Vestavia Hills Elementary West
PTO CLASS NOTES
Volume 14, Issue 3 October 2011
PTO Front Row View
Cindy Cherry, PTO President
Wow! What a busy September!! Thank you all for your hard
work on the fall fundraisers! A special thanks to all who
purchased and sold gift wrap, despite the weather related
obstacles we had to face to get the orders in! Thank you to Lori
Kaiser and Melinda Decker for your hard work in getting all those orders turned in!! And thank
you to all who purchased “Enjoy the City” coupon books! Thank you Melanie Gannon and Julie
Hughes for your hard work on this project! I know that was a lot of fundraising at once, but your
October kids will see the rewards of fundraising throughout the year! Thanks to the fundraising, the PTO
is able to respond to the requests from the teachers with new classroom supplies and new
technology for the classrooms!
10 No School Our next PTO meeting is Tuesday, October 18 at 9:15 a.m. in the lunchroom. All are invited to
Columbus Day attend. This meeting will provide a lot of details on the upcoming carnival. In addition, you will
hear updates on school events from Mrs. Patton, Mrs. Hauser and Mrs. Norris.
11 No School
Professional Development I hope everyone has marked their calendar for VHEW to go “Under the Sea” on Thursday,
October 27. This is a family friendly event! Please bring your entire family; there will be fun
13 Late Start Day
activities for everyone! This will be a fun night of carnival games, food and music as we raise
8:45 a.m.
money for our school!
18 PTO Meeting
9:15 a.m. Thank you to everyone who is willing to volunteer your time and talents to our school! We have
the best parents at West!! As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact me
27 Fall Carnival at 979.3441 or gcgg51599@bellsouth.net.
4:30 – 7:30 p.m.
PTO minutes are posted online at www.vestavia.k12.al.us/west
Principal’s Notes
Happy Birthday Mrs. Patton will continually update her website with current news and events. For more details,
go to school’s website at www.vestavia.k12.al.us/westelementary
to You!!
3 – Tara Krusinski Box Tops Due October 14!
14 – Betsy O’Dell Our first school-wide collection date for Box Tops for Education is
Friday, October 14. Please be clipping Box Tops and turn them into your
28 – Zenobia Foreman child’s classroom. You can clip them and return them in a Ziploc bag or
on a collection sheet which you can get from your class Box Top parent
30 – Trudye Confessore
or at www.boxtops4education.com/earn/clip/Projects.aspx.
31 – Aarin Mitchell
Remember, West receives 10 cents for every Box Top we collect, so get your neighbors,
31 – Brenda Todd co-workers and grandparents to clip them as well. Our goal for the year is to collect $4,000.
So, look through your pantry and send in all your Box Tops by the 14th. Don’t forget to register
at www.btfe.com. West gets 5 extra Box Tops for everyone who registers. This is an easy way
to help earn money for our school!
Mark
4:30 -m.
Your 7:30 p.
Calendar! T hu rsd
a
Octobe y,
r 27
Carnival is Thursday, October 27, 2011 from 4:30-7:30 p.m.
Invite your neighbors, cousins, and grandparents! Carnival is an evening of family fun and a great school fundraiser. There are many ways you and your
family can donate to and participate in the festivities.
Purchase T-shirts: Each T-shirt is only $10 so order your family’s T-shirts Shop the Bake Sale: Come anytime October 27 and buy from the array
now. T-shirt orders are DUE by October 3. of homemade goodies at the front of the school. These treats can be
frozen and served for Thanksgiving and Christmas gatherings. Shop all
Plan to Help: Classrooms are asked to donate drinks, money and candy day and stock up!
for the big night. Your carnival classroom parent will be communicating
the specific needs with you soon. Watch for opportunities to volunteer Come Play, Eat and Win “Under the Sea”: Join us on the night of the
during carnival for a shift with your classroom game. carnival (Thursday, October 27 from 4:30 to 7:30) and dine on the ocean
floor in our galley. We will be offering Moe’s BBQ Barbecue Sandwiches
Be a Member of the “Stowaway Sweets” Bake Sale Team: Do you and Hungry Howie’s Pizza at a great bargain, only $5 per meal! All meals
love to bake? Then join the 2011 Carnival Bake Sale Team and help raise must be purchased ahead of time!
