Valentine's Centers and Long Weekend
In This Issue
PRINCIPAL'S NOTE
PART-TIME TEACHER NEEDED
YEARBOOK UPDATES
FALCONS BOOT CAMP
SGC COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE MEETING
BINGO NIGHT
STUDENT COUNCIL SERVICE PROJECT
SPALDING NEEDS GRANDPARENTS
STEAM SHOWCASE
COMMON CORE MATH WORKSHOP
PTO AUCTION
BOXTOPS CONTEST
BINGO VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
SANDY SPRINGS PARKS AND RECREATION PROGRAMS
PTO BUSINESS PARTNERSHIPS
MEET YOUR TEAM
Each week this column features fun facts so you can get to know our Spalding teachers and staff members a little better! This week: Ms. Blanco and Ms. Brents!

Ms. Stephanie Blanco
2nd Grade Teacher
Hometown: Savannah, GA
College: University of Georgia
Favorite Childhood Pet: Her
Cocker Spaniel, Brady
Favorite School Subject as a
Student: Reading
Food You Turn Your Nose Up
At: Ham
Favorite Kids' Movie: The
Muppet Movie
Favorite Board Game: Mouse
Trap
Special Talent: She can shake
her eyeballs!

Ms. Hannah Brents
2nd Grade Teacher
Hometown: Marietta, GA
College: Georgia Southern
University
Favorite Childhood Pet: Her
two Westies, Sammie and Stuart
Favorite School Subject as a
Student: Math
Food You Turn Your Nose Up 
At: Peanut butter and chocolate together
Favorite Kids' Movie: Finding
Nemo
Favorite Board Game:
Candyland
CALENDAR:

2.9
School Governance Council 
Communications Committee
Meeting
7:45 a.m.
STEM Lab

2.11
Valentine Centers

2.11
Principal's Coffee Chat
7:15 a.m. 
Media Center

2.11
Julia Bernath's Community Meeting 
9:30 a.m. 
Media Center

2.12
No School (for Students)
Professional Development Day

2.15
No School
Presidents' Day

2.16
Falcons Boot Camp Day
10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

2.17
Parents Common Core
Math Workshop
9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

2.18
STEAM Expo
Spalding Drive Elementary
6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

2.19
Grandparent Volunteer Day
9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

2.23
School Governance 
Council Meeting
7:15 a.m.
STEM Lab

2.24
SSEF STEAM Showcase
North Springs High School
5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

2.26
Spirit Day

2.26
Bingo Night
5:45 p.m.

3.4
Dr. Seuss' Birthday

3.4
Volunteer Friday

3.4
Spirit Day

3.18
Auction Night
COMMUNICATION:
We strive for clear, current and consistent communication with parents. There are FOUR main ways to find out about announcements and upcoming events. We strongly advise you to sign up for all of them:

 

FACEBOOK - We have a private Facebook group titled: Spalding Drive Elementary PTO. If you haven't already, please find us on Facebook and ask to join the private group!

 

TIGER CONNECTION - 

Tiger Connection will be published this year on FRIDAYS. If you are not receiving it, please send your email address and preferred phone number here:

Sp[email protected].

 

ROOM PARENTS -  Once room parents are established for each class, they will begin sending home some paper reminders and mostly email communication about your child's class and school happenings. Please make sure you provide your email address to your teacher's room parent in order to receive these important messages.

 

SCHOOL MESSENGER - From time to time, SDE administration will send an official school email and/or phone call with special announcements or updates on weather events. PLEASE make all the parents or guardians in your family have provided us with your preferred email address so that you receive updates from Spalding Drive Elementary. We want to keep you informed!


YOUR PTO

Tiger Connection is published by the PTO in conjunction with the SDE administration.  We hope you find it useful and it helps you stay connected with what is going on at our wonderful school. If you have information you would like to include in an upcoming issue, please contact me.

 

Sincerely,

Meggan Ballowe

 

VP of Communications,
SDE PTO

 

Visit the Spalding Drive website for current school information!

   

Like us on Facebook

 

 

Follow us on Twitter

 

JOIN OUR LIST 
A NOTE FROM THE PRINCIPAL                                   
Good afternoon, Tiger parents!
It was another great week at Spalding Drive Elementary! We celebrated our College and Career Week by starting off the week wearing our favorite college shirts and holding a pep rally! Students heard from guests about their careers...thank you to all of the parents who volunteered for this!  

