Newsletter Summer 2013

www.BlendonPTO.orgwww.facebook.com/BlendonPTO groups.yahoo.com/group/Blendon_Middle/

Find Us Online

Important Dates (so far)Aug 7: Schedule Pickup 1-3pm or 5-7pm. Aug 7: New student orientation 6pm

Aug 8: Schedule Pickup 10am-NoonAug 14: First day back to school 8am-2:45pm

Aug 14-28: Entertainment Book sale (Principal’s Fund)Aug 22: Curriculum Night 6-8pm

Aug 29: Renaissance Awards: Swimming (4th Qtr)Sep 2: Labor Day NO SCHOOLSep 6: School Dance 5-7pm

Sep 9-27: Magazine Fundraiser (PTO)Sep 26: EARly RElEASE (1:45pm)Oct 15-Dec 20: Second Grading PeriodOct 18: OEA/NEA Day NO SCHOOLOct 23-24: Parent-Teacher Conferences Oct 24-25: NO SCHOOLNov 7: Renaissance Awards: Bowling (1st Qtr)Nov 12: Band ConcertNov 15: School Dance 5-7pmNov 27-29: NO SCHOOLDec 23-Jan 3: NO SCHOOLJan 6-Mar 7: Third Grading PeriodJan 16: EARly RElEASE (1:45pm)Jan 20: Martin Luther King Jr Day NO SCHOOLJan 23: Renaissance Awards (2nd Qtr)Feb 13: EARly RElEASE (1:45pm)Feb 17: Presidents Day NO SCHOOLFeb 21: School Dance 3-5pmMar 10-May 23: Fourth Grading PeriodMar 24-28: Spring Break NO SCHOOLApr 10: EARly RElEASE (1:45pm)Apr 18: NO SCHOOLMay 23: last Day of ClassesMay 25: Memorial Day NO SCHOOL

In This IssueImportant Dates ........................................... 1Find Us Online ............................................. 1Help Blendon While You Shop .................... 1PTO Officers & Committee Chairs ............... 2Why Attend Schedule Pickup ...................... 2Principal’s Letter .......................................... 2Money: How We Raise It / Spend It ............. 3Dress Code ................................................. 4What Are Dances Like? ............................... 4What Does PTO Do in Middle School? ....... 5How You Can Help ...................................... 5Membership Form ....................................... 6

Help Blendon While You ShopThese stores set aside millions of dollars every year for charity, and Blendon qualifies as a recipient. It doesn’t cost you anything but time to sign up; you must renew Kroger and Giant Eagle enrollment EVERY YEAR. It’s worth $1500 to us.www.krogercommunityrewards.com (80651) www.gianteagle.com (Apples for Students: 5043)www.target.com/redcard (83495) www.meijer.com (Community Rewards: 679591)

2013-14 PTO Officers and Committee ChairsJanet Steele, President jlsteele@core.com, 614/898-3694Jackiethia Butsch, Vice PresidentAlissa McMullen, TreasurerCheryl Bergsman, SecretaryJoyce Himes, Parent CouncilTracy Stocker, Membership ChairHeather Harris, GEM Award ChairKris Ball, Scholarship ChairMichelle Guerrieri, Dance & Staff Appreciation Chair

Why Go to Schedule PickupParent/Guardian:

Turn in emergency card and •other school paperworkPay school fees (cash or check payable to WCS)•Pickup order form for School Pictures•Visit the PTO table to •…add your student to the student directory …buy Phys Ed shirt ($6.50), spiritwear ($10-$18) …join PTO ($5/member) …sign up as a volunteer (dances, baking, etc.) …buy an Entertainment Book to support the Principal’s Fund ($30)Catch up with your friends and neighbors•

Student:Get your school picture taken (used on your •School ID, which must be carried on your person during school and at all school activities)Get your class schedule and locker assignment, •then practice your combinationVisit the PTO table to... •...Sign up for clubs you might be interested in ...Check out the Spiritwear T-shirtsMeet up with your friends•

From Principal HarrisDear Bulldog Families:

Welcome to the 2013-2014 school year! I hope everyone had a safe and relaxing summer. We look forward to working closely with you as we provide a challenging educational program for our students. I encourage your active support and participation as we seek to provide a positive learning environment for all of our students.

This year, 6th grade students will be taking a new course called “Technical Writing.” This course is designed to prepare our students to be successful in the 21st Century by improving their ability to think critically, collaborate, and communicate effectively. Technical writing will be required for all 6th grade students and offered every other day. This course will not replace writing in the regular English Language Arts classroom; however, it will provide an overview of all types of writing.

I want to offer best wishes to the following teachers who retired at the end of the school year: Julia Bradley and Mark Buxton. These teachers were contributing factors to the success of Blendon Middle School, so we wish them the very best as they take on new endeavors.

