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“Making Stars for Tomorrow”
Longfellow PTA Newsletter Longfellow PTA Newsletter Longfellow PTA Newsletter November 3, 2009
Excitement abounds with the implementation of the Progress Book for our elementary students
starting this year. All parents have been sent a letter indicating their logon and password so they can start using
this tremendous tool.
Log on at https://parentaccess.mecdc.org/general/district.aspx
Longfellow “Rockets” Math & Science
Magnet School
120 Hiawatha Avenue
Westerville, Ohio 43081
614-797-7180
www.wcsoh.org
PRINCIPAL Mr. Stephen Petercsak
PTA OFFICERS: Lynn Aventino
President
Susan Blackwood Vice President/Link Editor
Kathy Wade 2nd Vice President
Laura Wartel, Secretary
Cheryl Lovell, Treasurer
Linda George
Parent Council Representative
Through an award from the National PTA,
Longfellow PTA will be hosting a month-long
health initiative at our school. Please encourage
your child to be a Longfellow “Walking Rockets”
and participate in the walking challenge during
their recess. Students will track their laps
walked around the playground. We will chart
their miles walked as a school and see how far
across the map we “travel”.
Save the Date!! Sunday, November 22nd we
will hold a “Big Night of Healthy Fun”
celebration at the Westerville Community
Center. We will have a private party for
Longfellow families that will include fun fitness
games and activities for all. Families will be
asked to participate in a healthy food potluck.
All potluck recipes will be turned into a
Longfellow Rocket Recipe Book!
Remember to encourage your child to walk at
recess! We will look forward to seeing you at
the “Big Night of Healthy Fun” celebration!
Thank you for your support as we work together
to build healthy habits for our children.
Your PTA
Twitter.com/LongfellowPTA
NOVEMBER
“BIG MONTH OF HEALTHY FUN”
Important Dates
your “Little Rocket”
will want you to
remember!
Nov. 1st Daylight Savings
“Fall Back”
1 hour @ 2 AM
Nov. 3rd Election Day
VOTE-It is your right!
Nov. 14th Otterbein Craft Bazaar
10am-4 pm
Admission Free
100 W. Home St.
Nov. 22nd Family Craft Workshop
for the Holidays at
Inniswood Metro Park
2-4 pm
Meet at Innis House
940 S. Hempstead Rd.
200920092009
1
Daylight
Saving Time
Starts at 2
AM
2
2nd Grading
Period Begins
3 ELECTION
DAY Longfellow
Bake Sale
No school
4
5 5th Grade
Reading Night at Longfellow
6-8 PM Grade Cards
Distributed today
6
7
8
9
10
CHESS CLUB
8AM-8:50AM
11
MARKET DAY
ORDERS DUE
By noon
12
No SchoolNo SchoolNo School TeacherTeacherTeacher
ConferencesConferencesConferences
13
No SchoolNo SchoolNo School TeacherTeacherTeacher
ConferencesConferencesConferences
14
15
16 MARKET DAY
PICK UP
5:15-6:15
17
CHESS CLUB
8AM-8:50AM
18
19
20
21
22 BIG NIGHT
OF HEALTHY
FUN
at Westerville
Rec. Center
5:30-8PM
*Potluck Dinner
23
24
CHESS CLUB
8AM-8:50AM
25
26
27
28
29 30
1
CHESS CLUB
8AM-8:50AM
2
3
4
Interim Cards
Distributed
5
SUN MON TUES WED THURS FRI SAT
Longfellow LINK Page 2
Longfellow Scholastic Book Fair
Caring and Sharing Holiday Collection Drive
Thanksgiving Break
TOP WINNING CLASS
2nd Grade
Longfellow LINK Page 3
It is a fun time of year to order Market Day products! Market Day offers a large selection of meats, including
roasts and seafood; sale-priced vegetables and brunch items; and a delicious array of pies and other desserts
perfect for serving to holiday guests. Most Market Day products are very easy to prepare and serve, which is
especially convenient during these busy months.
