December Firebird Footnotes

December 2011


	December Calendar
	Lunch Menu


Upcoming Events
Now – Dec 13 Open Enrollment Application Period for TUSD Nov 8 General PTA Meeting, 9:00 AM Nov 10 Fall Picture Retakes Nov 11 No School-Veterans' Day Nov 24-25 No School-Thanksgiving Break Nov 28-Dec 1 Classroom Spelling Bees: Grades 3-5 Nov 29-Dec 2 Scholastic Book Fair
PTA Board Members
President Becca Keables rkeables@gmail.com Vice President Cathy Rosen cathjr@earthlink.net Treasurer Yvonne Phelan azmom3@gmail.com Secretary Tina Rustand terustand@msn.com Membership Chair/ Volunteer Coordinator Dani Ryan dbryanaz@gmail.com Fundraising Chair MaryLynn St.Germaine indenyl@hotmail.com Communication Chair Jen Darland jendarland@cox.net

Inside this month's Footnotes!
	Letter to families from Principal John Heidel

Fruchthendler's News		Feature Articles
	Families Helping Families: Donations due by December 6		Time is running out for you to participate in the 2011 Arizona Tax Credit Program!
	News from the Book Fair!		PTA’s $1-a-Day Family Pledge Update: We still have a long way to go…get your pledge in today!
	Fruchthendler Holiday Bazaar Saturday, Dec. 10, 10 AM to 2 PM		Family Fun Nights Are Back
	Helping UNICEF at FCC Bake Sale Saturday, Dec. 10		Fruchthendler is a Ben’s Bells “Kind Kids” School
	Science Fair is just around the corner!
	Learn How Your Holiday Shopping can Benefit Fruchthendler
	School Directory Update
	Donations for the TUSD Clothing Bank welcome!
Letter to families from Principal John Heidel: Fruchthendler shines bright this time of year!
Dear Fruchthendler Families, December brings about the season of giving and Fruchthendler Elementary School is remarkable in this area. With the Families Helping Families, our students become aware of the needs of others in the Tucson community. Our students have also made placemats and centerpieces for the Salvation Army’s Thanksgiving dinner and plan to contribute the same for Christmas dinners. Fruchthendler Families, you are the best! I know your support is greatly appreciated throughout the Tucson Community. Remember to make your Tax Credit donation. You may write a check ($400 for couples and $200 for individuals) to Fruchthendler Elementary School before 12/31/11 or go on line at http://www.tusd.k12.az.us/ and follow the Quick Links to “AZ TAX Credit.” You receive a dollar for dollar credit on your state income tax with your receipt. IT COSTS YOU NOTHING! Please encourage your family and friends who live in Arizona to consider sending their tax credit to Fruchthendler. It is an easy way to provide our students with curriculum enrichment activities not provided by the district. Please be sure to make after-school arrangements with your children before they come to school. Students are not generally permitted to call home to see if they can arrange after- school plans once they are at school. The office staff is happy to take messages regarding emergencies or last-minute changes but it becomes hectic getting messages out the last few minutes of school. On another note, students that are not picked up after school are taken to the front office until parents arrive. We always place your student’s safety first. Reminders: Due to safety issues, younger pre-school siblings are not allowed on the playground during lunchtime. Be sure to sign-in when visiting or volunteering. As I walk the halls I enjoy viewing the students’ work displayed. It showcases our students’ artistic ability. OMA activities are also displayed and show the students’ involvement and understanding of incorporating the fine arts into the curriculum. First semester was full of activities and hard work. A BIG THANK YOU to all the parents and volunteers who helped to assist in these activities: PTA Officers and Committees, Room Parents, Parents on Patrol, Book Fair, Reading Seeds, Art Enrichment Parents, daily parent volunteers that assist in the classrooms, those parents that volunteer to fill in when we need a monitor or crossing guard, Field Trip Parent Drivers, and Families Helping Families. I want to thank all of you for helping to make Fruchthendler the Excelling School it is. I wish you all a joyous holiday season and a prosperous 2012! Cordially, John Heidel, Principal
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Fruchthendler News Briefs
Families Helping Families: Donations due by December 6
It's that time of year again! We have assigned families to each class and most of the classrooms have festively decorated boxes by their doors in the hallway. We have also posted the families outside each class, just in case you did not receive a list from your child. These boxes are already starting to get items put in them! Just as a reminder the families are in need of non perishable food items, gently used clothing and toys, and new, wrapped gifts. We appreciate anything you are able to donate. Click here for ideas. We will be sorting the donated items in the multipurpose room the morning of December 8th and delivering to the families on December 9th. Please have all donated items in the boxes no later than Tuesday, December 6th. It's so nice to see our Fruchthendler families helping other families, in need, within our school district. What a wonderful way to help our children understand this holiday season! Thank you and Seasons Greetings to All!!! Victoria Metzler and Brenda Moore, Families Helping Families Chairs
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News from the Book Fair!
