rbms pta exress - Running Brushy Middle School

AND
RBMS PTA EXRESS
Second Issue - December 11, 2008
LISD Clothes Closet Is In Desperate NEED of New Socks and Underwear (all sizes)
RBMS PTA is hosting a “New Socks and Underwear Drive (all sizes)” now through January 2009. A box is
placed to the left of the front office door for donations. Cash/Check donations are also welcome and should be
placed in the provided envelopes (on the Volunteer Sign-in table) and labeled “Clothes Closet” and put it in the
PTA Drop box on the Table. All items go directly to our LISD Clothes Closet, which is available for use by all
LISD students as needed.
RBMS PTA is Hosting “40 Developmental Assets” Presentation Thursday December 11,
6:30-8pm, RBMS Lecture Hall
The Search Institute has identified 40 building blocks of healthy development that help young people grow up
to become caring and responsible individuals. This philosophy looks at what we know our young people need,
the importance of positive relationships and role models, and the impact that building developmental assets has
on decreasing at-risk behavior among young people. The presentation is motivational and filled with examples
of asset-building activities and take-home ideas. Parents, community members and educators leave with a
roadmap for raising successful students. Presenters are Cindy Barry and Larriann Curtis, Texas PTA Parent
Education Chairman. CPE Certificates Available. Childcare and Refreshments are provided. Door Prizes
will be given out too!
RBMS PTA will be Hosting “Party 101 – Consequences to Underage Drinking”
Presentation January 27, 2009
The Texas Parent Teacher Association (PTA) and the Independent Insurance Agents of Texas (IIAT) are
addressing the problem of teen alcohol and drug abuse head-on with their new documentary and workshop
series; Party 101: Consequences. This project helps teens, parents, and educators appreciate the negative affects
of underage drinking.
Parents will receive a wake up call about what really goes on at these parties and how, even if their children are
not drinking at the party, they are in real danger by being present at the party because of behavior from those
youth that are drinking.
School officials, community leaders and law enforcement will have an opportunity to explore various solutions
to the problem and discuss their particular issues.
This presentation is open to Educators, Community Members, Parents and it is strongly recommended that
Parents bring their 5th-12th grade students along with them. Please visit http://rbms.my-pta.org for more detailed
information as we get closer to this date.
RBMS PTA Presidents Message
Dear Friends, Parents, and Teachers,
Thank you all for your hard work and support thus far in the year! We have had our major dance fundraiser and
tried out a new Halloween Candy Gram fundraising event that went very well for the most part. Like anything
new, there are some kinks we can work out for the next time we try it. We also have a new end of year
fundraiser, Powder Puff Football in May, to look forward to.
Our current treasury balance on hand as of this newsletter is $14,433.54. To date, RBMS PTA has been able to
make a donation to the LISD Clothes Closet, set aside money towards the LISD Scholarship program, support
the National Geographic Bee registration (teacher request), Donated 41 agendas to school counselors for
dissemination as needed (counselor request) and Purchased the dry ice for the 6th grade science classes (teacher
request).
Our current membership (228 members) is looking better than ever and we have grown 15% in membership as
compared to last school year’s PTA Membership numbers (198 members). A special thank you to all members
supporting RBMS PTA! Anyone that has not yet picked up their membership cards from the front office, look
for them to be coming home in an envelope with your child this next week, December 15-19th – make sure to
check with them, as my experience teaches me they don’t usually volunteer this information.
Our February Regular PTA Meeting will be coming up fast and we will be creating a Nominations Committee
of at least 3 members and 1 alternate member to begin selecting a slate of officers for next year’s PTA Board to
be elected at the May 18th Regular Meeting. So if everyone will begin thinking about your schedules and
talents and what you might want to do within the PTA. Please pass on all names of interested individuals to
anyone on our current board.
We have several board members transitioning to High School this next year and leaving some major slots open.
The President, Arts in Education—Reflection Chair and the Volunteer Coordinator will all be vacated and we
are looking now to find interested personnel specifically for the latter two positions. If you are interested in
Reflections, please contact LynAnne Ruth, [email protected], or for the Volunteer Coordinator position
please contact Glenda Mercer at [email protected], both members are offering to walk you through and
train you now to maximize information transfer and reduce stress for last minute role changes.