money for our kids and school! Your efforts really pay off – this is the only
event that is 100% profit for West. A Whale of a Deal: Pre-purchased wrist bands are only $15! Purchase
a wrist band for each of your kids and they can enjoy unlimited games and
Below is a guideline of items to make, but we would love for you to get inflatables! Purchase tickets (2 for $1 or better still 25 for $10) for carnival
original and make something unique such as rum cakes, pepperoni bread treats like Candy Apples and Cotton Candy and the always favorite
and candied or caramel apples. One parent from each classroom is general store “Treasure Chest.” Be watching your child’s backpack the
allowed to purchase a bake sale treat for their entire class to enjoy. week of October 17 for information on purchasing wrist bands, tickets
(Check with your Room Parent for details). We really have a need for and meals. Don’t miss out, wrist bands and meal tickets will not
cupcakes and other easily distributed items. Remember that faculty and be available for purchase the night of carnival.
staff purchase these goodies too! All items must be individually wrapped
and priced accordingly. Our basic guideline is: Under the Sea festivities include:
• King of the Sea Dunking Booth
• Cupcakes: $12 for 18 (most classes need 18 cupcakes not 24)
• King Triton’s Tavern (Coke and Root Beer floats)
• Cakes: $12 for large cakes; $9 for small cakes
• Guppy Zone (activities and crafts specifically targeted for
• Bread: $6 for large bread; $4 for small bread
2- to 5-year-olds)
• Pies: $8
• Dancing with the Starfish
• Brownies and Bars: $2 per ½ dozen
• Barracuda Basketball
• Cookies: $2 per ½ dozen
• Inflatables
• And many more favorite carnival games and novelties!
If it’s extra tasty and time consuming, then raise
your price. If you can not decide on the price before Purchase Raffle Tickets: Raffle tickets are only $1! Each ticket you
you drop it off, we are happy to help set your price. Volunteers are needed purchase increases your chances of winning great prizes from local
to accept goods during morning carpool on Thursday, October 27. BAKE businesses like Brookwood Dermatology, Fitness Together, AJ Designs
SALE QUESTIONS? Call the Bake Sale Committee: Shannon Raley and Steed’s Jewelers. Additionally you could win the always coveted
(790.3442) or Melanie Elkins (907.1912) four front row seats to each grade’s music program or two parking spots.
For questions or information on how to sponsor and participate, please contact Sara Hassler (SaraHassler@bellsouth.net or 453.2781)
or Melissa Kaiser (boydandmelissa@gmail.com or 616.5357). We look forward to seeing you “Under the Sea” October 27!
VHEW PTO Class Notes • Volume 14, Issue 3 • October 2011
Gift Wrap Sale ... A HUGE SUCCESS!
Our gift wrap sale is over and, thanks to all of you, our first fundraiser
Congratulations to Our
of the year was a HUGE success! We made a profit of over $16,000! Top Selling Classrooms!
Thanks to everyone for making this year’s sale so profitable.
Mark your calendars: Gift wrap will be delivered on Tuesday, TOP
October 18. We will need lots of volunteers to bring their wagons SELLERS!!
to help with delivery (unload, sort and deliver to the classrooms). 1st Place
Please let us know if you can help. Jost’s Jewels
2nd Place
Thanks again for a great sale! Simon’s Seekers
Melinda Decker (melinda@reunitus.com, 541.0120) and 3rd Place
Lori Kaiser (lorikaiser@aol.com, 978.9043) Werner’s Learners
The Counselor’s Connection
Dawn Norris, Guidance Counselor
West Way Week was a success! Thanks again to Lessie Duncan and Ginny Prier for their assistance.
The following classes won the poster contest for their grade level and enjoyed a popsicle party in their classroom:
Kindergarten Mrs. Mash’s class
First Grade Mrs. Mitchell’s class
Second Grade Mrs. Krusinski’s class
Third Grade Ms. Kearney’s class
I just finished my first lesson in all the classes. The lesson was called “Meet the Counselor & The West Way.”
My next lesson will focus on the way we treat each other and how bullying is not acceptable in our school.
Bullying is the district focus for this school year. 2nd and 3rd grade groups are going on now and 1st grade and
Kindergarten groups will be starting in November. If you are interested in having your child be a part of a small group,
please e-mail me or call me. Groups will focus on making good
choices, dealing with feelings, friendship, and other
topics as needed.
Lastly…The canned food drive is coming
up in November. Last year, we collected
4,237 cans! I am hoping this year to surpass
this incredible number. That would mean that
every student in our school brought in six
or more canned goods! Wow! Start saving
your cans!
If I can help you or your child in any way,
please do not hesitate to contact me
(402.5158 or norrisdb@vestavia.k12.al.us).
Thank you!
