Computer Lab volunteers needed

Hey, parents! Starting the Tuesday after Labor Day we could use some volunteers to help monitor kids that are part of our Double Dosing Program in the computer lab.  The lab would be all set up and it would be easy to be trained on what to do.  The times are 8:00-9:15 and 2:15 - 3:30 Tue - Fri.  It would work just fine for 8 different people to do it and come only one day a week for either the morning or the afternoon.   Students spend part of their time in the tutor room with the aides and part of their time doing Raz Kid and a Math tutoring program in the lab.  It would be mainly that we need an adult to supervise as we cannot have children using the computers without supervision. Please let me know as soon as possible if you are interested in helping on one or more of those days. There will also be a sign-up sheet on the PTA table at Back to School Night. Thanks!

Computer Usage Permission

In yesterday's Monday folders that came out, you had instructions on going into Skyward and granting permission for your students to use the computers. It will be really helpful if you will do this. Please sign the paper form that came home, also. The school still wants the signed paper copy as a backup. Thank you!

Welcome Back to School!

Welcome Back to Manila, Marvelous Mustangs! I know this is going to be a fantastic year! Our first newsletter will be coming out on Monday, August 27 in your youngest child's Monday folder. Please watch for it and read it. It has a lot of great information.

Open House was so fun! It was great to see so many of you! Thank you to everyone who joined the PTA and also who signed up to help for things. The school runs so much better with volunteers! We appreciate you volunteering your time to help our children!

If you didn't have a chance to come to the Open House, or if you didn't have a chance to stop by the PTA tables, don't worry! Back to School night is on August 28th from 6:00-7:30. We will have sign-ups for volunteers there again. We will also have order forms for those of you who would like to order new Manila Mustang shirts. We are encouraging all of the kids to wear their Mustang Shirts on Fridays this year. Join in the fun!

There will also be registration available for the Mini Marathon which is on September 28th. I will have a laptop there so you can register at the table, or take a flyer home and do it there. Either way, we would love for you to sign up for the Mini Marathon. It's PTA's only fundraiser and it is a lot of fun and wonderful memories for your family!

A few other shout outs... look for the Battle of the Books table with Mrs. Webster by the Library when you are at Back to School Night. I really encourage as many children as possible to do this amazing program! It was our first year doing it last year, and it was priceless to see so many children engaged in reading like they were. For more information on Battle of the Books, click on our Battle of the Books Page. You'll find a list of the book the kids should read and more information.

The last thing I wanted to mention is the Manila Magic table that will also be in the hall on Back to School Night. Mrs. Shepherd does a great job with the school choir and I would love to see us have the biggest choir yet! This is an after school program, where the kids can stay for 30-45 minutes after school and practice their songs and learn more about music. They perform at several school functions and they also usually perform other places, too. It is a great experience for them. If your child is interested, find Mrs. Shepherd in the hall. It is only $10 to participate and they get a cute shirt, also.

Hope everyone has a great first week here at Manila! If you have any questions, please contact me at manilapta1213@gmail.com.

Alpine Websites Down

If you have noticed, Manila's website is down. But don't fear! It's a glitch that is affecting all of Alpine School District websites. They are working on getting it fixed. Until then, check back here for updates. If you have any questions you need answered, contact Heidi at manilapta1213@gmail.com and I will try to help you!

Manila Open House Today!

Hey, everyone! Don't forget about the Open House at Manila today from 2:00-3:00. Bring your children in to meet their teacher, find their desk, see which door they need to come in tomorrow, bring in school supplies, sign up for the Mini Marathon, join the PTA, purchase Manila Spirit Wear, pay lunch money, etc. You can also bring in all of the boxtops you've been saving over the summer and put them in the collection box in the front entry way. Come in any time during that hour. I'll be in the front hall at the PTA table. Stop in and say hello!

Open House and Back to School Night... what's the difference?

One of the things most new parents at Manila always ask me is the difference between the Open House and the Back to School Night.

Open House is on August 21st from 2:00-3:00. This is a day mostly geared toward the students. Students are able to come in at any time during this and see their classroom, meet their teacher, see their desk, find which door to line up at, etc. There is no formal meeting and the teachers don't give a presentation. This is simply a time for the kids to come in and get geared up for starting school the next day. There are sign ups in the classroom and also PTA information and sign ups in the hall. Children are also able to bring in their school supplies and donations at this time so they don't have to bring in so much in their backpacks on the first day of school. Dr. Sorensen has a fun art project for the kids to do, and there are Manila T-shirts available for order. You can pay for lunches and sign up for Manila Magic. You can register for the Mini Marathon at the PTA table located in the hall.

Back to School Night is on August 28th at 6:00. This is an evening geared more toward informing parents. A lot of parents leave their children home on this night. At 6:00 there is a general meeting in the cafeteria where Dr. Sorensen and the PTA present information about the upcoming year to the parents. This is considered one of our General PTA Board Meetings where we will vote on the budget and also the PTA Bylaws. Afterwards, there are 15 minute blocks available where parents can go to each child's classroom and the teachers present what they are going to be focusing on during the year. There is a lot of great information given to parents. Sign ups are again available in the classrooms and out in the hall. T-shirts are available for order. You can register for the Mini Marathonat the PTA table in the hall.

If you have any questions that I haven't answered, please feel free to contact me. Heidi Panter at manilpta1213@gmail.com. See you and your children at the Open House!

PTA Kick-off Meeting

Just a reminder... Our PTA Kick-off meeting will be this Wednesday, August 8th at 9:30am at Adrien Webb's home, 1143 W 2180 N. Please come, even if you've never been to a PTA Meeting before! We will be going over a lot of important things to kick off the year and we would love to have as many people there as possible! There will be light refreshments served. Hope to see you there!

Also, if you can stay after, there is a Mini Marathon Meeting at 10:30 at the same place. We need your help!