Subject: MES/LV Snowflakes in My Foyer

Dear MES/LV PTA Families -

I LOVE how a New Year always seems to bring the sense of new possibilities….I know we all welcome 2013 as a fresh start from the Connecticut tragedy that occurred in December. The photo included is a sampling of just a few of the many beautiful snowflakes students created over winter break for the new Sandy Hook Elementary School. These snowy creations were obviously made with great thought, care and creativity — in all shapes, sizes and materials — a perfect mirror of the diversity of our fantastic school! Thank you for taking time to make them — we hope the process also helped your family. The snowflakes have sent to the Connecticut PTA to share. I am glad to have a photo memory of the snowflakes that reminds me to be grateful for our school and represents the good things lay ahead for us this year!

It seems like just yesterday we kicked off the school year with our Back-to-School Nights and Family Fun Event! Our Charleston Wrap Fall Fundraiser and Technology For Teaching drives met all our fundraising goals — thank you again to our generous community — and set us up to begin another great year at Matsunaga Elementary/Longview School. These initial dollars ensure that we can host events for students and staff, pay for building rental costs, and begin to create a fund for our mini grants. On the technology front….we are looking forward over the next few months to a possible pilot program combining new MCPS tablet technology with our curriculum.

In November, the PTA held our 2012 Matsunaga/Longview Silent Auction which was a huge success again this year! Hundreds of parents, students, staff and community members came out to start their holiday shopping and raise money for our school. This fun event brings our community together, including a visit from special guests such as County Council member, Craig Rice, and the new Kingsview principal, Jimmy D’Andrea! This year we tried our beautiful Class Baskets and received extra special handmade donations from MES staff members! When the event wrapped up, our Silent Auction had produced over $25,000 in sales! AMAZING! The majority of this money goes directly back to students and teachers in mini grants that provide materials, programs and technology not covered in the MCPS budget. Thank you again to our Silent Auction Chairs, many volunteers and community!

In December we kicked off the holiday season with an all school Snowball Holiday Dance and Craft night where students danced to the rocking’ tunes of Bar-T DJ Brandon Childers! Great job Brandon — I think we all learned some new moves! Families enjoyed a snow topped mountain photo booth compliments of Gladstone Photography (look for advertising on our PTA website soon), gobbled up sno-cones and pizza and made winter snowflake crafts projects! The event was warm and toasty!

We ended 2012 with aaaaarrrrrghhh second annual Read-A-Thon kickoff where Mrs. Brubaker, Mr. Doerrman and Mrs. Ramm got in on the act by wearing pirate costumes and stealing each others treasure in the cafeteria! This fantastic and educational event really brings PTA and education together! KEEP LOGGING THOSE READING MINUTES and getting pledges from family and friends this week. Prizes will be announced soon and the competition is fierce!

Looking ahead to the remainder of the 2012-2013 school year, we have exciteng things coming up! Our Scholastic Book Fair with book signings from a local Kingsview teacher and author starts in January followed by Breakfast and Bingo, Jeopardy Nights, Art Fair, Moms NYC Trip, International Dance and Food Night, Mixed Bags and our annual Milk Run.

Speaking of fresh starts….Take a minute to consider signing up to be on the PTA Board next year — it has been so rewarding for me! This is a great opportunity to have a voice in what goes on at MES, see how our school runs, and deepen a relationship with our MES staff and administrators. If you have questions about positions, please feel free to email me at kgkp_99@yahoo.com. A PTA listserve will go out next week with detailing the Executive Board position duties!

As always, I welcome your comments and thoughts on all things PTA — we are always trying to do the best we can and looking for new ideas. Remember…anything is possible…even snowflakes in my foyer!

Warm Winter Wishes –

Kim Penn, MES/LV PTA President