CHAMPLAIN PTO, TUESDAY, Decmber 15, 2009
www.champlainpto.org
PTO MEETING ROUNDUP: Last week's PTO meeting kicked off what we hope is a long and productive conversation about building collaborative relationships (students--teachers--families--community) in our school.
As a means of starting the discussion, we looked at a matrix of school-family partnership styles. The following questions were posed to those in attendance (20 parents, 3 staff members, 1 principal and a partridge in a pear tree. . .): Where would you like to be on this continuum? Where are you now? Is there a difference? If so, how do we bridge that gap?
For more details, watch for meeting minutes coming soon to a PTO bulletin board & website near you. The conversation will continue at the January 5th faculty meeting, when the staff will have the chance to brainstorm ideas on the same topic. Then staff and parents will meet together at the faculty in-service day on January 18th. Thanks to Leslie Colomb for opening up the schedule and for supporting the process of improving communication and collaboration at Champlain School.
If you would like to receive more information about what's going on, or want to be part of the process, please contact Jessica Nordhaus at jnordhaus@msn.com or Jenny Breckenridge at jennybreck@burlingtontelecom.net.
FROM COLLEEN COWELL & THE 3RD GRADE TEAM: We would like to strengthen our positive school community during this holiday season through participation in the following community building activities. Grade 3
has organized December's events, and on Monday, December 21st the third grade team is collecting Toys for Tots for Burlington kids. If you would like to send in a toy, please send in an unwrapped toy that represents the same age as your child. This will help collect a variety of items. To help your child remember this day they should
come to school wearing a pair of crazy socks or tights. We are contacting Channel 5 to come to our assembly to collect all the toys on Wednesday, December 23rd.
SAVE THE DATE: Wednesday, December 23, at 8:10 am there will be a joint opening celebration of the new handicap-accessible ramp as well as the new Parent Resource Center. There will be a breakfast gathering afterward in the Learning Center, followed by a school-wide assembly at 9 am in the gymnasium (see previous note from Colleen Cowell).
EDUCATIONAL BOARD GAMES AND CARD GAMES NEEDED: Silvia Jope is looking for donations of educational board or card games for the emerging Parent Resource Center, as well as parenting books. She is also soliciting ideas for a new Welcome to Champlain Elementary poster for the front lobby window. Ideas for the poster so far include: “Welcome to Champlain Elementary School - where students, teachers and families make the difference!”
“Welcome to Champlain Elementary School - every child, every teacher, every family, every day!” Please contact Silvia at 316-0440 or sjopedal@bsdvt.org. Thank you!
T-SHIRTS ORDERS DUE THIS FRIDAY! The Champlain Elementary T-shirts are printed and ready to go. Sweatshirts, too! Your mother would totally love one these beautiful blue sweatshirts. Champlain parent
Ali Marchildon designed these 100% cotton shirts and sweatshirts for us. The order form came home with your children last Tuesday. T-shirts are $10 each (2 for $15 or 3 for $25). Sweatshirts are $20. Order deadline is December 18th and pick up is December 22nd in the Learning Center.
COFFEE CLUB: Just one word: Coffee. OK, here are more words: Orders are due TODAY, December 15th and the coffee will be ready to pick up in the teachers room Friday, December 18th at the beginning of school day. If you have any questions or want to order directly via e-mail contact Wendy Watson Agnew: theagnews@myfairpoint.net
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We strive & toil to get the PTO e-mail out each and every Tuesday morning. If you have items you would like listed on future PTO e-notices please get them in by Monday evening to causerg@burlingtontelecom.net. Talk to you next week.
connecting champlain families with our school
Champlain Elementary PTO
