the ALMANACK Franklin Elementary School PTA Newsletter

www.franklin.smmusd.org • www.franklinschoolpta.org2400 Montana Avenue, Santa Monica CA 90403 • 310.828.2814 • Fax 310.449.1252

Happy Reading: Shop The Holiday Book Fair!

December 8, 2014

Packed with new and popular titles, nifty gifts and accessories, this year’s Holiday Book Fair has something for everyone on your list! We’ve got tasty treats and healthy snacks along with fresh brew to fuel your foray…plus we’re OPEN ALL WEEK, so there’s no excuse not to stop and shop!

Author author! Best-selling author Stuart Gibbs will be talking to our 4th & 5th graders on Tuesday morning from 10:30am to 12:30pm. In addition to many of his popular titles, including Belly Up, Spy School and The Three Musketeers, the Book Fair will feature his

latest release, Space Case. Be sure to check out the selection from this talented writer and pick up signed copies as holiday presents!Support Franklin while helping others! Once again, Franklin families have an opportunity to spread holiday cheer, by purchasing books for kids battling serious illnesses through Children’s Hospital Los Angeles “Literally Healing” program. Buy a book to donate from the Hospital’s ‘Wish List’ (on display at Book Fair) and make an immediate impact on a child who is spending the holidays in the hospital. And with every book donation - a portion of all purchase proceeds benefits Franklin too!

The Holiday Book Fair will be open in the Cafetorium:Monday December 8th: 1:00 pm to 4:00 pmTuesday December 9th: 8:30 am to 4:00 pmWednesday December 10th: 8:30 am to 2:00 pmThursday December 11th: 8:30 am to 4:00 pmFriday December 12th: 8:30 am to 1:00 pm

Volunteers Needed! Set-up is on Monday AM December 8th at 8:30 am - please stop by after drop-off to help arrange tables, unpack boxes and decorate displays. Then, join the fun by volunteering at the Book Fair on December 8th-12th. You’ll spend time with a fab group of parents, meet teachers and students while supporting Franklin (with hassle-free holiday shopping while you’re at it). Novices and experts alike encouraged and welcome! Hot coffee is always on tap. Please visit www.mysignup.com/franklinholidaybookfair2014 to sign up.

Remember to visit Book Fair after drop-off, before pick up – or (we’re open!) midday: grab a drink and a snack, and shop leisurely while the kids are in class!Can’t make it during the day? You, your family & friends can shop at home! Visit our ONLINE BOOK FAIR that runs concurrently and after, beginning Dec 3rd – 23rd. All online orders will be delivered to Franklin following winter break. To preview titles and link to all fair information, visit http://bookfairs.scholastic.com/homepage/franklinholidaybookfair2014.

Got questions? Please contact Kim Orchen Cooper at klocwork3@gmail.com, or email Leanna Einbinder at leanna.einbinder@fox.com about the Literally Healing program. Looking forward to seeing everyone at the Holiday Book Fair!!

Our 2015 Online Auction is Coming Up. Last year our community donated over $150,000 worth of items and raised over $80,000 for the school. We need your participation to make it successful again! We are asking that every family obtain at least ONE donation.

It’s as simple as asking for a donation where you shop, dine, get your hair cut, or take your kids to lessons. Here’s how to start:

Where do I get a donation form and how do I ask for a donation? Pick up a Donation form at the Front Desk or visit our PTA Auction website where you can download a PDF donation form or visit www.franklinauction.net (click on “Donate Items”). When you have your donation and completed form, simply drop off your donation by February 12, 2015 at the Franklin Front Office.

What categories sell well at the Auction?

• Restaurants: This is our best selling category! Ask your favorite eateries for a gift certificate. Don’t hesitate to hit up restaurants outside of Santa Monica as well!

• Beauty & Spa: A donation for a haircut from your stylist, or a gift certificate to a spa.

Online Auction is Coming Up!• Camps & Lessons: Reach out to your kids’ camps

and instructors-the Franklin community.is a great customer base for them!

• Entertainment: Bidders love set visits, concert and sporting event tickets, VIP and backstage passes, signed DVDs and swag from popular shows.

• Food & Wine: A great case of wine, a donation from a special market, or a delicious delivery of your own homemade creation!

• Health & Fitness: Ask your trainers or gym managers for donations! Gym memberships and free sessions always sell well.

• Parties: How about throwing a party or a class for Franklin parents or families? Past donations include: a Mexican fiesta party for 50; a book club party with a leading Author; a cooking class; a tennis clinic for parents and kids…be creative!

• Professional Services: Reach out to your car detailer, dry cleaner, landscaper, handyman, family photographer, accountant, interior designer…The list goes on!

• Travel and Getaways: Do you own a home or condo in a fabulous location? Please consider donating a stay! Or if you have a favorite hotel/resort please ask them for a donation!

December 8, 2014 December 8, 2014

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310.873.4177 o | 310.270.7548 m | aaron@aaronmirsky.comwww.aaronmirsky.com | www.NorthofWilshireNow.comCalBRE 01856545

JUST SOLD!869 South Bundy, Brentwood

AARON MIRSKY

Wishing Franklin Families a Wonderful Holiday Season!

December1-17 Annual Food Drive

8-12 Holiday Book Fair

11 PTA Meeting, 8:30 a.m.

22 Winter break begins

Your Franklin CalendarImportant dates to know this month!

Can I submit a donated item online?

