THE CHARACTER THEME FOR JANUARY IS RESPONSIBILITY

"It's a question of discipline," the little prince told me later on.  "When you've finished washing and dressing each morning, you must tend your planet."~Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, The Little Prince, 1943, translated from French by Richard Howard 

RESPONSIBILITY 

* Persevere: keep on trying!

* Always do your best

* Use self-control

* Be self-disciplined

* Think before you act - consider the consequences

* Be accountable for your choices

COLOR: Green - as in being responsible for a garden or finances; or as in being solid and reliable like an oak.

I hope you all had a wonderful break. Happy New Year! Here are some important upcoming events:

PARKMEAD WINTER FORUM is on Wednesday, January 22 from 6:30-8:00. 

The Winter Forum is a chance for parents to give feedback and ask questions about the program and culture at our school. Here is the agenda:

1. Welcome
2. Parkmead Parent Groups Structure and Donations - How your donations are spent
3. Group charting of parent feedback and questions on areas like:
   • English Language Arts Curriculum
   • Math Curriculum
   • Art/Music/PE
   • Science
   • Social Studies
   • Common Core State Standards
   • Character
   • Safety
   • Lunch and Recess
   • School Culture...
4. Group Questions and Answer Session

The forum is a time to listen and participate for all parents. Keyspot will provide free childcare (Thank you PERC) for K-5 aged students.

ROPES 

At 7:00 p.m. on the Thursday, January 16, in the WCI library, parents and their fifth, seventh and/or eighth graders will be invited to hear about the wonderful WCSD ROPES program brought to us by our superintendent, Dr. Patty Wool.  Flyers should have come home with fifth graders this week. Information packets will be given out at the January 16th meeting.

TRAFFIC

Azalea Circle Drop-Off and Pick-up

• No Parking in staff spots and handicapped (with out an appropriate placard)
• No Parking around the circle
• Drop-off = PCS K ONLY (Rooms 1, 2 and 25)
• Pick-up = PALS I, II, and III and PCS Rooms 4 and 5

Newell Drop-off and Pick-up

• Stay in car
• No Parking in staff spots and handicapped (with out an appropriate placard)
• No Parking in drop-off and pick-up areas (7:55-8:30 and 2:05-2:50)
• Drop-off = PCS 1st-5th (including 1st from Room 25), PALS I, II, and III
• Pick-up = PCS 1st-5th, PALS and Room 25 K

Do not drop-off or pick-up students off in the middle of the street or an intersection.

Due to popular demand, Camp Panther is returning to Parkmead Friday, January 24th.  Feedback from last year indicated that parents and students wanted a longer event and we are planning to deliver!  Plan a parent's night out--Drop off will be at 4:30 and pick up at 8:30. Cost of tickets will stay the same at $35, to include 2 activities, dinner, DJ/dance party and a movie. More information will be coming home in your children's backpacks this week and sign-ups will begin Monday, January 13th.  Space is limited and activities will be first come first serve--so talk to friends and don't miss your opportunity to participate.  Thank you to all of the teachers who donate their time to make this such a fun event.  You will be able to sign up at http://www.parkmeadauction.com. All proceeds will go to PERC to support services at our school.  Thanks for supporting Parkmead!!!

If you have questions, please contact Leslie Shafton at leslieshafton@yahoo.com

Happy New Year! January Donation Update

Thank you to all who have made your  2013-2014 WCEF donation! To date we have raised $609,000.  It is important for all our families to contribute in any amount that works best for them.

Join our SUSTAINABLE DONOR PROGRAM: WCEF is launching a new campaign to secure ongoing funding and help parents by spreading their payments to WCEF out over the course of the year. Many families are taking advantage of our online giving plan and setting up monthly deductions that are ongoing for the duration that your child is in school (setting up 12 and 24 months of giving at a time depending on the expiration date on your credit card). For more information please contact Liz Davis at eadavisus@yahoo.com or call 925 933 9233.

If you have yet to make your 2013-2014 tax-deductible donation to WCEF, please consider making it today! Your donation is needed now to meet this year's program, staff and materials funding needs; our students are counting on all of us!

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When your phone rings this month, picture us on the other end!

At the end ofthe month volunteers we will be calling many of our families as part of our WCEF Phone Bank outreach.

With Your Support...

• Libraries stay open.
• The arts come alive. 
• Children feel safe.
• Teachers excel.
• Students learn more.
• Creativity blossoms.
• Minds and bodies thrive.

If you have yet to make your 2013-2014 donation please DONATE ONLINE TODAY!