Show your Spirit!

Just in time for cooler weather and the Holiday season,  the Woolwich PTA is selling T-shirts, Sweatshirts and Sweatpants.

There are TWO ways to order:

As we have done in the past, we are taking PAPER ORDERS for Hooded sweatshirts and sweatpants: Paper order forms are at this link:  PAPER ORDER FOR HOODIES AND SWEATSOrders for paper orders are due Nov. 13

Hooded Sweatshirt Sample

Close Up of logo on front of Hoodie

Back of Hooded Sweatshirt

We are also trying something new and taking ONLINE ORDERS for LONG SLEEVED T's. If online ordering proves a success, we will expand offerings.  You can choose to have the online product shipped direct to you for $5, or the school for free (just give us a head's up if product is a surprise, otherwise we will deliver to the student).  Long-sleeved T on-line ordering link is here: link for LONG SLEEVED T's.

Online orders are due Nov. 1


Write us if you have any questions with the ordering and as always, we welcome feedback!

woolwichptc@yahoo.com

WCS PTA Spooktacular Dance to benefit Backpack Program

Mark your calendars;  the PTA's Spooktacular Dance is baaaaackk!  On Friday, October 30, 6:00-8:00pm.  This is a family-themed dance for PreK-5 students and at least one parent or adult chaperone!

Cost is $5.00 per family.

Our PTA Veep, Deb O, is going all-out for a fun-packed few hours of music, dancing and games!  Come dressed in costume to enter the Costume Contest (kids and parents too) - Bring your fabulous carved pumpkin as a contest entry in our "pumpkin patch".

Enjoy some snacks - enter the 50/50 raffle, have your fortune read and bring your camera to take advantage of the Photo Op booth!

But here's the best part, all of the proceeds will go toward support of the Woolwich Central Backpack Program!  

In it's 3rd year, the Backpack Program is lovingly looked after by our very own Nurse Sherwood.  Every Friday, students who may be food insecure are presented with a backpack filled with at least 5 non-perishable food items that will create at least one meal for the family.  Response has been overwhelmingly appreciative from those families in need and the program is discreet and confidential.

Each family attending the dance that donates a non-perishable food item will be entered into a drawing for a family movie night package!

Donation suggestions are: canned meats (tuna, chicken), pasta and sauces, dry cereal, oatmeal, canned fruits and vegetables, and peanut butter (always popular and always needed)

Many members have asked how they can help with the dance.  Here is the link to sign up for an activity or task.  Can't come to the dance? Donate a healthy baked good or snack for the snack table (all snacks will be complimentary) CLICK HERE TO VOLUNTEER

Being involved with the PTA need-not require lots of time.  It's often the little details (run an errand, donate a snack, website advice, maybe even just some muscle for event setup) that make the world of difference in the success of something we do!

If anyone has further questions or suggestions, email any time at woolwichptc@yahoo.com.  It's going to be a fantastic night!

PTA Minutes of September 10

Meeting Minutes-Woolwich PTA

September 10,2015                                                                                              Meeting called to order-6:04P

In attendance-Melissa, Lorna, Lacey, Debbie, Danielle,Beth J, Beth H, Sarah, Mona, Amy, Leslie, Stacey, Kristen.

Meet & Greet-Attendees introduced themselves.  Lorna gave a brief overview of what the PTA does. 

Large % of funding for school field trips.

Offer support to for school- school picture helpers, eat the rainbow veggie prep and delivery for Wellness, Grandparents day greeters and lunch prep,  coffee for awards and school functions, presentations at parent info nights. Close buy, Box Tops, Labels for Education, spirit wear and Cyber Awareness.

Upcoming events-

 Book fair will begin September 17th to coincide with open house. 

 Close Buy - Our first fundraiser begins September 11.  Gina picked up catalogs for us in Falmouth (huge help and great example of a way to volunteer if meetings are too hard to attend) Lorna to get product samples week of 9/21. Orders due October 1; online through October 4.

 Deb has put in a request with Mr. Libby to use the gymnasium on October 30th for our Pre K-5 Halloween Dance. Upon his approval, Deb will let us know what she needs for volunteers and any funding.

Box Tops- Stacey has $956.80 to redeem from last year and is planning a fall racecar visit because of its popularity with students.  Local drivers are eager to help in the community and show off their cars to students.

Spirit Wear-We will plan to do 3 drives this school year.  Discussed possibility of having some inventory to display for Shop Till You Drop Craft Fair and (depending on Mr. Finnimore's turn around time) have order forms for holiday logo wear ordering.

Cyber Awareness Night- The PTA plans to host another cyber awareness night for parents this fall.  The feedback was that the State Police power point was well done, but was a bit too scary and intense for parents; the rest was well received.  This will be timed with the MLTI parent info night.

Funding Requests

Mrs. Luchies-Funding for author visit (Poet-Paul Janeczko) $700.  Mrs. Luchies would also like $300 for books for her 8th grade boy’s book club.

Bay Day-The 4th grade teachers would like $210.00 to cover the transportation cost to Bowdoinham for the Friends of Merrymeeting Bay program.

Rocky Ridge Orchards- $150.00 for transportation for Kindergarten students.

Chewonki Bug Mobile-Grade 2 requesting $305 for this visit.

5th & 6th Grade Math Team-Judy Mansfield would like $350 for registration for 4 math meets in Portland.

7th & 8th Grade Math Team-Mr. Huston is requesting $250 for registration for the math team meet for those grades.

