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Nickajack  2013-2014  Beat

This Newletter is jointly sponsored by the PTA and the NES Foundation 

 

Issue: 2013-009         

September 9, 2013 



In This Issue
PTA Stevi B's Night
Picture Day
Nickajack Spirit Wear
School Council Meeting
Fathers Being Involved
Back to Friday Football
PTA Reflections
Back the Jack!
Vote for Nickajack!
Morning Exercise Activities
PTA Pal Spotlight
Kickball Tournament
YEARBOOKS On Sale
Blackboard Connect

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Featured Article
What action, if any, do you want your members to take? Add a "Find out more" link to additional information that you may have hosted on your website
Quick Links
Featured Article
What action, if any, do you want your members to take? Add a "Find out more" link to additional information that you may have hosted on your website
PTA Stevi B's Night
Tuesday, Sept. 10th 5 - 7 pm Stevi B's

Let Stevi B's do the cooking and entertaining on Tuesday, Sept. 10th!  

Teachers eat for FREE (drinks extra)
All students get 4 tokens

PTA gets 10% back for all receipts put in the fishbowl.*
*please note coupons cannot be used for Spirit night as the funds will not go towards the 10%

Thank you for supporting our PTA Pal and your PTA. 
Fall Picture Day
Wednesday, September 11, 2013null

 Order forms were sent home in your child's Tuesday Folder.    Questions?  Please call the front office to speak to Brenda McMurray.
Spirit Wear on Sale  NOW!
NES T-Shirt
DEADLINE to Order: Fri., Sept 13th

 

We have some new and customizable merchandise available this year!  


Check your child's red Tuesday folder for a brochure or click on the link below to view and print an order form.   Just indicate your selection and include your payment. You may send the envelope back to school with your child or place in the black box yourself.  
Deadline to order spirit wear is Friday, September 13th.  Please note: youth sizes run small, consider ordering up a size. 

   

School Council Meeting
Meeting

Friday, Sept. 13, 8:30 am

 

What is School Council?

 

School councils provide advice, recommendations, and assistance to principals and local boards of education. The law details the composition of the council, its responsibilities, and procedures for conducting business.

 

Who Serves on a School Council?

School councils are comprised of a minimum of seven council members:

  • The principal
  • At least two certificated teachers elected by the teachers
  • A number of parents (or guardians) elected by the parents, so that parents (or guardians) make up a majority of the council. At least 2 parents must be businesspersons
  • Other members as specified in the council's bylaws

Councilmembers serve a term of two years, or for a term specified in the council's bylaws.

 

What are the Roles and Responsibilities of Council Members?

All members of the School Council must:

  • Maintain a school-wide perspective on issues,
  • Regularly participate in council meetings,
  • Participate in information and training programs,
  • Act as a link between the school council and the community,
  • Encourage the participation of parents and others within the school community, and
  • Work to improve student achievement and performance.

School councils are advisory bodies. They may provide advice and recommendations to the school principal and local board of education on any matter, including but not limited to:

  • School board policies
  • School improvement plans
  • Curriculum and assessments
  • Report cards issued and audits of the school conducted by the Office of Education Accountability
  • Development of a school profile to the community
  • School budget priorities, including school capital improvement plans
  • School-community communication strategies
  • Methods of involving parents and the community
  • Extra-curricular activities
  • School-based and community services
  • Community use of the school facility
  • Student discipline and attendance
  • Reports regarding progress toward meeting the school's student achievement goals
  • Methods and specifications for the delivery of early intervention services or other appropriate services for underachieving students

 

How do School Councils Conduct Business?

  • Councils meet at least four times annually. The number of required meetings are specified in the council's bylaws.
  • The officers of the school council are a chairperson, vice chairperson, and secretary. The chairperson must be a parent member.
  • A majority of councilmembers present is considered a quorum for conducting business.
  • All decisions are determined by a majority vote of the members.
  • The council may appoint committees, study groups, and task forces.
  • Meetings are subject to the Open Meetings Act.
  • Records are subject to the Open Records Act.

 

Our first meeting of the year is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 13th at 8:30am.  


The meeting is open to the public.  Please email Parent Member, Dara Fairgrieves, is you are interested in attending. 
Attention Nickajack Fathers and Male Role Models!
Dad's Read

FBI Dad's Read 

Friday, September 13, 7:40 am

 

If you are interested in reading inclassroom, please meet in the school front lobby at 7:40 am on Friday, Sept. 13th. 

 

Further questions?  Please contact our Assistant Principal, Kendall Foster at kendall.foster@cobbk12.org

Back to Friday Football
Friday, September 13th

Parents, join your child for some football fun!   We'd like to invite you to share your NFL pride and build some serious school spirit by signing up to help with our 3rd annual Back to Friday Football event.

Hosted by our fabulous fitness fanatic, Mr. Homansky, you and your child are bound to have a blast! 

Volunteers Needed Please

 Nationwide Art Contest
"Believe, Dream, Inspire"
Deadline for entry is Thurs. Sept 26th.

The National PTA Reflections program is now underway. Each year the National PTA sponsors a nationwide art contest to recognize the artistic talent of students in all grade levels (PreK- 12). Artists may compete in one or more of the following categories:  

  • Dance Choreography             
  • Film Production
  • Literature
  • Music Composition
  • Photography
  • Visual Arts

Artwork will be judged with special emphasis on how the art represents this year's theme: Believe, Dream, Inspire. Students will compete with other students at Nickajack within their grade category (PreK - 2 and 3-5). Winners will advance to the Jessye Coleman Council, then to the State and National levels.

