2012 - 2013 MT. WASHINGTON PTA NOMINATED CANDIDATES:

The following PTA members have been nominated for the 2012-2013 school year to serve as Board Members for the association:

Alan Palmer - President

Natalie Erwin - VP Communications

Nicole Thomas - VP Programs

Sharon Steele-Herran - VP Ways and Means

Jane Park-Dolan - VP Volunteers & Room Representatives

KathyTakarabe - Secretary

Jackie Cahill - Treasurer

Kim Ragno - Financial Secretary

Queh Lam - Historian

The election for the above candidates will be held at the PTA Association Meeting on Wednesday, March 21, 2012 at 5:30pm in the MPR.  Please come and join us, meet the candidates and cast your vote for your 2012-2013 PTA Board Officers.  

After the election, we will have our "Citizen's CPR" course, provided by the Red Cross from 6:00pm to 8:00pm.  Childcare will be provided.

Several PTA Assistant and Chair positions are still available; please check in at the Parent Center if you are interested. 

GET YOUR PICTURES IN THE YEARBOOK

The Yearbook Staff invites you to submit photos for the yearbook. If you've got great photos of class, school, PTA and FOMWS events, we'd like to see them.  Help us get as many photos as possible to create a terrific book everyone will want to have.  Specific events we are looking for are:

Americana Night *  Autry Field Trips *  Casa de Adobe Field Trips *  Dairy Cow  *  Mt. Washington Elementary Garden *  Halloween and Pumpkin Festival  *  Pancake Breakfast  * Literacy and Science Night  *  Student Council Activities (pajama day, crazy hair day etc.)  *  Valentine’s Dance  *  VAPA (dance, theater, vocals, orchestra)  *  Voices Within  *  Winter Program

Here is how you can submit photos online:

• Go to: https://images.schoolannualonline.com/upload.jsp.  If it does not automatically log you into the site, enter user name: 400135581 and password: wolves .
• Browse to select the photo(s) you wish to upload. Click Upload.
• On the next screen enter information about the photo(s) so we know which event to use it for.
•  Click "Save Details".

It's that easy! Submit your photos today! The last day to submit photos is Monday March 6th.  Thank you very much for your help.

Sincerely,

2012 Yearbook Staff

GREEN TEAM

Our recycling program is back at work this Monday.  Please remember to bring in your recycling Monday morning.  We appreciate your help with keeping traffic moving at the safety valet drop off, and having your recycling ready to go in the car next to your child.  If your child needs assistance with the recyclables, a Green Team volunteer will be ready to help.  We are currently working on raising our second $1,000; so keep those bottles and cans coming.

SAVE THE DATE - FOUNDERS DAY CELEBRATION, FRIDAY MARCH 9TH 1:30-3:30 MPR

Join us to celebrate PTA and give special recognition to some of our hard working volunteers.  Come see our choir perform and meet other hard working volunteers.  Friday, March 9th 1:30-3:30 in the MPR.

2012 - 2013 MT. WASHINGTON PTA BOARD NOMINATIONS

A Nominating Committee for the 2012-2013 PTA Board has been formed and is currently looking for PTA Board candidates and active participants.  We have several positions that will be perfect for you.  The following link is from the California PTA with all the possible job descriptions that might suit your skills and abilities:  http://www.capta.org/sections/resources/downloads/toolkit-2011/toolkit-en-10.pdf 

The following are the requirements for PTA Board Candidates

• A Mt. Washington PTA Member.
• Be willing to work in a teamwork environment.
• Be fair and objective.
• Be willing to commit some time for meetings on a monthly basis.

Please contact Jackie Cahill, no later than Monday, February 20th, 2012, at programs1@mwpta.org if you would like more information, or if you'd like to be considered for a specific position. 

We look forward to sharing this wonderful experience with you.

Sincerely yours,

2012-2013 PTA Nominating Committee

NO GREEN TEAM RECYCLING THIS WEEK

As Monday is a holiday, but please save your recycling until the following Monday and we will resume collection then - Monday the 27th. Thanks so much! We are beginning the climb to our second $1,000! So keep bringing them in ~ all bottles and soda cans are welcome! 

