Westchase Kindergarten Round Up Jan. 19
Happy New Year, Wizards! We hope your holidays were wonderful!
The Westchase Elementary PTA would like to thank everyone for making the giving tree a huge success this year. Because of your generous donations, we were able to make the holidays a little bit brighter for the less privileged families and children who attend our school.
A special shout out goes to the ladies in the front office and to Mrs. Romero for all her hard work organizing the families and gifts. We would like to extend an extra special thanks to Kendra Drake, who returned to Westchase Elementary to help with the Giving Tree. We also thank WOW for providing holiday dinners for all of the 15 families. We live in a wonderful community!
Please join us for Kindergarten Round Up! This is the chance for your upcoming kindergartener and you to take a tour of the school and learn about the requirements for school registration. The event will be held on Thursday, Jan.19, at 8:30 a.m. in the multipurpose room. Look for more information on the PTA Web site (www.westchasepta.org).
What happens in Vegas…is coming to Westchase on Saturday, Feb. 25. Westchase Elementary School PTA is hosting a Casino Nite to Remember – Viva Las Westchase at the Bayanihan Arts and Event Center.
Experience the thrill of playing casino games like black jack, roulette, craps, Texas Hold’ Em and poker in a fun atmosphere. Guests will have the chance to be the night's big winner without any unpleasant side effects – like actually losing all of your money. “Casino Nite is the biggest fundraiser of the year for our school,” said event chair M.J. Kramer. “The money we raise will help us to enhance computer technology in our school.”
In the past, this event has funded shade structures for our playgrounds and computers for our classrooms.
The event will also feature A Taste of Westchase, with food from local restaurants as well as silent and live auctions. The silent auction will include gift baskets and art projects prepared by each homeroom. Some of the live auction items include Principal for a Day, Assistant Principal for a Day and Administrative Resource Teacher for a Day.
Tickets for Casino Nite to Remember – Viva Las Westchase will go on sale Jan. 3. Please visit the PTA Web site for more information at www.westchasepta.org. Casino Nite to Remember – Viva Las Westchase is sponsored by Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach, directNIC.com, and Pamela F. Patterson, State Farm Insurance.
If you would like to provide a sponsorship and/or a donation to this event, please contact Carolyn Reynolds at 334-8869 or e-mail M.J. Kramer at westchase.waysmeans@gmail.org.
Remember that every Monday the students are released early at 1:15 p.m. Also, there is no school on Jan. 16 and Jan. 17.
Here’s hoping that 2012 is our best year yet!
By Tracey Dean
Westchase Elementary Giving Tree Needs Generous Hands
While Westchase Elementary is located in an affluent community, some Wizards won’t have a holiday without your help. Please check out the giving tree located in the school’s front office. If you would like to help a needy child this holiday season, please take a star off the tree and include him or her in your holiday shopping. Each of the stars contains a wish made by an underprivileged student at the school. Last December, a significant number of stars were left unclaimed. With your help, this year we can ensure all of our Wizards have a happy holiday.
Congratulations to Nicholas Connor for creating the winning design for the fifth grade class T-shirt! The challenge was to create a T-shirt image that incorporated this year's fifth grade-theme, “The Golden Ticket is the Key to Middle School.” An amazing total of 37 budding artists submitted their creations and all fifth graders selected the winner. The shirts were delivered to the students early last month and they are “just the ticket” to wear proudly for the rest of this year.
We have so many creative students at Westchase Elementary that we are turning in 26 entries to the county-wide Reflections competition. Each of the entries display unique examples of “Diversity means...,” the theme for this year's competition. We thank our judges, Mrs. McGuiness from Walker Middle School, Joose Hadley from Great Art & Frame Gallery, and Pamela Roehm. We also appreciate all our students who participated in the Reflections program. We can't wait to find out what next year's theme will be and see the many outstanding pieces that our Wizards will create! We especially thank this year's Reflections chairperson, Andrea Duffey, for all of her hard work.
