Blog Archives

5/12 PTA Meeting Recap

5/28/2015

Catonsville Middle School PTSA President: Richard Kidd

1.     Invites rising 5th grade families to
a.     join the PTSA
b.     participate in events, resources, and fundraising
2.     Website: Catonsvilleptsa.org
3.     Email: catonsvillems@gmail.com
4.     Also has Facebook page and email newsletter

Secretary’s Report: Justine Stull

Membership

187 members

Teacher Appreciation Week with many thanks to all the donors and volunteers

President’s Report: China Williams
1.     Craft Fair $1440
a.     Decent Profit
b.     Easily acquired vendors
c.     Very low shopper turnout
d.     Change the date (possibly March), time, location (Christian Temple parking lot)?
e.     Chaired by Debra Wright
f.      Suggestion: list vendors in The Blast to advertise
2.     O’s Tickets approximately $540
3.     5th Grade T-shirt order placed
a.     Thanks Mr. Landel and Lori Kelvin
4.     Field Day volunteer coordinator Jesse Florida
a.     Volunteer flyers to be sent home
5.     O’s Night May 15
6.     Panera Night May 18
7.     June 5th Kindergarten picnic
8.     June 9th final PTA meeting this school year
9.     5th Grade Recognition Ceremony
10. $300/each Catonsville High and Western Tech scholarships sent

Treasurer’s Report: Stacie Lauer
1.     $425.41 Movie Night for 5th Grade Committee
2.     $95.78 for Pajama Day
3.     $1440.50 for Craft Fair
4.     Closed out the 5th grade account and transferred $3495.08 into the general PTA account

Vice President’s Report: Jessica Brown
1.     Box Tops
a.     Newest check: $560.20
b.     Total for school year: $1191
2.     Giant total for school year: $1962.14
3.     SchoolKidz
a. Complete school supply kits
b. A service for families; not a fundraiser
c.     Suggestion: raffle a free kit for next year?

Mrs. Patrick
1.     Thanks for Teacher Appreciation celebrations, field trip subsidies, field trip scholarships

Membership Suggestions
1.     5th Grade Committee next year: Tracy Horch, Rebecca Prince, Jen Nyland
a.     Other parents welcome to participate
2.     Shoe loans for students who wear open shoes and cannot play outside
a.     Jen Zwarich to research program idea

5th Grade Committee: Naseem
1.     Needs quantity and order turn around for Memory Books
2.     Recognition Ceremony update
3.     Need more photos of current 5th Graders

Teacher Liaison: Ms. Robey
1.     Thanks for all the Teacher Appreciation Week celebrations, including the coffee in the lounge.

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The Blast - May 28

5/28/2015

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Are you all counting down the rest of this school year? Only three weeks to go!

PTA News

Pajama Day

We're throwing one final Pajama Day this school year tomorrow, May 29th. Once the contributions are all tallied, we'll announce which class won the pizza party. Thanks to the students and teachers who showed their Westowne pride by wearing their pajamas to school. And thanks to the Westowne community for your generous donations throughout the year.

SchoolKidz

We will be using the convenient services of SchoolKidz, Inc. and their Teacher Tailored back-to-school supply program. Order your kits this spring, and your child's teacher-requested, name brand supplies will arrive in time for next school year. This program is not a fundraiser but a service to help you save time. All kits will be delivered to the school in August, and we will let you know the exact date as it gets closer. Please note that orders will need to be picked up by families; they cannot be delivered to homerooms or held after school is in session.

Every family that places an order will be entered into a raffle for $25!

Submit your paper orders, using the form sent home, by June 5th. If possible, place your order online, using account number 8132, by June 12th. If you have any questions, please contact Jessica Brown.

Field Day

Westowne's Wacky Water Games, scooter races, Pull-of-Peace, and more are coming! All students get to participate in this traditional event on Friday, June 12th (raindate: Monday, June 15th). Many teachers get in on the fun, too. Details to come. In the meantime, mark your calendars. Family members are welcome to come watch. Even better, consider signing up to help here.

Safeway & eScrip

The school year may be wrapping up, but your purchases can benefit your PTA throughout the summer, too.

