FALL & THE PTA BRING

Sand

Pine Elementary PTA

2012-2013www.sandpinepta.org

Sand Pine ElementaryPTAPipeline

SAVE THE DATE

Harvest Festival Volunteers Welcome

If you can help, please contact Hethre at salnpeg@aol.com

It has been a very busy past few weeks for the PTA. We have many fun family events and programs planned for this year including Bruster’s Night and the Harvest Festival. We will also be having the Holiday Shop, the Walk-A -Thon and a fun new Winter Event in January, details to come soon! Be sure to check the calendar inside this newsletter, or on our website to save the dates. Thanks to the many board members who have signed up to chair one of our PTA committees. We couldn’t do it without you!

We all know that parent involvement is so important in the development of a child, and that our kids love seeing their parents involved in school activities. Volunteering is a crucial part in making these events so much fun, and there are many opportunities for both stay-at-home and working parents, either on a one-time basis, or for continuing involvement. Volunteers are so important to our success. Please email me if you are interested in finding out how to volunteer!

Our first PTA Bingo Night of the year was a great success! Be sure to check out our PTA web for pictures! The 2012-2013 budget was approved that evening by theGeneral Assembly. Thanks go to our BINGO chairperson, Catherine McLain, for making this a fun night! We strive to foster an environment that brings families and community together.

Our First Annual Harvest Festival will be held on Friday, November 30th from 6-9pm. This is a family favorite PTA event you don’t want to miss! There will be many fun new games along with prizes, food, and more!!!

We also have two new fall fundraisers this year, our first ever cookbook with recipes from you and the Growum’s Fundraiser. Please check the website for details. We will keep you updated on what the funds raised from these and all fundraisers go towards in helping the school.

This is just the first two months of school! Please don’t hesitate to contact me at president@sandpinepta.org with ideas, questions and suggestions. I look forward to meeting you at our events. I hope everyone has a wonderful start to the fall season and here’s hoping for some cooler weather soon!

—Hethre Smith, PTA President

NEW TRADITIONS

Principala note from the

Sand Pine Families,

I want to thank our parents and students for a safe and successful opening of school. We are very excited about how engaged in learning our students have been. I want to thank all of our parents who were able to attend our Open House and Book Fair events. It is only through working together that we can maximize and ensure your child’s success.

We have had a very busy first quarter! A goal this year is to improve our instruc-tion by collecting data to help with planning and monitoring student progress. There have been a number of assessments already administered since the start of the school year. All of our students took the FAIR (Florida Assessment In Reading) for grades Kindergarten through 5th; and our 2nd through 5th graders took the Core K-12 in both math and science. Then, working in our grade level teams, we are analyzing the information and strategically modifying the instruction to work smarter together. We want to increase the rigor of how and what the students learn.

As always, safety continues to be a high priority at Sand Pine. Since the begin-ning of the year, we have practiced multiple fire drills, conducted a severe weather and lockdown drill, and practiced other important procedures and routines that keep our students, staff and school safe. Sand Pine will continue to reinforce safety procedures and protocols throughout the school year. Thank you for your support and understanding as we ensure the safety of all our students.

Speaking of safety, please note the following important reminders with regard to drop off and dismissal:

•Remember that students should not be unsupervised in front of the school until 8:15 a.m. Staff will be available to monitor students beginning at 8:15 a.m.

•For early student check out, please sign out your child in the front office. Bring your identification and try to refrain from asking for your child after 2:30 p.m. since the end of the day can be quite hectic for both the office and the classroom.

•If your child’s dismissal plans change unexpectedly during the school day, please call the front office at 794-1900 to let us know how your child will go home.

•We are actively working to find additional ways to alleviate backups that occur in the car line both in the morning and the afternoon. We’ll keep you posted on new options that become available.

•Please refrain from using your cell phone in the car line. We have had some dis-tracted drivers who have caused some frightening close calls.