Lastly, I want to welcome the following new teachers to the Bulldog Family:

Kimberly Long• - SpanishMike Reinold• - 8th grade MathNicole Collar• - 6th grade Technical WritingKeith Robinson• - 6th grade English Language ArtsChaundra Tyson• - Intervention SpecialistKenton Lee• - 7th grade Social StudiesJohn Vermeulen• - StringsLaura Fahning • - Choir

We look forward to meeting all of you and working collaboratively to help all students achieve academic success.Sincerely,Kendall Harris Principal

2 - Blendon PTO Newsletter Summer 2013

This newsletter was printed and mailed the week of July 22, 2013. Only PTO funds were used; it was sent to all Blendon families. You can find copies at school in the

entryway publication rack, or online: www.BlendonPTO.org

How PTO Raises Money (with your help!)Magazine Sale .......................$ 8,500 Coming in SeptemberSpirit Wear ................................2,500 Buy/Order at Schedule PickupCommunity Rewards ................1,500 Kroger: 80651 Giant Eagle: 5043 Target: 83495 Meijer: 679591Membership ~250@$5pp ........1,250 We set a high goal this year -- won’t you join?Restaurant Nights ......................1,000 Rita’s, Donatos, City BBQ, details comingScholarship Fundraiser ..............1,000 “Pie The Teachers” Fundraiser in JanuaryDances/Misc ..............................1,000 This include donations... we are tax-exemptTOTAl (approx.) ..................$16,750 <--This equals less than $23 per student based on 750 students

Where We Spend It (approved by members)School activity SuPPort:Renaissance Program ............$ 3,500 Quarterly Citizenship/Grades Incentive ActivityCareer Day ................................2,250 Usually in the springEnd-of-school Celebration ........1,500Scholarship ................................1,000 Two @ $500Clubs ............................................750 Evening of Honors .......................600 In May6th & 7th Grade Activities ...........5008th Grade Activities .....................500Bulldog Breakfast ........................500 Students nominated by staff, 2x/yearLibrary ..........................................500 Plus Boxtops and Labels ------>Testing Snacks .............................500

Staff SuPPort:Grants ....................................$ 2,000Coffee ...........................................100GEM Award .................................200Teacher-Staff Appreciation ..........750Office/MiscExpenses ...............1,600 This year’s focus: Audio & Signage!TOTAL (pending approval) ..$16,750

Aformalbudgetwillbepresentedforapprovalatthefirst PTO meeting of the year (tentatively on August 27th).

This year we want to work on getting electronic signage in the cafeteria and some audio equipment for performances and activities that occur in the gym.

Blendon Middle School PTO is a 501(3)(c) tax exempt organization. As such, we can accept monetary donations and provide you with a receipt upon request for tax purposes. Make checks payable to BlendonPTOandsendthemintotheofficeinanenvelopemarked“PTO.”Pleaseindicateifyouwantareceiptfor your taxes; we will need your full mailing address if you do.

turn theSe in to Benefit the Blendon liBrary

3 - Blendon PTO Newsletter Summer 2013

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Hats, coats and bookbags are to be kept in the a. student’s assigned locker during the school day and until the end of the school day. Students may carry books and class-related materials in a string bag if needed. Large canvas bags are not permitted. Sweatshirts are permitted in class; hoods are to remain down. Blankets are not permitted.

Pants and shorts are to be worn properly around b. thewaist.“Sagging”isspecificallynotpermitted.The“fingertip”testisusedtodeterminetheappropriateness of the length of shorts and skirts; the hems of skirts must meet or exceed the tips of one’sfingerswhenthearmsarefullyextendedatone’s side. The hems of shorts must meet or exceed the tips of one’s thumbs when the arms are fully extended at one’s side.

Gang related items such as wallet chains, head-c. bands, colored bandanas or wearing clothing in a manner that is gang related are not permitted.

Clothing with profane or obscene pictures and/or d. lettering which refer to alcohol, tobacco, chemicals,

or related material is prohibited. Clothing relating to gang colors, symbols or clothing styles is prohibited.

Immodest or inappropriate clothing such as, but e. not limited to: hats. hoods, bandanas, scarves and do-rags, except for religious and/or medically necessitated reasons, cut-off T-shirts, spaghetti strap tank tops, halters or any clothing exposing cleavage and clothing exposing the midriff or back. Students shall be required to wear shoes. Coats and jackets are to be kept in lockers or designated areas.

Students will be expected to comply with stipu-f. lations placed on them by areas of our educational program that consider standards of dress as necessarypartsoftheirprograms(example:fieldtrips, athletic squads, work programs, etc.)

