Short Pump Elementary School PTA

The Principal’s Buzz 

SPES welcomed a large shipment of books to our hive this week.  After much deliberation by our teachers, we decided to purchase content-area leveled texts from Scholastic for our Book Room.  With a $5,000 contribution from the PTA, we have hundreds of new books that support our science and social studies curriculum, and that will enrich all of our students’ literacy instruction. THANK YOU to the PTA for making this large purchase and significant enhancement to our Book Room resources possible!

Be on the lookout for a purple flyer that will come home with your children on Monday.  One half of the flyer is regarding your plans for our upcoming early release day on the last day of school, June 15.  The other half allows you to inform our office if your family may be moving this summer to help us better plan for the 2012-2013 school year.  Thank you for completing these and returning them to school if applicable.

This is it!  As of Monday, our testing window will be open.  All of the hard work and dedication that our students and their teachers have put forth this year will have a chance to shine over the next three weeks as we complete our end-of-year assessments.  We know that you will encourage your children to work hard and do their best, and look forward to seeing outstanding performances across all grade levels!!! 

Mrs. Passehl

Legos and Robotics Open House

On Saturday, 6/9 from 10:00 to 12:00, Deep Run High School’s Robotics Team will hold an open house to inform parents and students about the First Lego League programs available for students up through 8th grade.   FIRST is a non-profit organization that encourages students to open their minds to science, math, engineering, and technology through hands-on activities.
 
Everyone who is interested is welcome to attend and students may submit applications. Parents who are interested in coaching can attend a follow-up meeting to explore options for creating an SPES team.  
 
Click here for more information.

And Now, a Word from Mrs. Hampton

A Message from Ms. Fitz and Green Team…

Earth Week at Short Pump found our Stingers outside observing all kinds of nature.  Many of them shared them with us by contributing to the photo exhibit organized by the Green Team. Keep your eyes wide open– you never know what you will find!  If you look carefully you might even find the ladybugs released in the Secret Garden by the Green Team.  Don’t forget to visit the Earth Day blog (https://blogs.henrico.k12.va.us/spesearthday/). Earth Day will celebrate the end of the year with a visit to the West End Farmers’ Market on 6/6!

Update – Kids’ Choice for Environmental Change

Hot off the presses from HCPS is information about start times for elementary schools next year.

Short Pump Elementary School will be in “Group 2,” with a bell schedule of 8:10 a.m. – 2:40 p.m.  

2012-2013 School Year Staggered Elementary Schedule and Adjusted Middle and High School Day 

Elementary Group 1: 7:40 a.m. to 2:10 p.m.

Elementary Group 2: 8:10 a.m. to 2:40 p.m.

Middle School: 8:35 a.m. to 3:10 p.m.

High School: 9:00 a.m. to 3:55 p.m.

Time is running out to order your copy of the SPES Memory Books for the 2011/2012 school year! We have 20 copies left so please order yours today to be assured that you have a copy in June when they are delivered. Go to www.jostensyearbooks.com to purchase a book with your debit or credit card for the cost of $25. . If you aren’t sure if you have ordered a book, please contact Rebecca Barricklow.

Sweet Spot, a specialty candy store in West Broad Village, is kicking off a great idea to keep our kids reading through the summer!  On Thursday, 6/28 at 7pm, kids from around town will meet at the store to discuss Roald Dahl’s Charlie and The Chocolate Factory.  The store will offer book-related treats such as Everlasting Gobstoppers and Fizzy Lifting drinks. Tell your friends about this great new program and come participate in the fun! 

As of our last general membership meeting on March 22nd, the PTA had a bank balance of $37,830.  We are very excited to communicate that we are purchasing the following for the school!

• 4 Promethean Boards ($12,200 – plus a partial grant from Promethean, Inc.)  http://www.prometheanworld.com/en-us
• Flip Forms – lightweight portable risers for the multipurpose room ($3,000) http://www.wengercorp.com/Teach/flipFORMS.html
• Discretionary money to each grade level and resource teachers ($3,000)
• Leveled Books for the new Book Room ($5,000 – allocated last year, to be spent this year)

Total Donations to School by PTA = $23,200

These purchases are above and beyond the money used for our “normal” operations, such as: Cultural Arts Programs, Explore Lab, Field Day, Directories, Technology, Teacher Resource Fund, Room Parent Fund, etc.   Deciding what to do with our “extra” money was a collaborative process which included input from the teachers, administrators and the PTA board.

Of the remaining $14,630, the majority will be used for end-of-year budget expenditures (primarily teacher resource fund, room parents fund, 5th Grade celebration), leaving us with a forecasted ending balance of under $5,000.  Keeping a balance is necessary for beginning of the year operating expenses.

Thank you for all of your generous donations and your support of our various fundraisers over the year!  Because of you, we are able to give back to the school in such an impactful way.

The School Board has approved two changes to THIS YEAR’S CALENDAR!

Friday, April 6th 2012 will be a FULL DAY student holiday instead of the originally scheduled half day.

Friday, May 25th 2012 will be a FULL DAY student holiday instead of the originally scheduled normal school day.