September 2015

WELCOME: Back To SchoolWelcome to another school year! For those of you just joining Bailey Lake Elementary, we offer an especially warm welcome.

BLE families are generous with their time, talents and financial support – and positive, can-do spirit. This generosity, combined with an engaged staff, allow us to offer some amazing opportunities for your student(s). We expect the 2015-16 school year to be no exception.

Please review this welcome newsletter to better acquaint yourself with the BLE PTA and the key role it plays at BLE. We hope you’ll find it informative – and motivate you to be an active player in our success this year. If you have questions or ideas, please see us at Curriculum Night on September 15 and 16 or contact BLE PTA President Dena Pflieger (pflieg1@comcast.net).

Thanks in advance for a great year at BLE!

Upcoming Events

August 27 Teacher Letter Mailed

September 3 Meet the Teacher

September 8 First Day of School; Half Day

September 15-16 Curriculum Nights

September 24 Picture Day

September 30 Late Start

October 2 Fun Run

8:30 First Bell (students enter)

8:40 Tardy Bell3:50 Dismissal

Half Day: 8:30-11:46Late Start: 9:20-3:50

We’re often asked “what is a PTA?” PTA stands for Parent Teacher Association. Founded in 1897 as the National Congress of Mothers, National PTA is a powerful voice for all children, a relevant resource for families and communities, and a strong advocate for public education. PTA is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofi t association.

Today’s PTA is a network of millions of families, students, teachers, administrators, and business and community leaders devoted to the educational success of children and the promotion of family engagement in schools. There are more than 20,000 PTA chapters and 4 million PTA members across the US, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands and Europe. Bailey Lake Elementary PTA is a chapter of the Michigan PTA. Membership is open to everyone.

BACK TO SCHOOL: What is the PTA?

Why join the PTA?The number one reason to join the PTA is to benefi t your child. In doing so, you also help our school. But there are many more PTA advantages:

• Be in the Know. PTA helps you keep up with what’s happening in your school and how you can support your child’s education.

• Build Relationships. PTA connects you to other families

through meetings, events, and communications, and helps build a sense of community.

• Watch Yourself Grow. By volun-teering with your PTA, you put your skills and hobbies to use for a noble cause—your child and other children in the community. You can also build new skills.

• Speak Up. PTA can be a way for you to more effectively suggest change at the school.

• Witness Improvement. By getting involved, you’ll be part of the solution, helping make positive changes. PTA plays an important role by supporting building improvements through advocacy, funding classroom needs and coordinating many of the social activities that occur during the school year.

• Be a Role Model. By becoming

a PTA member, you’ll be dem-onstrating to your child, other parents and staff the importance you place on education.

• Enjoy Benefi ts – including a school directory. You can take advantage of member benefi ts providers for things like offi ce supplies or car rentals. One of the most popular benefi ts is getting a BLW family directory – available for PTA members only.

Research shows that students do better when

their families are involved both at home and at school.

Grades are higher. Test scores rise.

Self-esteem grows. Schools improve.

– Michigan PTA 10/14

How does the PTA help Bailey Lake

and my child?Through our fundraising and volunteer efforts, you can see the work of the BLE PTA in the following:

• All of the activities on page 4 & 5• Annual funds for each

classroom and grade level • All school fi eld trips• Grade-level enrichment activities• School assemblies• Special purchases like com-

puters, education programs, recess equipment

If I join the PTA, do I have to volunteer? No. By joining the PTA, you are not sign-ing up to volunteer nor are you commit-ting to donate any amount of your time. PTA Membership demonstrates your support for PTA programs and activities even if you don’t have time to be physi-cally present. However, if you would like to volunteer, you will be most welcome!

I am signed up as a volunteer; does that make me a member of the PTA? No, you are not a PTA member unless you pay dues. However, you are still en-couraged to volunteer even if you choose not to join the PTA.

