The Annual Holiday Fair Returns, Dec. 14th & 15th at Dike Newell!

This is a wonderful, heartwarming PTA sponsored event where every child at Dike-Newell and Fisher-Mitchell can choose a holiday gift for their immediate family members for just 25 cents a piece!

To make this happen, we need donations of yard sale type items in good condition that would make suitable gifts for moms, kids and especially dads. We also need donations of scotch tape, self sticking gift tags, wrapping paper, and gift bags for odd shaped gifts. Please leave donations outside the office at Dike-Newell. Deadline for donations is Tuesday, the 15th at Dike-Newell. The shopping day for Fisher-Mitchell students is Monday, Dec. 14th, and the Dike-Newell kids will shop on Tuesday, Dec. 15th. You can't imagine the pride on your child's face when they see you open a holiday gift that they choose all by themselves!

We also require at least 25 volunteers to be present during the day of the fair. THIS EVENT CAN NOT TAKE PLACE IF WE DO NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT VOLUNTEERS!! Volunteer hours on both days are 8:30 a.m. - Noon and 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

All proceeds from the holiday fair will be given in the form of holiday gifts to a deserving family from each school.

Contact Kim Gates, ccordinator of the Holiday Fair at 443-5052 with any questions or to volunteer.

Thank you for making this Holiday Fair a special holiday tradition for our kids!

Sunrise Guide fundraiser extended through Nov. 28th

Scroll down on this blog until you see the bright purple image of this year's cover and read about this valuable green living guide/coupon book, a steal at $20 ($7 of which goes to support the PTA!). Email the Bath Elementary PTA at bathelementarypta@gmail.com to purchase your copy, sale ends Nov. 28th.

Support the Bath Food Bank and trot with your family and friends this Thanksgiving in downtown Bath!

There will be a 3 mile walk/run Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning at 8:30 in downtown Bath. Bring a can of food or a donation (suggested donation is $10) for the Bath Food Bank. Run for food and fun!Register at Inspire Me that morning. A great way to start off a day of giving thanks!
http://www.inspiremept.com/events/turkey-trot.php

Exciting PTA Basket Raffle is underway at 8 of the downtown stores to benefit our kids!!

Some of you may remember, and miss, the basket auctions that were held at Dike Newell in years past. This year we thought we'd reinvent this tradition by having downtown businesses create wonderful baskets for us, that will be raffled off at their stores. The PTA contributed $25 towards the value of each basket and the proprietors of the stores generously contributed to the baskets as well, making baskets of substantial value (we'll post the values on our blog www.bathelementaryptablog.blogspot.com when we have them all tallied). Raffle tickets only cost 50 cents per chance, and went on sale this past Saturday, November 14th, at the following stores: Papa Geppettos, Pitter Patter, Magnolias, Now You're Cooking, Bath Book Shop, Marnee's Cookies, Tates, Bath Natural Market and the Maine Maritime Museum. We are deeply grateful to all of these stores for participating in this project, and all proceeds will go to the Bath Elementary PTA to fund projects that benefit our children. The winner of each basket will be drawn on Dec. 15th. Please note: There will be no refunds or exchanges on any of the items in the gift baskets.

What a terrific meeting we had on Nov. 10th at DN. Thanks to Mikaela Rios for preparing thes notes, and please comment on the topics discussed!

Bath Elementary PTA
11/10/09 Meeting
Dike Newell Library


PTA OFFICERS IN ATTENDANCE:
Heidi Tucker, PTA President; Geniene Marco, Fisher-Mitchell (F/M) Vice President; Heidi Franklin, Dike-Newell (D/N) Vice President; Lori Harper, Treasurer; Lisha Wentworth, Assistant Treasurer; Mikaela Rios, Secretary

WELCOME:
Heidi Tucker began the meeting at 6:30pm. She encouraged people to visit the PTA blog at www.bathelementaryptablog.blogspot.com. Heidi and Michael Tucker will look into how to notify via email when the blog is updated. Heidi would like to see more comments on the blog.

SECRETARY’S REPORT:
The minutes of the October 13, 2009 meeting were approved as-is. The minutes are always posted on the blog. Mikaela encouraged everyone to sign in their attendance at the meeting and give an email address.

TREASURER’S REPORT:
Lori Harper presented the Treasurer’s Report. Expenses for the month were $443.25, income $14,436.56, leaving a balance of $18,900.65. However, we will need to pay Meadow Farm about $8,000 for their portion of the fundraiser profit.

Lisha Wentworth was introduced. Lisha will be assisting with the Treasurer’s duties until Lori is ready to turn them over completely.

Literacy Fund:
Candy Hernandez reported on the Literacy Fund. There is a balance of $3,519.59.

OLD BUSINESS:
Meadow Farm Fundraiser:
We owe them about $8,000, which makes our profit close to $7,000. Delivery dates of products reaching Lori are December 3rd thru 7th. She will disperse them to the classrooms immediately. An update will be in this week’s newsletters.

Sunrise Guide:
Selling is going slower this year. We’ve sold 18 so far and we must sell 26. The cost is $20 and includes 2009 and 2010 books. The deadline has been extended to November 23rd. We will continue to sell them at large gatherings and individually.