VHEW PTO Class Notes • Volume 14, Issue 3 • October 2011
Legislative Roundtable
This year’s legislative roundtable will be held November 17
at 8:30 a.m. at the Mountain Brook Board of Education. All
parents are encouraged to attend. If you or anyone from your
school has a question they would like asked of our legislators,
please email the question to Kelli Eshleman at keshleman4448@
Friday, February 3, 2012
gmail.com by November 1. For additional information
7 to 9 p.m. at Regions Park
regarding the forum, please contact Tracy Lemak (tlemak@ Home of the Birmingham Barons
charter.net) or Kelli Eshleman (keshleman4448@gmail.com).
River of Words
Make plans to enjoy a night out and help us raise
money for our school. The Bids at the Ballpark
auction will include a wide variety of items on which
you can bid. If you or your company/organization
have item(s) or services that you would like to
Are you the next Van Gogh, donate for the auction, or have any questions about
Frost or Adams? the event, please contact the auction co-chairs …
Libby Isbell (823.9947) and Lisa Jones (979.3154).
You could be the next Vincent Van Gogh, Robert Frost or
Ansel Adams! River of Words is your chance to show your
creative talents. All students are encouraged to submit art,
poetry and photography for River of Words. This is a nature-
based art, poetry and photography program created to promote
watershed awareness, literacy and the arts. Students should
concentrate their art to a water theme.
You may enter as many times as you like, but each submission
must have a separate entry form, Form G. Please visit www.
riverofwords.org or the West website for a complete listing Thank you to Suzanne Richardson for making
of contest rules and regulations and to download entry forms. sure our children smiled for their school pictures!
All submissions become property of River of Words and will Thank you to Kendall Millsap for delivering the
not be returned to students. Deadline for submission is field trip shirts to the classes! They will look
October 14. Beginning Wednesday, October 12 submissions great on their field trips! A big thank you to
can be placed in a box in the teacher workroom. In November, Amy Hurst on her hard work to get the
winners will be announced and an award ceremony will be directories printed!! Thank you to Christy
held. Questions? Please contact Erin Adrian or Christine Nelson for her work on securing Partners
Velezis, co-chairs. in Education (PIE) for our school, and for
honoring the top partners at the recent Vestavia
Chamber lunch. Thank you to Candi Forbes
and Terri Wavra on their hard work in the
teacher workroom! They have secured a LOT
of volunteers, it has been busy in there!! And
thank you to Cinnamon McCulley for her work
each month on this fabulous newsletter!
VHEW PTO Class Notes • Volume 14, Issue 3 • October 2011
Super Support for the 2011 Coupon Book Sale!
Thanks to the VHEW community for their support of the 2011 Coupon Book sale. We exceeded our fundraising goal
this year thanks to all of you! Our total sales will be nearly $16,000 and our school will receive half of that amount!!
Our top two sellers this year were Ben Goble and Conner Neilsen. Each of these students earned a $20 gift card!
Way to go guys!
VHEW Library/Media Center
Welcome Autumn! September was packed full of learning opportunities that were designed to engage library classes
in discussions and learning activities, involving information literacy skills and access to Destiny. We highlighted the
contributions of H.A. Rey, Tomie DePaola and Robert McCloskey to children’s literature. We honored Tomie Depaola’s
books, visited his website and read Baby Sister, Stregna Nona, and Art Lesson to library groups. West Way Week was
emphasized as we explored the meaning of courtesy, responsibility and respect. We continued our discussion of the
Dewey Decimal System with 2nd and 3rd grade. Students used the mobile lab to assist them in locating books in Destiny.
Multi-media materials, including flip charts, guided our students in understanding the organization of a library. Our students
had the opportunity to practice finding non-fiction books, using the Dewey Decimal System. Choosing the “just right
book” was emphasized with all grade levels.
Our students paid tribute to Patriot Day and Constitution Day. We read We the Kids and The Constitution. Library groups
examined the meaning of rules, good citizens, laws and unity. Students viewed a copy of the original constitution and the
signers in books and on the internet.
Johnny Appleseed (Melanie Elkins and Lani Meek) visited Kindergarten and First Grade on September 26. “Johnny
Appleseed” shared his travel experiences and the reasons for encouraging everyone to plant apples. They used multi-
media and music to share the life story of John Chapman.
Our school library is participating in the “Be a Champion and Read” project sponsored by the Alabama Education Association.
Our students are asked to read eight books to enter our school into this state-wide reading contest. The two winning
students (one for Alabama and one for Auburn) and two guests each will receive free tickets to the Iron Bowl. They will be
guests in the athletic hospitality room and visit the field during the
pre-game activities. For additional information, contest rules and
downloadable forms, visit www.myaea.org/BeAChampion.html.