Our Fall Scholastic Book Fair is full swing--November 28 thru December 2nd. Stop by and do your holiday shopping-- we have books for everybody on your list-- gorgeous picture books, the newest chapter books, time tested classics, cookbooks, and novels for adults. We are open from 8AM until 4 PM every day, and join us Thursday, December 1 for our Grand Event, staying open until 6PM so you can stop by after work. We'll have muffins from Mimi's and cookies from Sweet Tomatoes. This year Scholastic has a new feature-- an online book fair so parents and extended family can shop even if you can't attend the fair in our library. There is an expanded selection of books for preschoolers to adults. Books purchased will be shipped free to the school, and each purchase benefits Fruchthendler. The link for our fair is http://www.scholastic.com/schoolbookfairs/2877805 and it will be open now through December 15. We’ll see you at the Book Fair! Caroline Lambert, Book Fair Chair
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Fruchthendler Holiday Bazaar Saturday, December 10, 10 AM to 2 PM
Join local artisans and craftsmen and women, and a food truck or two, at the first annual Fruchthendler Holiday Bazaar Saturday, December 10th, 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Several local talented Fruchthendler friends and families will have a wide variety of treasures available, sure to brighten a special someone on your list.
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Help the FCC Help UNICEF Saturday, December 10, 10 AM to 2 PM
The Fruchthendler Community Council kids would like to let you know that we have been raising money for UNICEF. While we were trick –or-treating in our crazy costumes we asked people to donate. Some people were awesome enough to give ten dollars! After everyone brought in their donations the FCC board counted the money. We raised $180 dollars! That’s enough to buy 1 school-in-a-box! That can teach 60 kids! We would also like to invite you to come to Fruchthendler on Saturday, December 10th from 10am - 2pm for a delicious bake sale. Hope to see you there! Ashton St.Germaine, Secretary & Alex Nocella, Treasurer, Fruchthendler Community Council
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It isn’t too early to start planning for the 2012 Science Fair!
The Science Fair is just around the corner and the Winter Break is a perfect time to start planning those projects! For tips and guidelines, visit http://edweb.tusd.k12.az.us/fruchthendler/enrichment/science.html. Registration forms will be going home in the next few weeks and are due Friday, January 27 by the end of the school day. Projects will be due Monday, February 27, and the award ceremony will be held on the evening of Tuesday, February 28. If you would like to volunteer to help with this year’s science fair, please contact Science Fair Chair, Missy Root at randmroot@gmail.com. Missy Root, Science Fair Chair
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Learn How Your Holiday Shopping can Benefit Fruchthendler
Shopping online this year to avoid long lines and crabby crowds? Whether you’re shopping to fill stockings for loved ones, bring a little extra magic on Chanukah, or just want to fluff your winter nests with some cozy finds, shopping from the helpful links below will stretch your hard-earned dollars even farther by bringing cash back to our school! Amazon Type in: http://www.amazon.com/?$tag=fruchthendler-20 BEFORE you start shopping and a percentage of your purchases will come back to our school! Ebates Join Ebates for free at www.ebates.com for the best price online from all of your favorite stores! Plus Fruchthendler can earn up to 25% cash back when you shop some of your favorite stores/brands on Ebates! When asked where you want “your big fat check” sent to, please enter: Fruchthendler PTA 7470 East Cloud Road Tucson, AZ 857501 And don’t forget to use your Target REDcard! So far there are 36 REDcards registered with Target that benefit Fruchthendler. If you haven’t yet, please register your card today! Don’t have a REDcard? Visit your local Target for more information on the “Take Charge of Education” program, or visit: https://sites.target.com/site/en/corporate/page.jsp?contendId=PRD03-005174. Deb Evans, Special Fundraisers Chair
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School Directory Update
Please accept our apologies for the significant delay in getting your 2011-2012 School Directory out to our Fruchthendler families. The various technical difficulties have been resolved and we expect to send your family’s directory home with your child in the next week. Thank you for your patience! Dani Ryan, PTA Membership/Volunteer Coordinator/Directory Chair
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Donations for the TUSD Clothing Bank Welcome!
The TUSD Clothing Bank is experiencing a shortage in donations. Clothes and shoes of all sizes will be welcomed by needy TUSD families. Please leave your donations in or by the red clothing bank donations box, which is located in the Fruchthendler entry hall, outside the office. There is no deadline. Used clothing is always welcome in the Fruchthendler health office as well. Thank you! Jeanne Dunbar, Health Assistant
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Feature Articles
Time is running out for you to participate in the 2011 Arizona Tax Credit Program!
