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October Volunteer of the Month
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 Cookie Dough is Coming!
Cookie dough will be here on Wednesday, November 7th. You may pick up your cookie dough at the front lobby from 6-7 p.m. Come enjoy Family Night at the Book Fair and go home with your cookie dough.
If that time is not convenient, pick up will also be available from 11:30 am - 12:00 pm, prior to early release on November 7th. Please contact Kim Gleason at kgleason@brinkerpta.org with any questions.
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Where's Your
Did you miss it? Are you feeling left out? Have you seen the "rainbow" on Fridays? You can get one! The TIE DYES are back! Just log into the Membership Toolkit to order. Limited quantities of all spirit wear also available! It's only for a limited time, so get yours NOW!
Can you guess where the Matthew Moriarty is cruising?
 Send us your photos of Where's Your Brinker Been to spiritwear@brinkerpta.org and you may be our next feature! Last week's photo featured the Wildcats, a Brinker 4th grade soccer team, at Brinker Field.
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Vote Early!
Early voting for the 2012 general election began on October 22 and continues through November 2. Any registered voter can vote early at any early voting location in their county of residence. Click here for early voting locations and hours.
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Upcoming Science Module
Join our trip around the planet in search of the wonders or the world. Understand the science behind each wonder and create a model of it. Make the Giza pyramid from Egypt, Taj Mahal from India among other wonders. Each session combines science concepts, history, geography facts and some geometry. Kids make a project to take home in each class.
This module begins on the following dates for the grades indicated:
Tues Nov 6: K-2nd grades Thurs Nov. 8: 3rd-5th gradesTo register, click here to fill out the form or contact Rachel Pearlman at
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PISD Poverty Simulation Event Free!
The Plano ISD Council of PTAs, in cooperation is hosting a Poverty Simulation event. This is an unforgettable experience where participants gain first hand experience of the day-to-day realities faced by those living in poverty. The Region 10 Educational Service Center will facilitate this simulation. The event is FREE, but RSVPs are Required. Click here for details on event dates and locations. | |
Will your child be in the Brinker Yearbook??
You MUST "opt in" each year to be in the yearbook.
Only 530 out of 709 Students have opted in so far this year!
The Brinker PTA needs your permission to include your child in the 2012-2013 yearbook. Please log onto the Membership Toolkit to check on your student's publishing preferences for this school year, or create an account in order to choose your publishing preferences.
If you have any questions about this procedure, please email Shannon Garza at sgarza@brinkerpta.org or call her at 479-200-5591.
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What is Destination Imagination??
Destination Imagination is an amazing educational experience for kids in kindergarten through college. Teams of 2-7 kids solve challenges in engineering, fine arts, science, community service and more! Grades 3 and up compete in local tournaments - and can even move up to state and global competition! Click here for details or email Sandra Colston at sage@planopta.org.
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Shop Tom Thumb and Earn $$ for Brinker!
It's easy to earn money for the Brinker PTA by shopping at your local Tom Thumb. Just stop by Customer Service and ask them to link your Rewards card with Charity #4857 and a portion of all of your purchases will come back to your school! Click here for a form that you can complete and drop off. | |
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2012-2013 Exec Board and Chair Members
Click here to see a full listing of the names and contact info of the 2012-2013 Executive Board and Chair Members. | |
Questions regarding the Bear Facts Newsletter?
If so, please contact:
Julie Wax
1st VP Communications
Brinker Elementary PTA
communication@brinkerpta.org
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Quick Links
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Mark Your Calendar!
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Nov 2
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Nov 5-9
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Nov 7
| Early Release at Noon
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Nov 12-16
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Quiggly's Clayhouse
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Nov 13
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Nov 14
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Nov 21-23
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Thanksgiving Break
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Dec 24-Jan 7
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Winter Break
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Red Ribbon Week
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Fun Pictures from Red Ribbon Week!
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| Scholastic Book Fair | | |
Scholastic
Book Fair
November 5 - 9
Our Scholastic Book Fair will be held November 5 - 9 to benefit the Brinker School Library. Book sales will be open on:
- Monday and Tuesday, Nov 5 & 6, 2:45pm-4pm
- Wednesday, Nov 7, 8:30am-3:30pm and 6-8pm (Family Pajama Party, Read Aloud Event)
- Thursday, Nov 8, 8:30am-4 pm
- Friday, Nov 9, 8:30am-noon
 Children will have a chance to preview the books on Monday and Tuesday of that week and create their "wish lists". Order forms and wish lists will be sent home to parents. The Brinker library earns approximately 10% of sales in Scholastic dollars from our book fair which enables our library staff to add to the amount of books in circulation. In past years, we have been able to add multiple copies of the designated Texas Blue Bonnet books and much more.
Volunteers will be needed throughout the week, as well as on Friday, November 2 to help set up. To volunteer, please email one of the Book Fair Co-Chairs:
Felicia Giambalvo, fgiambalvo@brinkerpta.org
Shelley Lowe, slowe@brinkerpta.org
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Reflections Program - Entries due THIS Friday!
