Footnotes October 2008

 

Message from the President: Caring Days bring change, Fall Carnival, and More

Over one hundred Fruchthendler families shared a great evening at our annual Family Fun Nite. Thanks to everyone who helped out during the event.

As the Days of Caring began, you should see our school campus changing right before your very eyes. Immense appreciation to the United Way and their volunteers for their time and energy. The silent auction has officially begun online bidding, so be sure to get your access information and login to begin bidding on all those great items. The rest of the items will be available for viewing/bidding during our Fall Carnival which will be Friday, October 24, 5 – 9 p.m.  Volunteers are still needed, and look for information coming home as well as via email for easy sign up.

The Mean Green Spelling Machine words are out… and pledges are now being accepted. Everyone will be turning green, as we raise money for all the great programs
that Fruchthendler makes available to our children. On Wednesdays at lunch, Milers Club has started again, and it is great to see all those new and familiar faces as we get fit, visit with friends and earn charms for our key rings. Chess club is meeting on Wednesday mornings, and tournaments have begun. Go Firebirds!!!

SAVE and FCC are once again working hard for our school community. Be on the lookout as tax credit contribution information begins to be made available. If you are not sure that you understand the possibilities, please contact Susanne Sutherland, ssandms@comcast.net or Sandra Lueders, sandra.lueders@yahoo.com

Wednesday, October 8 is International Walk to School Day, so give your car the day off. Friday, October 10 is a grading day, and Parent Teacher conferences will be October 15-17, with only ½ school days. Our next PTA meeting will be Tues. October 21 at 6 p.m. (note evening time).

Group school pictures and retakes will be held on October 30. Thank you parents for all that you do for our school.

Marcy Briggs, PTA President 2008-09

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Letter to Fruchthendler Families from Principal John Heidel

Dear Fruchthendler Families,

I enjoyed seeing and meeting many of you at Family Fun Night. The food was great and the chance to visit and see new faces made for a perfect family evening. Special thanks go to all those parents who helped plan this activity. A great time was had by all.

September has been a busy month. As I visit the classrooms, I enjoy witnessing the learning taking place. As always, results of our high expectations are most visible. Students are actively involved in reading, writing and math activities. Classrooms are working towards their District Writing Assessments. (This includes developing expertise in the six writing traits: conventions [capitalization, punctuation, etc.], word choice, ideas, sentence fluency, voice, and organization.) It’s fun to see the different levels of the science FOSS kits, social studies and the fine arts, music and art taking place at the different levels as well. I enjoy the lovely galleries of art in the halls created by our young artists with the assistance of our art enrichment parents. Let’s not forget to mention physical education and our OMA program too. The Milers Club is off and running. It makes for a very full day.

We are all interested in the success of each of our students. For those parents who want to be able to track their child’s progress on the internet, TUSD offers a TUSDStats Parental Account. Interested parents may contact the office to obtain a password. Information on each child is private, and will only be available through authorized access.

WOW! It was United Way’s Day of Caring, and the school was filled with volunteers. What a warm feeling as I walked the halls. Fruchthendler has always been a very giving community, and it was wonderful to see the school receiving something from the community in return. I want to thank the many people involved in the planning, donations, volunteering and support for the school on that day. Saturday, September 27 was the culminating “Day of Caring,” and I hope you all saw the nice picture in the Arizona Daily Star. KVOA Channel 4 also has a nice segment about Fruchthendler the evening of Thursday, September 25.

October will bring about many activities for our students and families. Please be sure to mark your calendar, Wednesday, October 8 is “International Walk to School Day.” I hope to see many of our students taking part in this healthy event. Our “Mean Green Spelling Machine” fundraiser will hopefully end with green hair everywhere, including myself. I can’t wait to see everyone. Friday, October 24 will be our BIG fundraiser, the Fall Carnival. It should be an extravaganza of an evening. Hope to see you there.  Be sure to log on to the website www.fruchthendler.cmarket.com and check out our many special items for the silent auction.  The online auction runs September 24 – October 22. The live event will take place October 24.

