COOKIE DOUGH IS IN!! Please pick yours up today.
If you would like to contribute to the holiday gifts for all of the teachers, please leave $ in the PTO box by tomorrow, 12/13.
Thanks to all the volunteers who have signed up for the teacher appreciation lunch on Thursday. I think it will be a great lunch. If you didn't get a chance to sign up it's not too late!
The Winter concert is Wednesday night at 6:30. What better way to use up some of the cookie dough that you just picked up! Please sign up to bring a dessert: cookies, breads, cupcakes....whatever is your specialty. Sign up in the comments section. Thanks!
Monday, December 12, 2011
Monday, December 5, 2011
Notes from last week's meeting
Notes from PTO meeting on November 30, 2011
TEACHER LUNCHEON: We are putting on a teacher luncheon on Thursday, December 15th. We are putting on a teacher appreciation potluck for the teachers at Portside. Please sign up for what dish you would like to contribute to say thanks for all that our teachers do! I was going to put a link to an evite so people could write what they were going to bring, but I am just going to let people put what they are going to bring in the comment section of the blog.
TEACHER HOLIDAY GIFTS: We are going to put notes in boxes at school giving the option to contribute to a holiday gift for the teachers.
FUNDRAISING: Way to go on the fundraising. We sold over $4,000 worth of cookie dough. The money raised is going to go towards replacing the play structure in the toddler room that was recently destroyed by vandalism.
EVENING PERFORMANCE: There is going to be an evening performance by the students coming up soon. Keep an eye on your boxes for the date!
SONG LISTS: Some parents have requested a list of song lyrics of the songs their kids sing (so that they can sing them at home). Portside is working on this and hopefully will get it to us so we can post it on the blog.
SUPPLIES: Many people have asked whether Portside takes donations of supplies. Their ongoing needs list includes: envelopes, magazines, paper and books.
TEXTING: Some people have said that the texting service is not working – Melinda and Maureen are looking into this.
CLEAN UP DAY: Tentative outside cleanup-day set for Saturday, January 21st. More details to follow.
NEXT MEETING is tentatively set for Wednesday, February 1st.
Holiday Gift for Teachers
Portside Parents,
Here is a copy of what you are getting in your boxes this week.
It is that time of year when we all wonder as parents what are we going to get our child’s teacher for Christmas! I know we all want to make sure that the people who love and care for our children everyday are made to feel special around the holidays. For the last two years a large group of parents contributed very generously to a group gift. Last year we did gift cards. We discussed the idea at the PTO meeting on November 30th and decided to do it again!!!
How: We (PTO) will take donations for the gifts from now until 6pm on Tuesday December 13th. If you want to contribute please leave your donation in the PTO suggestion box located by the sign in sheets with your name and email and your child’s name and room attached. There is no required donation amount, but as a reference, most families contributed b/w $10-30 per child last year. Although you can donate less or more as your budget allows. Again this year the money will go to gift cards and if we get extra we can add something additional (i.e. ornaments or stockings). There is no obligation so if you don’t want to participate that is okay too. The PTO has offered to help count the money and wrap the gifts. We will sign all of the cards with the names of those who contributed. If you have a great idea or also want to help put the gifts together please email me.
When: We will give the gifts during the Holiday party on December 16th so if you want to join in or help let me know. I will also email everyone after we have compiled everything so you know what we got. The PTO is also hosting a teacher’s appreciation pot luck on Thursday December 15th if you would like to participate and bring a dish.
Call or email you have questions please feel free to call me at 916-947-9041 or email me at leschwartz44@hotmail.comLaura Federico
SHHHH SHHHHH Keep it a secret!!!
Here is a copy of what you are getting in your boxes this week.
It is that time of year when we all wonder as parents what are we going to get our child’s teacher for Christmas! I know we all want to make sure that the people who love and care for our children everyday are made to feel special around the holidays. For the last two years a large group of parents contributed very generously to a group gift. Last year we did gift cards. We discussed the idea at the PTO meeting on November 30th and decided to do it again!!!
