7 DAYS TIL ELECTION DAY!

 

Election Day is November 6th, 2012, which means there are only 7 more days to get information about candidates before election day! Please research who is running so you can make an educated vote! And most importantly...

VOTE!!!

For information on where to vote and the candidates running for office, all you have to do is go to 

http://vote.utah.gov/

put in your information, and it will tell you who will be on your ballot, where to vote, and where to get more information on the candidates. 

Come play with the PTA!

To see some of the fun activities going on that you can get discount tickets for being a PTA member, please go to https://www.utahpta.org/come-play-events. It includes Disney on Ice, Hale Center Theatre, Utah Jazz and more! Go see all the ways you can play with the PTA!

12 Halloween Safety Tips for Little Ghosts and Goblins

Thank you to Primary Children's Hospital and Utah PTA for providing us these 12 Halloween Safety Tips for Little Ghosts & Goblins...

All Dressed up…

· Because they can obstruct a child’s vision, masks are not recommended.  If a child wears makeup, parents should look for non-toxic, hypoallergenic kits.

· Costumes should be flame-retardant and fit properly.  Avoid oversized shoes, high heels and long skirts or pants that could cause a child to fall.

· Children who will be trick-or-treating after dusk should have reflective tape on their costumes and carry flashlights.

Carving a Niche…

· Small children should never carve pumpkins.  Children can draw a face with markers, and then parents can do the cutting.  Under parents’ supervision, children ages 5 to 10 can carve with pumpkin cutters equipped with safety bars.

· Votive candles are safest for candle lit pumpkins.

· Lighted pumpkins should be placed on a sturdy table, away from curtains and other flammable objects and should never be left unattended.

Sweet Treats…

· Children shouldn’t snack wile they are trick-or-treating.  Parents should check treats at home.

· Watch for signs of tampering, such as small pinholes in wrappers and torn or loose packages.

· Parents of young children should get rid of chocking hazards such as gum, peanuts, hard candies or small toys.

Home Safe Home…

· To keep their home safe for visiting trick-or-treaters, parents should remove anything a child could trip over such as garden hoses, toys, bikes and lawn decorations.

· Parents should check outdoor lights and replace burned-out bulbs.

· Wet leaves should be swept from sidewalks and steps.

Have a Safe and Happy Halloween!

Classic Skate Night

Skate Night is coming on November 7th from 5:30-8:30pm at Classic Skating in Orem! This is a night that the PTA reserves the entire Classic Skating just for Manila students! Everyone from Manila gets in free! Bring your scooters, rollerblades and rollerskates and join us for some great fun!!!

Minimal Monday November 5th!

Attention! Another Minimal Monday is coming upon us!!!  Monday, November 5th is a Minimal Monday!

The schedule for that day will be as follows:

A Track: 8:00-12:30
B Track: 9:15-1:45
Afternoon Kindergarten: 12:30-1:45
Morning Kindergarten remains on same schedule.

Teachers will be having teacher development during that day.

Future dates for Minimal Mondays are February 4 and March 4.

Halloween

BOO!

Wednesday, October 31st is Common Start Day at Manila! REMEMBER...

School Starts at 9:15-3:30!

The Halloween Parade for parents is at 2:30 that day in the gym. 

AM Kindergarten will go from 9:15-12:00 with a parade at 11:30am.

PM Kindergarten will go from 12:33-3:30 with the parade at 2:30pm. 

Reminder... NO masks, weapons or play weapons allowed. Please don't have costumes with blood, guts or portraying violence. This includes pirate swords and other weapons. Face paint, costume eye glasses and hats are allowed.

Students are to come to school already in their costumes and make-up. Please be sure costumes are "school day friendly" meaning that they can still do everything that they normally do at school. They must be able to go to the bathroom by themselves and still manage with the costume on, play on the playground, sit on the rug, etc.

Reflections Final Reminder

Reflections entries are due this week! Entries can be put in a bin on the PTA table in the main office the week of October 29-November 2. Students may enter one project in any or all of the following categories: Dance Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photography, Visual Arts, 3-Dimensional Arts, and Theater Production. Rules and regulations can be found on the PTA table in the office or at https://www.utahpta.org/files/docs/12-13_reflections_category_guidelines_utah.pdf. This year's theme is "The Magic of a Moment". Winners will be announced and awards will be presented at the Stand and Shout Assembly on November 26 at 9:30am. Some of those winners will move on to compete at the district level. We can't wait to see all of the creative and magical projects that are submitted this year.

Alpine School District Press Release about the Space Center

Alpine School District will Continue the Space Center Program



There is mis-information circulating about the closure of the Christa
McAuliffe Space Center. It is important that employees and community
members have correct, factual information about the decision. Please
read the following:



The following news release was sent on Wednesday, October 24, 2012.



