PTA News
Membership
Your membership allows our school to have a PTA and pays for local and national dues. 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. It means you want to support the PTA however much your life and work schedule allows.
We currently have 179 members. If you haven't already joined, send in the membership form with your $6, and help us reach (or exceed!) our goal of 200.
Restaurant Night
Starting today, grab a meal at Grilled Cheese & Co. any Thursday in January. Visit once or visit weekly. Support a local restaurant and your PTA. The more business we bring in, the larger the contribution--as much as 25%! Bring your flyer or just mention Westowne PTA.
Family Meal Donations
During the winter break, a Westowne student lost his mother in a car accident. In order to support this family during this tragic time, bring a prepared meal to school tomorrow, Friday, January 9th. Please bring a refrigerated meal that may be shared with their extended family or a frozen meal for later with instructions for thawing and reheating. Mrs. Dixon will also accept gift cards to local restaurants and grocery stores. For further information and to sign up, see Volunteer Spot.
PTA Meeting
Join us in the library on Tuesday, January 13th at 7:00 for this month's PTA business meeting. Mrs. Patrick will be sharing information about PARCC and other assessments. Also learn more about upcoming events and efforts, share your ideas, and ask questions.
Upcoming Assembly
Next Wednesday, January 14th, students will attend a PTA sponsored assembly featuring Anansegromma of Ghana. They will learn about traditional West African music, storytelling, and dance. Thanks to Westowne parent Wendy Stevens for planning this event and to the Maryland Arts Council for a grant that partially funded it.
Pajama Day & Movie Night
November's combination was a hit, so we're doing it again on Friday, January 16th. Everyone can wear their pajamas to school next Friday. Monetary donations (sent in your child's folder) are a welcome but optional way for us to raise funds. The class that raises the most funds this school year will win an end of the year party.
Bring your whole family that evening. We'll be showing "The Lego Movie" (PG). Doors open at 6:00 for pizza, popcorn, candy, and drinks. The show starts at 6:30. We look forward to hanging out in the gym with the Westowne community!
After School Clubs
We're offering several winter after school clubs. The fees are just high enough to cover the cost, and the slots fill quickly. Keep an eye out for more information coming home in your child's folder.
- Chess Club: Tuesdays, January 20- March 3 (7 weeks)
- Lego Robotics: Mondays, February 2- March 23 (7 weeks)
Spring Spree - Craft & Vendor Fair
Calling all Westowne crafters and vendors. On Saturday, April 18, Westowne PTA will host a craft and vendor fair. Contact us for registration information. And tell your friends! We have space for 35 tables.
Volunteer Opportunities
Make a New Year's resolution to be more involved. Here's how:
- Literature Night Committee - We need lots of creative, crafty volunteers for this March celebration of books, reading, and learning.
- Book Fair – Make some space in your calendar for our spring Scholastic book fair. Lots of volunteers are needed during the day to help the children shop for books.
- Mother's Day Plant Sale Coordinator - Take pre-orders, place orders with a local nursery, and distribute orders on the Friday prior to Mothers’ Day. This job requires two people.
- SchoolKidz Coordinator - Make back-to-school supply shopping a snap with these pre-packaged school supply kits. A coordinator is needed to supply grade lists, take orders at the end of the year, and distribute orders at the beginning of next school year. This job requires one or two people.
- 5th Grade Committee – Help this grade commemorate their final year at Westowne. There are several opportunities to be involved.
Reward Programs
Thanks to everyone for participating in our reward programs. By registering your cards and clipping reward labels, you contribute funds to the PTA without spending any extra money. If you don't already know all about them, take a look at our reward programs page for the details.
The current winning Box Tops classrooms include the following:
Mannion
McIntosh
Cvengros
Rotolo - A close 4th!
The class who contributes the most Box Tops by the end of the school year will win a party. Keep on clipping!
School News
Blue Jeans - Green School
Save your gently used blue jeans! The Green Thursday activity for January will be collecting gently used blue jeans in all sizes. The blue jeans drive will run from January 22nd - February 6th. Jeans will be donated to homeless shelters in our area. This collection is sponsored by www.dosomething.org. As usual, the Green Team will have an exciting contest to keep everyone motivated. Keep your eyes open for the graph that will be in the hallway by Mrs. Ingle’s classroom to see how your child’s class is doing. The winning class will win an ice cream party!
Facilities Plan
BCPS has released this facilities plan, which includes the status of the Southwest area elementary school projects, including the new building for Westowne.