The students had a great week! Thank you again to our wonderful volunteers who came today for our Volunteer Friday! Our Muffins for Mom was great hit, too! Thank to all of the moms who came, but also to all of our volunteers who made sure it happened and served the moms - what a great way to start your Friday!  

Next week is a very busy week too. Please remember - students have NO SCHOOL on Friday as it is a county Professional Development Day. Students are off on Monday too. Valentine Centers will be on Thursday - this is not a party day, but rather a day to integrate the curriculum into some fun, seasonal activities. Thursday is also a Principal's Coffee Chat at 7:15 a.m. - please come with questions or just to listen to other questions and answers. Afterward, one of our school board members, Julia Bernath, will be holding her Community Meeting at Spalding Drive Elementary in the media center - we hope to see you at both events!  

Have a wonderful weekend!

Lynn Johnson, 
Principal 
SPALDING SEEKS SUPER TEACHER
Looking for a Part-time Teacher
Spalding Drive Elementary is looking for a .40 teacher to work with some of our students for the remainder of the year!  If you know someone or you yourself is interested in the position, please let me as soon as possible. The candidate needs to have a current Early Childhood Degree. The job would be 3 � hours per day from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
YEARBOOK & PRIDE LINES - SALES EXTENDED!
Buy Your Yearbook NOW and Check List for Pre-Orders!
Many parents ordered a yearbook for their child during Sneak Peek last August. If you did, your child's name should be listed on this flyer that was sent home from school. (this link has been corrected since last week). Please review this list to make absolutely sure your name(s) are on it! 

If you did not order a yearbook in August but would like to now, you can order here and may pay online when ordering or by sending in a check with your child. You may also complete the form sent home in your child's backpack. The cost of each yearbook is $32.50.
 
The deadline to order Yearbooks and Pride Lines was today, Friday, February 5, but we have extended the ability to order until next Wednesday, February 10. Order now so you won't miss out on your chance to own one!

You may also order through the Jostens website by selecting Spalding Drive at the top of the page under "Find Your School Store."

Include a Pride Line in the Yearbook 
You can show your children how proud you are of them by writing a personal message that is included in a special section at the back of the yearbook. You can purchase a Pride Line message for $5. There are three different ways to submit your pride line(s):

1) you can submit your on-line order with payment by clicking HERE or copying the following link into your browser http://events.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=ojfiokcab&oeidk=a07ec5caidma4912d88

2)  fill out the flyer that was sent home and return it with a check to school

3) e-mail your message to [email protected] and send in a check in an envelope marked "yearbook" 
FALCONS BOOT CAMP - SIGN UP IS LIVE!
falcons logo Atlanta Falcons Gatorade Junior Training Camp is scheduled for Tuesday, February 16th

The Atlanta Falcons Boot Camp is back! On February 16 our Spalding Elementary third through fifth graders will participate in a fun, physical program that promotes physical activity and stresses the importance of proper football technique and proper hydration.
  
This one-day traveling camp has been an annual Springtime tradition here at Spalding for many years. More than 100 children participate in the program, taking them through 4-5 football stations over two sessions. Each session lasts one hour and fifteen minutes and begins with a brief pep talk and ends with a fun activity for everyone involved.
  
Each session is in need of 8-10 adult volunteers. All volunteers should arrive at the school by 9:00 am for a brief orientation and parents can sign up here:

As an added plus, all volunteers will receive a free t-shirt!
  
A waiver form for your child will be sent home. No child will be allowed to participate without a signed waiver form.
 
Email [email protected] if you have any questions or want to sign up in advance! 
SGC COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE MEETING
The School Governance Council Communications Committee will meet this Tuesday, February 9th at 7:45 a.m. in the STEM Lab. The Committee will be discussing the upcoming SGC elections. Everyone is welcome to come listen to the meeting but it will not be open for public comment.
BINGO NIGHT FEB 26
Register Online Now!
The annual BINGO night is coming up on Friday, February 26th! Mark your calendars for a great family outing complete with dinner, baked items & concessions, and lively BINGO games for fantastic prizes. Registration flyers will be coming home to all families this week or you can register online by clicking here. Reserve now and save--packet and dinner prices will be higher at the door.
 