Safety reminders: Students are not to be on the playground before 8:30 a.m. There is no supervision before that time. Please continue to comply with the parking and student drop off signs along Lodge. Parents are still parking in the student drop off area. Our volunteer Safety Net parents will be placing or handing out fliers to occupants of cars not obeying the street signs. Please have your child wear/bring a pair of closed-toe shoes for use whenever they need to participate in physical education activities. As the temperatures begin to cool off, remember to put your child’s name in sweaters and coats, so misplaced articles can find their owner. Kindergarten parents: please say your goodbyes outside and allow the students to enter alone. The congestion in the hall causes confusion and mixed- up lines.  Remember to always sign in when you enter the school and wear a volunteer or visitor badge.

Again, I want to thank the many parent volunteers who assist us in providing your child with the highest education. Whether it is in the classroom, cafeteria, playground, art enrichment, Safety Net, PTA, committees, room parents, (the list goes on), we appreciate the help and support. Thanks for volunteering your time and assisting us in providing our students the very best education!

Cordially,
John Heidel, Principal

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Counselor’s Corner
CATCH THEM BEING GOOD!

This is my first year at Fruchthendler Elementary School. I look forward to meeting your wonderful children, and teaching them skills for living: how to make friends, how to express their feelings, how to stay safe, how to deal with problems, and many other issues that come up for young children.

As an experienced Guidance Counselor, and parent, I’ve learned that there are good ways to encourage our children to do the things we appreciate, and avoid doing the things that we prefer they not do:  Catch them being good!

Children, like most adults, like attention. If they can’t get it when they’re doing the things we want them to do, they’ll get the attention by doing the things we DON’T want them to do! Parents are frequently busy working, taking care of other children and taking care of all the adult responsibilities we all need to do. It isn’t until we hear a crash, or even worse: when we don’t hear anything that we go running to see what’s happened. At that time, your child may have been doing some activity that doesn’t please you – but they’ve gotten your attention now!  It is so much better when you take a little time to notice when your child has put their glass in the dishwasher without having to be told; started their homework; played nicely with their siblings. That is exactly the opportunity that you have to give them that positive attention for making those terrific choices.  By giving that attention: a hug right then, some complimentary and affectionate words, you’re assuring that you’ll find your child doing more cooperative and positive things so that you can catch them being good!

I’m happy to answer any questions, and help you with any issues that you may be experiencing with you child.  Please send a note to me, and tell me the best way and time to contact you.  It’s a pleasure to be meeting your children!

Lianda Ludwig, Guidance Counselor
M-F 10 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. 

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Second and Third Graders Get Traffic Safety Lessons

Fruchthendler’s 2nd grade classes participated in the Pima County-Tucson Safe Routes to School Pedestrian Safety program for the third consecutive year. This program included one classroom session and one outdoor session introducing Safe Routes to School, encouraging walking and biking, and teaching students how to cross the street safely. By the end of the sessions, students were able to explain the benefits and hazards of walking and demonstrate procedures of stopping, looking and listening for traffic before crossing the street.  The goal of these classes is to make students better prepared when walking to and from school or just around their neighborhood.

Third grade students attended the award winning “Traffic Safe Kids Program” presented by the City of Tucson Department of Transportation for the fourth consecutive year. In a creative and fun way, The Magic of Traffic and Pedestrian Safety program teaches children that the rules of the road are serious business. Whether they are walking or taking the bus to school, riding their bike or scooter, or just playing ball in their own neighborhoods, the goal of this program is to help school children remember how to be safe around Tucson’s streets.

The fast-paced, high-energy 25-minute presentation used magic and humor from Dr. Tom Potter to get safety rules across to children.  Dr. Potter, an author, actor, and nationally renowned science educator, was the presenter for the program. Students received a gift bag full of safety reminder tools such as bookmarks, rulers and bike wheel reflectors for participating in the program.