Lastly, I want to encourage everyone to analyze the information regarding the upcoming referendum for extending the Penny for Pasco surtax. This important decision will have a lasting impact on both Sand Pine Elementary and many other Pasco schools. Go to http://www.pasco.k12.fl.us/penniesforpasco to explore more about this issue.

Todd Cluff

Principal

Introducing the 2012-2013 PTA Board Members

President Hethre Smith

Treasurer Jeannine Lehmann

Secretary Jade McKendree

Corresp Secy Krista Davidson

1st VP Darlene Basi

Philanthropy Tiffany Ragsdale

Vol Coordinator VACANT

Membership Susan Boyle

Public Relations Jay Sheridan

Historian Stacy Fisher

Photography Stacy Fisher & Kristine Freed

Legislative Ian Boyle

Sponsorships Beth Blanks

Health & Safety Carol Ann

Earn $ for SPES Kristine Freed

School Supply VACANT

Spirit Day Karen Sutherland

T-Shirts Karen Sutherland

Movie Night Christine Simonelli

Class Liason Jade McKendree

2nd VP Jade McKendree & Kristine Freed

Fundraising VACANT

Team Party Tiffany Ragsdale

Recognitions VACANT

Donations Tracy Dachlsen

Programs Tanya Persons

Appreciation Stacy Fisher

Parents Lunch Krista Davidson

Reflections VACANT

Sports Totes Carol Ann

Lost & Found Carol Ann

Bingo Catherine McLain

Event-Spring VACANT

Event-Fall VACANT

School Representatives:

Principal Mr. Todd Cluff

Assist Principal Mrs. Karyn Kinzie

Teacher Liason Nadine Lambert

The Pipeline is published six times a year and can be downloaded from our website at www.sandpinepta.org

Principal Todd CluffAssistant Principal Karyn KinziePTA President Hethre SmithEditor Nicole LaRocca

Next Newsletter deadline:

November 17

Kinzie’s CornerHomework, Homework!

Dear Families,

Often, parents approach me about homework concerns and questions. I thought it would be a good idea for everyone to see the answers to the most frequently asked questions about homework.

Q: What happens if my child is truly struggling with the homework?A: Homework assignments are further opportunities for students to receive additional practice. If your child is struggling through homework, please write a note to your child’s teacher on the homework or in the planner so s/he can work with your child in class.

Q:How long should my child spend doing homework each night and what happens if my child is struggling with homework?A: A rule of thumb is that your child should sprend about ten minutes multiplied by his/her grade level (K-10 minutes, 1-20minutes, etc.) working on homework each night. If it takes longer for your child to complete the assignments and s/he is getting fustrated, have your child stop, and write a note in his/her planner. It is important to communicate feedback about homework to your child’s teacher, so that she can differentiate, as needed.

Q: What do I do if my child is not assigned specific homework each night?A: Remember, homework for elementary students may not be a paper and pencil task! Nightly reading, spelling practice, and review of math facts are “standing assignments” to be done even if the teacher provides no other homework. Just like any skill, practice increases success.

Q: How involved should I be in my child’s homework?A:You should be supportive of your child’s need to do his/her homework. Provide space, supplies and help schedule homework time. Your child might ask for clarification on an assignment and you could explain how you read the question. But avoid providing answers or getting directly involved in the work. Teachers need to assess how well the students understand the subject matter. If your child neglects his/her homework, it is important to let him/her experience the classroom consequences. As in real life, failing to do what is expected has consequences to change and motivate behavior. Trying to protect your child from these consequences deprives his/her of the life lesson to be learned.

In order to help your child with his/her homework, think about implementing these strategies: -Do your desk work (pay bills, balance the checkbook, plan menus) at the other end of the table while your child does homework. -Offer an activity when homework is done (games, reading aloud, outside play) to help children learn to delay gratification. -Look over your child’s homework, but don’t do the work. -Review your child’s homework policy. -Review teacher comments on homework that has been returned and discuss it with your child. -Contact the teacher if there is a problem or need you can’t resolve. -Write a note to the teacher immediately if the assignment took too long, or if your child had trouble with the assignment. -Support the teacher with her rewards and consequences for homework completion. -Congratulation your child on a job well done!