How: We (PTO) will take donations for the gifts from now until 6pm on Tuesday December 13th. If you want to contribute please leave your donation in the PTO suggestion box located by the sign in sheets with your name and email and your child’s name and room attached. There is no required donation amount, but as a reference, most families contributed b/w $10-30 per child last year. Although you can donate less or more as your budget allows. Again this year the money will go to gift cards and if we get extra we can add something additional (i.e. ornaments or stockings). There is no obligation so if you don’t want to participate that is okay too. The PTO has offered to help count the money and wrap the gifts. We will sign all of the cards with the names of those who contributed. If you have a great idea or also want to help put the gifts together please email me.
When: We will give the gifts during the Holiday party on December 16th so if you want to join in or help let me know. I will also email everyone after we have compiled everything so you know what we got. The PTO is also hosting a teacher’s appreciation pot luck on Thursday December 15th if you would like to participate and bring a dish.
Call or email you have questions please feel free to call me at 916-947-9041 or email me at leschwartz44@hotmail.comLaura Federico
SHHHH SHHHHH Keep it a secret!!!
Monday, November 21, 2011
Next PTO Meeting November 30th
Our next PTO meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, November 30th, at 6:00 pm.
We have a lot to discuss/plan and we hope you can make it!
If you need childcare, please let us know by this Friday.
You can either leave a comment on the blog or
email Laura Federico at: leschwartz44@hotmail.com
Happy Thanksgiving!
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Praise for Preschool Teachers!
Here is a great comment from the PTO suggestion box:
"I would like to praise all the preschool staff for their positive stance with the children. Lots of smiles, happy faces and kind words-makes parents feel pleased and delighted with the program.
Thank you :)"
Keep the good comments comming!
"I would like to praise all the preschool staff for their positive stance with the children. Lots of smiles, happy faces and kind words-makes parents feel pleased and delighted with the program.
Thank you :)"
Keep the good comments comming!
Friday, November 4, 2011
Cookie Dough Money Due Monday
If you haven't already, get out there and sell some cookie dough! The money raised is going to go towards indoor and outdoor equipment for all classrooms. Rumor has it that Velrose and Erica have sold 25+ tubs of cookie dough. Try to top them! Even if everybody buys a few, it can help us reach our goal.
Our goal is $5,000!
Sorry I didn't post this earlier!
Our goal is $5,000!
Sorry I didn't post this earlier!
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Updates from Wednesday's Meeting
Thank you to all of the parents and teachers who attended the meeting on Wednesday evening. We had a good turn out with some new faces!
Here is a quick recap from the meeting:
- Some successes so far this month:
- The first teacher appreciation lunch went well. Thanks to all of the parents who contributed. Stay tuned for when the next one will be, probably sometime near the end of November.
- The teacher picture board is up. People commented that they really appreciate seeing the pictures. There are three new teachers and hopefully Melinda will be able to get some new pictures up soon.
- Laura went over some of the suggestions that came in from the previous month and gave them to the directors.
- Melinda talked a bit about some aspects of Montessori philosophy with a focus on staying consistent in discipline. Laura included some links for more reading: http://www.montessori.org/ and http://www.montessori-ami.org/articles1/article01.htm
- Nadien is spearheading the fundraising committee. She is having a fundraising meeting at her house next Wednesday, October 19th, at 6:30 pm. Comment here if you are interested in attending and we can get you her contact information. Even if you can't attend, make your voice heard either by commenting on the website or emailing Nadien.
- The Harvest Festival is this Saturday, October 15th, from 10-1. Try to stop by.
- The teachers at the meeting suggested that parents bring in some extra shoes. This way, if students are playing outside and get wet/muddy, they can change. As with everything: LABEL, LABEL, LABEL. If you haven't checked the lost and found recently, take a peek. It is overflowing with clothes.
- Melinda reminded us that there is a posted snack chart in each room that shows the snacks/meals for the month.
- Portside will soon have a texting service for interested parents. Keep an eye out for the forms in your boxes.
