TOYS FOR TOTS: KICKS OFF MONDAY 11/28

Mt. Washington PTA has partnered with the United States Marine Corps by participating in their annual toy drive.  Toys for Tots collects new, unwrapped toys during each Holiday season to help less fortunate children throughout America.  Bring joy, and a message of hope, by donating any new, unwrapped toy during this holiday drive as a gift for needy children in our communities.  From November 28th through December 16th, bring a new, unwrapped toy and drop it in the Toys For Tots box located in each classroom!

*collection will conclude at the December 16th Holiday Family Movie Night in the MPR~ All participants will receive free popcorn*

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to e-mail Mari Mejorado, Chair at mejorado@earhlink.net.  As always, thank you for your support!

VOICES WITHIN CULMINATION CONCERT: TUESDAY, NOV. 29TH, AT 9:15AM IN THE MPR

You are invited to Magical Patterns - Six songs about math.

Our 5th graders and some of our 4th graders have been working hard for the past 12 weeks with the Los Angeles Master Chorale through a program called Voices Within. Three teaching artists, a composer, a lyricist and a performer - bring together two 5th grade classes to collaborate on writing songs and then organize a concert where the kids perform their songs for family and friends. Every 12 week session has a theme that relates to the 5th grade curriculum. Past themes have included The Civil War, Coming to America and The Body, but this session our kids were challenged with something more abstract... MATH!

This program was made possible by the fundraising efforts of the Mt.Washington PTA and Friends of Mt.Washington School. Please join Ms. Lowery's 5th graders and Ms. Convey's 5th and 4th graders for what is sure to be an unforgettable performance. On behalf of all those children and parents, we thank you for your generosity and your unwavering support!

Please read the article written by Mt. Washington Patch writer, and former Mt. Washington Elementary parent, Kim Axelrod Ohanesson,  Mount Washington Students Express 'Voices Within'.  

REFLECTIONS ARTS SHOWCASE

Reflections Arts Program 2011 entries will be showcased on Tuesday and Wednesday, November 29 and 30, and Thursday, December 1, at the MPR.  Stop by and see the entries in the categories of Visual Arts, Literature, Film Production, Photography, and Music, submitted by our talented students.  The entries will also be showcased on December 10, 2011, at the Barnes and Noble Book Fair Night, at the Americana at Brand.

AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS SCHEDULE DURING PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCE WEEK OF DEC. 5TH

That week will school will be dismissed every day at 12:50pm, except on Tuesday when the kids will get out at 1:30pm.  Please check our blog for the Homework Club schedule for next week.

• Science Class New Session begins Wednesday the 7th; first session 1:00-1:30, 2nd session 1:45-2:15. 
• Art Class is from 1-3 on Monday 5th. 
• Chorus will begin at 1 on Thursday 8th 
• Chess club will begin at 1 on Friday 9th 
• STAR Nova will follow the school's schedule, and their supervision will start at dismissal. 
• Carlin G Smith's after school care however, will stay on their regular schedule. 

Please make arrangements accordingly due to the shortened school days.

MWE MERCHANDISE

THE WAIT IS OVER!  New Mt. Washington Wolves hoodies & t-shirts in fabulous fall colors are here!  Be one of the first to get yours.  They'll be on sale in front of the school Monday, Wednesday and Friday until they're gone.  They also make wonderful Holiday gifts!

FOOD DRIVE THANK YOUS

MWPTA would like to say a special thank you to Kwame Dow for chairing the Food Drive, to Jackie Cahill and Anvi Kevany for helping bag the food.  Together we collected over 2,500 cans and boxed food items, which allowed us to help 31 families, who were very happy and grateful to receive the donated food items.  In addition, Kwame and Matthew Reichman delivered food that was given to families at Irving Middle School and Aldama Elementary.  Thank you for helping Kwame with this great effort; please know that your generosity touched the lives of many families, and helped make their holiday special.  Congratulations to Ms. Kehoe's 1st grade class in Rm.8, for bringing in the most cans and therefore winning the Pizza Party - Enjoy! 

FRESH AND EASY UPDATE

Our total school fundraising is up to $2,791. Continue to turn in your receipts, we can accept receipts dated up to December 31, 2011.

A Fresh & Easy tip:  You can use multiple coupons, if your total order qualifies.  For example: if your total order is $100.00, excluding certain items such as dairy & alcohol, you can use two (2) coupons of $10 off of $50.  That's a savings of $20.00 if you use both coupons.  Before you shop, make sure to check the school office and/or parent center for coupons.