HOORAY! IT’S ARRIVED. MT. WASHINGTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL’S ~ PREMIUM BLEND COFFEE

Pre-ordered bags will be available for pick-up Tuesday morning immediately following assembly.  If you weren’t able to pre-order a bag, you’ll want to stop by and get yours before they’re gone.  We have 50 bags of our first ever rich dark roast and 20 bags are already sold...come purchase yours and help support our children and our school.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR EFFORTS TO SAVE THE ARTS

All the letters, faxes and phone calls that were sent in last week to our LAUSD Board representatives were heard.  The Board decided to postpone their vote till March 13th, in an effort to find alternate solutions to cut $557 million out of their $6 billion budget.  The cuts they are proposing include 100% elimination of the VAPA (visual and performing arts) program at the elementary school level, cuts to adult education as well as district preschools.  Please keep a close eye on further developments and we truly appreciate you past, present and future help and support in saving our children's education.

SAVE THE DATE. YOU WON'T WANT TO MISS IT! RESTAURANT NIGHT FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY! THURSDAY MARCH 8TH, 3-9pm

Grab the kids and head on over to the Chuck E Cheese at Eagle Rock Plaza, for a fun dinner out with your family and friends.  They donate 15% of all food, beverage, merchandise, and token deals purchased at a register by us on our fundraising night.  Plus, we get a special visit from Chuck E. himself at school the day of our event...can it get better than that?!  Watch for more details to come....

HELP US SAVE THE ARTS!!!!

Dear Parents,

The Mt. Washington Elementary School PTA, in partnership with the Friends of Mt. Washington School, is on a mission to SAVE THE ARTS.  But we need your help.

THE ISSUE:

The LAUSD Board of Education is voting THIS TUESDAY, 2/14 on eliminating arts programs at ALL public elementary schools.   We must let the district know that this is unacceptable. PTA has a long-standing commitment to arts education for every student at every school, in conjunction with a comprehensive, quality education. PTA believes that the arts are essential for a creative, engaged, thoughtful, work-prepared, fully educated and civic-minded student population. Visual and performing arts should be a basic and integral part of a balanced curriculum for all students.   Arts education (i.e. VAPA, music, orchestra, etc.) cultivates the innovation, problem-solving and creativity skills necessary for the future.  The California State Education Code states that the arts should be taught to every student. Section 51210 specifies that a required adopted course of study used by schools for grades 1-6 must include the visual and performing arts.

THE IMPACT:

Since MWE is a non-Title-I school, we faced these budget cuts years ago.  Our School Site Council voted to direct a portion of discretionary funding to the current Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) program (music, dance, drama, etc.); a supplementary arts education program on our campus.  However, for next year we could potentially lose ALL ARTS PROGRAMS including ORCHESTRA, DANCE, DRAMA AND VOCAL (VAPA).  Even with the parent support and funding that we are fortunate enough to experience at MWE, we may not even be provided the option to purchase any arts programs as we have in past years.

THE ACTION:

The PTA is calling for action of ALL parents. The Board of Education will be finalizing the 2012-2013 budget on Tuesday (2/14) at 1:00 pm.  The meeting will be at 333 S. Beaudry Ave., Los Angeles, 90017. LAUSD School Board meetings are open to the public.  Due to heavy media coverage and major issues within LAUSD, it is expected that this meeting will draw large crowds.  We encourage our parents to attend this meeting. Those who can attend are advised to arrive early and plan to stay for several hours. Some schools are bringing children with them and/or hand written notes. Below are directions and parking is $6.

THE STEPS:

The PTA has been collaborating with the California Alliance for Arts Education, which consists of local arts advocacy groups that support the arts program in schools, and represent the voice of the parents and students.  Arts4LA is our local advocacy group that has a letter ready to be sent to the Board of Education members, and to Superintendent,  Dr. Deasy, urging them to preserve the arts program in our elementary schools.  

Please take these steps:

1. Click on this address and email your board member (District 5):  http://advocate.artsforla.org/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=9435

2.  Use the form letters from the link attached to fax our district leaders at: 213-241-8953 and 213-241-8442 for Dr. Deasy – BEFORE 10 a.m. on 2/14.  

