PTO Meeting, PHK Meeting and Giving Tree Request
adavis21@maine.rr.com

Hi, all! The next PTO meeting will be held on Tue Feb 9th at 6:30pm at the JSMS library and we have a busy agenda and I have attached a tentative one. Also, attached are the minutes from the last two meetings (one document) which will need to be approved at this meeting.

We have 2 additional giving tree requests. One is for the 1st grade - cd and/or cassette players to use with the kids in class. Anyone that has either or both of these collecting dust at home, please send to RES noted as a giving tree request. The second request is for specific books for the JSMS library. Please review the list below to see if you have any at home no longer used-they will be greatly appreciated and widely used at the JSMS library.

Ranger's Apprentice: Erak's Ransom by John Flanagan; The Youngest Templar: Trail of Fate by Spradlin; Warriors: Omen of the Stars #1: The Fourth Apprentice; Harry Potter 5; Land of Elyon book 2; Any of the Tamora Pierce series (very popular); Lioness Quartet series; The Immortals series

Box Tops - It's time for the Feb contest! Notices will be coming home with details about the contest and will deadline before Feb break! Even though it is contest time, you can send in your box tops all year and as long on your child's class is noted - your child's class will get credited for the next contest! This a big fundraiser for the PTO so if you have one or one-hundred, we need them!

Loving pets to a good home - If anyone is on the look out for some loving home companions please contact Jen Danzig at jdanzig@maine.rr.com for information about two super cute, loving dogs that need a good home. Her family had to reach this heartbreaking decision because of one of her children's health issues. These are dogs that are very much loved and cared for so they are happy and healthy. She can email pics and answer any questions you may have if interested.

Finally, I'm sure many of you have seen in the news about more budget cuts that will be effecting our schools. The PTO is in more demand than ever and I do not see our support subsiding in the near future. I am very proud to be a part of this organization and when we made the call for parents, teachers and community members to support us- you have answered! No matter what you have been able to give, whether its box tops, capri sun pouches, ink cartridges, money, your time, etc. - it is all very much appreciated and needed!! I have received many thank you's from both schools to the PTO - the teachers and staff are extremely grateful for our little parent community stepping up during these lean times.

As always, thanks for your time and feel free to send me your thoughts and/or comments about the PTO and THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!!

Abby 

February 1, 2010
Hi, all! The PTO will be having their next meeting on Tuesday, February 9th at 6:30pm in the JSMS library. I hope you can all join and I plan on sending another email before with a tentative agenda. Also, RES needs a couple of DVD players if anyone has one or more collecting dust in their house, please send it to RES with a note it is in response to a giving tree request. Finally, below is information about the next PHK meeting and update about last month's meeting and their very wonderful programs!

Feb 11th - Parents Helping Kids(PHK) Make Good Choices meeting is scheduled for Thursday, February 11, 2010 from 6:30pm-8:00pm at the Public Safety Building/Fire Station, 1443 Roosevelt Trail, Raymond, ME 04071. Joe Schnupp(former DARE officer at JSMS) of the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Department will be talking with the group about Crime Watch. There have been a lot of burglaries of homes and vehicles in Raymond. What is happening is youth/young adults are stealing money/items to then purchase drugs. Joe will explain the legalities of how parents are responsible for their kids actions when it comes to drugs and if the kids are selling drugs. Ideas of how to be proactive with our children and other topics will be discussed. If you have any specific items that you would like to discuss, please forward your ideas or questions to me and I will provide Joe with a list in advance of the meeting.

Ten female students between the grades of 8-10 attended the 1/30/2010 safety training class(Personal Protection Program). Center Stage for Performing Arts provided the space for the training. Thank you Beth Gaudet! Teresa Odum organized the event and thank you Teresa! Instructor, Andrea Withers of Natural Motion Martial Arts and three of her colleagues provided this very appropriate training. The feedback from the attendees was very positive and the students worked hard in displaying the learned tactics of how to keep themselves safe in today’s ever changing world. Thank you to Ms. Withers and her colleagues for their time, knowledge and very generous price discount for the training. Attendees of the June 2009 meeting with Zoe Miller are asked to complete testimonials and e-mail them to Zoe Miller and Suzanne. I will forward the e-mail with the information to those who attended the meeting. The 1/14/2010 PHK meeting was well attended. Scott Gagnon of Day One gave a very informative presentation of the Natural Helpers of Maine Program and Day One. Efforts are being made to have our youth benefit from the Natural Helpers of Maine Program. Thank you Scott for your time and good luck with your new job! Following Scott’s presentation parents shared ideas of what is working with regards to parenting styles, strategies and tools to promote our youth being authentic individuals.

The Parents Helping Kids group’s Purpose/Goal is to:
- Promote and empower teenagers to make smart choices through education, information and healthy activities.
- Offer support to parents and receive support from parents.