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| Frank C. Whiteley PTA newsletter |
Volume 21, Issue 5 February 2010 |
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PTA President's Message
Welcome to the first issue of the Whiteley Cat Tales Version 2.0!
From the "In This Issue" box on the left, you can jump right to any section of this online newsletter. The "Quick Links" and "PTA Links" will connect you not only to our PTA website but our PTA District, State and National sites where you will find information on legislative and parenting issues.
Take some time to explore the many features of the newsletter. It is a work- in-progress, and we would like to know what you think.
As of January first, it's illegal for anyone to text, send texts or read any electronic messages while behind the wheel. If you are caught texting and driving, the fine for the first offense is a $75 ticket. When this new law takes effect, Illinois will join 18 other states that already have a ban on texting and driving.
Another important law to know about - Police will also be able to pull you over and ticket you for texting or even talking on cell phones when traveling through a school zone or construction zone. If caught, that ticket will also cost you 75 bucks.
You can still use hands-free devices in those areas and it's not illegal to talk on a cell if it's an emergency situation.
Please know that the Hoffman Estates Police will be making random patrols, and they will ticket anyone who violates the new laws.
Our website has been revamped! Dayna Steneck has done a wonderful job with it. I highly suggest that you visit our website and take a look around! Click on the tabs to see to a current calendar, forms or volunteer opportunities.
Jump Rope for Heart is coming up at the end of February. We are looking for volunteers to help that week. Please be sure to check the website for further information and to sign-up to volunteer.
Our next event is Fun Fair on Friday, March 5th from 5:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. We are looking for many, many volunteers. You can sign-up either on the yellow volunteer sheet that was sent home or through our website. Do you have a Plum Grove or Fremd Student? We would love to have former students come back and visit. They can earn hours for Community Service or Religious Education. Students can email Dawn Plizga with their name, email address and contact number by February 17th.
If you have any questions/comments please feel free to email me
- Jennifer Nemec, PTA President |
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Principal's Message
Thanks to the Frank C. Whiteley PTA for hosting a great Frosty Bingo Night and the wonderful gift certificate prizes on January 12, 2010.
Please remember that we always want all students to be safe at dismissal. Some students are running out into the street in front of the school to get into cars which is very dangerous. It is important that all parents and students cross with the designated crossing guard near the Frank C. Whiteley School sign. I generally am at the end of the driveway directing traffic, but that is not a designated crosswalk with a crossing guard. My greatest concern is that students think it is okay to cross because a parent is with them and continue that practice without a parent present, which could have dire consequences.
Please make sure that your child is dressed appropriately for the weather. Students will be going outside for at least 20 minutes even when the temperature is near zero. I use the district guidelines to determine when we are outside for the full recess time and when it is the abbreviated schedule. Make sure your child has a warm coat, hat, gloves, and boots during the winter season. Your child will need snow pants if he or she wants to play in the snow.
Thank you for your continued support,
Mrs. Mary Szuch, Principal
KINDERGARTEN AND NEW STUDENT REGISTRATION - Tuesday, February 23rd
ISAT Testing Grades 3 through 6 - March 1st through March 12th
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Keep Your Student Reading 
Whiteley School is again participating in Six Flag's reading program where you complete six hours of reading at home and you win a free ticket. Reading logs were sent home with all students, Kindergarten through 6th grade. If you didn't receive one, your child can pick up a copy in the Resource Center. Please sign the completed form and return to your child's teacher by Thursday, February 11th. Six Flags will not accept any late forms! Kids can read silently or with an adult. Happy Reading!
- Miriam Nakazawa, Literacy Coordinator - |
Get Ready for all of Your Fun Fair Favorites
Classroom baskets, arcade games, face painting and the ever popular Cake Walk - they are all back at this year's Fun Fair scheduled for Friday, March 5th from 5:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. In order to make the fair a true school event, we need many volunteers to help in big and small ways. This is one of our largest events and one that children and families really enjoy. A flyer will be sent home in early February with remaining volunteer opportunities.
Ticket sales will begin February 10th, and order forms must be returned by
February 24th to take advantage of the "early bird" discount. Tickets will also be available for sale the night of the Fun Fair.
Classroom basket themes have been decided, and a letter was sent out to everyone with their theme. Basket donations will need to be turned in by February 24th so our coordinator can organize, wrap and label them. As was done in the past, the baskets will be on display in the library a day or two prior to the Fun Fair.
Thanks in advance for your support and participation.
- Dawn Plizga, PTA Fun Fair Coordinator
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Crossing Guard Reminders
In addition to the new laws prohibiting the use of cell phones in school zones, please be sure your children are properly buckled and restrained while driving. We want to see to it that your "precious cargo" gets to and from school safely each day! |
| News from the Resource Center
Fatherhood Essays Due Next Week
Are you looking for an activity that will take your kids away from video games, television or the computer? Well, participating in the Fatherhood essay does just that. Plus, it's a great way for your child to get in touch with their softer side and win a few tickets to the Sox game to boot.
