The school store has been running very smoothly! We could use another 1-2 volunteers to work on Fridays over lunch.
Profit has been holding steady at $80-$100 for the last 2 weeks.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Thursday, September 23, 2010
We've won another grant!!
Thanks to the Idaho Community Foundation, we've received $500 to begin funding take home backpack literacy program. This program is designed to help struggling readers (and their families) help themselves to become better readers.
A typical backpack will contain:
1 - clear backpack with instructions permanently attached
2 - 4 books, depending on reading level and interest
1 - literacy or theme related game
I - stuffed animal "reading buddy"
2 - worksheets thematically and/or reading level related and a sheet of additional activities related to the story (visiting farm, a home craft project and other related books etc).
1 - Parent survey sheet
Here's how it works:
1. A child is identified by his or her teacher as a struggling reader.
2. A permission slip (with program information, and a place for parent contact information to facilitate return).
2. The child will be given a slip of paper to take to the "backpack library".
3. The child will receive a backpack and instructions to take home.
4. The child will take the backpack home, read the books with a family member or if no one is available to read, the "reading buddy". They may use the the games and worksheets to further encourage the idea of fun while reading.
5. The parent will fill out the survey sheet to verify the books were read and provide us with more information on the usefulness of included items.
6. Children who read the books, complete a parent survey and return the backpack on time will receive a free book to build their home libraries.
How to help:
1. A stuffed animal and new book drive will take place over the next few weeks. (More information will be sent home)
2. Clear backpacks need to be purchased at the best price (probably online).
3. Worksheets will need to be copied.
4. Forms, permission slips, instructions etc will need to be created.
5. Additional books and games will need to be purchased. Some through Scholastic Literacy program at very low cost.
6. Backpack assembly party! The PTO will provide snacks, drinks and music. The school will provide the space.
7. A storage area will be set up
8. Children will be identified and permission slips sent home.
9. Backpacks go home!!
10. After a week, backpacks will be returned (or calls made to parents based on their contact information) and restocked with worksheets.
11. Backpacks will be checked monthly for worn, used or missing items (we will have an inventory list to make this easier)
Our goal is 100 backpacks, if we can't reach that number, we will contact local businesses and write grants for matching funds.
If you'd like to help putting the pieces of this great program together (And we WILL need help) contact Amy Gerts at via email or the school office.
A typical backpack will contain:
1 - clear backpack with instructions permanently attached
2 - 4 books, depending on reading level and interest
1 - literacy or theme related game
I - stuffed animal "reading buddy"
2 - worksheets thematically and/or reading level related and a sheet of additional activities related to the story (visiting farm, a home craft project and other related books etc).
1 - Parent survey sheet
Here's how it works:
1. A child is identified by his or her teacher as a struggling reader.
2. A permission slip (with program information, and a place for parent contact information to facilitate return).
2. The child will be given a slip of paper to take to the "backpack library".
3. The child will receive a backpack and instructions to take home.
4. The child will take the backpack home, read the books with a family member or if no one is available to read, the "reading buddy". They may use the the games and worksheets to further encourage the idea of fun while reading.
5. The parent will fill out the survey sheet to verify the books were read and provide us with more information on the usefulness of included items.
6. Children who read the books, complete a parent survey and return the backpack on time will receive a free book to build their home libraries.
How to help:
1. A stuffed animal and new book drive will take place over the next few weeks. (More information will be sent home)
2. Clear backpacks need to be purchased at the best price (probably online).
3. Worksheets will need to be copied.
4. Forms, permission slips, instructions etc will need to be created.
5. Additional books and games will need to be purchased. Some through Scholastic Literacy program at very low cost.
6. Backpack assembly party! The PTO will provide snacks, drinks and music. The school will provide the space.
7. A storage area will be set up
8. Children will be identified and permission slips sent home.
9. Backpacks go home!!
10. After a week, backpacks will be returned (or calls made to parents based on their contact information) and restocked with worksheets.
11. Backpacks will be checked monthly for worn, used or missing items (we will have an inventory list to make this easier)
Our goal is 100 backpacks, if we can't reach that number, we will contact local businesses and write grants for matching funds.
If you'd like to help putting the pieces of this great program together (And we WILL need help) contact Amy Gerts at via email or the school office.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Friday School Store
Just a reminder that every Friday the school store is open over lunchtime.
Most items are less than $2.00, with the exception of spirit wear.
Kids can easily bring 25¢and find something to buy!
Last week the PTO earned approximately $60 from this store, sales
should be higher this week as kids have seen the store and gotten
excited.
Most items are less than $2.00, with the exception of spirit wear.
Kids can easily bring 25¢and find something to buy!
Last week the PTO earned approximately $60 from this store, sales
should be higher this week as kids have seen the store and gotten
excited.
PTO Board Meeting Postponed
The PTO Board Meeting and Carnival Planning Meeting has been rescheduled for next week.
Several of us have had last minute conflicts, so the new date will be Thursday, September 23, at 6 p.m.
Several of us have had last minute conflicts, so the new date will be Thursday, September 23, at 6 p.m.
Friday, September 10, 2010
"Got 10 Minutes?"
We've got a new way to volunteer when you are short of time or just want to give a "little" extra.
The old office downstairs now has a corner devoted to small projects that have been left to work on.
