Parkmead Elementary 
Weekly e-Newsletter
October 30, 2013
In This Issue
Principal's Message
Reminders from Emily
Halloween Candy for Troops
eScrip Changes
Box Top$ for Education
Walk-A-Thon
WCEF
Upcoming Events

Oct. 31st - Halloween Parade

Oct. 31st - Short Day - Dismissal at 12:20

 

Nov. 1st - District Staff Development Day - No School

Nov. 4th - Picture Retake Day

Nov. 4th - 5th Halloween Candy Collection - Blue Star Mom's

Nov. 8th - Walk-A-Thon

Nov. 11th - Veteran's Day Holiday - No School 

 

Nov. 20 - 22 Parent Conferences - Shortened Day

Nov. 25 - 26 - Parent Conferences - No School 

Nov. 27 - 29 - Thanksgiving Holiday - No School

Principal's Message

The Character Theme for October is RESPECT

"If you have some respect for people as they are, you can be more effective in helping them to become better than they are." --John W. Gardner

 

Respect: Yellow or Gold - like the Golden Rule

* Treat others with respect; follow the Golden Rule

* Be tolerant of differences

* Use good manners, not bad language

* Be considerate of the feelings of others

* Don't threaten, hit or hurt anyone

* Deal peacefully with anger, insults and disagreements.

  

TOMORROW IS HALLOWEEN

Here are a few Halloween reminders:

  • Parade begins at 8:25
    • Students will march in a large oval around the Rooms 11-18 wing
    • Parents can gather on the black top and between The Room 11-18 wing and the Room 3-10 wing
    • There will be parade route maps in then office

Halloween is a shortened day:

  • Kindergarten PALS/PCS is dismissed at 11:30
  • 1st-5th PCS/PALS is dismissed at 12:20
    • 1st-3rd PALS/PCS will be dismissed from MPR
    • 4th and 5th PCS/PALS will be dismissed from the playground

NOVEMBER 1st - No School

While your children are resting after a fun night of trick-or-treating Parkmead staff will be spending the day on professional development based around the implementation of Common Core State Standards. Teachers will be working with the authors of a book titled The Core Six. This book outlines six strategies that promote collaborative higher level thinking and learning.

 

TRAFFIC PLEA

Your heart is racing as you look at the clock...8:06. You look in the rearview mirror and see the concerned faces of your first and third graders.

 

"We are going to be late. School starts at 8:10...HURRAY UP!" they pester you in unison.

 

As your car slowly creeps toward Magnolia you see Azalea circle beckoning you to enter. You can almost hear the convenient Azalea circle calling...

 

"Just turn here...Mr. Reddam should just allow parents to drop off in the circle. Come on...other people are doing it! Your kids won't notice...they will just be happy they are on time. Turn! Turn! TURN!"

 

Hopefully if you are the parent of a 1st-5th grade PCS/PALS student you have resisted the temptation to drop-off at Azalea Circle. Please remember:

  • Rooms 1 and 2 drop-off only
  • The safety of the Kindergarten students is a priority
  • We do not have available staff and volunteers to supervise the area for general drop-off
  • Leaving 5 to 10 minutes earlier will avoid the 8:05 traffic rush
  • Your kids know the rules

Chris Reddam - Parkmead Principal

Reminders From Emily in the Office 

Was your child's school photo ugly? Fix it on retake day.  Photo retakes will be held Monday, November 4th beginning at 8:30am

What to do with all that Halloween Candy?

Bring your extra Halloween candy for the CANDY COLLECTION for the Troops. We'll be collecting candy at both the Magnolia and Azalea circles at drop-off only on Monday and Tuesday November 4 & 5.  The candy will be donated to the Blue Star Moms to send in care packages for the Troops. Please consider including notes of support from you and/or your children to include in the Holiday Care Packages for our soldiers serving overseas!

 

Let's keep this Parkmead tradition going!  To help or for more information, please contact Kelly Wright at [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>.  Thank you! 

eScrip Changes - November 1st

Change to eScrip Safeway Card Program as of November 1

As of November 1 Safeway cards will no longer generate funds for Parkmead programs through escrip if purchases are made with a credit card.  Only cash, check, debit card, gift card, etc. purchases will count towards eScrip.

 

Reminder:  November 1 is the deadline for renewing your Safeway Card through the eScrip.  Please take a moment soon to login and update.

 

Haven't signed up yet?  Log onto www.eScrip.com<http://www.escrip.com  and register your Safeway, credit and debit cards to generate funds for our programs whenever you shop at participating merchants.

Treasure Chest Challenge 

Mates, please help Parkmead to fill the treasure chest! The pile of booty is growing! Look for the treasure chest displayed on the wall outside the Office.

 

When your class turns in 40 Box Tops, a coin with your class name on it will be added to the chest. Aye! And a treasure chest of goodies for the classroom goes to each class that adds 10 gold pieces (that's 400 Box Tops) for the school!  And one class who turns in the most Box Tops for the month of October will get a visit from the Panther. 

Parkmead Walk-A-Thon

The 6th Annual Parkmead Walk-A-Thon is coming up on Friday, November 8th!  Please watch for the Walk-A-Thon folder in your child's backpack this week.  This wonderful event is the children's opportunity to raise money for the school, in a healthy and fun way.  Last year we raised nearly 12,000, which went directly to support critical school materials, specialists and supplies funded by PERC.  We hope that you will help us to beat last year's total. 

 

If you are interested in volunteering at the Walk-A-Thon, please contact Leslie Shafton at [email protected].  We will also need bananas, grapes, oranges and graham crackers the day of the event.  Thank you in advance for your support.

Every step makes a difference!!!

 

Walking Times:

PCS K/1: 9:00-9:30

PCS 2/3: 9:40-10:10

PCS 4/5: 10:20-10:50

PALS I/II/III: 11:00-11:30 

 

WCEF
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Join your friends and family at the TURKEY TROT!
 $20,000 earned for our kids last year!

  

Only 4 weeks until Walnut Creek's premier Thanksgiving event, the21st Annual  FORMA Gym Turkey Trot 5K/10K/Kids Fun Runs. Here's how you can join in and support WCEF!

  •  Register here to RUN!10K, 5K and Kids Fun Run.
  •  VOLUNTEER! We need 200 volunteers to help make this event a success. There are many days (11/26,27,28) and time frames you can choose from! Be home to put your turkey in the oven! 
  • SPONSOR A RUNNER!  Help WCEF raise money for important school programs by asking your family and friends to sponsor your run. Prizes awarded to the top fundraisers  
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WCEF Thank-A-Thon Continues this Week

 

Volunteers will be continuing with phone calls to all our 2013-2014 parents, alumni and community donors to say thank you and let you know how much we appreciate you and the donation you made in support of all our students K-12!.

 

Haven't made your donation yet - please consider doing it today! We would love to give you a call to say thanks. To donate,

click here.

Community Information and Flyers

These flyers are updated on a weekly basis. Click here to find district flyers and to download the information that interests you.

e-News Submission Guidelines
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