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 March 3, 2013

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DES News
In This Issue
NO SCHOOL Friday, March 8
ANNOUNCEMENTS
From the PTO Co-Presidents
Carpool Changes - Please read!
New SACS Accreditation Website
UPCOMING EVENTS
Mad Italian Spirit Night - Monday, March 4
Georgia Walk to School Day - Wednesday, March 6
Georgia School Crossing Guard Appreciation Day - Wednesday, March 6
DCPC Meeting at Kittredge - Wednesday, March 6
All Pro Dad's Breakfast - Friday, March 15
DES Book Fair coming soon!
Kindergarten Roundup - Tuesday, April 2
GET INVOLVED
International Potluck Volunteer Opportunity
We Want Your Feedback!
Be a Spring DES Corporate Sponsor!
TIGER TALK INFORMATION
Tiger Talk Archived
Submitting an article to Tiger Talk - Deadline is Tuesday night!

 

Calendar At a Glance

Monday, March 4, 4-9pm - Mad Italian Spirit Night
Wednesday, March 6 - Georgia Walk to School Day
Wendesday, March 6 - 8:45-10:30am - DCPC at Kittredge
Friday, March 8 - NO SCHOOL
Tuesday, March 12, 5-8pm - Chick-fil-A Spirit Night
Friday, March 15, 6:45-7:45am - All Pro Dads' Breakfast

Friday, March 15 - International Potluck Dinner

Wednesday, March 19 through Friday, March 22 - DES Book Fair

Tuesday, April 2 - Kindergarten Roundup

 

See all these events and more on the Dunwoody Elementary PTO Gmail Calendar

Announcements

From the Dunwoody Police
 

We have spoken with the supervisor of the DES Crossing Guard and on Monday morning he will once again be directing traffic as he normally does.

Thanks,
Chief Grogan

 

Special note from Amy & Shari - Thank you DES parents for taking the time to make a call, send email, and/or post on Facebook.  Your efforts made this change happen. 

From the PTO Co-Presidents
  
Parents, we enjoyed a wonderful week of crazy socks, wacky wardrobes, pajamas and a diverse character parade! Students and teachers had a blast dressing up as their favorite storybook characters on Friday. Thank you to all who participated to make Read Across America day fabulous!
  
Thank you to our Family Events Committee for our wonderful STEM night on Thursday evening. Students had a fun and exciting walk through the world of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics with fun and educational experiments. This event shows our students that there is no limit to the possibilities when science, math and imagination work hand in hand. We would like to extend a special thank you to Maria Jacobs for coordinating this wonderful event for the second year.
  
Additionally if you have raffle ticket #822145 from the STEM night, please contact Maria to claim your prize ([email protected]). You must contact her by Tuesday evening or we will draw another ticket and announce this new winning number in next Sunday's Tiger Talk.
  
Monday, March 4th is Mad Italian Spirit night. Please come out and support DES by enjoying a wonderful Italian meal. Our photography club will be there doing face painting from 4:30-6:00pm, so don't miss this fun-filled evening out. Remember that a portion of the profits for the night go right back to DES! Refer to the article later on in this newsletter for more information and to print out the flyer you will need to make sure DES gets credit.
  
GEORGIA WALK TO SCHOOL DAY IS WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6TH
It's a beautiful day to walk to school, so put on those walking shoes and join our school for Georgia Walk to School Day. There will be a walking school bus leaving from Vermack Swim and Tennis and Kingswood United Methodist Church. Please plan to arrive by 7:10am, as these walks take approximately 20 minutes from both locations.
  
We hope you have a wonderful week,
  
Amy LeVasseur and Shari Wassell
PTO Co-Presidents
  
  
Carpool Changes
 
Parents, as you may know if you frequent the morning carpool line, there have been some challenges in the morning with parents double parking and using handicap spaces to park and walk children into the school. We have already had parents and faculty ticketed for these violations with a $205 fine. There is absolutely no walking your children in unless you have a meeting scheduled with a teacher or a faculty member. This guideline, which has been in place since the second week of school, is designed to keep our students safe. With the daylight savings time change upon us, it will be dark in the morning, and visibility will be poor. We are asking that all parents remain in your car and follow the carpool line. Please do not talk on your cell phones in the carpool line! Please make sure that your children are ready to exit your vehicle once you are stopped in the carpool queue.
  
