Pinchbeck PTA Weekly News    
November 25, 2013

 www.pinchbeckpta.com                                                                1275 Gaskins Road . Richmond . VA . 23238   

In This Issue
NOTICIAS SEMANALES EN ESPAÑOL
Translator Needed
Turkey Trot
Student Directories
Spirit Wear
Christmas Mother
Rays Reaching Out
Yearbook & Shout out Forms
Yearbook Cover Art Contest
PTA News
Promotions
Science Fair
Counselor's Corner
Physical Education
Important Dates
November 26
Turkey Trot
12:15-1:45
This Week's Teacher Feature
Jessica
Alfasi 




Position
Special Education Teacher


Years at Pinchbeck
3 years

Years Teaching
13 years

Something about yourself:

My husband and I have two children, Jared is 14 and Sophia is 12. My family enjoys camping, fishing, kayaking, visiting as many beaches as we can each summer, and attending baseball games. When it's possible our dogs Brandy and Cookie join us. I grew up in New York and attended SUNY Oneonta where I received my BS in elementary education. After moving to Virginia 18 years ago I completed my Masters degree in special education at the University of Virginia. We finally settled in Henrico after living in Prince William, Fairfax, and Loudoun County. We are here to stay and I'm thrilled to be a full time Pinchbeck Ray! .
NOTICIAS SEMANALES EN ESPA�OL
Si quisiera leer una copia de las Noticias Semanales en espa�ol por favor haga  clic aqui.
TRANSLATOR NEEDED...
Do you have the ability to translate from English to Arabic?  The PTA would love your help.  We currently have the newsletter translated to Spanish and would like to be able to do the same for the growing Arabic community.  Please contact [email protected] if you can assist us.  Thank you.
THE TURKEY TROT
The Turkey Trot is Tuesday November 26 from 12:15-1:45.  We need volunteers to send in donuts and cider as well as volunteers to hand them out to students as they complete their run.  Please click on the link to volunteer.  www.SignUpGenius.com/go/30E0849A9A82EA13-turkey Thanks.
-Nicky Keller and Andrea Mulvaney PTA Hospitality Co-Chairs 
STUDENT DIRECTORIES

The Student Directories have been completed and were distributed on November 15th. If you believe you ordered a copy, but did not receive one, please contact me at [email protected] or 740-7488. There are still a few copies of the directory available. If you did not previously purchase one and would like a copy, please send in $5 in an envelope with the student's name, teacher's name and "Student Directory" written on it. The directory is a great resource to have during the school year to get in touch with classmates for homework assignments and social events and as a resource for important dates and PTA and Henrico Schools contact information.

 

If the information you submitted did not appear in the directory as you had intended, please let me know.

 

Amy Gregory - Student Directory Chair

740-7488 or [email protected]

 

SPIRIT WEAR - RETRO & NEW!

The NEW Pinchbeck Spirit Wear has arrived!  We have a limited supply of warm "Pinchbeck" hoodies, long-sleeve "Awesome" t-shirts and short-sleeve "Rays Rock!" t-shirts.  Check out the link to see examples:  CLICK HERE   You can also click on the following link to see the updated order form that reflects current inventory: CLICK HERE  Again, it's a limited supply so please contact Brooke or Jeanie first!  We also have a limited supply of RETRO long-sleeve and short-sleeve t-shirts at a discounted price of $5!  Any of these items would make great holiday gifts!  Please send Brooke([email protected]) or Jeanie([email protected]) an email with inquiries. 

Thanks for supporting Pinchbeck PTA and showing your spirit!

 

CANNED FOOD COLLECTION FOR CHRISTMAS MOTHER
The Pinchbeck Rays will be collecting canned goods for the Henrico Christmas Mother from November 18 thru November 26.  Dig deep into your pantry and send in those canned foods, all to support Henrico families during the holiday season.  Some food items that are particularly needed: peanut butter, canned meats, vegetables, fruits, and any item that does not require refrigeration.  