OLD BUSINESS, continued:
Bus Behavior Issue:
Pricipal Sally Brown will update us at the December meeting, as to the outcome of an upcoming meeting with the Superintendant and Administrators regarding this issue. PTA would like to pay for whistles for the bus drivers. Sally mentioned developing a bus safety assembly. Claire Berkowitz will get information about the AAA Patrol Program where 5th graders “patrol” the bus. Sally and the PTA would like the information. Heidi will add to the blog an entry regarding contacting your Principal with any bus issues.


NEW BUSINESS:
Annual Holiday Fair:
Kimberly Gates updated us on this year’s Holiday Fair, which will be December 21st and 22nd. Monday will be Fisher-Mitchell’s shopping day and Tuesday will be fore Dike-Newell. Kimberly needs help with setup on Sunday 12/20/09 at noon. She also needs items to be donated. Likewise, 30 – 40 volunteers will be needed on each day. She’ll be sending home a flyer regarding this. Samantha Adams volunteered to provide music for the event. Heidi T. will procure three reams each of red and green copy paper for Kimberly. Heidi T. will email teachers, requesting that if they go to Ruth’s place, they get extra scissors, tape, and wrapping paper.
VOTE: Approved a total of $250 to cover the bus gas, and food for volunteers, etc.
DECIDED: One family from each school will be assisted and receive gifts with about $500 of the profit. $150 will go to the Bath Food Bank. The rest will go to the Principals of each school for their discretionary fund.
DECIDED: PTA will front the $500 to Kimberly on 12/21/09 because full profits from the fair won’t be collected yet.

Downtown Business Basket Raffle:
Mikaela spoke about the fundraising event. A list of businesses donating to the event will be on the blog and Heidi T. will add to the newsletter each week. Samantha Adams will ask Marnee’s cookies to participate.
VOTE: $250 approved for this fundraiser

Fruit & Veggie Grant:
Ellen Beale, food service director for Dike-Newell, applied for and received a grant for $14,000, which will provide fresh fruits and vegetables to students during snack time on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for the entire year. We need volunteers to help with food preparation on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1:30 – 3:00pm. If you can volunteer, please contact Heidi T. If parents want to come into a classroom to share a fruit presentation, let Ellen know. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, Heidi T. would like to see if volunteers can pass out fruit or veggies to students as they get on the bus, with the instructions to not eat it on the bus.



New PTA Budget:
The PTA Board worked out a new budget. Heidi T. will email teachers with an explanation of the funds available to them. Basically, it’s $500 per grade and there is money for “specials.” The teachers will know the money is available and they can work with their team to decide how to spend it, and then request it from the PTA.
VOTE: Approved new budget, and board will oversee it and approve requests that occur between meetings.

Kindergarten Request:
VOTE: Approved Kindergarten team request for $402 for Chewonki presentation.
VOTE: Approved $160 for Kindergarten team to host a visiting Author. The $62 over the Kindergarten allotment will come from PTA’s discretionary fund.

Candy Hernandez suggested an application request form for funds. Lisha will make a form and keep a file of the requests.

Box Top Program:
Geniene Marco reported that for a one year period (Oct. 08 – Oct. 09), Dike-Newell collected $355 worth of box tops. Fisher-Mitchell (which hadn’t been turned in for over a year) totaled $312. The money goes to each Principal for a discretionary fund to benefit the children. Geniene will be sending information to add to the blog and newsletters regarding an online program called www.boxtops4education.com in which up to 6% of online purchases goes to your school.

Food Drive:
Lisha Wentworth spoke of the Fisher-Mitchell Food Drive. It will run from November 16th through the 20th. It benefits the Bath Area Food Bank. Last year, over 1,000 cans were collected.
VOTE: Approved $50 PTA donation to be used as an incentive program.

Book Fair:
Candy Hernandez mentioned that the Book Fair is at Dike-Newell next week and Fisher-Mitchell the following week. There will also be a family night featuring two local authors.

Principal’s Comments and Public Comments:
Sally Brown thanked everyone for their support in volunteering for the free snack grant program.
Also, SAG positions are still open if anyone is interested.

The meeting ended around 7:45pm.

NEXT MEETING:
Next Meeting is December 8th at the Fisher-Mitchell Library.

NUMBER IN ATTENDANCE AT MEETING: 16

Incredible new opportunity for the kids of Dike Newell to get more fresh fruits and vegetables into their diets/day!!

If you see Ellen Beal, Food Service Director for RSU1, be sure to stop and thank her for the incredible work she has done to secure a $14,000 Fruits and Vegetables Grant for Dike Newell! Here's a bit of info. from Ellen on the grant:

The goal of the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Snack Program is to increase children's consumption of fruits and vegetables by providing a fresh fruit and/or vegetable snack 3 days a week at school for free. This program is administered by USDA and State Child Nutrition Program...The FFVP is administered by the United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service through State Child Nutrition Programs. Schools have to be more than 50% free and reduced to apply for these grants. This is a great opportunity for the children of Dike Newell School to have a morning snack of fresh great quality fruits and veggies served to them in an atmosphere of learning.

Now here's what you can do to help administer this wonderful program: Volunteer!! We need help preparing the fresh snacks on Tuesday & Thursday afternoons, 1:30-3 pm at the Dike Newell cafeteria. If you have time to donate, we have fruits and veggies to chop! Please email bathelementarypta@gmail.com and we'll get you on the roster to help.

