09 Nov Comm.indd - Pittsburgh Colfax PTO

THE
Colfax Communicator
The monthly newsletter of the Pittsburgh Colfax K-8 PTO
Vol. 3, No. 3 November 2009
Extravaganza Uno Returns to Colfax
Families from grades K-3 along
with a few pre-schoolers and some
adventurous middle-level students
turned out for Extravaganza Uno’s
Latin Dance Night on October 28,
sponsored by the Colfax PTO. The
husband-and-wife dance team taught
a variety of dances from throughout
Latin American, including a ribbon
dance and a mask dance. The evening
concluded with shared snacks plus
drinks supplied by the PTO.
Special Events co-Vice President
Nora Simpson commented, “Thanks
to everyone who came out, and
to Extravaganza Uno for another
memorable Family Fun Night event.”
All Family Fun Nights are free
and open to everyone in the Colfax
community.
Inside this issue:
More Extravaganza Fun Photos!
Colfax Recycling Again! - page 2
Colfax Needs You, Our Kids Need You
Fundraising Plans - page 3
Mid-level NEWS - page 4
Faculty Spotlight - page 6
PELA Resident Program at Colfax
This school year Principal David
May-Stein has taken on a new role as
a mentor principal. He has the job of
being a mentor to Deonne Arrington,
Colfax’s new PELA resident ( PELA
stands for Pittsburgh’s Emerging
Leadership Academy). PELA is a
program run by the Pittsburgh Public
Schools to recruit, train, support and
place highly-qualified principals
throughout the district who can serve
as transformational change agents,
instructional leaders and civic leaders.
Aspiring principals complete a
yearlong residency alongside Mentor
Principals. PELA Residents will be
challenged with real-world problem
solving scenarios to help them develop
a strong ability to integrate practical
knowledge into productive solutions.
Residents will also conduct an action
research project on problems affecting
student achievement in Pittsburgh
Public Schools. To strengthen her
understanding of school leadership,
Mrs. Arrington will shadow Principal
May-Stein and participate in the
daily operations of the building. If
you haven’t had the opportunity to
meet Mrs. Arrington, be sure to visit
her on your next trip to Colfax. You
can also contact her via e-mail at
[email protected].
Recycling
Resumes
at Colfax by Valerie
Weikers
Colfax has resumed
its recycling program
for the 3rd consecutive
year. Bins are located
throughout the school
to collect paper for
recycling.
Here is how recycling at Colfax
works: Teachers and students place
paper in the blue bins for recycling. A
Recycling Team of 8th grade students
collects the paper from the bins when
their class schedule permits. Then,
once a week, the students set the paper
out at the back of the school to be
picked up by the City of Pittsburgh
Department of Waste Management.
We are currently recruiting students
from the 6th and 7th grades to join the
team. The Recycling Team is a great
way for students to learn responsibility,
to care for their school, and to get
involved in helping the environment on
a larger scale.
If you are interested in joining this
effort, whether by volunteering to
oversee the children or in another
way, or if you would like to learn
more about the Recycling Team,
please contact Valerie Weikers at
[email protected].
A future baseball player taking a great swing at the pinata at
Extravaganza Uno!
Pittsburgh Colfax K-8 Newsletter, November 2009, page 2
How We Can Help Our School
Fundraising Update
by Katherine Cosentino and Lisa Chotiner
Effective fundraising is critical to the success of the PTO and its ability to pay for the
programs we have budgeted for. We need all Colfax parents to help us bring in the
funds to be able to pay for Teacher Grants, Field Trip Grants, School Club Funding,
Family Fun nights, and hopefully real soon the purchase of a laptop lab for the
school.
personal coaching for
loving parents
who want to grow caring,
confident, resilient children
So far this school year, we've brought in very little money and will
need to step it up soon. Here's what's come in so far:
• Cartridge Recycling has made us $170 so far this year. Please
continue to bring in you used cartridges from home and work and
deposit in the Cartridge World receptacle
• Enjoy books has only made us a net total of $125. We have more
books to sell so if you are interested please contact Lisa Chotiner at
[email protected].
• Newsletter Advertising has brought in $330. If you know of
businesses who might be interested in placing an ad, please contact VP
of Communications, Sukanya Srinivasan, at [email protected].
Upcoming PTO Fundraisers:
Household rules that really work
Strategies for single and divorced parenting
Ways to end whining & begging
Workshops & group coaching available
Susan G. Berman, Ph.D.
www.proparent.com
412.682.6224
• Magnetic Colfax Bookmark Sale - coming soon in November at the
Readathon kick-off.
• Readathon to kick off in November. A great event to encourage
children to read more at home with the incentive of fun & prizes! Children will
receive donor sheets to collect pledges from friends & family. Kick-off date to be
announced as we are trying to enlist celebrity readers for the kick-off in November.
