Dates to Remember for2014-2015 School Year

ALGONKIAN PTA

September 2014 Issue

NEWSletter “Proud to be a Bobcat!”

A Note from the PTA PresidentBarbara Fontaine

WelcomeBack

Students!

See theCalendarof Events

Algonkian Elementary School • 20196 Carter Court Sterling, VA 20165 • P:(571) 434-3240 • F: (703) 444-1917

WelcomePrincipal

Blubaugh!

WelcomeMr. Blubaugh!

Dear Parents and Staff,Welcome to the 2014-2015 school year! I know that you all had a summer filled with academically enriching activities like practicing math facts and reading 50 books. My family did not. I would like to take this chance to apologize to all my kids’ teachers, because I am sending my children back to school having read nothing but cereal boxes and SPF labels. But I know that my teachers will whip them back into shape in no time. Please take a close look at this newsletter. It is filled with information about important upcoming events that your children will want to participate in such as the Walk-A-Thon and our first Bingo. There will also be a flurry of information coming up about before and after school activities such as Running with the Stars, Spanish Club, Chat N Chew and more. It is a well known fact that children whose parents are actively involved are better students. Anything you can do to help at the school or with a particular event/activity is much appreciated. I want to take this time to encourage all of you to attend our monthly PTA meetings. We normally meet on the first Tuesday of the month at 7:00pm in the library. In September we will meet on the 9th. We will not harangue you, bully you or guilt you into taking on anything that we think you can’t handle. This month we will be putting Mr. Blubaugh on the spot! If you haven’t had a chance to meet him, now you do. This is also your chance to be heard and to build a connection with those that have such a tremendous impact on our kids.Hope to see you at a PTA event soon! If you have any questions or concerns, my email is barbara@jaspin.com.

Barbara Fontaine, PresidentAlgonkian Elementary PTA

Jack Shangraw (third from left) and the boys of Troop 956

Check out our new playground blacktop! Jack Shangraw painted it for his Eagle Scout project!

Thanks, Jack!It looks amazing!

2014-2015 PTA Events* September 20149/9 1st PTA Meeting 7pm9/11 Odyssey of the Mind Meeting9/12 Bingo 7pm 9/26 Walk-A-Thon

October 201410/1 PTA Meeting 7pm10/6-10/10 Book Fair10/17 Monster Mash 5:30-8:30pm10/21 Chick-Fil-A Night

November 201411/3 Staff Souper Luncheon11/4 Chuck-E-Cheese Night11/11 PTA Meeting 7pm11/12 Donuts with Dad 7am11/14 Bingo 7pm

January 20151/6 PTA Meeting 7pm1/13 Chick-Fil-A Night1/30 Movie Night

February 20152/3 PTA Meeting 7pm2/16 Chuck-E-Cheese Night

March 20153/3 PTA Meeting 7pm3/20 Bingo 7pm

April 20154/14 PTA Meeting 7pm4/21 Muffins with Mom 7am4/28 Sweet Frog Night

May 20155/1 Bobcat Talent Show5/4 Staff Appreciation Week begins5/5 PTA Meeting 7pmSOL testing begins 5/115/12 Chick-Fil-A Night

June 20156/15 5th Grade Promotion6/16 Last day of school *Events subject to change

is a running program for boys and girls, grades 1-5, that will begin at Algonkian Elementary in September and run through December.

This after school program encourages participants to lead a healthy and active lifestyle. During practices, the students will play games, discuss healthy lifestyle topics, and prepare for our END OF SEASON 5K RUN!! The 5K is non-competitive run. Our goal is for each child to strive for his/her own personal best.

See the Algonkian website for more information or check out the website: www.runningwiththestars.com. Get ready to RUN!

Welcome back! The Care & Share Committee hopes you all had a great summer. Over the course of the school year we plan a lot of fun surprises for the Staff and if anyone is interested in helping in any capacity please email Rachel Karnes at karnes.rachel@yahoo.com.

In addition to all the fun things we have planned this year we like to celebrate the staff by giving them a little something to make their Birthday a bit more special. If you are interested in helping bake for their special day and would like to help, please contact Jennette Elmi at jelmi02@yahoo.com or Rachel Karnes at karnes.rachel@yahoo.com. Thank you in advance for your help and here’s to a great year!

