paw prints - Vansville Elementary PTA

I SPY
PAW PRINTS
Volume 2, Issue 5
Vansville Elementary PTA Newsletter
2013-2014 PTA Board of Directors
President – Kimberly Lockett
Vice President – Melinda Rapp
Secretary – Shenda Moore
Treasurer – Jeff Johnson
email: vespta08@gmail.com
phone: 240-391-8711
PTA General Membership Meeting
Date: Tuesday, May 10, 2014
Time: 6:30pm – 7:30pm
Location: Vansville Elementary
School Cafeteria
May 2014
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Dear VES Families,
What a WONDERFUL year we had! The winter months were long
but we have finally approached the last day of school! I want to wish
all of our fifth graders, and their parents, good luck in middle
school. You will be missed but we know that you will represent the
Vansville community well next year.
I'd like to CONGRADULATE to our NEW 2014-2016 PTA
EXECUTIVE BOARD that was elected in at our last PTA meeting:
Serese Scott, PTA President
Lori Massenburg, PTA Vice President
Bouviette Pennington, Secretary
Myisha Frazier-McElveen, PTA Treasurer.
We are excited and grateful to be passing the torch over to four
amazing individuals who will bring a wealth of ideas and expertise
to the table to enhance the learning environment and sense of
community at Vansville. We hope that you will continue to support the PTA with your membership and
volunteerism during the 2014-15 school years. Please think about how you would like to get involved next year.
Guest Speaker:
Mr. Smith
• Attending a Vansville PTA meeting
• Volunteering in the classroom
• Volunteering to serve as Room Parent
• Volunteering with updating the bulletin board
• Volunteering as a committee member for a PTA event • Offering thought & ideas for new programs and events
There will be many opportunities - please help where you can.
A BIG THANK YOU to all our parents and staff who became PTA members and volunteered this year! Looking
back at all the events we accomplished, we wouldn't have been able to do it without your generous support. I am
astounded and greatly appreciative. With your support, we are able to celebrate all our accomplishments
including: Growing our PTA to more than 150 members, Back to School Family BBQ, Reflections National Art
Program, Talent Show, Science Fair Awards, Teacher Monthly Birthdays & Appreciation Week, Cultural Arts
assemblies, School Beautification, Muffins with Mom, Donuts for Dads, 5th Grade End Year Lunch, Winter
Bazaar, Spelling Bee, Spirit Nights, Family Fun Run, After School Art and Foreign Languages Classes, the
Kindergarten Forever Garden, and more
Finally, I would like to personally mention my fellow PTA officers Melinda Rapp, Shenda Moore and Jeff Johnson
for the wonderful job they did over the past two years, and of course, our Principal, Mr. Smith, for his leadership,
guidance and constant support. We made a great TEAM and developed a great friendship and I will miss working
with you regularly. Please have a safe and fun summer break and look for information from your New PTA
Executive Board in the upcoming school year.
All the Best,
Kim Lockett
PTA President
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Announcements
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VANSVILLE PTA CALENDAR OF EVENTS
MAR
EVENT
LOCATION
DATE/TIME
Black History Month Assemble
Vansville Community Center
FEB 28th
4th PTA MEETING
VES Multipurpose Room
MAR 11th 6:30pm
SPIRIT NIGHT
LEDO’s Pizza (Laurel)
MAR 27th
Grading/Teacher Planning
No School
MAR 28th
EVENT
LOCATION
DATE/TIME
FAMILY BINGO NIGHT
VES Multipurpose Room
APR 4th 7-9PM
SPIRIT NIGHT
Chick-Fil-A
APR 10th
Spring Break
No School
APR 14-21th
EVENT
LOCATION
DATE/TIME
Teacher Appreciation Week
Vansville Elementary
MAY 5th-9th
Family Fun Run
Laurel Lakes
MAY 10th
6th PTA MEETING (last)
VES Multipurpose Room
MAY 13th 6:30pm
SPIRIT NIGHT
Laurel Skate Center
TBD
Memorial Day
No School
MAY 26th
Spelling Bee
Vansville Elementary
TBD
APR
MAY
New 2014-2016 PTA Board Elections May 13th!
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Announcements
Parting Words from Vansville 2012-2014 PTA Board
I have had the privilege and honor to serve as your PTA President for the past two
years. Thank you for the opportunity and trust you gave me to serve this school and
your children. I wanted to take a moment to say thank you to my 2012-2014 Executive
Board for such a successful 2 years. Melinda, Shenda and Jeff, you are all amazing
and I have been so lucky to have you on my team. You have shined, achieved great
things, and made a difference in the lives of not only the students in our school, but our
staff, families and community. You are all talented, giving, generous, and dedicated and
without you, the last 2 years would not have been as great as they were.