Last year this generated $2800 for the PTO fund and the kids who participated had a
blast and received great prizes. To help run this event or for more information please
contact Beth Tiffany at [email protected].
If you hate Fundraisers and want to help out... Donations to the
PTO Gladly Accepted!
The Colfax PTO is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and for each
donation we will provide you with Contribution Acknowledgment Letter. To make
a tax-deductible contribution to the Colfax PTO, please write a check payable to
"Colfax PTO" and mail it to the school ATTN: PTO FUNDRAISING or send it with
your child an envelope marked “Attn: Diane Condie.”
If you would like to make your donation using a credit card please
contact Lisa Chotiner at [email protected]. You may also
contact our PTO Treasurer at [email protected] for
additional information.
Make donations payable to:
Colfax PTO, and mail it to:
COLFAX ALA
ATTN: PTO fund
2332 Beechwood Blvd.
Pittsburgh PA 15217
More Fun at Extravaganza Uno!
Pittsburgh Colfax K-8 Newsletter, November 2009, page 3
P
Parent Corner
If you are fully cleared to volunteer and would like to help a student
in Grades K-2, please contact Diane Condie at 412-422-2037 or
[email protected]
Middle Level News:
Play 60 Challenge
Pittsburgh Colfax 8th Graders participated in
the Play 60 Challenge Kick-off event at Point
State Park on Tuesday, September 8, 2009.
The NFL teamed up with the American Heart
Association to create the Play 60 Challenge
– a program that challenges middle school
students to get active and play for at least 60
minutes every day (30 minutes at school and
30 at home). For more Play 60 Challenge
information visit www.nflrush.com.
• Request for Binders
Middle Level Teachers are seeking donations for new/slightly used three ring binders. If you
can help by donating, please deliver to Diane Condie for distribution. Thanks!
• Winners of the Life:Style by Market Day Take Home Raffle were: Michael
Sink Room 111, who won the remote control car; Natalie Phillips from Room 110, who won
the large deck of cards; Rosa McKee-DiMarco from Room 111, who won the reflective
sunglasses. Congratulations!!!!
Middle Level Parent Teacher Advisory
Committee (MLPTAC) Update
The Halloween dance was held on October
23rd in the school gymnasium. We had
approximately 90 children in attendance
and it was a huge success. Prizes were
given for the best costume and fun was
held by all.
Middle Level Parents Needed
Are you the parent of a 6 , 7th, or 8
grader? We need you to get involved in
the Middle Level activities. Please e-mail
[email protected] to be added to the
e-mail distribution list. This will keep you
in the loop regarding all the middle level
activities.
th
th
Middle Level Fundraising
Hoagie Sale
Look in your child’s backpack for the
MLPTAC upcoming hoagie sale order form,
starting November 2, 2009. Hoagie sale
kick-off will be on Wednesday, November
4th. All orders need to be in by Friday, November 13th and delivery is scheduled for
Wednesday, November 18th. All Middle
Level Students will have the opportunity
to earn money off their year-end trip.
Hoagies are $5.00.
Scarf Sale
Since the scarf sale was such a huge
success last year, the MLPTAC will be
doing it once again this year. All scarves
will be $5.00. Look for them in November.
What a great holiday gift this would be for
someone! More details to follow.
• Monthly Market Day Fundraiser reminder – When ordering online at
www.marketday.com, make sure to use our Colfax Account Number 27504. Proceeds
will benefit all students. The next delivery date Monday, November 23, 2009 – last
internet order taken on November 17. All internet orders must be submitted by 12:00
Noon on the above dates and all pick-up times will be from 3:30 to 5:00 PM in the
Cafeteria.
Quotes from parents, staff and community members regarding the
Market Day Program:
I like Market Day because the food is great. Price wise it’s good, a great value,
and good for the school. ~Frank Somma
I had a last minute cook out for my family. The teriyaki steaks were a hit! I had
to order them again. ~Jennifer Herr
So far everything I have purchased was very tasty. My husband’s favorite is
the stuffed eggplant. I hear the teriyaki ranch steaks are wonderful. Looking
forward to them in the future order! ~Cindi Lowe
I love Market Day! As a working mother of four the meals are so easy to
prepare and absolutely delicious! I love the baby baked potatoes, they are
wonderful and the broccoli was better than fresh! ~Terri Taoramina
I absolutely love the chicken steaks. I make a great kebab with mushrooms,
summer squash, zucchini, peppers, then grill them for a few minutes. The
chicken cooks up quickly matching the cooking time of the veggies. I serve
them up a sweet BBQ sauce; quick and easy. Also, they’re 99% fat free so
it’s a healthy meal, too. ~M. Telesca
• In case you didn’t know: Colfax has a working elevator and is now
ADA compliant.