Effective immediately, the lower parking lot closest to the cafeteria will be blocked off at the entrance to ensure the safety of each and every student. We do not want to deter parents from volunteering, so if you are one of our fabulous parent volunteers, please drop your child off in the carpool line and follow the exit line around to the lower portion of the parking lot to find a space. You may park in one of those spaces or on the curb (not in the fire lane area). We are taking this measure to avoid any mishaps in the crosswalk and protect the safety of every child that enters our building. For this reason, we ask that ALL parents adhere to these safety guidelines. We understand that there are children who need additional help in the morning. We are happy to have one of our carpool volunteers walk your child to class from the carpool line, should they need assistance to their classroom. As always, our number one concern is for your children and their safety.
New SACS Accreditation Website
 

The DeKalb County School District has launched a web page dedicated to providing our community with progress and updates regarding the AdvancED SACS Accreditation Review. This website will be updated on an ongoing basis as we complete the work needed to regain full accreditation.

The website can be accessed here:
http://www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/advanced-sacs-accreditation-review

Upcoming Events

SpiritNightMad Italian Spirit Night
 
BON APPETIT! The last Mad Italian Spirit Night for the year is here! Come to dinner at the Mad Italian on MONDAY, MARCH 4, from 4pm-9pm. Dine in, or call in your pick-up order to: (770) 451-8048.

The fun includes Face Painting by Art Teacher Mrs. Fleury-Bell and members of the Photography Club from 4:30pm-6:00pm! Also, prize drawings and tasty personalized ice cream treats provided by the Frosty Caboose!

The Mad Italian restaurant is located at 2197 Savoy Drive, next to the Atlanta 300 Bowling Alley.

Print the attached flyer and bring it to the restaurant for DES to receive credit for your purchase - pick up orders are included.
WalktoSchoolGeorgia Walk to School Day
 

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6


Dunwoody Elementary will be participating in Georgia Walk to School Day. Put on your walking shoes and walk to school (or ride your bike)! You may either walk/bike your own route to school or join one of our "walking school buses" to walk to school as a group. Walking school buses will leave from the following locations:

Kingswood United Methodist Church
5015 Tilly Mill Road
Please meet at 7:05 a.m.
We will start walking at 7:15 a.m.


Vermack Swim & Tennis Club
4756 Vermack Road
Please meet at 7:05 a.m.
We will start walking at 7:10 a.m.

All of these walks take approximately 20 minutes. We will have walking leaders at each point. Please follow their instructions at all times.

Remember to respect our neighbors in the surrounding streets and avoid parking on the streets and blocking access to their homes. Please take advantage of one of our walking school buses or walk from your house. Dunwoody Police will be monitoring this the morning of the walk.

When you arrive to school, each child who walks will receive a small reward. Walkers will be tallied in the classrooms. The class with the most walkers will receive the Gold Sneaker Award!!

DES will also be participating in a friendly "competition" with the other elementary schools in the area (Chesnut, Vanderlyn, Kingsley and Austin). The principals from the schools with the lowest percentage of walkers will all have to wear the spirit t-shirt of the school who has the highest percentage of walkers!! We want all of the other principals to wear a DES t-shirt. So come out and walk and lets show our DES pride!!

If you have any questions or would like to volunteer on the day please contact Rosemary Gorham at [email protected].
Georgia School Crossing Guard Appreciation Day
 

Governor Nathan Deal proclaims March 6, 2013 as Georgia School Crossing Guard Appreciation Day
 

Excerpts taken from City of Dunwoody e-newsletter

 

The City of Dunwoody reached out to Governor Nathan Deal to request that Wednesday, March 6th be set aside to especially honor the men and women of Georgia who work tirelessly to make sure that our children make it safely to school. In the photo, Governor Deal is joined by Representative Tom Taylor, DES's Crossing Guard Larry Adams, Crossing Guard Supervisor Joanne Adams, staff from the Georgia Safe Routes to Schools program and student Riley Heneghan who was serving as a page in the State Senate.
 

 


Wednesday, March 6th, is "Georgia Walk to School Day" with thousands of extra children hitting the streets so this tie in to honor those who serve is a natural extension of the day. This is a statewide event, and each of Dunwoody's elementary schools - Austin, Chesnut, Dunwoody Elementary, Kingsley and Vanderlyn - will be hosting a walk/bike to school event on this day as part of its walk to school program. For the second consecutive year, Dunwoody's schools have staged a friendly competition - they will be competing for "The Golden Sneaker of Dunwoody" - awarded to the school with the highest percentage of walkers. Last year Kingsley Elementary had 97% of their students walking and they just edged out Austin Elementary where 92% of their students walked.
 

Please remember to tell Mr. Larry how much you and your children appreciate him and remember to walk to school this Wednesday to help DES get closer to earning the "Golden Sneaker of Dunwoody" award.
Upcoming DCPC Meeting
 

Our next Dunwoody Chamblee Parents' Council (DCPC) meeting is Wednesday, March 6, 2013.