Yes! You can donate online at www.franklinauction.net and click on “Donate Items”. When you have your donation and completed form, simply drop off your donation by February 12, 2015 at the Franklin Front Office.

I want to get involved – can I join the team?

Yes PLEASE! We are still looking for people to help. Please let us know if you are interested and want more information. Feel free to contact us with any thoughts or questions at franklinauction15@gmail.com.Franklin parents: we know that you’re creative; we know that you’re connected, and we know that you care about your children’s school! So please help NOW!

The 2014 Franklin School Online Auction will be open for bidding February 18th – March 1stand the official countdown has begun to the February 12th deadline for donations!

Please do ONE for Franklin School! Donation forms and solicitation tips can be found on the PTA Auction website at http://franklinschoolpta.org. You can also donate directly on www.FranklinAuction.net or pick up a donation form at the Front Office. Please drop off your donations at the Front Office by February 12th!

Boxtops for Education!Cut-out and save your box tops for education. Every box top is worth $0.10 to Franklin! It adds up. Franklin can get up to $20,000 per year just from saving box tops from products that we all use on a daily basis.

The following is a partial list of brands that have the box tops on them. Go to: http://www.boxtops4education.com/products to check find more.

Betty Crocker General MillsGreen GiantHeftyHorizonKleenex Land O’ LakesNature ValleyPillsburyProgressoScottYoplaitZiploc

Play the “where are the box tops” game with your kid. When you have collected a bunch, please put them in bags of 50 and bring them into the front office!

If you have any questions, please email wendydembo@gmail.com

California Science Center’s Pompeii Exhibit on Sunday, December 14, 2:00 pm (show time is 2:15 pm!), PLUS free Endeavor tour at 3:45 pm (if you have time!), California Science Center

This off-site event is a bit pricey, so we are unable to cover the cost of tickets. However, we made a group reservation and received a discount: Just $15.50 for adults and $9.75 for kids! Please visit www.mysignup.com/pompeii to let us know if you are coming AND pay for your tickets via the Science Club website page - http://franklinschoolpta.org/science-club/ (just scroll to the bottom). Tickets must be purchased no later than December 5 - the date we need to send our final numbers to the Science Center. Don’t miss out - the exhibit only runs through January 2015!

Louis Pearl, The Amazing Bubble Man, will present Bubblemania on January 13, 6:30 pm, Cafetorium

Louis Pearl has been thrilling audiences around the world for nearly 30 years with the art, magic, science and fun of bubbles. An Edinburgh Fringe Festival favorite, he has sold out every year for the last eight years. Louis explores the breath-taking dynamics of bubbles, combining comedy and artistry with audience participation and enough spellbinding bubble tricks to keep everyone mesmerized. From square bubbles, bubbles inside bubbles, fog-filled bubbles, giant bubbles, bubble volcanoes, tornados and trampolines to people inside bubbles, the Amazing Bubble Man conjures shrieks of laughter and gasps of amazement from all ages.

The end of 2014 is fast approaching, as is the deadline to purchase tickets to the Pompeii Exhibit! Plus, mark your calendars for January events!

The Science Club’s Pompeii Exhibit, Bubbles and Waste-to-Compost – Can’t Get Better than That!

Dave Green from Agromin will present on Waste-to-Compost Transformation on January 21, 6:30 pm, Cafetorium

Where does all the organic material go from our yards (grass clippings, leaves, tree trimmings) once it’s collected curbside each week? For many cities, including Santa Monica, this organic material is transformed into compost that is then used on farmland, school play fields and residential and business landscapes. Agromin is one of the largest organic materials recyclers in California. Dave Green, vice-president of marketing for Agromin, will present on how the waste-to-compost transformation process works and what we all can do to help close the green recycling loop.

All students in grades K-5 are encouraged to join the Science Club, which meets for monthly events on weeknights, and occasional off-site daytime events on weekends. The Science Club’s “main event” is the annual Science Fair and we hope all Franklin students will participate, regardless of whether they have attended prior events. This year’s Science Fair will be held on Wednesday, February 11, 2015 (drop-offs on February 10). Students who participate in five (5) or more Science Club events AND enter a project in the Science Fair will be recognized at our Science Club party in May 2015. Attendance at Science Club meetings/off-site outings rely on parent participation so drop-offs are not allowed. If you have questions or want to be placed on the Science Club email list, please send your contact information to Julia Miele at Julia.miele@juno.com.

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Thanks, Two Healthy Mamas

Please Check Lost & Found Before Holiday Break

Thank you “Two Healthy Mamas” for providing your baked goods/snacks for the November 6, 2014 General PTA Meeting. Your support is greatly appreciated.

Michelle Liu and Niloufar Soroushyari (Hospitality VPs)

Lost it? We probably have it!Lost and found will be cleaned out over holiday break. All items left over will be donated. Please come check for lost items!

Tis the season for Holiday shopping!

If you shop at any of the stores at the Santa Monica Pavilion, or the Westside Pavilion (this includes seeing a movie at the Landmark theater, or eating at the both food courts), bring your receipt to the centrally located Concierge. It only takes a minute to sign-up. Franklin will get points, which are then turned into cash at the end of the year. Presently, we are ahead of Roosevelt, but behind John Muir and Will Rogers.

And as an added bonus, if you spend $250 in one day, you can get two vouchers for complimentary valet parking at either the Santa Monica Place or the Westside Pavilion.

If you have any questions, please email wendydembo@gmail.com

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