One other benefit of ordering in November is that there is a special promotion called “Dessert Bonus Days.”
Longfellow receives a very good return on these particular products.
If you have any questions about Market Day, please contact Kathy Wade at (614) 901-8888 or
WE MADE OUR GOAL!!
All the Longfellow families worked together, and we did it!! Our goal this year was to raise $5,625.
Not only did we accomplish our goal, but our Grand Total was $6,032!!! WAY TO GO LONGFELLOW
STUDENTS! This year we were given a generous Grant from the Ohio Department of Transportation
(ODOT)-Safe Routes to School, which enabled us to give each participating student a water bottle
coolie, a pedometer and a Longfellow wristband. This Grant also enabled us to award new athletic shoes
to the following students that raised the most money in each class. Thank you Linda George for
organizing this event, and Thank you Melissa Courts for securing this Grant!!!
TOP WINNING STUDENTS
1st GRADE: Drew Lopez
2nd GRADE: Mary Katherine Lynch
3rd GRADE: Niko George
4th GRADE: Campbell Smith
5th GRADE: Carly Sendelbach
Top Winning Class will earn EXTRA
RECESS plus be the first to take a ride in the Hot Air Balloon
More information on the Hot Air Balloon to come home.
(We are currently working on that schedule which is dependant upon weather.)
Longfellow LINK Page 4
5th GRADE FAMILY READING NIGHT Thursday, November 5 , 2009
6-8pm at the Longfellow Cafeteria
If you are planning on attending, email to RSVP: [email protected]
***Families attending are asked to please bring a side dish (fruit or veggies are fine) OR a dessert to share***
The evening’s activities include free dinner (Yogi's Hoagies), chips & drinks, plus side dishes brought in by other 5th grade
families. After dinner, families get to spend some quality time together reading and writing poetry. Lots of samples and
templates are available for those with writer's block! Families meet back in the cafe for dessert, hot chocolate and open mic
where students and their families can read their original poems that were created that evening.
We hope you will join us for this fun and creative night out with other 5th grade families! In the past it has always been a
lot of fun listening to the many interesting writings of both the students and parents!!
Hope to see you there!
The Family Reading Night Committee
April Hynes (Chair) , Kristen Berk and Reshma Daman
BOX TOPS COLLECTION DRIVEBOX TOPS COLLECTION DRIVEBOX TOPS COLLECTION DRIVE RESULTSRESULTSRESULTS
5170 Box Tops were collected for a total of $517.00
First Place: 3rd Grade with 1,902 Second Place: 5th Grade with 1,160
Third Place: 2nd Grade with 1,071
Fourth Place: 1st Grade with 454
Fifth Place: 4th Grade with 439
Sixth Place: Office Staff with 144
The winning classroom gets to select a new game for their classroom.
Congratulations to the 3rd Grade Class!
Audra Hauff, Chair
Share the warmth this winter… The Longfellow Caring & Sharing
Hat and Mittens Drive
November 16th - November 20th Please donate new or gently used hats, mittens, gloves, and scarves to support the Westerville Area
Resource Ministry (WARM).Both child and adult sized items are welcome and appreciated! Collection Box will be outside the Principal’s Office.
Contact Mollie Lynch at [email protected] or
523-0730 with any questions.
Longfellow LINK Page 5
LONGFELLOW’S
8th Annual Everal Barn Outing
“IT’S FEELIN LIKE FALL AT THE BARN”
Yes....it was a success!! There were approximately 200 Longfellow students and family members in attendance, and the
weather was perfect! Highlights included a Scavenger Hunt, a Science Presentation, a Chili Cook-off
and Fall Sweets Bake-off, a Naturalist Program about Owls, a Coloring Contest, and the beloved
Outdoor Sports and Bonfire.
Thank you to all of you who volunteered in the various stations! It allowed things to run smoothly
and made it so everyone could enjoy themselves. A special “thanks” goes out to Jim Blackwood and
Scott Courts for the Science Activities; to the Lovell and Stevens Families for providing firewood; to
Beth Mulick for making beautiful posters; and to the committee members who gave much time and
effort in doing a fabulous job – Lynn Aventino, Kristen Berk, Susan Blackwood, Kelley Hand, and Mollie
Lynch. Thanks again, Kathy Wade-Chair
THE RESULTS.....
