Editor: Pamela Rineer
Table of Contents 2-3 PTA Information 4-5 Variety Show Flyers 6 Arts Alive Flyer 7 PTA Member Benefits
Dates February PTA to Remember
w 6pm 5th Variety Sho Dine & 16th 4pm-close ild Wings W lo a ff u B te a n Do Thursdays rd 3 h rc a -M th 1 1 covers Donaldson Dis Due 19th Box Tops
Stay Connected
• Watch your email for event dates and signup info. • Stay connected through Facebook by liking our page at Facebook.com/DonaldsonPTA. • Get notifications through Remind: text the code @cf21b to phone number 724-565-8456 or download the Remind app and enter class code cf21b. • Check out our new website! www.donaldsonpta.weebly.com we have tons of new information that we add every month!
2015-16
February 2016 Issue 5
From the PTA President I think February is my least favorite month. The holiday season is now a memory, many new year’s resolutions have fizzled, and winter blows on with the promise of Spring nowhere in sight. The only glimmer of redemption is Valentine’s Day. This year I’ve been thinking about a different kind of love. Not the fluttery, romantic love – I mean the sweet peace of knowing your own self-worth, the mercy of overlooking others’ shortcomings and recognizing their strengths, the tolerance and acceptance that unites families and communities. Without this kind of love, our lives would be filled with heartache. I am so touched by the love the PTA has been shown in the past few months. We received so many compliments about our new Santa Shop! Throngs of volunteers showed up and worked hard to really make our efforts a success. This outpouring of kindness and support has been inspirational as we look ahead to plan for next year. I want these feelings to last forever! I know that a community bonded together with mutual encouragement and pride can do phenomenal good. So this month I will strive to find a new outlook on love; to trust that we are all doing the best we can, to give the benefit of the doubt in situations that reek of offense, and to lift up those that seem to struggle. I will let go of a grudge, show respect even when it hasn’t been earned, and believe that everyone is worthy of love. February just might end up being my favorite month after all! Kristi Gunderson
The newsletter has been streamlined! Donaldson PTA has launched a new website. There is no longer a need to send a lengthy newsletter when you can now access all the information you need just by going to
www.donaldsonpta.weebly.com : • Search the PTA Calendar •View our Fundraisers ★ February Buffalo Wild Wings
• View our upcoming Events ★ Variety Show February 5th!
D
onaldson Discovers
Watch your email for the next Box Tops for Education collection effort that will be forthcoming shortly. If you forgot to turn in your Box Tops the last time, then here is your chance! Students will again have the opportunity to win prizes if they turn in 25 or more Box Tops. Please remember to include the student’s name and teacher’s name on the submission in order for them to receive credit for the Box Tops. Our last collection effort earned the school $660. We need your participation to make that number even larger this time, so please don’t forget to turn them in by the February 19 deadline!
Box Tops!
The Donaldson Discovers program brochure has been distributed, you can view the brochure and sign up on our website : http://donaldsonpta.weebly.com/events.html Remember that sign up for the courses is on a first come first served basis, so please don’t delay. The program starts February 11, 2016 and runs through March 3, 2106. Students will be notified of the course they have received in the near future. We are in need of many volunteers to make this program a success, so please consider volunteering your time. To thank you for volunteering, you can deduct $5 from your student’s course payment. Clearances are required! Any questions, please contact Susan Betta at susanbetta@gmail.com
Congratulations! Donaldson Elementary School won THIRD PLACE in Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association’s breakfast promotion with PA PTA. We won $500 to purchase school supplies at Donaldson. Good Job Donaldson families!
DINE AND DONATE NIGHT
On the day listed below, present this ticket to your server and Buffalo Wild Wings® will donate 10%* of your total bill (not including tax, gratuity or promotional discounts) to our organization. Buffalo Wild Wings strives to support our community and the organizations and sports teams within it. Together we can make a positive impact and help keep our community working and playing together. (Show this ticket to your server on the date & time listed below.)
DONALDSON ELEMENTARY PTA
ADMIT ONE
EAT WINGS. RAISE FUNDS.
February 16, 2016 • 4:00 PM 480 Home Dr. • Pittsburgh, PA • 412-788-9464 *The 10% donation is contingent on the organization raising at least $300 of pre-tax sales during the promotion (subject to change in our discretion). Other restrictions may apply. Please see participating location for details. ®2015 Buffalo Wild Wings, Inc.
PTA hosted January Teacher Luncheon
Donaldson PTA brings CLO performance on Friday Feb. 26th! The Incredibly Innovative Innovators of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh’s past, present, and future in one fullystaged, exciting musical! Lisa has been putting off her social studies assignment too long when her favorite rock band magically appears in her game room. To help her with her neglected studies, they take a musical journey exploring the historical innovators from Pittsburgh over the past 250 years. Explore Western Pennsylvania’s greatest innovations, from the launch of the environmental movement and professional football in America, to the invention of the Polio vaccine and banana splits. We invite your class to meet the local men and women who helped change the world as they learn about the infinite possibilities that exist within us all.
