PTA NEWS
Last Friday I happened to be at school during the lunch recess. What
happened that day reinforced in my mind what a special place North Davis
Elementary is for our children. After the events of last week the teachers
and staff gathered all of our children out on the playground for a short
assembly. During this time our Principal spoke briefly about the importance
of getting along with one another. Then, everyone joined in singing several
songs appropriate for the gathering. This time together ended with staff
singing "Let There Be Peace on Earth" to our children. There was a true
feeling of community.
It was wonderful to see so many of you at last night's annual Fall Family
Picnic. I hope that you all enjoyed visiting with other NDE families and
with the teachers. Thanks to Lisa D'Angelo who organized the event and the
6th grade singers.
The Innisbrook Giftwrap fundraiser is under way. Our goal is to raise
$10,000 through selling gift items and wrapping paper. Please consider
supporting this NDE fundraiser and remember that order forms are due on
October 5.
PTA is a non-profit organization. This means that whatever money we raise
above our program costs becomes an educational benefit for our children.
Funds raised at the beginning of the school year are funds that are used for
our students during that academic year. This year PTA is raising money to
continue to repay our loan for the fabulous new computer lab and to provide
funds to each of the grade levels for educational activities, books and
supplies. The support of our NDE teachers and families is what makes our
school such a wonderful place for our children.
Susie Ford
PTA President
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Would You Like to Talk About Reading?
There will be an informal "Brown Bag Lunch" session in the Reading Room on
Wednesday, September 26 from 12:00 - 1:30 for the purpose of offering
parents an opportunity to discuss reading/writing/literacy issues. NDE
Reading Specialist, Martha Beetley, invites any interested adults to come
with questions, information or suggestions about children and reading.
Topics which may be discussed are: ideas to get children reading and writing
more, how schools and families can work together to make reading enjoyable,
and an overview of materials available at our school. You may bring your
own lunch to eat while we talk; juice and cookies will be provided. (This
session will be repeated on Wednesday, October 3, for Spanish-speaking
adults.)
¿Quisiera Discutir La Lectura de su Hijo/a?
Tendrá lugar una oportunidad de discutir la lectura y escritura de los niños
el miércoles, 3 de octubre en el Salón de Lectura de las 12:00 hasta la
1:30. La Especialista de Lectura, Martha Beetley, les invita venir con
preguntas, información o sugestiones acerca de la lectura y los niños.
Podríamos discutir: como animarlos a escribir y leer más, como pueden
trabajar juntos la escuela y la familia, y materias académicas que hay a la
escuela. Se puede llevar su almuerzo si quiere comer mientras que hablamos;
se provea jugo y galletas. (Se presenta esta sesión en ingles, el 26 de
septiembre)
Families at the Dinner Table
The Cincinnati Children's' Hospital Center studied 527 teenagers to learn
what family and lifestyle characteristics were related to mental health and
adjustment.
What they found is that adolescents who ate dinner with their parents five
times or more per week were the least likely to be on drugs, depressed, or
in trouble with the law. They were more likely to be doing well in school
and to be surrounded by a supportive circle of friends. Surprisingly, the
benefit was seen also when families didn't eat together at home. Those who
met at fast-food restaurants had the same result. By contrast, the more
poorly adjusted teens ate with their parents only three or fewer evenings
per week.
What do these findings mean? Is there something magical about sitting down
together over a meal? No, and parents who interpret the conclusions that
way will be disappointed. What the study shows is that adolescents do far
better in school and in life when their parents are involved with them -
when they have time for them - and, specifically, when they get together
almost every day for conversation and interaction.
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Lunchtime Helpers
Want to come and check out what's going on at lunchtime at North Davis
Elementary? Well we have the perfect opportunity just for you. Each
Wednesday in the MPR, we will have indoor games available for your children
during the lunch hour.
In the past, the students have had fun playing games, drawing and building
with lego. This is great for some children to hook up with their buddies in
a quiet setting or just to get away from the hustle and bustle of the
playground.
In order for us to continue this unique program, we need your help. The
program is each Wednesday from 11:35-12:35.......just one hour. If you have
younger siblings, bring them along. It's a great way to volunteer at the
school if you have younger ones because they are certainly welcome!
Please volunteer so we can continue helping out our children at lunchtime.
The program will begin next Wednesday, September 26. I will work the first
day, but feel free to come on by the MPR and check it out.
Please call me, Sally Hosley, at 792-1263 if you can spare and hour now and
then. Call soon so you can reserve your Wednesdays! Thank you!!
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Giftwrap News
IT'S HERE! On Wednesday, September 19th our major fundraiser, Innisbrook
Giftwrap Sale, began. Your child should have brought home a packet
containing the brochure and order summary form. If you did not receive one
please stop by the school office to pick one up.
Many suggestions have been made regarding how to spend the money earned from
this year's fundraiser. Some of the money will go towards paying off the
loan we received from the school district for our wonderful new playground.
There will also be money for grade level grants, literature books, and
benches for the playground area. Remember that 50% of all income from the
giftwrap sale goes to our school, so you not only have a convenient way to
buy giftwrap and gifts for the holiday season, but you are also giving
greatly needed financial support to North Davis.
As stated in the instructions with the brochure, PLEASE REMEMBER THAT WE DO
NOT WANT CHILDREN SELLING DOOR TO DOOR. We believe that if you let friends,
relatives and co-workers know about the sale we will have a greatly
successful fundraiser. Be sure to tell your out of town friends and
relatives to log on to www.innisbrook.com to order direct. Have them enter
our school identification #105554 and we will receive 50% of the sale!
Thank you for supporting your school.
Sara Mitchell, Liesa Pitts,
Jan Blumenfeld, Lesli Chuck
Giftwrap Committee
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Read to your Kids!
Recommended reading books can be found by visiting
www.cde.ca.gov/cl/literature/index.html. The list has been compiled by the
California Department of Education. The list of nearly 2,700 titles
contains recommended literature kindergarten through grade twelve.
"Reading broadens a child's perspective of the world, enhances his or her
imagination and promotes academic achievement across the board."
Delaine
Easton, State Superintendent of Public Education
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