Elizabeth Haddon PTA

Artwork Orders Due Friday!  Delivery Before Spring Break!

By now, your child has come home with a large envelope from Ms. Kimmell, the Art Teacher.  Inside is a piece of original piece of artwork that can be transformed into note cards, memo pads, recipe cards, aprons, night lights, tote bags, and more–all great gifts for Easter or Mother’s Day!  And your order helps to support the PTA!  Orders are due to the Main Office by this Friday, February 24th.  Checks are made payable to “Elizabeth Haddon PTA” and can be enclosed in the manila envelope and labeled “Custom Stationary Order.”  Any questions? Contact Karen Dante at kfdante@verizon.net or 795-6627.

We Need Your Dimes and Quarters for Book Fair Spare Change Drive!

Our 2012 Spare Change Drive for Book Fair has begun.  Thursday is Dime Day, and Friday is Quarters Day. All money collected goes directly into our School Library, and is also matched by Scholastic and sent to three literacy organizations that help school children in need.  We are trying to reach our $500 goal, and if we can, we will get a school-wide Pajama Day!!!

Please remember that next week, the Book Fair opens on Tuesday, February 28th.  Our evening Family Event–featuring special guest magician Joe Holiday–is on Wednesday, February 29 (6:30 p.m. show for K-2; 7:30 p.m. show for grades 3-5).  Extended evening hours will also occur on Thursday, March 1 (6:30 – 8:30 p.m.), so there is plenty of opportunity to shop for books with your children. Finally, if you are able to volunteer for either evening event, or during the day, please check out the BookFair Volunteer Schedule and click on www.mysignup.com/lizzybookfair.   We could use your help!!

Talent Show Program Cover Contest Ends Friday, March 2nd

If your student is planning to submit an entry for the 2012 Talent Show Program Cover Contest, don’t delay!  We are accepting submissions until next Friday, March 2nd.  All participants receive a prize, and the grand winner’s artwork will be featured as the cover to our show program on Friday, March 16th.  For more instructions on how to complete your entry, please review the Talent Show Program Cover Contest.

The Lizzie Haddon Garden Featured in the Haddonfield Patch!

Need some fun reading over your morning coffee?  Check out the latest article by Patch writer Julie Dengler, featuring our very own School Garden: http://haddonfield.patch.com/articles/elizabeth-haddon-gardeners-prepare-for-spring.  And mark your calendars for our 2012 Dig It Week, starting Monday, March 19th.

Update on the Bancroft Property

If you missed the Feb. 6 School Board meeting that addressed the Bancroft-BOE proposal, please take a minute to read over the presentation: Bancroft Presentation at Feb 6 Board Meeting.  The Commissioners are now reviewing this plan, and will be returning with a decision in the next two months.

 

A very big thank you to our Spaghetti Bingo Co-Chairs Stacey Morris, Carol Edwards, Toni Mansfield and Liz Small.  We had a fantastic night with lots of good food and fun Bingo competition. We also sincerely appreciate everyone’s efforts to keep the craziness to a minimum.  Thank you!!

Get Smart: Important PTA Meeting about Putting SMART Boards In Classrooms!

Think SMART Boards in every classroom is a good idea?  Come back to 2nd grade, and join the PTA Board on Wednesday, February 22 at 7:30 p.m. in Ms. Elsa Salazar’s classroom for a demonstration of SMART Board Technology and a discussion about making this a PTA funding priority in 2012.  We will be voting on this initiative and need to hear what you think.

Please come!  We need a quorum of at least 11 PTA members.  And we need your vote! Contact Shani at shani_nuckols@yahoo.com for more information.

 

2012-13 Budget Discussions Have Started at the School Board Meetings

If you are concerned about class size or other school budget-related issues, now is the time to be particularly attentive to what’s happening at School Board Meetings.  The Board has begun their preliminary budget discussions. As in the past, the Board will be talking about enrollment, staffing, resources and other issues as they make their plans.  With the change in NJ law, if the School Board keeps their budget increase proposal under 2%, it will not be subjected to a municipal vote. These meetings are where you will have a chance to make your voice heard.

