes a difference - please encourage grandparents, alumni, neighbors, & friends to take part, too!!! Diamond s ID: Website: Any questions or concerns, please contact Kristin Chu at kristinchu@comcast.net YES, I wish to designate Diamond (School ID 00806) in the Giant A+ Bonus Bucks Program! Name Giant Bonus Card Number* * Please note, you must provide your actual sixteen-digit Bonus Card number, not just your phone number. Return to school via your student. Thank you! Attn: Diamond PTA - Kristin Chu

8 Diamond PTA Yahoo Group! Get school and PTA information and news! Join the Group by sending an message to: All Parents are strongly encouraged to sign up! It s FREE and easy and open to all Diamond families and staff. Be sure to include the following in your subscription Your First and Last Name the First and Last Name(s) of your student(s) and the name of their Teacher(s) your student s grade level This information is needed for the PTA to identify you as a Diamond parent or guardian in order to grant your membership request. Group membership is also available for Diamond staff! Elizabeth & John Vuong, Yahoo Group Moderators diamond_elementary_school-owner@yahoogroups.com ************************************************************************************ Attention Classroom Volunteers! If you are interested in being a classroom volunteer, please sign up with your child s teacher. In addition, please our Volunteer Coordinator, Amy Galler - amygaller@yahoo.com, and she will provide training for you. The training is usually in early October in the Diamond ES workroom (adjacent to the Main Office). Thanks to all of our Classroom Volunteers! ************************************************************************ CLIP YOUR BOX TOPS AND RETURN THEM IN YOUR CHILD S BACKPACK OR PLACE IN BIN IN THE LOBBY OF DIAMOND! It is an easy way to earn money for our school last year we earned $623!

9 Room Parent and Room Helpers Sign-up Form PARTY! PARTY! PARTY! Being a Room Parent or Helper is as easy as 1,2,3 1. Plan the Halloween and Valentine s parties as well as the End of the Year Picnic for your child s class. 2. Communicate with your child s teacher to let him or her know what you, along with other parents from your child s class, have planned. 3. Have a great time running the parties in your child s class along with other parent volunteers. Your child s class needs your help to make these events fun and successful. If you are interested in helping with the parties and picnic for your child s class return the form below to your child s teacher as soon as possible. You may also contact the Room Parent Chair, Eileen Heaps at eileenheaps@yahoo.com with any questions. Mark your calendars!... A meeting for all Room Parents and Helpers is scheduled for the evening of Wednesday, September 17, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. in the Media Center. More information will follow. ROOM PARENT FORM PLEASE PRINT Name: Telephone Number: Address: Child s Name: Teacher s Name: Grade: Please check your preference Room Parent Room Helper

10 Activities for students! Before and After School at Diamond Cooking, break dancing, running, science experiments, karate, chess, piano, foreign languages, basketball and soccer. The PTA is happy to announce all of these activities are being offered at Diamond! More details & registration instructions are at: Mondays Beginner Karate. 3:45 to 4:45 p.m. Kaizen Karate (9/15-10/27). $88/7 sessions. Uniform optional at additional charge. Outdoor field. All grades. kaizenkarateusa.com, , Let s Make Every Day a Holiday! 3:45 to 4:45 p.m. Tiny Chefs (11/3, 17, /1, 8, 15). K-2 nd grade. $138/6 sessions. info@tinychefs.com Tuesdays Girls on the Run. 8:00 9:00 a.m. (Tuesdays and Fridays 9/16-11/14 with 5K run on Sunday, 11/16). 3 rd to 5 th grade. Blacktop and first portable if it rains. $163/20 lessons and 5K entry. Scholarships available. paulphe@gmail.com Spanish for 3 rd to 5 th grade. 8:15 9:00 a.m. Language Stars. 9/30 1/10. $190/12 weeks (discounts available for siblings, enrollees in multiple languages and for children with a parent assisting in class) French for K to 2 nd grade. 8:15-9:00 a.m. Language Stars. See above details. Chess Club. 8:00-9:00 a.m. C&O Family Chess Center. 9/16-12/16. $170/ 13 sessions. Programs@chesscenter.net Basketball. 3:45-4:45 p.m. Montgomery Sports Association. 9/16 10/28. All grades. $115/ 7 sessions. msa_sports@verizon.net. Will be offered continuously throughout school year , msa_sports@verizon.net Group Piano. 3:45-4:45 p.m. 2 nd to 5 th grade. All skill levels. rjp1207@yahoo.com Wednesdays Mandarin K 2 nd grade. 8:15 9:00 a.m. Language Stars. See above details for Language Stars. Soccer. 3:45-4:45 p.m. Montgomery Sports Association. All grades. $115/7 sessions. Tentative start date 9/16. Will be offered continuously throughout the school year, and as indoor soccer in the winter. msa_sports@verizon.net, , Thursdays Spanish K 2 nd grade. 8:15 9:00 a.m. Language Stars. See above details for Language Stars. Mandarin Chinese 3 rd to 5 th grade. 8:15 9:00 a.m. See above details for Language Stars. Break dancing. 3:45-4:45 p.m. The Lab DC. All grades and skill levels. 9/18 and 10/2, 9, 16, 23, 30. $125/6 sessions. Lesson@thelabdc.com, Group Piano. 3:45-4:45 p.m. 2 nd to 5 th grade. All levels. rjp1207@yahoo.com. Fridays Girls on the Run. Tuesday and Friday mornings. See Tuesday listing for details. French 3 rd to 5 th. 8:15 9:00 a.m. See above details for Language Stars. Zip Zap Boom. 3:45-4:45 p.m. Mad Science. All grades. $112/8 sessions. 10/3-12/12 (no class on holidays on 10/17, 10/31 and 11/28) info@madscienceofdc.com or Additional questions? Contact After School Activities PTA Chair, Valerie Holford at valerieholford@rcn.com