 

Time: Meeting runs from 9:15-10:30am (Refreshments at 8:45am)

Location: Kittredge Magnet School for High Achievers at Nancy Creek

 

Topic: "Managing Stress and Anxiety Without Medication"

Speaker: Leigh Builder, MS, NCC

 

Meetings are open, and topics are geared toward the interests of parents and guardians with children in Dunwoody and Chamblee schools in the Dekalb County School District. There is no charge for attendance. All parents are encouraged to attend.

 

For more information, go to http://www.dcpc-dekalb.org or contact [email protected]

APD  

DES Dads, did you miss the All Pro Dad Breakfast

last month?

 

If you answered yes, don't worry. Come to this month's meeting!

Friday, March 15 - 6:45 to 7:45am.

Please arrive for breakfast in the cafeteria (6:45 - 7:15am)

Program will begin in the media center at 7:20.

 

This month's topic is "Enjoy Life" 

 

All Pro Dad Dad's Day is a simple idea with a profound impact. It's a one-hour monthly breakfast held before school where fathers and their children meet with other dads and kids in the school cafeteria. During this time, we will discuss a wide range of family topics, spend time together, create fun memories, and leave equipped with resources to strengthen your relationship with your child.

 

The program is fun and free! All you need to do is attend, and if you want to purchase breakfast, you may do so in the cafeteria by using your child's "mylunchmoney" account, cash or check ($1.50 adults, $1.15 children). If you do not have a "mylunchmoney" account, please register for one at www.mylunchmoney.com before the meeting.

  

To help with keeping the parking lot and carpool drop off running smoothly, please park at GA Perimeter College and walk over to school.

 

Please visit our chapter website for dates and more information.

http://www.allprodad.com/dd/2657 or contact Robert Apple at: [email protected]

 

 
 Proud DES All Pro Dad Sponsor
 

DES Book Fair Coming Soon!

Dunwoody Elementary's Spring Scholastic Book Fair is Wednesday, March 19 to Friday, March 22.

We are excited about the book fair and all the great activities that surround it. We will be open mornings before school and afternoons after school. Join us during Parent/Teacher Conferences on Wednesday, March 20th and at Family Night on Thursday, March 21st for reading and crafts at the event.
 
BOOK FAIR HOURS 
Tuesday: 7:00-7:45am **Special Sneak Preview with Coffee and Donuts
Wednesday: 7:00-7:30am and 2:30-6:00pm **P/T Conferences
Thursday: 7:00-7:30am and 2:00-8:00pm ** Family Night
Friday: 7:00-7:30am and 2:30-4:30pm
 
The Book Fair is a great opportunity to encourage your children to read with the fabulous selection of books available from Scholastic. Your child should have received a flyer with book titles and information on the great selection that is available this year. Proceeds from the Book Fair are used to fund school events, add to classroom libraries and to provide reading instruction for the entire school.

If you can't make it to the Book Fair, you can shop online! You can get an expanded selection of items and online orders will be delivered to the school. Check it out at: http://bookfairs.scholastic.com/homepage/desspring2012. All proceeds go to DES.
 
VOLUNTEER TO HELP
We are seeking enthusiastic volunteers to work as helpers and cashiers for 1 hour shifts in the morning (Thursday and Friday, 7:00-8:00am) or 2 hour shifts after school (between 2:00pm and 5:00pm Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, as well as 5:00-6:00pm during Parent/Teacher Conferences and from 6:00 - 8:00pm on Family Night). Interested? Please contact Katie Frame [email protected] or Jennifer Seitz [email protected] with your preference. Thank you!!
 

Do you have a Rising Kindergartener coming to Dunwoody Elementary next year?

 

Join us for the  Tiger Cub Roundup!


Who:  Parents and children zoned for Dunwoody Elementary School.    Children must be age 5 or older as of September 1, 2013


What: Kindergarten pre-registration and activities (2013-2014 school year)

When:Tuesday, April 2, 2013, 8:00-10:00am.Parents complete registration papers, hear about the Kindergarten program and participate in a Parents Panel with parents of current DES Kindergarten students. Rising Kindergarten children will participate in classroom visits and activities. Please plan on arriving promptly at 8:00am and staying until 10:00am for this program. At the conclusion of the program, families will be offered the opportunity to take an abbreviated tour of DES.