News Release



The Christa McAuliffe Space Center, which has been housed in Central
Elementary School in Pleasant Grove, has been closed due to safety
reasons. The Fire Marshal closed the Space Center in early October
because of electrical problems. Alpine School District Officials
notified Central Elementary School as well as the Program Director
that the Space Center would not be re-opened in its current location.
Superintendent Vern Henshaw has directed a committee to explore
options for a Space Center, which will then be presented to the ASD
Board of Education.





When the state fire marshal closed the center, district officials
hired an architectural firm to assess and provide an estimate of the
cost of repairs. The desire was to bring the center up to code if at
all possible. Sadly, the cost to correct electrical problems and
address the myriad of student safety problems was nearly $700,000.
Board members and district administrators felt it was not wise to use
taxpayer money to repair an aging facility when a new facility is in
future plans.

The plan is to expand on the remarkable legacy of the Space Center as
we learn from the past and look to the future.

Victor Williamson has been the director of the Space Center since it
opened in 1990. He is serving on a committee that will explore and
present options about the future of the Space Center Program. The
options will be presented to the Superintendent and the Board of
Education, who will ultimately make the decision.

The committee will be discussing all possibilities about both the
location of the center, as well as the curriculum. There are no plans
to discontinue the use of the simulators as part of the Space Center
Program. The committee will have discussions about ways to add to the
current curriculum.

Safety of the students is a top priority in Alpine School District.
The Space Center has been a great program in our district for the past
22 years. Board Members and district administrators are excited to
continue having an excellent space program in a safe environment for
students and faculty members.

District officials and board members have been aware of the needs of
the Space Center. The project was on the original 2011 Bond Project
proposal. Due to prioritization through public input, the final
proposal did not include the re-build of the Space Center. However, it
remains a focus of the Board of Education. Several years ago, property
was purchased by ASD adjacent to Central Elementary School as an
option for a future site of the Space Center. ASD continues to value
the Space Center and the impact it has had for several years. It is
for this reason Dr. Henshaw has directed the formation of the
committee.

The following statement was released by Alpine School District on
Thursday, October 25:

“Alpine School District has every intention of preserving the Space
Center Program. There is mis-information circulating about the
program’s demise. The only change is the closing of the facility in
the current location. This decision was made because of safety
reasons. District Board Members and administrators are excited to have
the 22 year program continue. This is a great opportunity for the
committee to look at the program and make it even better.”

The committee will be meeting on November 2. Please visit the ASD
website for updated information.

Help Needed for Strengthening Families Dinner

Hello, all! Our school has a special opportunity to help out at the Strengthening Families Dinner at the Jr. High on Wednesday, November 7th. We will need four or five volunteers for this. All we have to do is meet a lady on Monday who will supply us all of the food for the meal, then we will need to prepare it and have it over to the Jr. High on Wednesday evening. One thing to note, it is the same night as our Classic Skate Night, so please keep that in mind if you are planning on being at that. If you are willing and able to help with this, please email me back and let me know. I appreciate all of your help, and I know the families involved in this program appreciate it also. To learn more about the Strengthening Families program, please visit http://www.strengtheningfamiliesprogram.org/.

Important Information at City Council Meeting

I was just forwarded this information from Lee Jensen from our Pleasant Grove City Council and I thought it might interest many of you as it did me. 

High Density Housing Hearing

On Tuesday, October 30th at 6:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, a
public hearing will be held regarding the future of any new
multi-family (high density housing) in Pleasant Grove.  A recent city
survey was completed showing that about 30% of all housing in our city
is multi-family.  Of even greater concern, this same survey shows that
of the current approved housing starts; about 90% are for
multi-housing.  70% of which are for High Density starts (high density
housing at or above 18 units per acre.)



The city continues to receive requests for more and more multi-housing
projects.  If left unchecked this trend would result in multi-housing
comprising almost 40% of all housing in the city.  The question before
us is whether this is what we want our city to become?  I don’t
believe it is!



Another recent survey the city completed has shown that 76% of our
residents are against any further multi-housing development.  The
council adopted a 6-month moratorium on any further approved
multi-family housing to give the council time to decide what we want
our city to look like in the future and to gather input from a variety
of sources.



Developers, land-owners, and businesses have been invited to attend
the October 30th meeting in an effort to gather input.  Their input
needs to be balanced by citizen input.  For this reason, I am emailing
you to encourage you to attend the public hearing on the 30th, and to
help us address the question of the future of Pleasant Grove.  We need
citizen input!



I encourage you to consider attending the October 30th public hearing
and to invite your friends and neighbors to also attend.  Come make
your feelings heard.  We need to reverse the current housing trend as
well as make a clear statement (policy) on housing density.



Please attend and spread the word to your friends and neighbors.



Lee Jensen
Pleasant Grove City Council

Picture Retakes are this Thursday!

Just a reminder... picture retakes are Thursday, October 25th. Get ready to say cheese! Again!

