Gator Gazette Griffin Gator PTA - Griffin Middle School

Gator Gazette
Griffin Gator PTA
August 2014 issue
http://gms.my-pta.org
Hi Gator Parents!
My name is Lynn Clasen and I
am the PTA President for the
2014-2015 school year. I
have 3 children in FISD, my
daughter Mackenzie is a
freshman at Wakeland, my
son Nick is in 8th grade here
at Griffin, and my other son
Noah is a 5th grader at Pink. I
am really looking forward to
another great year filled with
a lot of fun, learning and
school spirit from the
students and staff.
We would not be able to do
anything without the support
of the parents and staff here
at Griffin Middle School. We
really appreciate each and
every one of you and hope
you will join the PTA in an
effort to support our young
Gators. Some of the things
you and your membership
will help provide for Griffin
are tablets for the
classrooms, pig hearts for the
7th graders to dissect, an
amazing Fall Festival, the 8th
grade “graduation”
celebration and programs for
the parents too.
The PTA Board has already
been working this summer
www.facebook.com/griffingatorpta
Gazette
Chair:
Dedee
Henderson our Gator Teams, coming
on new
Spirit Wear
for everyone
(I promise you and your kids will
love the new designs), and
planning the calendar for the
programs and fun things to come.
We have also updated the website
and Facebook page for your
“liking” so please be sure to check
them out and give us a thumbs
up! You will find a lot of
information on upcoming events,
and also be able to see our Back
to School Packet.
to the Fall Festival and the
The PTA Packet includes:
Thank you again for your
continued support. If you
have any questions, please
feel free to contact me or
any of the Board members
and we will be happy to
help.
Membership Information
Volunteer Opportunities
One Check Fundraiser Form
PTA Program Survey
Gator Wear Order Form
These packets will also be
available at Gator Camp, Schedule
Pick Up days, and Meet the
Teacher Night. Gator Wear will
be sold at each of these dates as
well, so don’t forget your
checkbook.
Last year, I was determined to
have the PTA help promote
school spirit and I was beyond
impressed with the participation
of the entire Griffin family!
Everyone was so involved in Red
Ribbon Week, supporting all of
Book Fair. I love seeing the
students being proud of
their school. I truly believe
it enhances their learning
experience here in Middle
School, and prepares them
for the “spirit” of High
School.
Come by our table at Gator
Camp and/or Schedule Pick
Up to say “Hi” and join the
PTA!
I hope the end of your
summer is safe, fun and
restful.
GO GATORS!!!!
Lynn Clasen
lynnclasen@gmail.com
The Griffin
Middle
School PTA
needs YOU
to join. Each
year at Griffin
Middle School,
we encourage
new and returning families to get connected with the PTA by joining through membership. Becoming a
GMS PTA member helps provide programs, coordinate events and purchase supplies needed for the
educational benefit of our students, along with a network of support and endless opportunities to get
involved. It’s a WIN-WIN for everyone!!!
Last year EVERY teacher and staff member at GMS joined the PTA and they will continue to show
their support with membership this year.
How much is it to join PTA? Family membership is just $20, which includes membership in the national
PTA.
Why should I join PTA? The number one reason to join the Parent Teacher Association is to benefit your
child. In doing so, you also help your school.
What does PTA do? PTA does many of the events throughout the school year, including educational and
fun programs for the parents and kids, a great family event like the Gator Festival. We provide
communication from the school to parents through the Gator Gazette, Monthly newsletters, our Facebook
page and the GMS PTA website (gms.my-pta.org). PTA also supports our teachers with teacher
appreciation luncheons and activities.
What does PTA use the funds for? PTA uses the money you help us raise to pay for excellent programs
like Red Ribbon Week, Reflections, Teacher Support and Parent Education. We raise funds to help
provide extras for the school, like iPads for classrooms, books for the library, and much more.
Will PTA call and e-mail me all the time? We promise not to bother you! We’ll keep you posted on what’s
happening at Griffin Middle School and let you know when volunteer opportunities arise.
How do I join? Just go to our website gms.my-pta.org to sign up. By becoming a member, your support will
bring us closer to accomplishing these goals. If you have any questions or would like additional information,
contact Amy DuCharme, VP of Membership at gatorptamembership@gmail.com.