In order to ensure that traffic safety classes like these continue for our students, volunteers are needed to join Fruchthendler’s Safe Routes to School Committee. If you are interested, please contact Karen McWhirter at 751-6795.

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October is for Walking!

International Walk to School Month – Golden Sneaker Thursdays start October 2

This year, McDonald’s and the Arizona PTA have joined together to promote the time honored tradition of walking to school by asking families to participate in International Walk to School Day on October 8 and then Take It Beyond The Day! McDonald’s and the Arizona PTA want to encourage the whole family to get involved in a physical activity. “It’s the most important thing you can do together.” Some suggestions are to go hiking, biking, swimming, ice skating, or inline skating. Why not put Golden Sneaker Thursdays on your list of family-fun activities and walk or bike to school?

In honor of International Walk to School Month, classroom competition for the Golden Sneakers will begin on Thursday, October 2.

International Walk to School Day Wed., Oct. 8

This is a fun and energizing event, reminding everyone of the simple joys of walking to school, the health benefits of regular daily activity, and the sense of safety and community that comes with being out together.

International Walk to School Day is the annual kick-off event of Fruchthendler’s Safe Routes to School program, the community-based program aimed at getting kids back on their feet and bicycles for the trip to and from school, encouraging both children and their parents to enjoy the many benefits of walking and biking. These activities can positively affect self-esteem, academic performance, creativity, memory and learning; weight control, improve muscular strength and joint function; and even improve kids’ moods.

There will be give-a-ways to all participants as well as class prizes for the K-2nd grade class and 3rd-5th grade class with the highest percentage of students taking part in iWALK 2008.  The U of A Pride of Arizona Drumline will be on hand to help with the fun!

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AZ Tax Credit Program Kicks Off

It’s time to kick off the 2008 Arizona Tax Credit Program. The Tax Credit program is ESSENTIAL for the funding of the programs your kids love –

PE / MUSIC / ART / SPANISH / TUTORS/ STUDENT WORKSHOPS / ETC.

These programs are financed by the Arizona State School Tax Credit program. It’s up to you to participate. Without your contributions, these programs cannot be provided.  Imagine what school would be like without PE, art, music and foreign language instruction.

In case you are not familiar with the Tax Credit Program, it is NOT considered a charitable donation. You receive the money back when you file your state income taxes for 2007. It is a dollar for dollar tax credit that benefits our school. State law allows you to get a tax credit for up to $200 for single filers, and $400 for married filers, for contributions to Fruchthendler.

Some questions have come up about the ability to take advantage of both the public school tax credit, and the tax credit for contributions to private institutions. These are two separate types of Arizona State tax credits that utilize different credit forms and can both be entered on your return. Thus, you can still take advantage of the public school credit, even if you are already contributing to a private program. Check with the Arizona State Tax Code for 2008, or your accountant for details.

Don’t forget to contribute!  The DEADLINE IS DECEMBER 31, 2008. For the 2008-2009 school year, Fruchthendler collected over $70,000. We MUST meet or exceed this goal in order to continue our current level of programs next year.

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.” If you have questions, you may also contact Principal John Heidel at 731-4400, or email the PTA Tax Credit Committee Chairperson, Susanne Sutherland at ssandms@comcast.net

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Exciting Class Baskets to be Auctioned - Oct. 24

Here are the themes for the Fruchthendler student class baskets that will be available at this year’s fundraiser auction on Oct. 24.

Mrs. Bettenhausen - Coffeehouse
Mrs. Burns - Tool Box: Handy Around the House
Ms. Dawley - Disney Channel
Mr. Dye - Disney Tween Scene
Mrs. Ganas - Gift Cards
Mrs. Hardt - Lego
Mrs. Jamison - Winter
Mrs. Koehler - Family Fun Night
Mrs. Konrath - Ultimate Spa
Mrs. Langreghr - U of A
Mrs. McCarty - Scrapbooking
Mr. Rule - The Great American Road Trip
Mr. H. Saucedo - Webkinz
Mrs. D. Saucedo - Harvest
Mr. Scott - Movie Night
Mrs. Tinsley - Photography
Mrs. Wolf - Gift Wrapping

Online bidding has begun! Check out the online auction at
www.fruchthendler.cmarket.com

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Shout Out for Carnival Volunteers!