If I join the PTA, do I have to attend the PTA meetings? No. We encourage you to attend as many meetings as you can to learn what is going on in school and to help shape PTA priorities. However, you are not required to attend meetings.

COMMON QUESTIONS:

What if I join PTA?

The Objectives of the Bailey Lake Elementary PTA, in common with those of the National PTA and the Michigan PTSA are:

• To promote the welfare of chil-dren and youth in home, school, community and place of worship.

• To raise the standards of home life.

• To secure adequate laws for the care and protection of children and youth.

• To bring into closer relation the home and the school, that par-ents and teachers may cooperate intelligently in the education of children and youth.

• To develop between educa-tors and the general public such united efforts as will secure for all children and youth the high-est advantages in physical, mental, social and spiritual education.

OBJECTIVES:

*Content adapted from the National PTA and Michigan State PTA.

2015-16 BLE PTA Board

1) President: Dena Pfl ieger2) Vice President: Arina Bokas3) Treasurer: Amanda Roberts4) Assistant Treasurer:

Christy Kreucher5) Secretary: Jennifer Cotaling

6) Communications: Theresa Rotman

7) Membership: Shawn Hale

8) Membership: Wendy Seidel9) Volunteers: Becky Walker

1

2

3 4

8

7 9

5

6

DATE ACTIVITY COORDINATOR(S)

OCTOBER 2 Fun Run Theresa Rotman One-day event that combines team-building, physical activity Christy Kreucher and fundraising. Each grade runs as many laps as possible in a Katie Barnes short time window and raises money through pledges. Andrea Beauchamp

October 27 Disability Awareness Rebecca Walker District-wide, one-day event for 4th graders to gain awareness Theresa Rotman of a variety of disabilities.

NOVEMBER 12 Theme Day OPEN (To be confirmed) One-day event featuring activity-based workshops and assemblies

NOVEMBER 16-20 Reflections OPEN National PTA Fine Arts competition in literature, visual arts, aphotography and music to highlight the importance of art in education.

NOVEMBER 30- Book Fair Whitney Schmit DECEMBER 4 Week-long sale of Scholastic books and other items for students Amy Darnell families and staff. BLE earns points to purchase items for its media center.

DECEMBER 3-4 Doughnuts with Dad Andrea Beauchamp Before school refreshments for students and their Dad’s – Sara Hoyle to promote family time and connections with other BLE families.

JANUARY 21-22 Morings with Mom Randy Scott Before school refreshments for students and their Mom’s – Mark Beauchamp to promote family time and connections with other BLE families.

FEBRUARY 25 Talent Show Melissa Snyder Evening event that gives students an opportunity to perform onstage for their peers and families – and celebrate the diverse talents at BLE.

MARCH Read To Me Month Rebecca Walker School-wide program to encourage students and families Judy Haas to have fun with reading.

APRIL 15 Seuss Fair Amy Darnell Annual school fair that combines games, math, learning and family fun.

JUNE 10 Field Day OPEN One-day event for students to participate with classmates in a variety of fun, physical activities – and end the school year in a positive way.

JUNE 15 Fifth Grade Celebration Ellen Lesnau Morning celebration of 5th grade accomplishments through Kim Elliott a slide show, award ceremony and refreshments.

*Note: any changes to the dates will be shared via e-blast and other school-wide communications.

BLE ACTIVITIES: 2015-16 PTA Events Calendar

In addition to one-time events, some PTA activities take place throughout the year. These include:

Health and Wellness OPEN Education and support of health/safety issues and key topics, including allergy awareness

Staff Appreciation Christy Kreucher Eforts (e.g., refreshments, meals and other small gifts) throughout the year to show Jana Henry appreciation of BLE staff. Special emphasis the week of May 2nd. Audrey Winningham

Gardening OPEN Work to keep the flower beds and pots looking inviting for students, staff and visitors.

Classroom Party DatesClassroom parties are a highlight of the year for most students – and made possible through Room Parents and specific donations by parents. Following are this year’s classroom parties.