Don’t put it off and forget to make your donation. Tax credit donations are ESSENTIAL for the funding of the programs your kids love – PE / MUSIC / ART / SPANISH / ETC. This program is NOT a charitable donation. You receive the money back when you file your state income taxes for 2011. It is a dollar for dollar tax credit that allows you to direct your state taxes to our school. State law allows you to get a tax credit for up to $200 for single filers, and $400 for married filers. Private school donations are a separate tax credit item, so you can contribute to both if you wish. Just about the only reason that you would not be able to take advantage of the public school tax credit is not being an AZ State tax payer. The DEADLINE IS DECEMBER 31, 2011 for on-line donations. Checks may be dropped off at the school office until December 16th, or mailed to Fruchthendler with a postmark date through December 31st. We need to raise over $85,000 this year in order to continue all of the programs that are now offered to our kids. To date, less than $6,000 has been donated. Please spread the word to family, friends and colleagues. Anyone who pays Arizona state taxes can directly help support education. For more information on the program, or how to contribute, please go to: http://www.tusd.k12.az.us/ and follow the Quick Links to “AZ Tax Credit”. Susanne Sutherland, Tax Credit Chair
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PTA’s $1-a-Day Family Pledge Campaign Update: We have a long way left to go…get your pledge in today!
Thank you to all of our Fruchthendler families who have already turned in their $1-a-Day pledges! We have raised $28,160 toward our goal of $54,000! But we still have a long way to go. THIS IS NOT THE SAME AS YOUR TAX CREDIT CONTRIBUTION. It is a line in the budget that we must meet in order to provide vital educational programs and safety services that benefit all of our students such as: Library tech Technology Playground monitors Substitute teachers Classroom and teaching supplies Professional development These areas are not paid for by the state or by our school district. The funds raised from the $1-a-Day Family Pledge Campaign will benefit 100% of our students. That’s why we need 100% participation from our families. Extended family members can also make a tax-deductible pledge in addition to your own pledge or on your behalf. Additionally, we are happy to set up a payment plan for those who would prefer to break their pledge into monthly or quarterly installments. If you’ve been waiting to make your pledge, please don’t wait any longer! Please submit your family’s pledge today! For more information on the $1-a-Day Family Pledge Campaign and/or to set up payment plans, please contact Fundraising Chair, MaryLynn St.Germaine at 349-8694 or email her at indenyl@hotmail.com. And thank you again for helping to keep Fruchthendler…Fruchthendler. For more information on the $1-a-Day Family Pledge Campaign and/or to set up payment plans, please contact Fundraising Chair, MaryLynn St.Germaine at 349-8694 or email her at indenyl@hotmail.com. And thank you again for helping to keep Fruchthendler…Fruchthendler.
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Family Fun Nights Are Back!
Do you want to do something fun? Do you want to hang out with other Fruchthendler Families while doing something fun? Then Family Fun Nights are for you! During the months of January through May, 2012, we will have five nights just for our families to come to our school and enjoy an evening out. Save the date: Our first Family Fun Night of 2012, A Star Party, will be held on January 27, 2012 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. The Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association will bring out their really cool telescopes and guide us through the night skies. And look for more information coming soon on these fun-filled nights: February: Chili Cook-Off & Rodeo Round Up March: Mad Science April: Marvelous Math Games May: Family Movie Night Debbie Brooks, Family Fun Nights Coordinator
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Fruchthendler is a Ben’s Bells “Kind Kids” School!
Fruchthendler is participating in the Ben’s Bells “Kind Kids” School Program! Ben’s Bells is a kindness-based community art studio/project started in Tucson after a family experienced the devastating loss of their three-year-old son, Ben. Through art and the various intentional and often random acts of kindness, Ben’s family was able to embrace the mission of promoting the importance of random acts of kindness. The “Kind Kids” School Program is a “new and innovative outreach program to schools which serves to educate and inspire children to recognize the importance of kindness and empowers them to create a culture of kindness in their school and beyond.” [Ben’s Bells: http://www.bensbells.org/KindKids/] We’re kicking off our school’s participation by introducing the students to the Kids’ Kindness Contract, a simple yet meaningful promise to remember to be kind citizens at our school, in our homes, and in our community, whenever possible, even when it isn’t easy. In the next few weeks, presentations and/or materials will be made available to classrooms, including information on how students can nominate various faculty and staff for a monthly Mini-Bell Award. We are excited to have this program at our school! For more information on Ben’s Bells, please visit www.bensbells.org.
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7470 E. Cloud Rd. ~ Tucson, Arizona 85750 ~ Phone: 520-731-4400 ~ Fax: 520-731-4401
Fruchthendler Elementary School ~ Tucson Unified School District
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