Literacy Survey

Literacy Survey

What Are Your Favorite Family Books? PTA Wants to Know!  Do you and your children have some favorite books you think every family should know about? National PTA wants to help get the word out as part of an exciting, new literacy initiative we will launch in 2013. To participate, just answer a brief, three-question survey about your favorite books and authors. National PTA will assemble and publish a "favorites" list for families to use as a resource. The survey closes Friday, October 19, so let your voice be heard today! >>>Take the Survey

Crazy Hair Day

For Red Ribbon Week, our students pledged to say NO to drugs and bullying. They all signed the poster in the hall.

As part of Red Ribbon Week, we had a Crazy Hair Day. Here are just a few of the amazing crazy hair-do's we saw that day...

From tall...

to wide...

and everything in between!

This was one of my favorites! A donut! But she warned me... don't eat it!

Short and long...

Barbie even got in on the action!

Friendly competition!

Awww, so cute!

This one knows how to accessorize!

Go Vikings! Go Mustangs!

This little piggy went to market...

All the friends got in on the craziness!

Wild punk pink!

Crazy as ever!

Even our aides got in on the fun!!

Mustangs rock!!

Winning Posters

Here are the winning posters in our Anti-Bullying Poster Contest...

You can see the full display in the hall by the lunchroom!

Kathryn in 5th Grade

CreeAnna in 4th Grade

Joshua in 1st Grade

Camren in Kindergarten

Sara in 6th Grade.

Sadie in 3rd Grade

Jordyn in 2nd Grade

We are proud of our students and their commitment to not bully!

Election Day information provided by PTA

Election Day Information Available from PTA

Are you unsure of your polling place or who the candidates in the federal and state elections are? Visit the National PTA Campaigns and Elections page at PTA.org/election2012. Just enter your address, and you will be provided with the candidates running in your area, as well as your polling place. 

Information on School Lunch Program

I got this information and thought I would put it out there in case any kof you would like to listen to the webinar and find out more...

Hi everyone - As I have been out and about, I am hearing a lot of
concern about changes in the school lunch program.  There is
information right now on our website
https://www.utahpta.org/announcement/healthier-school-meals-webinar
about a webinar on November 14th that will discuss the changes.  It
will be be facilitated by the State Office of Education, the
University of Utah, Utah Department of Health and Action for Healthy
Kids.  Space is limited and you need to sign up in advance.  Please
spread the word.

Thanks!

--
Linda Hansen
Regions Vice President
Utah PTA

Fall Break

Fall Break is here! Can you believe it?!? There will be no school October, 11-15! Have a fun Fall Break! We'll see you on Tuesday, October 16th! 

Crazy Hair Day

It's Crazy Hair Day tomorrow! Remember to wear your craziest hair and to say NO to Drugs and Bullying!

No Bullying Poster Contest

Don't forget to color your No Bullying Poster that came home in your Monday folder! Turn it in by October 8th and we will be picking a winner! If you need another copy, I will be posting one soon! Be creative and use your best artistry!

Say No to Bullying!

Unfortunately, bullying is a major problem in many schools and communities. Bullying prevention skills can protect kids from most bullying, increase their confidence, and help them to develop positive peer relationships. Here are some practices you can work on with the young people in your life now.

http://www.kidpower.org/library/article/prevent-bullying/?gclid=CN2a-5_I77ICFQjZQgodV2wAXw

Here's some more great information on preventing bullying.

http://www.stompoutbullying.org/

It is so important for students to know that they can't bully others. Sometimes, kids don't even realize that what they are doing is bullying. Please take the opportunity, this week especially, to talk to your children and make sure they know about bullying.

Drug free facts

There are many facts on drug use. The main fact students need to remember is to Just Say No! If you would like more information on drugs, signs of drug use, ways to talk to your child, and more, here are some links you can check out!  

http://drugfacts4youngpeople.com/

http://kidshealth.org/kid/grow/drugs_alcohol/know_drugs.html

http://www.dare.com/home/default.asp

http://drugfactsweek.drugabuse.gov/iqchallenge.php

Please take the opportunity, especially this week, to sit down and talk with your student about drug use and their health. Please remind them to...

One School, One Goal... Bully and Drug Free!

Red Ribbon Week is October 8-10 at Manila Elementary, and we are adding in a new goal to go along with our Drug Free Week... Bully Free! Please take the opportunity this week to talk with your children and let them know that it is not okay to do drugs, and it is not okay to bully anyone. I will be posting ideas through the week, so check back often.

This week at Manila, we will be having different themed days.

Monday- Mustangs have School Spirit and don't do drugs and don't bully!  (Wear school colors and your Manila Spirit wear!)

Tuesday- Be a Team Player and don't do drugs or bully! (Wear your favorite sports jersey or outfit. No hats!)

Wednesday- Drugs and Bullying are HAIRY... just say no! (Crazy hair day!)

You just might see some of the PTA wandering around the school on these days looking for kids who are participating! And you never know... we might have something special for you!