Thank you all so much for giving me the opportunity to serve as your PTA President and I wish you a very safe
and fun-filled family Christmas and New Year Holiday!
Patty Coville, RBMS PTA President
PTA Dates to Remember
Party 101 – Presentation
PTA 2nd Meeting – Nominations Committee
Powder-puff Football, RBMS Stadium
PTA 3rd Meeting – Elections/Audit Committee/Interim Budget Approval
January 27, 2009
February 23, 6:30 p.m.
May 7, 2009 6:30 p.m.
May 18th, 6:30 p.m.
Principal Priorities
Dear Parents:
As we wind down to the holidays, I want to tell you how thankful I am for all the wonderful support RBMS
receives from the parents. We truly could not do the things we want to do for kids without the moral, financial,
and human resources you provide. Our kids are great; they're very sweet and compassionate young people. I
want to congratulate them (along with the help of our Student Council) for raising over 10,000 items for the
Thanksgiving canned food drive. All money was donated to the Northwest Rural Advisory Board in
Jonestown--their food pantry. These goods benefit students and parents in our community. One local Girl
Scout troop chose to donate $500 to the cause! Wow! Also, our Theater Arts students collected donations from
our campus, and raised over $250. Our Boys' 8th Grade A & B Football teams are both district champs! All
our coaches and student athletes are to be commended. As I write this, RBMS has just competed in One Act
Play contest, performing "Father of the Bride." I don't know the results yet, but I give them 5 Gold Stars! A
final piece of good news: Intel donated $1,000 to our 7th grade math department!
A big thank you to the parents who came to my "Parent Support" meetings last month. It seems that parents'
greatest desire is to have clear and timely feedback, and appropriate support from the school. We know that
Gradespeed is still a challenge for some parents, and we are going to try to find the best ways to help our
parents use this valuable communication tool. When we return from the break, we pick up where we left off!
Our teachers continually strive to develop exciting instructional strategies for each and every student. Ask your
child about the Reflection Folders that are being used in classes.
Please let me know how I can serve you. I love this place!
Karin Johnson, Principal
512.435.4710
RBMS Continues Support of the PTA REFLECTIONS Program!
RBMS has continued to support student entry into the National PTA Reflections program. This year’s theme is
“WOW!” The entry deadline was October 31st.
I am proud to announce that we had 66 amazing entries this year. The below is the breakdown of the #’s of
entries we had per category.
Literature: 22
Photography: 29
Musical Composition: 0
Dance Choreography: 1
Visual Arts: 14
Film/Video Production: 0
These entries have been judged and 14 entries have won the Award of Excellence and thus move onto the next
judging level – LISD Council of PTAs. At the Council level, our entries will compete with the other middle
schools from LISD. The Award of Excellence winners at Council level will then move onto the State level and
then those winners will move onto the National level.
I would like to congratulate the below students/entries as winners of the Award of Excellence at the RBMS
level. Their entries have moved onto the Council level.
Alyssa Duprey – “Flash, My Best Friend” – Literature
Lacey Lindsey – “Dreams Can Come True” – Literature
Illonah Salazar – “All Grown Up” – Literature
Holly Ekas – “My Cute Dogs” – Photography
Holly Ekas – “Ready For Takeoff” – Photography
Holly Ekas – “Yellow Rose of Fall Creek Loop” – Photography
Taylor Harton – “Tranquil” – Photography
Taylor Harton – “Wonder” – Photography
Keifer Peckham – “Mendenhall Glacier” – Photography
Vanessa Winklepleck – “Ow! I Hurt My Finger” – Photography
Vanessa Winklepleck – “Up Close and Personal” – Photography
Vanessa Winklepleck – “Somewhere to Nowhere or Nowhere to Somewhere” – Photography
Ashley Radovcich – “Pheonix, a Bird of Freedom and Fire” – Visual Arts
Vanessa Winklepleck – no title given – Visual Arts
All other winners will be posted on the school office windows on Monday 12/18. Congratulations to all the
students that entered the program this year. I am very proud of all the entries that were received. GREAT
JOB!! Stay tuned to announcements at school for more information. An awards ceremony is soon to be
scheduled for some time in January.
