What a beautiful day the children had for their Fall Festival Parade on Thursday. It was great to see so many of you who were able to join us as 325 costumed Stoddert Wolves paraded around the block. Thanks to those who sent treats for the students and teachers to enjoy. We appreciated all the help you gave us for our room celebrations.

If you have not turned in your information form to be listed in the Stoddert Directory, please do so by November 3. This directory is so helpful when you need to find parents to arrange a play date, to organize a classroom project, to find out the homework assignments when needed, and to meet new people. Please have your child turn in the form to the classroom teacher [Ed.: Or, email the PDF version to Erik Warga—the address is on the form.]. The PTA is anxious to complete this most helpful project.

May I give a friendly reminder to the parents of 3rd-, 4th-, and 5th-graders about the DC BAS test on November 2-4, 2010? For anyone who might have missed prior information, it is a benchmark measure to see if progress has been made from the first administration. The results will be shared with you and are also used to group students for skill remediation or expansion. Please try to have your children in school for these days. If they are ill, we do have make-up sessions.

Thursday, November 4 is an event-filled day:

• At 9:30 a.m., we will hold the first mini Open House of two. Prospective parents can meet the principal and take mini-tours. Please spread the word to neighbors and friends. The second “mini” is Friday, November 5, at the same time.
• At 1:30 p.m., teachers and students will participate in a Walk for the Homeless. More information will be coming home about this. All students who participate will receive a shirt for walking around the block for this purpose.
• At 6:30 p.m. the PTA will hold its November General Meeting

Other important dates:

• November 10 at 6:30 p.m. at Stoddert: Parents of 4th- and 5th-graders can meet the principal of Hardy Middle School, Dana Nerenberg, to learn about the opportunities there
• November 18 from 9:30 – 11:00 a.m. is the official PTA Open House

Saving a very fun event for last! I hope to see you at the Fall Festival on Saturday, October 30 from noon to 3:00 p.m. It will be held on the Stoddert playground. It should be a fun time. Please come and see old friends and neighbors, or meet new ones.

—Dr. Marjorie Cuthbert

Photographs (individual, as opposed to the class pictures) will be taken Wednesday, October 20th.  Packages and order forms should come home in backpacks. There will be a make-up photo shoot later in the year for any child that misses this first event.

Stoddert will hold a Harvest Fall Parade on Thursday, October 28, at 10:15 a.m. Please ask your child or teacher about ways to help out with this event. Room parents will also send around details and requests for assistance.

We’re working out the details for our Harvest Fall Fun Fair, Saturday, October 30, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. We need volunteers! Please contact Mary at 202-641-2159 if you can spend an hour assisting at one of the stations (face painting, pumpkin painting, bobbing for apples) and such.

The Stoddert PTA will sponsor an Open House for prospective parents and students, Pre-K to fifth grade (for 2011-2012 school year). This will take place Thursday November 18, from 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. [Update: see http://www.stoddert.org/2010/10/stoddert-open-houses-nov-4-nov-5-nov-18-and-dec-2/ for additional dates.]

The scene at Stoddert's 2008 Fun Fair, held on the grounds of the old school.

The Stoddert Fall Fun Fair has been rescheduled for Saturday, October 24th from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

This is a great Stoddert tradition and one of the highlights of the year!

This year the event will be held at Stoddert East in the parking lot and adjacent play areas. Though space is tight, we feel it is important to show how well Stoddert is doing in its temporary space and that we have a vibrant and supportive community here in Glover Park.

There will be obstacle courses, a moon bounce, games, prizes, pumpkin decorating, a bake sale, and lots of fun activities for kids.

Try your luck!

This is a parent-run event and we need your help! Traditionally, each Stoddert class hosts an event at the fair — this means that the parents help set up and operate one activity. Bring your kids; volunteer at a ride, booth, or craft table during the event; bring some favorite baked goods to support the bake sale. The kids always have a great time, we just need them to be kept safe and supervised, and we’ll need lots of help for that.

So, please help us make it a special day. You’ve probably already heard from the room parents for your children’s classes. If not, get in touch and let them know what you can do!

We’re looking forward to seeing you!

Stephen Frum and Kristen Sunkes