Library Notes to Our Parents: We encourage you to visit our school
media center during the year! Your child will need reminders about
returning library materials. If your child chooses a book that is too
difficult, this could be a great choice for reading together.
Remember: Reading aloud to your child
is valuable at any grade level!
It’s a Read In! On October 6, we will read
Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney.
October Events October Author Birthdays
International Dinosaur Month David Shannon – October 5
National Pizza Month R.L. Stine – October 8
Computer Learning Month James Marshall – October 9
Fire Prevention Week – October 2-8 Dan Gutman – October 19
Read for the Record – October 6 Steven Kellogg – October 26
Halloween – October 31
VHEW PTO Class Notes • Volume 14, Issue 3 • October 2011
Fund the Future –
Move Forward
or Fall Behind
The Vestavia Hills School System is considered
to be one of the tops in the state of Alabama
and the Nation. In order to maintain this status,
the Vestavia Hills City Schools Foundation is
needed more than ever to help Fund the Future.
Without adequate funding to move forward, the
school system is threatened with falling behind.
There has always been a struggle to get adequate education funding from Rebelette Rally 2011:
the State of Alabama and this year will be no different. It is expected the
state will be prorating the schools budget between 3-4% this year, which Dance with the Rebelettes!
means additional cuts of $780,000+. Since 2009 funding from the State of
Join the Vestavia Hills High School Rebelettes for
Alabama to the Vestavia Hills school system has been reduced/prorated
a day of dance and receive a Rebelette Rally T-shirt!
over $5.7 million. You may ask, “How does that affect my student?” Well,
it affects them in several ways: When? Saturday, November 19, 2011;
• rofessional Development/Teacher Training funding has been eliminated
P 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
C
• lassroom sizes have increased
Where? Vestavia Hills High School Gym
D
• elayed replacement of existing technology equipment
S
• ystem is forced to spend more “local money” on textbooks Who is invited? Students in 2nd through 8th grades.
L
• oss of part-time tutors at the school Dancers will be divided into grade level groups for
L
• ibraries have received no funds for new library books for three years the dances.
The Vestavia Hills City Schools Foundation was created as an alternative What is the cost? $45 payable to VHHS, price includes
means of funding for critical academic needs of the school system. Needs a full day of dance and a Rebelette Rally T-shirt.
that help our schools attain and maintain the status of being tops in the
state. The Foundation focuses on funding three categories: Technology – What will you learn? Two dance team dances and
improvements and upgrades; Professional Development – training for the Rebel fight song!
teachers; and Classroom Enhancements – items that can be used by
numerous students and can be used for many years to come. All of these The deadline for registration is Friday, November 11.
items have been greatly impacted reduced or eliminated due to proration. For additional details including schedule and registration
Proudly, the Foundation has given over $477,000 to ALL eight schools since form, please visit http://teachers.vestavia.k12.al.us/
its inception in 1996. lenhartfc/vhhs/Rebelette_Dance_Teams.html and
click on 2011 Rebelette Rally.
With your help, you can help keep our school system from Falling Behind.
You don’t have to be rich or famous to make a difference. In fact, we want
you to know that your donations, large or small, help the Foundation fulfill
its mission to provide perpetual financial support to each of our schools
and to protect and foster the standard of academic excellence in our
school system.
Please visit our website www.vestaviafoundation.org and MAKE A
PLEDGE TODAY or contact Ashley Thompson, Executive Director,
director@vestaviafoundation.org for more information.
Save the Date
The 6th Annual Dinner, Diamonds and Destinations will
be held Saturday, February 25, 2012. You won’t want to
miss this big event! More details coming soon.