Thank You - LynAnne Ruth
Volunteer Corner
by Glenda Mercer
I hope you were able to make it over to the annual Volunteer Holiday Social at CPHS PAC this last Wednesday.
We try to honor all that you do for us in the LISD throughout the year. Once again, we send out a big “Thank
You” to all volunteers!
This is my last year at RBMS and I’m looking for someone to take my place. Interested? Give me a call now
and I can walk you through everything.
For our potential volunteers, please complete your online application and become a member of a group of
people who believe in the quality of their child’s education and want to help with that process. I also have a
NEW website, http://rbms.my-pta.org, where you can go and schedule yourself for a project. Check out the
news for both Volunteers and PTA members as well. You can still go onto the Volunteer Website within the
RBMS website to log in hours, as well as other things.
Congratulations to Felicia Sanchez, our “Volunteer of the Month for November”. Log in your volunteer hours
in the front office or by email when you help with a project and you will be eligible for a chance to win
“Volunteer of the Month”. The winner’s name will appear in the newsletter as well as on the marquis.
I hope to work with you all soon.
Glenda
Happy Holidays, Volunteers!
Nurses Corner
by Joanna White RN, RBMS Clinic
Cold weather is upon us! With the cold weather often come sniffles, sneezes and the flu. Here are a few tips to
keep your family healthy during the winter months:

Hand washing is very important. Hands should be washed with soap and water often for at least 15
seconds.

If your child has had a cold, please send a box of tissues to school with them. Sneezing and coughing
should always be done into a tissue. The used tissues need to be thrown away, not set somewhere for
someone else to touch.

Sharing drinks or foods should be discouraged since it can transfer germs and bacteria.

It is also very important to keep all cuts or sores cleaned and covered when coming to school. This will
reduce the risk of infections.
Following these few tips will help everyone be safe and healthy for the upcoming holidays!
Reduce, Reuse and Recycle
Turn
in your “Box Tops for Education” and Community Coffee “Proof Purchase” coupons to the RBMS Front
Office. Each of these items brings in money to the school at no extra cost, and allows the staff to do more to
help our students. Please support RBMS!
Bring your plastic grocery Bags to the red crate in front of Ms. Simmons desk in the front office. RBMS PTA
collects the bags and recycles them with the HEB program and earns money which then goes back into the
school.
Safety First, Officer Guthrie – RBMS Safety Resource Officer
I know I have said this before, but it is so important for you to lock up your bikes individually, when possible.
Students sharing a lock may leave at different times leaving the last bike unsecured. Several bikes have gone
missing in this fashion. Be safe, lock up your bikes.
This is the season for sharing and caring! We ask you to please donate new unwrapped toys to the “Blue
Santa Program -- Cedar Park Police Department”. There is a container outside the RBMS Front Office for
donations. All donations will assist families in need within LISD.
Additional drop off locations for your convenience are:
Cedar Park Police Department
Wellness Chiropractic on Cypress Creek
Roasters Coffee on S. Lakeline
H-E-B 170 East Whitestone
Texas Stars Hockey Club, 202 Walton Way, Ste 154
Highland Lakes Real Estate, 715 Discovery Blvd, Ste 204
Bealls
Barber Cuts
The Ranch Apartments
H-E-B 1431/ Parmer
Cedar Park Wal-Mart Super Center
RBMS (foyer)
Remaining Blue Santa Family Registration dates:
Location: 1101 Arrow Point Building One, Cedar Park, TX 78613 (located off east 1431 next to United Heritage Bank.)
December 11, Thursday 10 am - Noon
December 12, Friday
10 am – Noon
Registration Requirements: (For More Info: Call 773-5878 or visit our website www.hillcountrychristmas.org)
For Applicant:
1) Proof of Residence – current utility bill in resident’s name
2) Current Photo ID -- Texas Driver’s license, TX ID card or green card
For each family member 12 and under:
1) Birth Certificate or Guardianship Papers
2)Current School Enrollment documentation (latest report card)
READ To EXCEED – RBMS LIBRARY
by Sally Oldenwald and Evelyn Sherley
We would both like to send a big “THANK YOU” to all the volunteers that helped to make the Book Fair a big
success. The Book Fair sales were up 17% from last year. The parent volunteers are AWESOME! We could
not have done this without you.