AMERICANA HOLIDAY GIFT FOR SCHOOLS

A reminder of *Holiday Gift For Our School* at the Americana at Brand, from Nov. 14 through Dec. 31.  The Americana at Brand continues their Holiday Give Back to Schools program and Mt. Washington Elementary School receives 5% of every receipt turned into the concierge desk, located in the lobby of the parking structure close to H & M...don't forget to say you are supporting Mt. Washington Elementary!  5% of the total receipt will go to our school...EVERY PURCHASE AT THE AMERICANA COUNTS!  The Grove counts too, in case you do some shopping on the west side.

And a reminder of *Americana Night* at Barnes & Noble - Saturday, Dec. 10th, Barnes & Noble will donate at least 10% of all purchases made that evening - gift cards count too! - to our school. Get ready to be entertained with Holiday story reading by MWE parents, a spectacular performance by our own MWE Chorus and a finale danced by Balletfolklorico...you won't want to miss a minute! 

REMEMBER YOUR RECYCLING FOR THE GREEN TEAM

After a wonderful Thanksgiving could everyone please remember to bring in their recycling! Perhaps it will be a great week after a great long weekend of family celebrations!  Hang your bag of recyclables on the front door Sunday night as a reminder to grab them on your way out Monday morning.

Thank you from the Green Team.

SAVE THE DATE: GARDENING WORKSHOP ON THURSDAY THE 8TH, 8:30 IN THE MPR

An informative presentation and q & a session for our garden committee, but all are welcome to come and learn.  More information in next week’s Blog. Child care will be available.

A TIME TO GIVE THANKS AND BE GRATEFUL

The Mt. Washington PTA would like to take this moment to reflect on all that we have and for all that we are able to provide to our children and school community.  Because of your help and support in our fundraising efforts we are able to maintain the standard and environment we want our school to have and are able to have a positive impact on our community.  We are grateful for the many many hours you spend volunteering your time, whether it's one event a year, one hour in the classroom, on a weekly basis or for some - on a daily basis, it is that kind of commitment that sets our school apart.  We are grateful for our incredible teaching and administrative staff who enrich our children's lives daily and whose dedication to quality education helps our children thrive.  We are grateful for our children who are the greatest gifts to us all and for whom we do all that we do.  

One parent's generosity described the spirit of the season the best.  It was last week during the canned food drive, when she brought in several cans and said - we don't have a lot, but we have enough to help those who have less.  It is that kind of generosity that makes our community a great place to live and Mt. Washington Elementary such a special place to be.  We give thanks for all that we have because of your support, and we wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving!

HOMEWORK CLUB

Homework Club begins Monday 11/21 at 2:45 in the school library. Attendance will be taken and the upper and lower grades will be divided into two groups.  We have extended hours on Monday and Wednesday (2:45-4:30), early hours on Tuesday (1:30-3:00), and a shortened day on Thursday (one aid from 2:45-3:45 only).  Our Homework Club will be run by qualified aide Jennifer Cathey-Roberts and supported by Joyce Lee, a Jr. at Occidental College majoring in education and minoring in biology.  Homework Club will be in session this Wednesday the 23rd.  All those who have signed up for Homework Club will be receiving an email conformation as well as information on early dismissal for the week of Dec. 5th. If you have any questions please contact Nicole Thomas at programs@mwpta.org.  

SAVE THE DATE FOR THE VOICES WITHIN CULMINATION CONCERT ON TUESDAY, NOV. 29TH, AT 9:15AM IN THE MPR

You are invited to Magical Patterns - Six songs about math.
Our 5th graders and some of our 4th graders have been fortunate enough to partake in a 12 week program with the Los Angeles Master Chorale, called Voices Within. Three teaching artists, a composer, a lyricist and a performer - bring together two 5th grade classes to collaborate on writing songs and then organize a concert where the kids perform their songs for family and friends. Every 12 week session has a theme that relates to the 5th grade curriculum. Past themes have included The Civil War, Coming to America and The Body, but this session our kids were challenged with something more abstract... MATH! 

