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2008-09 Committee List

Art show
Book Fair at Mount Daniel
Book Fair at TJ
Box Tops
Class Baskets
Cookbook
Fall Social
Fine Arts Assemblies
Fourth Grade Events
Grocery Bonus Bucks
Health Screening
Hospitality
Ice Cream Social
Info Fair
Library (TJ)
March Madness
Membership/Directory
Movie Nights
Odyssey of the Mind
Original Art Magnets
Outdoor Classroom
Picture Day
Reflections Program
Room Parent Coordinator
School Supplies
Spiritwear
Turn Off TV Week
Web Site
Wrapping Paper
PTA Fundraisers
Book Fair Mount Daniel
Book Fair TJ
Box Tops
Cookbook
Grocery Bonus Bucks
Original Art Magnets
Spiritwear
Class Baskets
Wrapping Paper

For the most part, only the chairpersons are listed below. For more details, check back in mid-July.


Art Show

TJ Chairpersons: Julia Fletchall, Lisa Henderson
MD Chairperson: Terri Nelson


Book Fair at Mount Daniel

Chairpersons: Mary Beth MacKinnon, Ashleigh Collins


Book Fair at TJ

Chairpersons: Charlotte Hyland, Tammy Gorman, Jen Sausville

It's Book Fair season at TJ! Bookworm Plantation will again offer hundreds of reasonably priced books and gift items for sale. A Bookworm Plantation newsletter will be sent home soon so you may preview some of this year's selections.

Be sure to look for your child's teacher's "Wish List" of books for the classroom, which will be posted in the library during the Book Fair. Purchases for the Teacher Wish Lists are 100% tax deductible, while personal purchases are 25% tax deductible (be sure to get your tax receipt from the cashier). This is a wonderful opportunity to enrich our children's lives with great literature while enhancing the classroom libraries (and a great way to get some holiday shopping done). As always, all profits from the Book Fair will be used to purchase new library materials.

If you returned a "Volunteer Request" flier, we will contact you shortly with your assigned dates and times to help. Many, many thanks in advance! This event is not possible without all the parent volunteers.

Book Fair Schedule -- Week of October 20

Monday and Tuesday: Children view the books during school and prepare wish lists that are sent home.

Tuesday and Wednesday Evenings: Family Buy Days and opportunity to purchase books for your child's classroom library, 5:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.

Wednesday and Thursday Daytime: Children may purchase books from parent-approved wish lists during open buy times.

Friday: Make up Buy Day, 8:45 a.m.-9:45 a.m.

Note: Mount Daniel families are welcome (and encouraged) to come to the TJ Book Fair. The selection of books will include many that are appropriate for grades K-1.

If you have any questions, or if you would like to volunteer (volunteers are always welcome!), please contact: Charlotte Hyland (703-237-6993, charrick1@verizon.net), Tammy Gorman (703-536-4672, tggorman@yahoo.com), or Jen Sausville (703-533-3098, jpsausville@verizon.net).


Box Tops

Chairperson: Laura Stricker

General Mills Box Tops can be turned in at both Mount Daniel and TJ. There is a box in the lobby of Mount Daniel and by the school store (near the library) at TJ where you or your child can drop them off. The school receives 10 cents for every box top. It may not seem like much but it really adds up quickly. When you send in your box tops please check the expiration date. We cannot redeem box tops that have expired or that the expiration date is not legible. It really helps if you cut the box top from the carton. When we are counting them the most time consuming part is trimming the excess from the box top label in order to bundle them to send them back to General Mills. So cut out and send in those box tops even if you only have a few, every one counts.

Go to www.boxtops4education.com for information and to sign up for the Box Top Booster Club where you can get 5 bonus box tops, coupons for General Mills products and recipes.

Just a note about Campbell's Soup Labels, currently Falls Church Elementary PTA does not participate in this program so please do not send in soup labels with your box tops.


Class Baskets/Raffle

Chairperson: Katie Dodge


Cookbook

Chairperson: Catherine Beddow


Fall Social

Chairpersons: Kim Trundle, Connie Keith, Christine Jones

The first annual Fall BBQ Social was held on September 27th. We all had a wonderful time and hope that you will join us next year!


