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Friday, October 26, 2012

Weekly Update - 10/10/2012

Menlo Park Academy
Weekly Update- October 10, 2012
MPA Logo
This week...
Reminders
Boosters News
Room Parents
Enrichment
Sports
Sports
Dates to Remember
Reminders
Lost and Found:
Articles in the Lost and Found will be available for parents to review during conferences on Thursday and Friday.  Please be sure to check there if your child is missing any items (jackets, lunch boxes, etc.).  All items remaining in the Lost and Found area on Monday will be donated to a local charity.

Forms due:
The Boosters' Fall Fun Fest at Patterson Farms in Chesterland on October 20th. The sign-up form is attached to this message - the final date for turning in your money is Monday, October 15th @ 3:00pm.  Please print on the form and return to school in an envelope labeled Fun Fest. Make checks payable to the MPA Boosters. 

Volunteers:
Your time is appreciated! Please log your volunteer hours onlineclick here 

Change of Address:
Please notify Mrs. Wilson if you have any changes to your home address, home or cell phone number, or e-mail address.  It is very important that we have this information correct in our records.
Boosters News
  •  Tickets for the Fall Fun Fest will be distributed via the Thursday folder on the 18th. The Boosters will provide snacks and beverages.  Please feel free to bring a snack to share with the others. In case of inclement weather, we will be sending out an email with the status of the event.
  • Our Free Funds initiative is in full swing! Please keep clipping those Box Tops and Labels for Education! Please be sure to read this weeks flyerregarding how you can help with these programs. Children who send in 50 Box Tops in October will receive a dress down day in November. For your convenience there is a collection sheet attached so you can easily track your Box Tops!
  • The next Boosters meeting will take place Thursday, October 18th @ 6:30. If you would like to hear more about what is planned for this year or help us plan, be sure to join us.
  • In an effort to help others this holiday season, the MPA Boosters and the Student Council will be having a food drive and penny war to benefit a local food bank and homeless shelter. Efforts will run November 1-16th. Be on the look out for more information.
  • We've got spirit yes we do...the MPA Spirit Wear is coming. Order sheets will soon be delivered so that you can place your order for tee shirts, long sleeve tee shirts, sweatshirts and sweatpants. We will also be offering the opportunity to place your orders for MPA basketball spirit wear!
  • The Scholastic Book Fair is coming November 26-30th! A sign-up sheet will be in this week's Thursday folder for volunteers who would like to help staff the Book Fair.
Academics
Parent/Teacher conferences are this week and we are eager to meet with you to discuss our partnership in your child's growth.  We will review and revise Written Education Plans (WEP) during this time.  
 
Your child is welcome to attend this conferencing time and is particularly encouraged to do so at the upper grades.  However, be aware that there will be no childcare available for siblings.  
 
If you have a lengthy topic of discussion such as IEP or acceleration requiring teacher input, please schedule an individual or team meeting outside of parent/teacher conference time.  These conferences are designed as a quick check in on progress and an opportunity for families to clarify areas of uncertainty.
 
You may schedule conference times online at:
 
Specialists will be here on the following days and times for drop in conferences:
Thursday and Friday:  Cassaundra Hickman, Molly Leib, Ms. Kneidel
Thursday Only:  Ms. Levien, Diane Padrutt (10:00-3:00 & 6:00-8:00), Edison Club (Kelsey Busser, Kirsten Dyer)-4:00-7:00
Friday Only:  Elisa Bredendiek-12:00-3:00

Mr. Mould will not be available but you may email him at:john.mould@menloparkacademy.com

In an attempt to ensure that all families who wish to conference may do so, teachers will also offer drop in times the two weeks following conferences.  Those hours will be sent via email on Monday, October 15. 
Enrichment
Junior Girl Scouts:
We are  participating in our Girl Scout Council's Fall Product Program. This program helps girls earn money to support our Girl Scout Leadership Experience, including fun educational and service activities that contribute to making the world a better place. The girls are learning to manage the business online, as well as setting goals, making decisions, managing money, working with people and practicing business ethics. This is a great opportunity to help your favorite Girl Scout, as well as to purchase a great product.

Just click here to view the many different varieties of nuts, candies, and gift items available. You can purchase using a credit card and have them shipped to you or shipped to a friend as a gift.  This is a private link for you and orders can be placed through the end of our Fall Product Activity 11/26/2012.  Your order and information will be treated confidentially, and not shared for other reasons, other than to help Girl Scouts. 

Thanks so much,
   
Troop 70029
Girl Scouts of North East Ohio
Sports
Girls' Basketball: 

The first girls' basketball practice will be held Thursday, October 18th at the West Park YMCA.   If you have any questions, please contactKatie.Theiss@MenloParkAcademy.com .


Fundraising
Shop with Scrip Every Sunday by 7pm: 

MPA is once again participating in the Shop with Scrip program, which generates revenue for our school every time you use it to purchase a prepaid shopping card or gift certificate through the program.  

More information on this program will be coming home in Thursday folders, but here are the basics:
  • These cards are similar to ones you would buy at the grocery store or other retailer.
  • You pay only the face value on the card.  
  • The cards are available for thousands of local and national retailers.
  • Cards are available for everything from gas and groceries, to holiday gifts, to rental cars and hotel rooms.  
  • MPA earns revenue (anywhere from 2-15% of the card's face value, depending on the merchant) when you use the cards to make household purchases you would have made anyway.
  • Purchases can be paid for by check, or paid directly though PrestoPay, the preferred payment method.
  • Cards will be sent home in students' Thursday folders each week - place your order by Sunday at 7pm to get your cards the following Thursday!
MPA will be offering a gift to each family as they participate in the program for the first time, and families will be entered to win prizes throughout the year when they use the program.  

