|
|
 December 2009 Newsletter |
|
|
|
 Happy Holidays!
As 2009 comes
to a close, I would like to thank all of the Wellington PTA members for your
support and your continued volunteerism.
With your dedication, we are able to continue making a positive impact
at Wellington!
November was a very busy month - WES PTA sponsored several
events! The annual Reflections competition showcased some
of Wellington's outstanding talent in visual arts, photography and literature. Team Impact was back this year to
share character and life lessons with the kiddos and demonstrate their
strength. This was followed by the
fall Book Fair where we raised and
donated $400 to the Lillie Jackson Early Childhood Development Center; and Science Night which featured Science
in the Movies - a new program for Wellington -- as well as Mad
Science, Dr. Laura Lason and
many others! Students, Teachers,
Parents -- even the Flower Mound Fire Department -- were a part of the 'edutainment'!
The 3,400 books collected during the SMART Share Book Drive benefited eight (8) LISD schools and
Children's Medical Center! These
books are being used in classrooms, libraries or being given to individual
students to read at home! Thanks
to all who helped with this project!
WES families showed their generosity by donating thirty-five
turkeys and 25 boxes of food to CCA for during our Thanksgiving Food Drive!
Thanks to all who donated and helped make this a success! Kudos to Jennifer Gross (aka the Turkey
Lady) for coming out of 'retirement' to help with this event!
We appreciate all who helped with the Grandparents Luncheon!
Happy Birthday and Thanks to all who participated in the Birthday Book Program this year!
The Save the Planet Club continues to earn recognition - be sure to read the letter and Resolution from State Representative Tan Parker.
Plan to join us at the PTA Meeting on Tuesday, December 15th:
·
Vote on grants
·
Choir Performance
·
Toy Drive
·
Hot Beverages and Cookies
Check the website for more information.
Have a Safe and Happy Holiday!
Shawn Boyd
shawn.pta@gmail.com
972-874-9727 |
PTA Vision...
Making every child's potential a reality.
|
PTA Mission
PTA is...
A powerful voice for all children,
A relevant resource for families and communities, and
A strong advocate for the education and well-being of every child.
|
Wellington Teacher of the Year!
Being selected as "Teacher of the Year" at a school like Wellington is a huge accomplishment. It's easy for a good teacher to stand out if many of the others are average, but that's not the case here at WES. Every day we have examples of teachers going above and beyond to make sure that each and every one of our students' needs are being met to the best of our ability.
After a lot of decision making agony, Mrs. Gina Alday was selected by her peers as our Teacher of the Year. As can be noted in the photo, Mrs. Alday will do whatever it takes to demonstrate her passion for WES. Whether it's a new and intriguing lesson to capture student attention, a wild and wonderful Science experiment to teach a concept, or going WAY over the top in school spirit, Mrs. Alday is consistently demonstrating her passion for teaching.
Many fine teachers were nominated for this recognition and it's difficult
to make choices, but only one can be chosen in the end.
Please congratulate Mrs. Alday if you see her in your visits to WES.
Dr. Macke
Principal
Mrs. Alday goes all
out for WES "tacky
holiday" skirt contest
|
Another Great Success!
Our Fall Book Fair went extremely well. Not only did children get to buy books for their own libraries or for gifts, they also helped to stock the classroom libraries.
There were many who volunteered to help make this event run smoothly and without you the book fair could not happen.
If you didn't get a chance to buy books this round, don't worry, we will have a Spring Book Fair in February.
Good Job Traci and all your volunteers!
|
Science Night full of Fire, Flight and Fur
 
Science Night was a ton of fun this year starting with dinner from Roadhouse followed by a "Science in the Movies" demonstration, Mad Science experiments and, as always, our 4th and 5th grade science fair projects.
Our own Dr. Laura Lason gets involved by letting students listen to Schooner's heart beat and view various slides with her microscopes. Thanks for volunteering your talent!
|
Volunteers
by Jodi Rhinehart-Doty.
Volunteer of the Month for Deccember - Sarika Bhansali
Sarika
volunteers in the Art room, Technology, PE, Library and at the Book Fair. She
also participates on the Volunteer Nametag Committee, as a PTA Photographer and
on the Volunteer as Needed Committee.
This
is Sarika and her family's first year at Wellington. Sarika's daughter,
Arishia, just started Kindergarten. Sarika has jumped in and is willing to help
out wherever she is needed. She is on over six different committees! She always
does a great job and has a smile on her face! Thanks so much, Sarika, for your
passion to volunteer!!
(You can read more
about Sarika on the front PTA bulletin board at school in the Volunteer of the
Month section.)
Our Volunteer of
the Month is nominated by anyone at our school (staff, teachers, students or
other volunteers). They receive use of the "Volunteer of the Month" parking
spot in the front of the school and their bio and picture is placed on the PTA
board outside the front office. So, if you know of anyone who is doing a great
job as a volunteer please nominate them! We really want to recognize our
fantastic volunteers! Nomination forms can be found outside the front office in
the flyer bin by the PTA board.
