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.