Sincerely,
Kimberly Lockett
Vansville VES PTA President 2012-2014
It has been an honor and pleasure serving the Vansville Wildcats as their PTA Vice
President. I have enjoyed the students, faculty, staff and the awesome PTA Board. As
we continue to grow in numbers and support I look forward to moving forward on our
mission to enhance the lives of our children.
Sincerely,
Melinda Rapp
Vansville VES PTA Vice President 2012-2014
I have truly enjoyed being your PTA Secretary for the past two years! It has been fun
waving to everyone in car line to get families energized and excited about Family Fun
Nights and PTA events. I am happy I was able to give back to our teachers and staff
who have done so much for our Vansville Families. I love being an advocate for our
students and a voice for our parents and will continue to do so as I will now have 3
sons attending Vansville. I will miss being PTA Secretary and working with our
energetic, fun and fabulous VESPTA Board . I look forward to all the new initiatives
the new Board will bring. See you at the next VES Event!
Sincerely,
Shenda Moore
Vansville VES PTA Secretary 2012-2014
It has been a honor and a pleasure to serve as the Treasurer for the Vansville PTA
for the past two years. As my daughters and I move on to our next adventure we will
hold very fond memories of the Faculty, Staff and the entire Vansville family. One
last thing, I humbly served with the best Board of Directors that I could have ever
imagined. The leadership and dedication was amazing and I wish the new Board all
the luck in the world with this honor!
Sincerely,
Jeff Johnson
Vansville VES PTA Treasurer 2012-2014
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PAGE 4
Announcements
Kindergarten Playground Facelift
We are in the process of building the Kindergarten
Ever Garden. The ever garden will be a beautiful
work of art of metal and wood flowers inside a cinder
block flower bed decorated with a mosaic design, similar
to the one shown below. The garden is the 1st project
to beautify the kindergarten playground and will also
be seen from inside the media center.
We are greatly in need volunteers to help paint the
wooden flowers and create a mosaic design on the
flower bed. If you have knack for art we would really
love to hear from you! If your not the greatest artist,
but willing the help, we'd also love to hear from you.
We know there are many artistic parents and teachers
reading this!
We are also looking for anyone who has experience with
wood and metal work. Help create a beautiful piece of art
that will brighten our children's playground and will last
for years!
If you would like to be on the
Playground Facelift Committee,
contact Kim Lockett at
chrisnkim@msn.com or
Shenda Moore at
shenda02@verizon.net
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Announcements
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Vansville Elementary PTA
1 MILE FAMILY FUN RUN/WALK
Saturday, May 10th
RACE TIME: 9:00am
ALL FAMILIES WELCOME!
The 1 mile course begins at
the Laurel Lake Pavilion
Strollers & Wagons are welcome!
Early Registration by Friday April 25 th, 2014
T-Shirts are guaranteed for all those who register by April 25 th, 2014.
$100.00 Fun Run Family Sponsor Entry (Family Name printed on T-shirt)
$30.00 Fun Run Family Entry (4 participants)
$10.00 Fun Run Single Entry
Race Day Registration
$15.00 Fun Run Single Entry
$40.00 Fun Run Family Entry
(4 participants)
KIDS
DASH
Don’t forget to sign up for the KIDS DASH! Participants will compete in a 50-yard dash
Each 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners for each grade level will receive a trophy!
For more information visit: http://VANSVILLEPTA.ORG/FUNRUN.HTML
PAGE 6
Programs & Events
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Spelling Bee
2014 Spelling Bee
2nd – 5th Grade
May Spirit Night
VESPTA 5th Grade
Spirit Night
at Laurel Skate Center
9890 Brewers Court
Laurel, Maryland 20723
301-725-8070
DATE: May 27, 2014
TIME: 7pm-10 pm
ADMISSION: $6 w/free skate rental
You must say you are with Vansville Elementary to receive admission
discount! Come out and skate into your Summer Break!
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Thank You
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THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS
We sometimes take for granted in the rush of all we do,
And forget to say a special thanks to volunteers like you!
A helping hand, a willing heart, sometimes that's all it takes A simple gesture on someone's part, but what a difference it makes.
Thank you to Family Bingo Night Committee! Kudos to Ericka Kelley, Kim
Jackson and Tiffani Jones for doing an outstanding job. The committee
worked hard to bring in a tremendous amount of prizes and donations that
made the event a huge success. Mrs. Kelley did all of the concession
shopping and concession setup. We are very lucky to have such dedicated
parents!
Kohl’s Volunteers
Lori Herring
Rodney Pennington Jr.