It’s NEON BINGO Time!BOBCATS should come dressed in their brightest NEON colors on

Friday, September 12th. Doors open at 6:30 pm and numbers start flying at 7 pm. We’ll have lots of raffles, lots of food and lots of FUN!

Want to get the best seat in the house? Pre-order your family’s food and supplies. Look out for more information next week. Hope to see you there!

Running with the Stars WALK-A-THONMark the date and lace up your sneaks!

Walk-A-Thon is coming VERY soon!

Algonkian’s biggest fundraiser is set for Friday, September 26th from 3-4 pm. As always, Bobcats, big and small, will collect pledges and walk laps around the front parking lot. Last year, the children raised over $15,000 and we hope to top that this year! If each student collects $50 in pledges, we will achieve our goal!! We invite parents, grandparents and siblings to come out and cheer on our Bobcats. Packets will be going home soon -- in the meantime, check out our website at www.bobcatwalk.com. Hope to see you there!

Restaurant Nights:Mark your calendars for Tuesday, September 16th! Come out and see your friends at Menchie’s Yogurt (45591 Dulles Eastern Plaza #194 - near Rack Room Shoes and Nordstrom Rack) from 4:00 - 9:00. Mention Algonkian at the register and a percentage of your money goes right back to the PTA and our school! See you there!

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September 2014 IssueBobcat NEWS

Special THANKS to all the volunteers (parents and children alike) who helped assemble and deliver the 1st Day Packets at school on August 27th!

IT ONLY COSTS $11 TO JOIN THE PTA!If you would like to join the PTA, please contact Wendy Hopkins at: 703-444-2426 or wendyjhopkins@verizon.net. Meetings are held in the library at the school.

THANK YOU FOR VOLUNTEERING!WE COULDN’T DO IT WITHOUT YOU:

PTA President- Barbara FontaineVice President- Kristen UlrichTreasurer- Mahima PantSecretary- Kimberly Nelson

Committees:Staff Relations/Caring & Sharing Chair- Rachel KarnesStaff Gifts- Jen ElmiStaff Appreciation Week- Maggie Swank & Jennifer dePascaleLuncheons- Rachel Karnes

Social Events Chair- April ChandlerBobcat Coordinator- Natascha HunterTalent Show- Anne CollinsMonster Mash- April ChandlerMovie Night- Wendy Hopkins & Cheryl RochesterDonuts with Dad- Kelly Ruhl

Parent/Community Relations Chair- PTA Website- Sudarshan PandeyPTA Membership- Wendy HopkinsVolunteer Coordinator/Communications- Heather DysonNametags/Volunteer Hours-Heather AngererFirst Day Packets- Patty McKaySchool/Student Directory- Wendy HopkinsPTA Newsletter- Kimberly NelsonAlgonkian Sign Board- Mahima PantPTA Bulletin Board- Maureen FranklinMSAAC Delegate- Jenna CarpentierSEAC Delegate- Sarah Kimberly

Educational Enhancements Chair- Jennifer LarnerASAP Programs- Leigha Griffi nCultural Arts Assemblies- Kemp ReardonChess Club- Theresa RyanRunning with the Stars- Christina DavisOdyssey of the Mind, Coordinator- Heather VogtField Day- Barbara Fontaine

Fundraising and Misc. Chair- Kristen UlrichBingo- Christi Hendershot & Maureen FranklinSpirit Wear- Leigh PappalardoWalk-a-thon- Karen Anderson & Kemp ReardonRestaurant Nights- MK GregoryBox Tops- MK GregoryCartridges for Kids- Pauline BurkettGrocery Programs- Mahima PantSchool Supply Kits- Carrie Morley

And “thank you” to all the parents who will volunteer in their child’s classroom in one capacity or another this year! Together we make Algonkian Elementary a Great School! If you see a name you recognize on the above volunteer/committee list, please thank him/her for their time. Even with all these volunteers, there are still some jobs left unfi lled. If you would like to join us, please contact Barbara Fontaine and let her know you are available to help. Thank You!