  

We will also be collecting gently used books for the Henrico Christmas Mother. Last year, each family was able to receive 2 new books and 3 gently used books.  So, as you refresh your bookshelves with the new additions you purchased at the Book Fair, please send in those gently used books. These should also be placed in the boxes along with the canned goods.

  

Place your items in the cafeteria entrance.  Thank you for your support!
RAYS REACHING OUT

Coats For Kids Collection

December 2nd - December 6th

We will be collecting gently used coats of all types and sizes. Please bring your coat and help a needy child or adult this Winter season. All we ask is that you ensure the coat is ready to wear and the pockets are empty. Place your coats in the Rays Reaching Out bin in the entry way to the cafeteria. Puritan Cleaners will do the rest by cleaning the coats and transporting them to The Salvation Army for distribution. Thanks so much for your help.   

Jennifer Haueis & LaTrese Scott Rays Reaching Out Co-Chairs 

 
YEARBOOK & SHOUT OUT ORDER FORMS
This is the first chance to order
your 2013 - 2014 yearbook   
The exciting changes continue at Pinchbeck this year!  Don't miss this keepsake of the memories...Order your Yearbook now!
 
Please complete the form going home in your child's folder or visit us online at [email protected]  to order your Yearbook and Shout Outs.   Submit with payment in your child's take-home folder by Friday, December 13th.  You may write a single check to include both your Yearbook order and your Shout Out order or pay by cash.    
 
Recognize your favorite student or teacher with a Shout Out!
 
Shout Outs are a great way to congratulate your favorite student, or thank your favorite teacher or faculty member!  In addition to our traditional text-only Shout Outs, we are again offering Photo + Text Shout Outs as an option for making your message really stand out!  Submission instructions can be found on the form going home with your child or online.  Shout Out orders are due Friday, December 13th.
 
                                    
For online yearbook ordering, additional accessories and personalization (name stamping) please visit www.balfour.com
 
Contact [email protected] with questions
YEARBOOK COVER ART CONTEST 2013/2014

The theme is
"Catch the Beat on Pinchbeck Street"
 

Entries due Tuesday, December 10th

 
 
Entry Requirements
- I
ncorporate the school's name & theme into the art work
- Be sure to put your name, teacher's name, and grade on the back of the art work
- All submissions must be on white 8 1/2 X 11 paper
- Submissions should be for the front and back covers
- Submissions must be delivered to the school's office by close of business on December 10th.
PTA NEWS

The Pinchbeck PTA Budget Committee, PTA Board, and PTA General Membership voted on November 14th to approve a proposal to spend the entire $5,000.00 budgeted for the first PTA Teacher Grant.  The PTA was thrilled to have received nine teacher grant proposals this fall and we thank all of the teachers who spent their time and efforts to assemble their proposals.  The nine proposals were reviewed and approved by Ms. Modrak and Mr. Brizendine and then ranked, according to school and student needs, costs, and SOL-relevance.  The approved $5,000 teacher grant will cover six of the nine proposals and offer Science, Math, and Reading SOL-based programs and materials to every grade level at PES.

 

In addition, the PTA is currently in a fortunate position to be over-budgeted for the 2013-2014 school year.  Based on our budget overage, the PTA Budget Committee, the PTA Board, and PTA General Membership also voted to approve an additional Teacher Grant of $2,500 to be distributed in early Spring of 2014.  The three grants that were not included in this fall's $5,000 grant will be re-evaluated and re-ranked for the spring grant, in addition to other proposals that are received by the spring grant deadline.

 

By voting to approve the distribution of the full $5,000 grant now and add an additional $2,500 grant next spring, the PTA is aiming to utilize the money that has generously been donated and raised by our families and our school community during the year in which it was raised.  Those of you who donated to the Sunshine Fund, attended the Carnival, bought pumpkins, or volunteered their time to support PTA fundraising will know that the money raised is being used NOW in your child's classroom, versus sitting in the PTA budget, not to be spent until June or carried over into next year's budget.