Do you have other ideas about other ways we can share these fruits and vegetables, beyond the 3 snack days? The grant is very generous and we have resources beyond the 3 days of snacks to get the food into the school. The veggies and fruits just need to be served raw, and cannot be dipped in anything or coated with anything. Just their yummy, natural-selves. Do you have a favorite specialty fruit or vegetable you want to share with your child's class and/or all the classes at the school? Just email Ellen with your idea and she can make it happen! Her email is ebeal@rsu1.org.

Thank you, Ellen!

Questions about the Swim for Health, Swim for Fun, Swim for Life Initiative

Questions posed by the Bath Elementary PTA Board, answered by Judy Metcalf, swim Committee Chair who attended the October 13th PTA meeting where the program was discussed. For other questions regarding the program, email Judy at metcalf442@myfairpoint.net or by phone 442-7820. To read a detailed flyer about the program and to see how you can donate towards this cause, click here.

Preliminary Questions about the School Swimming Lessons Initiative

Q. Will there be bussing from schools out of Bath? Or just Fisher-Mitchell?
A. The program will be offered throughout all of RSU1. All third and fourth graders will get a unit of swimming this academic year if our fundraising initiative is successful. The program includes bussing to and from each school.

Q.Will the program include all 3rd graders in the first year or will it be ramped up each year to include more and more kids? Should it be offered only for non-swimmers?

A. No third or fourth grader will be excluded. Our community is small enough and our certified instructors are knowledgeable enough to be able to tailor the lessons to the skills of each child, matching students with like skills with instructors.

Q. How many children in the pool at one time? What will the teacher to student ratio be?
A. This will be run by the YMCA as a swimming class. It will be properly and appropriately staffed.

Q. What about supplying towels/swimsuits with children who forget or cannot afford them?
A. Teaching the children to be responsible for their own clothes and equipment is, of course, part of the daily lesson we as parents and teachers impart to our children. That won’t be any different here. We of course expect that the lesson will require reminders and forgiveness. In those instances, our budget includes some contingency plans for extra equipment.

Q. Can parents opt their kids out of the program?
A. As Francie Tolan reminded us the other night, apparently parents can “opt “ their children out of any aspect of the required curriculum. It would be our hope that all parents would see and understand that this is a part of the physical education curriculum which opens a world of safety, health, and fun to their children, like soccer, football, archery, and track, all units of the physical education curriculum currently, do.

Q. Does the Y have enough certified instructors? Who will the instructors be?
A. Yes. The Y is a facility authorized to teach swimming of all ages. The instructors are all employees at the Y.

Q. When is the program starting? How much of the program has been funded?
A. The program will not start without our fulfilling our fundraising commitment to the RSU1. We must raise $22,000 to make that happen. We are soliciting donations from each PTA, private foundations, local and national granting organizations, private individuals, and local businesses. If each of us give according to the need and according to their ability we expect to have met our goal before Christmas break.

Q. How long will it take to bus children, shower before and after swimming, dress, dry hair, etc? How long will the actual pool time be?
A. Our committee includes two of the RSU1 elementary school gym teachers. We are also taking our cue from the fact that we are not reinventing the wheel. This has been done before, albeit for 5th graders. Many of those swimmers went on to be leaders on the Morse High School Swim teams. This is a six week program that will pose logistical challenges to those who have to make it work. Like Candy Hernandez said at your meeting last week, when it was done years ago in the schools, it was worth it and it wasn’t that hard. We can make it happen because we are focused on saving lives and making strong swimmers.

Q. Have all the teachers weighed in?
A. I am not sure what you mean by “weighed in.” I will defer to the superintendent and the teachers to answer this. As I stated the other night, the committee members who are teachers will assure that this works. That means cooperation, creativity, and contingency plans.

Q. How often will the lessons take place for each child per week, per month? How long will the swim lessons session last?
A. Please see above.

Q. Will wet towels, swim suits go back to school with children or stay at the Y?
A. They will not stay at the Y. The Y does not offer laundry services for those who use it. As with the sneakers, snowpants, and gym clothes that our children have to bring back and forth on gym or cold days, our children will need to be responsible to their parents for getting their gear back and forth.

Q. How will different levels of swimmers be handled? Will the accomplished swimmers be bored?
A. Please see above regarding swim skill allocation and attention. The lessons will be short. The students ought not to be bored if they are attentive to the lessons and the direction of the instructors and their teachers.

Minutes from the October 13th PTA Meeting

Bath Elementary PTA, 10/13/09 Meeting, Fisher Mitchell Library


PTA OFFICERS IN ATTENDANCE:
Heidi Tucker, PTA President; Geniene Marco, Fisher-Mitchell (F/M) Vice President; Heidi Franklin, Dike-Newell (D/N) Vice President; Lori Harper, Treasurer

SPECIAL GUESTS:
Karen Hawkes, Bath Bus Service; Carol McFadden, Patten Free Library; Judy Metcalf and Sandy Stenquist, Swim for Health, Swim for Life, Swim for Fun Committee


Heidi Tucker called the meeting to order at 5:27 p.m. Everyone in attendance briefly introduced themselves. Heidi talked about her vision and plans for the PTA this year. The year is off to a great start. Heidi also talked about the Mission Statement. She wants to combine everyone’s ideas for a statement on the FranklinCovey.com Mission Statement builder.