DRIBBLE HULA-HOOP TELL JOKES ACROBAT A PUPPET SHOW ACT
DANCE ROUTINE PLAY AN INSTRUMENT READ A POEM DO A SKIT MAGIC TRICKS PIANO
Donaldson Elementary PTA VARIETY SHOW 2016 WHEN: FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016 AT 6:00 PM WHERE: WA HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM WHO: ANY DONALDSON STUDENT
If your child is interested in participating, please review the important dates on the back. Then fill out the attached permission slip and return to school by MONDAY, December 21, 2015 AND plan on attending the meeting on MONDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2015.
Questions: Contact Leah Vestal at lvestal@westasd.org. Sponsored by: The Donaldson Elementary PTA
DONALDSON ELEMENTARY PTA VARIETY SHOW When: Friday, February 5, 2016 at 6:00 pm Where: West Allegheny High School Auditorium Who: Any Donaldson Student
What Parent Informational Meeting
When & Where
More Information
Monday, December 14
This is a mandatory meeting for 1st time participants.
6:30 PM – 7:15 PM
Donaldson Cafeteria
Permission Slips Due
Monday, December 21 – Give to Mrs. Vestal or homeroom teacher.
See attached.
Friday, January 8
Music, Chair Card, and Questionnaire Due
Give to Mrs. Vestal or homeroom teacher.
*Make sure music is appropriate. *Try Disney/KidzBop versions. *You can send a YouTube link directly to Mrs. Vestal @ lvestal@westasd.org
Wednesday, January 13 Donaldson 3:30-6:30
Informal Rehearsal – Practice 1
Stage Rehearsal – Practice 2
Stage Rehearsal – Practice 3
Dress Rehearsal – Practice 4
Donaldson Elementary PTA Variety Show 2016
Tuesday, January 19
WA High School Auditorium
Come to Donaldson anytime between 3:30-6:30 to rehearse and show your progress to Mrs. Vestal.
Your entire act(s) should be completely thought out before you take the stage today! Time to be announced.
Wednesday, January 27 WA High School Auditorium
Your act(s) should be completely finalized and memorized! Time to be announced.
Wednesday, February 3 WA High School Auditorium
Wear your costumes! This rehearsal will be longer than the others. Time to be announced.
Friday, February 5
WA High School Auditorium 6:00 PM
Keep in mind this is an early release day for students.
(Formerly the Donaldson Art Fair & Donaldson Makes Music)
Thursday, March 31st 6:00 pm – 8:00pm Framed Artwork on Display Musical Performances Crafts: painting, beading, sand art and more! Face Painting by Molly the Face Painter Book Fair Art Basket Raffle – proceeds go to the WA Food Pantry
For Questions or volunteer information contact Mrs. March at cmarch@westasd.org or Mrs. Mahramas at jmahramas@westasd.org Sponsored by the Donaldson PTA and Artomé.
National PTA Membership
Saves You Money PTA.org/Benefits
PTA members receive discounts on services and products to help you and your family save money. Help keep your budget on track throughout the school year with offerings from these retail and service providers.
50+ Benefits & Value Save up to 15% on 1-3 year membership discounts.**
Insurance
Get special group discounts on auto insurance from MetLife Auto & Home with quick and easy switches, plus a discount for bank account deductions. Save even more with multi-car discounts.**
Bulk Shopping
Get big sizes and even bigger savings on everyday essentials and hard-to-find favorites! Enjoy fast and free shipping on your first order and most other orders too.
Fundraising Network & Home Food Service Delivery
Your local PTA receives up to 40% of sales during active Schwan’s fundraising campaign, plus enjoy a discount on your first Schwan’s home delivery of nutritious family foods.
Youth Smartphone Monitoring
PTA families receive a 33% lifetime discount on subscription; plus your local PTA earns $10 for every paid subscription.
Car Rental & Travel
Save up to 20% on car rentals, plus receive special vacation offers throughout the year.*
Service Identity Protection Receive a 30-day free trial* and 10% off membership. New enrollees can add their children through the LifeLock Junior program at a 10% discount.
Office Supply Store
Save 10% on school supplies and furniture; 25% off copy and print purchases; get 5% rewards on all other purchases* and free shipping from staples.com; plus teachers earn 2%-5% in classroom rewards on your Staples purchases when you sign up for the Reward A Classroom program.* Exclusions apply.
Education Tutoring
Receive 50% off a Sylvan Insight Assessment, plus a donation of $10 from Sylvan to your local PTA. Free parent seminars, plus fundraising and scholarship opportunities are available.
Home Mortgage
Big Savings and a VIP Experience! Through the Mortgage Insiders Program, you’ll receive $500 cash back* after closing your home loan with Quicken Loans.
For new offers & updates, visit PTA.org/Benefits © 2015 PTA All rights reserved. Printed in U.S.A. (9/15) and everychild.onevoice.® are registered service marks of the National Congress of Parents and Teachers.
*Exclusions and/or **qualifications may apply. Visit online at PTA.org or contact retail/service provider for more details.