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The Reflections 2012 - 2013 Theme is "The Magic of a Moment".
Reflections is a National PTA Program (not a contest) including:
- 6 art categories: Dance/Choreography, Music Composition, Film/Video, Literature, Photography & Visual Art
- 4 judging levels: Local, Council or Area, State & National
The Reflections theme for 2012 - 2013 is "The Magic of the Moment". Use your imagination to create a film, song, artwork, photograph, poem, short story or dance routine. You may enter as many times as you like in as many categories as you like. Each entry must be accompanied by an official entry form. Be sure to reflect the theme in your work.
Entries are due THIS Friday, November 2nd. Place entries in designated box at the Greeter Desk.
For more information, contact Kesha McLeod at kmcleod@brinkerpta.org or Kesha Fuller at kfuller@brinkerpta.org.
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Dining Fundraiser - Palios - November 14th
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Mark your calendars for November 14th! We will have our first Brinker dining night at Palio's Pizza Cafe on Park and Preston in Plano. They have wonderful pizza (including gluten free!), pizza, sandwiches and pasta.
Take out or dine in to support the Brinker PTA!
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Brinker Chess Program
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 Did you know that chess is not only FUN to the kids playing, but there are many BRAINY BENEFITS of chess too?
NOW ENROLLING - Session II
(11/1 - 12/13)
A simple Google search of chess will lead you to numerous articles and research that show that chess teaches children important life skills.
For example, chess:
- improves logic and reasoning
- builds strategic thinking and problem solving skills
- teaches patience and discipline
- enhances competitive skills while encouraging development of good sportsmanship
- increases attention, focus, and concentration
Whether your child is new to chess or has been playing for several years, they are invited to join Chess Club on Thursdays from 4:00 - 5:15. Coach Bobby Hillman is a staff member at Plano West Senior High and has been teaching chess to Brinker students for years. He is a USCF certified chess instructor and would love to teach your child! Each session runs for 6 weeks and culminates with a Brinker Chess Club chess tournament.
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Kindergarten Reading Buddies
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Reading Buddies is always a favorite volunteer opportunity at Brinker! This program allows volunteers to spend time working with the Kindergarteners as they excitedly learn to read! They love to read to you!!
A short training session for Kindergarten Reading Buddies volunteers is scheduled for Tuesday, November 13 at 8:55 am in Mrs. Cherry's classroom. If you are interested in signing up to be a Kindergarten Reading Buddy or have any questions, please contact Julie Pascuzzi at jpascuzzi@brinkerpta.org.
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Workroom Volunteers
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Workroom Volunteers needed for Spring!
If you can count to 28, staple & cut, then the Brinker Workroom needs YOU! We need 4-5 volunteers each week to help our teachers prepare assignments for the following week. All instructions and supplies are provided.
The Brinker Workroom is located in the back of the school office and is open Tuesday through Thursday, between 7:30am and 2:45pm. This is a great opportunity for you to see what your children are working on and give a helping hand to our amazing & wonderful teachers!
Please be sure you have cleared security, you may sign up online at Membership Toolkit.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Nikki Moulinet at nmoulinet@brinkerpta.org.
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| Tuesday Tunes | |
Music speaks when there are no words
Musicians practice, practice, practice so that they can perfect and perform. TUESDAY TUNES allows Brinker student-musicians the opportunity to showcase their talent (and hard work) in a unique setting! Unlike recitals and stage productions, TUESDAY TUNES takes place in a casual, relaxed environment.
Every Tuesday morning a Brinker student performs in the lobby for students and teachers as they enter the building to start the school day. The student plays his/her instrument continuously from 7:30 am to 7:45 am. Immediately following, the student is introduced as the musician of the day on the "Good Morning Brinker" broadcast!
TUESDAY TUNES...because every performance counts!
If you have any questions regarding Tuesday Tunes, please contact
Katrina Parker at kparker@brinkerpta.org.
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Bluebonnet and 2x2 Reading
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The 2x2 list is for K-2nd grade, and the Texas Bluebonnet reading list is for 3rd-5th grade. The reading lists can be found online at Texas Library Association Reading Lists. The books are all available both at the Brinker and public libraries.
 As a reward, when your child reads a certain number of books by the specified deadline, they will be invited to attend a pizza/ice cream party after school! (Due to the upcoming school construction, we will not be having two parties for each age range as in years past). To participate, each child must read at least lucky number 13 books. Extra reading logs to track progress are available in the Brinker library. If you need a reading log, just ask the librarian, Kelly Palmer. They are due back to her by the deadlines below. K-2nd Grade Party (2x2 Reading List) - Tues, Feb 12th Deadline to turn in reading log - Fri, Feb 1st 3rd-5th Grade Party (Bluebonnet Reading List) - Tues, Feb 19th Deadline to turn in reading log - Fri, Feb 8th More details to follow as we get closer to the party dates. If you have any questions, please contact Heather Burchett, Literary Enrichment Chair, at hburchett@brinkerpta.org.
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