DESSERT WINNER CHILI WINNER
PEANUT BUTTER MOUSE COOKIES JULIA’S SECRET SURPRISE CHILI
MARY CURRY KELLEY CARMICHAEL
PARTY ANYONE??
Attention all party planners, project managers and fun parents. PTA is in URGENT NEED of a
Chair (or 2 Co-Chairs) for our Fun Fair Committee. Fun Fair is always a popular event with Longfellow
families. Held each spring at Blendon Middle School, Fun Fair is an afternoon of family fun in a
festival type atmosphere. Games, raffles, contests, entertainment and concessions - Fun Fair has
something to offer for every member of the family. We have a committee in place and currently
need someone to take the lead role and manage the Fun Fair planning and implementation.
If you are interested, please contact Lynn Aventino [email protected]
DID YOU KNOW........ We have a Longfellow Support Network called Longfellow Cares.
We send congratulations as well as support cards as needed to Longfellow families and staff
members . Please inform us of anyone who would benefit from this wonderful service. Longfellow Cares also recognizes Teachers and Staff Birthdays and important dates.
Mollie Lynch, Chair [email protected] or Carrie Lutz [email protected]
Longfellow LINK Page 6
HELP...WE HAVE FALLEN!!!!
Can you help us get back up!!
We have over 110 PTA members so far this
year...BUT WE ARE DOWN 30%. It is not too late
to join! Your PTA dues entitles you to the benefits
of Longfellow, Ohio and National PTAs. This year we
are focusing on ENRICHMENT and your dues will help
with programs involving the arts, science, engineering,
literacy, and more. Dues are just $5 per person.
If you need a membership form or have any
questions, please contact:
Laura Wartel at [email protected] or 614-212-2118.
Tracking Volunteer Hours Please remember to sign in and out when you are
volunteering at Longfellow. All hours are tracked
throughout the year and reported at the end of the
year. If you are working on activities outside of the
school, please track your hours and send them to me.
Hours are tracked in the following categories
Programs
Legislative
Fundraising
Laura Wartel/Secretary
Chair, Membership Committee
212-2118
5th GRADE TEACHER
APPRECIATION
“Oktoberfest” LUNCHEON
was wonderful
Thanks Ramona Bishop, Chris Dilley, April Hynes,
Michelle Kloos, Cheryl Lovell and Carrie Lutz for a
“Wunderbares Mittagessen”
Susan Blackwood, Chair
ROCKET RAVES Do you know a Longfellow Rocket
Volunteer that has done something
AMAZING? Be sure to thank them by
filling out a rocket located on the PTA
bulletin board as you come into the school.
Let everyone know how much our Long-
fellow Rockets
are appreciated!
SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR
November 9th-November 12th
Monday-PREVIEW DAY, 9 am - 4 pm
Tuesday- Buying Day, 9am - 4 pm
Wednesday - Make Up Day, 9 am -7 pm
Thursday- 9 am - 7 pm
Great time to buy books for gifts
Open during Conferences Nov. 11th & 12th
Longfellow LINK Page 7
Elementary Leadership Summit
ESSAY CONTEST WINNERS FOR GRADES 3-5
2009—2010 School Year Leaders of tomorrow must not only be given opportunities to lead, but also be mentored.
The 4th Annual Elementary Leadership Summit will be held Friday, November 6, 2009,. with a follow up
session scheduled on Friday, May 14, 2010. This is a special opportunity given to identified elementary
students in Westerville for the purpose of shaping and influencing our leaders of tomorrow. Only two
students from each class were chosen. They wrote an essay that was read by a panel of judges to help
determine who was to attend the Elementary Leadership Summit. Essays were evaluated based on
organization of thought, clarity of expression, enthusiasm communicated, examples included, and overall
quality of essay (grammar and spelling do count)
HERE ARE OUR LONGFELLOW LEADERS:
3rd Grade: Maria Hays & Ben Middleton
4th Grade: Leilani Block & Ben Carey
5th Grade: Trent Harris & Ashley Ho
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF YOU!!