 

For more information, student entry forms, and rules for participation, visit http://georgiapta.org/leadership-reflections.html or contact Renee LaPrade. 

 

 

**Deadline for entry is Thursday, September 26, 2013.**

  
Back the Jack to help our school!  
Donate by 10/1 to the Nickajack Elementary School Foundation (NESF)
  
 
Whether you can give $10 or $1,000, participate in NESF's fall fundraising campaign today to fund technology and curriculum programs at our school  The classroom with the most participation will win a pizza/snowcone party. 
 
Watch this fun VIDEO of Nickajack students and DONATE TODAY!  
     
Vote for Nickajack Elementary School Now
Give with Target
Vote now until Sept. 21st
Give with Target
Vote for NES for Target

 

This year, Target will give money to schools all over the country for one simple act: a vote. 

 

 

Our school needs just 25 votes to earn a $25 donation from Target. But that's only the beginning. For each additional vote, our school will get $1 more. 

 

So please remember that, although the gesture is small, the rewards are potentially huge. Go to GiveWith.Target.com to vote for Nickajack Elementary School once a week through September 21 or until Target has given away all $5 million.  Please share with all your friends on Facebook and Twitter too!  


Morning Exercise Activities
We're excited about the response to our morning exercise activities -- participation exceeded expectations!  To better coordinate these activities and promote a safe environment, we will implement the following procedure:

 

Mondays:            Boot camp for K, 1, 2, and 3

Tuesdays:            Boot camp for 4 and 5

Wednesdays:      Zumba for all

Thursdays:          Jogging laps for K,1, 2, and 3

Friday:                 Jogging laps for 4 and 5


The gym opens at 7:20 and the doors will close at 7:30.  The students are dismissed at the 7:45 bell which means they should be back in class by the time WKOC starts.  Students have been told that they have to eat breakfast beforehand and check in with their teachers.   Thank you!

 

Eric Homansky

Physical Education Teacher

678-842-5814

  
PTA Pal Spotlight
Chess 2 Children
chess

Filling the World with Knowledge...One Child at a Time 

 

A word from one of our NES PTA gold level  sponsors: 

 

 

 Chess Club starts THIS WEEK!  Classes are just about FULL!  If you are still interested in signing up your child, please register or contact us to see if there is availability!

 
Chess2Children (PTA Pal) is, once again (this is our 8th year!), offering an after-school Chess Club, coordinated with local school and/or PTA officials.  Children will meet after school for 60 minutes.  All clubs follow their respective County School calendar (no meetings on holidays, early release, etc.).   We will have our Beginner and Intermediate classes on Wednesday and another Intermediate and Advanced classes on Friday.   Start dates will be Sept. 11th for the Wednesday classes and Sept. 13th for the Friday classes.   Please sign up by ASAP if interested!  Chess club fills up fast, so please register soon!

 

Tuition:

The Fall Session will include 10 classes, with a tuition of $120 (In the Spring, we will offer 14 total classes, with a tuition of $165..However, if paid for the year, tuition will be $270).  We will offer a 5% sibling discount.  Portion of tuition given to PTA!  Payments must be made prior to the start of enrollment.    

 

Information: 

For more information, please contact Tarun Ganeriwal:  

info@chess2children.com OR 404-964-1355 OR  www.chess2children.com 


Family fun that helps our school!
Nickajack Foundation's 4th Annual
Adult Kickball Tournament & Fall Festival
Sunday, October 13 at Brinkley Park
11 AM - 4 PM  
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Sign up to play kickball by 10/4.

 

  
Volunteers needed!  Share an hour or two of your time at the Fall Festival by signing up HERE. 
  
More information, including sponsorship opportunities for local businesses, is available at the  Nickajack Foundation website.
  
 
Order your 2013-2014 Yearbook Now!
Online Sales ONLY!
yearbook

The time to order your 2013-14 
yearbook is now - lowest price of the year is $28 for a colorful 80 page book featuring 5th grade cover artwork and tons of smiles!
 
Order yours online at www.nickajackyearbook.com

Recognition ads are also available for a shout out to your special student. Look for details coming soon!

 

 

Join the Yearbook Committee!

 We are in need of some new members to help with the 2013-14 NES yearbook.  If you enjoy taking photos, are at school, class parties & field trips with camera in tow, we need your photos and your help next year. Help is also needed with getting the word out for sales through The Beat, signage and flyers. Any hours that you can commit will be appreciated.  Please contact PTA Yearbook Chair,
Tracey Byrde.


New Communication Methods from Cobb County
Set Up Blackboard Connect Account
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Parents and Guardians:

The Cobb County School District, including Nickajack Elementary School, will begin using BlackBoard Connect to communicate to anyone interested in staying up to date on events throughout the school district and at Nickajack.  

BlackBoard Connect is a mass notification system that is fast and easy.   It is highly secure and reliable, PLUS it offers the latest features like cell broadcasting, automated weather alerts, smartphone apps and push notifications.  


Before you can begin receiving notifications, you must set up your Blackboard Connect Account.  Please click here for specific instructions on how to set up your account.