Pack Hike
Saturday, May 19, 2012 – 9:00 a.m.
Billy Goat Trail “C” (approx. 2.5 miles long)
Meet at the far western (upstream) parking lot at Carderock Recreation Area, just off the Clara Barton Parkway (more info about the hike)

Explore Scouting
Sunday, May 20, 2012 – 3-5 p.m.
Palisades Community Church
5200 Cathedral Avenue, NW

Pack Meeting & Campfire
Monday, May 21, 2012 – 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Rock Creek Park Picnic Grove No. 6
(on the western side of Beach Drive, just north of Military Road)

Questions about Cub Scout Packs 61 & 100? Call Bob Whalen (Cubmaster) on 202-338-8706 or Kara Kling (Assistant Cubmaster) on 202-360-5499.

W O W – did you witness first hand, or hear about the terrific Science Fair that happened for the 3rd to 5th graders this past week?  The quality of scientific research was high and the judges had a hard time choosing their top projects.  Kudos to the teachers who helped the students develop their hypotheses and either support them or reject them upon completion of their experiments.  Congratulations to all who participated, including supportive parents.  All students who participated gained much knowledge and experience.

Thank you, beyond belief, for reregistering your child(ren) for next year.  We now have moved from 25 % of students reregistered to closer to 50% of our total.  What this really means is that as of now, we could fund only one-half of our school.  If you have turned in your intent to return, that is admirable, but it does not count toward generating our staff for next year.  Only when you actually turn in your NEW registration papers and reprove, ONCE AGAIN, that you are in our boundary or a DC resident, do you count toward our overall verified student enrollment.  The system does not automatically assume that children currently attending Stoddert will be enrolled next year.  If you know that you really are not coming back and have not told us, please do so.  The waiting lists are long and strong.  You have been most helpful in finding new families.  We have 23 brand-new-K students registered for next school year (yes, a full class).  THANKS – this helps us plan for a class and to better meet the needs of all!  PLEASE find your neighbors and friends and tell them how important it is to get to school and REGISTER!  We are open all Thursday nights in May to help get this task accomplished.

ALERT AGAIN!! – Class picture day is coming on May 16, 2012.  This year, parents must prepay for pictures @ a cost of $10.00 per picture to obtain a class picture.  Did you see the order forms that were sent home?  Please return your payment and forms to your classroom teacher.

As you know, it is a very busy and exciting time of the year.  Many classes are going on field trips and working in our garden projects. Field Day had to be rescheduled for May 22nd, with Pre-K to 2nd participating in the morning and 3rd to 5th graders participating in the afternoon.  International Day/Night is scheduled for May 24th and much more information will be coming.  A Talent Show will be held June 6 from 1:30–3:00pm – more info coming.  We will have a Moving-Up Day, where all students (except 5th graders) move up to the next level to meet teachers, that will be held June 12; PTA will provide ice cream for all. The 5th Grade Promotion will be held June 13 at 9:30am in our own gymnasium.  The last day of school will be June 14^th, with early dismissal of students at 12:15pm, as the afternoon is used for the teachers’ records keeping.  I know I am repeating dates but just wanted to make sure everyone is up-to-date.

As you know, I can always be reached at marjorie.cuthbert@dc.gov.  You know where to find me, if you need me.  Please come to as many events as you can, the students love it when you celebrate with them.

This week will feature:

• Food Truck 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
• Live Bluegrass Music
• Free Bike Clinic 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Come out and support the farmers and other vendors!

Elected and unelected positions appear below, and you can read a detailed description of each position for more information.  Names in brackets are volunteers/nominees for next year or volunteers with one year left on term. All nominees will be up for a vote. Please e-mail president@stoddert.org if interested or look for the sign up board in front hall of school.

Thank you.

Katy Youel-Page, PTA President

• Co-Presidents [Katy Youel-Page] [need volunteer]
• Vice President PTA Budget [Beth Mailley*]
• Vice President Communications [need two volunteers]
• Vice President Special Projects [need volunteer]
• Secretary [Molly Evans]
• Local School Advisory Team [Laura Baron, Ginger Jacobs] [need two more volunteers]
• Treasurer [Tim Brown*]
• Six Schools [Nichet Quarles]

           * Nominee for 2012-2013

• Room Parent coordinator [need volunteer]
• Childcare coordinator for meetings [need volunteer]
• Fillmore representative [need volunteer]
• Fall Festival Coordinators [need volunteers]
• Back to School Potluck [need volunteers]
• Family Fun Night/ Activities [need volunteers]
• Big Chili Coordinators [need volunteers]
• International Night [need volunteers]
• Book Fair Coordinator [need volunteer]
• Teacher Appreciation [need volunteer]

Hello,

Patch is running a Mother’s Day contest.

We’re trying to have people nominate their mom as the “Best Mom in Georgetown” by adding a picture and saying why she’s awesome. The randomly selected winner with get $50 to spend on mom. Though some of your students may not live in Georgetown, we’ll happily include their moms since the kids go to school nearby — Close enough!

Here’s the link to our feature: http://patch.com/A-sTDJ Let me know if I can provide you with any other necessary information.