Students who are not in compliance with the dress g. code will be allowed to call home for appropriate clothing or will be provided with clothing from the school. Repeated violations will result in disciplinary action.

Dances are held three times this year -- September 6, November 15, and February 21. Our September dance is from 5pm to 7pm.

Tickets are typically $3 ($2 for Renaissance Awards students) and are sold in advance during lunch the week of the dance as well as at the door.

The dance is held in the Gymnasium, where a DJ provides music and sometimes games.

Food and drinks as well as baked goods (calling all bakers!) and snacks are offered in the Cafeteria. We typically also sell dance photos and novelties depending on the dance theme.

Dress code for dances is the same as dress code for school: no undergarments showing, no skinny straps for girls, no short-shorts, etc. Dressing to the theme of

the dance (eg, 80’s, disco, formal, etc.) is completely optional. This year’s themes have not yet been determined.

Parent help is needed the week before selling tickets at lunch, and the day of the dance by baking, cooking, or decorating. Parents are also welcome to attend the dances as chaperones or to help sell food and drinks or take pictures.

If you drop your student at the dance, please realize that there are no re-entries. Once a student leaves the dance, they are not permitted back in.

Please be prompt when picking up your child. Staff does not leave the school until everyone is picked up.

Feel free to come in and check it out yourself when you drop off your student.

Student Dress Code*

What Are Dances Like?

*From the 13-14 Parent Student Handbook found online at www.wcsoh.org/blendon under “Links/Downloads.”

Find forms, sports calendars as well as Mr. Harris’ newsletter & more on the Blendon MS website: www.wcsoh.org/blendon

How You Can HelpVolunteer… • ...to be a Cooker/Baker for conferences, dances, and staff appreciation ...to be an in-school helper to sell tickets or pass out incentives at lunch, or help in the library ...to be an after-school helper at the school dances, music events, or athletic events ...to manage any PTO activity or committeeBecome a member• Collect BoxTops for Education & Campbells • labels for the librarySign up your Kroger/Target/Meijer/GiantEagle • cards to benefit Blendon MSParticipate in our fundraisers. If magazines are • not your thing, feel free to make a monetary donation in lieu of selling.

What does PTO do in Middle School?The parent booster group’s role in middle school changes a bit, but it doesn’t evaporate. The school still needs our financial support for extras and incentives and our active support by baking, being a dance or event chaperone, or helping manage special events like Career Day.

Our plan for the 2013-14 school year includes $16,750 in expenditures that support our students and activities at Blendon. Our largest budget items are the Renaissance program ($3,500), which offers awards and incentives for grades, behavior, and community activities each quarter; Career Day ($2,250); and staff grants for special projects totalling $2,000. We also fund scholarships ($1,000 total) to graduating Westerville high school students who have attended Blendon.

We support our school and staff by providing volunteers and food for special events. We also manage the school dances (see article).

Our responsibilities to families at Blendon include providing information and a sense of community. If you have a question about how it works in middle school, we have some experience you can rely on.

We also provide administrative support and assistance to teachers and staff when possible.

We accomplish these feats by raising money, by creating opportunities for community and communication, and by continually being available. Our major fundraisers are the spirit wear sales (t-shirts) and a magazine sale this fall. Our baking/cooking committee is called upon frequently.

We’d love to have you as a member, but you do not have to be a member to take advantage of our services or to help us support the school.

5 - Blendon PTO Newsletter Summer 2013

q Yes, I want to be a member of the PTO. Dues are $5/person, payable to Blendon PTO. Name(s): ____________________________________________________________________________________ OFFICIAL USE ONLY: Rec’d _____ / _____ / _____ by ______________ Amount: _____ q Cash q Check #______

q Yes, contact me via email concerning PTO and school events and activities

Name:_______________________________ Email: _________________________________________________

q Yes, I want to volunteer. I am interested in... (Check all that apply)

q Baking q Fund Raising q Hospitality q Scholarship q Career Day q Staff Appreciation

q School Dances q General Volunteer q Helping Run a Club (____________________________)

I can help out (check all that apply) qat school qduring the day qafter school qevenings qweekends

Name:_______________________________ Email: _________________________________________________

q Yes, please include us in the school directory. ****MUST BE TURNED IN BY SEPTEMBER 6****

Include below only the information you want to appear in the directory, which is distributed in printed format to all students and staff at Blendon in October. Students are listed alphabetically by last name. There is no charge for being listed in the directory. PTO membership not required. Deadline is September 6.

q I am interested in advertising in the directory. $10 per business card attached, payable to Blendon PTO.

I want to Support Blendon Middle School:

Bring this form to the PTO booth at Schedule Pickup or turn it in to the office in an envelope marked “PTO.” Membership & volunteer opportunities are open year-round. Deadline for directory listings is September 6.

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