Picture Make-Up Day is scheduled for Dec. 2. Please look for your child's teacher to send home more information. Your child has worked hard all semester on his or her science fair project! Come celebrate its completion and view all of the other great projects the evening of Dec. 14.
In November Westchase Elementary had another fabulous fall festival, whose success was due to its dedicated volunteers and donors. We thank all the room moms, volunteers and teachers who helped make festival a great undertaking again this year! We offer our extra huge thanks to Nancy Gerovac for all of the time, effort and dedication she put into being the fall festival chairperson. It would not have happened without you, Nancy!
We had outstanding attendance and a crisp, fall day to enjoy the hay ride, inflatables, karaoke, freaky hair spray, pirates cave and all the great games and food. Uncle Ed's chili took home bragging rights for the second year in a row. We also thank the PTA, Dads’ Club, Chick-fil-A and San’s Pizza for their generous donations to festival.
We also thank Tom Brennan, who put on our Veterans Day Program this year. The students were treated to performances by the Westchase Chorus. All the veterans in attendance felt very appreciated. Thanks also to all those who participated in the Great American Teach In. The students enjoyed learning all about you!
Yearbooks are on sale now! Guarantee your student's copy at the end of the year. Buy today before the price goes up on Dec. 16. The first 400 students who order their yearbook online will receive a slap band. Go to the PTA Web site, www.westchasepta.org, and click on the link. You will receive an e-mail confirmation. Also, don't forget to send your special Wizard a dedication in the yearbook. Forms can be found on the PTA web site. Please send photos or questions to westchase.yearbook@gmail.com.
Spread the word! Kindergarten Round-up has been scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 19, at 8:30 a.m. in the multipurpose room. This is your opportunity to bring your incoming kindergarten student to school for a tour and an overview of our program.
Save the date of Saturday, Feb. 25, for the Fourth Annual Casino Night. We need help planning this year's event! Visit the PTA Web site or contact your Ways and Means Co-Chairs, M.J. Kramer, Time Swartos or Carolyn Reynolds, through westchase.waysmeans@gmail.com. If you would like to provide a sponsorship and/or donation for the event, please contact Carolyn Reynolds at westchase.waysmeans@gamil.com or fill out a form from the PTA Web site and mail it in today.
Every Monday is an early release day with dismissal at 1:15 p.m. Winter break begins on Monday, Dec. 19, and students return to school on Monday, Jan. 2.
Last, we are so happy and proud of our very own Mrs. Mooy, who was chosen to be the new principal at Tinker Elementary School. We were fortunate to have such a caring, motivated, hands-on assistant principal for six years at Westchase Elementary. We truly love her and wish her the best with life's next adventure!
We wish everyone a happy and safe holiday!
By Tracey Dean, PTA Corresponding Secretary
Westchase Calendar Filled with Events
The Wizard school year is off to great start! Our much awaited new parking lot is finally complete and it has alleviated much of our parking problems. Please remember, however, that the new parking lot is not part of the pick-up/drop-off loop. We ask that you pull into a parking spot before letting your child leave your vehicle.
October is going to be a fun, busy month, so get your calendars out and get ready to save lots of dates!
Westchase Elementary is again participating in National Walk to School Day to help encourage safe and healthy habits in our students. This year the walk will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 5. It will begin at the corner of Gretna Green Drive and Kingsbridge Avenue and will continue to Westchase Drive at 7:15 a.m. It will end at the Westchase Recreation Center with refreshments; the first 200 students there receive a reflective bag stuffed with goodies.
Get out your favorite shirt and put on your best smile because school pictures will be taken on Oct. 6 for Grades K-2 and Oct.7 for Grades 3-5.
Wizards are invited to unleash their talent and creativity in a fun and positive way. This year's theme for the Reflections art program is “Diversity Means...” All entries must be the original work of an individual student. Check out www.westchasepta.org for entry forms, rules and more information.
Oct. 20 is the end of the first marking period and Parent Conference Night. Your child's teacher will contact you about scheduling a conference. Report cards go home on Nov. 4. Also, Oct. 21 is a non-student day, so plan accordingly.