Where: Dunwoody Elementary School

Please bring the following documents (Originals and one Copy of each) with you:

  • Parent's Photo ID
  • Child's certified original birth certificate or passport
  • Child's Social Security Card (if you want to provide it)
  • Immunization Form 3231 with 2nd Varicella
  • Vision-Hearing-Dental Form 3300

Get Involved

International Potluck
 

Attention Parents! We are looking for a volunteer to put together an educational display on Africa. If you are interested in designing a simple poster board with facts and pictures of Africa, we need you. You would also provide information to those students and their families that visit your station during the International Potluck on Friday, March 15 beginning at 5:30pm. Please contact our International Potluck Committee chairs, Priyanka [email protected] or Sarabjeet [email protected] if you are interested in this volunteering role.

 

To RSVP to the Potluck Dinner or to get more information, please view our SignUp Genius page.

We Want Your Feedback!
 
Do you want to provide feedback on how the PTO raises funds? Do you have ideas on how the PTO could bring in more money to help support the various events and activities hosted by this parent organization?
 

Please join us for a Fundraising Brainstorming meeting on Monday, March 18 at 7:00pm. We will meet in the media center at the school. For additional comments or questions, please contact Shari Wassell at [email protected].

Be a Spring DES Corporate Sponsor
 
Need another venue to promote your business? Choose the DES Tiger Fund and be a proud member of the group of corporate sponsors, who are both big fans of our school and donors to the PTO Capital Campaign. Funds raised from corporate sponsorship go into Tiger Fund revenues, but are set aside for short and long term capital projects. Spring semester sponsorships are now being accepted. For $250, you will see your business logo in our Tiger Talk weekly eBlast, a personalized elegant garden stake in one of the garden beds in the front parking lot, recognition on the sponsor wall in the main hallway, and logo on the Community Business Support Page of the DES PTO Website. Complete the application found on the PTO website and submit with your payment to the large blue PTO mailbox in the lobby. For questions, contact Community Business Support Co-Chairs Yvette Megathlin at [email protected] or Amber Pride [email protected].
  
We would like to thank our 2012-13 Corporate Sponsors to date:
Kaplan Orthodontics
Kumon Learning Centers
Primrose School of Dunwoody
RMZ Properties
Dental Implant and Aesthetic Specialists of Atlanta
Chandler, Britt, Jay, Beck, and Zwald, LLC Attorneys at Law
Jodi Fink Halpert Real Estate Consultant
GEI Griffith Engineering
  
Please show them our Big Tiger Paw appreciation with your patronage.

Community Information

 
Camp Invention at Austin

Camp Invention is coming to

Austin Elementary this Summer!

 

Austin Elementary will be hosting Camp Invention this summer!  Join us for a week of fun and learning.  Camp Invention's CREATE program features Problem Solving on Planet Zak where, after crash landing on Planet Zak, you will need to use critical thinking skills to create shelter, clothing and  ultimately build a spaceship to blast off for home. 

 

Date: June 3-7, 2013 from 9:00am to 3:00pm

Who: Children entering grades 1 through 6

Where:  Austin Elementary School

Cost: $220, but register online before 3/28/13 for $190

 

Space is limited so register soon.  We would love to fill this camp with students and siblings from our Dunwoody cluster schools.  For more information and to register, visit www.campinvention.org or visit Austin's homepage at www.austinelementary.com.

 

Questions? Contact Ms. Angie Smith, Austin Elementary Assistant Principal at: [email protected]

Community Information

You can also find additional events in and around our Dunwoody community on the PTO Website.  www.dunwoodypto.com -> News & Events -> In Our Community.

Tiger Talk Information

Tiger Talk Newsletters Archived

Ever need to find an old newsletter to get an announcement? Tired of searching through your thousands of emails for it? All newsletters are archived on www.dunwoodypto.com. Look for "Tiger Talk" under the "news" menu, or click HERE.
 
How to Send an Announcement Using Tiger Talk

 

Tiger Talk is the weekly e-newsletter of the Dunwoody Elementary School PTO. Every Sunday, we publish information that is pertinent to the students and parents of DES. The submission deadline for each issue is 10 p.m. on Tuesday. All announcements must be brief and sent in writing as an email to [email protected]. Announcements will run for two weeks prior to the event or as applicable. If you have any questions about Tiger Talk, please contact the editors at [email protected].

LIKE us on Facebook and Twitter!
  
If you are a Facebook user, we hope you are enjoying Dunwoody Elementary School's page. We also have a Twitter account to help disseminate information in a timely manner.  You can even set up alerts to be sent to your phone. Follow @DESAlerts, and be sure to enable notifications!

Our school's Facebook page and Twitter account will be used to promote upcoming school events and communications. We will also allow comments from our DES community but through daily monitoring we will remove anything that is not appropriate. We're excited about this new opportunity to share all the good things happening at our school.

Like us on Facebook  Follow us on Twitter 

Quick Links


DES Website


DES Facebook Page


 
DES PTO Website & Calendar

 
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