Lori Massenburg
Donald Frazier-McElveen
Myisha Frazier-McElveen
Mrs. McGruder
Mr. Monjes
Jeff Johnson
Carlos Ortiz
Ms. Phelan
Mrs. Donn
Rina Gonzalez
Ms. Hengemihle
Shevika Couchman
A great big THANK YOU to our Family Fun Run Chairperson and PTA parent Mocha Lee "Fitness Fanatic" McDaniel. With
Mocha Lee's hard work and enthusiasm the Family Fun Run this year was an outstanding event. Thank you to the
volunteers Mrs. Cindy Donn & Family, L.A. Fitness Volunteers, Monica Morgan, Lily Hayford, Tiffani Jones, Lori
Massenburg, Bouviette Pennington, Donna Klaver, Dana Walker, Chris Lockett and Psyche Williams-Forson.
VES Spelling Bee - The PTA would like to thank the contestants, their
parents and the numerous volunteers who made the event a successful
one. We could not have held the Spelling Bee if it weren’t for the
volunteers who filled the positions of judges, timers, observers, and
hostesses. A sincere “Thank You” goes out to the Bee Committee,
Volunteers and Staff who supported the event.
(J) Carmen Bonner-Johnson
(J) Sakina McGruder
Claribel Sawyerr
Dana Walker
Ashley Hengemihle
Shenda Moore
(J) Mya Harper
(J) Tenesia Morton
Karina Yarn
Kavyasri Gouda
Dean Lockett
Kim Lockett
Thanks to the 5th grade committee for making the 5th Grade BBQ a huge success! A special thanks to Donna Karver of
organizing the Skate Spirit Night where we raised $300 to go toward the 5th grade BBQ and Wendy Menjivar Moreno for
doing all the shopping and preparing 200 hotdogs for all 125 5th graders! What a great send off for our graduating class!
Thank you Mrs. Serese Scott, Mrs. Tiffany Jackson and Mrs. Erika Kelley for performing the duties of the PTA Nomination
committee to find our next PTA officers!
We want to thank the PTA Teacher Mr. James Dorsey for initiating a Spring Reflections Program sponsored by Vansville
PTA. Mr. Dorsey selected the Spring theme to be “Who am I, What makes me Unique”. The students submitted
outstanding work and were honored with certificates and participation ribbons in front of their peers at the school
Spring Assemble.
Thank you to Mrs. Kamla Smith for helping setup the monthly Teacher and Staff Birthday treats for the Month of April.
Also in May, Thank you to Mrs. Kamla Smith for assisting with planning and coordination to bring PTA sponsored Spring
Reflections Program.
Thank you to the PTA Parents who assisted with filling out over 450 Certificates of Achievement from Chick-Fil-A. The
certificates honored students who made Honor Roll in Qtr1, Qtr2 and Qtr3 and included a coupon for a free Kids Meal.
Parents who filled in certificates were, Mrs. Kamla Smith, Mrs. Felecia McDaniel, Mrs. Monica Morgan, Mrs. Lori
Massenburg and Mrs. Bouviette Pennington.
PAGE 8
Parent’s Corner
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How to Keep Reluctant Readers Reading over the Summer
Courtesy of http://school.familyeducation.com/summer/reading/39287.html?page=2&detoured=1
Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body," said Joseph Addison, an
early eighteenth century English poet, playwright, and essayist, and centuries
later his words are still right on. Especially for beginning and reluctant readers
who have more attitude than answers when it comes to this complex skill.
Reading consistently and everywhere during any long breaks from school is
critical for students.
The following tactics will keep reluctant readers involved in books all summer
long. Unless otherwise noted, they apply to kids in grades four through
twelve. At the end of the chapter, find book titles listed by age level. They are
recommended by kids who loved them though they swore they'd never, ever
feel that way about a book.
Get the Basics in Place
1.Lay down the law. Read books over the summer or else, No options here. Their teacher will thank you for it in
the fall. 2. Give them a target. In two months of summer vacation, they should read at least five or six books to maintain any
strides they made in reading during the school year. 3. Balance reading-list books. Many schools provide reading lists over
the summer. 4. Gather your resources. Search the Internet, the library, and neighborhood bookstores for books. Keep your
eyes peeled for kid-catching titles at garage sales, consignment shops, secondhand-book fairs, and flea markets. 5. Spread
them around. Put books in all their favorite places so they stumble upon them at every turn. Put a few on the kitchen table,
in the bathroom, in his bedroom. Even keep a few books in the car.
Participate
1. Read yourself. There's no getting around the fact that if they see you reading, it speaks volumes about how much you
value this skill. 2. Get theatrical about it. Make googly eyes and strange voices whenever you read something interesting
out loud to Robert. Read heart-throbbing descriptions passionately at the dinner table.