This program was made possible by the fundraising efforts of the Mt.Washington PTA and Friends of Mt.Washington School. It is these types of programs our children get to benefit from because of the generosity and the tremendous support from our parent body. Please join Ms. Lowery's 5th graders and Ms. Convey's 5th and 4th graders for what is sure to be an unforgettable performance. On behalf of all those children and parents, we thank you for your unwavering support! Please click here to view the Concert Flyer

FRESH & EASY UPDATE

We have our totals for our Shop Night, our 5% of sales totaled $977 and the receipts we collected for the night totaled $667, plus our weekly collection of receipts at school are up to $1,032, bringing our Fresh & Easy Grand Total Fundraising to $2,676.  Great job everyone!!!   Fresh & Easy Gift Cards make a great Holiday Gift for  friends and family.  Fresh & Easy Gift Card purchases count towards our fundraising, so don't forget to turn these receipts in too.  We can still collect receipts up to December 31, 2011. Look for coupons for Fresh & Easy in the Main Office and the Parent Center.  Let's try and win the $5,000 bonus giveaway, we can do it, if we are the highest fundraising school in California. 

A great big THANK YOU to Kim Ragno, she was inadvertently left off as one of our Fresh & Easy Shop Night Volunteers and for printing our beautiful Mt. Washington banner we had at our table.

MIDDLE SCHOOL FAIR THANK YOUS

We would like to extend a special thank you to Jackie Cahill and Nicole Thomas, for doing a great job organizing the Middle School Fair, to Donna Cullen and Gina Antestenis for helping answer questions about the Choices Brochure (2011/12 Choices Application is due Dec. 16th and is online at http://echoices.lausd.net/, paper copies of the brochure are available in the school office) and lastly our own Mrs. Sosa and her spectacular 6th grade class who took time to share with parents some of their favorite projects as well as the benefits of culminating 6th grade from Mt. Washington Elementary.

SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR: THANK YOU!

To everyone who came to our Book Fair, and to all who helped make it a great experience, a big thank you! Keep on reading, and we’ll see you at our next Fair!  

SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR, TUESDAY , NOV. 15TH THROUGH THURSDAY, NOV. 17TH

The whole school is excited about our upcoming Book Fair. An amazing selection of books is headed our way! 

At the Book Fair you will find the latest and finest titles for kids, as well as books of interest to parents.  Mark your calendar for the Middle School Fair on November 16, when you can do some shopping for the family, as well as contribute books to your child's classroom library.  The Book Fair is a great way to get everyone excited about reading. See you  there!  Please visit our Scholastics Book Fair page by clicking here for more information.

Love books? Volunteer to help at the Book Fair. You can decorate and set up, help kids select books, work on refreshments, give a book talk, or help pack up.  

There are lots of ways to participate.  Please click here to sign up on line.

PTA GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING, WEDNESDAY, NOV.16TH 6PM-6:30PM

Join us for our 2nd PTA Association meeting, this Wednesday at 6:00pm in the MPR.  Topics will include our upcoming events, our fundraising efforts to date, and changes to our calendar.  Come hear what we have to say, share your thoughts and ideas, then stay to learn about your choices after Mt. Washington, at our Middle School Fair starting at 6:30pm.

MIDDLE SCHOOL FAIR, WEDNESDAY, NOV. 16TH, 6:30-8:00 PM

Where will your child go from here?  Come explore the options at our Middle School Fair, this Wednesday from 6:30pm to 8:00pm in the MPR.  Featuring representatives from a wide range of public, magnet, charter and independent schools.  We will also have a table set up to answer questions on how to fill out the LAUSD Choices Application.

CANNED FOOD DRIVE ENDS FRIDAY, NOV. 18TH

Our efforts are off to a great start.  Our goal this year is 3,000 cans.  We will continue to collect cans throughout the week, so bring them on in.  You can drop them off with Kwame Dow by the gate in the mornings, or in the collection bags in your child's classroom.  What a great opportunity to show our gratitude and thankfulness for all that we have, by giving back to local families in need.  MWPTA has partnered with a local food bank to help collect canned and non perishable foods.  Let's come together as a community, ask your neighbors, family and friends to help us reach our goal.  Non perishable food items only please.  Also no dented cans or glass jars please.  The winning class will get a pizza party!!!!!

FRESH AND EASY UPDATE

We had a great Shop Night thanks to all the volunteers and those last minute parents that jumped in and helped out when we didn't have enough helpers. A special thanks to Diane Jackson, Anvi Kevany, Nicole Thomas, Rosalba Mendez, Rachel Livingston, Alan Palmer, Alan's son Aaron Palmer-Carter, Natilie Erwin, Monique Austria, Kim Ragno and last, but not least, Angel, who even helped Fresh & Easy clear some backed up check-out registers.  We also don't want to forget our little helpers/students who diligently collected receipts from our Fresh & Easy patrons.  A very special thank you to Jackie Cahill, our Fresh and Easy Chair for her great leadership.

