PTA News
Drop-Off / Pick-Up Cheat Sheet
Getting your kid to school should be easy, right? They always put their shoes on the first time you ask. And their book bags are always packed and ready to go at least five minutes before your minivan blasts off. So why is it so confusing to get them from the car and into the school doors? Well, navigating the cross walks, erratic traffic and various entrances at Westowne takes some practice. For the novices, here is a cheat sheet. Share it with friends and neighbors.
SECAC
The BCPS Special Education Citizens’ Advisory Committee (SECAC) seeks collaboration and positive change based on input from parents, community partners, service providers, educators and administrators on issues relative to the provision of a free appropriate public education (FAPE) and the achievement of students with disabilities.
Dr. Dance will be attending the first SECAC meeting on Monday, September 8th at 7:00. If you have a child who receives IEP or 504 services, mark your calendars for this rare opportunity to directly share your concerns and questions with the superintendent.
Contact Melissa Pound, the PTA's SECAC representative, with any questions.
Treasurer Update
Our treasurer, Jen Keathley, has moved with her family for work out of state. After accepting the appointment and being approved by a Board of Directors vote in August, Noel Smith has started as our new treasurer for the 2014-2016 term.
Best wishes to Jen and her family. We will miss you! Welcome aboard, Noel. Thanks to you both for your service to Westowne Elementary and our PTA!
Save the Date
Box Tops Summer Contest
Friday, September 12th
Turn in your Summer Bucks Box Tops forms by next Friday to enter a drawing for a sweetFrog gift card. And continue to clip those Box Tops. They are an important revenue source for the PTA - 10 cents at a time.
Westowne Restaurant Night
Panera, 6600 Baltimore National Pike
Monday, September 15, 6:00-9:00 PM
Join Westowne friends for dinner. Dine in or carry out. 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 events like Teacher Appreciation Week and Literature Night.
Pajama Day
Every last full Friday of the month starting September 26th
All students (and some teachers!) can wear their PJs to school just for fun and can chose to bring a donation to fund fun, educational events like assemblies. The class with the most donations will get a pizza party at the end of the school year.
PTA Meeting
Westowne library
Every second Tuesday of the month starting October 14th, 7:00
Join us for this year's first full meeting to learn more about what the PTA plans to do for our students, teachers, and families this year! If you'd like to sign up for the PTA, ask questions, or meet the incoming board, please join us at 6:45.
For more important dates, check out the PTA calendar.
PTA Membership Renewal
Each fall, all interested community members are encouraged to join or renew their membership in Westowne Elementary PTA. Joining is the first step in supporting our ability to be a resource for our children, teachers, and staff. To learn more about what we do, take a closer look at our website .
Dues are only $6. $4 goes to National, Maryland, and Baltimore County PTA; $2 covers our event insurance and required trainings for board members. Parents, grandparents, neighbors, and teachers are welcome to join and be involved. Join now!
Teachers’ Educational Supplies Fund
The Teachers’ Educational Supplies Fund is sponsored by our PTA and is designed to help teachers buy instructional materials to enhance the curriculum. By helping the teachers, you’re helping your child learn.
Thanks to everyone who has already donated. At Sneak a Peek alone we raised $200. Our goal is to raise $2250 so that all 45 of Westowne’s teachers can be given a $50 reimbursement for the purchase of educational materials and supplies. You can make donations at Back to School Night, through the membership form sent to school in your child's folder, and on our website using PayPal.
Proposed PTA Budget
The proposed PTA Budget for 2014-15 is now available online. We will be voting on the budget at the next Back to School Night and will be discussing strategy and spending reports at the October 14th PTA meeting.
Common Core - Part II
Guest blogger, Kimberly Feldman, continues her conversation about Common Core in this second post. Check it out, ask questions, and learn more.
