PTA Ice Cream Social and General Membership Meeting Tuesday, August 28th @ 6:00pm

I scream, you scream, everyone screams for ice cream!  Please join us for our 1st PTA General Association meeting of the 2012/2013 school year, this Tuesday at 6:00pm in the MPR.  The 2012/2013 calendar will be submitted for approval and you’ll have a chance to meeting the board and turn in your membership envelops!  Plus we welcome you to share your thoughts and ideas and enjoy some delicious ice cream.  Childcare will be provided.

Thursday, August 30th is Restaurant Night at California Pizza Kitchen

CALIFORNIA PIZZA KITCHEN-REPEAT!  RESTAURANT NIGHT FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY!  Join us at California Pizza Kitchen in Glendale City Center at 101 N. Brand Blvd., Glendale 91203 for a fun dinner out; invite your family, friends & neighbors!  MWES will receive a donation of 20% from purchases; including dine-in, take-out, catering and all beverages purchased by us.  You must bring in the CPK flyer that will be sent home in backpacks next Tuesday (and if you need an electronic version be sure to check out the "documents" section at MWPTA.org or email communications@mwpta.org and a request a copy) in order for MWES to get credit.  And make sure to note your child’s room # on it because the class with the most turned in flyers will win a pizza party from CPK!  What, you want more…ok, keep your eyes open while you’re there you just might see our Principal and a teacher or 2 or 3!  We’re looking forward to seeing you there.

Early Dismissal (1:30) Starts this Tuesday, August 28th

Don’t forget early dismissal Tuesdays starts this week.  Students will get out at 1:30pm on Tuesdays.  Please mark your calendar and alert any after school caregiver to your child of the time change.

PTA Membership Drive Contest

The PTA is holding a contest between all the classrooms to see which classrooms will achieve 100% participation first.  The classroom that reaches 100% first will receive a $100 from lakeshore learning (which was donated from a very generous parent – who we want to thank very much).  In addition to helping your child’s classroom win, there are numerous benefits to joining the PTA, for example: you will have a vote in your child's education regarding PTA programs, activities and where their money goes.  Be sure to swing by the Parents’ Center to learn more about the benefits of being a PTA member.

Check out the PTA Sponsored Enrichment Classes

Chorus begins Thursday, August 30th at 2:30 (until 3:45- kinder dismissed earlier) in the MPR. Cost is $60 for the year.

Violin classes are beginning at MWE Thursdays, starting September 27th through February 2nd from 5-6:00 pm and 6-7:00 pm in the MPR. We are fortunate to have CYMG offer 16 classes for $160. Look for sign up flyers coming soon.

High touch High-tech begins Wednesday, Sept 12th, please turn in enrollment form by September 4th. This is a new 60 minute class (2:45-3:45) in the MPR, one class only.

Beginning Monday's in September, the Center for the Arts Eagle Rock will be bringing a drawing class to MWE. This class will be for the beginner to advanced student and may just be the thing to help build your child's confidence when they are asked to draw for homework and classroom projects. Be on the lookout for flyers and more information.

For information about any of our afterschool enrichment programs contact Nicole at programs@mwpta.org.

Sign up for Star Nova Classes by August 31st

Star Nova Session 1 runs from September 4 – October 26, 2012.  Be sure to sign-up by August 31st to be part of Mt. Washington Elementary School's STAR Nova classes after school!  Here’s a quick preview of what your child can participate in:  LEGO: Builders & Brainiacs: where students build & invent structures, machines, mechanisms, sculptures or perhaps a strategy game; WOODWORKING: Creative carpentry - see the scope of what you can make with skilled wordworking; STOMPIN’ TIME (dance): Based on the musical STOMP - Learn body percussion & rhythm through dance, stepping, snapping & clapping; SKATEBOARDING: Create & skate-Don’t want to choose between learning better boarding skills & making your own board…here you can do both; ROCKSTAR: Music education 1 & 2 - Children turn their rock n’ roll dreams into a reality in this 2 session class offered by California’s most popular rock n’ roll music education program.  Join the Star program 1 day a week or 5 days a week.  Be sure to check out the Star Nova packet for more detailed information or contact: Jay Garrett, MWE Director, at jayg@starinc.org or (310) 904-9232.

Don’t forget… Back to School Night is Scheduled for September 11th

Save the date, Back to School Night has been rescheduled to September 11^th.  Stay tuned for more details…

No School on Friday, August 31st or Monday, September 3rd

Just a reminder, there is no school on Friday, August 31^st or Monday, September 3^rd.  Enjoy the long weekend!!!

Thank You for the Great Start to the 2012-2013 School Year

We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our principal, teachers, staff, parents and students for making the first week back to school an awesome week!

Vote for Mt. Washington Elementary School on Facebook and Earn Money For the School

Want to help our students? It’s easy. Mt. Washington Elementary School can receive up to $10,000 in Target GiftCards® for books or any supplies we need. Wouldn’t that be great? All we need to do is vote for our school each week until September 8.  For every 25 votes our school receives, Target will send our school a $25 gift card. Visit the Give With Target® app at Facebook.com/Target -- https://apps.facebook.com/givewithtarget/schools/4600 and vote for Mt. Washington Elementary!  Our school is listed as: “Mt Washington Elem School”.