 

Many thanks to the teachers, administrators, PTA Board members, and Pinchbeck families who have donated their time, efforts, and talents to allow us to help our students and our school community.

 

Liesel Geiger- PTA President


PROMOTIONS
Thank you to everyone who clipped BoxTops for our Fall competition!  We are busy counting the BoxTops and will have a winning grade level announced very soon!!  Keep clipping and saving for our upcoming Spring competition!
 

There is HUGE Holiday Shoparoo news!!  In addition to the current grocery points program, we can earn 20 points (until 12/31/13) for every scanned receipt from the following stores: Macy's, Sears, Kohl's, JCPenney, Nordstrom's, Dillard's, Saks, Home Depot, Lowe's, Best Buy, Verizon, Radio Shack, Apple, Game Stop, Staples, Office Depot & Office Max.   PLEASE join us in raising free money for Pinchbeck!!   For details: http://app.shoparoo.com/share/8wxbn3n4 

 Robin Jager -Promotions Chair

SCIENCE FAIR
Pinchbeck PTA is pleased to announce its plans for the 13th Annual Science Fair.  Friday, January 31stThe science fair will be in the gymnasium on.   Science fair tours and demonstrations will take place during school hours.  All students will be allowed to attend the science fair activities regardless of whether or not they have submitted a project. 

 

For information about doing a science project, click the following link: 2014 Science Fair Information Packet. This link also includes several project ideas and helpful websites.  Projects will not be judged.  All students participating in the fair will be given a ribbon by the PTA.  Digital certificates of science fair participation will be presented to students who register an email address.  If a student does not have an email address, contact Jennifer Krug for a printed version of the certificate.

 

Please register your student by Friday, January 10, 2013, in order to allow the PTA enough time to order tables and participation ribbons.  Click here to register:    2014 Science Fair Registration 

 

If you have any questions or would like to help with the science fair, please call Jennifer Krug at 740-4704 or email [email protected].
COUNSELOR'S CORNER
MONTHLY Newsletter and BLOG!
November Newsletter:  
Mrs. Mayo's Blog:

  

International Bacclaureate (I.B.) Middle Years Program (MYP) @ Moody Middle School
Thank you to all the students/ parents that expressed interest!  Decisions will be mailed to parents in MID- MARCH. Best of luck to all students who applied.
 
The MIDDLE SCHOOL SCHEDULING process (Byrd Middle School) will begin in EARLY JANUARY after returning from Winter Break.  Please be on the lookout for more information through my blog, 5th grade teachers' blogs, and in Wednesday "Take-Home" folders!!   
PHYSICAL EDUCATION BUILDS HEALTHY BODIES
Soccer Ball Juggling is a crucial part of developing quality soccer ball control. It is the cornerstone of perfecting ball control and should be practiced by soccer players of all levels. Professional soccer players still practice their juggling (perhaps with some more advanced techniques) even with their superior ball control. If you are committed to improving your soccer ball control you're going to have to spend a significant amount of time practicing different juggling techniques and combinations.
The 5th grade had a 'Juggling Challenge'. Students paired up and, using only their heads, juggled back and forth with their partner as many times as they could without letting the ball touch the ground. (We used light, soft, volleyball training balls for the contest)

The Winning Teams from grade 5 are:
From Mr. Seccia's class:

Nicholas Harrah &
Simon Dutari.

From Mrs. Davis' class:

Jhene Stephens &
Naida Smajlagic
James Tinsley &
Mr. Brown
From Mrs. Carey's class:

Kevin Seccia &
Kenny Campbell
Savannah Holliday &
Landin Bostian
From Mrs. Ranson's class:
Dominic Genovesi &
Leo Lombardi

Congratulations to all the winners !

Greg Brown
Physical Education Teacher