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Vanderlyn Elementary Newsletter      
November 10, 2013
In This Issue
A Look Ahead
Co-Presidents' Message
School Picture Retake Day
Old Costumes Needed
VanderDash Planning
Find Community News on our Website
A Look Ahead

November

14            Picture Retakes

25-29       No School - Thanksgiving Break  

Co-Presidents' Message
Dear Vanderlyn Families-

You may have noticed that the communications from PTA have changed over the last 18 months.  The decision to alter how we release and communicate information was made to increase the consumption (readership) of the information.  Some of the changes that we have made:
  • Viking Views is a shorter publication than in previous years.  Information that is relevant to the activities that go on at Vanderlyn ES is always included, and community news is generally posted on our website.  Every parent should open their edition of Viking Views early in the week. 
  • The website vanderlynpta.com is constantly updated and offers several pages of information.  The home page offers timely news about events at our school and in the Dunwoody community, as well as articles of interest from the national organization of PTA.  
  • Room parents communicate limited messages on behalf of PTA.  We know that when you see your room parent's name in your in-box, you expect to read useful information that matters to your family.
  • Vanderlyn Elementary PTA is on Facebook!  I am a self-described Facebook voyeur, meaning I rarely post but regularly check in, and I am shocked and delighted by what an effective communication tool FB is for our organization.  We choose to leverage Facebook for timely reminders and brief school house updates. Be sure to "like" us on facebook at www.facebook.com/vanderlynelementary. 
We know that our parents are busy people.  When we put information in front of you, it is done with the belief that YOU will want to know what we are sharing.  We respect your time and do not want to be guilty of asking you to read something that is not important to you.

ANNUAL FUND UPDATE
The Annual Fund is at $63,000, which is $17,000 short of our budget.  At this time, about 66% of our families have supported the fund.  To re-phrase, only two-thirds of our families are supporting the Vanderlyn PTA in a monetary way.

The monies collected in the Annual Fund go to many initiatives, including
  • iXL
  • teacher training (For example, last week we sent teachers from every grade to a conference that highlights how we can incorporate technology creatively in the classroom.)
  • Grounds improvements
  • Action that supports our STEM initiative
  • Teacher appreciation events
  • Grade level productions
  • Teacher stipends that allow for classroom specific resources
  • Academic competitions, such as Math Olympiad, Science Olympiad, Reading Bowl, etc.
  • So much more...
We endeavor to distribute funds throughout the school so that every student will benefit equally from the Annual Fund.  We need greater support if Vanderlyn PTA is to accomplish our goals for the year.  In addition to sustaining the named activities above, the general PTA membership voted to purchase additional tablets to be used for instruction.  Our goal is to purchase 42 tablets, which will give every grade access to 10 tablets for small group, classroom instruction.

Please support your student's Vanderlyn PTA!  It is because of such support that our students returned to school this August and discovered two new computer labs (traditional and mobile), a STEM lab, an outdoor classroom and a safe dance floor. It is because of such support that excellent teachers instruct our students.

If you are able to make a donation of any size, please do so at http://vanderlynpta.com/annualfund/ or send your payment in the form of a check to your child's homeroom teacher.

Thanks for taking the time to read this, and have a great week!

Julia LeDoyen and Christine Keleman

School Picture Retakes - November 14
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Retake Day is November 14!
If you have a new student at Vanderlyn, were absent on picture day the first time, or were not happy with your smile last time, please remember Picture Retake Day will be November 14, 2013. If you have returned your old picture packet to your teacher with RETAKE written on the outside, you should be on the retakes list for the yearbook committee.  If not, send an email to Amy Gaynor, and she will add you to the list.  Most importantly, parents, please remind your student that they need to have their picture taken.  We use these photos for the yearbook, and we want to have all of our students included!

Please email amygaynor@msn.com with questions or concerns.
Thank you,
Yearbook Committee

 

4th Grade Needs Your Old Costumes!
This year the 4th Grade Students at Vanderlyn Elementary are doing a new production of "The Wizard of Oz".

With Halloween just behind us, we are asking for items you may have used that you would like to pass along to the school for our production.  If you currently have a student at Vanderlyn, items can be brought to the school this week and put into the marked boxes outside the front office.
 