- There is going to be an outdoor cleanup day coming soon - probably near the end of November or early December. Melinda and Maureen will keep us posted.
- There is a field trip next Thursday, October 20th, to the pumpkin patch for the early learners. Forms should be in your boxes.
- Finally, Trisha Butler volunteered to be in charge of the volunteering committee.
As always, please feel free to use this blog as a way to communicate, discuss ideas, suggestions, ideas, concerns, etc. If you have an idea for a post, either comment and I can get back to you or email me: juliegoldman@gmail.com.
Thanks again for a great meeting.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
PTO Meeting on Wednesday, October 12th
Portside Montessori PTO Meeting on
Wednesday October 12th
October 3, 2011
To: Portside Parents,
The second PTO meeting will be held at Portside Montessori on Wednesday October 12th at 6pm-7pm in the preschool classroom. Since it is after school hours if you need childcare please email Laura Federico at leschwartz44@hotmail.com by no later than Friday October 7th. Melinda and Maureen have offered to have a teacher or two stay after but we will need an accurate count to do this. If you can’t make it and you want to participate or have questions please email Laura as well.
At our second meeting we will discuss:
*Updates and takeaways from our last meeting (teacher pictures, teacher lunch, suggestion box and fundraising opportunities)
*Form Committees and discuss upcoming events (ie: clean up day…etc..)
*Review items from suggestion box
*Get updates from teachers and directors
*Discuss One component of Montessori Philosophy
Thanks! Portside PTO
To be added to the email list send us your info or see
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
The Picture Board is up!
PTO Parents,Hope all is well. Here is an update for you:TEACHER PICTURE BOARD:Check out the great work done by Jasmine on the teacher pictures! It is great to see all their smiling faces when we walk in the door.
TEACHER APPRECIATION LUNCH:Our first Teacher Appreciation lunch is next week Wednesday, September 28th.The following parents have volunteered to bring food.
- Some unknown person is bringing banana nut bread - if you posted this on the blog, please post a comment saying who you are.
NEXT MEETING:Our next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, October 12th, at 6pm. If you need childcare please email Laura Federico at leschwartz44@hotmail.com, or post a comment on the blog, by Friday, October 7th. If you email after that date there may not be room as Melinda and Maureen will allocate teachers for the number of kids who have RSVPd by the 7th. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT AS MELINDA AND MAUREEN HAVE BEEN SO GENEROUS TO OFFER THIS TO US WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE HELP THEM OUT BY GIVING THEM ADVANCED NOTICE.
Our tentative agenda for the next meeting is as follows:
If you have a topic that you would like to see added to the agenda, please email or post a comment on the blog.
Looking forward to seeing you! Hope September is treating you well.Julie Goldman and Laura Federico
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Fundraising committee volunteers needed
At the first meeting of the PTO, many people showed interest in being on the fundraising committee. Nadien Menke has stepped forward and volunteered to co-chair the committee. Thanks Nadien! If anyone else would like to work to help with fundraising or just have their ideas heard, comment here and I will make sure Nadien gets your name.
Teacher Appreciation Luncheon - volunteers needed
At our first PTO meeting, someone suggested that we have teacher appreciation lunches, either monthly or bi-monthly. We are having our first teacher appreciation lunch on Wednesday, September 28th. We are asking parents to volunteer to bring a dish for the teachers for lunch. Special thanks to those who have already volunteered - Robert & Kathie-Le Barrett have volunteered to have Boston Market cater the main dishes, so we just need a few parents to volunteer to bring in some side dishes and/or dessert. Karen Zanotto has already volunteered to bring cups and drinks and I will bring some sort of side dish. If you would like to contribute to the meail, please leave a comment in the comment section along with what you would like to bring! Thanks. I know that the teachers will appreciate this.
Welcome!
If you are reaidng this blog, then you are most likely a teacher, parent, grandparent or other caregiver for a student at Portside Montessori. This blog will hopefully serve as a way to communicate within the group, to share ideas and to plan events. If you ever have an idea for a blog post or want to write a blog post, send it my way!
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