September 2015

Upcoming Events
August 27

WELCOME: Back To School

Teacher Letter Mailed

September 3
Meet the Teacher

September 8

First Day of School; Half Day

September 15-16
Curriculum Nights

September 24
Picture Day

September 30
Late Start

Welcome to another school year! For those of you just joining

Bailey Lake Elementary, we offer an especially warm welcome.
BLE families are generous with their time, talents and financial support
and positive, can-do spirit. This generosity, combined with an engaged staff,
allow us to offer some amazing opportunities for your student(s). We expect
the 2015-16 school year to be no exception.
Please review this welcome newsletter to better acquaint yourself with the
BLE PTA and the key role it plays at BLE. We hope youll find it informative
and motivate you to be an active player in our success this year. If you have
questions or ideas, please see us at Curriculum Night on September 15 and 16
or contact BLE PTA President Dena Pflieger (pflieg1@comcast.net).

October 2
Fun Run

8:30 First Bell

(students enter)

8:40 Tardy Bell

3:50 Dismissal
Half Day: 8:30-11:46
Late Start: 9:20-3:50

Thanks in advance for a great year at BLE!

BACK TO SCHOOL:

What is the PTA?

Were often asked what is a PTA? PTA stands for Parent Teacher Association. Founded in 1897 as the
National Congress of Mothers, National PTA is a powerful voice for all children, a relevant resource for families
and communities, and a strong advocate for public education. PTA is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit association.
Todays PTA is a network of millions of families, students, teachers, administrators, and business and community
leaders devoted to the educational success of children and the promotion of family engagement in schools.
There are more than 20,000 PTA chapters and 4 million PTA members across the US, Puerto Rico, US Virgin
Islands and Europe. Bailey Lake Elementary PTA is a chapter of the Michigan PTA. Membership is open
to everyone.

Why join the PTA?

The number one reason to join
the PTA is to benefit your child. In
doing so, you also help our school.
But there are many more PTA
advantages:
Be in the Know. PTA helps you
keep up with whats happening
in your school and how you can
support your childs education.
Build Relationships. PTA
connects you to other families
through meetings, events, and
communications, and helps build
a sense of community.
Watch Yourself Grow. By volunteering with your PTA, you put
your skills and hobbies to use for
a noble causeyour child and
other children in the community.
You can also build new skills.
Speak Up. PTA can be a way for
you to more effectively suggest
change at the school.
*Content adapted from the National PTA and Michigan State PTA.

Witness Improvement.
By getting involved, youll be part
of the solution, helping make
positive changes. PTA plays an
important role by supporting
building improvements through
advocacy, funding classroom
needs and coordinating many of
the social activities that occur
during the school year.
Be a Role Model. By becoming
a PTA member, youll be demonstrating to your child, other
parents and staff the importance
you place on education.
Enjoy Benets including a
school directory. You can take
advantage of member benefits
providers for things like office
supplies or car rentals. One
of the most popular benefits is
getting a BLW family directory
available for PTA members only.

Research shows that

students do better when
their families are involved
both at home and at school.
Grades are higher.
Test scores rise.
Self-esteem grows.
Schools improve.
Michigan PTA 10/14

How does the PTA

help Bailey Lake
and my child?
Through our fundraising and
volunteer efforts, you can see
the work of the BLE PTA in the
following:
All of the activities on page 4 & 5
Annual funds for each
classroom and grade level
All school field trips
Grade-level enrichment activities
School assemblies
Special purchases like computers, education programs,
recess equipment

COMMON QUESTIONS:
What if I
join PTA?

If I join the PTA, do I have to

volunteer?
No. By joining the PTA, you are not signing up to volunteer nor are you committing to donate any amount of your time.
PTA Membership demonstrates your
support for PTA programs and activities
even if you dont have time to be physically present. However, if you would like
to volunteer, you will be most welcome!