Bennett Kayser

District 5 Representative

BoardDistrict5@lausd.net

Tel: 213-241-5555 

Fax: 213-241-8467

Dr. John E. Deasy

Superintendent of Schools

Tel: 213-241-7000

Fax: 213-241-8442

superintendent@lausd.net

3. Come to the school on Monday or Tuesday morning for more info.  Have your kids make “Save the Arts” signs for our efforts to raise awareness.

4. Attend the School Board meeting on Tuesday at 1:00 p.m. and sign-up to speak out. 

It is imperative that we act on this quickly.  Please forward this to your other parents, family and community members.  

“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”  – Martin Luther King Jr.

Thank you for your support.

Ariella Roberts,

PTA President

Mt. Washington Elementary School
everychild.onevoice

2012 - 2013 Mt. Washington PTA Board Nominations

A Nominating Committee for the 2012-2013 PTA Board has been formed and is currently looking for PTA Board candidates and active participants.  We have several positions that will be perfect for you.  The following link is from the California PTA with all the possible job descriptions that might suit your skills and abilities:  http://www.capta.org/sections/resources/downloads/toolkit-2011/toolkit-en-10.pdf 

The following are the requirements for PTA Board Candidates:

1. A Mt. Washington PTA Member.
2. Be willing to work in a teamwork environment.
3. Be fair and objective.
4. Be willing to commit some time for meetings on a monthly basis.

Please contact Jackie Cahill, no later than Friday, February 17, 2012, at 323-517-4618 or email her at KatienCJsmom@gmail.com if you would like more information, or if you'd like to be considered for a specific position. 

We look forward to sharing this wonderful experience with you.

Sincerely yours,

2012-2013 PTA Nominating Committee

EVERY PROJECT ON DONOR’S CHOOSE WAS FUNDED!

We are happy to report that many of our teachers utilized the Wasserman Foundation's gift card donations on donorschoose.org, and many of their projects were fully funded.  Three of our teachers ended up in a situation with projects not fully funded once the Wasserman Foundation’s $4 million grant was depleted prior to the 2/2 deadline.  Since most of our teacher’s projects were partially funded by the Wasserman gift cards, PTA was able to fund the remainder in order to make sure that the committed gift cards did not go to waste and that the teachers who worked so hard on their grant proposals did not miss out.  The PTA filled the gap for $700, which ensures our children will receive the materials and supplies the teachers asked for on Donors Choose.  These projects include new building blocks, writing supplies and music teaching equipment.  What wonderful additions to our children’s classrooms!   Thank you to all the parents who utilized their gift cards and helped to fulfill these projects.  As always, thank you to all who donate to our PTA throughout the year, as you can see, it truly makes a difference!

VALENTINE'S FAMILY DANCE THANK YOU

The gossamer was hung, lights twinkled, feather boas and hearts dangled high above, some impressive dance moves were thrown down and a great time was had by all.  A HUGE thank you to Alan Palmer for his vision for this dance and his know how on how to throw a great party, to our DJ Jesson Duller for spinning our favorite songs, to all of the parent volunteers who helped decorate, to Rick and Sharen Herran for the improvements to the MPR - the cable will be a great addition for future events as well, to all of our tireless volunteers who worked selling food, tickets and merchandise all night (many without taking a break), to our parent supervisors who kept an eye out to make sure everyone stayed safe, to everyone who donated beverages, baked goods and other supplies, to all of our students who made amazing decorations last Tuesday and to all the families who came to the dance and supported our efforts.  This FUNdraiser netted over $1,700 for our children.   THANK YOU!

VALENTINE'S FAMILY DANCE: FRIDAY FEB. 10TH, 6-8PM IN THE MPR

Put on your dancing shoes, grab the kids, head on over to the MPR and show off your best moves.  A family friendly dance that's fun for all.  We'll have DJ Jesson spinning your favorite tunes, an actual photo booth, games, prizes, a valentine's store, yummy food and treats, but best of all, a chance to hang out with your kids and your friends and have some fun.  Admission is just $3, kids 4 and under are free.
 
We would like to invite all the students to make decorations for the dance on Tuesday the 7th, from 1:30-2:30 in the Lunch Pavilion.  All the materials will be provided, all they have to do is show up and bring their creativity.  On the same day, at the same place, students can also cast a ballot for their favorite songs, for our DJ to play at the dance.
 