At any time, please contact your child’s teacher if you have any questions or concerns about homework. Thank you for helping your child at home, so that s/he has academic success at school!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Kinzie

Counselor’sCorner By Mrs. Matthews, M.Ed.

Greetings from your Sand Pine School Counselor!

I am so happy to be a part of this great community and have enjoyed diving back into a busy and productive school year. It’s so great to see the Kinder-garteners gaining confidence and knowing that they are a very special part of our school family. Welcome to our other new students that have joined the school! We are so happy you are with us.

Every child at Sand Pine benefits from Pasco County’s Guidance philoshy, which includes reaching out to each student through classroom lessons. These lessons help kids learn skills with the aim to help them grow academically, socially, and emotionally. I cover a variety of topics such as School Success, Peer Pressure Refusal Skills, Safety, Conflict Resolution, Harassment & Bullying. Friendship Skills, and Character Education, and am in each of our classrooms at least six times per school year.

You may have seen a handout come home from a recent classroom guidance lesson. I have completed a round of lessons in every classroom on Listening and Bullying prevention. Stay tuned for upcoming school-wide Red Ribbon Week activities focused on healthy choices and drug abuse prevention. Also, coming up in November, is the Great American Teach In. Information will be coming home and we would love to have you or someone you know come in and share a job or hobby with our students.

In addition to Classroom Guidance, throughout the year I offer small group counseling for those students who would benefit from an extra boost insupport in dealing with Anger, Friendship Skills, Anxiety, and Family Changes. These group topics are available on a rotating basis. If you feel your child would benefit from a counseling group in one of these areas, please feel free to e-mail or call me. You can also ask your child’s teacher for her input.

I am also available to help with short-term individual counseling here at Sand Pine. I am happy to meet with you about all kinds of parenting questions, so please don’t hesitate to ask for an appointment. I understand first hand the importance of the role of parents in a child’s education, as my husband and I now have a college freshman at the University of Virginia, and a high school freshman in the rigorous International Baccalaureate program. I want to be a support to you as you are doing the incredibly complex and important job of raising a child in a challenging world. Helping him/her find the joy in the education journey is such an important part of parenting.

Please let me know if you have any questions, or you need a confidential shoulder to lean on.

Take Care,Linda Matthews, M.Ed.

—IMPORTANT NOTICE—

Parent’s Right to KnowParents,

You have the right to know the professional qualifications of the educators who instruct your child. Federal law allows you to obtain certain information in a timely manner about your child’s classroom teacher(s) and instructional assistant(s)/paraprofessional(s). You have the right to ask for the following information about the educators working with your child:

1. The teacher’s Florida certification area(s); and if the teacher is teaching “infield” or if the teacher is qualified “infield” according to the District School Board of Pasco County.

2. The teacher’s college degree(s) and areas of study.

3. The teacher’s advanced college degree(s) and areas of study.

4. The qualifications of any instructional assistant and/or paraprofessional who provide services to your child.

If you would like to receive any of this information, please send in a written request to the school.

Sincerely,Mr. Cluff, Principal

Have you lost something already? Be sure to check the lost and found items located in the cafeteria. Please check it once a month to see if you have any items missing! Unclaimed items will be donated to charity.

Media Center News

Keep Reading! » The Sunshine State Young Readers Award list of books and

activities may now be accessed at the Florida Media web site

» Our SPES program for 3-5th graders has kicked off and in-formation for incentives and celebrations may be accessed at: http://connect.pasco.k12.fl.us/bpope/

» Our K-2nd graders have started checking out the Florida Reading Association (FRA) books. The title list and activi-ties may be accessed at: http://www.flreads.org/Book_Award/2012_cba_list.htm

» Students may enter for prize drawings after they read these books. To see more information about our SPES pro-gram, go to: http://connect.pasco.k12.fl.us/bpope/

Book Fair Success! » Thanks so much for all of your support of our Scholastic

Book Fair! The fair was very successful netting $500 in cash profit to support our media/technology programs and $3300 worth of beautiful new books for our media center.

