Flynn PTO Update 1/19/14

Hey There Flynn Families - Lots going on as usual...  Bundle up, looks like we're going into another cold snap!




Flynn Family Nights Did you miss the first Flynn Family night of the year?  Friday night brought together families for active games like Revenge and Basketball, Board Games and free popcorn and friendship.  Not to worry, there is a family night this Friday - see below. 


Flynn School Geography Bee this Thursday!  10, 4th and 5th grade finalists will compete to see who will represent Flynn School in the National Geographic Geography Bee.  The school finalist will have the opportunity to represent Flynn at the State Bee - from there, who knows what could happen...  The Bee is being held on Thursday, January 21st at 1:15 in the Stage Gym.  Families and friends are invited - come show your support!


Do you have a kiddo interested in Geography or you want to spark some interest?  National Geographic puts out a daily quiz that you can try - bookmark it and make it a daily visit...  You might learn something too!!!    http://www.nationalgeographic.com/geobee/quiz/today/#/start


Family Traditions Dinner this Friday at 5:30pm in the cafeteria!!!  You do not want to miss this very popular annual event...  There are great Flynn families to meet and visit with, teachers to mingle with, international displays and loads of great foods from all parts of the world.  Bring a main dish food to share - even better if it is a traditional family recipe or one that represents your heritage.  There will be labels at the dinner so that you can make note of allergens or meats in your dish.


If possible, bring your own dishes so we can cut back on paper waste.  But don't worry, we have some washable dishes available if you forget...


The PTO will provide water and dessert to round out the dinner.  Questions?  Email flynnschoolpto@gmail.com






Chess Club is back!!!  Jon and Shanta hosted ~20 Flynn kids at Chess Club last week- they even had to crack open a few more chess boards to meet the demand!  Chess Club meets every Wednesday at 7:30am in the cafeteria.  ALL levels of players are welcome.  Hope to see your kiddo this week! 


Tom Sawyer Update - Auditions for speaking parts were held last week and we had ~51 kids try out.  Parts will be announced on Tuesday as well as a script read through with Don Wright.  Rehearsals start on Wednesday!!!  Students will bring home their scripts, a parent letter and info about playbill artwork on Tuesday.


Parent Meeting next Monday (1/27) at 7pm in the library.  One stop shopping for all the info you need, get your questions answered and find out how you can be part of the team.  We request that all families take an active role in making the play a fabulous experience for the cast, crew, chorus and audience.  There are jobs big and small and they are all important. 


Chorus sign-ups took place last week and students need to get their permission slips in by the end of this week (1/24).  Lost the form?  Click on the googledoc below to print it at home.  Otherwise, there are extra forms in the PTO mailbox in the office.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1IAGKT0nGapWInA0Ff9KCANgxujmjUJ8n_jvlpauZ7ug/edit?usp=sharing


Artwork We are now accepting artwork submissions for the poster and playbill.  More info will be sent home on T with 4th and 5th grade participants.  ALSO, the same info is included at the end of this blog post.  There is no special paper - submissions can be on regular copy paper - just make sure to put the name of the student on the BACK of the paper.  (see end of post or you can print the googledoc below)
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1UXS2vf_5OeMmpxcFhzeDVtVkJhelFsZGgzbGw2ODJVb1M4/edit?usp=sharing


Stage Crew permission slips will be sent home at the end of this week or beginning of the next.


Advertising sales for the playbill/poster has begun.  Do you have a business or work for a business that might want to take out a very reasonably priced ad?  This year we are producing a glossy poster that can be hung throughout the community - much wider exposure...   For more details on sizing and pricing, click on the googledoc below.  We appreciate your support and sponsorship!
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1UXS2vf_5OecHBmaF9rVnBkUk1EOVZJVWViclJ2UWhUY0hN/edit?usp=sharing


School Budget  For the most up to date info from the School Board meeting last Tuesday, click on the link below to review the new supporting documents.
http://district.bsd.schoolfusion.us/modules/cms/pages.phtml?pageid=299231&sessionid=38be82f34cd44f972cec02b9b7de5d19&t=70f3972e1eab3ba389d2d6d0a09a5f21






Traffic Study on North Avenue wants your input...  The City of Burlington and the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission (CCRPC), in collaboration of other stakeholders, are studying the North Avenue corridor (between North Street and Plattsburg Avenue) to address transportation issues and develop solutions to improve the travel experience for all users. The study is using a “Complete Streets” approach which considers the needs of pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, deliveries, transit, and emergency responders. The study website provides additional information about the study and the Advisory Committee: http://bit.ly/north-ave
 
Because North Avenue is a vital link for students, parents, faculty, administrators, and staff we are looking for ways to engage school-affiliated groups.  (a speaker may be coming to an upcoming PTO meeting)
 
Finally, we will be holding a public workshop on Thursday, February 20, 2014 at 7:00PM at St. Mark's Church Family Center (1215 North Avenue). This is a great opportunity to participate in the study and we welcome your spreading the word.




Save the date...

January 20 - No School - MLK Day
January 21 - Tom Sawyer - Casting results and read through
January 22 - Chess Club
January 23 - Geography Bee

January 24 -Family Traditions Dinner - 5:30pm
January 27 - Tom Sawyer Parent Meeting - 7pm
January 29 - Chess Club
February 6 - PTO meeting

February 14 -Flynn Talent Show - 7pm (Free admission and bake sale too) 
March 7 – Free Family Skate Night  at Leddy Arena and Pizza Dinner Out (fee) to benefit Tom Sawyer production- 6-8pm
March 16-21  - Tom Sawyer
March 25 Book Fair dinner and shopping
April 4-Drive In Movie Night with building of cars in the afternoon.  
April 10-Flynn Math Night 




Calling all Artists!!! Interested in seeing your
artwork featured on our Tom Sawyer color poster or in
our playbill? We’re interested in seeing what you come
up with and will be accepting your artwork over the next
few weeks. While only some drawings can be featured,
all artwork will be displayed in the hallway at Flynn
school! Show us your stuff!


Here are the details:


• All drawings need to be handed in by February 14th
• Drawings can be Black and White or Color   (no pencil please – markers or pen)
• Any size is ok, it can be adjusted
• Artists name should be on the BACK OF THE PAGE or away from the drawing
• Send your artwork in to the office. There will be a folder in the PTO mailbox


Ideas for Artwork:


• JJ Flynn Theatre Presents Tom Sawyer March 20-22, 2014 (draw out the title)
• Very Merry Theatre has provided us with the cast of characters. Try drawing some of the characters or draw a scene from the story. If you “Google” Tom Sawyer images, you might get some ideas for scenes like Tom painting the picket fence, Tom and Huck on a raft floating down the Mississippi, Tom and Becky in school...


Schoolboys - Cause mischief, act like pirates, wear straw hats, sing and dance.
Schoolgirls - Play Robin Hood, wear straw hats with ribbon, sing and dance.
Grownups – Trying to run things at home and in town but it’s not easy
Treasure Hunting Society – Wear safari hats and look for treasure in the caves.
Hobos – Ride the train and work on the new train tracks.


QUESTIONS about ARTWORK? Contact our Playbill Designer extraordinaire, Bren
Alvarez  bren@flynndog.net 802.363.4746