MINUTES:
The minutes of the September 22, 2009 meeting were accepted.

TREASURER’S REPORT:
Lori Harper presented the Treasurer’s Report. Expenses for the month were $229.00, income $488.00, leaving a balance of $4,625.84.

Lori also said the Meadowfarm fundraiser is looking very good. This is the PTA’s biggest fundraiser for the year.

Literacy Fund:
Candy Hernandez reported on the Literacy Fund. After several debits this month there is a balance of $4,167.99.

NEW BUSINESS:
Heidi Tucker welcomed Karen Hawkes from the Bath Bus Service. Heidi reviewed some of the concerns that were discussed previously about behavior on the school buses. Karen said it can be very difficult to watch children while driving the bus. Drivers can see about five seats behind them, and hear only three seats back. Drivers have been working hard to make paper trails when kids consistently misbehave on the bus. After paperwork is completed, students can be removed from the bus, but alternate transportation needs to be provided for them. Karen talked about different methods drivers use to get kids’ attention on the bus. She prefers using a whistle, and has had good luck getting their attention with that. The idea of having a volunteer on the bus was discussed. This would involve three hours of volunteer time daily, per bus. Concerns about volunteers were discussed. Karen said it wouldn’t hurt to have a volunteer on buses, but it needs to be consistent. The group thanked Karen for coming to the meeting and tabled the discussion until possible volunteers can be researched.

OLD BUSINESS:
Heidi updated everyone on the night at Rocky Ridge. It was a rainy night and there were not a lot of families in attendance. She reminded everyone of the upcoming Harvest Potluck and encouraged everyone to bring a carved pumpkin to the potluck to display behind the singer on stage. Heidi also reminded everyone that Sunrise Guides are available for sale with any of the PTA board members.

NEW BUSINESS CONTINUED:
Heidi reminded everyone that winter is coming and we need to replenish supplies in the winter gear banks at both schools. Boots and snow pants are the biggest need. Donations of gently used winter gear can be brought to the Potluck or dropped off at schools anytime.

Candy talked about the Book Bank at D/N. She said they have a great supply of books and have serviced 80 to 90 kids in the past.

Fisher Mitchell will be having a book sale during Parent Teacher Conferences. Books will be sold for $.25 per book.

Candy also updated everyone on the Book Fair. The fair is planned for the week before Thanksgiving at both schools. The Bath Book Shop will be providing the books again this year. The Literacy Fund and PTA will each be donating $3.00 per child, so every kid can get one free book for up to $6.00. There will be a parent night at D/N only, with two authors coming to read from their books.

Carol McFadden talked about upcoming programming at the Patten Free Library. She encouraged everyone to take advantage of the library. They have many volunteers coming in, providing a lot of enrichment for the kids. The library is a good place to go for books and entertainment.

Amy Lent informed the group that the Pirate’s Party will be on October 25th at the Maine Maritime Museum and is being put on by Morse High School students. She also mentioned the tree lighting at the Library Park is on November 28th. Children will be able to make ornaments in the library to hang on the tree before Santa comes. A food drive will also be incorporated into the festivities. Amy said they are always looking for bakers for this event and anyone who has ideas for entertainment for the kids while they wait in City Hall for Santa.

Judy Metcalf presented a new program, Swim for Health, Swim for Life, Swim for Fun, to the group. This program will provide 3rd and 4th graders in all of RSU1 the opportunity to learn to swim as part of physical education. Only one out of five children in Maine knows how to swim. Swimming is a life long sport. This program will be a six-week unit as part of PE and will be taught by qualified Bath YMCA staff. The lessons will be once a week and PE teachers will be on deck with students. Lessons will range by need, stressing safety for beginners and including pool time for the more advanced swimmers. All children will learn not to panic if they fall/jump into water. The Committee is raising $22,000 for this program, which is $77 per student and includes transportation to the Y. This program can begin as soon as January if all of the funds are raised. The Swim for Health, Swim for Life, Swim for Fun Committee is pursuing grant money and requests have been sent to local businesses and community members. The Committee is requesting $1,000 from all RSU1 PTAs. Heidi thanked Judy for her presentation and answering our questions. The PTA will wait to consider the request until the fall fundraising is complete and we will have a better understanding of our budget for the rest of the year.

Sally Brown informed the group of a recent grant D/N received for snacks. Kids at D/N will be given the opportunity to try foods they might not necessarily try. She is looking for volunteers to help organize this.

NEXT MEETING:
Next Meeting is November 10th at the Dike Newell Library.

NUMBER IN ATTENDANCE AT MEETING: 23


Minutes by Geniene Marco

Buy this year's Sunrise Guide, get last year's for FREE (those coupons good through Dec. 2009) while supplies last!

Top 3 Reasons to Buy the Sunrise Guide from the Bath Elementary PTA:

1.) It saves you money! Coupons-worth over $5300-save you money on local, natural food & farms, dining out, gardening, home renovations, travel, health & recreation and more! To see a complete list of the 2010 coupons, click here: http://www.thesunriseguide.com/what-s-in-the-guide.html

2.) It keeps you informed! With six chapters of articles, tips and ideas-the Sunrise Guide is your comprehensive guide to living green in southern Maine

3.) Besides saving your family money when you use the coupons, your purchase of the Guide means that BEPTA gets $7.00 towards their budget, for field trips, teacher requests, etc.!!