If you haven't signed up yet, register your card to contribute funds from in-store purchases paid for with any method other than a credit card. And while you're at it, take a look at the eScrip online mall. Securely register your credit and debit cards, sign in to the mall portal before shopping online, and your purchases will support Westowne. Also use your registered cards to pay when dining with your family at participating restarants; earn even more for the PTA when you complete a restaurant review.

Market Day Pickup

Pickup is scheduled for Wednesday, June 3rd from 6:00 - 7:00 in the school cafeteria.

A Message from Catonsville Middle PTSA

As the school year winds to an end, the Catonsville Middle School PTSA would like to welcome all 5th grade parents of students headed to CMS. Here are a few quick pointers for newcomers to start the middle school years:

1.       Summer mailing from the school goes out at the beginning of August. It contains LOTS of information and forms. Please be on the lookout.
2.       The Ice Cream Social is scheduled for the week prior to back to school. A firm date will be in the Summer Mailer. If you plan on taking your child, please know that it is scheduled during the school/work day in the afternoon.
3.       The school supply list will be in the summer mailer and posted on the school’s web site. Usually the office provides the list to PTSA as well, and if they do we post it on the PTSA web site, Facebook, and a note in e-mail.
4.       Service Learning – Mrs. Bates needs to approve ALL applications for service learning BEFORE the activity takes place. If you cannot get a form to her before the end of the school year, you can either:

a.       Leave a copy in the office – she will check it the next chance she gets.

b.      Take it to Five Oaks Pool, where Mrs. Bates works in the summer and find her there.

Also please visit the PTSA web site at www.catonsvilleptsa.org and sign up for Cougar e-mails. This is the PTSA e-mail and it is SEPARATE from the school e-mails. The PTSA generally tries to send out a newsletter weekly, on Tuesday evenings.

We look forward to seeing you in the Fall. Have a GREAT Summer!!!

Kind Regards,

Richard Kidd

CMS PTSA President

School News

School Construction

The Baltimore County Council has approved the budget for the new building for Westowne--as well as many other exciting projects in the southwest area. Early construction projects have begun at our school. The new building is scheduled to open at the start of the 2016/2017 school year.

Community News

Family Coding Camp at BCPL

WHAT - Design and invent together using creative tools like Scratch and MaKey MaKey. You’ll learn to program your own games, animations, and stories.

WHO - You and your family. Parents and children ages 6-12. No experience with technology needed. Lunch served at each session.

WHEN - Four consecutive Saturdays from noon-3:00: June 6, June 13, June 20, and June 27. Families need to be able to attend all four sessions with their children. Pre-registration is required; deadline is June 1.

WHERE - Family Coding Camp at the Catonsville library

Contact Melissa at 410-887-0951, ext. 2910 or mgotsch@bcpl.net

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The Blast - May 21

5/21/2015

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Enjoy a relaxing, long Memorial Day weekend!

PTA News

Thanks a Billion - Target

Open the gratitude spigot! Target will donate $25 to our school for each person who provides a note of thanks to our teachers on their website. It takes just a couple minutes on the Thanks a Billion site.

SchoolKidz

We will be using the convenient services of SchoolKidz, Inc. and their Teacher Tailored back-to-school supply kit program. Order your kits this spring, and your child's teacher-requested, name brand supplies will arrive in time for next school year.

This program is not a fundraiser but a service to help you save time, making “back-to-school” less hectic and more enjoyable for both students and parents. We believe you will find the pricing to be very reasonable. All kits will be delivered to the school in August, and we will let you know the exact date for parent pick up as it gets closer. Order forms will be sent home very soon!

If you have any questions, please contact Jessica Brown.

Teacher Appreciation Week Thanks

Many thanks to the community for supporting a week full of celebration! And thanks to Tracy Horch, among many other donors, who worked her magic to assure every teacher won a raffle prize.

Field Day

Westowne's Wacky Water Games, scooter races, Pull-of-Peace, and more are coming! All students get to participate in this traditional event on Friday, June 12th (raindate: Monday, June 15th). Many teachers get in on the fun, too. Details to come. In the meantime, mark your calendars; family members are welcome to come watch. Even better, consider signing up to help here.

