PTA News
Membership
Now's the time to join the PTA or renew your annual membership.
Your $6 dues allow our school to have a PTA and pay for your local and national PTA memberships. Our PTA doesn't keep the small amount that's left over. Dues cover our organization's insurance and IRS required trainings.
Your membership means you believe that the PTA helps Westowne be the best it can be. It means you want to be informed about your school and your school community. As a member, you support the PTA however much your life and schedule allows.
Your PTA was honored with a Maryland PTA award last school year for increasing our membership by over 50%. Help make this year even better. We encourage all adults in your household to join, as well as faculty, staff, grandparents, and community members. Send in the membership form with your $6. Thank you!
Many Thanks
- The PTA board would like to thank everyone who helped prepare for and run the Welcome Back Brunch for Westowne's faculty and staff, as well as everyone who supported the Sneak-A-Peek donut social.
- A special thank you to Dunkin Donuts (5303 Baltimore National Pike), Giant of Catonsville, Giant on Edmondson, Giant on Wilkins, and The Breadery for their generous support.
- A grieving Westowne family has expressed their heartfelt thanks to our community for the support and kindness. Thanks to your help, school supplies, personal items, and meals were provided.
- Also thanks to the community for taking care of students in need. The PTA, in collaboration with the Academy Heights Neighborhood Association, the Ingleside Neighborhood Association, and Metanoia Church, collected school supplies for about 20 Westowne students.
Holiday Shoppe
Calling all yard sale lovers!
Each December, we run our Holiday Shoppe. Students may shop for inexpensive gifts for family and friends. A beloved tradition, Holiday Shoppe is also our largest fundraiser. The funds raised help the PTA bring educational and entertaining events like Movie Nights, assemblies, and Literature Night to our community.
A huge part of our inventory last year came from yard sales. Our Holiday Shoppe Chair, Katie McKnight, went to numerous yard sales and asked for donations of leftover items. This big job could use your help. Yard sale lovers, please send us an email.
We accept Holiday Shoppe donations throughout the year. Please send in your gently used toys and gift items for family members. Just leave your donations, labeled with "PTA," in the school office.
SchoolKids Raffle Winner
Every family that placed an order last spring was entered into a raffle for $25. Congratulations to the family of a first grader!
Catonsville Middle PTSA Treasurer Needed
Catonsville Middle School PTSA needs a treasurer. PTAs require a devoted, organized treasurer for everything they do. If any Westowne alum parent is willing to help out, please contact Richard Kidd, their PTSA president.
BoxTops Raffle
BoxTops provides a surprisingly important revenue source for Westowne. Turn in summer collection sheets by Friday, September 11th. Each completed sheet provides a chance to win a prize.
Summer BoxTops Collection
School News
Back to School Nights
Join us for video presentations from BCPS and the principal, as well as the general membership meeting and budget vote for the PTA. Afterwards, come to the cafe for refreshments, join the PTA, and buy spirit wear.
Tuesday, September 1st, 6:30 - 8:30 pm
- For 1st & 2nd grade parents and caregivers
- For 3rd to 5th grade parents and caregivers
- 5th grade parents, come to the cafe to meet up with the PTA's 5th Grade Committee. Pitch in to help with fundraising and event planning for your child's last year at Westowne.
Westowne is now on Twitter. Follow WestowneElem for the highlights of how the school's faculty and staff are providing a student centered learning experience. #westowneisready
Boundary Change Meetings
With the new building for Westowne, the new building for Catonsville Elementary at Bloomsbury, and the addition at Westchester Elementary in the works, changes are coming for the elementary schools in Catonsville. The schedule for the Southwest Area boundary change meetings this fall may be found online.
Westowne will have designated parent representation at these meetings. All meetings may be observed by other interested members of the community, both in person and by viewing the BCPS live stream. There will also be a public information session, an online survey, and a board hearing in which the community may participate this winter.
Green School
Westowne is a Green School, so staff and students work together to care for our planet. Read about the efforts in the Green Initiatives blog. The GreenTeam could use a couple parent volunteers throughout the school year. Please Contact Ms. Getsinger if you would like to help out.
Drama Club
New to Westowne this year, Mrs. Ingle and Mr. Willig are starting a drama club for 3rd - 5th graders. Join them next week for a parent information session covering topics including auditions, rehearsals, and performance.
Tuesday, September 1st
4:00 - 4:30 in Mr. Willig's classroom (Trailer 3)
3rd - 5th grade students
*A parent must attend
Community News
Farmers Markets
The Catonsville Farmers Market runs each Wednesday at its location in our neighborhood. Check it out at the Christian Temple on Wednesdays from 10:00 - 1:00.
Catonsville's Sunday Farmers Market runs Sunday mornings from 10:00 - 1:30. Find it at 730 Frederick Road, in the lot behind Friendy's.
Back to School Festival
Located at Security Square Mall, the 4th Annual Back to School Festival is this Saturday, August 29th, from 12:00 - 4:00. This event is sponsored by the Kevin Liles for a Better Baltimore Foundation, County Executive Kevin Kamenetz, and Superintendent Dr. Dance. Festivities include free school supplies, community resources, children's activities, and more.