And while supplies last, purchase the 2010 issue and you'll receive the 2009 edition for FREE, and those coupons are good through Dec. 31st!! See where I'm going with this? If it wasn't already easy to recoup your $20, now it's a guarantee!! Take this example, on your Bath Natural Market coupons alone: 2009 coupon: $10 off $30 or more 2010 coupon: $10.11 off $29.99 or more. So there, you not only paid for the guide, you gained 11 cents for yourself!!

We are only selling these guides through November 9th, so if you're interested in buying a set (last year's and this year's) for $20 see Heidi Tucker, Heidi Franklin, Geniene Marco or Mikaela Rios who all have copies handy, or email bathelementarypta@gmail.com and we'll get your copies to you. Please spread the word about this great cause!!

Bookfairs coming up at Dike Newell (Nov. 16-19) and Fisher Mitchell (Nov. 23 & 24)!

The annual Dike-Newell School Book Fair, sponsored by the Bath Elementary PTA, will be coming next month during the week of November 16-19 (the F/M Book Fair will be held in the library on Monday, November 23rd and Tuesday, November 24th). The Fair will be held in the library during regularly scheduled classes on Monday-Thursday of that week. All books will be provided by our local book store, Bath Book Shop. Every student in our school will be able to select a free book at the Book Fair thanks to the generosity of the PTA and the Literacy Support Fund! There will be a parent evening on Thursday, November 19th, in the library. Parents from Dike-Newell School and Fisher-Mitchell School are invited to come and shop for books. Two local authors, Wendy Ulmer and Frances Bloxam, will be reading from their books that evening so children are encouraged to attend. More information about the parent evening will be coming.If you can volunteer to work at the Book Fair, please select a time from the openings below and email Candy Hernandez at chernandez@rsu1.org or call the school office @ 443-8285 and leave a message about the time you have chosen.In an upcoming Dike-Newell News you will find book selections available at the Fair along with prices. Thank you as always for your support!
Volunteer Opportunities:
Monday, November 16th
10:20- 11:10 Mrs. Brown's class12:40- 1:30 Ms Gate's class1:40-2:20 Mrs. Frey's class
Tuesday, November 17th
10:20- 11:10 Mrs. Kennedy's class12:40- 1:30 Mrs. Van Orden's class1:40-2:20 Mrs. Yarlott's class
Wednesday, November 18th10:20- 11:10 Mrs. Fullerton's class12:40- 1:30 Mrs. Rogers' class1:40- 2:20 Ms Michaud's class
Thursday, November 19th1:40- 2:20 Mrs. Jalbert's class

Agenda for Tuesday, October 13th meeting of BEPTA, meeting at the Fisher-Mitchell school

Bath Elementary PTA October 13, 2009 Meeting Agenda
6:15 p.m. social, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. meeting (7:50 more likely!)


Do you know any artists who want to provide us with a new logo that incorporates the Dike-Newell shark and the Fisher-Mitchell falcon? Encourage them to email their sample creation to bathelementarypta@gmail.com and we’ll post the ideas on our blog and vote on a new logo at our November meeting.

Thanks to Michael Tucker for taking a first stab at the logo above!

Agenda:

I. Welcome & Mission Statement Proposal (5 minutes)
(http://www.bathelementaryptablog.blogspot.com/) & www.franklincovey.com.

II. Secretary’s Report (5 minutes)

III. Treasurer’s Report (5 minutes)

IV. Old Business: Rocky Ridge event recap, Harvest Supper Potluck update, call for volunteers, Meadow Farms update, Sunrise Guide fundraiser update.
(10 minutes)

V. New Business: Winter Gear Bank & Book Bank (10 minutes), Book Fair (10 minutes), Patten Free Library presentation (10 minutes), Bus Behavior Issues (10 minutes).

VI. Fund Requests
a.) RSU1: Swim for Health, Swim for Life, Swim for Fun (15 minutes)
b.) Other

VII. Principal’s comments and public comments.

Good night and thanks for coming!!
Please comment on the blog in between meetings, and add your mission statement idea!

Next meeting is Tues., Nov. 10th at Dike-Newell.

Next Bath Elementary PTA Meeting is Tues., October 13th at the Fisher-Mitchell School library

All are welcome!! Social at 6:15 p.m., meeting starts at 6:30. Free babysitting is provided. On the agenda: Candy Hernandez talks about the Book Fair, Patten Free Library Children's Librarian Carol McFadden visits, School Bus issues, Crafting our Mission statement.

Sunrise Guide fundraiser starts Friday, October 9th!

Our totally GREEN fundraiser, the Sunrise Guide--part handbook, part coupon book--is a resource for learning about, supporting, and living in a healthy and sustainable way in Southern Maine. The 2010 SunriseGuide contains more than $5,300 in savings on local products and services, not to mention all the wonderful tips it gives you on living a healthier life. Last year the Bath Elementary PTA sold 37 copies of the guide, with $7 from each copy sold going directly to the PTA. At a list price of $20, the Sunrise Guide pretty much immediately pays for itself, once you pick the few coupons you know you'll use right away, let alone the ones you will use over the course of a year. We hope to exceed 50 copies sold this year, in which case we'll be able to keep $8 in profit from each copy sold. To buy your cop(ies) today, email bathelementarypta@gmail.com or we'll also be selling copies at the Rocky Ridge Family Night on October 9th and the Bath Elementary PTA Harvest Potluck at the Dike-Newell cafeteria on October 16th. The PTA will be selling the Sunrise Guide through Dec. 9th. Click here for a list of the valuable coupons in the 2010 Sunrise Guide!!!