Musical Notes
by Ed Pagliai – RBMS Band Director
Band Website: http://classroom.leanderisd.org/webs/rbms.band
The Running Brushy band was proud to be a part of the Veteran's Day Assemblies held at RBMS honoring our
veterans.
The Running Brushy Bands are performing their "Winter Concerts" this month of December. The 7th and 8th
graders will be performing on Wednesday, December 10th at 7 p.m. at the Don Tew Performing Arts Center
(LHS). The 6th graders will be giving their debut performance on Tuesday, December 16th at 7 p.m in the
RBMS Gym.
The Symphonic Band will be doing their winter tour to perform for four elementary schools on Thursday,
December 18th. The band and directors look forward to this tour every year. The students at Giddens, C.C.
Mason, Winkley and Knowles elementary schools are a great audience and the students really enjoy performing
for them and visiting their old schools.
Five Symphonic Band members will be representing Running Brushy M.S. at the Texas Music Educators
Region 26 Middle School Honor Band on December 13th. The students are Alex Bernal, Ian Brown, Jonah
Arias, Stephen Hall and Michael Hall. Congratulations to these outstanding young musicians!
RBMS Front Desk News
If you know you will be checking your student out early or for an appointment, you can send a note in the
morning to the front office and we will have your student in the office at the time you request. Please present
I.D. upon check out. Effective immediately, I.D. check is also required for anyone having lunch with a student.
Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our students safe!
Did you know?
 You can easily access the RBMS Academic Team websites from the Campus Staff Page.
 You can access the teacher voice mail system without going through the main Running Brushy Middle
School switchboard. Just call 434-7098 and follow the prompts.
 Within two (2) days of returning from an absence, a student should provide a note, signed by the parent,
guardian, or doctor that describes the reason for the absence. Students returning from an absence without a
written statement from their parent or doctor will be given an unexcused absence.
 Checks written to any LISD organization, including student fundraisers and RBMS, must have a driver's
license number and valid phone number on the check. Your cooperation will be greatly appreciated!
RBMS Counselors
The RBMS counseling office is proud to welcome Tessa Lynn Carey, daughter of our 7th grade counselor, Mrs.
Carey. She arrived on November 5th. Mrs. Carey will return in February. We sure do miss her!
In December, sixth graders enjoyed a guidance lesson with Ms. Burrus about Bullying. Also, seventh graders
met with Mr. Don Davis to learn more about the harmful effects of illegal drugs.
All grade levels participated in “Mix It Up” at lunch on November 18th. Students were encouraged to sit with
someone they didn't know previously and make new friends. “Mix It Up” is just one of the activities that RBMS
will undertake in order to be named a “No Place For Hate” campus for the third year in a row.
Eighth graders will be receiving a presentation on “The Harmful Effects of Drugs” in December.
First Lego League (FLL) Competition – RBMS Team Cougar Led by Mr. Blanscet
Mr. Blanscet started a Lego Team at RBMS this year with a very specific target, competing in the FLL
Competition at Round Rock High School on November 22, 2008 with up to a 10-person team. The final
student group consisted of: Lauren Brown, Alan Champion, Trevor Coville, Alyssa Duprey, William Lane,
Malachai Pargahn, Nolberto Tellez, Jacob Whitley, and Jacob Williams. Their task consisted of two parts: A
research Project on a climate problem in the local area, and The Climate Connections Robot Game.
The Team Cougar Research Project dealt with Flash Floods and how the community deals with them as
compared to other world communities with similar issues. They were to create an innovative solution and share
all this in a 5 minute presentation. As for the robot game, they were given a specific table design and structure
that depicted different land structures and varied densities of populated areas that all teams would be using.
They were also given a series of possible missions each, if completed successfully, would earn you a set number
of points, during their three 2.5 minute competition sessions. The strategy was to design your own LEGO
MINDSTORMS robots using an NXT/RCX controller with a set number of motors and sensors allowed and an
unlimited use of non-electric LEGO pieces; knowing your robot’s strengths and weaknesses, pick the number
and order of missions to get you the most points in the limited timeframe.