DATE PARTY TIME

Friday, October 30 Halloween 2:45 p.m. (includes parade)

Thursday, December 17 Holiday 3:00 p.m. (sing-along at 2:30 p.m.)

Friday, February 12 Valentine’s Day 3:00 p.m.

Activity Coordinators NeededThere are still a few open spots in our BLE Activities to be filled. Please consider helping, and ensuring our kids have the best experiences possible.

If you’re interested in any of these Coordinator positions, please contact Becky Walker, PTA Volunteer Coordinator (rsbruton@gmail.com).

Get Your BLE Spirit Wear. Look for ‘spirit wear’, school and/or recreational products for sale at Curriculum Night!

• Read your teacher’s emails and/or blogs. He/she will include requests for volunteers for school events and classroom-specifi c needs.

• Sign up for email reminders through www.clarkstoncalendar.org. Choose BLE and any other community organizations, etc. for which you’d like to be on the communication distribution list. We use this for all school wide events.

• Check the Programs section on the PTA webpage

– and send an email to the activity coordinator for the event(s) in which you’re interested

• Ask your teacher how you can help.

For most school-wide events, we will use an internet site www.signupgenius.com to solicit volunteers. Using this site makes it easy for event planners to track sign-ups, allow you to sign up for an open slot that works best for you and send reminders.

Thanks in advance for doing what you can to support BLE!

GET INVOLVED AT BLE:You have the opportunity to make this school year great. We rely on parent/grandparent volunteers to help organize events, man a station at an event, create bulletin boards, support classroom reading and math, donate items and more. To get involved:

At BLE, Room Parents are respon-sible for coordinating three class-room parties for the classroom teacher: Halloween, Winter Holiday and Valentine’s Day. Room Parents:

• plan the theme• decide the games, snacks and/or

crafts• determine what supplies and

help are needed• solicit other classroom parents

to assist• run the party

We usually have two Room Parents per classroom. If you’re interested in serving as a Room Parent, please complete the form at the back of this newsletter. The PTA Volunteer Coordinator, Becky Walker, will contact you by Friday, September 18 to confi rm your assignment. The Room Parent Kick-Off meeting is Friday, September 25 from 9-10am.

ROOM PARENTS

Provide Financial SupportThe BLE experience includes a variety of school-wide and classroom activities. Each activity has a unique focus, and requires varying levels of creativity, organization and work. Nearly all activities require both time and funding to make them a success.

This year our primary fundraiser for the school year will be the Fun Run, or Running with the Bulldogs. This event was new in 2014 and raised more than $25,000 after expenses – and more than half the total BLE PTA operating budget. Look for information com-ing once school starts with details on the classroom fundraising drive.

If you’re interested in being a business sponsor and placing your business logo/name on the class shirts, please contact Theresa Rotman

(tjrotman@att.net) no later than Friday, September 11.

Passive Fundraising is still an important source of income, supporting many school-wide purchases. Passive fundraising opportu-nities include Scrips Cards, Kroger Community Rewards, Box Tops for Education Upland Hills Harvest Festival.

Look for the PTA Fundraising Table at Curriculum Night or contact our Fundraising Coordinators Kelly Teague (kelly.teague@yahoo.com) and Ellen Lesnau (etles106@hotmail.com) to learn more.

The 2015-2016 Kroger Community Rewards Program begins May 1, 2015. All supporters of the program must re-enroll every year. Below are the steps to re-enroll your Kroger Plus Card so that it con-tinues to earn fundraising dollars for Bailey Lake Elementary School! Please pass along this notice to friends & family who can help. Re-enrolling only takes a few mo-ments and is completed in a few simple steps:

1. Visit our website at www.krog-ercommunityrewards.com.

2. Sign in using your email address and password. If you have for-gotten your password, just click on “forgot password” and a link will be sent to your email to change your password.