Best,

-Shaun

–
Shaun Courtney
Editor, Georgetown Patch
georgetown.patch.com

BIG CHILI!  It was terrific to see so many of you at the Finnish Embassy last Friday evening.  It was such a lovely setting and so much fun.   Thanks to all of you for supporting the Stoddert Wolves through this event and in so……….many ways.  It was a terrific setting for a very festive event.  THANKS to all who made this possible for all of us.

Please ask your child about Career Days, that all students experienced this past week.  Ms. Zachary, our counselor, arranged Career Days for all the students, with the support of all, but particularly with the help of Ms. Artiga and Ms. Ogburn who helped with the many details to make these days so successful.  Pre-K through 2^nd graders enjoyed Career Day on this past Thursday.  They got a chance to learn about many professions, to include Mounted Police Officer, Literary Agent, Financial Analyst, Fire Fighter, and Attorney.  The students were very engaged and asked great questions!  One questions was, “Do Mounted Police Officers make more money than regular police officers?” The students were thrilled when Officer Nolan took AJ (the horse) around the field for a demonstration.  It’s always a pleasure to have our Stoddert parents share in Career Day.  On Friday, 3^rd -5^th graders heard from a submarine engineer, TV producer, journalist, architect, attorney, and a FBI analyst.   Ask your child(ren) about Career Days!

Here is my repeated plea to please come and register.  Thanks to many of you who came this past week to register your new Stoddert Wolves, or to reregister for next year, once again proving your residency, etc.  Our whole staffing success depends on your registering be- to-teacher ratios.  Until official registration happens, the system does not know that you are really planning to attend Stoddert next year.  The system does not automatically assume that children currently attending Stoddert will be enrolled next year.  If you know that you really are not coming back and have not told us, please do so.  The waiting lists are long and strong.  You have been most helpful in finding new families.  We have 22 brand-new-K students registered for next school year.  THANKS – this helps us plan for a class and better meet the needs of all!

ALERT!! – Class picture day is coming on May 16, 2012.  This year, parents must prepay for pictures @ a cost of $10.00 per picture, to obtain a class picture.  Please look for order forms coming home early next week.  Please return your forms to your classroom teacher.    

As you know, it is a very busy and exciting time of the year.  Many classes are going on field trips and working in our garden projects. The Science Fair for 3^rd-5^th graders will be May 10^th, with projects set-up in the gym for judging and class visits.  Field Day had to be rescheduled for May 22^nd, with Pre-K- 2^nd participating in the a.m. and 3-5^th graders participating in the afternoon.  International Day/Night is scheduled for May 24^th and much more information coming.   A Talent Show will be held June 6^th from 1:30 – 3:00 p.m. – more info coming.  We will have a Moving-Up Day, where all students (except 5^th) will move up to the next level to meet teachers, that will be held June 12^th  — PTA will provide ice cream for all. The 5^th Grade Promotion will be held June 13^th at 9:30 a.m. in our own gymnasium.  The last day of school will be June 14^th, with early dismissal of students at 12:15 p.m., as the afternoon is used for the teachers’ records keeping.  I just wanted to repeat any of these dates again, to make sure everyone is up-to-date.

As you know, I can always be reached at marjorie.cuthbert@dc.gov.  You know where to find me, if you need me.  Please come to as many events as you can, the students are VERY SPECIAL!  Enjoy your weekend.

• Scholastic Leveled Readers for Grades K-5: $7,700
• Big Chili costs: $1,331
• Family Fun night dinner: $997
• PTA meeting pizza and childcare: $485
• Academic night pizza and childcare: $319
• 5th grade math books: $177
• Promethean board maintenance: $156
• Novels for 3rd grade: $153
• Dr. Seuss celebration costs: $130
• Kindergarten Life Cycle unit: $110

1. Outstanding Parent Volunteer
2. Outstanding Community Member Volunteer
3. Outstanding AmeriCorps Volunteer
4. Outstanding Corporate Volunteer Group
5. Outstanding Community Partner or Non-Profit Volunteer Group

A committee will select several winners for each category based on the following criteria. An outstanding volunteer or volunteer group:

• Suggests and implements innovative and creative ideas and solutions in the classroom or school community.
• Advocates input and collaboration with all members of the school community.
• Establishes supportive and stable rapport with administration, faculty, and students.
• Encourages inclusion of all cultures and diverse perspectives and promotes sensitivity for different people and ideas.
• Goes above and beyond required duties and maintains focus on the comprehensive goal of educating all students.
• Exhibits leadership and commitment to school ideals.
• Has made discernible contributions to the greater school community.

Any member of the school community (administrator, faculty member, student, parent, community member, etc.) can submit a nomination for this award. Go to http://goo.gl/gjVcg to submit your candidates.

• Nominations must be submitted by May 4, 2012.
• Winners will be notified on May 14, 2012 and invited to a special event with the chancellor.

If you have any questions, please email Stephanie Cobb (stephanie.cobb [at] dc [dot] gov).

Taken from the DCPS nominating document with minor edits, 5/1/2012.