Welcome Back!

Editor: Pamela Rineer2013-14

November 2013 Issue 1

Table of Contents

2 Welcome Back Continued 3 - 4 Walk-a-Thon 4 Sarris Candy Sale REFLECTIONS Art Fair Labels For

Education Contest5 Yearbook Orders6 PTA Calendar

November Events

at a Glance

4th Sarris Candy Sale Begins

4th Save Around the Book

Sale Begins

12th Market Day

Delivery 3:45-5pm

Pickup 5-6pm

14th Committee Chair

Meeting 6-7pm

18th Sarris Candy Ends

18th Save Around the

Book Sale Ends

TBA Santa Shop Setup

First Day of School - Darlene Drive Bus Stop

First Day of School - Ethan Rineer

Summer has ended and another great school year is in full swing. My name is Lori Rankin. I am the Donaldson PTA President. My husband Duane and I have been Donaldson PTA members for 11 years. My son Robbie started first grade at Donaldson the year it opened – back in 2002. He is now a High School Junior and my daughter Sarah is a third grader in Mrs. Sekelik’s class. Being involved with Donaldson for this long has been a great experience. The staff, teachers and friends have truly been a blessing in our lives.

I would like to say thank you to everyone who supported our September and October events. There were a whirlwind of activities and some great volunteers who help make them successful.

• We had a significant turnout for our Meet & Greet and Sgt. Bates provided a well-received School Safety program. Thanks to Mr. DeMario for helping out in the gym.

• Picture Day ran smoothly thanks to a handful of volunteers

• The weather for this year’s Walk-a-Thon was perfect!!

• Mrs. Shultz will have a well-stocked library with the profit from the book fair.

• Open House provided a large number of new PTA members as well as numerous Spirit Wear Sales.

We could not have done it without all of planning of our Committee Chairs and the numerous volunteers.

We are looking for volunteers for Santa Shop (it’s right around the corner.). If you are interested, please let us know

Donaldson PTA sponsors numerous successful programs and events to help enhance the school experience for the students of Donaldson.

We have many exciting programs planned this year, which comes with a large budget. This year for example includes $1,500 for the Fifth grade Picnic and $6,000 for field trips. We are working to incorporate more low impact fundraising this year. Two of those is the Save Around book and Sarris’ Christmas Candy, which will be coming home soon.

All of these programs require a need for volunteers and we need your help. If you are only to donate a small amount of your time, it would be greatly appreciated.

Did you remember to apply for your Clearances? Christmas parties and Santa Shop are coming up. Information on Santa Shop will be sent home separately.

The Variety Show is just around the corner. Remember it’s a Variety Show –it’s not restricted to dancing and singing.

Here’s to another memorable year!

Lori Rankin412-417-3512

donaldsonpta@hotmail.com

PTA SPONSORED PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

PTA/Teacher Meet and Greet

Fall Book Fair

Santa’s WorkshopReflections Program

Variety ShowArt Fair

Donaldson Discovers

Birthday Books

Fifth Grade PicnicAssemblies

Recess EquipmentField Trips

Yearbook

FROM THE EDITORI’m so pleased to be helping the PTA in a variety of ways this year. Having just moved to the area, and my oldest son Ethan starting kindergarten, I knew I wanted to be a big part of his school experience. This past October I chaired my first event, the Walk-a-Thon. He was as thrilled to have me involved as I was to be helping. I hope you

consider volunteering your time as well. I look forward to meeting many more parents, students and faculty throughout the school year.

Pamela Rineer

Thank you Tracy Pustover, Christa Nicholson and Beth McMullen for the Fall/Halloween decorations in the office.

Thank you to everyone who supported All For Books during the Book Fair.

Walk-a-Thon Success

DONALDSON AWARDS

Top Prize: Nitya Tandon & Dhruv Tandon

Kindergarten AM: Nathan Leander

Kindergarten PM: Emerson Mirich

First Grade: Bryce Boros

Second Grade: Julianne Brindle

Third Grade: Aidan Porter

Fourth Grade: Connor Giura

Fifth Grade: Adam Crawford & Ethan Cooper

Winning Class: Mrs. Cartisser’s AM Class was awarded a healthy breakfast of fruit and bagels for collectively raising the most donations.

CONGRATULATIONS!

With the warm sun shining down on Donaldson Community Park, over 600 students, parents and teachers walked to promote physical fitness and support PTA programs.

Thank you to all who participated by walking, raising donations and volunteering your time at the event. Everyone contributed to its great success!

The North Fayette Fox, Freddie, was waiting at the top of the hill to greet and cheer on walkers.