Griffin PTA fundraising
One Check: The Griffin PTA is a non-profit organization which provides
programs, technology, fun activities and support for the students, faculty and
parents at Griffin Middle School.
We do not ask the students of Griffin Middle school to sell ANYTHING to raise money for the school, nor do
we ask them to walk, jump-rope or bake. We simply ask for your one-check donation to avoid any hassle.
100% of your tax-deductible donation will be used towards the enriching programs, activities and support
that Griffin students and families have come to expect. Here is a list of some of the things our money
provides:






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Smart Tablets & technology devices for classroom use
Programs for student and parent education
campus beautification (murals, plants, benches, signs)
Teacher support
Fall festival
Red Ribbon week
Student supplies (pig hearts for science dissection)
Watch Dogs, Book Fair, Talent Show, Reflections
THIS IS THE ONLY PTA FUNDRAISER OF THE YEAR if we get your participation and support. Please
consider what your family can give and fill out and print the bottom of this form with your check and bring
to school or go to our website at : www.gms.my-pta.org and look for “one-check”.
Thank you,
Julie Reiter- GMS ways and means
For Tax purposes
Amount_________ Check #___________ Date__________
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------NAME:________________________________________________________________________
Address:_______________________________________________________________________
Donation Amount $_______________________
PTA USE: $_________ CHK #_______
DID YOU KNOW? Kroger partners with our community schools and donates a percentage
of your sales to Griffin Middle School.
Please link your existing Kroger card at http://www.krogercommunityrewards.com/. You
can find our school by name, but our number is 80816
AND if you have a TARGET RED CARD, you can link you card to Griffin Middle school to
dontate 1% of your total sales. You can link your card at
www.target.com/redcard/benefits-target-rewards.
www.target.com/redcard/benefits-target-rewards
Get your COUPON Book Today
For a limited time, GTA is offering a Save Around book of
coupons. These coupons are a bundle of savings for your family
at dozens of local eateries, entertainment venues and shops.
IT IS A BARGAIN at $20 as the book is worth HUNDRES of your valuable dollars at
many places you already shop. Hurry and get yours before they are gone. Contact
Julie Reiter gatorptawaysandmeans@gmail.com or get yours at the FALL FESTIVAL on
October 2nd.
Here are some of the Vendor coupons that may interest you:
 Activities: Hydrous Wakepark, Canyons Rock Climbing, Pole Position, Strikz, Pump it
Up, Interskate, Adventure Landing, Regal Theaters
 Restaurants: Palio’s Pizza café, Quiznos, McDonalds, Del Taco, Schlotzsky’s, Quaker
Steak &Lube, Denny’s, Domino’s Pizza, Cici’s Pizza, Mr. Jim’s Pizza, Jersey Mike’s, Randy
White’s, Gatti Town, Le Peep, Fadi’s, Papa Murphy’s Pizza, Fuzzy’s Taco Shop, MexiGo,
Purple Cow, Dickey’s Barbecue Pit, Jet’s Pizza, Boston Market and Much MORE
 Treats: DQ, Tutti Frutti, Yumilicious, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Bahama
Bucks, Nestle Tollhouse Café, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Cold Stone Creamery, Shipley
Donuts, Marble Slab Creamery, Edible Arrangements, Dunkin Donuts, Baskin Robbins
and MORE
 Shops: Dick’s Sporting Goods, Children’s Place, Jo-Ann’s, Men’s Warehouse, Jos. A Bank
and MORE
 Services: Sports Clips, UPS, and too many to mention car services.
Psssst!!!!
The Cute Little Shop is offering GMS PTA 10% of sales if you shop back to school
locker décor and mention you are there for GMS.
Also, watch for notice of our Spirit nights at Chick-fil-a and Urban Air this year.
ORGANIZATION
DATE & TIME
Griffin Middle School
Sixth Grade: August 15th
Seventh and Eighth Grade: August 19th
Back to School Bash
Time: 6:00-9:00
LOCATION
PRICE
$25.00 for wakeboarding, rental equipment,
Hydrous: Little Elm
hotdog and a drink
280 E. Eldorado Parkway
$5.00 for food and drink only
Limited tickets available. Please
RSVP to info@hydrouswakeparks.com
to confirm your spot.