Share Your News
Do you want to share PTA, school, or family-friendly community news? Please submit newsletter requests by Tuesday. Most requests can be quickly approved and added to the weekly Thursday newsletter. Also let us know if you have Westowne or PTA dates to share on our calendar.
Send us an email with questions or suggestions.
School News
Back to School Night
Westowne will host the second Back to School Night next Tuesday, September 9th from 6:30-8:30 for preschool through 2nd grade. These evenings focus on giving parents information about what to expect this school year.
Here's your suggested Back to School Night to-do list:
The PTA board would like to thank our first Back to School Night team. Hope, Lara, and Jenny, we couldn't have done it without you!
Grandparent Workshops
The BCPS Parent University is hosting breakfast workshops for grandparents--specifically those raising or helping to raise their grandchildren. Register by Friday, September 6th for a workshop on September 8th, 9th, or 10th at 9:30.
Low-Cost Internet Service
Comcast is offering free and low-cost internet service, as well as debt forgiveness, for Baltimore County families whose children qualify for the National School Lunch Program. If your family or friends are struggling to afford the internet access their children need for academic success, check out this program. Call 1-855-339-6124 or visit this website before September 20 for more details.
Community News
Police and School Safety
Have you seen police officers in and around Westowne recently? Give them a wave and thank them for their effort.
We spoke with Sergeant Harpster, the Community Outreach Supervisor at Wilkins. He said there are no threats to local schools. Instead, the police demonstrate their support of schools during the first week and will periodically stop by throughout the year.
Arts and Crafts Festival
The 41st annual Catonsville Arts and Crafts Festival is this Sunday, September 7th from 10:00-5:00.
Westowne in the News
Baltimore County School Board Called a Learning Experience
Drop-Off / Pick-Up Cheat Sheet
Getting your kid to school should be easy, right? They always put their shoes on the first time you ask. And their book bags are always packed and ready to go at least five minutes before your minivan blasts off. So why is it so confusing to get them from the car and into the school doors? Well, navigating the cross walks, erratic traffic and various entrances at Westowne takes some practice. For the novices, here is a cheat sheet. Share it with friends and neighbors.
SECAC
The BCPS Special Education Citizens’ Advisory Committee (SECAC) seeks collaboration and positive change based on input from parents, community partners, service providers, educators and administrators on issues relative to the provision of a free appropriate public education (FAPE) and the achievement of students with disabilities.
- SECAC meets once monthly during the school year, typically on Mondays at 7:00 PM.
- Meeting are held at 6901 N. Charles Street, Towson, MD 21204 (Building E, Room 114)
- All meetings are open to the public. Anyone with an interest in improving education outcomes for students with disabilities is encouraged to attend, ask questions, and give suggestions.
Dr. Dance will be attending the first SECAC meeting on Monday, September 8th at 7:00. If you have a child who receives IEP or 504 services, mark your calendars for this rare opportunity to directly share your concerns and questions with the superintendent.
Contact Melissa Pound, the PTA's SECAC representative, with any questions.
Treasurer Update
Our treasurer, Jen Keathley, has moved with her family for work out of state. After accepting the appointment and being approved by a Board of Directors vote in August, Noel Smith has started as our new treasurer for the 2014-2016 term.
Best wishes to Jen and her family. We will miss you! Welcome aboard, Noel. Thanks to you both for your service to Westowne Elementary and our PTA!
Save the Date
Box Tops Summer Contest
Friday, September 12th
Turn in your Summer Bucks Box Tops forms by next Friday to enter a drawing for a sweetFrog gift card. And continue to clip those Box Tops. They are an important revenue source for the PTA - 10 cents at a time.
Westowne Restaurant Night
Panera, 6600 Baltimore National Pike
Monday, September 15, 6:00-9:00 PM
Join Westowne friends for dinner. Dine in or carry out. 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 events like Teacher Appreciation Week and Literature Night.