This 5th grade fundraiser will also feature some fun surprises this year so stay tuned for the big reveals over the coming weeks!  
 
Thank you to all the families who have already donated prizes! We still need donations--each prize item should cost no more than $15 and be a new item in good condition. Some suggestions are board games, craft kits, sports items, DVDs, gift cards, books, or art supplies. Many items can be purchased at Target, grocery stores, Big Lots, Walmart, or Michaels - this is a great time to look out for sales, too. If your child received something over the holidays that just doesn't suit him or her, please consider donating it to the Bingo game prizes as well. Just drop your gift off at the school front desk, and we thank you!  Any questions can be sent to Catherine Fuss at [email protected].  
STUDENT COUNCIL SERVICE PROJECT
choa
Help our Students help CHOA!
The Student Council would like to invite everyone to take part in our project for February.

"Fill Their Hearts" will take place from Monday February 1-Thursday February 11. Our goal will be to collect items for patients at Children's Health Care of Atlanta (CHOA), so they can make valentines for their family and friends.

Each grade level has been assigned an item to bring in for this project. Please consider picking up these items when you are at the store over the weekend.
PK/K - Valentine stickers

1st - Crayons
2nd - Glue Sticks
3rd - Markers
4th - Gallon sized Ziploc bags
5th - Construction Paper

Thank you so much for your help and support for this project. If you have any questions, please let me know. 

Jonathan Worrell ([email protected])
SPALDING NEEDS GRANDPARENTS
Calling all Grandparents!
Do your parents want to spend more time with their grandchildren? (The answer is yes!) Do they love working with all children? If so, we have a wonderful opportunity for them!  
 
On February 19, from 9:30 - 12:30, we are inviting grandparents to Spalding Drive Elementary! We will have an informal gathering in the media center at 9:30 and then they can work with some students, including their own grandchildren.They may be listening to them read, practicing math facts, or just lending a listening ear. We hope they will also join their grandchild(ren) for lunch in the cafeteria during the child's lunch time. This is a great opportunity for a win/win - grandparents spend some quality time with their grandchild and also help students who might need that extra attention...win/win!  
 
A flyer will go home some so you can RSVP for your parents. We plan on making this a monthly event!
STEAM SHOWCASE
Sandy Springs Educational Force Invites You To the 6th Annual STEAM Showcase 
Wednesday, February 24th, from 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at North Springs High School.
 
Each year, SSEF presents a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Showcase to expose our students to the largest and fastest growing fields of the 21st century workforce. This year, SSEF has added the Arts - moving from STEM to STEAM and creating an event you will NOT want to miss!
 
Discover what's new and exciting in the fast-changing STEAM worlds with over 20 incredible, interactive exhibits!Admission is free and hors d'oeuvres and desserts will be served. For the schools with over 75 students attending, the PTO will be entered in a drawing to win a Promethean Presenter or cash prizes. All students in attendance will be entered to win prizes including Legoland Discovery Center and Atlanta Hawks tickets.
COMMON CORE MATH WORKSHOP FOR PARENTS
Want to Find Out More About Your Child's Math Classes?
We invite all parents and guardians to join us for a very educational parent workshop on Common Core Math. A representative from the Fulton County School System Learning Community will explain what Common Core Math is, what the new standards are, why it's so important for students and parents to understand how the new mathematical principles work, and answer all other questions parents may have.
 
Where: Media Center 
 
When: Wednesday, February 17, 2016
 
Time: 9:00 am
 
CELEBRATE 50 YEARS OF SPALDING!
PTO Auction Event Tickets and Raffle Tickets Go On Sale February 15!
 
Celebrating Our Past, Inspiring Our Future
 
It's an evening not to be missed! Celebrate Spalding's 50 years in Sandy Springs with our bi-annual PTO Auction on Friday evening, March 18th! Enjoy a night out with music, dinner, restaurant pack raffle, silent auction, and more.
 
Silent Auction items procured so far include a Family Night Out at Stars and Strikes, a 16 hour tutoring package at C2 Education in Sandy Springs valued at $800 and FOUR ONE-DAY PARK HOPPER PASSES TO DISNEYWORLD!
 