I am signed up as a volunteer; does

that make me a member of the PTA?
No, you are not a PTA member unless
you pay dues. However, you are still encouraged to volunteer even if you choose
not to join the PTA.
If I join the PTA, do I have to attend
the PTA meetings?
No. We encourage you to attend as many
meetings as you can to learn what is
going on in school and to help shape PTA
priorities. However, you are not required
to attend meetings.
1

OBJECTIVES:

2015-16
BLE PTA Board

The Objectives of the Bailey Lake

Elementary PTA, in common with
those of the National PTA and the
Michigan PTSA are:
To promote the welfare of children and youth in home, school,
community and place of worship.
To raise the standards of
home life.
To secure adequate laws for the
care and protection of children
and youth.
To bring into closer relation the
home and the school, that parents and teachers may cooperate
intelligently in the education of
children and youth.
To develop between educators and the general public such
united efforts as will secure for
all children and youth the highest advantages in physical, mental,
social and spiritual education.

1)
2)
3)
4)

President: Dena Pflieger

Vice President: Arina Bokas
Treasurer: Amanda Roberts
Assistant Treasurer:
Christy Kreucher
5) Secretary: Jennifer Cotaling

6) Communications:
Theresa Rotman
7) Membership: Shawn Hale
8) Membership: Wendy Seidel
9) Volunteers: Becky Walker

5
8

BLE ACTIVITIES: 2015-16 PTA Events Calendar

DATE

ACTIVITY

COORDINATOR(S)

In addition to one-time events, some PTA activities take place throughout the year. These include:

OCTOBER 2

Fun Run
One-day event that combines team-building, physical activity
and fundraising. Each grade runs as many laps as possible in a
short time window and raises money through pledges.

Theresa Rotman
Christy Kreucher
Katie Barnes
Andrea Beauchamp

Health and Wellness

OPEN
Education and support of health/safety issues and key topics, including allergy awareness

October 27

Disability Awareness
Rebecca Walker
District-wide, one-day event for 4th graders to gain awareness
Theresa Rotman
of a variety of disabilities.

NOVEMBER 12
(To be confirmed)

Theme Day
OPEN
One-day event featuring activity-based workshops and assemblies

NOVEMBER 16-20

Reflections
OPEN
National PTA Fine Arts competition in literature, visual arts,
aphotography and music to highlight the importance of art
in education.

Classroom Party Dates

NOVEMBER 30-
DECEMBER 4

Book Fair
Whitney Schmit
Week-long sale of Scholastic books and other items for students
Amy Darnell
families and staff. BLE earns points to purchase items for
its media center.

DATE

PARTY

TIME

Friday, October 30

Halloween

2:45 p.m. (includes parade)

DECEMBER 3-4

Doughnuts with Dad

Andrea Beauchamp
Before school refreshments for students and their Dads
Sara Hoyle
to promote family time and connections with other BLE families.

Thursday, December 17

Holiday

3:00 p.m. (sing-along at 2:30 p.m.)

Friday, February 12

Valentines Day

3:00 p.m.

JANUARY 21-22

Morings with Mom

Randy Scott
Before school refreshments for students and their Moms
Mark Beauchamp
to promote family time and connections with other BLE families.

FEBRUARY 25

Talent Show
Melissa Snyder
Evening event that gives students an opportunity to perform
onstage for their peers and families and celebrate the
diverse talents at BLE.

MARCH

Read To Me Month
Rebecca Walker
School-wide program to encourage students and families
Judy Haas
to have fun with reading.

APRIL 15

Seuss Fair
Amy Darnell
Annual school fair that combines games, math, learning
and family fun.

JUNE 10

Field Day
OPEN
One-day event for students to participate with classmates in a
variety of fun, physical activities and end the school year in a
positive way.

JUNE 15

Fifth Grade Celebration

Morning celebration of 5th grade accomplishments through
a slide show, award ceremony and refreshments.

*Note: any changes to the dates will be shared via e-blast and other school-wide communications.

Ellen Lesnau
Kim Elliott

Staff Appreciation
Eforts (e.g., refreshments, meals and other small gifts) throughout the year to show
appreciation of BLE staff. Special emphasis the week of May 2nd.