Pajama Day
Every last full Friday of the month starting September 26th
All students (and some teachers!) can wear their PJs to school just for fun and can chose to bring a donation to fund fun, educational events like assemblies. The class with the most donations will get a pizza party at the end of the school year.
PTA Meeting
Westowne library
Every second Tuesday of the month starting October 14th, 7:00
Join us for this year's first full meeting to learn more about what the PTA plans to do for our students, teachers, and families this year! If you'd like to sign up for the PTA, ask questions, or meet the incoming board, please join us at 6:45.
For more important dates, check out the PTA calendar.
PTA Membership Renewal
Each fall, all interested community members are encouraged to join or renew their membership in Westowne Elementary PTA. Joining is the first step in supporting our ability to be a resource for our children, teachers, and staff. To learn more about what we do, take a closer look at our website .
Dues are only $6. $4 goes to National, Maryland, and Baltimore County PTA; $2 covers our event insurance and required trainings for board members. Parents, grandparents, neighbors, and teachers are welcome to join and be involved. Join now!
Teachers’ Educational Supplies Fund
The Teachers’ Educational Supplies Fund is sponsored by our PTA and is designed to help teachers buy instructional materials to enhance the curriculum. By helping the teachers, you’re helping your child learn.
Thanks to everyone who has already donated. At Sneak a Peek alone we raised $200. Our goal is to raise $2250 so that all 45 of Westowne’s teachers can be given a $50 reimbursement for the purchase of educational materials and supplies. You can make donations at Back to School Night, through the membership form sent to school in your child's folder, and on our website using PayPal.
Proposed PTA Budget
The proposed PTA Budget for 2014-15 is now available online. We will be voting on the budget at the next Back to School Night and will be discussing strategy and spending reports at the October 14th PTA meeting.
Common Core - Part II
Guest blogger, Kimberly Feldman, continues her conversation about Common Core in this second post. Check it out, ask questions, and learn more.
Share Your News
Do you want to share PTA, school, or family-friendly community news? Please submit newsletter requests by Tuesday. Most requests can be quickly approved and added to the weekly Thursday newsletter. Also let us know if you have Westowne or PTA dates to share on our calendar.
Send us an email with questions or suggestions.
School News
Back to School Night
Westowne will host the second Back to School Night next Tuesday, September 9th from 6:30-8:30 for preschool through 2nd grade. These evenings focus on giving parents information about what to expect this school year.
Here's your suggested Back to School Night to-do list:
- Learn about the curriculum and plans for your child/ren this year from their teachers and the principals
- Learn about the PTA and the proposed budget
- Buy Westowne spirit wear for yourselves and your kids
- Contribute to the Teachers' Educational Supplies Fund
- Join the PTA and pickup your membership cards
- Sign up to support upcoming PTA events
- Bring in classroom supply donations
The PTA board would like to thank our first Back to School Night team. Hope, Lara, and Jenny, we couldn't have done it without you!
Grandparent Workshops
The BCPS Parent University is hosting breakfast workshops for grandparents--specifically those raising or helping to raise their grandchildren. Register by Friday, September 6th for a workshop on September 8th, 9th, or 10th at 9:30.
Low-Cost Internet Service
Comcast is offering free and low-cost internet service, as well as debt forgiveness, for Baltimore County families whose children qualify for the National School Lunch Program. If your family or friends are struggling to afford the internet access their children need for academic success, check out this program. Call 1-855-339-6124 or visit this website before September 20 for more details.
Community News
Police and School Safety
Have you seen police officers in and around Westowne recently? Give them a wave and thank them for their effort.
We spoke with Sergeant Harpster, the Community Outreach Supervisor at Wilkins. He said there are no threats to local schools. Instead, the police demonstrate their support of schools during the first week and will periodically stop by throughout the year.
Arts and Crafts Festival
The 41st annual Catonsville Arts and Crafts Festival is this Sunday, September 7th from 10:00-5:00.
Westowne in the News
Baltimore County School Board Called a Learning Experience
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