Get started at www.shopwithscrip.com - create an account using code B1BFLA8B23626 for MPA to receive the revenue.  Once you have signed up, check out theUser Guide here for more details on how to use the site, or contact Ramona Boggins at 216-832-6666 or fundraiser@menloparkacademy.com if you have any questions.

FYI: Dates to Remember
OCTOBER
10/11 - Thursday - P/T Conferences - No School for Students; Meeting for potential Boy Scouts at 7pm
10/12 - Friday - P/T Conferences - No School for Students 
10/15 - Monday - Washington DC - 8th Grade (Through 10/19); Girl Scout meeting after school 
10/16 - Taco Day
10/18 - Thursday - Girls' Basketball practice at YMCA; Boosters meeting at 6:30pm
10/20 - Saturday - MPA Fall Fest at Patterson Fruit Farm in Chesterland
10/23: Pizza Day
10/26 - Friday - School photo day 
10/29 - Monday - Girl Scout meeting after school
10/30 - Tuesday - Mac-n-Cheese Day; Yearbook Cover Contest artwork is due
10/31 - Wednesday - Halloween Costume Parade at 1:45pm, with class parties to follow

NOVEMBER 
11/05 - Monday - Girl Scout meeting after school
11/06 - Pasta Day 
11/13 - Pizza Day
11/15 - Thursday - End of the Trimester
11/16 - Friday - Teacher Inservice - No School for Students
11/19-23 - Thanksgiving Break - no Scrip card orders or deliveries this week
11/26-30 - Scholastic Book Fair
11/27 - Pizza Day   
Thursday Folder
- Scholastic Book Fair volunteer sign-up sheet
- Scripp gift card program information
- Box Tops for Education program information
- Lifetouch Picture Day order form
Wish List
If you have access to any of the following items and can donate them to the school, our teachers and staff would really appreciate it!
  • Baby Monitors
  • Fish bowl
  • Used CDs
  • Used or new board games and puzzles for indoor recess
Art Contest
This year's yearbook team is pleased to announce a contest to determine whose art graces the cover of the 2012-2013 yearbook!  All art submitted must: 
  • be on a standard 8 1/2"x11" piece of paper
  • use paint or markers (that's easier to scan for the cover)
  • include the student's name, grade, and homeroom teacher on the BACK of the artwork (lightly in pencil, so it is not visible from the front)
  • be submitted to the office by Tuesday, October 30th.
And the theme? Anything goes, as long as you think it somehow represents the students at MPA!  Students, staff, and parents will be voting on the artwork later in the fall to pick a winner.
Volunteer Sign In
As was announced last week, each volunteer is now responsible for logging his or her own hours into the computer directly.  They still need to sign in to the log book when they arrive and depart school grounds, but that sheet will not be used for tracking the hours worked.  Instead, you'll need to go online to log your hours on our website.  You can either do that when you return home after volunteering, or on the Netbook computer outside of Mrs. Wilson's office at the school.  No matter which computer you use, the link to the volunteer log is here.
School Pictures
 
Mark your calendar! Picture Day is coming Friday, October 26th. Look for more information on your child's Picture Day flyer / order form. VisitLifetouch.com for online payment details and more. Remember, children should wear the usual (non-gym) dress code clothing for Picture Day.
Supporting Gifted Kids
OAGC Parent Day is coming up on Sunday, October 14 at the Columbus Hilton Easton. Registration begins at 2:30 pm for the program, which begins at 3pm . Come join us for an afternoon devoted specifically for parents of gifted children. For more information, an agenda, and a registration form, please visit the following links:
Halloween Costumes
This year we will be celebrating Halloween with a costume parade and contest!  Students may wear their costumes to school, but costumes may not include masks or anything that could even remotely be considered a weapon.  The parade will begin at 1:45pm on Wednesday, October 31st, and will be held on the sidewalk around the school.  The parade will end in the Multi-Purpose room, with costume judging and prizes being awarded at 2:15pm.  Judges will be chosen from the staff, parents, and even some impartial guests!  Prizes will be awarded for the following categories:
  • Historical Figure
  • Contemporary Figure
  • Invention or Technology
  • Animal (real or legendary)
  • Group Costume (two or more students involved in the same costume idea)
  • Best Artistic Merit
Remember, our judges will be looking for creativity, interesting use of materials, artistic merit ... and great ideas, of course!  Good Luck - we can't wait to see the great costumes our students make!
Halloween Parties
Once the costume prizes have been awarded, it's time to party!  Grades K-4 will be having parties in their rooms, each organized by the room parents for the classroom.  Grades 5-8 will be having a group party in the Multi-Purpose room (more details on that to come).

In accordance with the revised federal nutrition guidelines for schools, we will be trying to limit the number of sugary treats offered to our students during the school day.  Room parents have a list of healthier alternatives that children enjoy, and will be suggesting these to parents who wish to bring snacks for the parties.  Thanks for your cooperation!

Information can be submitted via email tocommunications@menloparkacademy.comfor review and inclusion in the weekly update. Submissions are subject to Director approval.

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