** PLEASE BE
COURTEOUS AND DO NOT PARK IN THE VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH PARKING SPOT. **
Thanks to All of Our Wellington
Volunteers!!
Thank you everyone
who has volunteered at Wellington! All of the volunteers at the Book Fair, the
Grandparent Luncheon, Teacher Luncheon, the Copy Moms, Room Moms and Helpers
and Every Volunteer is much appreciated! Without all of you many of the
programs and activities at Wellington would not be as successful! Thank you and
have a great and well-deserved Winter Break!!
jodi.pta@verizon.net.
|
|
WES Teachers and Volunteers Make a Difference!
WES volunteers have been a huge component in our
efforts both last year and this year to stay on the
cutting edge of technology integration in the
classroom. That's not an easy task
with as fast as things change in that field!
Last year, WES volunteers helped
cover classes while teachers pursued Level II computer
competencies and this
year we've already had some volunteer coverage so the
full capacity of the
technology enhanced Math program could be explored. The result? The district
took notice of our initiatives in this area when teachers
applied for model classroom
status.
This
year, we were selected to receive FIVE model classroom recognitions.
Those teachers will be able to choose from a variety of
technological enhancements
for
education to make learning even more enjoyable and meaningful for our
students.
Congratulations to:
- Judi
Kinney
- Shay Banos
- Terri Pulley
- LeAnne
Brookbank
- Michelle Gullickson
by Dr. Macke
|
Grandparents Day
Wellington Elementary hosted over 400 Grandparents at this year's luncheon just before Thanksgiving Break. The food was fabulous and so were the many volunteers!
Thanks to all involved on making this annual event such a fun and memorable occasion.
|
Bowling for Scholars
January 30th
Grab your shoes and ball and hit the lanes for a great cause! Money raised at this annual event helps fund the LEF program.
Click on the link below for more information and registration...
Bowling for Scholars
|
Grant Approvals
We need your vote on Tuesday the 15th
Last Thursday your PTA board had a very successful meeting. Our goal was to close out the Fun Run Grant process as well as to "put a bow" on the fall portion of our Campus Grants. The result is that we will be presenting grants for your consideration for over $19.5K. The monies, pending your approval, will be for everything from basic classroom teaching aides to the more exotic like microscopes, cameras, drama and art materials, and more books. This is one of the underlying tenets of the PTA - to provide additional funding and materials for our students and teachers to facilitate their educational success.
So, plan to attend the regular meeting this Thursday to see that your child and their class get the materials and resources that your teachers have identified as needed. You have helped to raise these funds, now it is time to allocate them. Aside from electing your officers, these are the most important votes that you can cast as a PTA member. Your voice counts.
Don McDaniel
VP Programs, Wellington PTA-
|
|
Spirit
Winter Wear is here.
Just in time
for the chilly weather!
- Look for
hoodie, crew neck, and zipper sweatshirts.
- You will also
find a long sleeve t-shirt!!
- Also visors
and baseball caps.
The order forms are across from the office on the wall or you can print one by clicking on the link below.
Minimum order quantities apply so please allow 2-3 weeks for delivery of Spirit Items.
ALL SHIRTS ARE ON DISPLAY ACROSS FROM THE CAFETERIA, AND SWEATSHIRTS
ARE DISPLAYED ON THE SCHOOL WEBSITE.
If you have any questions please call or email me.
Happy Holidays to all!!
Vicki Christensen
vickipchris@yahoo.com or 972-539-1272
Pictures of Spirit Wear
Order Form
|
Birthday Books
A Huge Thank You & Happy Birthday to the following
students and staff members who have participated in the Birthday Book program
so far this school year:
AJ Demers
Erik Hattendorf
Scott Hattendorf
Jose Luis Valle
Shawn Adams
Katherine Weller
Sydney Stumpf
Emma Furr
Haley Henry
Nancy Wickersham
Melina Barzola
Reid Rorick
Linda Krause
Kara Graham
Madeline Connell
John Teague
Caroline Brown
Claire Anderson
Julia Zafiridis
Sophia Zafiridis
Simon Aristizabal
Anika Saiprabhu
Erika Platz
Kayde Weiland
Jasmine Weiland
Sophia Mungiguerra
Rocco Schmidt
Adison Linxwiler
Arishia Mishra
Jillian Catto
Carson Gentile
Mackenzie Smith
Mason Smith
Adam Yook
Natalie Yook
Hayden Huber
Meenakshi Guttarlapudi
Kyle Rash
Lindsey Behring
|
More Accolades for Wellington
The National Center for Educational Achievement recognized Wellington Elementary as part of its 2009 Just for the Kids Campaign for Higher Performing Schools in Texas.