—

WALK-A-THONSpecial thank you to Janoski’s Farm for the delicious apples. As well as Freddie the Fox and Bob Brozovich from North Fayette Parks & Recreation.

NUMBERSApples for a healthy Snack

600Donations Raised

$5,000Fox directing

walk-a-thon traffic

1

ART FAIRDonaldson’s art fair will be held on March 27th from 6-8pm. This event is sponsored by the PTA and free of charge. There are many craft tables and activities for students and parents to participate. Student art work is displayed throughout the halls of Donaldson. The theme will be announced soon. Lisa Pichi and Sue Wingert - Art Fair

LABELS FOR EDUCATION CONTESTIn October students were asked to collect Box Tops and Campbell’s Soup Labels with the Labels for Education Program. A total of 2,594 labels were

collected! Mrs. Rukas’ class won top prize by collecting 928 labels. In doing so her class will receive Smiley Cookies. Thank you Michelle Hollyfield and Vicki

Danzik for organizing this event.

PASS THE BOOK

Troop 53537 ready to Pass the Book at the grand opening event at Western Allegheny Community Library.

Sarris Candy Sale REFLECTIONSA special recognition goes out to the following students who participated in this year's REFLECTIONS PROGRAM:

Gianna Giacomino, Nakayla Roberts,Meadow Robertson, Andrea Russo, Danielle Slovick & Jocelyn Williams. Artwork has been forwarded on to the next round of judging.Students who participated can look forward to a small ICE CREAM party, to recognize their Sweet Talents.

Michelle Giacomino REFLECTIONS Chair

ATTENTION PARENTS:

PICTURES WANTED

for the yearbook!  

Please send any pictures

that you take

throughout the school

year for possible

yearbook submission to

Jessica Marshall at

jessicamarshall777@gmail.com

The PTA will be sponsoring a Sarris Candy Sale starting November 4th.  The flyers and instruction letters will be coming home soon.  We ask that families try to sell $75 to help us meet our fundraising goal for the school. The sale ends November 18th. Please have people pay you and then submit one check to Donaldson PTA for the candy.  The delivery date is December 18th. Products will arrive at the school.  There are several prizes.  Everyone who sells $20 or more gets a coupon for a free sundae at Sarris Candies.  Everyone who sells $40 or more gets a Mustache for Mustache Day.  Everyone selling $100 or more is entered into a region wide drawing for $500.  As a school if we sell at least $2,500 the school will also be entered into a drawing for $3,000.  Please contact me with questions at patty@newageenviro.com. - Patty Guira - Fundraising

Donaldson Elementary PTA z 600 Donaldson Road z Oakdale, PA 15071 z www.westasd.org/webpages/dpta/

“Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds you plant.” Robert Louis Stevenson

Dear Donaldson Families, As we kick off this school year, please remember to get your yearbook orders turned in early. As always, the PTA graciously pays for half of the book for each student allowing your cost to be only $12.00. You may order your yearbook online at www.jostensyearbooks.com or return this form to school. The last day to order a yearbook is January 11, 2014. If you have any questions, please contact Jessica Marshall, jessicamarshall777@gmail.com. Best wishes for a great year!

Yearbook cost - $12.00 each

Please make all checks payable to Donaldson PTA Child’s Name ______________________________________________________________ Child’s Phone Number ______________________________________________________ Teacher’s Name ____________________________________________________________ Grade ____________________________________________________________________ Number of Books ___________________________________________________________ Total Enclosed $____________________ Check Number ____________________ Cash amount _________________

14

The PTA would like to wish you all a

wonderful and safe summer!

We can’t wait for the students to come back in the fall. The PTA has new events and new

ideas that we can’t wait to share! Look for membership information in September. We have

open spots for committee chairs (see our committee list for openings).

AugustPTA Committee Meeting - Kickoff

13 Kindergarten Orientation14 New Family Orientation

September FebruaryDonaldson Magazine Sale Beginning of the Month TBA Variety Show @ WAHS Auditorium 6:00 PM Show

10 PTA Desserts & Appetizers Meet & Greet 6:00 pmSchool Safety Program - North Fayette Police Dept

10 Sarris Easter Candy Sale Ends

12 Picture Day Clearances�Needed 11 PTA Committee Chair Meeting 6:00 – 6:30 pm17 Market Day Delivery 3:45 - 5:00 pm 11 PTA General Meeting 6:30 - 7:30 pm17 Market Day Pickup 5:00 - 6:00 pm 14 CLO Performance - Thomas Edison 9:30 AM19 Open House Book Fair Open during Open House 18 Market Day Delivery 3:45 - 5:00 pm