We could use a little help with some donations as well as volunteers.  Please look for our stickies board by the ramp in the mornings this week.  If baking is what you do best, or you have a favorite bakery, we will be grateful for whatever sweets you'd like to donate to the dance.  Please bring your sweet treats to the parent center anytime on Friday before the dance.  If you are able to volunteer, we could use your help on Tuesday with the kids, or on Friday with decorating for the dance during the day, or Friday night during the dance.  Please sign up by clicking here or let Anvi Kevany know at volunteers@mwpta.org , that you are able to help and she will find the perfect job for you.  Thank you in advance for all your help and support. Now let's get down and boogie!

IN REMEMBRANCE OF MR. LIU

We were all saddened to find out that our crossing guard, Mr. Alex Liu, passed away last Wednesday.  He leaves behind his wife and teenage daughter.  As he was the main provider for his family, the PTA is taking up a collection to help his family cover the cost for his services.  If you would like to make a donation, we will have a memorial fund box set up in the parent center all week this week, please stop by and extend a helping hand if you can.
 
We will miss his friendly smiles and waves as we come and go to school, and would like to extend our condolences to his family.  We take comfort in knowing that he got a chance to spend some time with his family, after his collapse at school, due to the life saving efforts of several of our parents.

IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM THE GREEN TEAM

When using the school valet drop-off, please have your recycling in a bag ready to go with your child. A Green Team volunteer will be able to help your child with the recycling;  however, it is very important not to expect the safety valet volunteers to help with your recycling- they are there to help your child safely get out of the car.  We do not want this exciting new venture to disrupt the flow of traffic during school drop-off time, so if you have more than a small bag that your child or The Green Team volunteer cannot manage, please feel free to drop it off in the green bins at the back of the parent center during its open hours.  Please keep up the great work, and keep bringing in your recycling! We are now aiming for the next $1,000!!!

We are still looking for Monday morning volunteers to help collect the Recycling in the mornings.  If you can spare half and hour, please contact Libby Morris at : waysandmeans1@mwpta.org .  You don't have to sign up on a weekly basis,  we will be happy to take any time you can give the Green Team.

WOW~SCIENCE IS COOL AT MT. WASHINGTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL!

Stargazing Night was an astronomical success.  Biggest family turn out in its history.  Beverage bar was Hot, Hot, Hot!  Sweet treats abound!  Light-up toys twinkled as bright as the stars!  MWE sweatshirts warmed the crowd!  Many, many Thank Yous:  Gina Antestenis - our Stargazing chair, FOMWS, Mr. Bob Noss & Astronomical Journeys, La Estrella Tacos, All the Telescopers!, everyone who donated baked goods, and as always our parent volunteers -  for without you our event would not have happened.  Thank you to all the families who came out to support this wonderful evening, together we raised another $714.75 for our kids.

MT. WASHINGTON ELEMENATRY'S PRIVATE ROAST COFFEE

Mark your calendars!  Save the date!  Check it out!  "Move over Starbucks ~ Mt. Washington's Premium Roast is coming!"  Launching Tuesday, February 14th (just in time for that special Valentine's gift) for the first time ever PTA will present Mt. Washington Elementary School's Premium Roast coffee.  More information to come!

PARENTS HAVE YOU CHECKED OUT THE MT.WASHINGTON PRODUCE COLLECTIVE LATELY?

Here's how it works:  The Produce Collective is a subscription program, where members receive a weekly box of organic farm-fresh produce delivered to Mt. Washington Elementary school.  Members pay for their box in advance online at www.eroots.org, and can order weekly or biweekly.

All the Benefits:   $3 of your purchase stays with the Friends of Mt. Washington School, to help support our classroom gardens, campus beautification and sustainability projects; and a portion of your purchase helps provide education and food access initiatives for families of modest means.  Fun recipes centered around the contents of your box (delivered electronically via a weekly newsletter) are included.  Boxes will be available for pick-up outside the Parent Center every Thursday from 2:30 to 6:00pm. The rate per box is $21, a great value for you, your family, and your community!

If you have any questions, go to http://www.fomws.org  or contact Natasha Stanton at natasha_stanton@yahoo.com or Nicole Thomas at nicolethomas101@earthlink.net