» We give a special shout of thanks to all of our awesome book fair volunteers! We couldn’t do it without your help!

—IMPORTANT NOTICE—

Parent’s Right to KnowNOTICE TO BUILDING OCCUPANTS AND PARENTS

NOTIFICATION OF INSPECTION FOR ASBESTOS CONTAINING MATERIALS IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a final rule, 40 CFR Part 763, Asbestos Containing Material in schools, commonly referred to as AHERA. This rule requires all Local Education Agencies (LEA’s) to identify asbestos containing materials (ACM) in their school buildings and to take appropriate actions to control the release of asbestos fibers.

All inspections for Sand Pine Elementary School have been completed and a Management Plan describing the results of the inspection and the action plan to control any asbestos found during the inspection, where applicable, has been submitted to the Governor for approval. A copy of this plan is located in the administrative office of this school and at the District School Board of Pasco County Maintenance & Facility Services Department and is available for review upon request

ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO HELP

THE CURRENT PENNY SALES TAx WILL ExPIRE IN

2014, uNleSS ReNeWed By The voTeRS oF PASCo

COUNTY. VOTERS WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY

TO RENEW THE PENNY FOR PASCO SALES TAx

uNTIl 2024 By voTINg yeS oN The NoveMBeR

6TH, 2012 BALLOT.

Go to PascoCountySchools.org

PENNIES FOR PASCO

for more information.

LITERACY By Tiffany Rieke (Literacy Coach)

Tips for Literacy

As Sand Pine’s literacy coach, I collaborate with teachers and parents to ensure literacy development in our children, and you are crucial to your child’s love of literacy. Since fall is upon us, I wanted to present you with a few literacy tips to implement at home because literacy development begins at home.

A child’s success as a reader begins much earlier than the first day of school and flourishes in literacy rich homes where reading is a way of life. Research shows that the more your child reads, the better they will do in school.

Ways to promote literacy in primary (kindergarten, first, and second grade):

� Tell family tales- Children love to hear stories about their family. Talk about a funny thing that happened when you were young.

� Create a writing toolbox- Fill a box with drawing and writing materials. Find opportunities for your child to write, such as the shopping list, thank you notes, or birthday cards.

� Be your child’s #1 fan- Ask your child to read aloud what he or she has written for school. Be an enthusiastic listener. � One more time with feeling- When your child has sounded out an unfamiliar word, have him or her re-read that sen-

tence. Often kids are so busy figuring out a word they lose the meaning of what they’ve just read. � Point out the relationship between words- Explain how related words have similar spellings and meanings. Show how a

word like knowledge, for example, relates to a word like know. � Use a writing checklist- Have your child create a writing checklist with reminders such as, “Do all of my sentences start

with a capital? Yes/No.”

Ways to promote literacy in intermediate (third, fourth, and fifth grade):

� Crack open the dictionary- Let your child see you use a dictionary. Say, “Hmm, I’m not sure what that word means... I think I’ll look it up.”

� Talk about what your child is reading and what you’re reading (you’re the biggest literacy model they have.) Children value reading when Mom and Dad are interested

� First drafts are rough- Encourage your child when writing. Remind him or her that writing involves several steps. No one does it perfectly the first time.

� Different strokes for different folks- Read different types of books to expose your child to different types of writing. Some kids, especially boys, prefer nonfiction books.

� Teach your child some “mind tricks”- Show your child how to summarize a story in a few sentences or how to make pre-dictions about what might happen next. Both strategies help a child comprehend and remember.