Pittsburgh Colfax K-8 Newsletter, November 2009, page 4
Homeroom Representatives List
We are still looking for Homeroom reps for various classes. If you are able to donate just a little time
to this position. See below which classes still need representation. Homeroom reps help to coordinate
class-wide communications and various celebrations and may organize class gifts for the teacher.
Please contact Cheryl Seeley at 412-521-4168, [email protected]
Teacher
Grade
Room
Filipek, Kaela
K
106
Underwood, Jackie
K
110
112
Shannon Ewing, 412-224-2375, [email protected]
Conroy, Joie
1
102
Nora Simpson, 412-421-2333, [email protected]
Morgano, Melissa
1
111
Hricik, Marci
Woods, Tony
Rudkin, Shelley
K
K
1
King, Sharon
1
Lepinsky, Joanne
2
Hills, Crissy
Tuchin, Tracy
104
103
113
2
14
2
18
16
Sarkin, Randi
2
105
Murray, Nicole
3
201
Acie, Paula
Walker, Leslie
Mayer, Allison
Malvin, Denise
3
3
3
4
Theiss-Wovchko, Tina 4
Banycky, Lee Ann
4
McCartney, Donna
5
Seeley, Sandy
Stefanyak, Robyn
4
5
205
301
302B
203
204
206
213
202
211
5
212
Adams, Meredith
6
129
Greco, Raffaella
6
226
Bickerstaff, April
Montgomery, Julie
Fine, Nathan
Dawson, Kipp
Wolfe, Doug
Herr, Jennifer
Marcus, Lori
Cohen, Mark
6
7
7
7
8
8
8
214
Homeroom Reps
Michele Levine, 412-422-9570, [email protected]
Diana Maeroff, 412-421-6739, [email protected]
Megan Olson, 503-703-2364, [email protected]
Kyra Keith, 412-956-2933, [email protected]
April Ohms, 412-513-5110, [email protected]
Beth Pacoe, 412-521-1584, [email protected]
Regina Parundik, 412-661-8142, [email protected]
Veronica Mellis, 412-521-6920, [email protected]
Marsha Mullen & Mark Beck, 412-422-7016, mullenbeck@verizon.
net
Sara Goodkind, 412-904-2427, [email protected]
Beth Pacoe, 412-521-1584, [email protected]
Melanie Weisbord, 412-371-5477, [email protected]
Abbie Campsin, 412-421-1177, [email protected]
Margie Minkler, 412-621-0188, [email protected]
Beth Tiffany, 412-225-7082, [email protected]
Denni Glickman, 412-224-2907, [email protected]
Cheryl Seeley, 412-521-4168, [email protected]
Lisa Chotiner, 412-422-1427, [email protected]
Cate Axtman, 412-665-8662, [email protected]
Emily Jaffe, 412-521-2987, [email protected]
Leslie Grodin, 412-621-7768, [email protected]
Michele Gittleman, 412-521-3501, [email protected]
Cynthia Ridler, 412-260-0082, [email protected]
Shannon Ewing, 412-224-2375, [email protected]
Ellen Rubin, 412-241-0960, [email protected]
Sarah Quesen, 412-973-0094, [email protected]
Nancy Glazener, 412-421-4096, [email protected]
126
127
219
227
222
Evelyn Castillo, 412-421-5456, [email protected]
223
Pittsburgh Colfax K-8 Newsletter, November 2009, page 5
Faculty and Staff Spotlight: Dr. Saunders by Eve Clark, 8
th
There are many new faces to Colfax
ALA and I had the privilege to
interview one of the new teachers,
Dr. Saunders, music teacher.
How has your experience teaching at
Colfax been so far?
Fantastic. I have many reasons; I
like the variety of my classes. I love
teaching insturmental- especially band,
guitar, and strings. I also like my nice
new big room and the location, Squirrel
Hill.
Dr. Saunders
Colfax is thrilled to have the addition
of 15 new faculty & staff to our school
this year. In each issue of this year’s
Communicator, we will feature
“Spotlights” on one or two new staff so
we can all get to know them better.
Do you have any children, if so; does
being a teacher/parent affect your
ways of being a teacher/parent?
No, I do not have any children but I
think of you all as my children, all 697
of you.
How well do you feel you can relate
to your students?
I have a strong ability to relate to a
wide variety of personalities. Old,
young, and handicapped.
Pittsburgh Colfax K-8 Newsletter, November 2009, page 6
grader
Is every grade you teach different?
Yes, there is lots of variety here at
Colfax.
Do you enjoy what you teach? Why?
I really enjoy teaching music. I
especially like doing things hands on,
instrumental and singing mostly.
Do you play music outside of school?
Yes, I give lessons in piano, violin,
and guitar. I play different places like
the Irish festival in New York. I am
also in two bands, an Irish band, The
Rivermen, and a folk band, Stone
Bridge.
Do you have any hobbies?
I love to go fishing and scuba diving
and I like to ride my bike to different
places.