VHEW PTO Class Notes • Volume 14, Issue 3 • October 2011
VHEW October Menu
Vestavia Hills Elementary West – October 2011 Lunch
Monday
Monday Tuesday
Tuesday Wednesday
Wednesday Thursday
Thursday Friday
Friday
3 4 5 6 7
Chicken Florentine Tacos w/Chips Breakfast for Lunch Chicken Fingers Pizza
Fresh Squash Chicken Fajitas Scrambled Eggs Meatloaf Sandwich of the Day
Brown Rice Spanish Rice Sausage Pattie Macaroni and Cheese Sun Chips
Tossed Romaine Salad Mexican Beans Oatmeal Spinach Supreme Steamed Broccoli
Whole Grain Rolls Tom/Lettuce/Sour Cinnamon Apples Veggie Dippers
Cream/Cheese/Salsa Biscuits
Whole Wheat Rolls Tossed Romaine Salad
“Child Health Day”
10 11 12 13 14
Crispitos Spaghetti with Meat sauce Breakfast for Lunch
No School No School Spanish Rice Breaded Chicken Sandwich Scrambled Eggs
Mexican Beans Green Beans Sausage Patties
Steamed Corn Cinnamon Apples Hash browns
Salsa/Sour Cream/Lett/Tom Tossed Romaine Salad Grits
Whole Wheat Breadstick Biscuits
17 18 19 20 21
Hamburger Steak Tacos with Chips Hotdog Chicken Tenders Pizza
Grilled Chicken Sandwich Chicken Quesadillas Fish Nuggets Brown Rice/Gravy Chicken Salad Sandwich
Green Peas Spanish Rice Baked Beans Succotash Steamed Broccoli
Mashed Potatoes/Gravy Steamed Corn Baked Potato Half Sweet Potato Casserole Seasoned New Potatoes
Carrot Soufflé Mexican Beans Coleslaw Whole Grain Rolls Tossed Salad
Whole Grain Rolls Salsa/Sour Cream/Lett/Tom
24 25 26 27 28
Chicken Tetrazzini Beef Tips Lasagna Chicken Nuggets Teriyaki Chicken
Hamburger Baked Herb Chicken Breaded Chicken Sandwich Macaroni and Cheese Fish Sandwich
Steamed Broccoli Brown Rice / Gravy Green Beans Okra and Tomatoes Brown Rice
Cinnamon Apples Green Peas Cinnamon Apples Sweet Potato Soufflé Stir Fry Veggies
Spinach Salad with Steamed Carrots Spinach Salad Cornbread Egg Rolls
Strawberries Whole Grain Rolls Whole Wheat Breadstick Whole Grain Rolls
Whole Grain Breadstick
31 Ernestine Wilson
Chili Milk & Fruit CNP Manger
Toasted Cheese Sandwich 205-402-5163
Hotdog offered daily Offered Daily:
Baked Potato Half
Assorted low fat milk, fresh fruit, salads
Coleslaw Menus are subject Menus subject to change
Cookie to change
In accordance with Federal Law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA Director, Office of Civil
West Thanks Its Partners in Education
Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington DC 20250-9410 or call (202)720-5964(voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
Partners In Education (PIE) is an excellent opportunity to support VHEW. There are many ways in which you can become a Partner — donate cash,
donate prizes to the carnival, sponsor a carnival classroom, donate items for the auction or in-kind services. The donation levels are: Bronze $250-$499,
Silver $500-$999, Gold $1000-$1499, and Platinum $1500 and above. Interested in becoming a Partner? Contact Christy Nelson at 979.3029 or
christycnelson@bellsouth.net.
Thank you to the following Partners In Education who have already committed to the 2011-2012 school year!
Platinum — Bruster’s Real Ice Cream; Daniel Hubbard; Jackson, Howard & Whatley; Lisa & Ken Maluff; Moe’s Original Bar B Que, LLC;
Publix Supermarkets; SOCA Clothing & SOCA Girl; Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church
Gold — Leon Loard Oil Portraits; Dr. Dominique Backus Orthodontics; Dr. Carl Walker Orthodontics; the Maddox family
Silver — Birmingham Barons Baseball Club; Clark Browne Orthodontics; Frio en La Paz; Kidz Closet & More;
Lisa Jones, Realty South; Saint Mark United Methodist Church; Walter Energy, Inc.; YMCA Camp Cosby
Bronze — AJ Designs; Brookwood Dermatology, Dr. Jo Herzog & Dr. Donald Walters; Laura Merrill Interiors;
Learning Express of Trussville; Dionne & Shep Maners; Nabeel’s Café & Market; Pinnacle Bank; Reunitus, LLC;
Stephanie Steinmetz, DDS; www.GiftsfromAtoZebra.com
Vestavia Hills City Schools (VHCS) does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age, in its programs or activities. The following person has been
designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Debbie Hargrave, Title IX/Section 504 Coordinator; 1204 Montgomery Highway; Vestavia Hills, Alabama 35216;
Telephone: 205.402.5132 or 205.402.5124; Email: hargraveda@vestavia.k12.al.us. For further information regarding notice of non-discrimination, please call 1.800.421.3481 to obtain the
address and phone number of the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) enforcement office that serves this area.
VHEW PTO Class Notes • Volume 14, Issue 3 • October 2011