� >Are we there yet?”- Use the time spent in the car or bus for wordplay. Talk about how jam means something you put on toast as well as cars stuck in traffic. how many other homonyms can your child think of? When kids are highly familiar with the meaning of a word, they have less difficulty reading it.

If you would like more tips to promote literacy in your home, please go to http://www.readingrockets.org

Tiffany Rieke (Literacy Coach)

RED RIBBON WEEK PICS

Red Ribbon WeekOctober 23-26 is Red Ribbon Week! This is an ideal way for kids and communities to unite and take a visible stand against drugs. Show your commitment to a drug-free lifestyle through the symbol of the Red Ribbon. Watch for more de-tailed information about Sand Pine’s red ribbon activities.

Book-O-Ween ParadeEvery year, Sand Pine students get to show off their costume creativity. This year we are asking that costumes have a book theme! Parents, come see what the administration will be dressed as this year as they lead the school parade around the bus loop for friends and family to see on Wednesday, October 31!

Reflections

Announcing this year’s theme.........

Don’t forget to get your Reflections entries in by October 26th and the Reflections Ceremony will be held in the Sand Pine Cafeteria November 9th. See Sandpinepta.org for more information!

A LOOK AHEAD

Student Council is comprised of two representatives from each of the Intermediate (Fourth and Fifth grade) classes. Elections will be held soon to choose this year’s President (must be a 5th grader), Vice Pres., Secretary, and Treasurer. Interested candidates, get your campaign posters ready! Good luck to all!

Great American Teach-InThursday, November 17th come participate in Sand Pine’s Great American Teach-In. It is a nationwide program giving community members, parents and friends an opportunity to share careers, hobbies and trades. See you there!

October 2012 November 20125 Walk to School Day13 Market Day Pick Up22 No School—Teacher planning day23 Red Ribbon Week Program 26 Reflections Deadline29 Report Cards & Tijuana Flats Night31 Book-O-Ween Parade & Book Fair

9 Reflections Ceremony 10 Ident-A-Kid 14 great American Teach-In 18 PTA General Assembly/Movie Night29 Progress Reports30 Harvest Festival

Our School Calendar

For more information visit

www.sandpinepta.org

9 | September-0ctober 2011 PTA Pipeline

What: Sand Pine Fall Book Fair

When: October 31 (Noon) Nov. 1- 4 (during school)

Shop with your children right after our Book-A-Ween Parade on Monday, Oct. 31st! (Parade begins at 9 am)Cash, Checks (payable to SPES) and Credit Cards accepted. Add 7% Sales Tax.Classroom Wish Lists Available.Non-book and school supplies will be sold also.

Box Tops— www.boxtops4education.com

Box Top coupons are on the packaging of hundreds of participat-ing products that you probably use every day. Each one is worth 10¢! We can now earn eBoxTops when you shop online and you can enter for chances to win thousands of Bonus Box Tops for our school each month! visit their website (www.boxtops4education.com) and register for more details. Don’t forget to return your pumpkin forms by October 16th!

Tyson’s program is simple…

1. Clip and save Tyson Project A+ labels.2. Turn in the labels at your school.3. Your school redeems them for cash.

4.each label is worth 24¢.

Tyson Project A+ www.tyson.com/projecTtaplus/

Campbell’s Labels For Education™ Program

www.labelsforeducation.com

This program awards schools free educational merchandise! Attention Parents: Remember to include the UPC code off of the packages. They will no longer accept the front labels off products. Please continue to help out our school by sending in your UPC codes! For a complete list of eligible products, visit www.labels-foreducation.com.

Recycling Program

What do Ink Cartridges, Cell Phones, Batteries and Newspapers have in common? Recycling these items at Sand Pine benefits our school! Don’t clutter our landfills with spent ink cartridges, cell phones, and batteries (AAA, AA, C, D & 9-volt), bring them to Sand Pine. Drop off your newspapers in the dumpsters at (a) Meadow Pointe 1 or 2 clubhouse, or (b) Sand Pine parking lot. Sand Pine’s recycling can take cardboard and other paper products! Together we can keep our environment healthy while earning much needed cash for our school! Batteries can also be dropped off at Meadow Pointe 1 Cdd office.