What did you major in when you
went to college?
I majored in piano.
Do you have and words of advice to
any aspiring musicians in Colfax?
Strive for excellence every day.
COLFAX SCHOOL
Word Buliding
Workshops
Complete
Thanks everyone!
for participating in the workshops and
the individual one-on-one sessions.
Thanks to your hard work and support,
we now have 17 people trained and
qualified to do one-on-one Word
Building sessions with individual
students in K and 1 classrooms!
Your effors will help these children
enormously! Please remember I am
available Wednesday and Thursday
at school to practice with individual
students if you wish. Also please
e-mail me with any questions you
might have. Finally, please think
about one last workshop in January.
Stay tuned. You can contact Mark
Beck at (412) 422--7016 or
[email protected]
FIVE WEEK FOOD DRIVE
DONATIONS TO THE
GREATER PITTSBURGH COMMUNITY FOOD BANK
November 9 – December 11
Compete with your friends at school, to help people in need feel happy and full!!
MACARONI MONDAY
Any pasta product or condiment for pasta
TOILETRIES TUESDAY
Toothpaste, shampoo, toilet paper etc
WEE-ONES WEDNESDAY
Diapers, baby food, formula, anything for babies
THIRSTY THURSDAY
Bottled water, juice, coffee, tea, any beverage
FRUIT LOOPS FRIDAY
Cereal, any breakfast foods
The drive will run for five weeks. The class that collects the most products
for each week will win a very special prize and or reward.
Contact Dane and Sabrina Jacomen 412-421-6840.
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Newsletter Staff
Editor: Sukanya Srinivasan
Editorial Board:
PTO Executive Board
Layout: Maggie Cham
Contributors: Jenny Ganger, Paul Foster,
Kymberlee Frischmann, Ellen Rubin,
Gabriella Gonzalez
Sports Editor: Meghan Pfleger
Photos: Maren Cooke, Lorrie Cranor
Pittsburgh Colfax K-8 Newsletter, November 2009, page 7
Important Dates to Remember!
Nov. 10 (Tue)
Nov. 11 (Wed)
Nov. 12 (Thu)
Nov. 12 (Thu)
Nov. 17 (Tue)
Nov. 18 (Wed)
Nov. 23 (Mon)
Nov. 26-27
Nov. 30 (Mon)
Gifted Pilot meeting (rescheduled from Nov. 5), 7pm, cafeteria
Veterans Day, NO SCHOOL
Hoagie orders due (see p. 4)
PSCC meeting, 7pm, cafeteria, topic: Middle Level program
PTO meeting, 7pm, cafeteria
Hoagie delivery (see p. 4)
Market Day Delivery (see p. 4)
Happy Thanksgiving, NO SCHOOL
Back to School
2009-2010 PTO Executive Board Member Contact Info
Tom Juring,
Co-President
Kymberlee Frischman, Co-President
[email protected]
[email protected]
Sukanya Srinivasan,
V.P. Communications
[email protected]
Lisa Chotiner,
V.P. Fundraising
[email protected]
Ida Simpson,
Nora Simpson,
Co-V.P. Special Events
Co-V.P. Special Events
[email protected]
[email protected]
Leigh Winston,
Secretary
[email protected]
Katherin Cosentino,
Treasurer
[email protected]
Cheryl Seeley,
Volunteer Coordinator
[email protected]
Diane Condie,
Parent Engagement
[email protected]
Randi Sarkin,
Teacher Liaison
[email protected]
Pittsburgh Public Schools’
Attendance Policy
by Betsy Freed, School Social Worker
Absence
Absence is defined as non-attendance in school in an individual class,
the entire school day or a combination of both. Absence includes
tardiness to class and/or school as well as early dismissals. The full
District attendance policy can be reviewed at the Colfax PTO website,
www.colfaxpto.org/PPS.
Grading
•
Any student that has 6 absences (excused or unexcused
absences) in a report period may receive failing grades.
•
Students with excused/legal absences may make up the missed
work and receive the grade earned.
•
Students with unexcused/illegal absences do not have to be given
the opportunity to make up work and lose their right to have the
failing grade changed to the grade earned.
•
Tardiness or early dismissals may result in students receiving
lowered or failing grades for the classes that are missed.
•
If there is a special circumstance regarding the absence, please
consult with Mr. May-Stein for how the grading policy will apply to
your child’s situation.
SAVE the DATES!!
PTO Meetings & More
PTO Meetings are the third Tuesday of
each month:
Nov 17, Dec 15, Jan 19, Feb 16,
March 16, April 20, May 18, June 15
Gifted Pilot Meeting has been changed
to Tuesday, November 10 at 6:30 PM
No School on Wednesday, November 11
-- Veterans Day holiday.
PSCC Meeting,
Thursday, November 12, 2009 at 7 PM
Topic: Middle Level Program