Each item should have a note stating what needs to be done to complete the project, when it needs to be done by,
whose project it is, and a contact number or room number in case of questions. Teachers should be able to drop off small
projects that do not need to be completed immediately, a volunteer can help out there by saving both the teacher time and
the volunteer time looking for ways to help out. Some projects may be taken home to be completed, just leave a note mentioning the name and phone number of the volunteer working on the project.
Project Examples:
Cutting out pieces for art projects
Stapling
Making copies
die cutting bulletin board items
assembling first grade reading booklets
etc.
This small contribution of time can really add up to give our teachers more time teaching and less time planning!
The old office downstairs now has a corner devoted to small projects that have been left to work on.
Each item should have a note stating what needs to be done to complete the project, when it needs to be done by,
whose project it is, and a contact number or room number in case of questions. Teachers should be able to drop off small
projects that do not need to be completed immediately, a volunteer can help out there by saving both the teacher time and
the volunteer time looking for ways to help out. Some projects may be taken home to be completed, just leave a note mentioning the name and phone number of the volunteer working on the project.
Project Examples:
Cutting out pieces for art projects
Stapling
Making copies
die cutting bulletin board items
assembling first grade reading booklets
etc.
This small contribution of time can really add up to give our teachers more time teaching and less time planning!
Next Steps
This week will be another full one for the PTO.
☞ We'll be having a carnival planning meeting on Thursday at 6:30 at school.
☞New volunteers will begin to be called help out with various projects. If we don't call within this first week, that's actually a good thing. We've got so many volunteers to personally call it will take some time.
☞Volunteer lists will be handed out to faculty, so they have the ability to ask for help as needed.
☞Our "Got 10 minutes?" station downstairs in the old office workroom will be set up, for those of us who need short tasking (more information on this will be posted later this week).
☞Spirit Wear orders will be filled and/or orders placed for delivery within 3 weeks.
☞Friday during lunch, the school store will be open.
☞Setup and organization of the old office as a PTO work area will continue.
☞Faculty Bathrooms will be spruced up.
☞Box Tops information goes home and contests start.
☞Accelerated Reading is starting up. Our Silicone Bracelets for different AR levels will be arriving in about a week. Check out the new bulletin board across from the office in the kindergarten hall.
☞The PTO board will met to discuss specifics of the budget, planning and vote on a few issues. This will take place after the carnival meeting on Thursday, everyone is welcome to attend.
☞ We'll be having a carnival planning meeting on Thursday at 6:30 at school.
☞New volunteers will begin to be called help out with various projects. If we don't call within this first week, that's actually a good thing. We've got so many volunteers to personally call it will take some time.
☞Volunteer lists will be handed out to faculty, so they have the ability to ask for help as needed.
☞Our "Got 10 minutes?" station downstairs in the old office workroom will be set up, for those of us who need short tasking (more information on this will be posted later this week).
☞Spirit Wear orders will be filled and/or orders placed for delivery within 3 weeks.
☞Friday during lunch, the school store will be open.
☞Setup and organization of the old office as a PTO work area will continue.
☞Faculty Bathrooms will be spruced up.
☞Box Tops information goes home and contests start.
☞Accelerated Reading is starting up. Our Silicone Bracelets for different AR levels will be arriving in about a week. Check out the new bulletin board across from the office in the kindergarten hall.
☞The PTO board will met to discuss specifics of the budget, planning and vote on a few issues. This will take place after the carnival meeting on Thursday, everyone is welcome to attend.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Volunteer Drive
We've made it to 120 volunteers! This week we will be continuing working towards our goal of 150 signups. If we reach 150 signups, Mr. Keller will swim in a pool of jello! Our incentives this week for new signups are as follows:
Tuesday - New signup = Tootsie Pop
Wednesday - Dad signup = Ammon Pen
Thursday - Grandparent, Aunt, Uncle Cousin or other relative = Giant Pixie Stick
Friday - Any New signup = Grab bag for free from the school store!
Friday is our goal day for Mr. Keller to swim in Jello. If we get to 150 signups, not only will we have fun with jello, but we may also make the evening news!
Thank you to all who have pledged at least 2 hours of time to Ammon Elementary this year!
Tuesday - New signup = Tootsie Pop
Wednesday - Dad signup = Ammon Pen
Thursday - Grandparent, Aunt, Uncle Cousin or other relative = Giant Pixie Stick
Friday - Any New signup = Grab bag for free from the school store!
Friday is our goal day for Mr. Keller to swim in Jello. If we get to 150 signups, not only will we have fun with jello, but we may also make the evening news!
Thank you to all who have pledged at least 2 hours of time to Ammon Elementary this year!
Saturday, September 4, 2010
First Meeting of the 2010-2011 School Year
The first meeting will be held at school at 8:45 a.m. Feel free to bring children, we will have some toys available to entertain them.
Meeting notes will be posted on Tuesday night if you'd like to see what's on the agenda. If you'd like to see something added, email Amy Gerts at ammonpto@gmail.com
We hope to see you there!
Meeting notes will be posted on Tuesday night if you'd like to see what's on the agenda. If you'd like to see something added, email Amy Gerts at ammonpto@gmail.com
We hope to see you there!
Spirit Wear Now For Sale
Kids should have brought home their order forms this weekend. We are now taking orders for: baseball style t-shirts, sweatshirts, sweatshirt jackets and polos. Order forms and shirt samples are available in the office.
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