Austin Elementary PTO: Latest News

Austin’s Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) is looking to fill their 2013-2014 Board. Serving on the PTO Board is a great way to make a difference in your child’s school! The PTO Board consists of parent members and teacher representatives working together to make you and your child’s time at Austin a rewarding experience.

We still have the following positions open if you are interested.

• Treasurer Assistant- Responsible for assisting the Treasurer. Assumes the position of Treasurer following the completion of the Treasurer’s term. Voting member.
• Parliamentarian- Responsible for attending all monthly board meetings and answers questions regarding parliamentary procedure (Roberts Rules of Order). Chairs bylaws committee and Nominating Committee. Voting member, must attend each meeting.
• Directory Coordinator-Responsible for creating the school directory, including advertisement solicitation, printing, sales, and distribution of the school directory with a target date of October 15 for final publication. Helps with entering directory information into database. Voting member.
• Fundraising Co-Coordinator- Responsible for all aspects of the Write-A-Check campaign and for choosing and coordinating the other fundraising efforts that take place throughout the school year. Voting Members.
• Home Room Co-Coordinator- Responsible for organizing room parents for each classroom and meeting with them as needed. Coordinates all aspects of Teacher Appreciation Week. One coordinator serves on Nominating Committee. Voting members.
• Volunteer Coordinator- Responsible for compiling, organizing and distributing the list of volunteers to the appropriate position coordinators. Compiles and distributes all forms that are handed out the first week of school, and serves on the Nominating Committee. Voting member.

If you are interested in learning more about joining the PTO Board, please contact PTO President, Kristi Scates or Vice President, Ann Frosch.

PTO Board Position Request Form
You can also learn more about a specific job by reviewing the PTO bylaws or by contacting the current person holding the position, found on the Austin PTO Board page.
Austin PTO Bylaws
Austin PTO Board

BOX TOPS – DUE FRIDAY 24TH!!

Please make sure BoxTops are clipped and in an envelope or baggie with your child’s grade and name and deliver them to class or place in the special BoxTops bin at the front entrance of the school.
Special mention will go to the student collecting the most each 9 weeks, and the winning grade will be announced during a Spirit Rally.

Shopping for groceries…..Did you know that your purchases can help Austin Elementary?

If you have registered your Tom Thumb or Kroger rewards card, a percentage of your grocery purchases will come back to benefit Austin!! Visit our Austin PTO Website for more information, or visit your local store. You can also click on the link below for your store of choice.

Tom Thumb
Kroger

PTO is offering an easy way to get a school supply kit for the 2013 -2014 school year.

• Early Bird Discount – $40.00 – ORDER BY JUNE 1, 2013
• Pre-Order Price – $45.00 – Order placed AFTER June 1, 2013 but before August 15, 2013

Orders Will Only be Taken On-line
http://austinpto.revtrak.net

Contact the PTO School Supply/Spirit Wear Coordinators with any questions :

Jennifer Polk – jennifer_polk@msn.com
Cherre’ Bickham – bbickham1@verizon.net

We currently have a group of third grade learners who are interested in exploring exotic animals.

They would love to have the opportunity to speak with someone (either in person or through Skype) who has experience or knowledge of exotic animals. They would be interested in learning about the care of these animals, their habitats, adaptations that help them survive, and any other information that might be available. If you think you might be willing / able to help in any way, or if you know of someone who might, I would love to hear from you!

This E-Time group will be meeting on Friday, 24th, and 31st. They would welcome guest speakers on any or all of those dates.

If you think this is something you might be interested in, please contact Liz Malone at 214-496-7335 or through email at lmalone@coppellisd.com

In 2012, the State Board of Education approved revisions for the mathematics standards to be fully implemented in 2014-15. Due to these changes, it is critical that CISD begin aligning these new standards and teaching these new TEKS (standards) starting in the 2013-14 school year.

The new TEKS will affect all grade levels, Kindergarten through Pre-Calculus. At every grade level, current TEKS have been shifted down to lower grades and newly written TEKS were added.

ATTENTION 5TH GRADE PARENTS

However, the incoming 6th graders (2013-14) feel the greatest impact of the changes with 55% of the standards being new to that grade level. CISD has taken measures to help support these learners through the transition and also prepare them for the required standards starting in 2014.

PLEASE GO TO THE FOLLOWING WEB SITE FOR MORE INFORMATION http://www.coppellisd.com/Page/9235

New Math Standards Parent Meeting

Tuesday, May 21
6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Coppell Middle School North/Library

Wednesday, May 22
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Coppell High School Lecture Hall

Parking behind CHS Tennis Courts (over by stadium). A shuttle service will be provided to drop you off by the Lecture Hall Doors.

Our Kinder and 1st graders are working very hard and are excited about sharing their learning with our community at the Enrichment Cluster Showcase on March 31st. We hope you will join us!

During this past school year each school within the district has been working on various aspects of the sustainability. There are SO many great initiatives going on around the district. These initiatives include things like: walk to school days, wild flower and vegetable gardens, kitchen scraps going to community garden compost, no idling zones at schools, and one of the most important areas, general environmental education for youth, families, and teachers.

We hope that you will be able to attend the Sustainability and Service Learning Expo. You will have an opportunity learn about both the sustainability and service learning projects that are occurring at your school, as well as what is happening around the district.

To celebrate each campus’ efforts toward increased sustainability as well as their service learning experiences, CISD will be holding a Sustainability and Service Learning Expo. Each campus will have at least one booth.

EXPO INFO

Thursday, 23 May, @ 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM

In the Commons @
Coppell High School
185 W. Parkway Blvd.

Looking for a fun and exciting opportunity for you child(ren) this summer?? Please check out what our Specials teachers—Mr. Barnett, Mrs. Dobecka, and Ms. Ricciardelli are planning!

Visit the website at http://enrichmentcamp.weebly.com/!

New Tech Film and Photography Camp!

New Tech will host a Film and Photography camp for incoming 4th through 8th graders this summer. The camp will be held June 24th-28thand will cost $150 per student. Please visit this website http://newtechsummercamp.wix.com/newtechsummercamp for details.

• 5/21 Kindergarten field trip to Ft. Worth Science and History Museum
• 5/21 Math Standards Meeting @ CMS North @6pm
• 5/22 Marimba NRH2O Field Trip
• 5/22 Math Standards Meeting @ CHS @12 pm
• 5/23 Sustainability and Service Learning EXPO @CHS @ 4:30pm
• 5/27 MEMORIAL DAY – NO SCHOOL
• 5/29 2nd Grade Field Trip
• 5/29 CISD Day at the Ballpark
• 5/30 Spirit Rally
• 5/30 Kindergarten Spring Walk to Duck Pond
• 5/31 K & 1st Enrichment Cluster Showcase 8-9am
• 5/31 Fashion Show @ 2pm
• 6/1 Deadline for EARLY BIRD purchase of School Supplies
• 6/4 5th Grade Awards Ceremony 8:15am
• 6/5 5th Grade Lunch at Ole’s/ Final Walk
• 6/5 Early Release 12:30 / Last Day of School