Meadow Farms Fundraiser---Orders are Due October 7th, so send out those emails to family & friends if you haven't done so yet!!

Orders for the Meadow Farms Fundraising catalogs that were sent home last week are due on Fri., October 9th (not the originally published date of Oct. 7th, more days to gather orders)!! Between both Dike-Newell and Fisher-Mitchell last year, the Bath Elementary PTA benefited from an almost $9,000 commission from the sales from these catalogs, which was the majority of the PTA budget for the whole year. So, to say that the financial success of the Bath Elementary PTA depends on this sale, would NOT be an understatement. These funds were used to fund teachers' requests that allowed kids to take field trips to places like the Portland Planetarium, the Boston Museum of Science, Hawkes Farm, Bowdoin College as well as on-site visits from theater companies, Chewonki, and more. That's not to mention the $$$ the PTA gave to each child so they had $3 to spend at the book fair. So, remind your friends and family about the value of their dollar when they are considering what to purchase in the catalog, and be sure to go onto the http://www.meadowfarms.com/ website to send out an email to your friends and family who don't live nearby so they can do some online shopping and the Bath Elementary PTA still gets credit. Just make sure you find the yellow slip of paper called "on-line ordering" and it tells you how to log on and create a user name for yourself. You can customize the message in the email, and mine included a mention of how if you live local you don't need to place your order online but you can call me or give me the order, so you can avoid the shipping. Good luck!!!

Upcoming Bath Elementary PTA Family Events!!

Bath Elementary PTA Family Events: October 9th, Rocky Ridge Family Night & October 16th, Harvest Potluck Supper & Music by Folk Musician Lisa Redfern! On October 9th, from 5-6:30 p.m. the Bath Elementary PTA invites Dike-Newell and Fisher-Mitchell families to Rocky Ridge in Topsham (http://www.rockyridgeorchard.com/, 666-5786) for some Harvest activities in the form of apple picking and pumpkin harvesting! This will be a great way for families to get together and for kids to connect on a day of no school. Refreshments will be available to purchase at the Rocky Ridge store. It will also be a great opportunity for families to purchase a pumpkin that they can decorate (carve or paint) and bring to the Bath Elementary PTA Harvest Potluck Supper on Friday, October 16th. On that night, families are invited to bring a dish to share to the Dike-Newell cafeteria (if they're able) for a Harvest Supper from 5:30 - 6:30. The PTA will provide beverages. At 6:45 we're lucky to welcome our very special musical guest, recorded artist Lisa Redfern (http://www.lisaredfern.com/) who will share some family folk tunes with us during a brief concert that will last about 20-30 minutes. Families are encouraged to bring their decorated or carved pumpkins that we'll display on stage behind Lisa as she plays, and then they can be taken home. Read Lisa Redfern's bio in the paragraph below. And don't forget, the next PTA meeting is on Tues., October 13th the Fisher-Mitchell school library at 6:30 p.m. (social at 6:15). All are invited!!

More about Lisa Redfern....

Lisa Redfern is an award winning singer-songwriter who recently moved backto Maine from the San Francisco Bay area. She was raised in Maine andfirst performed with her father, Bob, who taught her to play guitar at age14. Bob was a folksinger who had his musical beginnings at the legendarySeeger family hootenannies in Washington, DC in the late 1950’s and early1960’s. Throughout her high school and college years she honed her talentsin a variety of settings such as musical theatre, forming her own folktrios as well as an Andrews Sisters tribute group.
With seven solo recordings to her credit so far (including, “Hushabye,Lullaby” which has sold more than 50,000 copies) she is asinger-songwriter who blends her roots in folk, bluegrass, country,gospel, blues, and swing to create something unmistakably her own. Lisa’sseven recordings have garnered positive critical review, extensive radioplay and she has also made several TV appearances. She has added herclear, beautiful voice to dozens of other artists’ projects and songcompilations and has performed with many notables including Pete Seeger,Dave Mallett and The Roches.
A versatile vocalist comfortable in many styles, Lisa is also anexperienced wedding/church soloist and children’s concert performer. As avoice-over artist she can be heard speaking and singing on several toysfor Fisher Price and Play Along Toys. For the past twenty summers Lisa hasappeared at the much beloved Sweet Chariot Music Festival on Swan’sIsland, Maine and she continues to perform and record.

Click on this link to sample some of Lisa's amazing music! http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/redfern2

Meeting Minutes from Sept. 22, 2009 Meeting

Bath Elementary PTA
9/22/09 Meeting
Dike-Newell Library


Heidi Tucker, PTA President introduced herself, as did the following officers: Geniene Marco, Fisher-Mitchell (F/M) Vice President; Heidi Franklin, Dike-Newell (D/N) Vice President; Lori Harper, Treasurer; and Mikaela Rios, Secretary (replacing Angie Klein).

Heidi collected surveys, the results of which will be posted on the blog http://www.bathelementaryptablog.globspot.com.