A waiver must be filled out
prior to participating.
Waiver QR Code
www.hydrouswakeparks.com
Come one, come all!! Join your friends for an end of summer bash at Hydrous
Wake Park!! Girls can wakeboard in tanks /tees and shorts with a swimsuit
underneath. Parents can bring lawn chairs, blankets and/or towels to sit on
around the three water areas.
And here they are……..
2014-15 Griffin Middle School PTA Board
Lynn Clasen
President
Amy DuCharme
Julie Reiter
1st VP/Membership
2nd VP/Ways and Means
Sheila Flaherty
Jana Akin
3rd VP/Programs
Treasurer
Kim McGuire
Secretary
Kris Taylor
Parliamentarian
Stacy Lawson
Historian
Hope Roddy
Legislative/Council Rep
Andrea Butler
Kristi Lupe
Important Dates
Wed. August 6th – New Student
Registration (9am-6pm)
Fri. August 15th – 6th grade Schedule PickUp and Meet Your Lockers (8am-11am),
and 6th grade Spirit Night at Hydrous
(6pm-9pm)
Mon. August 18th – 6th grade Gator Camp
(4:00-5:30pm)
Tues. August 19th – 7th & 8th grade
Schedule Pick-Up and Meet Your Locker
(1-3pm), and 7th & 8th grade Spirit Night
at Hydrous (6pm – 9pm)
Sat. August. 23rd – Back to School Bash at
the Student Opportunity Center (10am2pm)
Mon. August 25th – First day of school!
Book Fair
Cultural Arts in Education
Michelle Schmidt
Cindy Vaille
Directory/Publications
Egator Website
Lori Cunningham
Healthy Lifestyles
Rose Granitz
Welcome Committee
Marla Griggs
Gator Festival
Dedee Henderson
Gator Gazette/Newsletter
Elizabeth Rowe
Karen Doggett
Cindy Badon
Gatoriffic Teachers
Gatorwear
SAGE
Jennifer Coleman
Latara Moore
Jean Cooper
Talent Show
Volunteer Coordinator
Watch D.O.G.S
Hey Gators! Don’t forget to be rummaging through your old
shoes for donations to the Dallas Shoe Bank. Details coming
soon!!
Whether you have an hour, a month, or once a week, WE NEED YOU!
Please be open to volunteer as opportunities arise throughout the year.
Volunteers DO NOT necessarily have the time; they have the HEART!!
-Elizabeth Andrews
Do you have a business you would like to advertise in the 2014-2015 Griffin
Student Directory? The directory is distributed to all PTA members of Griffin
MS, which is approximately 400 households. If interested, contact Michelle
Schmidt at gatorptadirectory@gmail.com. Pricing ranges from $25-$150. The
Directory Advertising Form has been included for your convenience.
Michelle Schmidt
GMS PTA Directory/Publications Chair
Griffin Middle School PTA
Directory Advertising
Business Name: ________________________________________________________________
Contact name: _________________________________________________________________
Address: ______________________________________________________________________
City, State, Zip: _________________________________________________________________
Phone: _______________________________________________________________________
Email: ________________________________________________________________________
The Griffin Middle School PTA Directory is distributed to only members of Griffin MS PTA.
All advertisements are black and white with the exception of the inside front and back covers.
Griffin MS PTA reserves the right to decline ads or ask the customer to make changes to ad information.
Make checks payable to: Griffin PTA
Send payment and this form to: Griffin PTA Directory at 3703 Eldorado Parkway, Frisco, TX 75033
Please circle your ad preference below.
Business Card $25
Half Page $50
Full Page $75
Inside Front Cover $125 (color)
Inside Back Cover $125 (color)
Back Cover $150 (color)
Ads are sold on a first come, first served basis. Your ad will be placed in the directory based upon the date of this
agreement. Ads will not be printed without full payment. For more information or questions please contact: Michelle
Schmidt, gatorptadirectory@gmail.com/214-494-4225
Artwork should be submitted in .pdf or jpg.
Please submit ad to Michelle @ gatorptadirectory@gmail.com.