Please consider attending the upcoming meetings to represent Elizabeth Haddon’s parent community. We should try to have representation at each meeting.  Meetings are scheduled at 7:30 p.m. in the High School Library on the following dates:

Thursday February 23–Preliminary Budget Discussion

Thursday March 1–Final Budget Discussion

Thursday March 22–Public Hearing of Budget

 

It’s a Book Fair Luau, February 28 – March 2

The 2012 Book Fair is on its way to Elizabeth Haddon in just 2 short weeks.  Packets went home in backpacks last Thursday, so please take time to review them.  If you are interested in purchasing a gift certificate for your child to use in lieu of cash during his/her class visit to the Book Fair, you can fill out BookFair Gift Certificates and send it into the the Main Office with a check in an envelope marked “PTA-Book Fair.”  Also please take time to review the BookFair Volunteer Schedule and consider signing up on-line at ww.mysignup.com/lizzybookfair.   Finally, mark your calendars for Wednesday, February 29 for the Fair’s Family Event which will feature Magician Joe Holiday, who will perform a special book-based magic show for K-2 (6:30 p.m.) and grades 3-5 (7:30 p.m).  Extended hours will also be offered on Thursday, March 1, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

 

Talent Show Program Cover Contest, Entries Due March 2nd

Calling all student artists!  We are looking for a cover for our 2012 Talent Show Program.  As you may know, this year’s theme is “Flashback to the ’80s,” and artwork should relate to the theme.  All students may participate, and submissions are due into the main office by Friday, March 2nd.  All participants will receive a prize, and the winner’s work will appear on the evening’s program.  For more specific information, please check out the Talent Show Program Cover Contest flyer.  Or contact Karen Dante at kfdante@verizon.net.

 

News from NutriServe, our Food Service Company

NutriServe, the Haddonfield School District’s Food Service, has been a fantastic partner with the PTA in offering the ever-popular Salad Bar events at Lizzie.  In addition to this program, NutriServe has implemented several changes to the lunch menu, including:

• homemade healthy soup (such as last week’s Tomato Basil) on sale every Wednesday and Friday for $1.25/cup;
• egg salad sandwiches on sale every Friday throughout the spring;
• only 1% plain milk or fat-free flavored milks on sale, in keeping with First Lady Michelle Obama’s new nutritional guidelines, which go into effect in September; and
•  brown rice, as well as whole grain bread and pasta products, as replacements for all previous bread products.

NutriServe will also continue serving both fruit and vegetables everyday–another stipulation of Mrs. Obama’s new plan–which is something NutriServe has already been doing.

 

 

After School Enrichment kicks off another session this week.  Thank you to Linda Hochgertel for bringing this program to Lizzie and running it so smoothly.

Go4TheGoal: Shoelaces for Sale on Wednesday Feb. 8 and Friday Feb. 10 (at Spaghetti Bingo)

As many of you may know, Jason Garstkiewicz was recently diagnosed with bone cancer and has started treatments. To raise awareness of pediatric cancer and to support Jason and his family, we are hooking up with the “Go4theGoal Lace Up for Pediatric Cancer” charity.  With the Go4theGoal program, students and teams purchase and wear neon yellow shoelaces ($3 per pair) to support pediatric cancer patients and research. Sales at Elizabeth Haddon will take place after school on Wednesday, Feb. 8. The laces will also be sold at Spaghetti Bingo night on Friday February 10th.  Please contact Jean-Anne McMahon at mcmahon3@comcast.net or 856-261-8341 if you have any questions. Inform your children and friends and encourage them to spread the word and lace up! Thank you for your support.

 

Friday is the Last Day To Order Candygrams!  And Watch for the 5th Grade Pretzel Sale After School

It’s time to order Candygrams for Valentines Day–with all proceeds benefiting the 5th Grade Remembrance Gift Fund. Each Candygrams form comes with 4 candygrams. For $1/candygram, your student can send special messages and treats to family, friends, teachers and staff at school, to be delivered at school on Tuesday February 14th.  Deadline for ordering is Friday February 10th.  Please send your orders and money (checks made out to EHS PTA) through backpacks in envelopes marked “CandyGrams.”  For more information, contact Gerrie Mansfield at ghmansfield@gmail.com.

Secondly, on Friday February 10th and Tuesday February 14th 5th graders will be selling soft pretzels for $1/each after school by the bike rack on the blacktop behind the school.

