In this Issue
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 Yes! You can still purchase a 2012-2013 yearbook! Click here to order online!
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Plano West
Winter Wonderlax
Lacrosse Camp!
Plano West Lacrosse's Winter Wonderlax Lacrosse Camp is an easy way for beginners to try lacrosse for the first time. Rental equipment from NJS Sports is available for campers without lacrosse gear. Facilities are indoor for camp rain or shine. Try lacrosse, in only three days you'll love it! When: Jan 2nd - 4th Where: Plano West Indoor Facility Who: Boys K - 8th Grade Click here for details!
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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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Dec 21
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Dec 24-Jan 7
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Winter Break
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Jan 21
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Student/Teacher Holiday
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Jan 24
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Cultural Diversity Evening Event
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Feb 1
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Feb 8
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Feb 12
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Feb 14
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Valentine's Classroom Parties
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Feb 18
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Student Holiday
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Feb 19
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Feb 20
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Early Release at Noon
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Mar 1
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Movie Night with Dad
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Winter Parties
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Winter Classroom Parties
Parents attending Winter Parties should plan to arrive at least 15 minutes ahead of time to allow for the extra security check. Please have your driver's license available for scanning in order to get a badge.
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Toy Drive!
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Toy Drive!
Winter Break is almost here and that means it's time to celebrate the end of the first semester! This year as a part of our Winter Party Celebrations, Brinker will have an optional toy drive for "Hope for the Holidays" through the Assistance Center of Collin County. We will collect new toy(s) in a collection box in each grade level on December 21st. Please note this is entirely optional and any toy is appreciated, no matter how big or small.
Thank you in advance for helping out those in need!
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Brainopolis Science Module
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Brainopolis Science
Our next module of the after school science program will begin in January:
- Grades 3-5 - Thurs, Jan 10th
- Grade K-2 - Tues, Jan 15th
In this module "Create your own airport", children will be able to design their own airport as they learn the science behind flying objects that help us in transportation. We will talk about Da Vinci's inventions, the Wright Brothers' plane, the radar, runways of the future and other aircrafts that make transportation easier. In each session kids will create a part of their own mini airport model.
To register please fill out the registration form and mail $84 check to Brainopolis, 5824 Farr Oak Dr., Plano TX 75093. Please make check payable to " Brinker PTA".
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Photos - Sam Houston
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Thanks to the Brinker PTA, Sam Houston Paid a visit to 4th Grade last week!
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We Need YOU!!
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PTA Volunteer Opportunities
Please help out! 
Please consider volunteering some of your time to help out the school! The following areas are currently in need of volunteers:
1. VIP (Very Important Partner) Tutors
With the end of the 1st semester coming to a close soon, teachers are requesting additional help from you to help our Brinker students with one-on-one (or possible two at a time) tutoring in Math or Reading. These are students who could use a little extra time and attention during the school day. We help these teachers and students through one of our most crucial and successful programs, VIP.
Please consider joining our VIP team of caring mentors beginning in January to provide opportunities for these children to maximize their learning potential. The commitment is once a week for 30 minutes during the school day, with you choosing the day and time most convenient for you. No experience is necessary, just a caring heart. For more information, please contact Tamara Tool at ttool@brinkerpta.org or Julie Barnard at julie.barnard@pisd.edu.
2. Greeter Desk
THANK YOU to all the volunteers who helped out with greeter desk this fall! We need you once again to help out this spring. The spring schedule is posted on the Membership Toolkit so please look at your calendars and sign up now as it fills up quickly. We need one volunteer who is security cleared for each day of the week from 7:45-9:30am. It is a great way to be involved in the school and super easy to do! Contact Amy Young with any questions at ayoung@brinkerpta.org.
3. Brinker Workroom
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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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 III
(1/24 - 2/28)
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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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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