Membership Forms 18 Market Day Pickup 5:00 - 6:00 pmYearbook Orders TBA Donaldson Discovers 3:20 - 4:45 pm Clearances�NeededDirectory FormsSpirit Wear Sale March

16 - 19 Library Book Fair During School Hours Clearances�Needed TBA Donaldson Discovers 3:20 - 4:45 pm Clearances�Needed11 PTA Committee Chair Meeting 6:00 - 7:00 pm

October TBA Donaldson Discovers 3:20 - 4:45 pm Clearances�Needed1 Directory forms due Final deadline - No exceptions 18 Market Day Delivery 3:45 - 5:00 pm8 PTA Committee Chair Meeting 6:00 - 7:00 pm 18 Market Day Pickup 5:00 - 6:00 pm

15 Market Day Delivery 3:45 - 5:00 pm TBA Donaldson Discovers 3:20 - 4:45 pm Clearances�Needed15 Market Day Pickup 5:00 - 6:00 pm 26 Sarris candy delivery 4:00 - 5:00 pm18 Walk a Thon (tentative date) During School Hours Clearances�Needed 26 Sarris candy pickup 5:00 - 6:00 pm

TBA Bingo 24-27 PTA Book Fair During School Hours Clearances�Needed27 Art Fair 6:00 - 8:00 pm

November Book Fair open during Art Fair4 Sarris Christmas Sale Begins 31 Otis Spunkmeyer Cookie sale begins4 Save Around book Sale Begins

12 Market Day Delivery 3:45 - 5:00 pm April12 Market Day Pickup 5:00 - 6:00 pm 8 PTA Committee Chair Meeting 6:00 – 6:30 pm

TBA Reading Night 6:00 – 7:30 pm 8 PTA General Meeting 6:30 - 7:30 pm14 PTA Committee Chair Meeting 6:00 - 7:00 pm TBA Let's Move Donaldson During School Hours Clearances�Needed18 Sarris Christmas Sale Ends 14 Otis Spunkmeyer Cookie sale ends18 Save Around book Sale Ends 22 Market Day Delivery 3:45 - 5:00 pm

TBA Santa Shop setup During School Hours Clearances�Needed 22 Market Day Pickup 5:00 - 6:00 pm

December May9 - 13 Santa Shop During School Hours Clearances�Needed TBA Teacher Appreciation WeekTBA Health Screenings During School Hours Clearances�Needed TBA Teacher Appreciation Luncheon During School Hours Clearances�Needed10 Market Day Delivery 3:45 - 5:00 pm 13 PTA Committee Chair Meeting 6:00 - 7:00 pm10 Market Day Pickup 5:00 - 6:00 pm 20 Market Day Delivery 3:45 - 5:00 pm10 PTA Committee Chair Meeting 6:00 - 7:00 pm 20 Otis Spunkmeyer Cookie delivery 4:00 - 5:00 pm18 Sarris candy delivery 5:00 - 6:00 pm 20 Market Day Pickup 5:00 - 6:00 pm18 Sarris candy pickup 6:00 - 7:00 pm 20 Otis Spunkmeyer Cookie pickup 5:00 - 6:00 pm18 PTA General Meeting 6:00 - 7:30 pm Vendor�Show TBA BOGO Book Fair During School Hours Clearances�Needed

TBA Variety Show Meeting – MANDATORY 7:00 – 8:00 pmJune

January TBA Fifth Grade Picnic School Hours Clearances�NeededTBA Variety Show Meeting @ LGI room 6:30 - 8:00 pm Hand�in�music 6 Last Day of School

7 PTA Committee Chair Meeting 5:00 - 6:00 pm 10 Market Day Delivery 3:45 - 5:00 pmTBA Variety Show @ WAHS Auditorium 6:00 - 8:00 pm Practice�1 10 Market Day Pickup 5:00 - 6:00 pm11 Yearbook order deadline Final deadline - No exceptions

TBA Variety Show @ WAHS Auditorium 6:00 - 8:00 pm Practice�221 Market Day Delivery 3:45 - 5:00 pm21 Market Day Pickup 5:00 - 6:00 pm

TBA Variety Show @ WAHS Auditorium 5:45 - 9:00 pm Practice�327 Sarris Easter Candy Sale Begins

TBA Variety Show @ WAHS Auditorium 5:45 - 9:00 pm Dress�Rehearsal

Donaldson PTA Calendar Dates 2013-2014