Market Day

Last chance this school year! Place your online Market Day order by Wednesday, May 27th. Our account number is 8132. Pickup is scheduled for Wednesday, June 3rd from 6:00 - 7:00 in the school cafeteria.

Catonsville Middle School PTSA

CMS's PTSA cordially invites graduating Westowne families en route to their school to join their group. Tap into news and information through their Cougar email newsletters, like their Facebook page, and check out community happenings on their website.

Pajama Day

We're throwing one final Pajama Day this school year on Friday, May 29th. Once the contributions are all tallied, we'll announce which class won the pizza party. Thanks to the students and teachers who showed their Westowne pride by wearing their pajamas to school. And thanks to the Westowne community for your generous donations throughout the year. You helped fund Movie Nights and Teacher Appreciation Week.

School News

Volunteer Tea

Have you helped out at the school this year? If so, you are cordially invited to Westowne's annual Volunteer Tea next Thursday, May 28th from 9:30 - 10:30. Please RSVP in writing to the school by today, Thursday, May 21st, and plan to arrive at 9:15 with your photo ID. Just check in at the office to pick up your badge.

Community News

Friends of Lurman Woodland Theatre

Lurman hosts free concerts and theater productions on Saturday and Sunday evenings all summer long. Support these events by signing up to volunteer. Teens can even earn community service hours. Visit their website for more information and to view their 2015 schedule as soon as it's available.

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The Blast - May 14

5/14/2015

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If we haven't said it enough already, Westowne families love our teachers and staff. You make Westowne great. Thank you!

PTA News

Panera Restaurant Night

It's been fun getting everyone together for restaurant nights each month. Come out for the last one this school year on Monday, May 18th. Dine in or carry out. Even pick up bagels for the next morning. Ten percent of all the evening's purchases will be donated to our PTA (no flyers or mention of the PTA necessary) to help fund the 5th Grade Recognition Ceremony.

Teacher Appreciation Week Thanks

Many thanks to the community for supporting a week full of celebration! Thanks to Martha Montgomery for creating all the art for decorating the halls. Thanks to all the parents who volunteered to run the daily events. Thanks for the sweets donations. Thanks to Atwater's and BricknFire Pizza Company for providing great food and service. Thanks to Lara Mellendick for loaning her coffee maker and providing coffee supplies for the lounge all week. And thanks to everyone who donated gifts for the teacher raffle. Winners will be announced tomorrow!

Also thanks to Panera Bread for donating all of the baked goods for the faculty and staff breakfast tomorrow morning at 8:00. With our community's financial support and this generous donation, the PTA was able to serve three full meals this week.

Box Tops News

Calling all Box Tops!

Please send in all the Box Tops you have been saving at home. Even ask grandparents to send their Box Tops in! We are especially interested in getting the ones that expire on 6/1/2015. If Box Tops for Education does not receive them by the expiration date, they are invalid. We can not claim the money from any expired Box Tops. Please don't throw money away! Scour the cabinets, pantry, fridge and freezer--and send those Box Tops to Westowne.

Also take a moment to enter this Box Tops contest for a chance to win 10,000 bonus Box Tops for our school.

Oriole's Game

See you all at the game tomorrow night. Many thanks to Rachel and Clark Davenport for coordinating this event.

Field Day

Westowne's Wacky Water Games are coming! All students get to participate in this traditional event on Friday, June 12th (raindate: Monday, June 15th). Many teachers get in on the fun, too. Details to come. In the meantime, mark your calendars; family members are welcome to come watch. Even better, consider signing up to help.

School News

Volunteer Tea

Have you helped out at the school this year? If so, you are cordially invited to Westowne's annual Volunteer Tea on Thursday, May 28th from 9:30 - 10:30. Please RSVP in writing to the school by Thursday, May 21st, and plan to arrive at 9:15 with your photo ID. Just check in at the office to pick up your badge.

Screen Free Week

Thank you, Ms. Johnson, for all your hard work!