The annual Fall Carnival will be Saturday, October 24 from 5 – 9 p.m. and is a great way to meet the Fruchthendler community and raise money for our school. But we can’t do it without your help!

You can sign up to help in two ways:
Online at http://awinkleaz.wufoo.com/forms/fruchthendler-fall-carnival-volunteer-sign-up/

Or fill out the form and return it to your child’s teacher.

If each family gives 30 – 60 minutes, we can all spend time with our kids!

Volunteer assignments will be made by October 10! Contact Andrea Winkle, 404-1451 or awinkleaz@aol.com  OR Nadine Hanson, 875-4450 or dhanson18@cox.net for more information.

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Spell-A-Thon Friday - Oct. 3

Parents—Is your student a MEAN GREEN SPELLING MACHINE?

We hope so, because the Spell-a-Thon, the P.T.A.’s major fundraiser, will be held Friday, October 3. We love the Spell-a-thon because...

• It costs very little
• It is effective in raising the money we need for the programs the P.T.A. funds, such as Chess club, Art Enrichment, and P.E.
• AND because its emphasis is on EDUCATION rather than on turning our students into miniature door-to-door salesmen, hawking candy bars or wrapping paper!

This year we are asking the students, “Are you a Mean Green Spelling Machine?” If we meet our goal of $10,000, Mr. Heidel has agreed not only to dye HIS hair green, but also to let the kids wear green hair to school. We hope this will motivate each student to collect donations and study the spelling words.

How can parents help? To make our goal, we need each student to bring in $25 worth of donations. This can come from your family, friends, neighbors, and anyone else who is a supporter of public education. Deadline for contributions is TOMORROW -- Wednesday,
October 1. Please help us make our goal so that Fruchthendler can continue to provide the best for your student, and so that your student can GO GREEN!

Thanks so much for your help! Lori Biesel, lbiesel@comcast.net; Caroline Lambert, carolinelambert@comcast.net

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Chess Club First League Match - Oct. 4

On Wednesday mornings, the multi-purpose room turns into a chess arena with upwards of 60 students facing off over a chess board. For some students, playing chess on Wednesday mornings may not be enough! To provide an outlet for such chess enthusiasts, the Southern Arizona Chess Association (SACA) sponsors several tournaments through out the school year.

The next scheduled tournament is the first League Match of the year (appropriately called League Match #1). League Match #1 will be held October 4, 2008 at Harelson Elementary School. For more information about League Match #1, please visit the Chess Club page on the Fruchthendler web site or the SACA website at www.sazchess.org  Also, please feel free to contact either Pam Basila at pam@basila.us or Trudy Walsh at ebats@comcast.net for more information.
Trudy Walsh

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Thanks from PTA for Family Fun

Dear Fruchthendler Families,

Thank you all for coming out to Family Fun Nite. The evening went so well and it was just great to see everyone getting a chance to catch up with each other while the kids played. It was so nice to see all the blanket picnics and gatherings of people everywhere.

To all of our many helpers that night, a huge thank you! From those of you who came early to those of you who stayed late and just pitched in a hand where needed, we so appreciate you. Because of our many wonderful Fruchthendler families we had a very successful evening together.

Muchas Gracias!

Fruchthendler PTA

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Family Fun on Schedule for Fall Carnival

Speaking of family fun, don’t forget to bring the family down to Fruchthendler Elementary School Field for some good old fashioned fun on October 24!