Christy Kreucher
Jana Henry
Audrey Winningham

Gardening
Work to keep the flower beds and pots looking inviting for students, staff and visitors.

OPEN

Classroom parties are a highlight of the year for most students and made possible through Room Parents
and specific donations by parents. Following are this years classroom parties.

Activity Coordinators Needed

There are still a few open spots in our BLE Activities to be filled.
Please consider helping, and ensuring our kids have the best
experiences possible.
If youre interested in any of these Coordinator positions,
please contact Becky Walker, PTA Volunteer Coordinator
(rsbruton@gmail.com).

Get Your BLE

Spirit Wear.
Look for spirit
wear, school and/
or recreational
products for sale
at Curriculum
Night!

GET INVOLVED AT BLE:

You have the opportunity to make this school year great. We rely on parent/grandparent
volunteers to help organize events, man a station at an event, create bulletin boards, support
classroom reading and math, donate items and more. To get involved:
Read your teachers emails and/or blogs. He/she
will include requests for volunteers for school
events and classroom-specific needs.
Sign up for email reminders through
www.clarkstoncalendar.org. Choose BLE and any
other community organizations, etc. for which
youd like to be on the communication distribution
list. We use this for all school wide events.
Check the Programs section on the PTA webpage

ROOM
PARENTS
At BLE, Room Parents are responsible for coordinating three classroom parties for the classroom
teacher: Halloween, Winter Holiday
and Valentines Day. Room Parents:
plan the theme
decide the games, snacks and/or
crafts
determine what supplies and
help are needed
solicit other classroom parents
to assist
run the party
We usually have two Room Parents
per classroom. If youre interested
in serving as a Room Parent, please
complete the form at the back of
this newsletter. The PTA Volunteer
Coordinator, Becky Walker, will
contact you by Friday, September
18 to confirm your assignment.
The Room Parent Kick-Off meeting
is Friday, September 25 from 9-10am.

and send an email to the activity coordinator for

the event(s) in which youre interested
Ask your teacher how you can help.
For most school-wide events, we will use an internet
site www.signupgenius.com to solicit volunteers.
Using this site makes it easy for event planners to
track sign-ups, allow you to sign up for an open slot
that works best for you and send reminders.
Thanks in advance for doing what you can to
support BLE!

Provide Financial Support

The BLE experience includes a variety of school-wide and classroom
activities. Each activity has a unique focus, and requires varying levels
of creativity, organization and work. Nearly all activities require both
time and funding to make them a success.
This year our primary fundraiser for the school year will be the
Fun Run, or Running with the Bulldogs. This event was new in
2014 and raised more than $25,000 after expenses and more than
half the total BLE PTA operating budget. Look for information coming once school starts with details on the classroom fundraising drive.
If youre interested in being a business sponsor and placing your
business logo/name on the class shirts, please contact Theresa Rotman
(tjrotman@att.net) no later than Friday, September 11.
Passive Fundraising is still an important source of income,
supporting many school-wide purchases. Passive fundraising opportunities include Scrips Cards, Kroger Community Rewards, Box Tops
for Education Upland Hills Harvest Festival.
Look for the PTA Fundraising Table at Curriculum Night or contact
our Fundraising Coordinators Kelly Teague (kelly.teague@yahoo.com)
and Ellen Lesnau (etles106@hotmail.com) to learn more.

KROGER REWARD PROGRAM:

Every year, it is necessary to re-enroll online to continue

supporting your organization.
The 2015-2016 Kroger Community
Rewards Program begins May 1, 2015.
All supporters of the program
must re-enroll every year. Below
are the steps to re-enroll your
Kroger Plus Card so that it continues to earn fundraising dollars
for Bailey Lake Elementary School!
Please pass along this notice to
friends & family who can help.
Re-enrolling only takes a few moments and is completed in a few
simple steps:
1. Visit our website at www.krogercommunityrewards.com.
2. Sign in using your email address
and password. If you have forgotten your password, just click
on forgot password and
a link will be sent to your email
to change your password.
3. Enter BLEs five digit NPO
number (82526) or the first
three letters of the organizations name, click search.
4. Select your organization by
clicking on the circle to the left
of your organizations name.
5. SAVE CHANGES.