SIGN UP FOR BUILDING NEWSLETTERS AND
DISTRICT COMMUNICATIONS, INCLUDING EMERGENCY
CLOSINGS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS AT:
WWW.WCSOH.ORG
Westerville Schools Superintendent, Dr. Dan Good is hosting several “Coffee and
Conversation” meetings throughout the school year, and extends an open invitation
to parents and community members to stop by and meet with him to discuss
education in the Westerville Schools. Below are the scheduled times through the
end of the year.
November 6th - Tim Horton's, 5710 Cleveland Avenue - 7:30 AM
November 19th - The Lakes Country Club, 6740 Worthington Road - 12 Noon
December 4th - Panera, 782 N. State St. - 12 Noon
FYI: No more C & C until Jan. 9th, 2010
NEWS BULLETIN
New this year is the Westerville City School District online program called Study Island.
It is a tremendous resource for preparing our students for the Ohio Achievement Tests
in Social Studies and Science. Students have a user name and password from their
teacher to access this web-based program from home or our computer lab at school.
For more information contact the school or visit
www.studyisland.com
Join fellow students in the Longfellow Chess Club!
Students of all grades and abilities are welcome (even those that don't know how to
play yet). CHECK CALENDAR FOR DATES.
Play chess with other students, learn about tactics, improve
your game, and enjoy a variety of chess activities!
The Chess Club meets every (well almost) Tuesday morning at 8:00-8:45 AM.
Questions? Contact Lawson Wade-Chairman (901-8888), Jim Blackwood (882-0988) or
Cheryl Lovell (818-0473)
*If your child needs transportation on these mornings, call us and let us see if we can
find another parent to carpool. Just ask!
NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED
CHESS CLUB
Longfellow Link Page 8
WORD FOR THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER
Tolerance (Tolerance is the positive and cordial effort to understand another’s beliefs,
practices and habits without necessarily sharing or accepting them.)
Longfellow LINK Page 9
Did you know that you can donate money to your child’s school by shopping at BoxTops4Education
also? We all shop online occasionally so see how you can earn money for our school at stores such as
Barnes and Noble, The Gap, Kohls, Home Depot, Staples, Limited Too, Lands End, Target and the
list goes on and on. SAVE THOSE BOXTOPS TOO!!!
WE NEED YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS
Grocery Shopping made easy...PLUS, make money for the school.
If you lose the menu your child brings home…..it is right here...VOILA!!
http://www.marketday.com
EASY MONEY!!!!
www.krogercommunityrewards.com
When the economy is bad, fundraising becomes even more of a challenge. That is why I am so excited
about the Kroger Community Rewards Program. Longfellow benefits from something you are doing anyway-
buying groceries! The only extra step for you is to take the time to register.
If you ever shop at Kroger, please take the time to sign up your Kroger Rewards card on line. This will link
every purchase you make with your Rewards card (the card you use anyway to shop at Kroger) to benefit
Longfellow. Tell your friends and family to sign up, as well!
www.krogercommunityrewards.com contact Cheryl Lovell at [email protected] or 818-0473.
Let’s earn some money!!
Signing up is as easy as 1, 2, 3
Go to www.meijer.com/rewards
Longfellow School code is 990614
CLICK THE PAGE TO READ
NOVEMBER IS.......
BIG MONTH
OF HEALTHY FUN
Remember to walk your laps,
eat healthy and have fun!!
Look for “Westerville Stars” that will
join you at recess and walk with you.
November 22nd is our
BIG NIGHT OF HEALTHY FUN!
Westerville Recreation Center
5:30-8 PM
A Potluck Dinner will be held and all
participating recipes will be compiled
into a “Longfellow Rocket Recipe Book”
More information to follow