Tickets for the Restaurant Raffle - a HUGE grand prize which is made up of $100 gift cards to a dozen fabulous restaurants including Canoe, Joey D's and Horseradish Grill - will be going home the week of February 15!
 
Auction tickets will also be going on sale the week of February 15 so check your child's backpack for your invitation!
 
100% of the proceeds from this event will be used at Spalding. To make this night a successful fundraiser, we need lots of helping hands. If you are interested in volunteering for this event, please email Megan Tucker [email protected] or Kibbe Horne [email protected].
BRING IN THOSE BOXTOPS
boxtops
We're having a contest!
February 29 - March 4
The class who brings in the most box tops will have a doughnut / hot chocolate party! 
 
Clip these 10 cent vouchers from hundreds of products found in any grocery store and many retailers! Box tops add up quickly. In past years, Spalding has earned over $1,000 from Box Tops. 
 
When submitting box tops for the contest, please do not include expired ones and bag them in batches of 50. If you do not have 50 to put in a bag, please write on your bag how many you are submitting. Save those box tops!

Please contact Allison Betzer ([email protected]) if you have any questions.
5TH GRADE FAMILY VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Hello 5th Grade Parents!
We are just about 1 month out from BINGO! The proceeds from BINGO support all the 5th grade events throughout the year: Rock Eagle, t-shirts (new this year), party, etc. We are asking for the 5th grade parents to step up and volunteer to help on BINGO night or to consider donating items to use that night.  
 
There are also opportunities for the kids to volunteer. Please note that if you sign up your child to volunteer, you must also sign up for a volunteer slot. 
  
  
Thank you in advance for your participation! We need help from each of you to make this event successful!
  
Paige Zaparaniuk ([email protected]) and Catherine Fuss ([email protected])
SANDY SPRINGS PARKS AND RECREATION
Upcoming Programs
EXCEPTIONAL ADVENTURES ACTIVITY CLUB
The Exceptional Adventures Activity Club is a monthly social-recreational program designed to bring special needs kids ages 5-11 together for a fun and engaging time. Siblings and friends can, and are encouraged to, participate to make things easier and more comfortable for the individual with special needs. Parents can drop off the kids and enjoy an evening out or stay and join the fun! The program maintains a 1:4 staff to child ratio and is led by special education and adapted P.E. teachers and para-pros.
 
The January Exceptional Adventures activity will be Gymnastics & Fitness Activities & Games.
 
WHEN: January 30, 2016 Saturday 5:30-8:00 p.m.
WHERE: Hammond Park Gymnastics Center, 705 Hammond Dr.
WHO: Special Needs Kids Ages 4-12
COST: $10.00 per child
MORE INFO: Call 770-730-5600
 
 
7th ANNUAL FATHER DAUGHTER DANCE
Live DJ, dance contests, games, refreshments and snacks, raffles and goody bags.
 
WHEN: February 6, 2016 Saturday 6:00-8:00 p.m.
WHERE: Spalding Drive Elementary, 130 W. Spalding Dr.
WHO: Open to all girls in grades K-5 attending school in Sandy Springs
COST: $35.00/father-daughter; $10 each additional daughter
MORE INFO: Call 770-730-5600
PTO BUSINESS PARTNERSHIPS
Shop with our Spalding PTO Business Partners and help earn money for our school! 
So far this year we have partnered with Publix, Box Tops, Coke Rewards, Target and Amazon Smile who each provide benefits or funds directly back to our school!
 
Featured this week:  COKE
 
You and your Coke Rewards help Spalding get much needed items like athletic equipment, classroom supplies, books and more. Earn points from Coca-Cola beverages and Dasani Water and donate them in two easy ways: Look for the codes on coke product lids and can boxes and enter them at www.mycokerewards.com/schools. Once you set up your account you may search for Spalding Drive Elementary and donate your rewards. You may also simply send in the lids/packaging to school with your child or put them in the marked bin in the PTO closet!

Check back here often for information or look for fliers coming home about Spalding Drive Elementary Eat-Out Nights and other special promotions with local business sponsors! The PTO partners with local restaurants and businesses to host fundraising evenings for Spalding. These fun evenings earn the school hundreds of dollars each year.