*If you have not already done so, please pick up your Sally Foster Gift Wrap order by 3:00 pm today (Friday). We are tight on storage space at the school…pickup location is now the front hallway at school.

*Today is the last day for the Fall Book Fair. Orders are due by 11 am today (Friday) in the library. Thank you for your support of this program, which benefits the school library. We’d like to thank all of the volunteers who made the Book Fair possible: Kim Thrower, Stacy Aannestad, Kelly Norwood, Kim Stotts, Julie Necker, Kellye Prostko, Ginger Simon, Natalie Fucci, Debbie Reinschmidt, Kim Mitchell, Sally Kuboyama, MariAnn Alexander, Michele Wood, Tanya Breazeale, Sharon Wichterich, Jana White, Julie St. Onge, Cheryl Lucas, Melanie England, Sara Mullarkey, Lara Cunningham, Robin Thomas, Carol Gans, Candace Richey, Jennifer Griffin, Kristi Beirne, Kate Hourin, Kathleen Petters, Colleen Walker, Tish Williams, Stacie Brilliant, Sherri McCauley, Norma Lambert, Shannon Cross, Tracy Good, Mary Ann McDonald, Leigh Ann Kenyon, Karen Brennan-Wodchis, Tammy Templin, Sara Jones, Lisa Leyva, Beth Mansell, Roxanne Rains, Laura Dobbs, Kim McCarthy, Dawn Wright, and Cheri White.

*The second annual Trunk Show is November 18 from 5:00 – 8:00 pm at school. There will be at least 25 vendors available for you to get a jump start on your holiday shopping.

*The next general meeting of the PTO is November 18 at 6 pm in the cafeteria. Everyone is welcome to attend.

*The Food Drive continues through November 21. Kids can contribute nonperishable food items in the collection barrels in the front of the school, and coins or Turkey Bucks (from Randalls or HEB) in the jars in each classroom.

*If you have something that needs to appear in the next printed PTO Newsletter, please send it by November 17 to Penny Fairchild at penny_fairchild@lakewaypto.org. The next newsletter goes home in Tuesday folders the first week of December.

*Thank you for supporting our "Drug Free School" during Red Ribbon Week. Our children enjoyed Red Ribbon Week. The children learned positive affirmations each day in which we supported our "Drug-Free School!" The children were invited to purchase a treat in order to reinforce the mental awareness: "We have better things to do than drugs.” Our children were entertained by two professional groups: "Self Esteem and Character Building Magic Show" and "Real Life Communications." The children watched a positive video or participated in an activity in their classroom. They had an opportunity to enter a poster contest based on "Positive Affirmations Against Drugs." As we concluded Red Ribbon Week, students and teachers wore red and black clothing on October 31, as we supported our Drug Free School. Special thanks to all who helped during Red Ribbon Week: Jennifer Griffin, Jeri Lynn, Julie McIntyre, Julie Murphy, Kim Stotts, and Colleen Walker. Congratulations to the following classes, who won the ice cream party for best poster: Ms. Austrian, Ms. Bode, Ms. Byler, Ms. Faucheaux, Ms. Heath, and Ms. Wilson. Congratulations to the following classes, who wore the most red and black on Friday and won a pizza party:  Mr. Benthall, Ms. Gregory, Ms. Matt, Ms. McCraine, Ms. Porter, and Ms. Serfoss.

*From Jennifer Neuse, PTO President: It is to all of our credit that our community has rallied behind the school district and passed the bond package as presented by the bond committee. Now the hard work will begin to make our school larger to meet the increased capacity of 850 students. If you haven't seen the plans, please take the time to do so through the link on our PTO Web site at http://www.lakewaypto.org/bond.htm. Construction on the site will begin December 8th with the installation of construction barriers, walkways, and safety fencing. The PTO and the administration will be hosting meetings before this date to discuss construction issues with parents as well as a separate meeting with the faculty. The plan is to maintain open communications between the construction company, the faculty, the administration, and parents. American Constructors has been chosen to do all construction work within the district. They have many years of experience with additions to schools as well as hospitals and other sensitive construction projects. They have given us their commitment that they will take every measure to ensure the safety of our children. Please come to the forum when it is scheduled to ask questions and understand how this addition will be accomplished. (Look for information about these forums in future e-mail messages.) Thank you for your continued support, Jennifer Neuse.

*The third grade classes are hosting Fat Friday on November 21. Each grade level takes a turn hosting Fat Friday to provide breakfast, lunch, and snacks for the teachers and staff once a month. If you have a child in third grade, look for information from your room mom about providing breakfast and lunch items, snacks, and drinks for the teacher’s lounge. We also appreciate donations of paper products and decorations such as plastic table cloths. Parent volunteers are needed throughout the day to clear and clean empty dishes, consolidate food items, and help at the end of the day to clean up the lounge. If possible, please send food in disposable containers, label all food items, and bring all lunch items after 10:30 am, unless they are nonperishable, as refrigeration is limited. Thank you for supporting Fat Friday. The teachers and staff really appreciate these days!

*PLEASE send pictures to the Yearbook Committee, which is a volunteer effort by a few talented people and they can’t do it alone. If you have taken pictures at school or at any school event (field trips, carnival, etc.), please share them. Details are at http://www.lakewaypto.org/yearbook.htm. Also, Julie Wilson has three digital cameras in her classroom (room 205) at all times that she will quickly teach you how to use and loan to you to use at school. If you’re at school helping in the classroom or with an event, please grab a camera and play photographer for the day! And just a reminder, yearbooks are on sale now through November 25.

*Is your child planning to enroll in Chess Club in the spring? Meike Alana needs volunteers to help with Chess Club in the spring. We are planning to put on a chess tournament, but cannot do so until a few parents agree to help. If you’re interested, please get in touch with Meike at meike_alana@lakewaypto.org.

*The PTO Programs Committee is looking for someone to chair the Culture Fair in the spring. If you are interested, please contact Kim Stotts at kim_stotts@lakewaypto.org or Kim McCarthy at kim_mccarthy@lakewaypto.org.

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