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November Meeting Recap

Minutes are available – but here’s a few highlights (make sure to check official minutes for full info):

  • Fundraising and finances:
    • Ann reported that there was a very large Scrip order placed – thank you to the purchaser of those gift cards! For the (impressive) exact amounts, check out the minutes!
    • Box tops have already raised $800 this year! The group discussed plans for end-of-year incentive for box tops. Sarah is exploring the option of the winning class selecting an animal to adopt through the Zoo’s Adopt-an-Animal program.
  • Fall book fair was a fantastic success – a huge thank you to Chair Caryn and all who volunteered to help make it happen! As of the meeting, $7217 in sales were already completed – and the final day brought in some additional sales.
    • An email to volunteers after the meeting confirmed – the total raised was over $8000, meaning around $4000 Scholastic dollars for our Eagles! Over $1000 of those Scholastic dollars went right to classrooms when the fair closed on Friday!
    • If you didn’t make it in for the fall fair, hopefully you can squeeze in a trip to the spring fair (likely April 4-12) – it is neat to see the new ‘breakout’ space/hall all set up with the books on display!
  • One School, One World  is the theme for this years’ curriculum enrichment. PTA will support bringing an African dance group to school, as well as potentially providing some games and books.
  • Spelling Bee is scheduled for Dec 18 from 2-3:30 in the cafetorium
  • MacCarnival is scheduled for Feb 22 (6-8:30pm) and prep has begun! Erin and Kari would welcome anyone interested in shadowing them as chairs, since they will only have MacArthur children for a couple of years. If you think you might be interested in coordinating in the future, this is a great opportunity to learn the ropes! There are chairs and volunteers that handle each area – but overall chairs coordinate everyone to ensure success – so there is a lot to learn! If you are interested, reach out to Erin or Kari!
  • The discussion on an annual initiatives continued…
    • Water-bottle filling stations were determined to be quite pricey and teachers indicated that students were doing fine with the bubblers currently in place
    • K-3 teachers (with rooms ‘untouched’ by all the renovations) identified some wishlist items including chairs and shelving – this option will be pursued for now!

 

Yearbook: Although not discussed at the meeting, your yearbook chairs for this year (Abi, Becca, and Mary) are still looking for a few slots to be filled for Classroom photo collectors! If you already plan to volunteer on field trips or in your child’s classroom, please consider helping ensure all classrooms have photos for the yearbook! And if you aren’t able to volunteer, but would be willing to reach out to other parents in your child’s room to help gather photos – that works too! Basically, you help gather and upload pictures to a dropbox. Easy-peasy.

Rooms that still need helpers are: 

  • Kindergarten: Cramer, Schrack and Schwarten
  • 2nd grade: Collins and Doedens
  • 4th grade: Brewer
  • 5th grade: ALL classes!
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Spelling B-E-E

All 3rd-5th  graders are invited to participate in the MacArthur Spelling Bee sponsored by the Scripps National Spelling Bee and our PTA.  We will hold practices during lunch recess (12:00-12:30) on three Tuesdays in November 13, 27/December 4 in the 4th/5th grade wing breakout space. Each practice will consist of fun ways to increase vocabulary, improve spelling, and develop correct grammar usage through mini spelling bees (friendly competition!).  All spelling levels are encouraged to attend and no experience is necessary! Students are welcome to join any or all practices …no sign up required.

 

On Tuesday, December 11 the official school Spelling Bee by grade will occur. Then those top students will compete for the School Championship (December 18, 2:00-3:30) in the cafetorium! The School Champion can advance to the Regional, State, and National competitions.

 

Adult Volunteers Needed If you can help on any or all Tuesdays, please email Caryn Pawlak at [email protected]  We are in need of judges, pronouncers, and general helpers during practices and the Bee (Younger siblings welcome and no experience necessary…we will train you!)

 

If you have any questions, please contact the Spelling Bee Coordinator: Caryn Pawlak ( [email protected])