Hey There Flynn Families - Have a great week - Kate
December PTO Meeting Minutes can be found at the end of this post
Flynn Family Fund update So far, parent donations to INLU are up to $125 and student donation dolls are starting to stretch around the school. Thanks for your generosity! It is not too late to send in dollars with your kiddoes - So far we have raised $505. If you would still like to make a donation via INLU,
click the link: https://www.inlu.com/registry?key=1A74TKT22G1756
JJ Flynn Theatre had their first pre-play planning meeting last week. Don Wright gave an overview of his version of Frankenstein (and Friends!) There will be a third grade chorus and actors from the 4th and 5th grades. All students in grade 4/5 that want a part get a part! "Auditions" will take place during the third week in January.
What to do with old toys from the blog, Unclutterer
Posted: 04 Dec 2012 07:43 AM PST
The winter holidays are coming and, for those who celebrate and have kids, it typically means the acquisition of new toys. It’s great for the kids but becomes problematic when the new bounty is piled upon last year’s. And the year before that. Before long, you’ve got clutter on your hands. Fortunately, there are several things you can do to reduce the mess, keep things tidy, and, best of all, keep the kids happy about it. If you’re looking to part with used toys, the following are several ideas for what you can do with older, outgrown or otherwise unused toys.
Donate
It’s always nice to donate a toy to someone who could use it and there are plenty of options. Here are a few that should be available in many communities for very lightly used toys:
- Toy drives. To find a toy drive in your area, contact a local church or chamber of commerce. Organizations like the Boy Scouts of America and Girl Scouts also organize drives, so seek them out in your neighborhood.
- S.A.F.E. Stuffed Animals for Emergencies. This organization delivers donated stuffed animals, toys, books and blankets to hospitals, children’s services, homeless shelters and hospitals across the country. You can find a chapter in your area here.
- Goodwill. Goodwill works to foster employment training opportunities for those it serves. The vast majority of funds brought in through its stores serves that purpose.
- Local fire department. Firefighters and EMTs often keep stuffed animals around to give to children they must transport to the hospital. Call the department in your area to see if they have such a program.
Repurpose Old Toys
Repurposing is where it gets fun. You and your child can let your creativity run wild and think of fun and useful ways to repurpose old toys. It can soften the blow that comes with giving something away. Often children can have an emotional bond to a toy they haven’t touched in years. Tricks like these allow them to keep that toy around (or a part of it at least).
Repurposing helps kids (and parents) realize that making something can be more fun than buying. It fosters a real sense of ownership and accomplishment. Finally, you’re keeping a hunk of plastic out of the landfill in many cases. Here are some great ideas for re-purposing old toys.
Website
Apartment Therapy has gathered 10 fantastic projects for old toys from around the web. My favorites include:
- Plastic toy as planter. This fantastic tutorial shows you how to turn a plastic dinosaur into a cute planter.
- Wooden block wall hangings. My wife and I bought so many wooden blocks for my children. At 7 and 9 years old, they’ve lost interest. This quick how-to from snug.studio shows how to turn them into wall hangings for book bags, hats, jackets and more. Very clever.
- Animal head toy coat rack. A very clever and useful project from Make: Craft uses the heads of discarded plastic animals to make a good-looking coat rack.
- Tree ornaments. When I was very young, my mother cut the plastic animals that hung from the mobile above my crib and turned them into Christmas tree ornaments. They’re still among my favorites (wooden peg puzzle pieces also make great ornaments).
I know that kids aren’t thrilled about receiving clothes as gifts, but it happens. Even I have a T-shirt collection that drives my wife a little crazy. Last year, she had several made into the quilt pictured below that has graced my bed ever since.
Honor the Memory
We often fail to part with things not because of the item itself, but with the memory or emotion it represents. This is especially true as kids grow up. One way to honor the memory without incurring clutter is with a
shadow box like these from Lawrence Frames. Add an item or two and discard the rest. The memory is intact, and the clutter isn’t.
I also love
this wall decoration made from small, unused toys. What a nice way to let Jr. keep some of the items he loves without letting them form a space-hogging pile.
Sell
You won’t be able to sell all of your old toys, of course. But some vintage toys and collectibles can attract buyers. Before you list your little treasures online, you’ll need to take some photos. A good photo can make or break a sale. Here’s a fantastic tutorial on how to photograph your items for the likes of ebay. And, Thomas train sets are very popular this time of year for sale on Craigslist.
There’s a lot that can be done with old toys. If you can, have your kids take part in the process you choose. They’ll feel a part of the decision and enjoy seeing the toy’s new role.
New Post from Jeanne Collins' blog (BSD Superintendant)
Greetings all! I hope you had a refreshing break and are ready to tackle the weeks until the next one! We are entering high budget season, with a Finance Committee Meeting last night and additional meetings on Dec. 3, 7 p.m. at Ira Allen and Dec. 11, 5:30 p.m. at BHS, before the Full Board meets Dec. 11, 7 p.m. at BHS to agree on a proposed budget. To create the proposed budget, we analyze everything we do now, starting with classroom services, then support services, and finally the infrastructure that supports the teaching. We look at anticipated budget increases (health insurance is going up 14% next year!), potential tax rate and state funding for education (neither of which is final until late in the legislative season, usually after our vote), and needs or gaps that exist in what we are doing now. The Board has asked me to bring them a 0%, 2% and 4% budget increase from the current year. This means they will need to know what options exist for reductions to get to each level and where trade offs may occur. Naturally, it is hard to think of any reductions, but to get a budget that the community can support, we always need to make changes. After a high budget last year, we need to be very circumspect in this year's proposal.