Thanks to all the parents, teachers and our principal, who came and shopped.  We don't have our Fundraising amount for the night, but we collected receipts for the night worth $667.  Our weekly collection of receipts at school, now totals $843, plus the receipts we collected at our Shop Night, now puts our grand total at $1,510. 

Congratulations to Rm.10 for having the highest turnout at 38% for shopping night.  Fresh and Easy will donate an ice cream party for them to enjoy.  Remember that this fundraiser is ongoing till December 31st, so continue to turn in your receipts of $20 or more to the parent center or the office.  Our school gets $1 for every $20.  Thank you for your continued support.

HOLIDAY GIVE BACK FROM THE AMERICANA AND THE GROVE, STARTS MONDAY NOV.14TH

It’s the perfect reason to pick up gifts for family, friends and your favorite teachers. Dash off to a movie or enjoy delicious dining at your favorite restaurant. Between November 14th and December 31st, 5% of your total purchases will be donated as a holiday gift to our school!  In the past two years our school earned over $1,000 from this great program.
Follow these simple steps to stuff Mt. Washington's stocking.

• Shop at the amazing stores and restaurants at The Americana at Brand in Glendale or The Grove between November 14th and December 31st, 2011. 
• Take your receipts to Concierge Services, located in the parking lobby closest to H & M, and let them know you are supporting Mt. Washington Elementary School. 
• They'll provide a check to our school in January 2012.

Ask your family and friends to do the same thing to earn a little extra money for our kids.  You can forward this link from The Americana to explain how this program works.

A MESSAGE FROM OUR SAFETY VALET

Our valet team could use a few more volunteers, if you can sign up please sign up by clicking here .  To insure the safety of our families and to keep traffic moving smoothly please observe the following rules.

• Have backpacks on and make sure your child is ready to get out when you pull up to the curb.
• Do not make u-turns near the school or in the valet area.
• Do not go into school driveways to drop off recycling.  Please park, and if you need assistance, ask one of our Green Team volunteers to help you.
• Please obey speed limits!

Thank you for your cooperation.

The Safety Valet Team

HOMEWORK CLUB

The Homework Club will be starting up on Monday, Nov 21st, 2011 for 1st grade through 6th grade students.  A flyer will be going home for those parents that are interested.  Space is limited, please fill out the registration form and return it to school.  All students that register will be meeting on Monday, Nov. 21st in the Library at 2:45pm.

SCIENCE CLASS SIGN UPS FOR NEXT SESSION STARTING THIS WEEK

High Touch High Tech Science classes will be cancelled this coming Wednesday and on the 23rd.  The last class for this session will be moved to November 30th.  The new session will begin on December 7th.  Look for a sign up flyer in your child's backpack this week.  After school science is open to students in 1st through 6th grade.

GO GREEN FOR MT. WASHINGTON ELEMENTARY

There’s a new group in town: The Green Team lead by dedicated parent, Libby Morris.  Every Monday morning, she and members of the Green Team stand outside the school gate with bins to collect recyclables.  Their goal is to raise $5,000 for the school this year and in the process help the environment.  The community, as well as MWE kids are encouraged to join in this effort and bring recyclables to the school on Monday mornings.  Each and every soda can and water bottle is worth 5 cents.  Plastic and glass bottles are also worth cash.  So far, The Green Team is well on its way to a very successful year; collecting $60 - $70 a week.  They are aiming for $100 a week and are sure the community can rise to the occasion.  So far the kids response has been amazing, especially the 4th & 5th graders.  


If you are able to help out with this worth while cause, please sign up to volunteer by clicking here.

FRESH AND EASY SHOPPING NIGHT, WEDNESDAY NOV. 9TH, 4-8PM

Join us at our local Fresh and Easy at the corner of Eagle Rock Blvd. and El Paso Blvd. for our biggest fundraising effort through Fresh and Easy.  ALL SALES between 4pm and 8pm will count towards our total.   We can double our earnings by buying gift cards in one purchase then using those gift cards to pay for our groceries.  Our total to date is over $750.  If our school is the top spending school, we get the coveted $5,000, which would be a huge boost to our fundraising efforts.  With the holidays right around the corner, make Fresh and Easy your holiday grocery store.  To make this deal even sweeter, Fresh and Easy will treat the class with the highest turn out for our shopping night, to an ice cream party, so remember to check in at our sign in table in front of the store.  We will need several volunteers for our shopping night, please check for an online volunteer sign up form in your weekly room rep email.