Red Ribbon week is scheduled for Oct. 24-28. More information on this anti-drug awareness event will be sent home with your child.
The annual Character Storybook Parade will be held on Friday, Oct. 28. Make sure you mark your calendars to be at school by 8:30 a.m. to watch the procession from the courtyard.
Congratulations to Dane Kudla, who submitted the winning entry for the fifth grade theme contest. His winning entry is “The Golden Ticket is the Key to Middle School.” The fifth grade steering committee will focus on a Willy Wonka-type theme. Thanks to all of those who supported the fifth grade class through the Entertainment Book drive. If you have not already done so, please return any unwanted books.
The Ways and Means committee would like to thank everyone who bought this year's orange Community Discount Card. This card offers year-round discounts to local businesses. The card costs $10 and the proceeds go to the school and the PTA. If you do not already have yours, you can still purchase them in the school’s front office or contact M.J. Kramer at bkramer287@verizon.net.
Our fall fundraiser, Sally Foster wrapping paper and gifts, will run Oct. 4-20. This year's orders will be shipped to your homes. What a great way to get ready for the busy holiday season!
Our Box Top drive continues until Oct. 13. Last year, our school raised over $3,000 through this program. Turn in any box tops you have collected in a sealed plastic bag with your child's name, teacher and grade written on a piece of paper. One entry will be entered into our weekly drawings for every ten box tops submitted. This year's grand prize will be your choice of an iPod shuffle or $50 iTunes gift card. Please contact Stacy Shasek with any questions at stacyshasek@gmail.com.
It's time for another great year of school memories. Take photos of your kids, friends and teachers and e-mail your best photos to westchase.yearbook@gmail.com or send them on a CD to your child's teacher. Photos must be taken at school or during a school-related event. To order a yearbook, go www.westchasepta.org.
Have a fun, safe October!
By Tracy Dean, PTA Corresponding Secretary
Westchase Calendar Filled with Events
Our new school year begins with a lot of September activities.
We hope that you will please take a moment to join the PTA, which is a great way to get involved in your child's education. Membership is $6 per person and funds are used to improve our school. Grandparents are encouraged to join also. This year's first PTA general meeting, during which we will vote on our budget, will be on Thursday, Sept. 1, at 7 p.m. in the multipurpose room.
Our Ways and Means Committee has been hard at work, organizing this year's fundraisers. The Community Discount Card allows local businesses to offer year-round discounts to the community, all for only $10 a card. Additionally, on Oct. 4 we are bringing back Sally Foster wrapping paper and gifts as our fall fundraiser. All proceeds go to the PTA and the school.
The Ways and Means Committee is also in the initial planning process of another Casino Night in the spring. We will be sure to keep you informed about what we’re planning and how you can be a part of it.
The fifth grade festivities, including their bowling party, field day, field trip, yearbook signing, awards ceremony and banquet, have always been something special. Our major fundraiser for these endeavors is our sale of the Entertainment Books, which kicks off on Sept. 7. This book offers great value as well as lots of coupons and discounts.
Our first fifth grade parent meeting will be held Thursday, Sept. 8, at 8:15 a.m. in the multipurpose room. Anyone interested in volunteering for the fifth grade activities is invited to attend. Please contact Nancy Gerovac at wishyouwerehere@tampabay.rr.com if you are interested in helping.
Friday, Sept. 9 is our annual Grandparents Read to Me Day. This special event allows students in Grades K-2 to invite their grandparents into their classroom to share a special story with their friends. Information will be sent home with your child.
The Parent/Staff Kickball Game is a fun, back-to-school event for the whole family! Join us on Sept. 30 at 6 p.m. at the Westchase Rec. Center. Visit www.westchasepta.org to sign up to play and to volunteer. Who will win this year? Come find out!
You can also still purchase your Westchase SpiritLine items by downloading the order form from www.westchasepta.org and sending it to school in an envelope marked “SpiritLine.”
Last, save the date for the Fall Festival on Friday, Nov. 4!
By Tracy Dean, PTA Corresponding Secretary