PURPOSE OF THE PTA:
Heidi touched on the National PTA Mission and the three important components of the Bath Elementary PTA (BEPTA), which are: student advocacy; school, teacher, and classroom support; and community enrichment. At the October meeting, Heidi would like to come up with a BEPTA Mission Statement that adequately reflects our goals as a group. As BEPTA President, Heidi’s main goals are: to raise money from community members and by applying for grants; and to do more family events, such as the successful Pot Lucks of last year.

Ann D. mentioned the wonderful experience of the summer camp funding of 2009. Heidi applied for a grant, which was meant to fund 15 kids attending summer camp for one week each ($3,000 awarded) but in the end funded 38 weeks of summer camp thanks to generous matching fund donations from the organizations involved.

UPCOMING EVENTS DISCUSSED:
- October 9th, Family Night Out at Rocky Ridge Barn in Bowdoinham from 5:00 – 7:00pm. PTA will not donate money to the event, but refreshments will be available for purchase and entrance is free. Heidi T. is chairing this event.
- October 16th, Family Pot Luck at D/N cafeteria, featuring folk singer Lisa Redfern. The pot luck will begin around 5:00 or 5:30pm and the concert will be from 6:40 – 7:00pm. Lisa Redfern will be selling CDs and promoting her guitar lessons in exchange for her kind offer to entertain us for free. Candy Hernandez will help set up an easel of Rules of Conduct for the concert event, which will be a reminder of how to behave when listening to a musician. VOTE: We voted to fund $100 to supply milk and paper goods. A cooler with water and cups will be available, too. Heidi T. is chairing this event.

TREASURER’s REPORT:
We have $4,519.01 in our account. During the 2008 – 2009 school year, $9,700 worth of requests were fulfilled and our Fall fundraiser (Meadowfarm catalogs) raised around $8,000.


UPCOMING FUNDRAISERS:
- Meadowfarm fundraiser begins the week of September 28th. Fliers will be sent home in backpacks. The orders will be fulfilled by Winter Break. Lori is chairing this fundraiser.
- Angie K. suggested an alternative fundraiser for later in the year and/or next year. Some ideas are a daily planner with kid’s artwork, holiday cards with kid’s artwork, hosting a craft fair. We can discuss this at a later meeting.
- Sunrise Coupon Books fundraiser will have a selling period of October 9th to November 9th, but we can keep selling on the BEPTA blog until January. The books are $20 each and we make $7 on each book if we sell up to 50. If we sell up to 150, we net $8 on each book. The coupons support local merchants and additional coupons come via email. Heidi F. if chairing this fundraiser.

ONGOING FUNDRAISERS:Box Tops for Education collections at F/M will start October 31st. We receive 10 cents per box top. The first check should be received by December 15th. Information will be sent home via newsletter. Candy Hernandez will find out who collects Box Tops at D/N and see if the PTA can do it. Geniene is chairing this fundraiser.

PTA MEMBERSHIP:
Fliers encouraging PTA membership are being sent home soon with return address envelopes. We make only $0.75 - $1.75 on each paying PTA member (depending upon single or family membership status). A suggestion was made to add verbiage to the flier to allow people the option to make a donation to the BEPTA if they wish. Suggested was “At this time, I don’t want to join PTA as a voting member, but I’d like to support the PTA with a donation.” Heidi T. and Lori are coordinating this effort.

PTA COMMUNICATION:
Mikaela mentioned that the blog is a communication tool for BEPTA information and Heidi had mentioned its importance for those who could not attend meetings. The blog address is http://www.bathelementaryptablog.blogspot.com. Also, the PTA has an email address which goes to Heidi and it is bathelementarypta@gmail.com.

REQUEST FOR FUNDS:
Barbara Leeman, representing the Math Team, requested $175 for the 5th graders to compete in the Southern Maine Elementary Meet at the Portland Expo center. The funds will cover entrance to the event, including copies, writers’ fees, refreshments, and awards. There are 6 kids per team, but there are also 4th and 5th grade alternates involved.
VOTE : We voted to approve the funds. Barbara R. suggested that perhaps a public budget would be allotted for these academic activities in the future, and that this kind of request might be put before the RSU1 board come school budget time.
PRINCIPAL’S COMMENTS:
F/M Principal, Larry Dyer, updated us on the following:
- MEA testing. This year, it is 6 days for 3rd and 4th graders, and 5th graders have an additional two days of MEA testing.
- Wal-Mart has adopted F/M and between last year and this year has donated $2500 ($1150 received this year). The money (in form of store credit) has been used and will be used to purchase necessary items for the kids and the school. Also, Wal-Mart has set up a jar at school to collect money for the Children’s Miracle Network. One hundred percent of the donations go to the cause.

NEXT MEETING:
October 13th at F/M Library
- Winter gear collection for kids in need at both schools
- Bus issues
- BEPTA Mission Statement
- Alternative Fundraisers


NUMBER IN ATTENDANCE AT MEETING: 20

AFTER MEETING INFO:
Two babysitters were paid $32.00 total for their services watching kids during the PTA meeting.

Tell us what you think of this logo for the Bath Elementary PTA!

Trying to combine: Sharks (Dike-Newell), Falcons (Fisher-Mitchell), City of Ships, Reading.

Please join the Bath Elementary PTA at the Dike-Newell Open House on Sept. 17th!