Dunk tank
Stand the bottle
Tin can knockdown
Sponge throw
Face painting
Toothpick in a haystack
Milk can toss
Gladiator joust
Face painting

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Open letter to all Fruchthendler Firebirds

Dear Firebirds,

Our class, the Bee-Hive, picked up trash on Day of Caring. We found lots of zip-lock bags, candy wrappers, snack bags, water bottles, Band-Aids, glass, and lots of paper. It made us feel bad and sad. We are kids and we should know not to litter.

Next time you have snack outside, be sure you throw it away. Don’t leave water bottles outside, if you are done with them recycle them.

We are an A+ school and we should know not to litter. Please help keep our school clean and litter free.

Mrs. B and all the Bees in room 9

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TOWNSEND MIDDLE SCHOOL UPDATE: Welcome forward!

Many of us hear the phrase “welcome back” frequently this time of year. This year at Townsend, we are saying “welcome forward.” As we return to the hallways and classrooms of Townsend, we are looking forward to a year of learning, change, and growth. We are truly considering our future here in 2008-2009 and the direction for our lives both in and outside the school doors.

It’s hard to move forward without having a clear vision. This year, every Townsend teacher has a VISION STATEMENT posted on the door to the classroom. This statement tells students, parents, and colleagues exactly where this teacher will focus and what this teacher believes about the upcoming year.

As future Townsend students (and graduates!), you are always welcome to visit our campus. We invite you to walk through our festive (and spotlessly clean!) hallways. You will want to take a moment to read each teacher’s vision statement. When you visit with staff and teachers, ask them to talk about their plan for your child’s success in their classrooms--this is a roadmap for your future as a member of the Townsend community.

WELCOME FORWARD to Townsend…and to your future.

Barbara Kohl, Principal, Townsend Middle School, 232-7904/232-7900, barbara.kohl@tusd1.org

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Better Than Ever 5k Event - Nov. 15

We've teamed up with Better Than Ever - The Cat Walk 5K to participate on November 15, 2008 at the UofA, for a fun morning of walking/running and showing our school spirit to help the Arizona Cancer Center. There is no fundraising involved, and the registration fee has been taken care of (by a very caring anonymous donor) for all Fruchthendler students that wish to attend this event.

All family members are encouraged to participate; however, you will have to take care of your own registration fee. Registration forms and brochures for this great event are located in the school office. Any questions please contact Kim Spitzer 721-6357.
GO FIREBIRDS!!!

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Brownie Troop Says Thanks

Brownie Troop 975 would like to thank all of the families that donated to our Tucson Community Food Bank drive. We collected 250 pounds of food! Your generosity is sincerely appreciated!
Jen Miller

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Picture Retakes and Club Pictures - Oct. 30

Picture Retakes & Club/Group pictures are on Thursday, October 30.  If your student is retaking his or her picture on this day, please have them bring their picture packets with them to return to Interstate Studios. Thanks!

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Double Your Points for Boxtops This Month

We have the opportunity to double our points for Box Tops for Education—BUT this needs to be submitted on a specific form. These are due October 20. So, if you would like a form, call 290-3709, and the form can be delivered to your student’s classroom.

It is very important that when you submit Campbell’s Labels for Education, the UPC code needs to be intact, and it is helpful if the little guy holding the pencil is also attached. For the complete product list go to: www.labelsforeducation.com

Box Tops for Education, earns us cash! Please trim the coupons close but don’t trim off the expiration date. For the complete list of products: www.boxtops4education.com

Please deposit all items in the Collection Boxes in the hall to the east of the office.
If you are interested in helping to collect, sort, and mail these items, contact Moira Richards at 290-3709 or neomom@comcast.net

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Important Events

• Oct 1 - Deadline for Spell-A-Thon pledges
• Oct 2 - Golden Sneaker Thursday Competition Begins 
• Oct 3 - Spell-A-Thon
• Oct 4 - Chess Club first tourney
• Oct 8 - International Walk to School Day on Wednesday
• Oct 10 - Grading Day no school
• Oct 15-17 - Parent Teacher conferences
• Oct 24 - Fall Carnival and Silent Auction
• Oct 30 - Group pictures and retakes