The Board will decide on a proposed budget for public comment on Dec. 11 and will hold a first hearing on Dec. 18, 7 p.m. at BHS. The second hearing will be Jan. 2, 7 p.m. at BHS, and the final hearing will be at the Jan. 9 Board Meeting, 7 p.m. at BHS. On Jan. 9, the Board is expected to finalize its FY14 budget for the Mar. 5 vote. This is decided early by law, to allow for the printing of ballots, annual reports, and other activities. In Jan. and Feb., we do all we can to get the word out about what is in the budget. As a District, we cannot use public funds to tell people how to vote; however, we can give people facts and encourage them to vote at all. It is very helpful that all faculty and staff know the facts about the budget, as you will be asked by neighbors and parents and can help give accurate information. I will share the facts with you as the budget is finalized. Early voting at City Hall begins the 2nd week of February. Absentee ballots are available to voters who will be out of town or simply don't like the lines at the polls. Let people know of these options - the more people who vote, the more we hear what the community wants.
Also, please join me on Dec. 19, 3:15 p.m. (location TBA) for my first Tea with Jeanné this year. This is a chance for us to get together without an agenda and connect, so I can hear your concerns and share my thinking. This tea will focus on race and equity and diversity, as that is a current and future District focus.
Jeanné
Kid's Night Out with the Close-Up Foundation (money benefits some 7/8 grade students participating in a field trip to Washington DC)
Our Kids’ night out is a fun filled evening for children from kindergarten thru 5th grade
Kids
are dropped off at Lyman C. Hunt Middle School and spend the evening
playing games and sports, watching movies, arts and crafts and more!
Parents: Do you need a few last hours of shopping, wrapping dinner or a movie,
we have the place for your kids!
DATE: Friday, December 21, 2012
TIME: 6:00--9:00 p.m.
SITE: Lyman C Hunt Gymnasium
Ages: 5-10 years
Cost: $10 per child/pre-registered by Dec. 19th or
$15 per child/walk in
CHILD’S NAME______________________GRADE:_____________
CHILD’S NAME______________________GRADE:_____________
ADDRESS:_______________________________________________
PHONE:___________________EMAIL:_______________________
I hereby state that my son/daughter is in good physical health and may participate in all “Kids’ Night Out”
activities. I also give my permission to a member of the staff, in case
of emergency, to allow my son/daughter to be treated in the emergency
room/hospital.
__________________________________________________
Print Name of Parent/Guardian
__________________________________________________
Signature of Parent/Guardian
Walk Ins are Always Welcome!
For Questions or registrations call or email
Melissa Willette
35 Marshall Dr
Burlington, Vt 05408
phone 802-310-3183
bammwill@msn.com
checks payable to: Close Up Foundation
please all jewelry and valuables at home! This
includes cell phones, Ipods and other electronics.
We are not responsible for lost or stolen items.
CONCESSION STAND WILL OFFER:
PIZZA, DRINKS AND CHIPS!
Lisa Tulkop ran the mtg in Tammy's absence
OPEN FORUM
Question about how to apply for PTO classroom grants- Happy will make a coupon like page to have available for teachers to redeem- they will be placed in the teacher lounge
Question about how can we make the pasta dinner more accessible to families- should the dinner be by suggested donation?
UPDATES
Treasurer's Report- tabled until next meeting
Principal's Corner- tabled until next meeting
Enrichment Update- tabled until next meeting
Fundraising Update- Amanda and Chris updated on the following:
>Calendars- they will be purchased for $2.80 to be sold for $10. Ordering 200. Potential release date is Jan 1. Looking for art donations- Amanda will submit a posting to Kate for the blurb asking for artwork submissions and per-sale options. Lisa will email all teachers and ask for a collaborative submission to be emailed to Amanda
>Talking to Barnes and Noble about potential fund raiser
>Springfest- Bessery's has offered to donate the use of their Italian ice machine, coca-cola donating beverages to be sold, and potential items for the silent auction are Burton snowboard and Simon Pearce glassware.
FSP Update- Shanta Eastman: Family Traditions Dinner- looking for volunteers. Planning meeting is: Thursday 12/13 3-4 pm. Expecting a good turn out and also coinciding with the move from St Joe's.
Room Parent Update-
>Dec- people are donating money to create a fund for families in need- teachers are working with Ms. Kutcher to identify the families needing assistance. All families asked to bring in a dollar and PTO donated money as well. Blog will report on Final donation amounts.
>1/2 day on Wed- in service at ECHO. PTO will be donating some food to the pot luck
>Jan- 3rd grade- spiffing up the staff room
Playground Update-
> Mary, Sarah, Karen and Graham met earlier that day met and discussed funds still needed:
$9000 still needed- 2 grants in the works and fundraising continues
>One member raised questions about raising funds to create a more natural play areas
>Need for security cameras- graham is asking district to install security cameras. Asking for parents for assistance in petitioning the school board for funds. Lisa will email Graham and ask how PTO can be of assistance.
Other Updates:
Teachers suggestions box- no new comments
Outerwear Exchange- Christine has labelled the racks and added signage outside the school and she is expecting one more donation from Gadue's
Need for parent help early on in the year- Mary and Christine will create a copy shop like form that teachers can fill out and leave it in an inbox for parent volunteers to copy items for teachers
Christine volunteered to help organize the Family Nights and recruit people to run the events. Shanta is organizing skating.
Gift for babysitter? Lisa organized a cash donation of $20 and a card
Tabled Items
Food at meetings to increase participation?
Themed meetings before or after main meeting?
Hey there Flynn Families - Buckle down - there are five more days before Winter break. Maybe that means sleeping in, family game day, lazy mornings... Hope you have a good one- see you in the new year!