Fine Arts Assemblies

Chairpersons: Jennifer Payne, Terri Tornell

2008-09 Falls Church City Elementary School Assemblies
September:
"Hal Trapkin -- Percussion Discussion" -- Percussion discussion snares audiences into learning about the world of percussion in a comical show including a sound effects space fantasy, Beethoven's Fifth Symphony performed on the kettle drums and more.
Mount Daniel (MD) Wed, 9/24/08 9:30 am
Thomas Jefferson (TJ) Wed, 10/8/08 9:00 am and 10:00 am
October:
"Glee Mania" -- Peter Polluter discusses and demonstrates how our actions affect the environment.
MD Wed, 10/22/08 9:30 am
TJ Wed, 10/29/08 9:00 am and 10:00 am
November:
"The Magical Math Tour" -- This show combines mathematical concepts such as measurements, multiplication, shapes and geometry using world class magic.
MD Wed, 11/12/08 9:30 am
TJ Wed, 11/19/08 9:00 am and 10:00 am
December:
"Rainbow Entertainment -- Interactive Theater" -- Children voluntarily participate in each performance using costumes, scenery and their own imagination.
MD Wed, 12/17/08 9:30 am
January:
"Dixie Power Trio" -- A fun performance that discusses different musical styles originating in Louisiana -- including zydeco, blues, Dixieland, jazz and Cajun.
MD Wed, 1/21/09 9:30 am
TJ Wed, 1/28/09 9:00 am and 10:00 am
February:
"The Pro-Kids Show" -- This "Life Skills" program uses multi-modal teaching strategies and lots of fun to teach students about respect, cooperation, caring, responsibility and more.
MD Wed, 2/18/09 9:30 am
TJ Wed, 2/25/09 9:00 am and 10:00 am
March:
"Under the Sea" -- Students are introduced to the diverse life found beneath the ocean waves. Students learn about the ecology of the ocean and marine animals are brought to the school alive!
MD Wed, 3/18/09 9:30 am
"Spencer (Spinny) Johnson" -- An upbeat program that features fun and amazing basketball skills while teaching the importance of education, respect, goal setting and self-esteem.
TJ Wed, 3/25/09 9:00 am and 10:00 am
April:
"Spencer (Spinny) Johnson" -- An upbeat program that features fun and amazing basketball skills while teaching the importance of education, respect, goal setting and self-esteem.
MD Wed, 4/15/09 9:30 am
"Under the Sea" -- Students are introduced to the diverse life found beneath the ocean waves. Students learn about the ecology of the ocean and marine animals are brought to the school alive!
TJ Wed, 4/22/09 9:00 am and 10:00 am

Performances usually last about 45 minutes.

Parents and younger siblings are invited. Shows are in the gym at TJ and in the multi-purpose room at Mount Daniel.


Fourth Grade Events

Chairperson: Jane Rasmussen


Grocery Bonus Bucks

Chairperson: Katherine McGuire

The concept is very simple: Every time you flash your Giant Bonus, Safeway Club, or Harris Teeter loyalty card at the cash register, our schools get a donation. A penny here, a penny there and pretty soon you're talking real money. That real money can directly benefit your child's education.

If you shop at any of these stores, you probably already have a card. If you don't, you can easily sign up for one at the store. Let's all register and re-register our cards!

EARN MONEY ALL YEAR LONG FOR OUR KIDS!!!
You must register or re-register you cards.

Giant's program runs from Oct.3-April 2. Go to www.giantfood.com/aplus. Put in your 12-digit card number and designate Mount Daniel (ID#01935) or TJ (ID#01938).

Safeway's program started Aug. 1 your must register by Nov.1. Go to www.escrip.com and click where it says "Renew your commitment to Safeway Stores." You'll need the 11-digit number from your Safeway card. If you punch in your phone number at checkout, call 877-SAFEWAY to get your card number. Mount Daniel's group ID # is 6540686 and TJ's group ID # is 6577369.

Harris Teeter's program is already up and running. Go to www.harristeeter.com. Click on Community. Click on Together in Education in the drop down menu; then click on "Click here to link VIC card" in the middle of the page. Mount's Daniels number is #5097 and TJ's number is #5098.

If you need assistance, don't hesitate to contact Grocery Bucks Coordinator, Katherine McGuire by email at kackymcguire@hotmail.com or by phone at 703-533-3461.


Health Screening

Chairperson: Jody Snyder

The health screening for TJ will take place on October 30th and we are looking for volunteers. If you can help, please contact the committee chair Jody Snyder at jgsnyder@verizon.net.


Hospitality

Back to School/Teacher Appreciation Meals Chairperson: Melissa Bandy
Principals' Coffees: Gabriella Abruzzi

We are looking for bakers for the principal coffees throughout the year. If you can help us out, please contact Gabby Abruzzi at jgjgabruzzi@aol.com or 703-538-1018. She will contact you later with a schedule. Thanks!


Ice Cream Socials

Chairperson: Kim Maller


Info Fair

Chairperson: Mary Beth MacKinnon

The information fair was held on Tuesday, September 9, 2008.


Library (TJ)

Chairperson: Surekha Cohen


March Madness

Chairperson: Andrea Roberson


Membership/Directory

Chairpersons: Alane O'Neill, Nancy Romps

The PTA Membership Committee serves to enroll families or individuals in the PTA through the forms that go out first thing in the fall. We also reach out to parents and teachers to educate them on the purpose and goals of the PTA and the value it adds to our schools.