Jeepers creepers

Algonkian Elementary’s Monster Mash is October 17th.We are brewing up some surprising new tricks

that are sure to be a treat.

But we need YOU to help us scare up some fun. Please contact April Chandler at amchandler@gmail.com if you

can donate a few minutes of your time to help with Algonkian Elementary’s largest annual family event.

Jeepers creepers

“WE’VE GOT SPIRIT, YES WE DO! WE’VE GOT SPIRIT, HOW ABOUT YOU?”If you left your wallet in the car on back to school night, don’t despair! Spirit Wear is still available. Order forms will be sent home the week of September 8th. We have short sleeve t-shirts in many sizes still on hand, and we are accepting orders through September 19th for long sleeve t-shirts and pull over hoodies.

GO BOBCATS! Please feel free to direct any spirit wear questions to leigh.pappalardo@yahoo.com.

September 2014 IssueBobcat NEWS

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The PTA is on Facebook. Just search Algonkian PTA and click “Join”.

Odyssey of the Mindis a unique program that encourages students to apply their creativity to solve problems ranging from building mechanical devices to writing and performing original skits. All students in grades K-5 are welcome to participate. Come to our Parent Information Meeting on Thursday, September 11 at 7:00 pm in the library to find out more about OM at Algonkian and/or contact our OM coordinator, Heather Vogt, at hesvogt@gmail.com.

Girl ScoutsGirl Scout Open House on 13 September

at Cascades Library

Calling all girls and adult volunteers interested in joining Girl Scouts! Please learn more at the Open House scheduled for 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm on Saturday, 13 September, at the Cascades Library. The session will offer more information about scouting as well as opportunities to form new troops or join existing ones, for all ages. For more details, please contact Cristina Koethe, Troop Organizer for Algonkian Elementary, at threeratzdevils@msn.com.

Cub ScoutsFamilies looking for Adventure and Fun?

Cub Scout Pack 905 is hosting Join Scouting Night on September 17th from 7:00-8:00pm in the Algonkian Cafeteria. Come listen and learn more about Pack 905’s Adventures. Cub Scouting is a neighborhood centered, parent volunteer run program for boys in grades 1-5 that combines fun with educational activities and lifelong values. Cub Scouting is designed to support and encourage family and community involvement. Contact Melissa Amdahl at (571) 225-0534 or Melissa.amdahl@gmail.com for any questions.

September 2014 IssueBobcat NEWS

page 4ASAP Fall 2014What is ASAP?

ASAP is an after school activities program that Algonkian students may participate in outside of the traditional school day. Programs are led by parent volunteers and outside vendors and all proceeds benefit our PTA. This year the fall session will begin mid-October and last six weeks with hour long activities occurring immediately following the school day on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Look for more information about this popular program soon (via backpack mail) as its success depends on parents volunteering their time to share a hobby or interest with our students.

It’s as easy as 1. . . 2. . .3!It’s that time of year again – time to REGISTER or RE-REGISTER your Giant, Safeway and Harris Teeter cards to earn cash for Algonkian Elementary School. They give back to our school for every dollar our registered shoppers spend.

Another easy way to help is to REGISTER Algonkian as your school with Target RED-card; debit or credit. Target will donate 1% of your purchases to Algonkian!

The Grocery Program can earn schools money and it costs the shopper nothing.

Here’s all you need to do:• Complete the form found on the PTA website or the one that came home in the first day package.• If you don’t have your Giant, Safeway and Harris Teeter card numbers handy, please contact the grocery stores, they will not release card numbers to us on your behalf. You may phone Giant at 1-877-275-2758, Safeway at 1-877-723-3929 and Harris Teeter at 1-800-432-6111 for your Bonus Card information.• Use your Giant, Safeway and Harris Teeter cards when you shop there.

Questions, contact Mahima Pant at sukalu@gmail.com.

Earn CASH for AlgonkianPlease keep collecting those Box Tops! We’ll be doing a big collection before the Monster Mash next month, so start collecting them now! Every little Box Tops counts, so keep them coming!