The Fatherhood essay should be 250 words or less on the theme "What My Father Means to Me." Students should share their true feelings and provide examples of joys, frustrations or special memories.
Forms and information about the contest can be obtained from Mrs. Saez in the Resource Center. You may also go to www.4fathers.org to download an entry form on your own. All essays are due in the Resource Center on Wednesday, February 3rd.
Birthday Book Club
This month we can snuggle up with some new books thanks to the following students. Their generous donation to the Birthday Book Club added some wonderful new titles to our collection. Oh, and a big thanks to the Zachman Family for all the books they donated from home!
Diana Raftis Shelf Life - Stories by the Book
Jennifer Norris Madam President
Bryce Menes Who was William Shakespeare
Sakura Ishii Dewey There's a Cat in the Library
Priyanka Prasanna No More Homework! No More Tests!
Francesco Mangialardo Sisters and Brothers
Matthew Schalk Easy Origami and Camp Granada
Dylan Falk Diary of a Wimpy Kid - Dog Days
Matt Welsch Gnarly Skate Boarders
D. J. Flies Wild Things
Mason Price Mercy Watson Something Wonky This Way Comes
Jumpei Takahashi Astronaut Handbook and Think Happy
Jessica Kim Moonlight on the Magic Flute
Anisha Shanmugam Spot the Plot
Mike Constantino Summer Ball
Zayla Jaywook Gone from these Woods
Nicole Suarez Michelle Obama
Kaelan Conway Zoobreak
Curtis Robinson Diary of a Wimpy Kid - Dog Days
Madeline Zachman, Will Josten and Varun Pinto donated dollars in January, but their books will be announced next month as they are waiting for a few more choices!
- Julie Saez, Resource Center teacher
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For our Students
Valentine's Day Parties - February 12th
PTA room parents are busy planning for this special day. If you have volunteered to bring in treats or supplies, your child's room parent will contact you soon.
Assembly - February 18th
The Face-to-Face Production team is back to engage and educate our students with a PTA sponsored all-school assembly entitled The George Washington Follies. Click here to find out more about this program and what you child will experience that day.
Whiteley Green Day - Wednesday, February 24th
Have your child walk or bike to school, wear something green and/or bring a waste free lunch that day. Recognition is given to those who participate. |
Parent Education
Should your child see that new movie?
Make an informed choice! There is a Web site that can help you decide whether your child is ready to see that new PG13 movie this weekend.
Detailed movie reviews are provided and archived on this Web site. Ratings from 1 to 10 are given for three categories: Sex and Nudity; Violence and Gore; and Profanity.
"The purpose of kids-in-mind.com is to provide parents and other adults with objective and complete information about a film's content so that they can decide, based on their own value system, whether they should watch a movie with or without the kids."
Don't take our word for it - check it out for yourself!
Movie, Games, TV, Web sites, Books and Music Reviews
Common Sense Media is dedicated to improving the lives of kids and families by providing the trustworthy information, education and independent voice they need to thrive in a world of media and technology.
Read their latest online Parent Advice article - 5 Ways to Avoid Media Overload and join the discussion! |
Box Top collection sheets due Friday
January 29th - Have your child turn them in to their classroom teacher.
Each completed sheet is worth a raffle ticket towards a special prize.
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PTA News you can use
Is joining the PTA on your To Do List?
The next PTA meeting is Thursday, February 18th at 7 p.m.
New faces are always welcome. You don't have to be a member to attend. However . . . there is still time to join! Click here to complete the membership form.
There's a new version of the PTA website - Web 2.0
Online forms - Google calendar - Electronic newsletter - Follow us on Twitter
Market Day - Internet orders Due February 20th
Support our fundraising efforts. Order online anytime or fill out and return the order form that comes home in your child's backpack. Contact Denise Pitcher if you have any questions.
Take a look at what other D15 PTAs and Schools are Doing
Many of their PTA newsletters are online. See something you would like here at Whiteley?
Bring your ideas and enthusiasm to our next PTA meeting - Feburary 18th.
Check out what some of them had to say last month.
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Volunteer Opportunities
Calling all Bakers and Treat Lovers
Did you discover a new treat over the holidays that you'd like to share?
Any family recipes that you know others would enjoy?
Please sign up to donate a baked good for our Cake Walk at the Family Fun Fair.
The more cakes and treats we have, the more fun we can have dancing around the Cake Walk. Please volunteer today!
JumpRope for Heart
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Spotlight on the Board is on recess Read more.
Next Board of Education meeting - Wednesday, February 10th
Agendas and document attachments as well as brief summaries of past meetings can be found on the District 15 website. |
A Whiteley Wildcat Thank You goes to
Everyone who participated in our recent restaurant fundraisers at Oberweis and Culver's. The next one is February 24th at Oberweis after the 3rd/4th grade musical.
PTA Board members for your continuous commitment to our PTA. The hours you put in make our PTA awesome.
Amy Langston for popping enough popcorn for the whole school to enjoy during their movie day. The students and staff savored every kernel! | |
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