 

2012 Scholastic Book Fair: February 28 – March 2

Our Scholastic Book Fair is right around the corner. From February 28 – March 2, our school Science Lab will transform into our very own book store, which students can browse and purchase their favorite reads during classroom visits and also after hours at special Family Events.  On Wednesday February 29th, we are hosting Magician Joe Holiday for a special book-based show in the APR (6:30 pm for grades K – 2 and families; 7:30 for grades 3-5 and families).

Also, please consider signing up to volunteer at the Book Fair.  We’re trying something new this year.  We’d like to use an online signup service to coordinate our volunteers.  Please review the BookFair Volunteer Schedule when considering your volunteer time.  And you can access the signup service at www.mysignup.com/lizzybookfair.  Look for more information on this and other Book Fair news in the packet that comes home in backpacks later this week.

 

Talent Show Program Cover Contest

Calling all student artists!  We are looking for a cover for our 2012 Talent Show Program.  As you may know, this year’s theme is “Flashback to the ’80s,” and artwork should relate to the theme.  All students may participate, and submissions are due into the main office by Friday, March 2nd.  All participants will receive a prize, and the winner’s work will appear on the evening’s program.  For more specific information, please check out the Talent Show Program Cover Contest flyer.  Or contact Karen Dante at kfdante@verizon.net.

 

“Like” Lizzie Haddon Garden

You may have noticed a new link on our website.  The Lizzie Haddon Garden now has a Facebook page.  “Like” us, and keep up to date on all of the Garden activities and events that occur throughout the year.  We are still looking for Garden Parents to work with some of our classes–an email went out to each grade last week specifying which classes were without volunteers.  Garden activities will go into high gear soon, and we don’t want any child to miss a chance to get their green thumbs dirty! Contact Lynn Raus at raus.lynn@yahoo.com if you’re interested.

Also, we had a tremendous response to our Salad Bar Day on Tuesday, with 132 salads ordered.  I did get my information wrong–there was no soup on the menu for Salad Day.  However, homemade, fresh soups are now available for $1.25/cup every Wednesday and Friday.  Nutriserve does not specify ahead of time what kind of soup they will be serving, but if your student is a soup-lover, keep some spare change in a backpack pocket so they can place an order.  Past menus have included Chicken Tortilla, Carrot-Ginger and even a Chili.

What a busy time of year for Elizabeth Haddon!  Before I continue with all the program announcements, I wanted to extend a quick thank you to Michelle Rowe for another great Noontime Enrichment session.  As always, the program has offered a great winter alternative to indoor recess and has run smoothly.

 

Go4TheGoal: Support EHS Alum and Current HMS Student Jason Garstkiewicz and Pediatric Cancer Research!

As many of you may know, Jason was recently diagnosed with bone cancer and has started treatments. To raise awareness of pediatric cancer and to support Jason and his family, we are hooking up with the “Go4theGoal Lace Up for Pediatric Cancer” charity.  With the Go4theGoal program, students and teams purchase and wear neon yellow shoelaces ($3 per pair) to support pediatric cancer patients and research. Sales at Elizabeth Haddon will take place after school on Wednesday, Feb. 8. The laces will also be sold at Spaghetti Bingo night on Friday February 10th.

The sea of yellow shoelaces will provide comfort and support to Jason and his family at school, at events and around town.  It’s an easy way for kids of all ages to raise awareness of pediatric cancer and to support Jason.  Please see http://www.go4thegoal.org to learn more about the charity.  Please contact Jean-Anne McMahon at mcmahon3@comcast.net or 856-261-8341 if you have any questions. Inform your children and friends and encourage them to spread the word and lace up! Thank you for your support.

 

Get Your RSVPs in for Spaghetti Bingo

The RSVP deadline (Monday February 6th) for Spaghetti Bingo is quickly approaching!  Don’t miss your chance to enjoy a wonderful Severinos pasta dinner and fun bingo action on Friday, February 10th at 6 p.m. in the APR.  It’s fun for all ages.  Tickets are $10/person (children under 4 are free).  Spiritwear, Go4theGoal shoelaces and 5th Grade Candygrams will be for sale.  Send in your Spaghetti Bingo Flyer to the main office today (checks made payable to EHS PTA) through backpacks!

 

5th Grade is Raising Remembrance Funds!