Sign up to Become a Room Rep

The Room Rep serves as the closest link between our PTA and the school and to assist the teacher with classroom events.  We’re still looking for room reps for the following classrooms:

Ms. Langsdorff - Room 6

Ms. Barnes - Room 11

Ms. Convey - Room 17

Ms. Lowrey - Room 10

Ms. Sosa - Room 12

Ms. Ryan – Room 13

If you are interested in volunteering as a Room Rep, please, visit our website, mwpta.org or click on the link: bit.ly/roomrepsignup to sign up.  You can also sign up in the parent center or contact Jane Park-Dolan, our Room Rep and Volunteers Coordinator, at volunteers@mwpta.org.  Thank you very much to all off our room reps in advance, we could not do this without you!

Comfort Care Emergency Kits Are Heading Your Way

Included in the PTA/FOMWS Welcome Packet that you will be receiving this week is a Comfort Care Emergency Kit housed in a large ziplock bag.   Please fill out the requested information and include the items you would like from the suggestion list included.  These kits are in addition to the LAUSD Emergency Supplies already housed at the school.  The aim of this PTA sponsored kit is to give your child personalized comfort in the event of an emergency, while they are waiting for you to arrive.  These kits will be kept in the classroom, updated yearly, and follow your child from grade to grade.  If you have any questions about this please contact Nicole at programs@mwpta.org.

Volunteers for the Safety Valet Program

WOW, Mt. Washington Elementary School parents never disappoint!  A great big THANK YOU to the droves of parents who stepped up to join the Safety Valet Program, including the many parents who are new to our school who jumped in and signed up on their very first day!  The Safety Valet Program always welcomes new volunteers so if you are interested, please send an email to mwvalet@gmail.com and the Safety Valet team will be sure to contact you.  In addition, more information on the Safety Valet Program will be included in the PTA/FOMWS Welcome Packet that you’ll be receiving this week.   Be sure to sign the acknowledgment form and return it to your children’s teacher.

Wolves Den will be Open for Business on Monday, August 20th

WOLVES DEN opens Monday!  Children will be able to purchase LAUSD approved after school snacks from our 'DEN' Mon-Fri 2:30-3:30pm.  This year we will also be selling MWE pencils, erasers and pouches...because the kids asked us to!  Prices range from .25-$4.00.  Please feel free to stop by and check us out!  If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Richard Herran, Chair at: wolvesden@mwpta.org.

WANTED: PTA Officers & Chairpersons

Want to make a huge impact at Mt. Washington Elementary School?  The PTA is seeking a couple of Officers to serve on the Executive Board as well as Chairpersons for several events throughout the year.  If you have the drive to take your school volunteerism to the next level, we need you!  The Executive Board meets on the first Wednesday evening of each month and free childcare is provided.  Positions available are not elected, but by Presidential appointment.  Inquire at: president@mwpta.org.

PTA Sponsored Enrichment Programs

School is underway and our very special after school enrichment programs will be starting soon.  Some of our favorites are returning:  Hightouch Hightech Science on Wednesday, this year there will be one weekly session but it will be an hour long! MWE Chorus will continue to have practice after school on Thursday, starting date to be announced soon, and the popular Chess Club will be resuming in the lunch pavilion on Fridays beginning in September.  New classes will be announced shortly so be sure to keep an eye open for flyers and announcements in the PTA Blog.

STAR Nova Classes Coming Soon

Be on the lookout for the STAR flyer that will be in your child’s backpack next week which will provide more information on the NOVA classes that will be offered.  You can also stop by STAR and pick one up in person.

Back to School Night & PTA General Association Meeting Save the Date (August 28, 2012)

Mark your calendars; Tuesday, August 28^th is Back to School Night and the first PTA General Association Meeting.  The General Meeting starts at 5:30pm and we’ll be approving the 2012/2013 school events calendar.  At 6:00 pm Back-to-School’s general information session starts and you’ll get lots of information about the school.  Classroom visits will be from 6:30 – 7:30 and you’ll get key information from your child’s teacher.  Be on the lookout for more information on Back-to-School Night.  For planning purposed, please note that this is an adults only event; there will be no childcare on campus.  Carlin G is offering child care.

Mt. Washington Produce Collective

Love your weekly produce box, and want to be more involved with the Collective?  We are looking for people who are able to fill-in for coordinators Nicole and Gina by doing an occasional shift dispersing produce boxes (either 2-4:00 or 4-6:00) on Thursdays at MWE.  To add your name to the fill-in list please email Nicole at nicolethomas101@earthlink.net.

Photographers Wanted

Do you love taking pictures?  If so, we’ve got a great way for you to pursue your passion.  We need a photographer of any level to sign up to volunteer to take photos at this year’s school events.  If you’d like to volunteer or have any questions please contact Que Lam at historian@mwpta.org. There’s also a sign-up sheet on the volunteer board.