Let's kick off this PTA year by establishing as many PTA memberships as possible BEFORE the inaugural meeting of the PTA on Sept. 22nd! PTA board members will be on hand at the Dike-Newell Open House on Thurs., Sept. 17th, 5:30 - 6:30 to accept annual PTA membership dues. Dues are $6/adult and $10/family (each adult who joins gets a voting privelege at PTA meetings among other benefits to membership!). We hope we'll see you at the Open House!

Calling out for carpet!!

Are there any parents out there who have a connection to anyone who sells/installs carpets? The teacher's lounge at Fisher-Mitchell is badly in need of new carpet, with no budget for such improvements. If anyone has contacts who may be willing to donate and install such a creature, contact Larry Dyer, principal at Fisher-Mitchell, ldyer@rsu1.org. Thank you!

Mikaela Rios nominated to the board of the Bath Elementary PTA to fill the role of Secretary

Angie Klein has had to resign as secretary of the Bath Elementary PTA due to other obligations, and therefore the board of the Bath Elementary PTA has nominated Mikaela Rios to fill the position of secretary. Mikaela's nomination will be voted on at the Sept. 22nd meeting.

The first meeting of the Bath Elementary PTA will be on Tues., Sept. 22nd at the Dike-Newell school, all are enthusiastically invited!

6:15 p.m. social time, meeting commences at 6:30 p.m., meeting held in the Dike-Newell library on the 2nd floor with free babysitting on the first floor, in the Art room.

After the September meeting, the regular schedule will commence with meetings on the 2nd Tuesday of each month, alternating between the two elementary schools. The October meeting will be on October 13th, held in the library at the Fisher-Mitchell school.

The PTA encourages you to pay your membership dues ($6/adult, $10/family) at the Dike-Newell Open House on Sept. 17th where we'll be saying hello and answering any questions.

We're looking forward to an exciting year and the opportunity to advocate for our kids, their teachers and all the families of Bath!

Final PTA Meeting of the School Year, June 9th, 6:30 p.m. at the Fisher Mitchell School Library

At the last PTA meeting on Tuesday, May 11, 2009 the following slate of offiicers were nominated to the board of the Bath Elementary PTA for the 2009-2010 academic year: Heidi Tucker (president), Geniene Marco (vice-president, Fisher Mitchell), Heidi Franklin (vice-president, Dike Newell), Angie Klein (secretary), Lori Harper (treasurer). These officers will be voted in at the Tuesday, June 9th meeting. As always, we encourage parents and staff to attend our PTA meetings. This will be our final meeting for the school year. Questions or comments? Email the Bath Elementary PTA at bathelementarypta@gmail.com or visit the PTA blog: http://bathelementaryptablog.blogspot.com.

Summer camp scholarships will be awarded to 38 Dike Newell and Fisher Mitchell students thanks to a grant funded by Bowdoin's Common Good Center!

The Bath Elementary PTA board recognizes that the joys of summer camp should be accessible to all children, and understands that for many families the cost can be a great financial burden. This was the motivation for their application to the Common Good Center at Bowdoin College for a grant that would fund a limited amount of Summer Camp scholarships for children enrolled in the 2008-2009 school year at Dike Newell and Fisher Mitchell. We are thrilled to announce that not only did the Common Good Center award the grant, but with the help of generous donations from area Day Camps, the Bath Elementary PTA will be able to award 1 week of Summer Camp to 38 students!

Read all about this great opportunity by clicking the link below (technical difficulty, can't activate link so please send us an email to bathlelementarypta@gmail.com if you would like an application emailed to you) where you can download the complete application. But hurry!! Applications must be turned in to your teacher or principal by end of school on Monday, May 11th!

Read about the 13 unique camp opportunities by clicking the links below:

Midcoast Gymnastics (for grades K-5,wks. June 29th through wk. of Aug. 17th)

Wolfe's Neck Farm (for kids entering 3rd -5th, wks. of June 22nd - wk. of Aug. 10)

Kids Down Under (for grades K-5, wk. of June 29th - wk. of July 27th) call 442-0180 for info.

Bath Area Family YMCA Daycamp (for grades 1-5, see pg. 7 of YMCA Program Guide, wks. of June 29th - wk. of Aug. 17th)

Bath Area Family YMCA Gymnastics Camp (for grades 1-5, see pg. 10 of YMCA Program Guide, Youth Camp Mini Camp, July 20 -24, or July 27-31)

Pemaquid Watershed Kid's Nature Day Camp (for ages 10-12, July 13 - 17th)

Morris Farm (for ages 5-10, July 6th - August 7th)

Sea Spray Kayak Camp (see pg. 18 of YMCA Program Guide, for ages 8 & up, week of June 29)

Merry Meeting Band Camp (for grades 4-5, July 13th - 17th)

Bowdoin College Day Camp (Grades 1-5, weeks of July 6, July 13, July 20, July 27, August 3)

Maine Maritime Museum's Young Mariner's Camp (for Grades 1-5, Aug. 10th - 14th)

Bath Recreation Day Camp (grades 1-5, June 29th - August 14th)

The Theater Project (for ages 6-8, June 29th - July 3rd; July 6th - July 10th).

Camp Mummichog's Wabanaki Ways Camp (ages 9-12, August 3rd - 7th)

Questions? Leave your comments here or email bathelementarypta@gmail.com.