Our 5th Grade class is kicking their Remembrance Fundraising into high gear with two sales next week.  All proceeds will go towards the gift that the class of 2012 will leave to Elizabeth Haddon at graduation.

First, it’s time to order Candygrams for Valentines Day.  Each Candygrams form comes with 4 candygrams. For $1/candygram, your student can send special messages and treats to family, friends, teachers and staff at school, to be delivered at school on Tuesday February 14th.  Deadline for ordering is Friday February 10th.  Please send your orders and money (checks made out to EHS PTA) through backpacks in envelopes marked “CandyGrams.”  For more information, contact Gerrie Mansfield at ghmansfield@gmail.com.

Secondly, on Friday February 10th and Tuesday February 14th 5th graders will be selling soft pretzels for $1/each after school by the bike rack on the blacktop behind the school.

 

Get Ready for our Next Salad Bar on Tuesday, February 7th

Mark your calendars now, and don’t forget to send lunch money in for our next Salad Bar Day on Tuesday February 7th, sponsored by NutriServe and the Lizzie Haddon Garden Committee.  The menu will feature some fantastic new salad add-ons and healthy dressings, as well as a tasty homemade soup.  If you can help serve salads (from 11:15 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.), please contact Donna Gramigna at dobgramigna@msn.com.

 

Talent Show Program Cover Contest

Calling all student artists!  We are looking for a cover for our 2012 Talent Show Program.  As you may know, this year’s theme is “Flashback to the ’80s,” and artwork should relate to the theme.  All students may participate, and submissions are due into the main office by Friday, March 2nd.  All participants will receive a prize, and the winner’s work will appear on the evening’s program.  For more specific information, please check out the Talent Show Program Cover Contest flyer.  Or contact Karen Dante at kfdante@verizon.net.

 

Save the Date for the 8th Annual Lizzie Haddon 5k: Saturday May 19th

If your New Year’s resolution is to get fit and trim, we can help you out.  Sign up for the 8th Annual Elizabeth Haddon 5k and 1-mile Fun Walk, and start training now.  In addition to providing much-needed technology- and health program-related funding at Lizzie (more info on that later), it will also support the SOAR After School Program for Partnership Schools in Camden NJ.  Register online at www.active.com.  For more information, click on the 5K Save the Date and watch our e-blasts.

**If you are interested in getting involved and helping plan this fundraiser (Lizzie’s 2nd largest of the year!), please attend our kick-off meeting on Thursday, February 9th at 7:00 p.m. at Jersey Java (140 Haddon Avenue).

 

Three days and counting until the Winter Social at Treno Restaurant and Bar this Saturday, January 28th.  2-hour open bar and hors d’oeuvres start at 7:30 p.m. Also, a chance to win an iPad, bike, chartered fishing trip, and so much more.  If you haven’t purchased tickets yet, they are $45/person in advance and $50/person at the door!  See you there!!!

Spaghetti Bingo Seats are Going Quickly!!

In traditional Lizzie Haddon style, Spaghetti Bingo tickets are going fast.  Please reserve your seats now.  The event is on Friday, February 10 at 6 p.m. in the APR.  Tickets are $10/person (children 4 and under are free).  This includes a family-style pasta and salad dinner, drinks and dessert–and of course, a night’s supply of bingo sheets.  Please send in your Spaghetti Bingo Flyer RSVP asap through backpacks in an envelope marked “Spaghetti Bingo.”  Checks can be made out to EHS PTA.  Registration closes when sold out and/or Monday, February 6th.

Salad Bar Day Coming on Tuesday, February 7th.

Mark your calendars now, and don’t forget to send lunch money in for our next Salad Bar Day on Tuesday February 7th, sponsored by NutriServe and the Lizzie Haddon Garden Committee.  The menu will feature some fantastic new salad add-ons and healthy dressings, as well as a tasty homemade soup.  If you can help serve salads (from 11:15 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.), please contact Donna Gramigna at dobgramigna@msn.com.

Also, with the leadership of Donna, Lynn Raus, Tina Gramigna and the rest of the Garden Committee, we have set the trend for elementary school lunch reform in Haddonfield.  Both Tatem and Central are holding their first Salad Bar days this month…and we look forward to working with them on other nutrition initiatives in the future.