Publishing the Student Directory is another function of the Membership Committee. This is an intense project that takes place from mid-Sept to mid-Oct. We work to make sure all children and their families, along with their correct contact information, make it into the directory.


Movie Nights

Chairperson: John Rollins

Join us on Friday, January 9th in the MEH cafetorium for our Winter Movie Night. Doors open at 6pm; Pizza, snacks, and drinks will be served at 6:15pm; and Shrek the Third will start at 6:30pm

Shrek the Third: when his new father-in-law, King Harold falls ill, Shrek is looked at as the heir to the land of Far, Far Away. Not one to give up his beloved swamp, Shrek recruits his friends Donkey and Puss in Boots to install the rebellious Artie as the new king. Princess Fiona, however, rallies a band of royal girlfriends to fend off a coup d'etat by the jilted Prince Charming.


Odyssey of the Mind

Chairpersons: Jill Martin, Valerie Scardino

If your child came home from TJ really excited about Odyssey of the Mind and you would like to find out more about the program, please join us on October 9 at 7:00 pm in the TJ Library for a parent information meeting. Please contact Jill Martin (jmartin2@aol.com) or Valerie Scardino (valmelino@verizon.net) with questions.


Original Art Magnets

Chairperson: Cheryl Fischer

Art and order forms will be coming home with the kids on October 3 and will need to be returned to school by October 10th. The packet will include the artwork that will be used and a list (and examples) of the items offered. Some of our most popular items are: magnets, tiles, mousepads and ceramic mugs. The products will be ready before the December break so that they can be used for gifts.


Outdoor Classroom

TJ Chairpersons:
2nd Grade chairperson: Linda Becker
3rd Grade chairperson: Jen Cipriano
4th Grade chairperson: Christine Nowroozi
MD Chairpersons: Jennifer Tabola, Ted Adams

Outdoor Classrooms link school learning to the environment and the natural world.

There is a growing international movement recognizing schoolyards as an excellent educational resource. The National Wildlife Federation (NWF) has certified almost 1,500 schoolyard wildlife habitats -- including the one at Thomas Jefferson Elementary. Educators have long known that kids learn best using multiple senses and hands-on, inquiry-based experiences. Young people learn most readily about things that are tangible and directly accessible to their senses -- visual, auditory, tactile and kinesthetic. An educational schoolyard provides all of these opportunities and supports all curriculum areas.

"From pre-school through high school, Schoolyard Habitats projects enhance the teaching and learning of science, math, social studies and English in many ways. Using a habitat-based learning site makes learning more real, fun, hands-on, interdisciplinary and relevant." (Benchmarks for Science Literacy, as quoted on NWF website)

For more information about the outdoor classroom, visit their web site at http://outdoorclassroom.fallschurchenvironment.org

For more environmental resources, click here


Picture Day

Chairperson: Gina Thacker (Mount Daniel) and Cindy Mercado (TJ)

TJ Picture Day will take place on October 10th.


Playground/Cafeteria (Mount Daniel)

Chairperson: Michael Trauberman


Reflections Program

Chairpersons: Jen Cipriano (Mount Daniel), Lisa Lacroix (TJ)

The theme for 2008-09 is "Wow!"

Art is on display at the schools through January 16

Pre-K to grade 1 in the first grade hallway at Mt. Daniel

Grades 2-4 in the display case outside the TJ Library

The following works were selected as Outstanding Interpretations and have been passed on to the District level of judging:

Primary Division (Grades K-2)
Visual Art: Evan Lankford, Moon; Photography: Ethan Tull, Rhino Reflection; Literature: Julie Connolly, Fireworks; Music: Rebecca Horovitz, The Pumpkin

Intermediate Division (Grades 3-4)
Visual Art: Manaal Khwaja, Outstanding Art; Literature: Mary Klemic, A Wonderful Sunset; Music: Yael Cohen, Inner Excitement

Recognition Ceremony January 21, 2009

Reflections will be featured at the January PTA meeting in the TJ Library, where we will celebrate the entrants and their works and award certificates and ice cream coupons. Please join us to congratulate our artists, writers, photographers, and composers for another great year.


Room Parent Coordinator

Chairperson: Lisa Henderson


School Supplies

Chairperson: Tracy Warner, Cheryl Fischer


Spiritwear

Chairpersons: Erika Bean, Julia Fletchall

Many of you have already seen the great new spiritwear for this year at Info Fair or the kindergarten coffees. Order forms are coming home on October 3 and are available here so that you can order your own. They are due back October 24.

TJ Order Form
Mount Daniel Order Form


Turn Off TV Week

Chairperson: April Rollins


Web Site

Chairperson: Laurie Clark

Please send suggestions or comments about our Web site to Laurie Clark.


Wrapping Paper

Chairperson: Shareem Smith


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Falls Church, Virginia

Last updated: September 10, 2008