Congratulations and Good Work!
|
One More Story
Great Online Books
Your children can use the "One More Story" online books at home. Sign up now and receive discounts through their
Holiday Special!This special is only available until January 4th so check it out!
|
|
|
CONGRATULATIONS
TO ALL WHO CREATED FOR REFLECTIONS. JUDGING HAS BEEN COMPLETED AND AWARDS
WILL BE DISTRIBUTED AS FOLLOWS:
ON THE
PRIMARY GRADE LEVEL (K - 2ND):
IN THE CATEGORY OF VISUAL ARTS:
1ST PLACE - OVERALL AWARD OF EXCELLENCE IS AWARDED TO JEFFREY ZHANG
2ND PLACE - AWARD OF MERIT IS AWARDED TO NATHAN CHO
IN THE CATEGORY OF LITERATURE:
1ST PLACE - OVERALL AWARD OF EXCELLENCE IS AWARDED TO NATHAN CHO
ON THE INTERMEDIATE GRADE LEVEL
(3RD - 5TH)
IN THE CATEGORY OF VISUAL
ARTS:
1ST PLACE -
OVERALL AWARD OF EXCELLENCE IS AWARDED TO LEAH GEISLER
2ND PLACE - AWARD OF MERIT IS AWARDED TO NICOLE ZHANG &
AKHIL RAYASAM
IN THE CATEGORY OF
PHOTOGRAPHY
1ST PLACE - OVERALL AWARD OF EXCELLENCE IS AWARDED TO MIRANDA
WILSON
IN THE CATEGORY OF
LITERATURE
1ST PLACE - OVERALL AWARD OF EXCELLENCE IS AWARDED TO BRYNNA
BOYD
2ND PLACE - AWARD OF MERIT IS AWARDED TO GIA LEE
The entries in 1st place will now advance to the Council
Level of judging. Some 2nd
place entries will advance to Council level depending on how they were
judged. All other entries will be
returned.
Thank you for your entries in Reflections and your Ribbons and
Certificates will be delivered in the next couple of weeks along with a letter
if your entry moved to Council Level.
|
Go GREEN with WES!!
The Save The Planet Club is making waves! With the leadership at Wellington, our efforts with environmental concerns have gotten the attention of some very important people in Flower Mound and across the state. Below is a letter State Representative Tan Parker sent to the club.
And more in the form of a Resolution......  Great job Renee and all who are involved with the Save The Planet Club! |
What is KidWorks?
KidWorks
is a safe, supportive place for
children who have experienced the divorce of their parents and its consequences. In the eight-week program provided without
charge at KidWorks, children and their
parents can share their experiences and express their feelings through play,
drama, art and other creative activities under the supervision of trained,
caring listeners.
Why provide support
services for children of divorce?
With an
attitude of "being strong" and "getting over it" toward children and families
dealing with divorce, our society places value on happiness, success and
health. Children of divorce may
feel "different" from their peers at school, church and sports. They may also feel the pressure to not
tell anyone (even in their family) how they think or feel. At KidWorks,
the shared circumstance of loss and major changes in their lives frees children
to explore, identify and express themselves and to heal from the trauma of
divorce. Children of divorce who
internalize their personal experience and do not have adequate support may
experience depression, school adjustment problems, substance abuse, or other
coping problems.
Who should come to KidWorks?
Children ages
5-18 and adults who are trying to cope with the results of divorce will find
others like themselves at KidWorks. Groups are divided 5-8, 9-12, 13-18 and
adults. Parents or guardians
accompanying KidWorks children have a
support group of their own to discuss the special needs of their children, effective
parenting skills and the needs of parents dealing with the aftermath of a
divorce.
What will a program
participant do at KidWorks?
Group sharing,
art activities, puppets, drama, and play, are some of the activities that
trained facilitators will companion children through. Facilitators are trained to listen to children and respond
in an encouraging, supportive manner.
Children can paint, draw, and recreate stories.
What is the difference
in support for children of divorce and counseling?
Support
services are not treatment. They
are not counseling. Support is
listening, being present to children as they share thoughts & experiences,
express feelings and ask important life situation questions. Support includes trusting that a child
will share and heal when given a safe environment in which to do this
work. It can even be fun. Children of divorce are not "broken"
and do not need "fixing." They
need to be given a place where they feel comfortable enough to express their
deepest hurts.
Children and
families needing additional special services will be referred to licensed
professional counselors in CounselingWorks.
For More Information Contact:
Larry Barber, KidWorks
Director or Beverly Ritz, KidWorks Program Coordinator
6320 LBJ Frwy - Suite 126
Dallas, TX 75240
972.960.9981
www.kidsindivorce.org
|
|
|
|
Don't Miss out!
We hope you like this environmentally friendly, interactive newsletter! If you have not yet signed up for E-Newsletter, please use the link below.
Thank you,
Katie Mayer
Wellington Elementary PTA Publicity |
|
|
|
|