CANNED FOOD DRIVE KICK OFF, MONDAY NOV. 7TH

This Monday kicks off our annual food drive, from Nov. 7th to Nov. 18th.  What a great opportunity to show our gratitude and thankfulness for all that we have, by giving back to local families in need.  MWPTA has partnered with a local food bank to help collect canned and non perishable foods.  Last year our goal was 2,010 cans in 2010, we exceeded it by 205 cans.  This year has got to be bigger, let's bring in 3,000 cans.  Let's come together as a community, ask your neighbors, family and friends to help us reach our goal.  Non perishable food items only please.  Also no dented cans or glass jars please.  The winning class will get a pizza party!!!!!

PTA MEMBERSHIP DRIVE EXTENDED TILL THE END OF NOVEMBER

Your awesome PTA wants to give away those Lakeshore Learning gift cards to your teachers.  We have several classrooms very close to 100% participation, so it would not take much to get there.  Even if your class is not doing so well, it is not too late to rally.  Second place (a $75 gift card) and Third place (a $50 gift card) are still up for grabs.  Take a look at your standings below.

Membership Totals:

Room 1     84%

Room 2     74%

Room 3     77%

Room 4     70%

Room 5   100%

Room 6     60%

Room 8     54 %

Room 9     35%

Room 10   50%

Room 11   55%

Room 12   37%

Room 13   64%

Room 15   62%

Room 17   74%

Thank you to everyone who has joined our PTA this year!

GREEN TEAM UPDATE

Thank you for your continued support of The Green Team. So far we have collected over $450 in recycling and continue to collect about $60-70 a week. However, we are aiming for over $100 per week to reach our goal for the year. In order to do this, please consider asking friends, family, coworkers, neighbors etc. to save their recycling for us and collect it from them. Click here for a downloadable flyer to give to them.  Libby Morris, our Green Team chair and initiator, could use a little more help sorting recyclables and cashing them in.  Please look for an online volunteer sign up form in your weekly room rep email.  Remember - this is FREE money!!  Let's go for it!! 

AMAZON.COM SCHOOL REWARDS IS BACK

Amazon has decided to extend their school rewards program in California for this school year.  Great timing for the holidays!  Through SchoolRewards, we receive up to 10% of every Amazon purchase as long as shoppers use our SchoolRewards link to access Amazon. You can bookmark   http://www.amazon.com/?&tag=mwptaorg-20 or click the Amazon logo on the right side of our home page at www.mwpta.org . This unique SchoolRewards link takes you directly to Amazon.com, where you can browse and shop just as you normally would.  Pass the link on to your family and friends to get a little extra money for our school.  

A MESSAGE FROM OUR SAFETY VALET

Our valet team could use a few more volunteers, if you can sign up please sign up by clicking here .  To insure the safety of our families and to keep traffic moving smoothly please observe the following rules.

• Have backpacks on and make sure your child is ready to get out when you pull up to the curb.
• Do not make u-turns near the school or in the valet area.
• Do not go into school driveways to drop off recycling.  Please park, and if you need assistance, ask one of our Green Team volunteers to help you.
• Please obey speed limits!

Thank you for your cooperation.
The Safety Valet Team

SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR FROM NOV. 15TH THROUGH NOV. 17TH

Our fall book fair is right around the corner.  Our students look forward to picking their favorite books, making their wish lists and shopping with their peers as well as with you.  Click here to see our Scholastics home page.
Look for a flyer in backpacks this week, and for more information in next week's Blog.

SAVE THE DATE MIDDLE SCHOOL FAIR AND PTA MEETING, NOV. 16TH

Here is your chance to learn about choices after Mt. Washington Elementary School.  Look for a flyer in backpacks this week, and for more information in next week's Blog.

MWE STAR NEWS

STAR NOVA II classes begin November 28th - (continuing 8wk. classes) skateboarding, hip-hop, theater & ECOStation WildLife!  And also...GET READY, GET SET, BUILD ~ introducing LEGO classes on Tuesdays!   Check in at the STAR Room for details.   You'll also want to watch for upcoming news about their Winter Performance.  

 *reminder*STAR 2011-12 Galaxy Installment Plan payment #4 is due Friday, November 18th.