Their proud creation:
Team Cougar received a well-earned 6th place out of about 24 teams. Congratulations and Well Done!
Texas PTA partners with organizations in order to provide discounts
on services and products that PTA members might be interested in,
especially during the holiday season. Please share this information
with your members. Happy Holidays!
For a PDF version of this Member Benefits Information, click
here: http://www.txpta.org/members/Discounts/benefits%20flier%202008.pdf
T-Mobile:
Texas PTA members receive a 14% monthly discount on rate plans. Sign up today and
receive a new FREE Blackberry Pearl II phone! Call-in offer only. 1-866-464-8662 (select
option 3). Mentio n promo code 9397TMOFAV and the main Texas PTA number (512-4766769) or your member ID for verification. The new G1 Google phone is discounted as
well. Offer is NOT valid in stores. Members who sign up in stores will NOT receive
the phone or rate plan discounts. No activation fees, no setup fees and no shipping
charges. Rate plan discounts are for both new and existing customers/members.
Existing customers wanting the rate plan discount should e-mail
[email protected] for information on how to receive the discount. Click here for
discount flier.
Sharp Electronics:
The PTA/Sharp Electronics member store is now available to offer you valuable member
discounts on Sharp AQUOS Liquid Crystal Televisions and some other home electronics
products! Click above to learn more about this benefit on the site of National PTA.
You will need to re-enter your username and password, which are username: families
and password: involved.
Nationwide:
Call the Fowler agency at (888-549-4922) or speak with your local agent. An Auto
Insurance Benefit for Texas PTA Members.
Schlitterbahn:
Corporate Code: uphillcoaster
Members receive 15% off regular admission when purchasing tickets online. Note: For
the system to recognize your discount code, you must use the link here:
http://www.schlitterbahn.com/corp/partners/
Sea World:
Members receive 15% off regular admission when purchasing tickets online. Please
follow this link
http://www.txpta.org/members/Discounts/seaworlddiscount.html?code=TexasPTA and
click on "Worlds of Discovery." This will take you to Sea World's page where you can
purchase your discounted tickets.
Fiesta Texas:
Members receive 15% off regular adult admission when purchasing tickets online.
Southwest Vacations:
(1-800 423-5683) Promotion Code: PTATRAVEL
Southwest Vacations, in partnership with Southwest Airlines, is offering PTA members a
5% discount on vacation packages of two nights or longer to any Southwest destination.
Note: Official National PTA travel still will be booked through Omega Travel by
following the directions issued by the national meetings department.
La Quinta:
Up to 35% off, guaranteed rate of $85.00 or less, no up-charge for king size beds, no upcharge for as many as 4 additional occupants, free up-grade to gold level in the La
Quinta guest stay program, Returns, 15% off rack rate outside of Texas. Ask for the
Texas PTA rate when booking by phone at 800-642-4271 or when calling the La Quinta
location of your choice directly. Click on this link
http://www.lq.com/lq/reservations/cobrand/index.jsp?cobrand=TXPTA
to book online with your discount, or use discount code "TXPTA" when making your
reservations at www.laquinta.com. To upgrade your La Quinta Returns status to Gold
level, please contact: Sandy Clinton at [email protected].
Aflac:
Aflac's Accident Insurance policy is made available to members at a competitive
rate. To apply for a policy, click here:
https://www.chooseaflac.com/New/MainPage.aspx?Path=TEXASPTA
For questions, please contact Aflac Agent Trish McMinn at [email protected].
BarnesandNoble.com:
National PTA and Barnesandnoble.com have developed a discounted online bookstore
for PTA members featuring over one million titles of books, textbooks, audio books,
music, DVD's, and videos. Members will save 5% off all purchases ordered from this site
in addition to any normal site discounts of up to 40%. Click
here to learn more about this discount on the site of National PTA. You will need to reenter your username and password, which are username: families and password:
involved.
Enterprise:
Enterprise Rent-A-Car is pleased to extend a discount to all Texas PTA members on all
rentals across the nation. To make your reservation and get your discount
automatically, please click here. If you have any questions, please contact your
Enterprise Representative Sunny Howard at 512-912-5332 or at
[email protected].