We will be happy to pickup items if you send us an email at cindy@h2odistributors.com.
 
List of items needed:
  • Dorothy Costumes
  • Witch Costumes/accessories
  • Tin Men Costumes
  • Lion Costumes
  • Monkey Costumes
  • White Glinda Dress
  • Large Bubble Wand
  • Red Ruby Shoes (size 3 - Size 6)
  • Morph Suits (solid colors brown, black, or green)
  • Scarecrow Props
  • Blue Jean Overalls (child Size 10 -12)
  • Fake Trees
  • Fake Straw
  • Large Glow in Dark Halloween Eyes (used in bushes/trees)
  • Men's Colorful Shirts (Munchkins)
  • Men's Colorful Ties
  • Top Hats
  • White Wigs
  • Solid Wood Door (To use as prop at Emerald City)
  • Emerald Green Paint
Anything else you have that you think says Wizard of Oz!
VanderDash is Right Around the Corner!

Vanderlyn VanderDash 6th Annual 5k and 1 mile Fun Run Committee Meeting and Sponsorship Opportunities!

 

Save-the-Date for Saturday,  

March 22, 2014
 
Please join us for our first
VanderDash Committee Meeting on Thursday, November 14, 2013 at the home Leslie Frohman, 1711 Brandywine Court. 


We need committee members to help our VanderDash Team plan our 6th annual Vanderlyn VanderDash. Volunteers can help days, evenings, and/or weekends!   

We have volunteer opportunities that can accommodate every schedule.  Be a part of this amazing school/community event!

 VanderDash Sponsorship Opportunities!

Would you like to be a part of an amazing community-

wide event? VanderDash sponsorship is a great way to market your business to the entire Vanderlyn community, the greater Dunwoody community and to over 1100 participants!

To be a VanderDash SPONSOR please click here to complete the online sponsorship form on the PTA website!

We have a fabulous group of sponsors including Title Sponsor, Pankey & Horlock, LLC!

 

Please contact Leslie Frohman and Laura Dowling via  

email at vanderdash@yahoo.com.

For more information on the VanderDash and to check out all of our amazing sponsors go to www.vanderlynpta.com, click Vanderdash. 
Community News:  What's Happening Around Dunwoody?

Be sure to check out Vanderlynpta.com website to discover opportunities in the area. You find fun family activities, fundraisers and sports activities! These items are posted regularly to our website as we reserve Viking Views for school-specific news.
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Quote of the Week
The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be kindled.
-Plutarch
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Do you know a NEW FAMILY?
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Please forward your Viking Views using the forward email at the bottom of the newsletter to any new families you know. They can join the distribution list by using the yellow "Join the Mailing List" button. Thank you!
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Annual Fund
Thank you Vanderlyn Families! Our Annual Fund is at 66% family participation! Let's get to 100% participation.

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Quick Links
Suggestions
If you have a suggestion, comment, question or idea for the Viking Views, please send it to vikingviews@yahoo.com.

Viking Views' deadline is 12 NOON on MONDAY for the same week's issue.  When there is no school on Monday, submissions must be sent the Friday before by noon. All articles must be brief and in writing as an email or and email attachment (.doc file). Please send to
VikingViews@yahoo.com.  Photos must be in JPEG format and have parental approval or release.
 
Non-Vanderlyn Community Events may be included on the Vanderlyn PTA website.

Sincerely, 
Jennifer Nail 
Volunteer Viking Views Editor

Keep current
To stay current on all information throughout the school year, please consult the Vanderlyn School website, www.vanderlyn.com, and the Vanderlyn PTA website, www.vanderlynpta.org.
 
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"Like" us on Facebook for quick reminders on calendar events, activities and announcements.

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Vanderlyn Elementary PTA

Yearbook Photos Needed
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Did you snap a great shot from the Blue Ridge Trip, Passport to the World or the Chick-fil-A Spirit Night?  The Yearbook Committee would LOVE your photos!

 

Click here to find out how to submit your photos to be the Yearbook Committee.

 

You MUST use your camera, as pictures from phones do not enlarge well.  

 

We are looking for shots with groups of kids!