If you want to enroll a new card,

follow the instructions below.
Click Enroll if you have never been
a part of KrogerCommunityRewards.com. Have your Kroger Plus
Card ready. If you use your phone
number at the register,
call 1(877)576-7587 to get your
Kroger Plus Card number.
1. Sign up today (to the right)
2. Enter your zip code and click
Search
3. Click on the arrow to display
the list of stores in your zip
code and highlight your preferred store
4. Enter in your email and password
5. Click Next
6. Key in your Kroger Plus Card
Number (if it says that this card
has already been used, please
call the number on the back of
your card)
7. Enter the security code (from
the box above it)
8. Enter in your contact information
9. Click on Next
10. Verify that your account information is correct. Check box

for agreement of the terms and

conditions and click Complete
Information
11. Kroger will send an email that
you entered earlier in the
process (this can take up to 10
minutes)
12. Open the email that Kroger
sent. Read the email and either
click on the link within the
email, or copy and paste it into
your browser
13. Sign in: click on the Click
here button and then type in
your email and password
14. Under Kroger Community
Rewards Section at right, click
Edit Kroger Community
Rewards Information
15. Find your organization by typing in your organizations name
or NPO number Bailey Lake
Elementary NPO# 82526
16. Click on the organization name
that you want. Please make
sure that you click on the circle
to the left of your organization
so that it becomes highlighted
17. Click on Save Changes
18. Scroll over the page and make
sure all information is accurate.

What is Scrip Fundraising?

We all shop at our favorite retail stores and go grocery shopping? Why not let our shopping help our schools?
Our organization earns money with each gift card purchased through this program.
There are no hidden fees or extra costs. We pay face value for every gift card purchased. Each retailer in return,
provides a certain percentage back to the school, an instant rebate! You are only purchasing what you need!
There are no expirations on gift cards. By simply planning ahead on everyday purchases, we can earn easy
money for our school! Ordering details to come!

Join the PTA Today!

Membership is just $10 per family or $35 for a business membership.
Use the form below to join. Please tear and submit your form and payment by Friday, September 25.
A school directory will be printed with all information and be distributed to all participants at a later date.

PTA MEMBERSHIP
M
 y family would like to join the PTA and receive one school directory $10
M
 y business would like to join the PTA $35
(PTA Business Members will be showcased in the PTA Business Member section of the Directory)

Id like an additional directory $5

PARENT(S)
NAME:

HOME
ADDRESS:

PREFERRED
PHONE:

PARENT
EMAIL ADDRESS:

CHILD(REN)
NAME(S):

Please attach your check (made payable to BLE PTA) and return to the school office by Friday, September 25.
We will also collect membership forms/payment at Curriculum Night.

ROOM PARENT:
Id like to serve as a Room Parent this year.

NAME:

EMAIL ADDRESS:

CHILD(REN)S
NAME(S) and GRADE(S)*:

Please return to the school office by Wednesday, September 16.

DIRECTORY OPT-OUT FORM:

I do NOT want to be in the School Directory
Our PTA publishes a school directory for your use. This directory includes names, phone numbers, and addresses of BLE students and parents. Most
parents find the information useful for creating party invitations, scheduling play dates, etc. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), a
Federal law, requires that Clarkston Community Schools obtain your consent prior to the disclosure of personal information. Please complete this
form only if you DO NOT WANT your child/family included in the directory. Information for the BLE directory will be gathered from the school
districts student database and the membership area of this flyer.

PARENT(S)
NAME:

CHILD(REN)
NAME(S):
Return this form to the school office by Friday, September 25 if you do NOT want to be in the directory. If we do not receive this form by
September 25, we will include your child(ren) and family in the directory.