Motion to approve ALL funding requests heard.   Motion seconded. VOTE-APPROVED

Child Care for PTA Meetings- Mrs. Fisher arranged for two 7th grade students to provide childcare for children of attendees of the PTA meeting.  They will receive points towards their WCS letters. Motion to approve giving up to two sitters per meeting $25 scholastic dollars each.  VOTE-APPROVED

*When Dena returns from vacation we will confirm our Scholastic dollar balance and vote by proxy on giving each teacher either $25 or $50 to be used at the book fair.

Treasurers Report

Stacey reported an account balance of;XXXXXXXX

Insurance cost is $35 for the upcoming year

Member dues will be $4.75 each.

Labels for Education-Stacey reported that we have points to redeem.  Mrs. Harrington is not in need of anything at this time.  Stacey will redeem our points for a pre-paid visa card that the PTA can use towards school needs.

Amazon Smile- The PTA is now signed up.   If you sign up for Amazon Smile you earn 1/2 cent for WCS for every dollar you spend.

Target Red Card-Families using Target Red Cards can sign up to support WCS.  1% of purchases go to the school.

Clynk- We are now signed up for Clynk.  Upon Signing up we received 10 bags and tags at no charge. When the bags are full of returnable bottles, the bag can be returned to the bottle area at Hannaford supermarkets. The bar code needs to be scanned when you drop off your bag.  Stacey pointed out that it could be a conflict with the DC bottle shed donations.  This was discussed and Lorna hopes that this fundraiser will not put much if any dent in that; as it is for those that go to Hannaford and those who do not are unlikely to make the trip specially for bottles when the ease of dropping them at school is there.  All agreed PTA should stay away from a specific bottle-drive type fundraiser in order to respect the collection at school. Danielle suggested that we get 100 bags ($15) for open house.  The bags can be pre-tagged before hand to ensure we get credit for the bottles.  Kristen will purchase the bags ($50 previously approved for this program via e-mail) and make a sign for the PTA table at open house.

Meeting Adjourned-7:15PM

Here, Kitty, Kitty

 

A little school shopping confession: I paid $15 for a water bottle.  Dead serious.  It’s a sip and mist contraption and I hope the woman at Olympia got a commission because she had me at “the water bottle will be 20% off with your coupon”. Well timed on the heels of my son saying “pleeeeeeese? It’s so cooooool…”

Once home, I began to regret the decision when I watched him misting the cat. (which he does more to taunt his sister, than the cat) Not to mention it’s certain calamity for the cafeteria.  Right up there with those squeezie fruits with helicopter-prop covers.

But with school shopping comes the trends and perhaps I can seek some solace knowing it will likely end up in Lost and Found with the Ugg boots and lunchboxes.

No need to make this first blog a lengthy one knowing you are all busy with your own last minute school prep: but here are some things to feature that may be helpful:

-Picture day is September 10

-September 10 is also our first PTA meeting – right at WCS – 6:00pm.  THIS MEETING WILL FOCUS ON A MEET AND GREET, AND WHO WE ARE.  ALL ARE WELCOME!

-WCS Open House is scheduled for September 17, 5:30 to 7:00.

-The PTA will be sponsoring the 2^nd Close Buy Fundraiser with orders due by October 1.  Online and catalog shopping are both available. Look for catalogs in the next week or so.  Meanwhile, for some armchair shopping, here is a sneak-peek for 2015! 2015 Close Buy Peek

-We are also working on another Cyber Safety info night for parents which will coordinate with assignment of the I pads through the MLTI program.

Also an exciting new way to fundraise!: AND IT'S EASY

Do you shop Amazon?  Now you can easily have .5% of your purchases donated to Woolwich Central!  Follow this link – Amazon Smile

In closing, for those who may not know, three of our members took on The Big Mountain Challenge last month!  BRAVO! to Deb, Lanie and Sarah!

On behalf of all of us in the PTA, we wish you a seamless transition to school, and AS ALWAYS reach out to us at Woolwichptc@yahoo.com!

Summer -'s Here!

The breeze is blowing the chimes in my office, as I listen to the kids outside on their bikes.  I'm feeling I can officially claim it's summer!  What is your most telling summer experience of late?

Celebrity sighting! Mrs. Lane and Mrs. Pols at Patten Free Libary last week

It's been a joy looking at every one's Facebook posts - beaches and hiking and baseball games.  And here we are, approaching August! Proof time flies when having fun.

Though school is not in session,  the PTA is still idling away.  Fundraising companies began courting us the minute the year ended and are looking for contracts.   So,  I've been looking over sales history to provide to our Board.  Deanna has set dates for the first Book fair and is working on a questionnaire seeking feedback and ideas. Our secretary, Kristen, has been looking into ways for more "passive" fundraising (through partnerships with retailers and other businesses) and we are all brainstorming on a membership campaign.  We have closed the books (our fiscal year ended June 30) and are transitioning the records to our new Treasurer, Stacy C!   Deb, Lanie and others will be shopping for Teacher Supplies in August.  (after Deb, Lanie and Sarah decimate the Sunday River Tough Mountain Challenge on July 25! - go get'em ladies!)

I'll keep this blog brief, but wanted to give a shout from summer-land and say "We are still here!" Feel free to contact us at any time.  In fact, just this morning I happily responded to an email from a new parent of a PreK student who was looking for ways to be involved this year.  We love to hear from you - new parent, grandparent or otherwise!

Enjoy!
Lorna Ryan, President