3. Write book reviews. Whenever you read a book that is on their reading list or one that is on their reading level, write a
one-line book review and stick it under a magnet on the refrigerator door or the bathroom mirror. Note the title and author,
and then make short but enticing comments about the characters, plot, author's intention, or writing style. Your review might
simply read, "I can't believe the things Danny dreamed up to drive his parents crazy." 4. Link the book to the movie to the
video to the cassette to children's theater. Go to the library together and find a good book, and then explore it in different
incarnations: watch the movie, listen to a
cassette, or attend a children's theater presentation.
Analyze
1. What's Better, the Book or the Movie? Track a story's incarnations using the ASAP format below. Spend 20-30 minutes
on this activity. 2. Subtract. What did the producer leave out? A character? An important plot element like the death of a
character? 3. Amplify. Did the producer highlight certain character traits more than the author did? Was the character
weaker, braver, dumber, wiser? 4. Personalize. How did the setting of the movie compare to the one your child visualized?
How did the characters on-screen compare to his imagination? What did the author do better than the producer? Ask your
child, how would you rewrite the script? Rewrite the ending?
Involve The Whole Family
1. Become a theatrical family. Engage in playacting when kids are reluctant to read. 2. Picture it. When reading to
younger kids from books without pictures, have them cut pictures from old magazines that look like the characters and
settings they visualize. Or make separate sketches and compare them. 3. Make book brochures. Elementary-aged children
might enjoy making a brochure about a book they just read. Use crayons, markers, computer clip art, or magazine clippings
to design typical three-fold, travel-like pamphlets. 4. Make book-based family trips. If your child is amused by a story that
relates how the American colonists kept their teeth white with acid, gunpowder, and sticks of sea coral. Take a trip together
to see a colonial American exhibit at a local museum. Or read a circus book and then attend one. 5. Make book-based
foods. Make foods together that characters eat. For kindergarten through grade three readers, look for books that feature
food as a main ingredient. Then, make the food together. 6. Have your child provide reading services. Is there an elderly
relative, neighbor, or sick friend to whom your child can read each week over the summer?
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Team Up With PTA
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MEMBERSHIP
MEMBERSHIP DRIVE:
Our current enrollment is at 160 members!! Our goal is to reach 200! Please join today. You can join by sending
in your application and annual membership fee with your child. Just place the contents in an envelope and put
“PTA” on front. You can also join online by visiting our website or join in person when you come to a PTA event.
CURRENT MEMBERSHIP: 160
The graphs below show the current membership
numbers compared to our goals…keep checking
back to see how we progress!
Female Members: 92
Male Members: 51
Faculty/Staff Members: 17
VES PTA Student Family Membership
Female Members: 85
Male Members: 48
Faculty/Staff: 13
VES PTA Staff Membership
PTA Board of Directors: Melinda, Shenda, Kim and Jeff
Cut Here
2013-2014 PTA MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION
Please return bottom portion along with your payment to the PTA table or to your student’s teacher in an envelope marked
“PTA”.
Dues:___$10/ individual membership ___ $15/family (2 memberships) Cash or checks to “Vansville PTA”
Name of 1st member (please print clearly):___________________________________________________________________
Name of 2nd member for family membership:__________________________________________________________________
Address: _____________________________________________________________________
Telephone Number: ___________________
_____________________ Email Address: _______________________
Will you serve on a committee(s) or volunteer at an event? YES!_____(we will contact you with details)
Do you need a
language interpreter during PTA meetings? If yes, what language? ____________________________________ We will do our
best to accommodate you. Are you bilingual? If yes, are you willing to help the PTA with translation and/or can help the class
room parent communicate to other parents when the need arises? If yes, what language?____________________________
PAGE 10
Volunteer Opportunities
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Let us know how you can help! Fill out a Volunteer form.
Go to www.vansvillpta.org and click on the Volunteer Tab.
Education Enrichment Committee
After School Enrichment Programs
Cultural Arts Assemblies
Reflections Program (Sept –Dec)
Room Parent from each grade level
School Spelling Bee (May)
Media Center Help
Lunchroom Help
Picture Day Help
Interpreter
Community Outreach Committee
Business Sponsorship
Winter Bazaar (Dec)
Spring Flea Market (Apr)
Clean Up Green Up
Toys for Tots (Dec)
Family Fun Run (May)
Communications Committee
PTA Website
PTA Newsletter
Local Newspapers
PTA School Bulletin Board
Hospitality Committee
Thank You Notes
Teacher Appreciation Week (May)
Staff Member of the Week
Coordinate Breakfasts & Luncheons
Family Fun Committee
Dance (Feb)
Back to School Family Cookout (Sept)
Movie Nights
Bingo/Game Night
PTA Mens’ Basketball
Fundraising Committee
Spirit Nights
Spirit Wear
Fundraising Activities
Membership Drive Committee
Setup Membership Table at events
Maintain PTA Welcome packets
Kids Activity Table at PTA Meetings (2nd Tuesdays)