3. Enter BLE’s fi ve digit NPO number (82526) or the fi rst three letters of the organiza-tion’s name, click search.

4. Select your organization by clicking on the circle to the left of your organization’s name.

5. SAVE CHANGES.

If you want to enroll a new card, follow the instructions below. Click Enroll if you have never been a part of KrogerCommunityRe-wards.com. Have your Kroger Plus Card ready. If you use your phone number at the register, call 1(877)576-7587 to get yourKroger Plus Card number.

1. Sign up today (to the right)2. Enter your zip code and click

Search3. Click on the arrow to display

the list of stores in your zip code and highlight your pre-ferred store

4. Enter in your email and pass-word

5. Click Next6. Key in your Kroger Plus Card

Number (if it says that this card has already been used, please call the number on the back of your card)

7. Enter the security code (from the box above it)

8. Enter in your contact informa-tion

9. Click on Next10. Verify that your account infor-

mation is correct. Check box

for agreement of the terms and conditions and click Complete Information

11. Kroger will send an email that you entered earlier in the process (this can take up to 10 minutes)

12. Open the email that Kroger sent. Read the email and either click on the link within the email, or copy and paste it into your browser

13. Sign in: click on the “Click here” button and then type in your email and password

14. Under Kroger Community Rewards Section at right, click Edit Kroger Community Rewards Information

15. Find your organization by typ-ing in your organization’s name or NPO number Bailey Lake Elementary NPO# 82526

16. Click on the organization name that you want. Please make sure that you click on the circle to the left of your organization so that it becomes highlighted

17. Click on Save Changes18. Scroll over the page and make

sure all information is accurate.

KROGER REWARD PROGRAM:Every year, it is necessary to re-enroll online to continue supporting your organization.

What is Scrip Fundraising?We all shop at our favorite retail stores and go grocery shopping? Why not let our shopping help our schools? Our organization earns money with each gift card purchased through this program. There are no hidden fees or extra costs. We pay face value for every gift card purchased. Each retailer in return, provides a certain percentage back to the school, an instant rebate! You are only purchasing what you need! There are no expirations on gift cards. By simply planning ahead on everyday purchases, we can earn easy money for our school! Ordering details to come!

Membership is just $10 per family or $35 for a business membership. Use the form below to join. Please tear and submit your form and payment by Friday, September 25. A school directory will be printed with all information and be distributed to all participants at a later date.

Join the PTA Today!

PTA MEMBERSHIP❑ My family would like to join the PTA and receive one school directory $10

❑ My business would like to join the PTA $35 (PTA Business Members will be showcased in the PTA Business Member section of the Directory)

❑ I’d like an additional directory $5

Please attach your check (made payable to “BLE PTA”) and return to the school office by Friday, September 25. We will also collect membership forms/payment at Curriculum Night.

ROOM PARENT:❑ I’d like to serve as a Room Parent this year.

Please return to the school office by Wednesday, September 16.

DIRECTORY OPT-OUT FORM:❑ I do NOT want to be in the School Directory

Our PTA publishes a school directory for your use. This directory includes names, phone numbers, and addresses of BLE students and parents. Most parents find the information useful for creating party invitations, scheduling play dates, etc. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), a Federal law, requires that Clarkston Community Schools obtain your consent prior to the disclosure of personal information. Please complete this form only if you DO NOT WANT your child/family included in the directory. Information for the BLE directory will be gathered from the school district’s student database and the membership area of this flyer.

Return this form to the school office by Friday, September 25 if you do NOT want to be in the directory. If we do not receive this form by September 25, we will include your child(ren) and family in the directory.

PARENT(S) NAME:

HOME ADDRESS:

PREFERRED PHONE:

PARENT EMAIL ADDRESS:

CHILD(REN) NAME(S):

EMAIL ADDRESS:

NAME:

CHILD(REN)’S NAME(S) and GRADE(S)*:

PARENT(S) NAME:

CHILD(REN) NAME(S):