Ways We’re Earning Money for Sand Pine—And How YOU Can Help!We will be holding monthly contests for collections of these items. Watch for info to come home as each month/contest may vary. We will be starting with a collection of box tops! Box Tops collection sheets are available on our website, www.sandpinepta.org .

Thank you for your support of our school! Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

PTA Earn Money For Your School rep: spes.pta.fundraising@gmail.com

Halloween Safety Tips

" Never trick-or-treat alone.

" Plan your route with your family.

" Stay in neighborhoods you know.

" Don’t play near lit jack-o’-lanterns.

" Visit only those houses with lights on.

" Accept treats in the doorway only—do not go into the house.

" Be sure to say thank you for the treats

" Have your parents check your candy before eating it.

" Always walk—not run.

" Stay on the sidewalks and cross streets at the corner.

" Carry a flashlight or wear reflective clothing or tape.

" If wearing a mask, make sure the eyeholes allow you to see well.

" Be safe and have fun!

Where to Get Information OnlineSand Pine’s PTA Website http://www.sandpinepta.org

If you haven’t seen www.sandpinepta.org yet, be sure to visit and see all kinds of useful information about Sand Pine Elementary and our PTA. Our PTA site is a useful resource for upcoming events, past activities, and volunteer informa-tion and includes many community links. The site is constantly updated with the most recent news, so be sure to bookmark it and check back often!

Sand Pine School Website http://sandpine.pasco.k12.fl.us

The recently redesigned official school website has information for parents and students alike. Links to school publica-tions and outside resources will help parents. The Student section has links to many educational sites that can help stu-dents learn from home. Teacher resources can also be found on the school site.

Become a fan of Sand Pine PTA on facebook to keep up with the latest

happenings with the Sand Pine PTA!

Pasco County School District Websitehttp://www.pasco.k12.fl.usThe Pasco County School website has information about our district. Graduation and registration require-ments, as well as school bus sched-ules, and back to school information are just a few things that can be found on this site.

Lean & GREENDid you know Sand Pine has several recycling programs? Our goal is to teach our children the importance of recycling, living green and having fun while doing it. Let’s all try to keep our enviorn-ment clean!

Newspapers & other paper prod-ucts. Did you know that by recy-cling those newspapers brought in much needed funds last year for our school? Bring your news-papers and other paper (tele-phone books, magazines, card-board, office paper, cereal boxes, etc.) to the bin in the Sand Pine parking lot and everyone wins. Newspapers (only) can also be dropped off at MP1 & MP2 club-house dumpsters and procedes will benefit Sand Pine.

Batteries. Another opportunity is with household batteries! Pasco County gives a cash award to the school with the most pounds of batteries at the end of the school year. Send your spent AA, AAA, C, D, & 9-volt batteries in to school and don’t let them pollute our landfills!

Ink Cartridges. No need to fill up our landfill with these when we can get money for our school, or trade them in for discounts at office sup-ply stores.

Cell Phones. Old cell phones can bring in extra cash—Don’t put them in the trash, give them to Sand Pine!!

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Thank YouSand Pine PTA Business Partners

The Sand Pine PTA would like to thank the businesses listed on these pages for their generous support. When you visit these businesses, please thank them for their support.

Pta Platinum SuPerStarS

Pta Gold SuPerStarS

Have you joined the PTA yet?We’re off to a great start with 489 par-ents joining our PTA. If you haven’t become a member yet, please consider how valuable your $5-8 annual mem-bership means to our PTA. There are no obligations, you can be as involved as your schedule allows.

When PTA gets involved, all children benefit!

If you’d like to see your business listed here and on our website, contact

superstars@sandpinepta.org.