Pillowcases for Patients

Westowne's Kids Helping Hopkins Awareness initiative is “Pillowcases for Patients.” We are still collecting new, colorful, child-friendly pillowcases for the pediatric patients at Hopkins. Please bring in new pillowcases and drop them in the box in the lobby labeled "Kids Helping Hopkins." Please contact Mrs. Ritzes with questions.

End of School Year

BCPS has announced the end of this school year. The last day for preschool-3 and pre-K will be Tuesday, June 16. This will be a full day for students at all levels. Wednesday, June 17, and Thursday, June 18, will be half days for elementary and middle school students.  The last day for elementary and middle schools will be Thursday, June 18.  The last day for high schools will be Friday, June 19. All days during the week of June 15-19 will be full days for high school students.

Community News

Academy Heights Yard Sale

This Saturday, May 16th, Academy Heights hosts its spring community yard sale, 8:00 - noon.

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The Blast - May 7

5/7/2015

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We wish you all a fun, relaxing Mother's Day weekend with your families! But first, though, hang out with Westowne today and tomorrow. Details are below.

PTA News

Teacher Appreciation Week

Get ready, Westowne faculty and staff! We're thrilled to celebrate you all throughout next week.

Monday – Atwater's catered lunch on the gym stage
Tuesday – Homemade baked goods in the lounge
Wednesday – BricknFire pizza oven in the courtyard
Thursday – Homemade baked goods in the lounge
Friday – Panera Bread breakfast in the cafeteria at 8:00 AM (with a special thanks to Panera for donating all of the bagels and pastries!)

We are also raffling gift cards and new items for teachers. The raffle winners will be notified on Friday.

Support for Teacher Appreciation Week

Please help us assure a fun, successful event for our well-deserving faculty and staff.

Donate gift cards for merchandise or services and new items that may be raffled off to teachers. We are collecting items until Wednesday, May 13th. Donations may be sent in your child's folder in an envelope marked with "PTA" or placed on the PTA mailbox in the school office.
With your help, we will fill the teachers' lounge with homemade cookies, cakes, pies, and all things sweet on Tuesday, May 12th and Thursday, May 14th. No need to sign up anywhere; just drop off items by 10:00 AM those days.
Use the template or get more creative and have your children send in letters and artwork thanking their teachers and staff. Place them in an envelope marked with "PTA" so that we can post them on teachers' doors and bulletin boards. We are collecting items until Wednesday, May 13th.

Oriole's Tickets

Many thanks to Rachel and Clark Davenport for coordinating this event!

School News

Screen Free Week

Our librarian, Ms. Johnson, sent home the details for Screen Free Week, which began Monday and runs through this Sunday. During this annual event, students pledge to go "screen free" all week. These fun family events were planned by Ms. Johnson and her team for our community.

School Grounds Clean-Up today, 4:00 - 6:00. Westowne's Green Club is hosting an afternoon of weeding and mulching. Bring your gloves and garden tools. Students need to be accompanied by an adult.
Peace A Pizza DISCOUNT Night today, 4:00 - 8:00. Save 20% an any order by mentioning Westowne's Screen Free Week.
Party in the Park tomorrow, May 8th, 4:00 until dusk. Join Westowne for a family-friendly evening at Benjamin Banneker Historical Park. Bring a picnic, play on the grounds, and walk the trails.

The Screen Free Week flyer is here for your reference. Log your children's "screen free" activities and complete the scavenger hunt during your adventures around town this week. Just be sure to turn forms in by this coming Monday, May 11th, to be entered into the raffle for prizes.

Thank you, Ms. Johnson and the Green Team, for all your hard work!

End of School Year

BCPS has announced the end of this school year. The last day for preschool-3 and pre-K will be Tuesday, June 16. This will be a full day for students at all levels. Wednesday, June 17, and Thursday, June 18, will be half days for elementary and middle school students. The last day for elementary and middle schools will be Thursday, June 18. The last day for high schools will be Friday, June 19. All days during the week of June 15-19 will be full days for high school students.

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5/12 PTA Meeting Recap

The Blast - May 28

The Blast - May 21

The Blast - May 14

The Blast - May 7

Westowne PTA

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